Yes, prophecies and tongues will fail because the New Testament and the written Word of God would replace the need for these temporary gifts.
The gifts of prophecy and tongues were given to the early church before the New Testament was written, to proclaim God's Word and communicate the Gospel. When the complete revelation of Scripture arrived, these gifts ceased to be necessary, as Paul foretold in 1 Corinthians 13.
1 Corinthians 13:8 — This verse explicitly states that prophecies and tongues will fail, which is the direct answer to the question.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes that love never fails, but prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will cease. The text says, 'Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away' (1 Cor. 13:8). The Bible also indicates that these gifts were given for the edification of the early church before the completion of the New Testament. Paul emphasizes that while tongues were a sign for unbelievers, prophecy (speaking forth God's Word) was more beneficial for believers because it edified the church (1 Cor. 14:22).
Les Feldick teaches that prophecies and tongues were necessary gifts in the early church because the New Testament wasn't written yet. People depended on gifted men who spoke forth the Word of God. Once the written Word became available, these gifts were no longer needed. He explains that 'tongues' in the plural refers to known languages, while 'unknown tongue' (singular) refers to unintelligible sounds, which are not truly edifying. With the completion of the New Testament, the need for these miraculous gifts ceased, as the written Word now serves as the foundation for teaching and preaching.
Les explains that prophecy was the greatest spiritual gift at the time Paul wrote, because the New Testament wasn't written yet. The early churches depended on gifted men who could speak forth God's Word, which is what prophecy means. The Gospels were not available, and Paul's letters weren't still in circulation as Scripture. Therefore, prophecy was essential for spreading the Gospel and feeding hungry hearts.
Les teaches that 'tongues' in the plural refers to known human languages, used to communicate the Gospel across language barriers. But 'unknown tongue' (singular) refers to unintelligible sounds that cannot be written down—just noise. Prophecy, on the other hand, was the clear proclamation of God's Word, which edifies believers, while tongues without interpretation did not benefit the church.
Les points out that once the New Testament was completed and became the written Word of God, the need for special gifts of prophecy and tongue-speaking disappeared. He says that the complete revelation, such as given in Ephesians, removed the 'enigma' and revealed the full mystery of the Body of Christ. The written Word now serves as the authority and guide for teaching and preaching.
What the Bible Really Says About Love vs Spiritual Gifts
And at the height of the war, there was a gentleman who had ridiculed Abraham Lincoln back before he became President. Ridiculed him to such a state that he once admonished an explorer traveling all over Africa looking for a gorilla. He said, Why go to Africa when all you have to do is go to Springfield, Illinois? Referring, of course, to Abraham Lincoln.
Prophecy as the Greatest Gift Before the New Testament
Les explains that prophecy was the greatest gift because the New Testament wasn't written yet, so believers depended on those who spoke forth God's Word.
Definition of Tongues
Les clarifies that 'unknown tongue' refers to unintelligible sounds, not a known language, and is not phonetic or reducible to print.
Why Preaching the Word is Superior
Les emphasizes that speaking the Word is more effective than miraculous signs, and the people need to hear the Gospel, not just see miracles.
Gifts in Ephesians Compared to Corinthians
Les compares the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians and Ephesians, noting that prophets have ceased because we now have the printed Word.
Prophecy as Speaking Forth God's Word
Les clarifies that prophecy means speaking forth God's Word, not necessarily predicting the future, and was needed before the New Testament was written.
Prophecy Needed Before the Word Was in Print
Les connects the gift of prophecy to the time before the Word was printed, when men were gifted to speak forth God's word.
Revelation Completed in Ephesians
Les shows that by the time of Ephesians, Paul had received the full revelation, removing the 'enigma' and completing the knowledge that made earlier gifts unnecessary.
1 Corinthians 13:8: Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
This verse is the core answer, stating that prophecy and tongues will fail.
1 Corinthians 14:22: Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Paul explains the distinct purpose of tongues and prophecy.
Paul says that tongues will cease. Les explains that tongues were a sign gift for the early church and that once the written Word was completed, they were no longer needed. The gift of tongues, as an ability to speak known languages or unknown sounds, has ceased.
Les teaches that Paul's letters and the Gospels eventually became part of Scripture. By the time Ephesians was written, Paul had received the full revelation of the mystery of the Body of Christ, completing the written Word.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Love vs Spiritual Gifts