Apostasy, Demise of the Early Christian Church, Part 3

A Rejection of Prophets

Some people are under the mistaken idea that prophets are prophets because they prophesy. The opposite is true; prophets are men who have been called of God by revelation; a prophecy is an inspired message spoken by a prophet. Mohammad stated just before he died that there would be no more prophets. It wasn't a revelation from God or the angel Gabriel, it was just his opinion, but many people believe it to this day. Many Christians don't believe in living prophets either. One of the early Pope's said that the heavens were sealed. Since the "heavens were sealed", this couldn't have been a revelation; it was just his opinion, but many believed it, and still believe it.

I do not know of any revelation from any Jewish prophet saying that there would be no more prophets. The scriptures indicate that prophets are essential.

"Surely the Lord God shall do nothing save he revealeth his secret to his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7)

It was about 500 BC, when the Jews made a Rabbi equal in authority to a prophet. Direct revelation from God was replaced with the philosophies of men. They determined that a prophet's vision could not supercede what was already written. Thus the interpretation of scripture became the hallmark of their authority, replacing revelation from God.

The world recedes into apostasy when there are no prophets upon the world. This occurs after prophets have been rejected and murdered. It is not God that turns his back on mankind, but mankind who has historically turned their back on God.

"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." (1 Corinthians, Chapter 12:28)

Can there be any doubt that prophets hold a special place of honor in the scriptures, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament? Yet the word of prophets will not be sufficient for some people.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

It is dangerous to ignore a prophet of God.

"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." (Proverbs 29:18)

One problem is the greed of men. Men are only too happy to preach what the people want to hear, as long as they receive remuneration.

"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." (Acts 20:29)

Peter and the other apostles recognized that their time was short and that ultimately the world would conspire against them, and they would have to follow in the footsteps of their savior, sealing their testimonies in their own blood.

Paul talked of this coming apostasy. In the following verse, "falling away" is the English interpretation of the Greek Apostasia. A better translation would be rebellion. The apostasy was a rebellion against God, and a rejection of prophetic and apostolic authority.

"2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. " (2 Thessalonians 2)

Years later, after every other apostle had been put to death, John wrote in his letters to the church that the apostasy was already well under way, and that there wasn't much time left.

"Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." (1 John 2:18)

The apostles also knew that one day there would be a restoration, and that the truths of the gospel, and the apostolic authority, would once again be revealed to the earth.

"Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:21)

A Book of Mormon prophet wrote an interesting prediction concerning the latter days.

"And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor."
(2 Nephi 26:20)

This sounds reminiscent of the words of Isaiah:

"13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."
(Isaiah 29)

This is an apt description of the state of the world in 1820. People worshiped God, but there were no prophets. They followed the ministers of the day who taught them to fear God. Their hearts were far from God because there were no prophets to teach them to love God. A man who does not know God cannot teach another man to love God. It was in this culture that God brought about his plan to restore prophets to the earth, and reveal those things that had been lost.

Joseph Smith, Jr., was the first prophet of the restoration. He was visited by God the father, and his son, Jesus Christ when he was 14 years old in what came to be known as the First Vision. His prayer was answered and he was told to join none of the churches, that their creeds were abominations in Gods sight, and that they taught for doctrine the commandments of men. Several years later, an angel named Moroni visited Joseph, and revealed the location of an ancient book of scripture. Joseph was given the mission of retrieving the book, and translating it into English by the gift and power of God. We know this book today as the Book of Mormon. After it the translation was finished, the Lord allowed several witnesses to view the Book of Mormon, as it was held by the angel Moroni, while the voice of God declared the translation to be correct. Their testimony can be found in the preface to the Book of Mormon.