Israel's new 'School for Prophets'

Well, this is pretty interesting. Times of Israel reports,

Prophecy 101: Now in Tel Aviv
School in Tel Aviv aims to teach anyone to be a prophet
"Isaiah, Jeremiah and Amos were naturals to the world of prophesy, but today’s budding conduits to the heavens will soon be able to learn the art of forecasting in the classroom, at a new school opening up in Tel Aviv. Named after Cain and Abel, the new institute’s goal is to “give the young generation of prophets” tools and guidance on their way to the truth. Set in the heart of Tel Aviv, Shmuel Portman Hapartzi — a self-named messianic Chabad follower — hopes to teach people all they need to know to become prophets of the Jewish people, Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Monday. Official Chabad has criticized the initiative."

Yedioth Net also reports,

School of prophets opens in Tel Aviv
New course aims to train next generation of Jewish prophets for first time since days of Second Temple
"In biblical times they could be found on every street corner, preaching God's word to sinners in a rumbling voice and shining eyes. A new course opening this week aims to restore passed glory and train the next generations of Jewish prophets – for the first time since the days of the Second Temple."

The article continues and several paragraphs later I found a very telling paragraph. There are two statements in it that are at odds with each other but are each interesting in their own way. First,

"But Rabbi Shmuel Portman Hapartzi, founder of the school of prophets, who says he is affiliated with Chabad's messianic stream, believes that the generation of redemption has already arrived and that prophecies are permitted again. ... "Our generation has been declared by many as the first generation taking part in the experience of redemption," Hapartzi explains in an introduction to his curriculum."

I believe this is a true feeling. Many people around the world feel that we are the last generation. They feel this is the imminent time prior to Jesus returning, or if not a believer in Jesus, the last moments before something happens. What they DO with the information is another thing entirely. See this next sentence from the article:

"The Cain and Abel School of Prophets aims to provide the generation of young prophets with authorized sources to direct their spiritual experiences to way of truth and honesty. So what does one need to know to become a modern prophet? According to the course's syllabus, the future prophets will learn about face reading, dream interpretation and ways to achieve divine spirit."

Oy vey.

Man cannot achieve the divine spirit unless he repents, and believes on Jesus Christ as the resurrected lamb slain for our sins. And no one can become a prophet. God calls them. Each prophet in the Old Testament and John the Baptist who spanned the last moments before the New Testament came in, was called by God.

Amos, for example, wrote, "But the LORD took me from following the flock and the LORD said to me, 'Go prophesy to My people Israel.'" (Amos 7:15). Amos was not a professional prophet, like so many were in his day. The professionals would proclaim oracles "from God" for profit, or claim to divine the future- for a fee. Most were false prophets who just proclaimed what the people wanted to hear (Jeremiah 6:13-14). The School for Prophets in Tel Aviv sounds like a breeding ground for the professional prophets who go around saying stuff for a fee. Unless any of them are called by God and taught by God, they will be false prophets.

"Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart." (Jeremiah 14:14).

However I want to go back to the burden the rabbi had to create a school for prophets in the first place. He felt we are the last generation, and wanted to get ready. His preparatory methods are wayward, to be sure. However, many people feel the same pull. They feel the time is near and are beginning to prepare. There is another news article in Israel out today that speaks to this very thing.

Likud hopeful prays on Temple Mount, breaking taboo
"Likud politician Moshe Feiglin on Monday violated the unwritten rule that prohibits Jews from practicing religion on the Temple Mount, as he prayed at the holy site. ... Though there is no law against Jews praying on the Temple Mount, for years both Israeli officials and the Islamic Wakf — the religious group in charge of managing the site — have told Jews not to carry out religious ceremonies or prayers at the site, for fear of violence and a potential outbreak of riots."

Moshe Feiglin (in black jacket, second from right) prays on the Temple Mount
(photo credit: screen capture/Channel 10)

I wrote about this guy Feiglin a few days ago. He is the one who said the Jews should be building the third temple: "This is just the beginning,’ says Feiglin. ‘Eventually, we will build the temple and fulfill our purpose in this land.’

Did you know that God has partially hardened the hearts of the Jews?

"Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:25-17)

He did this to make them jealous that he was using the Gentiles to bring the Good News of salvation to the world. (Romans 11:7; Ephesians 3:9; Romans 11:11). He is also doing this because he is building His church. At or after the rapture, He will unharden their heart and they will clamor to renew their covenant with him again. (Ezekiel 39:22, 25-29). This will happen at the conclusion of the Gog Magog war when He supernaturally saves the Jews.

So my question is, is this blip of a heartbeat of wanting their prophets and wanting their temple and wanting to pray the beginning of the unhardening? Could be. Hard telling, not knowing, as the saying goes.

We are blessed to be able to watch these events and ponder our placement here at the last generation. We are even more blessed to be able to watch for the coming of Messiah. If He comes today or next year or if some of us fall asleep in death prior to His coming, it doesn't matter really. He will come.

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58)