With these claims, “God’s prophets” are claiming to be God’s spokesperson on earth. That was the main role of the prophets of God that we see in Scripture. The question is, do God’s prophets exist today? Instead of letting a man (or woman) make the claim – which of course, literally anyone could do – let’s see what God has to say through His word.
How Scripture answers "Do God’s prophets exist today?"
God’s prophets exist today only as they were recorded in Scripture1. Prophets of God, being direct spokesmen for God, played a specific and needed role in disclosing to mankind God’s will147. In fact, they were serving Christian’s today with their predictions5. However, prophesies were only a part or portion36 of God’s message. When the time came that all of God’s message was revealed they would no longer be needed35.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
When you [Ephesians] read this [letter], you can understand my [Paul] insights into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men beforehand but has now been revealed to His appointed apostles and prophets through the Holy Spirit.
Paul is reminding them that he had disclosed “the mystery” (vs 3) to them. Specifically, in this application, it was the mystery that the Gentiles were “fellow heirs” of God’s promise (vs 6) but he goes on to talk about the “the gospel” (vs 7) more broadly as the “the mystery” brought to everyone (vs 9). The gospel is commonly referred to as “the mystery” in Scripture as the gospel (Col 4:3).
Applying Ephesians 3:4-5 to this question...
Emphasizes the special role that the apostles and prophets had in the 1st century — desigated messengers of God’s word “by the Spirit” — and implies the temporary nature as “the mystery” is revealed.
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
Just like false prophets were, greedy false teachers will arise among you and act in secret (infiltrate) to malign the truth, even going so far as to deny Jesus, which will bring them swift destruction. Many will be persuaded and because of them the gospel message will be blasphemed. Their greed will cause them to take advantage of you by telling lies. Don’t be deceived; their destruction is certain.
All three chapters of 2 Peter are really confronting false teaching. Chap 1 confirms the “truth” they already learned and confidence in “all scripture”. Chap 2 further describes false teachers as “bold” and “willful” and their condemnation in the worst ways. In Chap 3 he addresses Paul’s teachings that they will “twist to their own destruction.”
Applying 2 Peter 2:1-3 to this question...
Prophets and teachers are joined in terms of mission/objective, but also contrasted in terms of time. Prophets are spoken of in the past tense, while teachers “will be”.
As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
[Unlike love], prophecies, tongues and knowledge [certain miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit] will all come to an end. Our knowledge and prophesying is only partial right now, so when it’s complete that which is partial will no longer be needed.
Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. He has just expounded on what Godly love and acts like making the final point that love as he’s defined it (e.g. Godly) never ends. In the immediate context, Paul is clearly speaking of those miraculous gifts from God (prophecies, tongues and [special] knowledge) that are “partial” and “will pass away” when “the perfect [complete] comes.” He goes on to invoke the logic of a man that gives up childish things as he grows up and matures (vs 11). He also illustrates with the analogy of looking into a mirror that is currently only dimly lit as opposed to seeing something “face to face” or eye to eye (vs 12).
Applying 1 Corinthians 13:8b-10 to this question...
Prophesying provided “a part” of God’s revelation. Therefore, when the perfect or complete revelation came prophesying would no longer be required.
And on that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that they shall be remembered no more. And also I will remove from the land the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness.
A day will come when God will remove idols and prophets.
Applying Zechariah 13:2 to this question...
God, through Zechariah, proclaims a time (e.g. “day”) when prophets would be no more.
Several “prophet” statements are made in the midst of an extensive series of “in that day” or “on that day” descriptors — including several that were interpreted by New Testament writers to be fulfilled by Christ or the church in the 1st century. It seems difficult not to conclude that Zechariah was pointing to a time other than the 1st century when Jesus’ words were the final authority.6
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
The Holy Spirit (e.g. “the Spirit of Christ in them”) predicted Christ’s suffering and subsequent glories through the prophets who, when they prophesied about salvation (or, “grace that was to be yours”), wondered and inquired about it themselves. However, they were told they weren’t serving themselves but you [Christians then and now] with the things that have now been fulfilled (“announced”) in the revelation of the gospel by the Holy Spirit.
Peter’s letter(s) of encouragement to the saints who were facing great persecution and longing for their reward in Christ Jesus — revealed to them in the “last time” (vs 3). He goes on to tell them to be prepared for Jesus’ revealing (vs 13).
Applying 1 Peter 1:10-12 to this question...
Peter is speaking of the fulfillment of the prophets’ mission and objective. Their “work” was for the benefit of the Christians at that time, therefore their work was complete (which is also made clear in how Peter writes).
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
In a previous time God spoke to man through the prophets, but now (“these last days”) He has spoken through His son, Jesus Christ. Additionally, God appointed Him heir of all things and through Him created the world.
The opening to the letter of Hebrews. Written to Jews who had believed and obeyed the gospel. The writer is beginning his argument and evidence for why everything is better in Jesus by pointing to the prophets (and angels) who had, in times past, delivered God’s message.
Applying Hebrews 1:1-2 to this question...
God’s Son was the fulfillment of God’s message to mankind. Prophets had played a part, but only a part.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
You are no longer set apart, but now are fellow citizens with the saints of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Jesus, Himself is the chief cornerstone, in whom the entire building joins together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Christ, you also are adding together to form a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Paul is pointing out to the Ephesians and Gentile Christians, that though they were at one time “called the uncircumcision by the circumcised” (vs 11), they are now part of the inheritance in Christ as a result of the “peace” that has been preached (vs 18).
Applying Ephesians 2:19-22 to this question...
God’s prophets were the “foundation” to a “building” that was already built in the first century. Christians in the first century were “fellow citizens” with Paul, as Christians are even today.
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