The importance God attaches to the office of prophet and the prophetic ministry is revealed in His Word in Amos 3:7, to wit, "Surely the Lord God does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants, the prophets."

This is particularly true of the Old Testament, where the prophetic ministry was very much exercised.

This is emphasised in Hebrews 1:1, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,"

The prophets in the Bible are God's messengers - chosen to speak His word, warn, guide, correct, and oftentimes foretell future events.

Prophets appear mainly in the Old Testament, with a few key prophetic voices in the New Testament.

• Old Testament Prophets

Major Prophets

(Called “major” because of the length of their books, not their importance)

1. Isaiah – Spoke about judgment, repentance, and the coming Messiah.
2. Jeremiah – The “Weeping Prophet”; warned Judah before exile
3. Lamentations – Written by Jeremiah (a book of sorrow and repentance)
4. Ezekiel – Prophesied during the Babylonian exile
5. Daniel – Visions of kingdoms and the end times

Minor Prophets

(Shorter books)

Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi – The last Old Testament prophet.

Other Prophets (not book authors)

1. Moses – Greatest prophet and lawgiver
2. Samuel – Prophet and judge
3. Elijah – Powerful miracles, confronted Baal worship
4. Elisha – Successor of Elijah
5. Nathan – Prophet to King David
6. Gad, Ahijah, Micaiah.

New Testament Prophets are listed as follows:

John the Baptist – The last and greatest prophet before Christ.

Jesus Christ – Prophet, Priest, and King (the fulfillment of prophecy).

Agabus – Prophesied famine and Paul’s imprisonment

Anna – Prophetess who recognized Jesus
Philip’s four daughters – Prophetesses (Acts 21:9)

Purpose of Prophets

• To call people back to God.
• To warn against sin and injustice.
• To reveal God’s will.
• To point to Jesus Christ.

“Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” — Amos 3:7

God views prophets as essential messengers, calling them to speak His words for edification, comfort, and guidance, equipping the church and revealing His heart.

However, they must be tested for faithfulness and alignment with scripture, as true prophecy builds up the body of Christ and points to Jesus.

This attribute is very important as, even as the Bible shows in several instances, there are many who come in the name of God as prophets but are not, false prophets as the word of God calls them.

The Bible clearly teaches that not everyone who claims to be a prophet truly speaks for God.

Knowing the difference between true prophets and false prophets helps believers stay spiritually safe and grounded.

True prophets vs False prophets

(Biblical Comparison)

True prophets:

1. They Speak God’s Truth — Not Their Own Ideas

“The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; but he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully.” — Jeremiah 23:28

• Their message agrees with Scripture
• They don’t twist God’s word
• They point people to holiness and obedience

2. Their Prophecies Come to Pass

“When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen… that prophet has spoken presumptuously.” — Deuteronomy 18:22

• God confirms their words with fulfillment
• No manipulation or guesswork

3. They Glorify God, Not Themselves

John 16:13–14

• They give glory to God and Christ
• They avoid pride, fame, and personal gain.

4. Their Lives Show Godly Character

Matthew 7:16 — “By their fruits you will know them.”

•Integrity, humility, love, discipline
•Consistent Christian lifestyle.

5. They Lead People Toward Repentance

Jonah 3:5.

•They correct sin
•They restore people to God.

These, on the other hand, are the characteristics of FALSE PROPHETS:

1. They speak from their own imagination.
“They speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord.” — Jeremiah 23:16.

• They're motivated by money, fame, power
• They say what people want to hear (sweet messages only)

2. Their prophecies fail or are manipulative

Deuteronomy 18:22

• They give many excuses when prophecies fail
• They also use vague predictions to deceive

3. False Prophets also promote sin or error

Deuteronomy 13:1–3

• They encourage disobedience
• They add or subtract from God’s Word

4. They Lack Godly Fruit

Matthew 7:15–20

Instead, the following are their fruit:

• Pride, immorality, greed, lies
• Division and confusion follow them.

5. They Seek Personal Glory (Eg, Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8:9–23)

• Branding, self-promotion, spiritual intimidation

How can one protect oneself spiritually?

1. Know the Word of God
2. Pray for discernment
3. Test every prophecy (1 John 4:1)
4. Stay connected to a sound church
5. Never follow blind spiritual authority

Jesus warned: “Many false prophets will rise and deceive many.” — Matthew 24:11

Below are clear biblical examples of false prophets, with the exact scripture references showing how they deceived people and how God exposed them.

These are powerful lessons for discernment today.

Bible examples of false prophets (With Verses)

1. Balaam — Prophet for Profit

• Numbers 22–24; Numbers 31:16; 2 Peter 2:15

What he did:

Balaam claimed to hear God but loved money and led Israel into sin.
“They have followed the way of Balaam… who loved the wages of unrighteousness.” — 2 Peter 2:15.

• Lesson: Anyone who uses spiritual gifts for money or influence is dangerous.

2. Hananiah — The Lying Prophet

• Jeremiah 28:1–17

What he did:

He falsely prophesied peace when God had warned of judgment.
“The Lord has not sent you, but you make this people trust in a lie.” — Jeremiah 28:15.

• Lesson: Sweet messages that ignore repentance can be false.

3. The 400 Prophets of Ahab

• 1 Kings 22:5–28

What they did:

They all prophesied victory to please King Ahab, but only Micaiah spoke the truth.
“Go and prosper,” they said — but it was a lying spirit. — 1 Kings 22:22–23

• Lesson: Majority opinion does not equal truth.

4. The Old Prophet Who Lied to the Man of God.

• 1 Kings 13:11–26

What he did:

He lied, claiming God spoke to him, which caused another prophet’s death.
“I am a prophet also as you are… but he lied to him.” — 1 Kings 13:18.

• Lesson: Even spiritual-looking people can deceive.

5. Jezebel — False Prophetess

• Revelation 2:20

What she did:

Claimed prophetic authority while promoting immorality and false teaching.
“You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess…” — Revelation 2:20.

• Lesson: False prophecy often mixes truth with compromise.

6. False Prophets in Jeremiah’s Time

• Jeremiah 23:16–32

What they did:

They spoke from their imagination and caused people to sin.
“They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.” — Jeremiah 23:16.

• Lesson: Not every spiritual dream or vision is from God.

7. Elymas the Sorcerer (Bar-Jesus)

• Acts 13:6–12

What he did:

Resisted the gospel and tried to turn people away from the truth.

“You son of the devil… will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?” — Acts 13:10.

• Lesson: False prophets oppose genuine salvation and truth.

Jesus’ warning:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” — Matthew 7:15

While some operate in the specific office of prophet, all believers can operate in the gift of prophecy, which should always be orderly, in the Holy Spirit, and point to Christ.