Here is a article that I found
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Are there modern-day prophets?
HOW can we know if God sent them?
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Q. One of my Bible study students asked about present day prophets. Since prophecy is one of the spiritual gifts given to believers, shouldn't we have prophets today? If so, HOW would we know if they are true prophets of God?
(Submitted by: R. A. K.)
A. There is hardly a biblical terminology that has captured man's religious concepts and imaginations more than the word prophecy, prophesying or prophets.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible has these three words respectively: #4394, Greek
propheteia (prophecy), #4395,
propheteuo (prophesying) and # 4396,
prophetes (prophet).
A number of Scriptures make reference to this subject which is not always crystal clear. In 1Corinthians 14:26-40 we find references to those words mingled with the speaking in tongues, revelations, etc.
"How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. . . . Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If [any thing] be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. . . . If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order." (1Corinthians 14:26, 29-32, 37-40, KJV)
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>It is widely understood that prophesying does not necessarily mean predicting the future, but it can mean speaking with inspiration, as a sermon can be, when God genuinely inspires it. Godly instruction in Christian living would then be the essence of that prophesying, rather than a prediction for the future. One could not necessarily call such a preacher a prophet. An eminent example is found in Paul's habitual preaching of an apostle as he was, rather than a prophet:
"And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power," (1Corinthians 2:4)
Jesus did also refer to the same demonstration of the Spirit, in the last evening He spent with His disciples, before His crucifixion:
"the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:17)
"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall sent to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me." (John 15:26)
In possibly the most authoritative chapter in the matter of prophecy, Apostle Paul addressed the subject of Spiritual gifts of which, prophecy, is one of them. The various gifts are listed one by one:
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discerning of spirits, to another different kind of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
"And God has appointed these in the Church: First apostles, second prophets, third teachers, and after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way." ( 1Corinthians 12:7-11, 28-31)
First of all consider the last part of this Scripture just quoted: Apostle Paul, who was directly trained by Jesus Christ, significantly asks the question, "
Are all prophets…?.", etc. That alone ought to prompt us to question them or their claims.
In 1Thessalonians 5:21 Paul says, "
test all things . . .". To take particular note that the above Scripture specifies that such Spiritual gifts, if genuine, are manifested. Doesn't that clearly imply that they should be real, palpable and factual? How do we know if they are? Let's first look at a general classification of true and false prophets:
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit." (Matthew 7:15-18)
Now, how can we discern the pertinent fruits of a true and false prophet?
"But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?'
"When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him." (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)
There are presumptuous (false) prophets today (Matthew 24:5, 24). Some claim to be prophets, but, because they know this Scripture they usually say that at a certain date, this may happen or that may happen so that, if by their wishful thinking it will, then they claim to have made the prediction, and if it doesn't the word may is their escaping clause.
It should be very elementary that a true prophet, one directly inspired by God, will make an unequivocal prediction that will come to pass!
Are there true prophets today? I don't know any, nor do I know anybody who knows.
Although the Bible mentions prophets yet to come including Elijah (before the end of this age, Malachi 4:5-6) as well as the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3-12), these have yet to appear.
Are there modern-day prophets?
