A certain man had been accustomed to go to pray in the synagogue every day. One morning while he prayed, a man of God came and spoke to him.

The man of God said to him, "Son of man, why have the prophets ceased to speak?"

"I do not know," the man answered.

Then the man of God said, "Come, read from the scroll, and find your answer."

The man walked up to the table, covered his head with his tallis (Prayer Shawl) - as it was the custom - and opened the scroll. But the words were foreign and in a different language, so that he could not understand.

Puzzled, the man replied, "I do not know, for that writing is foreign to me and I do not understand."

"Rightly so," said the man of God, "for if you had understood, this is what you would have read: 'Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' For truth is revealed, first by His word, and then by way of revelation or dream. The prophets have not ceased to speak, for they will continue to do so until their appointed time. But men have not listened to their counsel or obeyed their message. They have forsaken the Lord of Hosts and believed a lie."

After these things, the man of God left from his presence.

In today's high-tech world, man has created many different inventions to save time. But even though all these inventions are in place, most people do not feel that they have gained any more of their time. When asked why most people do not attend a Sunday worship service, their answer usually evolves around the subject of not having enough time. They say, "I'm too busy to pray," or "I don't have time to read the Bible." In fact, I have never met anyone who was backsliding that was fervent in his church attendance, prayer time, and personal devotions.

I believe in prophecy. I believe that God has given the Church apostles, prophets and teachers for the edification of the Church (1 Cor. 12:28). Nonetheless, I'm here to tell you that before God sends you a prophet or begins to reveal the deep things of God to you, you must first become diligent in reading His word. Without diligence, how will you be able to tell the true prophet from the false? For many false prophets have gone into the world. (1 John 4:1b)

Yes, prophets still exist, as much as hell is real, and people actually go there. Many have given up this doctrine because it has no place in their heart. However, whether they believe it or not does not change the fact that it is so. Prophets will continue to prophesy, and the majority of people will continue to ignore their voice and they shall die in their sins. Let us therefore be diligent in study and prayer, and let the Lord of the harvest steer you in His way. Thank you and God bless you.

(P.S. - The story above does not have a reference. Not because I forgot, but because it was revealed to me less than 24 hours ago.)