Do prophets still exist today? For anyone who believes the Bible, this is not a question that should be dismissed lightly. Scripture teaches that prophets play a central role in God’s communication with humanity. By examining the Bible, we can understand what a prophet is, where prophetic authority comes from, how to distinguish true prophets from false ones, and whether prophets should exist in our time.
The Role of a Prophet
The Bible is clear about the purpose of a prophet. In Deuteronomy 18:18, God declares:
“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”
A prophet is called by God, prepared for that calling, and commissioned to speak God’s words—not personal opinions. Prophets do not invent doctrine; they reveal what God commands.
This pattern is reinforced in Amos 3:7:
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
God works through prophets. They are His chosen instruments for revealing truth, doctrine, and direction.
Jeremiah 1:5 further shows that prophets are known and prepared by God long before they begin their ministry:
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee… I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
How Prophets Receive Authority
A true prophet must be authorized by God. Authority does not come from popularity, education, or self-appointment.
In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus Christ gives authority directly to His apostles:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”
This authority was given by Christ Himself, with clear instructions. The same divine pattern applies to prophets—God calls them, commissions them, and grants authority to act in His name.
True Prophets vs. False Prophets
The Bible repeatedly warns about false prophets and provides clear tests to identify them.
Deuteronomy 13:1–5 explains that even if a prophet performs signs or wonders, they are false if they lead people away from the true God:
“Let us go after other gods… thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet.”
A true prophet always leads people toward God and never away from Him. This passage also reassures believers that God will not allow His true prophets to ultimately lead His people astray.
Jeremiah 14:14 offers another warning:
“The prophets prophesy lies in my name… I sent them not.”
False prophets claim divine authority that God never gave them. Discernment is critical.
Knowing Prophets by Their Fruits
Jesus Christ taught a simple and powerful test in Matthew 7:15–20:
“Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
Just as a tree is judged by the quality of its fruit, a prophet can be evaluated by:
- What they teach
- What they produce
- Whether their teachings lead people closer to God
- The spiritual outcomes of their ministry
Good fruit cannot come from a corrupt tree, and corrupt fruit cannot come from a good tree.
Beyond external evidence, God provides personal confirmation. Through sincere prayer to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, individuals can receive guidance through the Holy Ghost to know whether a prophet is true.
Prophets Were Ordinary People Before Their Call
Throughout scripture, prophets were ordinary people before God called them:
- Moses was raised in Egypt before being called to lead Israel
- Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen
- Matthew was a tax collector
God does not require prophets to fit a worldly mold. He calls whom He will, when He will.
The Apostasy Was Foretold
The Bible teaches that there would be a falling away from Christ’s original Church.
2 Thessalonians 2:2–3 states:
“That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first.”
This apostasy included the loss of apostles and prophetic authority, something that was prophesied long before it occurred.
The Calling of a Modern Prophet
In 1820, a pivotal event took place. A 14-year-old farm boy named Joseph Smith, confused by religious division, turned to the Bible for guidance. He read James 1:5:
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.”
Following this counsel, Joseph Smith prayed and received a vision in which God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. This marked the end of the apostasy and the restoration of prophetic authority.
A Living Prophet Today
Prophets did not cease with biblical times. There is a prophet on the earth today.
Russell M. Nelson currently serves as a modern prophet. Before his call, he was a world-renowned heart surgeon and a pioneer in cardiovascular medicine. He was called as an apostle and later sustained as prophet in January 2018.
His teachings have guided millions, including inspired direction that strengthened faith in homes well before global events required families to worship outside traditional church settings.
The biblical pattern continues: when one prophet passes, the next senior apostle assumes the role, ensuring uninterrupted prophetic leadership.
How You Can Know for Yourself
The Bible invites every person to seek personal confirmation. If you want to know whether modern prophets are real, listen to their teachings, examine their fruits, and pray sincerely.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He spoke through prophets in the past, He can speak through prophets today.
