Two Witnesses - Rumor notes 69

Revelation 11

3 I will give [power] to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing before the Lord of the earth.

I will give power

There is a compelling error in translation here to correct. The word power is not in the Greek. If we were to translate it more literally, this could read: I will give of myself to my two witnesses...

This makes a huge difference in how we perceive the meaning of this passage. To give power or to give of Himself may or may not mean the same thing, depending on how we define the idea of power. Most of the time power is something humans crave, but generally they want to use it in very different ways from how the Lamb uses and defines power. One of our stanch principles used in this study is that no interpretation is to violate the truth that God is just as Jesus reveals Him to be. The especially applies to the issue of power as it is one of the core issues of contention in this war.

To expand on this a bit more, the next phrase fits well with this insight from the Greek. To prophecy means to speak on behalf of God, to share what is received from God in ways that edify, warn, correct and clarify the truth as it is in Jesus. With this meaning of what prophesying is all about, it would make sense to receive Jesus so as to best be able to speak on God's behalf rather than what is usually imagined when thinking of the word power.

Here are a few more related things Jesus has promised to give to us.

I will give to eat of the tree of life

I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne

I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life

The bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh

I will give you rest

I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven

I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict

I confer on you a kingdom

The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

The man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all

This issue actually becomes key for examining the nature of the testimony and actions of these two witnesses. Let us keep in mind to compare their testimony with how the Lamb testified about His Father while living under intense pressure among sinners here on earth.

my two witnesses

Yahweh said, "Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know." The men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before Yahweh. (Genesis 18:20-22)

Notice that the 'men' who went on to Sodom were likely angels, while the One remaining to talk with Abraham was likely the pre-incarnate Christ. There can be discrepancies between how God relates to situations compared to how angels or other witnesses deal with situations. Understanding this requires an appreciation of the nature of the overall war and the nature of the freedom God gives to all His servants to think for themselves and even deviate to His view of things without censure or acting as a dictator. This too is one of the pivotal issues in the war between goodness and evil, for without this freedom it is impossible for love and respect to thrive and flourish.

The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. He bowed himself with his face to the earth, and he said, "See now, my lords, please turn aside into your servant's house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you will rise up early, and go on your way." They said, "No, but we will stay in the street all night." (Genesis 19:1-2)

Moses went out, and told the people the words of Yahweh: and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the Tent. Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders: and it happened that when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more. But there remained two men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the Spirit rested on them; and they were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp. There ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, My lord Moses, forbid them. Moses said to him, Are you jealous for my sake? would that all Yahweh's people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them! (Numbers 11:24-29)

At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he who is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. (Deuteronomy 17:6)

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established. (Deuteronomy 19:15)

This is one place where I sense that a principle of creation is being laid out plainly. This is highly significant for appreciating the methods that God chooses to stick with to overcome the vicious and subtle attacks of the enemy who has been undermining confidence in His ways, motives and integrity since the inception of sin. God does not demand that we establish what we believe to be truth simply because God says something. Rather God allows even His own testimony to be tested and evaluated by corroboration and evidence provided by at least two or three other witnesses. This challenges a great deal of theology in our world, but it also gives us insight into the nature and disposition of the God who has all power but never abuses that for His own advantage.

Behold, I and the children whom Yahweh has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Yahweh of Armies, who dwells in Mount Zion. When they tell you, "Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter:" shouldn't a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don't speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them. They will pass through it, sore distressed and hungry; and it will happen that when they are hungry, they will worry, and curse by their king and by their God. They will turn their faces upward, and look to the earth, and see distress, darkness, and the gloom of anguish. They will be driven into thick darkness. (Isaiah 8:18-22)

Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you now; and let them know what Yahweh of Armies has purposed concerning Egypt. The princes of Zoan have become fools. The princes of Memphis are deceived. They have caused Egypt to go astray, who are the cornerstone of her tribes. Yahweh has mixed a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her; and they have caused Egypt to go astray in all of its works, like a drunken man staggers in his vomit. Neither shall there be for Egypt any work, which head or tail, palm branch or rush, may do.

In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble and fear because of the shaking of the hand of Yahweh of Armies, which he shakes over them. The land of Judah will become a terror to Egypt. Everyone to whom mention is made of it will be afraid, because of the plans of Yahweh of Armies, which he determines against it. In that day, there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan, and swear to Yahweh of Armies. One will be called "The city of destruction." In that day, there will be an altar to Yahweh in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to Yahweh at its border. It will be for a sign and for a witness to Yahweh of Armies in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to Yahweh because of oppressors, and he will send them a savior and a defender, and he will deliver them.

Yahweh will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know Yahweh in that day. Yes, they will worship with sacrifice and offering, and will vow a vow to Yahweh, and will perform it. Yahweh will strike Egypt, striking and healing. They will return to Yahweh, and he will be entreated by them, and will heal them. (Isaiah 19:12-22)

Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled. Who among them can declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say, "That is true." "You are my witnesses," says Yahweh, "With my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he. Before me there was no God formed, neither will there be after me. I myself am Yahweh; and besides me there is no savior. I have declared, I have saved, and I have shown; and there was no strange god among you. Therefore you are my witnesses," says Yahweh, "and I am God. (Isaiah 43:9-12)

Don't fear, neither be afraid. Haven't I declared it to you long ago, and shown it? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Indeed, there is not. I don't know any other Rock. (Isaiah 44:8)

After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. (Matthew 17:1-3)

Here we find a supernaturally arranged event specifically set like a courtroom where a witness is evaluated and substantiated through use of corroborating witnesses. This was because of enormous pressure by religious leadership to convince everyone not to trust the witness of Jesus, and this pressure was felt keenly by His own disciples. They were under constant pressure to doubt His authenticity as the true Messiah because His actions and teachings did not seem to square with how religion taught the Messiah should act when He came to deliver God's people and empower them to rule the world as they longed to happen. Thus God prompted Jesus to bring along three witnesses from His disciples to the top of a mountain where God brought His own most influential witnesses previously taken to heaven under special circumstances, possible so this very event could take place at this time.

Moses represented in the mind of the Jewish people the epitome of the Law, while Elijah was a prime example of what they referred to as the prophets. The Old Testament Scriptures were in their common vernacular called the Law and the Prophets. It was their stories and testimony and how they were being interpreted by religious authorities that was the primary issue of divisive contention related to the credibility of Jesus and His ministry of revealing the truth about His Father to not only the world, but for the onlooking universe as well. By arranging for these three specifically to be lined up together in front of three other men brought to become witnesses on earth, God personally gave His own clearest testimony possible as to who should be given the most credibility and authority in our thinking about which testimony is to carry the most weight when it comes to how we view God.

A voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!" (Luke 9:35)

This symbolic event is inferred in various other places such as when Jesus begins by reviewing the writings of Moses and then the prophets to explain how they were to be understood in light of His own life, death and resurrection when He spoke with two disciples on their walk to Emmaus shortly after His resurrection. He wanted their faith to established, not by special revelation of His identity but grounded in a correct understanding of the history of salvation as recorded from ancient times. Their testimony was never intended to be the final word of truth, for as Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees, the Scriptures were designed to point to Himself as the far greater revelation in contrast to their incomplete and partial testimony. He was the one who alone would be the full revelation of the truth about God that far supersedes every other testimony of any witness. This is here affirmed by God declaring emphatically that it is Jesus Christ who we are to listen to and believe, implying that neither Moses nor the prophets are to be given priority over the testimony of the Son of God who alone clarifies and reveals the truth that alone can set us free from the power of sin.

If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector. Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven. Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:15-20)

He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits. (Mark 6:7)

Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place, where he was about to come. (Luke 10:1)

Here we again find a principle that is too often ignored. There could be far more effectiveness in our witnessing if we took these instructions of Jesus more seriously. I can testify from my own experience that when two people work in tandem while sharing good news about God that their effectiveness is exponentially more effective than when one person works alone. There are many reasons for this which could be enumerated of which I will offer just a few, not the least of which is the previous principle already pointed out, that a matter is to be settled on the word of at least two witnesses, not just one.

A person witnessing solo has to occupy their entire attention the whole time with what they are saying or doing with little opportunity to reflect or regroup their thoughts or consider the effect they are having on others. But when two people in harmony with each other work together in love, one can pick up from the testimony of the other to bring in a different perspective, giving the first person time to regroup internally, observe better the reactions of those listening, and pay closer attention to the quiet promptings of the Spirit about the direction of the conversation or their own disposition. Then the first person can pick up the narrative again, giving the other time to reflect and listen. This also allows the listeners exposure to more variety and perspectives than if only one person is testifying alone.

When there are two people working together, there will always be at least a slightly different perspective on what is being presented as well as ability to objectively observe what is going on with their partner. If they have learned to be honest and trusting of each other and are both tuned to the same Spirit of truth and love, they can sense when the other person might be in danger of deception or confusion and can alert them in kind ways and help them retune to the voice of God. There are many nuances involved in a healthy relationship between two people when working together to attract others to the passionate love of God, and God designed this to be the best and safest way for us to serve Him as well as the most effective means by which His love may be demonstrated, making God's attractiveness more readily seen in the interactions of those thus bonded with each other.

Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. It happened, while they talked and questioned together, that Jesus himself came near, and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

"You are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send forth the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:13-16,27,48-49)

It's also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me. (John 8:17-18)

When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me. You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:26-27)

But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; (Romans 3:21)

A man who disregards Moses' law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. (Hebrews 10:28)

There is one more example of witnesses that I would like to look at briefly that I believe may assist us as we evaluate the testimony of these two witnesses in Revelation. It is easy to miss noticing them, but there is recorded two or more different witnesses in the following story that have opposing testimonies, and the effect of their testimony had a great deal of influence on the ability of Jesus to carry out His work in a specific region that needed His good news very much. The story is given in two places with some interesting details useful for unpacking it found in one or the other versions of this story. It would be well to read both versions completely and compare them paying close attention to the testimony of everyone involved in this story and their opinion about the presence of Jesus. A short version is in Matthew 8:28-34 while much more is found in Mark 5:1-20 and another in Luke 8:26-39.

The story involves Jesus arriving on the shore in an area called the Gadarenes or Gergesenes, the first being a larger region encompassing the second. Upon arrival on shore, Jesus and His disciples are confronted by either one or two men (depending which account you read) who are clearly demon-possessed and out of control. The texts provide various details about them indicating that no one was able to contain them with chains or any other means of control and they they lived among the tombs rather than in a house and went around naked. They were also cutters, meaning they were into self-abuse which is no surprise given their condition of demonic control.

Most are familiar with this story and how Jesus had words with the demons inside these men who identified themselves as Legion. Part of their interchange involved the demons accusing Jesus of coming to torment them and begging Him to not command them to go into the abyss, a fascinating reference alerting us to things in a much larger context in which this story took place. The demons then begged Jesus to allow them to invade a large herd of pigs nearby, which permission was granted to them. Of course we know as soon as this happened the pigs went wild, likely similar to how the possessed men had acted previously. This resulted in the pigs self-destructing by plunging off a nearby cliff and drowning in the sea below or possibly killed on the rocks at the bottom.

At the end of this story it becomes clear that these men (or man, depending on which version one assumes as more accurate) become witnesses in the surrounding region to testify about what had happened in them as a result of encountering Jesus. What is less noticed is that they were not the only witnesses testifying about this encounter, for there were people present who witnessed this event, and there is hint that possibly even others injected their version of what had just transpired. This makes for a lot of testifying going on in this story with both immediate as well as long term consequences for the ministry of Jesus in that region.

Those who fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, including what happened to those who were possessed with demons. Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders. (Matthew 8:33-34)

Those who fed them fled, and told it in the city and in the country. The people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who saw it declared to them how it happened to him who was possessed by demons, and about the pigs. They began to beg him to depart from their region. (Mark 5:14-17)

When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who saw it told them how he who had been possessed by demons was healed. All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much afraid. He entered into the boat, and returned. (Luke 8:34-37)

I wonder if the disciples of Jesus might have been included among those who it says saw what had happened and told others their version of what had happened and the crowds arrived. Either way, the prevailing reaction to the stories of the witnesses that likely included the men themselves, produced such consternation in the public mindset that the consensus was that Jesus simply needed to leave immediately, to which He complied without resistance.

What is noted as happening some time later is how Jesus returned to this region and had an opposite response from the people, likely due to the change of heart they had after having time to reconsider all the testimonies and extended time for the healed men to share their story repeatedly and incessantly until people began to see the real truth about the situation. This has important implications for us as well, for we must learn to be gentle and respectful of people's freedom to make wrong decisions on the basis of strong emotions in reaction to testimonies that may arouse fears that dominate their thinking. Given more time they may be able to reflect and reconsider more thoroughly the evidence and become willing to change their stance about the real truth.

This perspective may prove helpful as we move through the evidence concerning the testimony of these two witnesses here in Revelation 11.

they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth

They told me, "You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings." (Revelation 10:11)

Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)

This verse corresponds directly with our current passage, for a witness is one who testifies, and the angel tells John here that the testimony of Jesus, the star witness of all witnesses, is the very Spirit of Prophecy. Therefore we need to examine these two witnesses by how much the Spirit of Jesus is seen indwelling them to empower them to give testimony that confirms the testimony of Jesus. It is not a matter of all or nothing, but rather how much a witness corroborates with the truth.

The question is this: Does the testimony and actions of these two witnesses correspond completely with the testimony of Jesus concerning the truth about His Father? Or is their testimony, in actions even more so than in words, contain discrepancies with the testimony of Jesus the Son of God? Keep this in mind as we look at more evidence about various witnesses.

But there remained two men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the Spirit rested on them; and they were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp. (Numbers 11:26)

Names are often important in Scripture and can convey enormous significance to a passage, this case in point being one of them. The name Eldad literally means, God has loved, and the meaning of the name Medad literally is loving, affectionate. These two men had not come up with the others to stand around the tent of meeting but were with the people in the camp where they were ministering, and both of their names related to God's love, a message we need for us today.

The Spirit of Yahweh will come mightily on you [Saul], and you shall prophesy with them, and shall be turned into another man. (1 Samuel 10:6)

Knowing how the story of Saul went downhill not long after this, it might be a little surprising that God gave Saul such a gift from the very beginning. But then it should not be, for God does not judge people and treat them as they deserve but rather relates to us without partiality and equipped Saul with what he needed to carry out his function as king. Had Saul not chosen to take a different path and allow pride to disconnect him from God's gifting and plans for him, Saul's story could just as easily turned out the opposite from what it did. He began his career as a new creature, a different man from what he had been before, filled with God's Spirit.

This should alert us to the reality that simply because someone has received an outpouring of God's Spirit and even prophesied does not mean they have any more assurance that they will not choose a different path down the road. Freedom of will is central to living in a relationship of love, for without freedom love cannot even exist. God leaves everyone free to choose their own direction and experience the outcome of those choices, even while He does everything possible to attract and equip them to come to Him and depend entirely on Him to avoid the terrible outcomes of the alternatives.

Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals.... (1 Chronicles 25:1)

It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. (Joel 2:28)

Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

(1 Corinthians 14:1)

Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up. (1 Corinthians 14:5)

For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.

(1 Corinthians 14:31)

These past few verses bring out some important insights about prophesying that should not be missed. Musicians and musical skill is an important expression of prophecy, especially since the right brain can store words that are couched in music differently than when simply spoken or read. Thus it is accessible in ways different than what most of our stored memory is accessed which is especially useful when we are in an intense emotional situation that prevents us from thinking clearly. Putting God's thoughts to music and learning it in this format accomplishes far more than simply learning words and facts, not the least being the deep bonding that can take place between people who participate in such worship together. Music is one of the most effective ways to awaken the heart to bond with other hearts including to God's heart. This is why music can be so important in the work of prophecy, for it can cause the message to have far greater effectiveness than when it is simply spoken.

Notice what Paul is seeking to convey to us in the passages he writes about the role of prophecy in the assembly. The main purpose of prophesying is for the purpose of building up, strengthening, encouraging and bonding together the body of Christ in the persons of His believers who compose His body. Maybe this could be a clue as to why the body of Christ is so weak today, if we fail to allow this most important gift to flourish and minister to us as God designed it should.

Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared. Who will not fear? The Lord Yahweh has spoken. Who can but prophesy?

(Amos 3:7-8)

Just because people prophesy should not lead us to assume they are really speaking the truth on behalf of God. Remember that Lucifer was the first false prophet, for it was his role in heaven to convey the truth about the invisible God to the rest of the intelligent beings throughout the universe. While he may well have fulfilled his purpose for many eons, at some point he chose to begin misrepresenting the heart of the Father to created beings, and the result is the tragic effects of his rebellion which is a long and expensive experiment with alternative ways of social control and organization. Throughout history false prophets have followed in the same path of relying on deception to further their own selfish agenda. So just because a prophet claims to represent God, we must test their disposition against the only reliable standard that defines the real truth that alone will set us free.

Many will tell me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?' Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.' (Matthew 7:22-23)

You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 'These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.' (Matthew 15:7-9)

The purpose of prophesying is very similar to the purpose of testifying – to influence the thinking of others to view God in a better light. This means the heart must be involved and in tune with the heart of God if our testimony or prophecy is to bring about the kind of results that glorifies God.

A wonderful and horrible thing is happen in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will you do in the end of it? (Jeremiah 5:30-31)

For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of Yahweh; who tell the seers, "Don't see!" and to the prophets, "Don't prophesy to us right things. Tell us pleasant things. Prophesy deceits. Get out of the way. Turn aside from the path. Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us." (Isaiah 30:9-11)

Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say you to those who prophesy out of their own heart, Hear you the word of Yahweh: Thus says the Lord Yahweh, Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Israel, your prophets have been like foxes in the waste places. (Ezekiel 13:2-4)

You, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy you against them. (Ezekiel 13:17)

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and tell them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shouldn't the shepherds feed the sheep? (Ezekiel 34:2)

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. (1 Corinthians 13:9-10)

What does it mean to prophesy in part? Does this include the spirit of partiality? To be partial implies the involvement of personal bias or favoritism, a disposition to ignore one side of an issue or certain people and choose to give biased favor to others. Scripture makes it clear that God does not assess people in a spirit of partiality. All of us are His children and He passionately loves each one individually with a love that will never be suppressed or diminished regardless of whether or not we respond positively to it. But the same cannot be said about us, and this spirit of partiality, favoring our own preferences, opinions and presuppositions infects every area of our lives. This is one reason that prophets are not to be the last word when it comes to determining what is true, faithful, reliable and especially what accurately reveals the truth about God's heart and His disposition towards us.

We just read from the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel about false prophets who claimed to speak on behalf of God but their hearts were not in tune with His heart. This means they were prophesying with partiality, whether that word meant incomplete or whether it meant biased in ways that misrepresented the truth from God. But what we find near the conclusion of the great chapter describing true love written by Paul, is that there is coming a time when there will be no more partiality, no more incomplete picture of what is true, what is real, how we perceive God to be. When that which is complete has come into clear view, the shadows of darkness and misapprehensions about God linked to the lies that have blinded so many to be afraid and suspicious of Him will be vaporized in the light of the glory as brought to us by His Son Jesus Christ, the explicit and complete revelation of God.