In the Authorized Version, Isaiah 45:7 reads as follows:

“I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I the LORD do all these things.”

First, let us briefly focus on the word, “create.” It is “bara” in Hebrew and means, “bringing something into existence which did not exist before.” The word is used in Genesis 1:1, revealing that God created the heavens and the earth. Hebrews 11:3 elaborates that the worlds (the universe as well as the earth) “were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

The Hebrew word for “evil” is “ra” and can have several meanings. In the Authorized Version, it is translated over 400 times as “evil,” but it is also rendered, among others, as “adversity” (Ecclesiastes 7:14; Psalm 94:13); “affliction” (Psalm 34:19; 107:39; Obadiah 13); “calamity” (Psalm 141:5); “distress” (Nehemiah 2:17); “grief” (Jonah 4:6); “harm” (Genesis 31:52; Numbers 35:23; Proverbs 3:30; Jeremiah 39:12); “hurt” (Genesis 26:29; 31:29; Psalm 38:12; 70:2; 71:13, 24; Ecclesiasts 8:9; Jeremiah 7:6; 24:9; 25:7; 38:4); “mischief” (Exodus 32:22; Nehemiah 6:2; Hosea 7:15); and “trouble” (Psalm 27:5; 41:1; Jeremiah 2:27-28; 11:12, 14; Lamentations 1;21).

Before explaining in detail how the word “ra” is to be understood in Isaiah 45:7, we need to consider the following:

We read that God created the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but He ordered man not to eat from it. He wants man to follow and believe Him as to what He tells man regarding good and evil; rather than man deciding for himself what, in his mind, is good and evil (compare Isaiah 5:20). God wants man to reject evil, but if man refuses, He will bring “evil” (Authorized Version) or “disaster” (New King James Bible) upon him (Jeremiah 4:6).

God did not create man as an evil being; instead, we read that after He had created man, He said that His entire work was very good (Genesis 1:31). We also read, however, that man has chosen evil “schemes” over good and upright behavior (compare Ecclesiastes 7:29), and that man’s heart is evil “from his youth” and “deceitful” (Genesis 8:21; compare also Jeremiah 7:24 and Jeremiah 17:9). This is largely due to Satan’s influence (2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Timothy 2:26; Ephesians 2:2). Satan, though, was not created as an evil personage either. He was created as a perfect being, called Lucifer–a bright shining being, a light-bringer or morning star–in whom was no evil and no sin (Ezekiel 28:14-15).  But both Lucifer and all angels, as well as Adam and Eve, were created with free moral agency. They could choose to follow good, or to reject it and follow evil. Lucifer and one third of all angels chose to become evil, and man, following Satan’s influence, chose likewise to follow the way of evil, leading to pain, suffering and death, rather than the way of good, leading to happiness, prosperity and, ultimately, to eternal life.

When God created angels and men as free moral agents, He knew of course that they might choose to reject good and follow evil. God is interested in character development—the free choice to reject evil and adopt and apply what is good. But He does not force anyone to do so. In giving free choice to Lucifer and the other angels, as well as men, He allowed for the possibility that they would turn to evil.

But God is ultimately in charge. Although God permits Satan to stay on the throne of the earth until his successor—Jesus Christ—returns to replace him, Satan and his angels—known today as devils and demons—can only do what God allows them to do. The book of Job shows us that Satan can only operate within the parameters which are granted to him by God. That made God ultimately responsible for the “evil” (Authorized Version) or “adversity” (New King James Bible) that Satan brought upon Job (Job 2:10, first two sentences). When Job said that he was receiving “evil” or “adversity” from God, he told the truth and did not lie (Job 2:10, last sentence). God allowed Satan to afflict Job so that Job could finally recognize his self-righteousness and his wrong feelings of superiority, and that he could realize instead his inferiority and inabilities in comparison with the almighty God.

God wants man to choose good over evil, but when man makes the wrong choice, he will have to live with the “evil” consequences, since God has set in motion laws that regulate the results of good and of evil conduct. Sometimes, in order to drive lessons home, God Himself brings “evil” upon man for man’s ultimate good, either directly, or by allowing Satan and his demons to afflict man with “evil.” God does this, so that man can better understand how and what he is and that he has to repent and change, allowing God to replace man’s evil heart of stone with a heart of flesh that is upright and good.

The question remains, what kind of “evil” is it that God may bring upon man, and which is referred to in Isaiah 45:7?

The New King James Bible renders the word as “calamity,” and most translations use similar wording. In Joshua 23:15, we read that God will bring “evil” (Authorized Version) or “harmful things” (New King James Bible) on those who do not repent.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary says, in regard to Isaiah 45:7:

“There is no God beside Jehovah. There is nothing done without him. He makes peace, put here for all good; and creates evil, not the evil of sin, but the evil of punishment. He is the Author of all that is true, holy, good, or happy; and evil, error, and misery, came into the world by his permission, through the… apostacy of his creatures… We must not expect salvation without righteousness…”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible adds:

“‘I make peace, and create evil’; peace between God and men… ‘evil’ is also from him; not the evil of sin… this is of men, though suffered by the Lord… but the evil of punishment for sin, God’s sore judgments, famine, pestilence, evil beasts, and the sword, or war, which latter may more especially be intended, as it is opposed to peace; this usually is the effect of sin [and] permitted by God; moreover, all afflictions, adversities, and calamities, come under this name, and are of God; see Job 2:10…”

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary states:

“Isaiah refers also to the Oriental belief in two coexistent, eternal principles, ever struggling with each other, light or good, and darkness or evil, Oromasden and Ahrimanen. God, here, in opposition, asserts His sovereignty over both… create evil—not moral evil (James 1:13), but in contrast to ‘peace’ in the parallel clause, war, disaster (compare […Amos 3:6]).”

This is an interesting comment in light of the fact that there is really no war going on between God and Satan, as if they were both of equal power; rather, God is most powerful, and Satan can only do what God especially allows.

The Amplified Bible writes:

“I make peace [national wellbeing. Moral evil proceeds from the will of men, but physical evil proceeds from the will of God], and I create [physical] evil…”

The distinction between physical evil and moral evil is further emphasized by Dummelow who writes in “The One Volume Bible Commentary”:

“Evil… not moral evil, but misfortune or calamity, the opposite of peace.” The Soncino Commentary agrees with this evaluation.

The new Scoffield Reference Edition says:

“God is not the author of sin [Habakkuk 1:13; 2.Timothy 2:13; Titus 1:2; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5]. One of the meanings of the Hebrew word ‘ra’ carries the idea of ‘adversity’ or ‘calamity,’ and it is evidently so employed here. God has made sorrow and wretchedness to be the sure fruits of sin.”

The Life Application Bible summarizes the essence of the meaning of Isaiah 45:7 in this way:

“God is the ruler over light and darkness, over good times and bad times. Our lives are sprinkled with both types of experiences, and both are needed for us to grow spiritually. When good times come, thank God and use your prosperity for him. When bad times come, don’t resent him, but ask what you can learn from this refining experience to make you a better servant of God.”

Indeed, as God said to Cain, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:7, New King James Bible).

And Moses was inspired to communicate God’s words to the nation of Israel, as follows (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, 19-20, New King James Bible):

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live, that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days…”

But Moses also said this in Deuteronomy 29:4 and 31:29 (New King James Bible): “Yet the LORD has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day… For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the works of your hands.”

May God give so that you do not belong to those people who are sowing and doing “evil” and reaping “evil” in return.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

Here are Christ’s words, in context, quoted from Matthew 5:17-19:

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

First, we would recommend that you read or re-read our Q&A on the issue as to what Christ meant with His statement that He came to fulfill the Law. We point out that Christ did NOT come to abolish the Law—referring to the spiritual Law of the Ten Commandments and the statutes and judgments which explain the Law. Rather, He came to magnify the Law and fill it up with its intended spiritual meaning.

But what did Christ mean when He said that those who break one of God’s least commandments and teach men to do likewise will be called least in the Kingdom?

Literally, the wording is: “least shall be called in the kingdom of heaven…”

In other words, those in the Kingdom of God will call them “least.” The Kingdom of God is the Family of God. So, the Family of God will call someone least who practiced and taught the abrogation of the Law—although he knew better. This is not to be understood in the sense that he will be in the Family, but that in the Family, he is viewed as the least. In fact, as there are many who teach the abolishment of God’s Law, all of them would have to fall into the category of “least.” If they were all in God’s Kingdom, then they would all be “least” in the Kingdom. But only one could be “least” among all the others. Rather, as we will see, he will not enter the Kingdom or Family of God, but Christ explained that the Family of God will look down on such a person as being the least of all teachers. This conclusion also follows from Matthew 5:20, where Christ says that we will NOT enter the Kingdom of God if our righteousness does not exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees.

Many commentaries agree with this understanding.

Vine, “Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words,” explains that “called the least” describes an estimation of the person. He will be the least-esteemed or regarded as the least.

The New Jerusalem Bible states that he “will be considered the least…” The German Pattloch Bible translates that he will be viewed as the least.

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible points out that “he shall not be in the least esteemed, but shall be cast out as a worthless man… he shall not enter [the Kingdom]…”

The Geneva Study Bible adds:

“[Christ] begins with the true expounding of the Law, and sets it against the old (but yet false) teachings of the scribes: He is in no way abolishing the least commandment of his Father. [The one who teaches against it] shall have no place [in the Kingdom].”

Matthew Poole’s Commentary points out:

“Whosoever shall in his practice violate but one of the commandments of God, which the Pharisees judge of the least, and which possibl[y] are so compared with others, and shall teach men that they may do as he doth, making such false interpretations of the law as may warrant such a practice, he shall be accounted of the least value and esteem… and shall never come into the kingdom of glory…”

This commentary makes an interesting and important point. It explains that Christ is addressing the PRACTICE of living and teaching wrong things—not an occasional slip-up. As we will see, this practice must be fully understood; that is, the person doing and teaching wrong things knows better; he does it willfully and in complete rejection of God’s Word.

As Christ continues to point out in Matthew 5:21-30, the Pharisees might have taught that it was wrong to kill, but Christ went much further and explained that it was already wrong to hate—and the Pharisees had most certainly a big problem with THAT understanding. Some might want to conclude and teach that the commandment against hate would be one of the “least” of God’s commandments, if at all. But Christ responds by saying that no one will enter the Kingdom of God with that kind of a perception and conduct. Paul later lists hatred as a deed of the flesh, excluding one from entry into the Kingdom (Galatians 5:19-21, especially verse 20).

Some might say that persons violating and teaching against God’s Law will be in the Kingdom, but that they will have a lesser reward than others. But Christ did not say that they will be called “lesser” or that they will have a “lesser” reward; rather, He declared that they will be called “least” or, as some put it, “THE least” by comparison.

Such a person won’t be there; he is going to be looked down upon and esteemed by the Kingdom of God—the Family of God—as the least… or less than nothing. If we are not trustworthy in the least, we will not be given the true riches (Luke 16:10-13).

What Christ is talking about is a wrong Way of Life—a continuing practice of sin and rebellion against God. Unless somebody repents of such conduct, He will not enter the Kingdom of God. God will not allow willful rebels to become part of His Family. Christ is referring to persons who commit the unpardonable sin by rejecting God’s Law—including commandments which are regarded by them as less important—and who teach men to behave likewise (Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:26-31).

For example, some may think that it does not matter to God whether we observe the Fourth Commandment and keep the weekly Sabbath (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), and that we can worship Him instead on Sunday or just about any day—or no day in particular. If someone is ignorant about these matters, then God will forgive him upon repentance. But Christ is warning us that once we understand the truth and subsequently fall away from it, practicing evil and teaching men so, we will never enter the Kingdom of God.

(For more information on the unpardonable sin, please read our free booklet, “Do We Have an Immortal Soul?,” pages 28-36.)

Even though Christ addresses in Matthew 5:19 mainly those who sin willfully against God, it is also true that as long as people—especially “ministers”—practice sin and give man a “license” to sin by their wrong teaching, they will not enter the Kingdom, until they repent of it and live and teach God’s Way of Life. But they can be led to repentance (while those who commit the unpardonable sin have fallen away from the truth which they had understood, and refuse irrevocably to repent). But even after repentance, belief, proper baptism and receipt of the Holy Spirit, God’s true disciples will still slip up in word and deed.

When generally living and teaching the truth, they will again obtain justification and forgiveness for their sins upon repentance (1 John 1:5-10). So, Christ was not referring to a person in Matthew 5:19 who does not know the truth, or if he does, who sins occasionally in deed or in word (James 3:2, 5-6, 8, 10). Rather, He is addressing people who knew the truth and fell away from it, never willing to return to God. And He says that God’s people will “call” or “esteem” those as the very least.

1 Corinthians 6:4 explains too that outside judges are ESTEEMED “least” by the Church. Also, Luke 16:15 states that “what is highly ESTEEMED among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Finally, kings of the Gentiles and world authorities are “CALLED” benefactors (Luke 22:25), but they are not viewed in such way by God (compare verse 26). But Christ’s disciples will be great in the Kingdom, even though they are “called” least today (Luke 9:48).

Some may look at Christ’s statements about John the Baptist and conclude that those who teach against the Law will be in the Kingdom, even though they might be called least. But this is not what Christ meant. Christ said that there was no greater prophet than John the Baptist, but that the one who is least IN the Kingdom will be greater than he (Luke 7:28; Matthew 11:11). That is, as long as John was in the flesh, anyone in the Kingdom—even if looked on as least—will be greater than the human being, John the Baptist. This is the case as everyone entering the Kingdom will be a Spirit being and an immortal member of the God Family. Here, Christ is just drawing a comparison: Anyone in the flesh, including the greatest of all prophets, will not be as great as the “least” immortal member in God’s Kingdom.

But John the Baptist will be in God’s Kingdom too, and he will not be the least of the least, below every other member in God’s Family. He was the “Elijah” to come to prepare the people for Christ’s first coming. He was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. To conclude that he would be the least of all in God’s Kingdom—less than the least—would truly be ludicrous. In addition, this passage cannot be used to conclude that the ones who teach against God’s Law and encourage people to do likewise will still be, as the least, IN the Kingdom.

In our free booklet, “Is That In the Bible? The Mysteries of the Book of Revelation,” we explain who will not be in the Kingdom of God. We say in Chapter 26 (“Outside Are Dogs and Sorcerers”):

“Revelation 22:14–15 states the following: ‘(14) Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. (15) But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.’

“This passage describes a time AFTER the heavenly Jerusalem has descended to earth (described in Revelation 21)—AFTER ‘anyone not found in the Book of Life’ had been ‘cast into the lake of fire’ (Revelation 20:15). ‘Death and Hades,’ that is, all physical humans not written in the Book of Life, had already been ‘cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death’ (Revelation 20:14).

“Revelation 22:19 adds that ‘if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book [better: Tree] of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.’…”

“… we read in an earlier passage, in Revelation 21:8, that those who have committed the unpardonable sin will have been thrown into the lake of fire, to be burned up and destroyed. [Revelation 21:8 reads: ‘But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.’]

“The lists of sins in Revelation 21:8 and Revelation 22:15 are very similar, indicating that these passages address the same kinds of people…”

We see that those who take away from God’s Word in deed and word (“whoever loves and practices a lie” and “all liars”) will NOT be in the Kingdom of God. God does not say that they will be there, but just as the least. Continuing:

“The Commentary on the Whole Bible by Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, states: ‘As all the filth of the old Jerusalem was carried outside the walls and burnt there, so nothing defiled shall enter the heavenly city, but be burnt outside (cf. ch. 22:15).’

“The Broadman Bible Commentary explains Revelation 22:15, as follows: ‘The blessedness of the righteous is seen more clearly in John’s contrast with those outside. Outside does not mean that the wicked are milling around the exterior of the walls of the holy city. It means that they will never be inside the city; they are [or better: were cast into] the lake of fire (20:15). The term could have some reference to life in the present world; the righteous already know a habitation with God; the wicked are already outside.’

“In fact, the Bible speaks repeatedly about those who are ‘outside’—who are not a part of the Church. We read in 1 Corinthians 5:12–13: ‘For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person.’ Compare, too, Colossians 4:5 and 1 Thessalonians 4:12.

“The Greek word for ‘outside,’ ‘exo,’ which is used in those passages and in Revelation 22:15, can also mean ‘without.’ In Matthew 13:47–48, it is translated as, ‘away’: ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to the shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad AWAY.’

“The meaning is clear: Those who are ‘bad’—those who practice the sins described in Revelation 22:15, as a way of life, without a willingness to repent—will be ‘outside’ or ‘without’ or ‘away from’ the holy city and the Kingdom of God. Many Scriptures show that those people will not inherit or enter the Kingdom (compare 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Galatians 5:19–21; and Ephesians 5:5). Note that the lists of sins, as set forth in 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Ephesians, are very similar to the sins mentioned in Revelation 21:8 and 22:15, including sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery and murders. All of these lists address the same kinds of people.”

We need to remember that sin is the transgression of God’s Law (1 John 3:4, Authorized Version). All the Scriptures, quoted above, list different categories of sin—all in violation of God’s Law—and those who practice these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. In addition, those who teach those things to others—that it is alright to behave in that way—will not inherit the Kingdom of God either. Especially the list in Galatians 5:19-21 addresses sinful teaching—sins which one commits with his mouth, including dissensions and heresies. To preach that we do not have to keep the Law today is heretical. And Paul says very clearly that those who engage in such teaching will not be in God’s Kingdom. Continuing:

“Christ said in Luke 13:28: ‘There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out [and thrown into the lake of fire, compare Matthew 13:41–42].’…

“Moffat translates Revelation 22:15 in this way: ‘Begone, you dogs, you sorcerers, you vicious creatures, you murderers, you idolaters, you who love and practice falsehood, every one of you.’ Other translations render the Greek word ‘exo’ (i.e., ‘outside’ or ‘without,’) as ‘excluded.’ Those who refuse to repent will be EXCLUDED from access to the Kingdom of God and the holy city. They will be destroyed in the lake of fire, which is the second and final death, from which there is no resurrection back to life.”

Those who commit the unpardonable sin will not be in God’s Kingdom, but they will be burned up. Remember that the examples of wrongful conduct include liars—those who teach wrong things, including the false doctrine that Christ did away with the Law, and that we are under no obligation to keep it. 1 John 2:4 explains that the one “who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

Those who willfully practice the way of sin by rejecting God’s Law and teach men to violate God’s Law will not be in God’s Kingdom. They will be outside or excluded. In the Kingdom or Family of God, those people will be called or esteemed least, as everyone committing the unpardonable sin is viewed by God and His Family as the least of all people.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

It depends on what is meant by the term, “prophet.”

Smith’s Bible Dictionary describes a biblical prophet as follows:

“The ordinary Hebrew word for prophet is nabi, derived from a verb signifying ‘to bubble forth’ like a fountain; hence the word means one who announces or pours forth the declarations of God. The English word comes from the Greek prophetes (profetes), which signifies in classical Greek one who speaks for another, especially one who speaks for a god, and so interprets his will to man; hence its essential meaning is ‘an interpreter.’”

Easton’s Bible Dictionary explains:

“(Hebrews nabi, from a root meaning ‘to bubble forth, as from a fountain,’ hence ‘to utter’, Comp. Psalm 45:1). This Hebrew word is the first and the most generally used for a prophet. In the time of Samuel another word, ro’eh, ‘seer’, began to be used (1 Samuel 9:9). It occurs seven times in reference to Samuel. Afterwards another word, hozeh, ‘seer’ (2 Samuel 24:11), was employed. In 1 Ch. 29:29 all these three words are used: ‘Samuel the seer (ro’eh), Nathan the prophet (nabi’), Gad the seer’ (hozeh). In Joshua 13:22 Balaam is called (Hebrews) a kosem ‘diviner,’ [the new King James Bible says here, “soothsayer”] a word used only of a false prophet.

“The ‘prophet’ proclaimed the message given to him, as the ‘seer’ beheld the vision of God. (See Numbers 12:6, 8.) Thus a prophet was a spokesman for God; he spake in God’s name and by his authority (Exodus 7:1). He is the mouth by which God speaks to men (Jeremiah 1:9; Isaiah 51:16), and hence what the prophet says is not of man but of God (2 Peter 1:20, 21; Comp. Hebrews 3:7; Acts 4:25; 28:25). Prophets were the immediate organs of God for the communication of his mind and will to men (Deuteronomy 18:18, 19). The whole Word of God may in this general sense be spoken of as prophetic, inasmuch as it was written by men who received the revelation they communicated from God…”

Even though the meaning of the word “prophet” most certainly includes godly understanding and inspired preaching, more is involved.

Wayne Blank defines a prophet in this way, in “Daily Bible Study” (on keyway.com):

“The English word ‘prophet’ originated from a Greek word which meant to tell before i.e. pro means before and phemi means to tell… The Hebrew word of the Old Testament that is translated as ‘prophet’  [nabi]… means an inspired speaker… The Greek term of the New Testament that is translated as ‘prophet’… also means an inspired speaker…

“The LORD’s prophets are often regarded as having only been there to prophesy coming destruction, but they only did so within the context of preaching and teaching God’s Truth – and what would happen to those who rebelled against it. The LORD’s prophets, who were therefore also experts in God’s Law, also prophesied great good that is coming upon those who obey God’s Law.”

As can be seen from the foregoing, one of the responsibilities of a true biblical prophet is to foretell the future.

The website of bible.org gives interesting points regarding the meaning of the word “prophet”. Even though we do not agree with everything stated there, we quote a few correct excerpts, pointing out that a prophet has certain tasks. He is given the commission:

“To make known to men the laws of God [compare Zechariah 1:6]

“To call the people back to obedience to God’s laws [compare 2 Chronicles 24:19]

“To exhort the people to sincerity in worship [compare God’s directive to the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 7:1-11]

“To warn them of Divine judgment upon sin, both personal and national [compare God’s directive to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 36:27, 30-31]

“To foretell future events which God had willed [compare God’s directive to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 30:1-3]…”

So we see that we must not limit the role and function of a true prophet to “just” foretelling the future, but this aspect is most certainly included.

The above-mentioned website (bible.org) continues to point out the difference between true and false prophets, as follows:

“God had told Jeremiah to announce that Jerusalem would be captured by the Babylonian army, as a punishment for the sins of the people. False prophets opposed Jeremiah and denied his words, suggesting that he was a traitor. But God said that the false prophets themselves would die by the sword of the Babylonians. This was literally fulfilled, and thus the words of Jeremiah were proved to be God’s message, while the popular message of the false prophets was shown to be lies, even though they had dared to use the name of [God].”

Another website, biblebell.org, explains that there are “two categories of prophetic activities,” in that “a prophet speaks forth God’s messages in two main categories,” that of “preaching” and  “foretelling.” Examples for a “preaching” prophet can be found in Isaiah 1:16, 19: In uttering God’s words, the prophet Isaiah “encourages, comforts, or reproves the people.”

The author adds that “from this standpoint, a pastor who preaches, in full and accurate accord with God’s Bible, is functioning as a prophet.”

An example for a “foretelling” prophet can be found in Isaiah 7:14, in that he “gives the people the word of God concerning the future.”

You might want to review our Q&A on prophets in the Church of God today. We explain that the Church of God does have prophets today in the sense of inspired preaching, including preaching on prophetic events which are specifically described in the Bible, but the Church of God does NOT have today “ordained” or “appointed” prophets who are receiving revealing godly visions and dreams about the future; who are directly inspired by God concerning prophetic events which are not set forth in Scripture; and who proclaim those previously unknown future events with unerring and infallible godly authority.

We stated:

“We do not claim that there are presently any ministers in our organizations who have been ordained by God to the rank and function of apostle or prophet; nor do we believe that God has given anyone else outside our organizations such ranks and functions. When God chooses to set aside some of His ministers for such responsibilities (as He will, for instance, in regard to the two witnesses), the fruit of such persons will make this fact abundantly clear to those in God’s Church. For instance, God manifested and revealed without doubt the apostleship of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, the late human leader of the former Worldwide Church of God, who died in 1986. Today, even though some claim godly approval for stating that they are apostles and/or prophets, it is our judgment that their claims are false, as in our opinion, they have not manifested the signs of an apostle or prophet in their lives.”

At the same time, we explained in our Q&A about the two witnesses that true godly prophets will arise in the future, as for instance the two witnesses will clearly be such prophets. We stated that “at the very end, just prior to the return of Jesus Christ to this earth, two extraordinary human beings will prophesy and warn this world for 3 1/2 years. During the time of their testimony, no one can harm them, as they will have supernatural protection and powers from God… they will be human beings, sent by God to give this world a last warning, going before the returning Christ ‘in the spirit and power of Elijah’ and Moses (compare Luke 1:17).”

In addition, we pointed out in our Q&A on the prophetess Deborah, that even though there were true prophetesses in the Old Testament, no such office of a prophetess exists in the New Testament Church. We stated: “There is no Biblical record that women were called or ordained to an office of prophetess in the New Testament Church. In fact, God does not permit a woman to preach or to prophesy in Church services… Men have served as prophets and women as prophetesses, as the Word of God clearly illustrates. In the Church of God, today, men may still be called to be prophets (among other offices)–which is by ordination (Compare Acts 11:28; 21:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; Ephesians 4:11; Hebrews 5:4). Women, such as the four daughters of Philip [compare Acts 21:9], may also be chosen to speak prophetically through the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, but not in Church services, and not as ordained ministers or as ordained prophetesses. The ONLY ordained office within the Church of God that is held by women is that of DEACONESS–an appointment based on solid maturity and selfless service.”

Finally, in our Q&A on “THAT” or “THE” Prophet, we explained:

“The Prophet who was [spoken of by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15 and who was] to come was none other than Jesus Christ [compare Acts 3:19-26]. Jesus has many titles and designations; apart from being the Son of God and the Savior and Messiah (the Anointed One), He is also the only Mediator between God and man, our High Priest and the King of kings and the Lord of lords; He is the Apostle of those apostles whom He appoints (Hebrews 3:1; Ephesians 4:11), as well as THAT Prophet of those holy prophets whom He sends. Anyone who misappropriates any of those titles to himself (or approvingly permits such misappropriations to be applied to him) is claiming privileges and designations which are limited and strictly belong to, and which are reserved for Jesus Christ; and such a person will have to give account for what he claims to be, says and does, whoever he might be.”

To summarize, there are most certainly “prophets” in God’s Church today who preach with godly inspiration and who speak on prophecies which are recorded in the Bible. God might also give some of His servants special insight today into prophetic events and details, which might not be specifically mentioned in Scripture, but which would be in line with prophecies contained in the Bible (compare Amos 3:7-8; Isaiah 44:26; Revelation 19:10). But at this point, there are no ordained prophets in God’s Church anywhere, and we do not believe that those who claim otherwise are telling the truth. We do find, however, that in the future, the Church of God will have again ordained apostles and prophets, in accordance with the directions of Jesus Christ, the living Head of the Church (Ephesians 4:11-16).

Lead Writer: Norbert Link