Harry Pitts teaches that biblical prophecy has two functions: foretelling future events, like Agabus predicting famine and Paul's arrest, and uncovering hidden sin, as Nathan did when confronting King David's adultery. Prophets call people to obedience and repentance, not fear.
Agabus foretold a great famine in Acts chapter 11, verse 28, and later, and later warned Paul of his arrest in Acts 21, verses 10 through 11. These show us that prophecy in both Old and New Testaments includes foretelling. But the takeaway is clear: prophets prepare God's people by disclosing what is coming. Not to breed fear or negative thinking, not to breed fear or negative thinking or try to control or manipulate the people of God. But prophets position the people of God to worship their God, to be in obedience to his word. And at other times, prophets are called to uncover what is hidden. Nathan stood before King David and uncovered the secret sin of adultery and murder according to 2 Samuel chapter 12, verse 7 through 9. His word cut to the heart and produced repentance in the king.
