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Post by giantsdodie on Aug 2, 2006 7:03:40 GMT -5
This is the teaching of my home church Reach Out and Touch Ministries regarding prophecy. I would request that this information is not copied and shared without first asking permission. I have been given permission to share this here by our house prophet.
The ministry I attend is a very prophetic house as we have a house prophet, the asst pastor is a prophetess and several saints in the house of God are called to walk in the office of a prophet or have a strong prophetic anointing on their lives. We are also a teaching ministry which is the balance of prophecy. This teaching was provided so that people would have a clearer understanding of what prophecy is and how it operates.
Prophecy is the inspired interpretation of The WILL and Purpose of THE LORD GOD. It is THE LORD GOD communicating HIS WILL to a person, a people, a nation, or the whole world. It is also THE LORD GOD declaring what will be in present or future sequences of events. It is the expression of the Omniscience of THE MOST HIGH GOD in regards to a particular person, place, or matter.
Isaiah 46:9-11; “Remember the former things of old; for I AM GOD, and there is none else; I AM GOD and there is none like ME, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, MY Counsel shall stand, and I will do all MY Pleasure: calling the ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth MY Counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.”
Isaiah 42:9; “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
The Origin of Prophecy
II Peter 1:20,21; “Knowing this first, that no Prophecy of The Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the Prophecy came not in the old time by the will of man: but holy men of GOD spake as they were moved by THE HOLY GHOST.”
The Nature of Prophecy
Revelations 19:10; “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the Testimony of JESUS: Worship GOD: for the Testimony of JESUS is THE SPIRIT of Prophecy.”
The Purpose of Prophecy
I Corinthians 14:3; “But he that Prophesieth speaketh unto men to Edification, and Exhortation, and Comfort.”
The Operation Of Prophecy
I Corinthians 12:4-7,11; “Now there are diversity of Gifts, but the same SPIRIT. And there are differences of administrations, but the same LORD. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same GOD that worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the SPIRIT is given to every man to profit withal. But all these worketh that one and selfsame SPIRIT, dividing unto every man as HE WILLS.”
The Power of Prophecy
II Chronicles 20:20c; “Believe THE LORD thy GOD, and so shall ye be established; believe HIS Prophets and so shall ye prosper.”
Ezra 6:14; “The elders of Israel builded, and they prospered by the Prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.”
Hosea 12:13; “And by a Prophet The Lord brought Israel out of the land of Egypt, and by Prophet was he preserved (kept and cared for).
Who Does God Use In Prophecy
It is given unto every believer to Prophesy The WORD of THE LORD by THE HOLY SPIRIT. If the believer mature in CHRIST, knowledgeable of The Written WORD of GOD, baptized in THE HOLY GHOST, bears the Fruit of THE SPIRIT, and has received Prophecy as one of the Gifts of THE SPIRIT, he or she is able and welcome to Prophesy (I Corinthians 12:4-7,11). Believers who are immature must be trained in the Prophetic Ministry by someone who is a Prophetic minister, that is seasoned and possesses the Character, Anointing, and Knowledge of the proper operation of the Prophetic Ministry. Once properly trained the believer must be supervised in Prophetic Ministry until their Character, Accuracy, Anointing, and Ministry are proven before THE LORD. Then and only then can they be trusted to speak into the lives of others publicly. (I Corinthians 12:27-31; 14:1)
All fivefold ministry officers (Ephesians 4:9-16) can prophesy, but the office of the Prophet is where the Gift of Prophecy is most prominent. The difference between the believer that operates in the Gift of Prophecy and the Prophet of GOD is that the Prophet Prophesies with greater authority, power, depth, accuracy, dimension, measure, and scope. Fivefold ministry officers who flow prophetically may flow to a greater degree than the believer who is prophetic, but not to as great a degree as the Prophet, because it is part of his office’s area of expertise in CHRIST. The Prophet of GOD is THE LORD’s primary Mouthpiece where the Prophetic Utterance is concerned, but Prophecy is not limited to this office, but is given to every believer as THE HOLY GHOST WILLS and as they desire. Prophets don’t just Prophesy, but it is a important part of their Call and Mantle in The Ministry of CHRIST.
What is the Order of Prophecy
I Corinthians 14:26c,29-33,40; “Let all things be done unto edifying. Let the Prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all Prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets. For GOD is not the author of confusion, but Peace, as in all the Churches of the saints. Let all things be done Decently, and in Order.”
What is the Place of Prophecy
Matthew 5:17-19; “Think not that I AM come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, I AM not come to destroy but to fulfill. For verily I say unto, till HEAVEN and earth pass, one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break the least of these Commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in The Kingdom of HEAVEN: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be great in The Kingdom of HEAVEN.”
Isaiah 40:8; “The grass withers, and the flower fadeth, but The WORD of our GOD standeth forever.”
II Timothy 3:16; “All Scripture is given by Inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in Righteousness; that the man of GOD may be perfect (mature, complete, and blameless; growing to the place of being faultless and flawless in CHRIST before THE FATHER), thoroughly furnished (equipped) unto every Good Work.”
II Peter 1:18-20; “And this Voice which came from HEAVEN we heard, when we were with HIM on the mount. We have also a more sure WORD of Prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto Light that shineth in a dark place, until the Daystar arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no Prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.”
It is important to understand that The Written WORD of GOD and the Prophetic Utterance inspired by THE HOLY GHOST work together as one to reveal The WILL of THE FATHER. Yet The Written WORD of GOD takes precedence and is first between the two, for it is GOD’s Life Manual to the believer. In order for Prophecy to be considered of GOD it must be based on what GOD has already said in The Written WORD of GOD; GOD will never speak contrary to what HE has already said. The WORD of GOD is One, meaning it is consistent (remains the same in message), concise (to the point), cohesive (fits perfectly together), and coherent (clear), and it never contradicts itself. Therefore all Prophecy must be judged by The Written WORD of GOD as to its accuracy, purity, and validity.
The Written WORD or the Law (GOD’s Rules or Code as to what is right, decent, fit, correct, proper, and pure in HIS Sight) will stand forever, and Prophecy will be fulfilled and pass away (I Corinthians 13:8). The Written WORD is the Full Counsel of GOD to the believer concerning what HE Requires (demands), Purposes, Plans, and Promises, while Prophecy only reveals in part to expound to give Understanding, encourage and warn regarding, and provide comfort in the pursuit of The WILL of GOD as revealed in The Scriptures.
Prophecy must first be confirmational, it should further expound or reiterate what God has already said to us out of HIS Written WORD and by HIS SPIRIT. Can GOD speak something new, something we have never heard or known before, by Prophecy? Most certainly. However, it must be based on and in agreement with The Written WORD, we must have the Witness of THE SPIRIT, it must be confirmed by THE FATHER HIMSELF in Prayer, and confirmed out of the mouths of two or three witnesses (II Corinthians 13:1). People may not always have an immediate witness because it is new or because they are in the way, that’s why the other three ways are provided by GOD. If GOD said it once, HE will say it again. THE LORD has set it up this way for the confidence and safety of HIS people.
What is the Scope of Prophecy
Amos 3:7; “Surely THE LORD GOD will do nothing, but HE revealeth HIS secret unto HIS servants the Prophets.”
Isaiah 42:9; “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
THE FATHER speaks HIS Heart to HIS Prophets, and addresses whatever it is that HE wants to discuss with them or through them. There really is no limit to what GOD will say to or through HIS Prophets. The degree of security clearance to HEAVEN’s classified information is all determine by the Prophets level of Intimacy and Oneness with GOD, his Authority and Power with GOD, his Faith and Obedience to GOD, and his Consecration and Sanctification unto GOD. The believer GOD will speak on his or her level of maturity, and will GOD declare to them those things they are ready to hear. GOD desires to share HIS Heart with HIS people, we must make sure we are always in a condition and position to hear.
In the public declaration of the Prophetic Utterance, however, Discretion is needed. Although there is no limit to what GOD will share with HIS Prophets, there are some things HE will have them hold their peace concerning, and not speak. It is because it’s for another time or it’s for Intercession in the Prayer closet or for private disclosure. THE LORD GOD is a Gentleman, HE does not disgrace or shame. GOD THE LORD determines what we see and say, and what we hear and herald in True Prophecy.
What Determines True Prophecy
Deuteronomy 13:1-5; “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign and a wonder, and the sign and wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, for THE LORD your GOD proveth you, to know whether ye LOVE THE LORD thy GOD with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after THE LORD your GOD, and Fear HIM, and keep HIS Commandments, and Obey HIS Voice, and ye shall Serve HIM, and Cleave to HIM. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from THE LORD your GOD, which brought you out of the land of Eygpt, and Redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which THE LORD thy GOD Commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put evil away from the midst of thee.”
Deuteronomy 18:18-22; “I will raise them up a PROPHET from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put MY WORDS into HIS MOUTH; and HE shall speak unto them all that I shall Command HIM. and it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto MY WORDS which HE shall speak in MY NAME, I will require it of him. But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in MY NAME, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which THE LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in The NAME of THE LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which THE LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not fear him.”
Matthew 7:15-20; “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in the sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
I John 4:1-6; “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of GOD: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye THE SPIRIT OF GOD: every spirit that confesseth that JESUS CHRIST is come in the flesh is of GOD: and every spirit that confesseth not that JESUS CHRIST is come in the flesh is not of GOD: and this is the spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of GOD, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of GOD: he that knoweth GOD heareth us; he that is not of GOD heareth not us. Hereby know we THE SPIRIT of Truth, and the spirit of error.”
I Corinthians 12:3; “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by THE SPIRIT OF GOD calleth JESUS accursed: and that no man can say that JESUS is THE LORD, but by THE HOLY GHOST.”
What Determines Depth of Prophecy
Romans 12:6-8; “Having then Gifts differing according to the Grace that is given to us, whether Prophecy, let us Prophesy according to the proportion of Faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with Diligence; he that showeth Mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Job 32:8; “But there is a spirit in man: and the Inspiration of THE ALMIGHTY giveth them Understanding.”
What Determines The Accuracy of Prophecy
1) The Intimacy, Intensity, and Oneness of one’s Relationship with GOD THE LORD.
2) The depth of The WORD of GOD in one’s spirit.
3) The consistency of one’s Prayer life with THE LORD.
4) The commitment of one’s Consecration to THE LORD.
5) The degree of one’s Faith in and Obedience to GOD.
Does Prophecy Have Limits
Isaiah 46:9-11; “Remember the former things of old; for I AM GOD, and there is none else; I AM GOD and there is none like ME, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, MY Counsel shall stand, and I will do all MY Pleasure: calling the ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth MY Counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.”
I Corinthians 13:8-10; “LOVE never fails: but whether there be Prophecies, they shall be fulfilled and pass away; whether there be Tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; and as for Knowledge, it will pass away, it will lose its value and be superseded by Truth. For we know in part, and we Prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” (A combination of the Amplified and the King James Versions)
There are two types of Prophetic WORDS: the Sovereign WORD of Prophecy, and the Covenantal WORD of Prophecy. The Sovereign WORD of Prophecy is The Written WORD of Prophecy found in The Scriptures and those Prophetic Utterances that are in accordance with Scripture that declare what GOD is going to do apart from any cooperation of man. The Sovereign WORD of Prophecy is what GOD is going to do without fail no matter what, inspite of man, and despite what is going on contrary to it in the natural. It is the Revelation of The WILL of GOD for the course of time and history, down to the smallest detail. It has absolutely no limits at all. It often times are ever unfolding until the final fulfillment, although some are for a particular time and /or season.
The Covenantal WORD of Prophecy is the Revelation of GOD’s Purpose, Plans, and Promises to a person, a Church, a people, or a nation. Upon the acceptance and agreement of the one GOD is speaking to, a Covenant (contract) between the two is made. This WORD of Prophecy has limits, and it is these: it is seasonal, partial, and conditional. Seasonal means that the things that GOD reveals are for a time and a season in the Covenant partners life. For each time or season GOD will reveal some of what one can expect to receive, be responsible for, and/or encounter in a particular time or season. THE LORD GOD does it this way so that we don’t run ahead of HIM and get lost. Partial means that THE LORD reveals what needs to be known to make Covenant with HIM and reserves the rest to be revealed on a need to know basis. As one honours his Covenant with THE LORD, he will be qualified to know more and thereby receive more Revelation from GOD. THE LORD GOD does it this way so that we can depend solely on HIM, and so that we don’t mess things up trying to do it ourselves apart from HIM, thinking we know it all. It also humbles us and keeps us out of pride. Conditional means that the fulfillment of The WORD spoken depends on both parties keeping their end of The Covenant. These Prophecies often contain GOD saying if you will…, then I will… in HIS Declarations. Now GOD is Faithful!!! HE will always fulfill HIS end of The Covenant. Therefore it is up to us to be in condition and position to honour The Covenant, and receive the Promised Blessings spoken of in it. That’s what makes it conditional, we have to be in condition and meet the conditions, so that The WORD can come to pass. THE LORD GOD does it this way to prove our hearts, whether we LOVE GOD enough to be true and faithful to HIM in Faith and Obedience. HE also does it this way to train us in how to be partners with HIM.
Now The WORD of GOD says in Isaiah 55:11; “So shall MY WORD be that goeth forth out of MY MOUTH: it shall not return unto ME void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I have sent it.” If we fail to meet the conditions of the Covenantal Prophetic WORD, that is no reflection on the Accuracy, Authority, Validity, and Purity of The WORD of THE LORD; it will not return void, it will accomplish what HE sent it do; prosper whereto HE sent it. Maybe not in your life, but definitely in some one else’s. That WORD will also appear before THE FATHER to testify against you; that you did not meet the conditions for it to perform HIS WILL in your life to Bless you. So it behooves us to honour GOD and HIS WORD, so we can be Blessed and not suffer loss.
Proper Response To Personal Prophecy
1) Judge it as to whether or not it is of THE LORD by weighing it against TheS criptures.
2) If you are not sure put it on “the shelf” until you are.
3) If it is determined that it is not of GOD, curse it.
4) If it is of GOD, inquire further of HIM to get further Revelation and to see what HE requires from you to see it come to pass.
5) Walk your Prophecy out by Grace through Faith.
6) War with your Prophecy against the lies of the devil, contrary circumstances, and against inner doubts.
7) Remember that you are in control of who speaks into your life, and over what you receive as The WORD in your life.
8) Never be too timid to decline ministry by a person that is questionable to you.
9) Never depend on the Prophet or the one that Prophesies, put your Faith in GOD THE LORD.
Suggested Reading
For more about Prophecy, Prophets, and the Prophetic Ministry, I recommend the writings of Bishop Dr. Bill Hamon. He is the author of: Prophets and Personal Prophecy, Prophets and the Prophetic Movement, Prophets – Pitfalls and Principles, Apostles and Prophets, and the Church Triumphant.
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