How to Stay Above Deception Part 22

Unchecked Practices

By Apostle Felix

At this I fell facedown at the angel’s feet to worship him, but he stopped me and said, “Don’t do this! For I am only a fellow servant with you and one of your brothers and sisters who cling to what Jesus testifies. Worship God. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19: 10

The Role of the New Testament Prophet

The New Testament prophet is not called to give details about your life. His calling is to reveal CHRIST to the people. Is God concerned about your life? Yes, He does. But He is more concerned about the state of your heart than the state of your account. The New Testament prophets give the testimony of Jesus. The word Testimony in Revelation 19: 10, comes from a Greek word, ‘Marturia,’ which means, ‘evidence given, record, report, testimony, witness.’ A New Testament prophet bears witness of the Christ the Old Testament prophesied about. He does not have any other message but the Christ revealed message.

On the Mount of transfiguration, Jesus was with three of His disciples, Peter, John and James. While on the mountain, Moses and Elijah appeared alongside Jesus, and the disciples were awed. In his amazement, Peter suggested to erect three tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. As Peter was speaking, a cloud covered Jesus, Moses and Elijah, and the voice was heard saying, ‘This is My Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him.’ Then after, Jesus was alone. Moses and Elijah had disappeared.

When they finally opened their eyes and looked around, they saw no one else there but Jesus. Matthew 17: 8

The New Testament prophets are not to replicate the same Old Testament prophetic modus operandi. The Old Testament prophets operated in the shadows of the revelation of Christ. Christ was veiled to them. They prophesied about Him but as a mystery, a hidden revelation in types and shadows. The New Testament prophet is to help the people of God to unravel the mystery.

I give all my praises and glory to the one who has more than enough power to make you strong and keep you steadfast through the promises found in the wonderful news that I preach; that is, the proclamation of Jesus, the Anointed One. This wonderful news includes the unveiling of the mystery kept secret from the dawn of creation until now. This mystery is understood through the prophecies of the Scripture and by the decree of the eternal God. And it is now heard openly by all the nations, igniting within them a deep commitment of faith. Romans 16: 25, 26

Unfortunately, most of the prophets today are replicating the Old Testament modus operandi, which was types and shadows. God the Father, retired Moses and Elijah on the mountain of transfiguration and installed the voice of His Son, Jesus Christ. What we are hearing in most churches is Moses and Elijah. The danger of hearing the retired voice is the susceptibility to be introduced to another Jesus. This is the reason why believers do not seek prophets, like Saul went and sought a word from Samuel.

The moment believers begin to seek prophecy, they have just opened their lives to deception. The subtlety of deception is that scripture is used in many instances. The devil will not use the quran to deceive Christians. He uses the Bible. He uses the retired voices of the Bible to speak to believers. Jesus said, ‘My sheep knows My voice and they follow Me. They do not follow the voice of strangers.