How can anyone say they believe in God and not believe in modern day prophets? My answer/thoughts...?

Question

I wasn't able to put my entire answer/thought on my previous on and you can't edit the dang thing so here it is...

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” [Rev. 22:18–19] (Italics added.)

Let us first consider what John meant by “this book” and then consider what he meant by not adding to or taking from it. When John wrote the Book of Revelation in the latter part of the first century a.d., he was not writing the concluding pages of the New Testament, as there was no New Testament in existence at that time.

He was an exile on the isle of Patmos and was writing a scroll addressed to seven branches of the Church on the western side of what we today call Turkey. His manuscript was entirely independent of the rest of the 27 separate manuscripts that later came to form the anthology that we know of as the New Testament. Nor was his manuscript necessarily the last one written. It is the consensus of those who have written on the subject that several of these 27 scrolls were written after the Book of Revelation was written. Not until the fourth century a.d. did the emerging collection of sacred writings become the New Testament essentially as we know it today. In the light of these facts, we may see that when John spoke of “this book,” he wasn’t referring to a not-yet-formed New Testament but simply to his own scroll, the Book of Revelation itself.

What, then, does John mean when he commands anyone who reads his work not to add words to it or to take words from it?

He means that no one should tamper with the text of his scroll in any way.

He wants no copyist, no would-be deceiver, no well-intentioned but misguided believer, no one to make any changes in the way it reads. He wants it to remain precisely as he has inscribed it under the inspiration of the Lord. It is interesting that the author of Deuteronomy, the fourth book of the Old Testament, similarly warns his readers, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it.” (Deut. 4:2; compare Deut. 12:32.) In both cases the writers are commanding future viewers of their sacred manuscripts not to alter anything that has been written. Fortunately, no one seems to be arguing, on the basis of the injunction in Deuteronomy, that there never was to be any more scripture, for then some people might conclude that the rest of the Bible must be rejected.

Not only is John not saying that there never would be additional scripture, but the inevitable conclusion that one must draw from the Book of Revelation, when taken as a whole, is that John recognized that there undoubtedly would be additional scripture in the last days. How so? What is scripture (Latin: scriptura, “a writing”) but divine revelation in written form? A good portion of the Book of Revelation is a prophecy of heavenly messengers coming to earth at a time beyond John’s day. When such messengers come and a written record is made of the visit and their message, automatically new scripture is formed. In the 11th chapter of the Book of Revelation John predicts the mission of two prophets who will prophesy in Jerusalem at the time of the end. When they prophesy and their divinely revealed message from God is preserved in a written record, again new scripture will be formed.

Rising above all other events in prophetic significance in the Book of Revelation is the predicted second coming of Jesus Christ. When Christ comes and men of God make a written record of his coming, once more new scripture will be formed.

Rather than the Book of Revelation teaching us that there was never to be more scripture given to the human family, the little volume, viewed from beginning to end, becomes splendid evidence that there would be and must be additional scripture in the last days.

Source: Eldin Ricks (Ph.D. in Israeli Studies, Dropsie College) was Professor Emeritus of religion at Brigham Young University.

Answer 1

to the awnser just above mine..
True, it does say not to "..add to or take away from the words of this book of prophecy." in Revelation 22 verse 19 (God speaking to John the beloved)
It also says that in the book of Deuteronomy 12 verse 32.
(God speaking to Moses)
"..thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."
and if that is the case, then we would only have the books from Genisis to Deuteronomy.
and I bet you know that the word "Bible" means a "collection of sacred writings".
and the bible is a compilation of many books written by the ancient prophets.
and the books of the bible are not complied in chronological order, because the book of revelations was written before others in the new testament, and yet it's placed at the end.

Also, Hebrews chapter 13 verse 8 says, " Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and for ever."
Jesus called apostles when He was on the earth. and when He left, Peter was called as the Prophet.

So my point is, Jesus being the same yesterday, today and forever, why wouldnt He have apostles and a prophet today?



You seem to think I have a twisted way of viewing the scriptures so why would you think that I'm going to tell you about someone I respect as a prophet of God?
If you're referring to me that is.


Um, that would be pretty lame for a person to make up multiple identities for yahoo awnsers. No, we are not the same person. Nor are we on yahoo for that reason.
So, what is this "biblical test" you keep talking about?

Answer 2

The gift of prophet seems to have been a temporary gift given by the Christ for the laying of the foundation of the church. Prophets were foundational to the church (Ephesians 2:20). The prophet proclaimed a message from the Lord to the early believers. Sometimes a prophet’s message was revelatory (new revelation and truth from God) and sometimes a prophet’s message was predictive (see Acts 11:28 and 21:10). The early Christians did not have the complete Bible. Some early Christians did not have access to any of the books of the New Testament. The New Testament prophets “filled the gap” by proclaiming God’s message to the people who would not have access to it otherwise. The last book of the New Testament (Revelation) was not completed until late in the first century. So, the Lord sent prophets to proclaimed God’s Word to His people.

Are there true prophets today? If the purpose of a prophet was to reveal truth from God, why would we need prophets if we have the completed revelation from God in the Bible? If prophets were the “foundation” of the early church, are we still building the “foundation” today? Can God give someone a message to deliver to someone else? Absolutely! Does God reveal truth to someone in a supernatural way and enable that person to deliver that message to others? Absolutely! But is this the biblical gift of prophecy? No.

Whatever the case, whenever a person claims to be speaking for God (the essence of prophesy) the key is to compare what is said with what the Bible says. If God were to speak through a person today, it would be in 100% complete agreement with what God has already said in the Bible. God does not contradict Himself. 1 John 4:1 instructs us, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 declares, “Do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good.” So, whether is it a “word from the Lord” or a supposed prophesy, our response should be the same. Compare what is said to what the Word of God says. If it contradicts the Bible, throw it out. If it agrees with the Bible, pray for wisdom and discernment as to how to apply the message (2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:5).

Answer 3

I think I came across this other question. It's rather hard to believe in a way that the jws reacted that way. A modern day prophet? NO. Jesus christ is the last prophet. The JWS don't have a prophet nowadays. No one in the society claims to have any sort of revelations. Even the founder, Russel, did not claim any supernatural experience. The governing body then and now is only an aid to bible understanding and the prophecies contained in it. Any religion who claims to have a prophet is against Galatians 1:8 and so would be false.

Answer 4

Yes, when John is speaking of "this book" he is referring to Revelation. However;

2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto good works."
King James Version

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
New International Version

AND

“Above all you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21. (New International Version)

Any teachings today can not contradict what God has already told us.

Answer 5

Exactly right. Only those who don't understand the scriptures use Rev 22:18-19 as evidence against continuing revelation from God. The fact that so many DO use it that way is one of Satan's greatest victories, if not THE greatest.

Answer 6

The prophecy here is the Revelation prophecy. People must become aware of it and what it means. You can't add to it or take away from it. Since it is inspired of God who would are to change a word of it?

We are living in the fulfillment of Revelation today. People must strive to want to understand it.

"This book" refers to the entire Bible. There are many organizations that add to and take away from the Bible. True religion does not do that.

Answer 7

I am not sure I have ever seen a more foul twisting of the Bible in my life.

Please present the name of the prophet you believe to speak for God and we will apply the biblical tests of a prophet to that one.

So...Fruit and Cake are you the same person? Together are you a newton? Are you here to give each other best answers? Not very honest if that is what you are up to.

According to Scripture prophets must prove themselves. Are you frightened of your "prophet" standing up to a biblical test?

Answer 8

If what they say is Biblical and truth then they are considered a prophet. Just hard to find a truthful Biblical prophet.

Answer 9

Where is the scripture. I believe we are in the last days.