Prophet of Doom
Prophet of Doom
A particularly nasty term often employed to dismiss God's prophetic servants is, "He's a prophet of doom." What the speaker really means is that the prophet is refusing to "toe the party line" and "play the ecclesiastical game". So he needs to be disqualified quickly and all dialogue as to what God might actually be saying, brought to a grinding halt. So, the term or title "prophet of doom" has over a long period of time become a badge of dishonour and approbrium.
But it has not always been so. In fact "prophet of doom" is a highly accurate description of prophetic responsibility; a good testimony and honourable epitaph. In the medieval Church the word "doom" did not describe gloom, negativity and destruction, but rather the Last Judgement of the Lord Jesus Christ. And a prophet is called to be a proclaimer of
this "doom" par excellence. More than all others he is called to constantly remind the whole human race (including the Church) that history which had a beginning is going to have a definite ending. And its Last Day will be the one on which God Himself judges us all; dividing the righteous from the unrighteous, and recompensing everyone.
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed." (Acts 17.30-31)
"His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3.12)
"Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master. And cast out the worthless slave into ther outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 23.21 and 30)
A lot of bad, sad and mad behaviour occurs in the Church because of a quite widely held view that Christians can get away with it. But no one is going to get away with anything. From the great "man of faith and power for the hour" to the sweetly smiling, venom-tongued gossip in the front pew, we will all be required to give an account of ourselves to the One who is all-seeing, all-knowing, and the just Judge.
"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead." (2 Timothy 4.1)
"He gave Him authority to execute judgement, because He is the Son of Man...and His judgement is just because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." (John 5.27 and 30)
