Prophets Still Exist

A “Word” from the Pastor…Stephen Benton

 “Prophets Still Exist"

        "God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son by whom also he made the worlds."  Heb. 1:1

         I have been called to prophesy in the closing days of the seventh and final church age, the Laodicean Church.  The book of "The Revelation of Jesus" was dictated to the Apostle John by Jesus while the Apostle was in exile on the volcanic island of Patmos.  John was placed on the island because of the word of God and his testimony of Jesus Christ.  The book of Revelation is unique in many ways but in particular because within the opening chapter of its text is an outline of the entire book.  John was told to write the things which he had seen (chapter one), the things which are (chapters two and three), and the things which are to come (chapter four through the end of the book).  While the first chapter is of vital importance to any book, the section that should be the focal point to the church are chapters two and three.  Those chapters contain seven letters written by John as he was moved upon by the Holy Ghost.  Those seven letters were written to seven literal congregations spread throughout Asia minor.       
         Those letters are vital in gaining an overall view of the Church of Jesus Christ from its inception on the day of Pentecost in A.D. 31, not A.D.33 as many assume, until the day the Church is called up into heaven.  More will be said about the date A.D. 33 later.
         Much has been written by many prominent scholars regarding the seven churches and I do not intend to re-invent the spiritual wheel of their works but I will provide spiritual insight into areas that have not been considered at all because the Holy Ghost had not yet revealed those vital revelations until these last days.  While the letters are written to seven literal congregations existing in John's day, those seven churches actually present a pre-history of the Church's lifespan from its beginning to its end.  With that in mind, let's take a look at the most prominent expression contained in the first letter, the letter to the church at Ephesus.

         "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."  Rev. 2:4

         Many scholars have commented on this segment to the Ephesian church with good intentions but have fallen short of the true meaning of this passage.  It has been commonly taught for centuries that this first church lost their love for their savior Jesus Christ.  That fact may have actually occurred just as it occurs today but does not represent the truth of the word before us.

        As is often the case, the influence of the Adversary often causes one word to be changed and become a sub-conscious part of the passage.  In the case before us, the word 'left' has seemed to be replaced with the word 'lost'.  The first church age did not lose its first love, it left it.  The common interpretation of that passage shows a love affair between Christ and Church that has become estranged.  Not so!  The preceding verse clearly shows that this church still maintained its love for Jesus.

        "And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted."  Rev. 2: 3

       This church still seems to be involved in the work of the Lord and yet in verse five it is said to have fallen. "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen..." The question to be asked is what was it from whence this church fell or left? The answer is found when we consider what it was that this church first loved more than Jesus himself.  The answer is found at the end of one of the longest recorded discourses of Jesus,  Matthew, chapters 5 -7.
        "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."    Mat. 7:28-29

         Matthew gives another example of the people's response after Jesus taught in his native country.

 

         "And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogues, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?"    Mat. 13:54

 

            My prophecies to this Church era are in accordance with the letter written by the last Apostle John and was dictated to him by Jesus Christ himself.  The conclusion of the Church Age will be marked by the greatest event in the history of the world:  the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the rapture of The Church!.  Much of the contents of this book will focus on prophecies given to me regarding the spiritual state of the Church and an abundance of details revealed concerning the resurrection and catching away of the Church.  The time of the end of the Church Age is at hand and keeping true to his promise that hidden things shall be revealed, Jesus, the Head of the Church is opening up the scriptures in ways unimaginable.