What is a Prophet?

A Christian prophet is one inspired by Holy Spirit to deliver a message for a specific purpose. A prophet is often associated with predicting future events, but in a broader sense, he or she is given the power to preach repentance to those who do not want to hear the message, and to warn of the spiritual results of disobedience. A prophet faces a lifetime of rejection, persecution, and abasement, thus, the prophet is given a unique charism of obedience and long-suffering, and a heart of self-immolation. God calls and anoints a prophet, not to elevate him or her for their personal glory, but for the glory of God, alone.

DICTIONARY: [prof-uh-see]

1. The foretelling or prediction of what is to come.

2. Something that is declared by a prophet, esp. a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation.

3. A divinely inspired utterance or revelation: oracular prophecies.

4. The action, function, or faculty of a prophet.

APOSTLE PAUL:

"Power...to penetrate all mysteries and knowledge."

Authority And Role Of The Prophet

"He who receives a prophet will receive a prophet's reward"

A prophet carries no authority other than that which God gives him for the issuance of God's word. A prophet does not seek nor require the permission or approval of a priest, bishop or king for it is often to such that he is called to speak. Scripture allows, however, that the prophet recognize those that have "rule" and "authority" over the flock of which he or she is a part, and seek their counsel and guidance; therefore, those who speak from a prophetic platform are encouraged to be an active parishioner of a local Orthodox church and to be in regular communication with an Orthodox priest, as far as this is possible.

"A Prophet does not speak for God; he speaks from Him."

The Test of True Prophets

"You may be privately wondering, 'How are we to tell that a prophecy does not come from Yahweh'? When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh and the thing does not happen and the word is not fulfilled, then it has not been said by Yahweh. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. You have nothing to fear from him."

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus, that spirit is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world"

The Signs of False Prophets

"...the prophet who presumes to say something in my name which I have not commanded him to say, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die."

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

"At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. . . . For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time"

"Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets"

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping"

Words Every Orthodox Blogger Should Recite Once A Day and With Vigor

1. I am not important because I blog.
2. I am not respected because I blog.
3. Fewer people care what I have to say than I might think.
4. The hope of the world does not rest on my posts.
5. God can get along just fine without me.
6. I am not more spiritual because I blog.
7. Blogging is not my life.
8. My sense of entitlement is a figment of my imagination.
9. My words can hurt individuals.
10. My words can hurt families.
11. My words can hurt churches.
12. My words can cause divisiveness.
13. I can find better ways to bring meaning to the world.
14. I am not in competition with other bloggers.
15. My relationships with other bloggers is pseudo, at best.
16. I can quit blogging at anytime.
17. I think I can quit blogging at anytime.
18. Maybe I can quit blogging at anytime.
19. I'm not sure I can quit blogging.
20. I might be hooked on blogging.
21. I am going to seek help.
22. I am going to google "boggers anonymous".
23. Maybe there is a support group at church for me.
24. No, I have already alienated all of them.
25. Perhaps I should just keep blogging.
26. Yes, it's good for me, really, kind of.
27. Oh. It's 12:30 a.m. and I am still blogging.
28. I don't think I will post this.
29. Orthodox people have no sense of humor and are so damn literal, so this post will put me in a bad light.
30. Out of all my words here, the word "damn" will be the most provocative.
31. WWJB: What would Jesus Blog if I gave him my password?
32. Does Jesus already have my password?
33. Perhaps Jesus is my password.
34. I think I will post this.

The Orthodox Layman's Position In Christ

"Clericalism can be lethal in our Orthodox Church. One evil it produces is the fact that the lay people in the Church become spiritually passive, indeed religiously helpless. Clericalism foments an inordinate dependence on the priest." 

"The result has been to reinforce dead religious formalism in the Church. How can such professional priests be called shepherds of souls? They serve the kingdom of darkness by quenching the fire of the Holy Spirit. Christ calls such religious leaders “workers of iniquity”. They lack the capacity of rejoicing with the angels when lives are regenerated and the name of Jesus is highly exalted. They feel threatened by anything religiously unfamiliar."

"Such promoters of clericalism and of our over-institutionalized Church are the first to champion the Church Fathers. Yet, in effect they violate their teachings and fail to embody in their pastoral ministry the basic principles and precepts of our Holy Fathers."

"In the teachings of the Church Fathers we find an unmistakable emphasis on faith rooted in a heart experience. They do not teach an intellectual theology. Christ as the object of faith is experienced with the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s heart. The fact of personal communion with Christ is fundamental.

"Every man and woman who with faith is baptized in water and in the Spirit is qualified to be an active witness unto Christ. It is not Ordination that qualifies you to be active in ministry. But each believer who is not ordained is entitled, for example, to minister as an evangelist, prophet or teacher in the body of Christ. It is for performing the sacraments that ordination is necessary. But to minister the Word of God is not only the right of any believer, but also a mandate of Christ for every believer."

From Rev. Archimandrite Fr. Eusebius A. Stephanou, Th.D., Brotherhood of St. Symeon the New Theologian, Miramar Beach, Florida. Read the whole article HERE.

[JTO anticipates that some will focus on denouncing the source of these quotes rather than disputing the content. The reason? Because the quotes are truths that cannot be disputed so  the "attack the messenger" ploy is used. Such ploys will not be posted in the COMMENT section.)

Related Article: http://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2012/12/spiritual-guruism.html

Another Protestant Gets It Right

"When I was growing up I thought a 'good' Christian was someone who went to church three times a week and abstained from a bunch of 'bad' stuff. But I've learned since then that a 'true' Christian is nothing more than a broken, fallen person redeemed by Jesus Christ and committed to following Him. He/she follows Him at their own pace. Christ is patient in His instruction and guidance. But bit by bit He is turning them into someone more like Himself. That is what being a Christian is: It is following Him continually, through failures and triumphs. It is modeling one's self after the One they're following. And what did He do? He healed the sick, gave compassion to the hurting, spread hope to the downtrodden, criticized the religious elite (who were puffed up with their own self-righteousness), spoke the truth, walked by faith, and of course much more that can't be listed here. That is what a Christian 'does' and if church attendance and abstaining from 'bad' stuff doesn't help one to do those things then they are pointless." RH

Just A Brief Thought

Have you ever noticed how some Orthodox blogs major on the words and teachings of the saints rather than the words of the Christ the saints worshiped? Is it any wonder that the heterodox think we are guilty of saint worship? Don't tell me what a saint says until you first tell me what Jesus said. Not orthodox enough for you? Maybe not, but it is Christianity 101!

When Ecumenism Is Not A Bad Word

In support of the Coptic people and the peace of Egypt. This is when ecumenism is not a bad word:

As for me, as an American, let me offer my deepest support for the healing of your nation and the ousting of those individuals and factions who would bring a satanic oppression under religious zealots. Let me also offer my sincere regret and apology that my government has had a role in the interference of the Egyptian people to govern their own lives as they see fit. Please know that the American government does not always represent the will of the American people. Like you, we stand against an ever increasing tyrannical government that oppresses its people and replaces liberty with dictates. Pray for us also.

Are You Finished Yet?

When you are finished reading all the saints and the early church fathers and dissecting who said what and when and how it all relates to the church and the jurisdictions and who is right and wrong and who is Christian or truly orthodox and who is in pretest or deception a heretic, apostate, deceived, or who only has partial salvation, what priest did this and what Bishop is authentic and who is not and, well, when you are finished with all of that, try reading the words of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You just might remember something, like the pureness of the faith and your first love. Remember Jesus? Lord, restore unto us the JOY of thy salvation!

Matthew 5

King James Version (KJV)

5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Rocky Top Pictures LLC

For several several months, we have been laying the foundation for an Independent Film Production Company through which we will produce feature films and documentaries. As of January 1, 2013, Rocky Top Pictures LLC is up and running. Pray that we may be instruments of His peace and will fulfill the vision to produce projects that include the lives of the saints and other projects relevant to the human condition and the redemption of man. Click on the logo to see the RTP website. If you are one who feels an inclination to invest in the projects, go to the CONTACT page and let us know of your interest. We will give you access to view the RTP Prospectus and our initial projects. Most of all...Pray for us!

My New Year Resolution

No matter what calender you follow, it is a good time of the year to reassess your heart to see how you might better pursue holiness in the year to come. For me, the Epistle of Galatians contains the gauge of my heart, hope, and indeed my repentance in that regard:

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Only when this fruit becomes consistently evident in your life, only when you have a friendship with the Holy Spirit, only when your relationship with your living Lord is more important than any dogma, doctrine, or debate, can you know that you are truly orthodox.

Frankly, I was not very fruity in 2012. Perhaps 2013 will be peachy.

Saint Joseph- Fact and Fiction

How old was Joseph, the Husband of Mary?

 FACT: He was an elderly widower and the caretaker of a Temple Virgin.

FICTION: He was the young star-crossed husband of an average girl and had to wait for her to birth the Son of God before he could get on with having sex with her.

See the historical account: HERE