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"If anyone still prophesies"

Text: Zechariah 13:3

PROPHECY WAS A SPECIAL GIFT

Prophecy was described as a special spiritual gift from God (1 Corinthians 12:10). It was also a special gift in the days of the Old Testament too.

WARNING ABOUT FALSE PROPHETS

This was forewarned by Moses (Deuteronomy 13). Severe penalty awaited those who claimed that they were prophets when they were not! False prophets had unbelievable influence over the multitudes. The nations of Israel and Judah suffered mortal wounds caused by the false prophets.

ANOTHER WORD OF WARNING

Another word of warning was given about false prophets. The responsibility of dealing with them lay in the hands of the people.

“It shall come to pass that if anyone still prophesies,
then his father and mother who begot him will say to him,
‘You shall not live, because you have spoken lies in the name of the LORD.’
And his father and mother who begot him shall thrust him through when he prophesies.”
Zechariah 13:3

1. “If anyone still prophesies”

a) This is a reference to false prophets.

b) Some insist that they are prophets.

i) They claim special revelations from God.

ii) They claim they have a special relationship with God.

iii) Some even claim that they have special powers from the LORD.

2. Dealing with false prophets

a) The parents must hold themselves responsible to resist their son who claims that he is a prophet.

b) They know that the false prophet speaks lies in the name of the LORD.

c) Punishment of the false prophet:

i) The penalty was death; the parents must not spare even their son!

ii) The false prophet would of course be judged by the courts.