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Different Kinds of Prophets
Author Jennifer Eivaz
I have mentioned that there are Seer prophets and
other kinds of prophets.
In the Old Testament, there are three Hebrew words
translated into our English word “prophet” or “seer”: nabi, roeh,
and hozeh.
Nabi is the most generally used word for a prophet. It means
“to bubble forth, as from a fountain,” hence “to utter.”
We read examples of nabi prophets, “The Lord sent
prophets amongst them to lead them back to Him. They warned the people…” (2 Chronicles 24:19) and “The Lord said to Jeremiah: ‘Stand in the gate of the
Lord’s temple and proclaim this message…’” (Jeremiah 7:1).
In the time of Samuel another word, ro’eh,
meaning “seer”, began to be used and occurs seven times in reference to
Samuel.
We read, “Formerly in Israel, when a
man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: ‘Come, let us go to the
seer’; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly
called a seer” (I Samuel
9:9).
A seer typically receives prophetic revelation in dreams
and visions and can also distinguish the messages of God embedded within
creation.
And then another word, hozeh, also means “seer”
(2 Samuel 24:11), which is a synonym of ro-eh but a
rarer Hebrew term that means “to see in a vision.”
In 1 Chronicles 29:29, all these three words are
used: “Samuel the seer (ro’eh), Nathan the prophet (nabi), Gad the seer”
(hozeh).
These three functions have carried over into the New
Testament as well.
The diversity of New Testament prophets is mostly
centered on the prophet’s metron as well as how they primarily
receive God’s voice.
A metron is a Greek word that means
measure or limited portion. The apostle Paul wrote, “We, however, will not
boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed
us…” (2 Corinthians 10:13).
Frank Damazio, author and former Senior Pastor of
City Bible Church in Portland, Oregon wrote this, “In 2 Corinthians
10:12-18, Paul exposes the faulty way that ministries evaluate themselves by
using the measuring rod of others. Evaluating themselves by themselves is acting
unwisely, and in fact, is harmful. Paul’s key ministry concept that he
personally lived by is that he knew his ‘measure, his ‘rule.’ Ministry
identity, style, and motives all rest on the understanding of the
ministry metron – the sphere God has drawn for you.”
My husband, Ron, and I are perfectly paired in this
regard. He’s an apostle, and not a prophet, but all five-fold ministers host
a metron as determined by Jesus Christ.
Ron’s sphere is distinctly regional and includes our
city and all of the surrounding cities. Mine is more global given that I was
called as a prophet to the nations.
Ron is not overtly interested in reaching nations,
but carries an obvious authority for church leadership within the regional
community.
I’m not overtly interested in regional outreach, but
I strategically target nations with the message that I carry. Our
different metrons are complimentary to one another’s and
highly effectual as long as we as individuals remain within our ministry
spheres.
Prophets are given their designated sphere of
authority by Jesus, something He will communicate, confirm, and clarify. They
are most effective within that sphere and need to be mindful to not try to
operate outside of it.
“Most contemporary prophets believe that their metron stretches
as far as their airplane tickets,” wrote one prophet and author.
“At times, this may be true for national/global
prophets, but for local prophets it’s dangerous to go where you haven’t been
called. Any attempt to minister in an area that you haven’t been graced or
equipped for can subject you to the attack of territorial spirits in that
region.”
My experience is that you are never totally immune to
such attacks, but there is a marked grace to overcome when you’ve stayed within
your sphere.
Different spheres include local prophets who are called
to build the church locally, or are assigned to just one church.
Some prophets are called to build one of the “seven
mountains of society,” which are religion, family, education, government,
media, arts & entertainment, and business.
Other prophets are assigned to a nation or a cluster
of nations.
Remember that one sphere is not better than the
other.
Jesus is the one who calls you and you are only
responsible to Him and not to peer pressure and the mandates of others that
appear popular.
2. https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/prophet/; http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/prophet.html
Jennifer Eivaz is a minister and international conference
speaker with a heart for raising up passionate and effective prayer. She is a
regular contributor to Charisma Online and The Elijah List, has taught at
Bethel School of the Prophets, and oversees the Seers & Prophets Institute.
Jennifer lives with her husband, Ron, and their two children in Turlock,
California, where she serves as executive pastor at Harvest Church.
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