Dreams, Visions and Seers by Peter McArthur - HTML preview

THE SEERS

In the first book of Samuel it's recorded that “Formerly in Israel when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: „Come let us go to the Seer', for he who is now called prophet was formerly called a Seer” (1 Sam 9:9).

I firmly believe that the function of the Seer is returning to the Church in these days. The Lord has already restored the office and function of Prophet to us, but there is already growing the complementary work of a true Seer in the spirit.

This isn't to denigrate or reduce the importance of the office of Prophet amongst us, but I believe there'll be a clearer distinction between the work of a Prophet and that of a Seer. Although the two do overlap in their ministry giftings I hope to show that there's also a marked difference.

There are two Hebrew words for “seer”.

Strongs H7200.ra'ah (pronounced raw-aw)'. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitively, intransitively and causatively): - advise self, appear, approve, behold, certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, indeed, joyfully, lo, look

(on, one  another, one  on another, one  upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, be near, to  perceive, present, provide, regard, have  respect, (cause to, let) see,  shew, sight of others, spy, stare, surely, think, view, visions.

Strongs H2374  chozeh (pronounced kho-zeh'). Active participle of H2372; a beholder   in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval):  - agreement, prophet, see that, seer, [star-] gazer.

One of the things that a Seer does is to bring “light” into a situation. This light, or insight carries with it is certain knowledge. So in a sense, just as light conquered darkness, so bringing light into any situation is knowledge conquering confusion or ignorance.

It's interesting to note that in Genesis chapter 1 we find God bringing order out of chaos (Genesis 1:2), light where there was none ( verses 3 -4), and introducing knowledge (Genesis 2:9).