We must take note of the cost of prophecy. Seeing a vision of the end-time judgment and destruction would have been a vivid and painful experience (Amos 7:1–9). Being away from his family, leaving his business in someone else’s hands—those were the things Amos had to do when he came to Israel. Then there is the speaking in front of crowds: a frightening thing in itself but even more so when you know that your words will upset people. You see faces turn from shock to anger; you hear shouts telling you to get out and go home. It is not nice to be laughed at or rejected. But that is the cost of prophecy and it is at that same cost that Jesus also did his work. He wept over Jerusalem and his preaching took him to the cross.

As Christian believers we have all been called to follow Christ and, just like him, bear the cost of prophecy. We are all to serve as prophets today—not adding to Scripture or bringing new revelation; the Bible is complete. We have the task of bearing witness to Jesus Christ and confessing his name.

The message that Amos had to convey was a very simple one: those who do not trust in Jesus Christ are in danger of judgment, and time is running out. We all know people who are not right with God: friends and family who need to hear and respond to the gospel. In his wisdom, God has given us to them. He has placed us in their lives and given us a vision of what will happen in the future so that, like Amos, we might pray and bear witness. So let us devote ourselves to prayer for our friends and family, neighbours, and colleagues. Even if you can think of only one or two people, pray for God to open their eyes and, by his Spirit, bring them to faith in Jesus Christ. Once we have prayed, let us also be ready to testify. Not badgering people or forcing the Bible down their throats, but testifying that we belong to Jesus Christ and we want to serve him.