Desire to Prophesy
Paul would have us all speak in tongues but went on to tell us that he would rather that we prophesy. It is the main gift that subjects itself to the spirit of prophecy as a guard against falseness in the church. The prophets must bear witness with each other to confirm the spiritual word. This is why, no matter what your spiritual gift is, you should all be prophesying. We are not to despise prophecy and I am not suggesting exalting it but we should all recognize its importance in the body of Christ and seek to use it to its full potential. Those that want to be a part of the prophetic movement of today that is bringing us together for the end-time harvest should listen closely to the next string of discussions on the prophetic.
First Sue asks for us to explore what kind of person a prophet should be then another praises the prophetic word from us and then Stephen gives us a study on it. Thanks. We should strive to be able to meet all the needs of what it takes to understand what it is to receive the seal of God.
The next responses I would like to ask for could reflect what personal prophetic experiences that you have received from God directly or through another person. What confirmation do you have of the prophetic power in others that you have seen or experienced? What do you feel when the Lord sends you confirmation of a prophetic word? Has He confirmed your gift? We are just discussing the positive sides of the gift and praise for its working. We can get to the negative experiences later.
Also if others have teaching that they would like to contribute, we are all ears.
Jay.
Dear Jay,
Sure, there are things that have torn the church apart and dictated
against the leadership of the Lord. They only did what they knew to do.
They
did not have a revelation of Christ. Why did the people come into the
temple
and sell their wares? They didn't know God. Jesus came in and told them
His
house was a house of prayer, not merchandise. Our model has always been
the
Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thess. 2 says many things, but what I wanted to
pinpoint at this time was: When Jesus comes, He will destroy with the
brightness of His coming. So is the role of a prophet to tear down the
house
of God? What was torn down? The religious traditions that had nothing to
do
with God. The fact remains that people who are in traditional religion,
do
not know God. In the process of tearing down religious tradition, people
take it personally and fall away further away from God or reject truth.
Some
do have a teachable spirit and willingly change. If they have a heart
for
the Lord then His love will tear down the barriers that keep them from
God.
The word also says, the goodness of God will draw people to Christ.
Shouldn't we be pointing others to Christ? Isn't God's love the reason
we
are here in the first place? What is the most powerful force in the
world...
love. So what has been turned into a lack of love for God can be changed
into a greater love for God. I ask a question: if you find out you are
wrong, will you change? God wants every person to change into His
image.
Those that have an ear to hear will hear what the Spirit is saying, get
your
house in order, I come quickly.
I know I have added to what has been said and having a heart after
God
is all important today. Seek Him and all His righteousness....
#hi ya'all
love ya'll in jesu's name
paule byeee
Jay,
I have several teachings concerning these things, as well as clearly
defined
guidelines concerning the "gift of prophecy," and the office thereof.
Although
perhaps we can't clearly define some things, we still need some teaching
and
foundational
guidance concerning some of these things. We are told that
"all may prophesy," and to earnestly seek the gift. Now while this is
true,
then, we
are not all prophets to be sure, and therein, is part and parcel of the
confusion
which still plagues the church. It is not only that we might encourage
the
"gift of
prophecy" in a gathering, but how to handle and judge personal prophecy,
words of wisdom, and words of knowledge. If we look at I Co.
Gift of Prophecy has to do with: *edification *exhortation *comfort
I Co.14:3--(These are the boundaries for the "gift of prophecy") When
prophetic words go
beyond these boundaries into direction, correction, or illumination,
then
the prophetic
office and/or prophetic ministry is being demonstrated.
You will notice that the average prophetic utterance to the church is
one of
exhortation and encouragement. However, once a person starts to speak
forth
a Word of Wisdom or Word of Knowledge from God by means of the Gift of
Prophecy, only then do we start to see the elements of a prophetic
ministry
appearing. Now the message is not only one of exhortation and
encouragement.
It starts to take on elements of correction, instruction and direction.
Rather than speaking in general terms, the prophetic utterance becomes
one
of "thus says the Lord to you specifically in your current situation and
concerning your future." In other words, the prophetic utterance starts
to
become directive.
Jay these are just a few thoughts; I have many, and yes, to be a servant
unto others is of course
paramount. My intention in these few words is simply to help spell out
some
things which are
still misunderstood, and help bring us unto maturity in Him.
This then, is just an introduction, and more will come. Your thoughts
and insights are welcome.
Yours in Him,
-------------
Stephen Hanson
About Prophets and Prophecy I.
Office of Prophet
Gift of Prophecy
I Co.14:3--(These are the boundaries for the "gift of prophecy")
Characteristics of Mature Prophets
Characteristics of Immature Prophets
(With counseling and a lot of teaching, he can change his ways.)
Characteristics of False Prophets-
I Thess.5:21
True words and False Words
Motives
*(It becomes very important for those who are called as a prophet to
realize
that there is a "preparation time", and also, a "training" time. Both of
these periods of time can become Quite "lengthy," and arduous. They are
quite
important, however, in developing the Fruitfulness, as well as the
maturity
which is needed for this office.)
Below are some "signs" which will probably give evidence to the calling
of a
person to the Prophetic office:
Types of Prophecy:
Fruitfulness:
IICo. 6:3, II. Co. 4:5
Spirit of Prophecy & the Song of the Lord:
Rev. 19:10, Jud. 14:6, Jud. 13:10; II. Chron. 24:20,
II.Chron. 20:12, 17, I. Sam. 19:20, 24, I Sam. 18:6, 7
Presbytery
I Tim. 4:14, Acts 13:1, 3; Titus 1:5; Acts 14:21, 23
Personal Prophecy: Partial & Progressive
God's revelation comes in part. We know in part, and prophesy in part.
I.
Co. 13:9.
God reveals only what we need to know for the will of our life.
Deut. 29:29--The secret things belong to the Lord.
Personal Prophecy-Unconditional & Conditional
Unconditional--will take place no matter what happens. Rev. 11:15
Gen. 9:15, 16--No devil, angel, or human, can prevent an unconditional
prophecy.
Jonah sent to Ninevah. 100 yrs. Later it happened during Nathum 1-3.
Isa.
38:11, 22
Eze. 12:25--It will happen, or come to pass irregardless. Example of
Isaiah
and Hezekiah.
Conditional
Acts 9:1, 6; Acts 9:10, 16--restore eyes.
I Tim. 1:18, 4:15--Requires cooperation from the recipient. Meditate on
these things.
"All prophecy is conditional, whether conditions are stated or not."
Using Prophecy for important decisions:
Go to the seer--I. Sam. 9:9; I. Kings 22:6
Using Prophecy for important decisions:
Romance/Marriage
Be very careful--need a confirmation. Should be confirmation only.
Business Endeavors
Left to Mature prophets only.
Pregnancies, births, babies--Normally given to prepare couples.
The prophetic rhema word activates and opens the barren womb.
Prophets prepare the way for Christ's coming.
Mal. 4:5; Matt. 11:14; Matt. 12(17):11, 12; Matt. 3:1-4; I. Co. 4:15
Timing
Spirit Witness
If you want to know the specific will of God, depart from evil, do good,
and
seek peace. Ps. 34:14.
Fruit of Spirit
Need gifts and fruits. Spiritual mind is shown by a life of peace. Rom.
8:6
Clearance
"Strainings"..Acts 16:6, 9
Counsel
------------------------------------------
Some information from Part II:
Another passage that clearly shows the distinction is Acts 21:9
9. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied.
10. And as we tarried [there] many days, there came down from Judaea a
certain prophet, named Agabus.
Philip had four daughters that exercised a prophetic ministry, but they
were
not classed as prophets. Agabus however, held the prophetic office and
was
referred to as a prophet.
The term is not only used for prophets but also for teachers. We see
both
mentioned in Acts 13:1
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and
teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of
Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch,
and
Saul.
Someone may be able to teach or prophesy, but only when they have been
permanently appointed to the office of prophet or teacher can they be
called
by such a title. The same applies to the apostolic ministry. The early
apostles, as well as those who followed later and including the apostles
of
today, have been permanently appointed to that office by the Lord.
The Fivefold Ministry Offices
There are 5 Ministry Offices mentioned in the New Testament. These are
commonly called the FiveFold Ministry. However they are far more than
just
ministry functions. They are all ministry offices.
Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far
above
all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some,
apostles;
and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers;
There are some important facts that you need to understand about the
ministry offices before you can grasp the importance of the prophetic
office. To help make things clearer, we need to consider one other
passage
of Scripture.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has placed some in the church, firstly
apostles,
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts
of
healings, supports, directors, various different tongues.
29 [Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all
workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all
interpret?
Here are the important facts that you need to keep in mind where
ministry
offices are concerned.
They are given by God, not man. So a person does not receive them from
human
ordination and they are not subject to human authority. They are subject
only to the authority of the Lord. They are not local church ministries,
but
are gifts to the Body Universal. In other words when a person is given a
ministry office, they can exercise it anywhere in the world. It is a
permanent ministry given by God. It is not so much that a person has
been given the
office, but that the office has been given in the person as a gift to
the
church. There is an order of establishment and authority amongst the
ministries. This order is shown in the second passage above. Only three
of
the five ministries are mentioned specifically in this passage, although
the
others are implied from their functions. Apostles come first. Prophets
come
second. Teachers come third. Evangelists and Pastors come afterwards.
Paul ends his discussion in 1 Corinthians 12 by asking rhetorical
questions.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? etc. This means
that
not everyone can enter into a ministry office by choice. It is God that
calls a person to such a ministry and imparts the office. However these
questions do not mean that a person cannot hold more than one office at
a
time.
Stephen Hanson
June 16, 2000
The subject at hand is the role of the prophetic, right? What place
does
the prophet hold in the Body of Christ? Does the prophet encourage, warn
and
foretell? In the OT, they did many things. The Lord is calling many into
the
prophetic, but God only speaks with one voice. He speaks the same thing
to
all people. When I say same thing, I mean everything He says should fit
into
what God is doing on the earth today. Something I noticed that was left
out
of the discussion was the kind of person a prophet should be. Many
touched
on the fact that a prophet should be a servant to the Body. I couldn't
agree more. But, let's open the subject a little more. Let's focus on
what
is important to God in this matter. God expects those who speak His
word,
whether prophet, pastor or teacher, to have excellence of character. The
Lord is drawing us into a time that we need all to think of... the day
when
we will all stand before Him. If a prophet has followed the Lord in
their
calling then they ought to be people who God can trust to say what is
right.
The proof of a righteous prophet is when their words come to pass. What
kind
of character does God produce in His servants? Godly character. I think
we
all can agree on what is important to God.
Blessings,
honor and glory, Sue
i really enjoy reading my post, it make very interesting
reading & i discern there are some
prophets and we all know from experience "a prophet is without honor in
his/her own town". any way keep it up.
The next topic of discussion is to be one of maturing in the prophetic
as
you have said-- Is this true? There are issues still out among us that
are important I believe, and part
of that is how we handle the gift(s), and conduct ourselves in a church,
gathering, conference,
etc. The issue of "timing," as to "when" to deliver a word, or perhaps
even "how." How pastors and prophets work together. How also apostles
and prophets work together, and how there are also
"blending of the offices" in the body as well.
Stephen Hanson
Jay ,
Here is a LOT of other information, basically describing some of the key
points
to the prophetic office, along with guidelines and/or differences
between
the "gift"
and the office.(I have another teaching concerning Part II.(I have
included
a small
part of that below at the very bottom.)
and also one on "Prophetic
Maturity."
-An irrevocable decree. Examples: Nebuchadnezzar's dream--Dan. 2
-Abraham's prophecy-Gen. 17:6, 8
Unconditional Prophecies can be postponed, but not cancelled.
**God works on our desires, and changes those desires in time, to
line-up
with the prophetic word given.
**Prophets are God's spokesman--Heb. 1:1-2; Eph. 4:8-11; I Tim. 4:1;
Amos
3:7
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