By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

God, the Father, proclaimed the raising of “a Prophet from among” the children of Israel. This coming Prophet is Jesus Christ. The promise extends to people of all races and every generation. The Lord emphasised that when Christ, the Prophet comes, “he shall speak… all that (He) shall command him.”     
 
However, a solemn warning accompanies this announcement: whosoever “will not hearken (listen, observe or submit) unto (the) words, which he shall speak”—- whether Pharisee, Sadducee, Herodian, Israelite or Gentile —- it shall be required of him. Besides being a Prophet, Christ is royalty because He is a Prince and Lord of all, and He is the high Priest.
 
The Lord Jesus Christ is the revealed Prophet that embodies the fullness of God’s message to humanity. His message alone holds validity and any alteration – addition or subtraction – invites severe consequences, including plagues and removal of one’s name from the book of life. Born among the Jews, Christ was initially sent to the Jews, then to the Gentiles. As the Prophet with a capital ‘P’, He transcends humanity.
 
The words of Christ are not His, but those which the Father put in His mouth for all creation. He called sinners to repent and believe the gospel. He also emphasised the blessedness of being pure in heart, which is the truth that sanctifies. Christ called men to tarry in prayer to be endued with power from on high. Any soul that delights in religion without righteousness and refuses to repent despite hearing the gospel would “be destroyed from among the people.” We recognise Jesus Christ, as the promised Prophet, as confirmed by Apostle Peter, who declared Him to be the One whom God “raised up (and) sent … to bless (us), in turning away every one of (us) from his iniquities.” Besides, in the past, God spoke “unto the fathers by the prophets.” However, He “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed.”
 
Therefore, we cannot afford to neglect or disobey Christ’s word because “every transgression and disobedience” will be judged. Christ, Himself, confirmed that the Father sent Him with “a commandment, what (He) should say.” It is, therefore, our responsibility not only to hear His words, but also to submit to and obey them, if we must eventually get to heaven.
 
• Further reading (King James Version): Deuteronomy 18:15,18,19. Acts 3:22,23,26; Hebrews 1:1,2; 2:1-4; John 8:24,28,29; 12:49,50; 4:25,26. Deuteronomy 18:18,19; Psalm 2:6-8,12; Isaiah 9:6,7; Acts 3:22,23; Matthew 13:13-15. John 8:42-44; John 9:27,28; Luke 19:12-14,27. 1 Samuel 2:35; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 2:17; 3:1-6; 4:14; 5:4-6,9; 6:18-20; 7:25,26; 13:11-14; 1 Peter 2:9,21,24.