Peace 라시드
First of all I would like to congradulate brother Iconoclast in his replies to you. He has been giving you concise and accurate answers.
A teacher who does not teach ... yes that is possible ... when teachers go on teachers training they are learning like students, in that instance they are not teaching.
An alcoholic who does not drink ... yes that is possible ... when an alcoholic is attending his AA sessions or when he sleeps or when his money runs out he is not drinking.
An insane sane man ... yes even this is possible ... insanity is curable or at least show temporary lapses of normality and then they can flip back to insanity.
But this is not the answer to your question about how a prophet can be a prophet and still not be undertaking prophetic duties.
This is simple because 'prophet' carries with it two distinctions these are:
1) The Title 2) The Role
The role of prophethood is complete and sealed off. The title of prophetship exists in all of the prophets of Allah (SWT). If any of them return they will still be given the respect and rank of prophets. In this respect not only Isa (AS) but Adam (AS), Nuh (AS), all the way to Muhammad (SAW) are all prophets. No one says they were prophets.
The way to think of it in your world of analogies is like a retirement. A retired doctor or General are still called Dr saab or General saab. I hope this clarifies our position and brings us closer in understanding.
As much as I hated your JAZBATI action of deleting my posts, I love you for putting this in such a way that even a monkey can understand...
RC