The last prophet in Christianity depends on which covenant you are referring to.
Prophets in Christianity
Christianity recognizes prophets both before and after the time of Jesus. The understanding of who the last prophet was varies depending on whether one is referring to the Old Testament or the New Testament.
The Old Covenant
According to the reference, in the Old Covenant, John the Baptist is considered the last prophet before the arrival of Jesus (cf. Luke 16:16).
The Eastern Orthodox Church also holds that Malachi was the "Seal of Prophets" in the Old Testament.
Summary of Old Covenant Prophets
| Prophet | Covenant | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Malachi | Old | Considered by the Eastern Orthodox Church as the "Seal of Prophets" |
| John the Baptist | Old | The last prophet before Jesus' arrival, heralding the new covenant. |
New Testament Prophecy
Christian tradition also acknowledges prophets within the New Covenant. These prophets, often associated with the early church, do not hold the same position as those in the Old Testament but are essential for understanding the flow of God's revelation.
- Prophets like Agabus are mentioned in the New Testament, showing that prophecy continued into the early Christian era.
Thus, it is important to distinguish between prophets who came before Jesus and those that came after, or are a part of, the New Covenant.
