THE PROPHETIC OFFICE IN THE STATE OF EXALTATION

By Gary Ray Branscome

Since Christ has ascended unto heaven He is no longer here to proclaim the Gospel in person. However, He is still at work proclaiming the Gospel through His church, and the men He raises up to carry out the work of the church. The words, “Jesus said, Peace be with you: as my Father has sent me, even so I am sending you,” tell us that Christ sent His disciples to do that work (John 20:21). The words, “The disciples went out, and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word through the signs that went with it,” tell us that “the Lord worked with” those who preached the Gospel (Mark 16:20). And, the words, “I will always be with you, even to the end of the world. Amen,” tell us that Christ continues to be with us, and to work with those who preach the Gospel (Matthew 28:20).

The Apostle Paul said, “Christ is speaking through me” and “Has saved us, and called us to a holy calling” (2Corinthians 13:3, 2Timothy 1:9). The words, “His gift made some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers,” tell us that His gift makes some “pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). When the Apostle Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,” his words tell us that the Gospel message is the “word of Christ” (Colossians 3:16). The words, “Jesus said to the Jews who believed on him, If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples,” tell us that He does not want us looking outside of His Word for doctrine, or teaching any ideas that do not come from His Word (John 8:31). The words, “If any man speaks, let him speak according to God’s Word; if any man serves, let him do it with the ability that God gives,” again tell us that what we are to teach is what the Bible says, and God gives us ability (1Peter 4:11). And, the words, “If anyone teaches otherwise, and will not agree with sound teaching, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine that is in accord with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing,” tell us that our Lord does not want anyone teaching any doctrine that is not in His Word or contradicts what His Word says (1Timothy 6:3-4).

The words, “They worship me (Christ) in vain, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” tell us that teaching the opinions of men hinders the work of salvation, and can destroy souls (Matthew 15:9). Therefore, all who do so are, “false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). “For such people are not serving our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 6:18). Dr. A. Strong rightly says: "All modern prophecy that is true is but the republication of Christ's message, the proclamation and expounding of truth already revealed in Scripture." (Syst. Theol, p. 389.)

Christ, as God the Son, is not only the true teacher of His church in this age, but was also the teacher before His incarnation. We see that in all of the passages where we read, “The Word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying” or, “The Word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying” or, “The Word of the LORD came to Solomon” (Genesis 15:1, 2Samuel 7:4, 1Kings 6:11). We are also told of this in the words, “Concerning this salvation the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, have inquired and searched diligently, seeking to know what person, or period of time the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating, when it testified in advance about the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that would follow” (1Peter 1:10-11). [Notice the words, “Spirit of Christ” in that verse.]