THE PROPHETIC VOICE – PART ONE
DO PROPHETS WALK THE LAND – ARE THEY RELEVANT
Sunday – June 23, 2019, Sivan 20, 5779
Greetings precious brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus and welcome to this new Sunday teaching series. The featured picture is of the ancient Prophet Amos for this series. I have written on this topic often. I believe it is a vital lynch pin in the Kingdom of God as it has been for millennia before us. It seems that with the exception of certain circles the prophetic word and the Prophet have no honor. Those prophetic circles are generally viewed by the Church in general as at the fringe or beyond and to be approached with extreme caution. Many think it may be better to just ignore or back shelf this part of the Church ordained by God. Some of this reflects a lack of trust in God to confirm or expose the real and the fake. Some argue that there are no Apostles or Prophets since the death (passing) of the original twelve. It seems to me that even a passing knowledge or cursory acquaintance with Scripture would expose that view as hogwash (gross error). With regard to the Prophets being at the fringe or beyond current revelation, that is exactly right and that is where they are placed by God.
There is a line of thought that the revelation of God is static. This is far from true. If it were true, there may have been just one book in the Bible and certainly no New Testament. This line of thought says that the Bible means today what it has always meant. That is a true statement. What is generally overlooked by the person uttering that statement is that there is a progressive uncovering of Truth in Scripture. In other words, there are a multitude of facets or messages from any given Scripture passage or verse that has been there from the day it was uttered and we will be uncovering these Truths for eternity. The Jews or Hebrews look at Scripture like an onion where there is the surface or obvious meaning and then as the various layers are removed new Truths emerge. Unlike a natural onion with a finite number of layers our Truth onion has infinite and eternal layers.
The question I would have for Pastors and other ministry leaders is: do you have a Prophet in your Church or Ministry and is that person honored? I also am asking when was the last time that you taught the congregation about prophecy and Prophets? One thing I want to talk about today, early in this teaching series is the distinguishing between the gift of prophecy and the office of Prophet. As you likely know there are nine gifts of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) and among these is the gift of prophecy. Prophets have the gift of prophecy and are in the office of Prophet which is first ordained of God. Having the gift of prophecy does not make one a Prophet. First, let’s look at the gift of prophecy.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (KJV)
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
In the preceding passage we find the Spiritual gift of prophecy enumerated along the other eight gifts, nine gifts of the Spirit total. These gifts are all for the building up, edifying, or strengthening of the Church. The prophetic messages of a person operating or being used of God in the gift of prophecy will have various characteristics.
1 Corinthians 14:1-6 (KJV)
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
The message from God by the person operating in the gift of prophecy will edify (build up), exhort (implore or encourage), and comfort. The message from the Prophet may also be of this nature but there frequently is a corrective message delivered as well. Take a few minutes and read 2 Samuel the twelfth chapter which is when God sends the Prophet Nathan to confront King David about Uriah and Bathsheba.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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