The prophet's handbook

destruction in it. The watchful eye of the resident prophet can spot these people and bring spiritual discomfort to bear on them so they are ill at ease among the flock and quickly leave. This tactic is always engaged by occultists in the church’s neighborhood. On the other hand, in congregations where the prophetic is refused, the same situation can have disastrous results. By the time church leaders become aware of the sly manipulations of roaming renegades, it is often too late. Usually excessive generosity, overt assistance, and frequent volunteering at the outset obscure their tactics. Therefore, the ulterior motive that brought them to the church is submerged beneath a veneer of good deeds—charity work. Witches and other destructive occultists rely on this tactic to infiltrate and contaminate the churches they target for attack. Months, years, even decades can go by before the scheme is uncovered without a discerning and well-respected prophetic eye. In the meantime, countless souls may be lost to the church because of the free course given a saboteur of darkness. A solid screening program with a significant probationary period could reduce the success of such attacks. For an additional example of the detriment of a prophetic void, see the effect of Elisha’s death on Israel in 2 Kings 13:14–21. The account gives a biblical picture of how the absence of the prophet is used advantageously by the enemy. Notice how the band of raiders attempting to invade the area was successful only after Elisha’s death. The spiritual void, better yet prophetic void, left by Elisha’s demise enabled their attack on the land to finally succeed. Shamar Upheld by Kindred Term Our shamar teaching is supported by a kindred term that validates its truth. It is the word natsar, and it legitimizes the watchman status of the prophet in the contemporary church by expanding previous church prophet responsibilities. The resident or staff prophet is to spiritually and practically engage in activities that protect, preserve, maintain, and observe the quality of the church. Prophets are instrumental in helping a church secure its basis for existing, its stability, and its congregant growth. They are obliged to observe and spiritually nurture its communal life. This even includes inspecting worship and recreational forms, educational doctrines, and kingdom practices to ensure they are consistent with Scripture and compatible with the nature of the Godhead in conduct, perspective, and manifestation. Natsar prophetic functions surround the church as they would a well-guarded