When the Lion Killed the Prophet. Hearing God's Voice in the Last Days | Harvest of Asher

A Message for the Last Days

The story in 1 Kings 13 is one of the most sobering accounts in Scripture. The man of God from Judah received a clear command from God. He was not to eat bread, drink water, or return by the same way he had come. He heard the voice of the Lord clearly, and there was no confusion about the instruction he had received.

Yet along the way he encountered an old prophet who said:

“I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ” 1 Kings 13:18

Hearing God's Voice - The tragedy of the story is not that the man of God failed to hear God. He heard Him clearly. His downfall began when he allowed another voice to override what God had already spoken. He accepted a new word that contradicted the word he had personally received from the Lord.

As I reflect on this account, I cannot help but think about the days in which we live. We are surrounded by voices. There are sermons, teachings, prophecies, opinions, influencers, and spiritual experiences. Some are from God, and some are not. This is why the warning of Yeshua is more relevant than ever:

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11

And again:

"For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Matthew 24:24

Yeshua never said there would be a shortage of spiritual voices in the last days. Quite the opposite. He warned that there would be many voices, many claims, many signs, and many attempts to deceive. Therefore discernment is not optional for the believer. It is essential.

The Scriptures remain our foundation and final authority. Every voice, every prophecy, every teaching, and every spiritual experience must be tested against the Word of God. Yet at the same time, the believer is called to more than simply knowing the Scriptures intellectually. We are called to walk with God and to know His voice personally.

In the last days, it will not be enough merely to know the Scriptures. We must also know the voice of God. Many will hear spiritual voices and be exposed to various teachings, prophecies, and revelations. But only those who cultivate a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, remain rooted in the Word of God, and exercise spiritual discernment will be able to distinguish truth from deception and remain faithful until the coming of the Lord.

The tragedy of the man of God teaches us that hearing God once is not enough. We must continue walking in obedience to what He has spoken and guard our hearts against voices that seek to pull us away from His truth.

The Holy Spirit does not lead every believer in exactly the same way. Some are guided primarily through Scripture. Others receive direction in prayer. Some experience a strong inward witness of peace or warning. Others receive confirmation through the body of believers. At times, God even uses circumstances to direct our steps.

The methods may differ, but the source is the same. The Holy Spirit knows each believer personally and leads each one according to God's purpose and calling. Yet no matter how He speaks, He will never contradict the Word He has already given.

This is why believers should not compare their walk with someone else's walk. God deals with His children individually. What matters is not that we all hear Him in the same way, but that we all learn to recognize His voice and obey Him.

Yeshua said:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27

The heart of the matter is not merely to know about God, but to know Him personally. To know His Word and to walk in it; to recognize the voice of the Shepherd.

The more time we spend in prayer, in the Word, in worship, and in obedience, the more sensitive we become to the voice of the Holy Spirit. A believer who knows the Shepherd's voice will not easily be led astray by the voice of a stranger.

The man of God in 1 Kings 13 serves as a warning to every generation. He did not fall because he could not hear God. He fell because he listened to another voice instead of remaining faithful to what God had already spoken.

In these last days, may we be a people who are deeply rooted in the Word, sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, quick to test every voice, and faithful to follow the Shepherd wherever He leads.

For the days are growing darker, the voices are becoming louder, and the return of our Lord draws nearer. More than ever, we need ears that hear what the Spirit is saying and hearts that are willing to obey.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  Revelation 2:7

May we not merely know only the Scriptures. May we know the Author of the Scriptures. May we recognize His voice, walk in His Spirit, and remain faithful until the return of our Lord  Yeshua HaMashiach.