We should first be reminded that living beings are either moral (God, angels and humans) or non-moral (animals, plants, fungi and single-celled organisms). Non-living things are of course, non-moral.

Generally, and in the broadest spiritual sense, prophecy is the information given completely by a moral being via spiritual means, to a human being (called a prophet) to be delivered intact and without any human input, to specified human recipients. Prophecy is thus seen as a three-element one-way spiritual communication process comprising of source, carrier and destination. Beyond this basic definition, the Scriptures further show certain details concerning the three elements and the information itself:

-- The source is always a moral being. To be designated a source of prophecy means to be the originator, author of the information, whether divine, angelic or human. However, only evil angelic beings (aka demons) will actually act as sources of prophecy. (Herein lies the root of the occult.) Righteous angels never do. Similarly, righteous humans would not ordinarily constitute themselves sources of prophecy. The only scriptural example where Aaron was a prophet of Moses was personally instituted by God Himself. (More on this later)

-- The carrier of the information can be any living being, whether moral or non-moral, but cannot be an inanimate thing. (Yes, even ordinary stones may be commissioned to raise praises to God if humans are negligent, but not to prophesy!). Generally, there is only one carrier per prophetic instance but sometimes, there is a hierarchy of carriers in which a primary carrier, typically angelic, receives the information directly from God, and delivers it to a secondary carrier, typically a human prophet, for onward delivery to the actual destination. This scenario is perfectly seen in certain parts of the prophecy of End Times as recorded in Daniel chapter 9. Also, the source may cause the same prophecy to be made multiple times, either concurrently or sequentially, and each such occasion is recognised as a distinct instance of the prophecy.

-- The destination is the recipient object on whom the information is to act or be acted upon. While the typical destination is humans, it can be any being whatsover, living or non-living.

-- The information in prophecy is not a mere message but an active word. It is a spiritual proclamation with an inherent ability in itself to be performed. This ability of course derives from the power of the source, whether divine or demonic. Typically the effect of the prophetic word is either to inform with a view to certain response on the part of the recipient or to cause a direct and practical alteration in the being and/or circumstances of the targeted object.

 

General Versus Biblical (True) Prophecy

At the general, conceptual level, any carrier (prophet) who is faithful to his/her spiritual source to accurately receive and execute the message is a "true" prophet in that regard. Thus, Jesus Christ, who as the Messiah, faithfully operates in the offices of King, Priest and Prophet, serves as an eminently true prophet of God. Similarly, Mohammed was a true prophet of Allah. And every faithful Yoruba babaláwo is a true prophet of Ọ̀rúnmìlà. The Bible also tells us about numerous prophets of Baal, Ashera, etc. And as previously mentioned, Aaron was a true prophet of Moses - at least while ministering in the courts of Pharaoh!

But then, what is the counsel of the Scriptures? Does faithfulness to source automatically define true prophecies and true prophets? The answer is a resounding No! There is the need to explore the very notion of truth and falsehood, and see how they apply to prophecies and prophets.