First off, the age of prophets being dominate ended with John the Baptist. Jesus said he was the greatest prophet up to that point. What's funny is that he didn't prophecy more than Isaiah or Jeremiah. Those two and many more had more prophecies. It was John's message that made him greater. His prophecy (John's) was that Jesus was coming and soon. Isaiah prophecised the Jesus was coming too. But John's was more to the point and more to the hour.
We cannot allow ourselves to be confused by the difference between Apostles and Prophets either. Paul, Peter and John all has prophecies, but they held a higher office. They were apostles. Such can give prophecies. But because they were ambassadors for Jesus, they could "ad lib" (for lack of a better term) and still speak in Jesus' stead. Prophets only could speak what God told them. Do you see the difference? The difference is that while both are annointed by God, the Apostles had more lee-way. God left it up to them -- under the guidance of the Holy Spirit -- to speak in Christ's stead. They could determine what to teach (remember Paul said many times that he spoke by "permission")
In Jesus' day, prophets still should've been listened to. Jesus, Paul, Peter, John all had prophetic messages and that means messages about the future events. But they were also apostles. The difference is that a prophet will tell you what's coming, and an apostle will tell you what it means and the best way to react to it. Prophet's do that a little, but the office of an apostle is more explicit. John the Baptist gave directions: Repent! The Apostles explained how to repent and how to go on after it.
But we have to realize something. Paul, Jesus, Peter and John all described in one way or another that something greater was coming. Jesus said "greater shall these [miracles] shall ye do. Paul said that the holy men of old desired to look into the latter day. Peter said be established in the present truth (which is always changing). John no doubt saw today and beyond.
What's my point? Today's preacher, Apostle, minister.... Whatever, has a greater responsiblity and a greater power than those of Jesus' day. Honestly, I can't wrap my brain around any greater prophecy than what John the Baptist said.... "Jesus is coming!" Actually, I can. Because Jesus came and he's still here! He's just in a body of many. Just like Paul said. And if Jesus was right, it's more powerful.
John, Peter, Paul.... They went out into the wilderness not knowing what each other wrote fully. If history is correct, Paul and Peter died some 30 years before John finished preaching. Furthermore, it's doubtful that any of these men knew what the other was preaching at the time. That is why I know it was ordained by God, because without them knowing, their message lines up. But just imagine is Paul had instant access to what Peter was telling his congregation! Just imagine in each of these men had access to the Bible!
That's why we live in a greater day. Even Martin Luther who I believe to be a great man of God, didn't have the resources and access to the Truth like we do.
Yet, while Jesus said there was no greater Prophet that John, I understand that it's all circumstancial. In reality, Isaiah was better. He had more and he knew Christ was coming. But John had a more sure understanding. That's what made him greater than Isaiah.
Today, we have prophets. Some of them may even be annointed by God, but many of them are false. Just like in the days of Isaiah and even Jesus. But there also true prophets today. What makes us better (Not saying overall we are, but rather what we have in our favor) is a more true WORD of prophecy. We got the Bible! And Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Levi, Judah, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, John the Baptist, Jesus, John, Peter and Paul are all looking on us to see what we are going to do with their work and labor!
So today, the stakes are greater and the men who carry the Word are greater. Not better. Not more important, just that it's more critical in this day. It was utmost importance back then, and I suppose it is of utmost importance now. Just as they had to get it right, we do too.
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