What is your proof that prophecy has ended?
Question:
I would like to know who told you that prophecy has ended. Have you read the book of Daniel and Revelation? Where did this doctrine of devils come from? I hold an earned Ph.D. in Comparative Religion and Education and would love to hear your stance on this issue, as I oppose it with adequate scripture, history and prophetic events to come. Remember, we should not be so quick to speak such things that may not be true, for if we pervert, change, move, or alter the gospel, we are cursed!
Answer:
"Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (I Corinthians 13:8-11).
It is common for advocates of modern-day prophecy to claim that prophecy will continue until Jesus returns. However, such a claim would make Paul a liar. Paul stated that prophecy would end. What purpose would be served if prophecy only failed after the end of time? How can one claim that it actually did end?
Similarly, in order to support the first contention, the claim is to point out that Jesus is the only perfect being to come to this world, thus the assertion is that Paul must be talking about the second coming of Christ. The error is in overlooking that Paul is not talking about a perfect being, but a perfect thing or object. He stated "when that which is perfect" and not "when he who is perfect." Searching the Scriptures we find that there is an object not yet fully arrived at the time Paul wrote I Corinthians 13 which is called perfect. "But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25). This perfect law, when followed is able to make people fully complete. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17).
Therefore, we learn that while the perfect law was in the process of being recorded, God gave early Christians gifts that allowed them to follow His will. However, these gifts were not the whole or the entirety of God's will. Those with the gifts only prophesied portions of God's will, those with special knowledge only knew parts of God's will. But when that which is perfect, the perfect law of liberty, fully arrived, then God would do away with the partial measures. The partial was needed for the newborn church to survive, but once it matured with possession of the New Testament, the childish things (the special gifts of the Holy Spirit) could be put away.
"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (I Corinthians 1:20).
