The prophet's handbook

definitions, other important factors must be taken into account, such as, does the prophet invoke the gods? Is the necessary covenant that God ordinarily binds Himself to at work? Does the prophesier exhibit the signs and executions of an official? These questions help you see that much is needed by one who would declare himself or herself to be a prophet. The Quick Study Chart below gives a few more necessary points to consider when making the decision. Key Prophetic Distinctions The nabi is expressly accepted as a divine agent of the supernatural world. The messenger’s power is inherent in the spirit and flesh. The nabi, not unlike the prophetes, is the spokesperson for a deity—and so much more. This officer is also a teacher, predictor, and visionary who interprets dreams and visions, peers into the supernatural, and compels its invisible powers to perform and manifest themselves in the now. The nabi actuates spiritual powers to set in motion the events that take place in our world. (See Daniel 1–4; Zechariah 3; Amos 3:7.) All these actions are in addition to the prophecies many of our churches today are accustomed to receiving from modern prophets. The definitions of both the prophetes and the nabi include “one who stands in the restricted office of the prophet.” That means one cannot arbitrarily decide to become a prophet no matter how much he or she mimics the mantle’s operations. However, nabi’s meaning adds noteworthy dimensions that better instruct us on the ubiquitous range of the prophet’s power and authority. Its meaning includes, from ancient texts, “one who invokes the gods.” Hence, when Yahweh told Moses his mouth would be as God to Aaron, and Aaron would function as Moses’ prophet—mouthpiece—to the people, both men fully perceived what He meant. (See Exodus 4:15–16.) This says to us that if the prophet, local church or not, is without a deity who vows to perform the prophet’s words, the title of prophet is invalid. The official title is how prophets accomplish what they do. The ancients understood this about the prophet sufficiently enough to include in their definition of the officer the power to “invoke, summon, and marshal the powers and resources of the gods.” In our case, that would be the God of gods. The prophet, like any other authorized priest, does this by invoking the name of the god. The prophetic dimension differs in its sphere of enforcement. Based on this information, we, as Christians who are the New Creation priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ, invoke His omnipotence and authority by using His name and doing all that we do in His name. (See John 14:14;