God's Messengers by Dr. Richard Griffith
In Isaiah Chapter 44 God tells Israel that he has called and chosen them and urges them to seek him and not idols. God then speaks of foiling false prophets and sending true messengers. God promises to fulfill the predictions of his true messengers. This is a very powerful and hopeful message!
Isaiah 44:25-26 "who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messenger."
Jesus also speaks of God sending messengers. The context is Jesus condemning the Pharisees.
Matthew 23:34 "Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town."
Jesus provides more details about these messengers that God will send. They will be prophets and will be wise men and teachers. One would think that the religious establishment then would welcome true messengers from God but that is not the case. These true messengers are met with hostility and violence
A logical inference from these verses is that God will continue to send messengers throughout history according to his will and that the religious establishment -- if they have the same characteristics of the Pharisees -- will not welcome them.
If that is the case then it is important for us to recognize them, and also to listen to them even if the religious establishment opposes them.
How then can we recognize them and what does the Bible state about true messengers that God has already sent that will help us recognize them today and in the future?
Ten Principles
Principle 1: God is going to send messengers (Matthew 23:34).
Principle 2: Conflict between the
messengers of God and the religious establishment.
Why will there be conflict? The religious establishment will be hypocritical and motivated by greed, the root sin of the Pharisees (see Luke 11:39-41), and a characteristic of false churches (Revelation 17:4,6; Revelation 18:3). The true messengers will be opposed to this hypocrisy and greed.
Why will there be conflict? The religious establishment will be hypocritical and motivated by greed, the root sin of the Pharisees (see Luke 11:39-41), and a characteristic of false churches (Revelation 17:4,6; Revelation 18:3). The true messengers will be opposed to this hypocrisy and greed.
Principle 3: Who is God going to select to be messengers.
God calls the weak in the eyes of the world (1 Corinthians 1:26).
Principle 4: God chooses those who will have a passion for God and tremble at his word.
God's choice of David exhibits some of the qualities that God looks for. David was the youngest and not physically impressive compared to his brothers (1 Samuel 17). God though looked at his heart. David's passion for God can be seen in the Psalms where he speaks of yearning for God (see Psalm 63:1-2, Psalm 84:1-2).
God states that he will look to those that humble themselves and tremble before his word (Isaiah 66:2).
Principle 5. God chooses disciplined people who will put forth a forceful effort. The prophetess Anna served God day and night (see Luke 2:36-38). Jesus speaking of John the Baptist and the qualities of God's messengers, and of those who will inherit the kingdom addressed this concept of discipline (see Matthew 11:11-14).
Principle 6. Whose voice will these true messengers follow? They will follow the voice of God and Christ.
Jesus speaks of his sheep listening to his voice (see John 10:1-18; John 10:25-29).
Principle 7. This voice can be communicated via the Holy Spirit through voices from heaven, visions, dreams , angels and the written word of God.
Although visions are rare God does at times communicate through them. Paul had a vision (see Acts 9:1-19) but it is important to note that he remained silent for years about it. Visions and dreams are prophesied at the last days (Joel 2:28-29). At times Angels can even appear to help or provide a message (see 1Kings 19:5-6; Daniel 10:4-9).
The Holy Spirit is described as teaching and reminding God's servants (see John 14:26).
Principle 8. God's messengers will be granted eloquence.
Jesus promises eloquence to his disciples who will serve as messengers before governors and kings (see Matthew 10:18-20).
Principle 9. Common people will recognize true messengers from God.
The truth they proclaim and their lifestyle will ring true to people. Common people recognized that John the Baptist was from God (see Luke 20:1-8).
Principle 10. Their message will include exhortations to turn to the true God and their predictions will come to pass.
True messengers from God will always point people back to the true God, his law, and their predictions will come to pass (see Deuteronomy 13:1-6; Deuteronomy 18:20-22).
