Prophecy: Getting a Grip on the Gift

PROPHECY

Getting a Grip on the Gift!

By Peter Barfoot

First, answers to questions you may have about prophets and the spiritual gift of prophecy.

IS PROPHECY IMPORTANT?

“The testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10) Meaning, the whole theme of bible prophecy is the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus himself proved that on the Emmaus Road when “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

WE HAVE THE BIBLE, SO DO WE NEED PROPHECY?

The apostle Paul wrote that the gift of prophecy “builds up, stirs up, and cheers up” the church. (1 Corinthians 14:3) True, prophecies, the same as knowledge, shall vanish when Jesus returns (1 Corinthians 13:8), but only when we see the Lord “face to face” and then “know even as we are known”. (1 John 3:2) 

Note the three contrasts in 1 Corinthians 13:12. The first is between “that which is perfect” and “that which is in part.” The second is between “When I was a child” and “when I became a man.” The third is between “now” and “then.” 

So the contrast is between incomplete and perfect knowledge, childhood and maturity, time and eternity. We should be mature in our use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:20), but not despise them! Prophecy “builds up” God’s people! 

“Do not despise prophesying.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20) “Earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.” (1 Corinthians 14:39)

SHOULD WOMEN PROPHESY?

Philip the evangelist had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. (Acts 21:9) What an encouragement they would have been to the onetime deacon! Spiritual gifts are not for men only!  

The apostle Peter said that “in old time” holy men of God spoke “as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21) To Peter, “old time” was Old Testament time, but to us “old time” was also Peter’s time, 2000 years ago! Peter was just as inspired as the “old time” (to him) Old Testament prophets had been, for “all scripture is given by inspiration of God” — literally, “God-breathed”. (2 Timothy 3:16) 

ARE THERE PROPHETS IN THE CHURCH TODAY?

Some say No, because of Ephesians 2:20 – “And (you) are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.”

They claim this means the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles together form the foundation of the church in the 1st century, and that alone. But 1 Corinthians 12:28 informs us that “God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers…” We don’t get to choose the ministry gifts we want and those we don’t.

APOSTLES BEFORE PROPHETS? 

Yes, and both “set” by Jesus in the Church! Paul wrote not of Old Testament but New Testament prophets. Agabus was only one of them. (Acts 11:27, 28) Prophets commissioned Paul as an apostle. (Acts 13:1) Years later, Agabus was still prophesying – as graphically as any Old Testament prophet! (Acts 21:10, 11) 

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, he gave “some, apostles; and some, prophets, and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers…” 

WHY DID JESUS GIVE THEM?

“For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ…” (Along with apostles, evangelists, pastors and teachers, of course.)

HOW LONG WERE THEY GIVEN? 

“Till we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of Christ’s full stature…” (The church isn’t there yet!

FOR WHAT PREVENTIVE PURPOSE? 

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” How many immature and deceived believers have you met over the years, and how many could a genuine, proven prophet have redirected with an appropriate word?

FOR WHAT POSITIVE PURPOSE? 

“But being sincere in love, may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, Christ…” (Haven’t you wished some Christians would grow up?) 

WHAT IS THE RESULT? 

“From whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Without the ministry gifts Jesus set in the Church, there is immaturity and deception. With them, there is growth to maturity and a fully functioning church. No wonder Satan wants prophets relegated to the Old Testament and apostles deleted from the church today!

Although we have the Bible, we still need prophets. And we still need the gift of prophecy, because through it the Spirit of God speaks to individuals in the congregation. (1 Corinthians 14:24, 25). 

When on earth, Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15) Today he says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 2:7) Jesus speaks not only to individuals but also to whole churches through the Holy Spirit – there are corporate as well as personal messages of encouragement! 

The emphatic statement of Moses – “Would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets!” (Numbers 11:29) is echoed by the apostle Paul: “For you may all prophesy, one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” (1 Corinthians 14:31)

There is a contrast between immature believers being “carried about with every wind of doctrine” and prophets speaking as “moved by the Holy Spirit.” The Greek word translated “moved” means “to be borne along” (with the suggestion of force). It is used in Acts 27:15 and Acts 27:17, where the ship carrying Paul to Rome is “driven” by the wind.

So the “driving force” behind the Old Testament prophets was the Holy Spirit, who “moved” them, much like a strong wind moves a sailing ship. Unable to sail against the wind, the captain of the ship Paul was travelling in wisely “gave way” to it. We know that the prophet Amos did the same. (Amos 3:8)

Instead of being “carried about” in a topsy-turvy manner by every-which-way “winds” of doctrine, prophets are “borne along” by the Holy Spirit! Which suggests to me that what those who are looking for more prophetic movement and direction need is to put up more sail! 

How to do it? Let me give you an equation: logos + pneuma = rhema. In the ancient Greek language, logos means a word that has been spoken; pneuma means breath or wind; and rhema means a word that is being spoken. 

How to “put up more sail”? Extend your study time, memorise more bible verses, familiarise yourself with Jesus and his words, and those of Peter, Paul and John. As you do, you’ll find the Holy Spirit will breathe into your life. Your “sails” will start to fill. The more sail, the more wind – pneuma – you will catch – and the more rhema words of insight, direction, and understanding you will prophesy!

Because you’re being “moved, borne along, driven” – you’ll find it easier to prophesy. Your faith will increase. And because the gift of prophecy works “according to the proportion of faith” (Romans 12:6), your prophecies will become stronger, more authoritative, and more affirmative. God will “move” you to speak words that will build up, stir up and cheer up the church.

Reading this, do you feel you’re beginning to get a grip on the prophetic gift?

PROPHESYING WHAT YOU CONCEIVE

Just as a baby’s birth is the result of a conception, a project’s completion is the result of an original concept. In each case, admiring well-wishers gather at the proud presentation. And in each case, the one who not only conceived but also nurtured the growing expectation takes special pleasure in the happy event.

There are many marvellous conceptions in the Bible. Sarah’s miracle child Isaac, was conceived by faith. (Hebrews 11:11) Hannah conceived after she was blessed, and God remembered her. (1 Samuel 1:17-19) Then there was the woman who gave birth at the time the prophet had promised. (2 Kings 4:16,17) 

Mary’s conception was distinctly different, in that no man was involved: it was an absolute miracle. The Holy Spirit came upon her, the power of God overshadowed her, and she conceived. (Luke 1:35,31) Gabriel’s promise may have been more pronouncement than prophecy, but Mary received the word with a believing heart, and conceived in her womb; and so began the pregnancy that resulted in the birth of Jesus.

About now, you’re probably thinking: Wonderful! But what does this have to do with prophecy? So let’s move to Elizabeth’s story, where we find not only a marvellous conception but also a wonderful concept – both of which began with a prophecy!

Elizabeth watched as Zacharias, her husband, left for work. Rostered on for Temple duty, his heart for God’s work was as keen as ever, despite Elizabeth’s inability to conceive, and their ever-advancing years.

Later, pouring incense on the altar, Zacharias would have thought of the people who gathered outside. Knowing that the fragrant incense represented their prayers, he may have wondered why his prayers for a child remained unanswered. Being the man of integrity that he was, he would not have allowed his thoughts to become questions. So, as the incense ascended, he offered his heartfelt prayer along with theirs. 

He would have known from his namesake’s book that God’s ministering priests walked among angels. But the shock of an angel appearing within his reach at the altar of incense was terrifying. 

“Do not be afraid, Zacharias,” the angel reassured him, “for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”

Hardly able to cope with what his eyes were seeing, Zacharias could not believe his ears! A son? At Elizabeth’s age? Not only a son, but a Holy Spirit-filled second Elijah? 

“How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Zacharias knew that he should never have said them. It got worse when the angel identified himself as Gabriel. The angel with the now-frightening look was the unnerving being who had spoken to Daniel, more than 500 years before!

“I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their time.”

Dumbstruck! That’s how Zacharias felt. Words failed him. Speechless, he lingered long in the Temple. When he did appear, his face and his hands said what his tongue couldn’t – that he had seen something indescribable!

To Zacharias, Gabriel’s words were inconceivable – and that was the problem. God would enable Elizabeth to conceive, but although Zacharias would father the child, his inability to conceive that God could do what He promised simply left him with nothing to say.

During the entire term of his wife’s pregnancy, when Zecharias could have told and retold his amazing encounter, he remained speechless. Mute. No testimony. No loving words. Elizabeth would sing the praises of God – especially when her baby leapt in her womb – but not Zecharias. Sure, he would prophesy at John’s birth – but that would be after the event! Anyone can prophesy when God’s promise comes to pass, but why wait for the birth when we can prophesy at the conception! 

Can you conceive a miracle? I don’t mean Positive Thinking. I mean the conception that takes place when God gives you a promise and you say, as Mary said, “Be it unto me according to your word.” Can you see the concept? 

There are two hindrances to conceiving a miracle.

The first is a misconception. A misconception is a mistaken conception, a wrong interpretation. For example, the Jews had a misconception about where Jesus was born. “No prophet comes out of Galilee!” they scoffed, mistakenly thinking that Jesus was born there. But Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where King David was born – and David was a prophet! That was but one of many misconceptions.

The second is a preconception. It goes without saying that you cannot conceive when you have already conceived! 

Even John the Baptist had a few preconceived ideas. From prison, he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if he really was the promised Christ. Why? Jesus didn’t fit John’s profile, apparently. Jesus sent them back to tell John what they had seen.

Jesus said, “Go and tell John the things that you hear and see: the blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”

Then, tellingly, Jesus added, “And blessed is he who is not offended because of me.” (Matthew 11:2-6) Offended? Why? Because Jesus was doing what his Father told him to do, not what others wanted him to do.

The Lord wants you to prophesy what you have conceived, long before it is birthed. Prophesy what is in your heart, well before the end result. If you question the concept, you will be dumbstruck, figuratively, while others who’ve caught it are prophesying it!

Most of us know someone who says, after the event, “I knew that.” Or “the Lord told me that some time ago.” Did He? Then why didn’t they prophesy it before the event?

Prophecy what the Lord has put in your heart – anyone can call for a blackboard after it has happened! 

PROPHESY YOUR WAY TO PROSPERITY

We’ve all heard of The Prosperity Message, which – like so many other truths restored to the Church – is pushed pretty hard in some places.

Lately, however, the swing between “Gain is godliness” and “Poverty is piety” has lessened somewhat. Truth, like the pendulum, always comes to rest between two extremes.

Bible prosperity is wholeness in spirit, soul, and body: completeness in the spiritual, psychological and physical dimensions of a child of God. We need this kind of Prosperity Message in church, family and personal life. It’s the kind of prosperity the Bible teaches. (3 John 2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23)

We should not use God’s gift of prophecy merely for gain, but we should press forward into the prophetic dimension, so that we can be edified, exhorted and comforted by the Lord, and prosper accordingly. (1 Corinthians 14:3) Prosperity is a product of a fully developed life. 

PROPHECY BUILDS UP

To edify means to build up. In Ezra 6:14, we read that “the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah.” As the prophetic word built them, spiritually, they built the temple, physically. God’s prophetic words built up the spiritual strength that maintained the speedy rate of construction. Whenever their enthusiasm flagged, Haggai stepped forward with a “Thus says the Lord” that revived their spirits and got them back on the job.

God restores us so that we can restore others. The outer work always follows the inner work. God builds His word into us, and we work it into our lives. Prophecy builds up the spirits of those who receive the prophetic word, so that they can finish the work God inspired them to start. The Lord begins His work in the human spirit. (Haggai 1:14)

To the Jews in those days, prosperity meant the blessing that followed their successful building program. Likewise, prosperity is the blessing that goes with the restoration of our families, churches and personal lives today. Whenever we get slack and lack the zeal to “rise and build”, we need a word from the Lord to enthuse us and get us back on the job.

PROPHECY STIRS UP

Prophecy also exhorts or encourages. In 2 Chronicles 20:20, we read that the prophetic word inspired God’s people to confront an enemy vastly superior in number – and win!

“Believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe His prophets, so shall you prosper.”

King Jehoshaphat used that message, delivered earlier by a prophet, to encourage his people. What happened? They advanced, singing a psalm, and won the battle without lifting a finger against their enemy! As the prophetic word encouraged the people, they gained the courage needed to advance without fear. Prosperity, for them, was the deliverance of their city, their homes and their families – plus the plunder from their routed enemy!

Prophecy and prosperity go hand in hand, but only when God’s people heed the prophetic word – and act on it!

Much has rightly been made of “a good confession” of God’s Word, and of the results that follow when we speak it boldly, in the face of adverse circumstances. But just think of what God’s prophetic word can release into our lives!

When God prophesies His intentions, it releases faith into our hearts. It causes us to rise up and build; to be fearless in faith. The result? Prosperity!

PROPHECY CHEERS UP

Finally, the prophetic word comforts us. “Comfort my people,” said the Lord to the prophet Isaiah. “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned.” (Isaiah 40:1-2)

That prophecy marked the end of an era in God’s dealings with Jerusalem. The prophetic word of comfort brought the hope of a new tomorrow, of a renewed relationship between a people and their God.

Isaiah prophesied comfort; his words spoke to the heart of Jerusalem, and more than 700 years later, Jesus brought the comfort of which the prophecy had spoken. Though long in coming, the prophecy raised the hopes of a failing nation; it promised them that better times were on the way. 

The result? Their souls prospered through the prophetic word, even while they were in bondage in Babylon. The word comforted them; it prospered their spiritual lives, as they awaited its fulfilment with renewed faith. 

Edification, exhortation, comfort: three definitions of Bible prosperity! Wholeness of spirit, soul, and body – that’s real prosperity! You can prophesy your way to prosperity. You can seek and seek prophetic words over broken hearts, broken homes, and broken relationships. God has a prophetic word for every need! Will you seek it and speak it?

What You Do Makes A Difference!

We war a good warfare “by” the prophecies that have been spoken over our lives – they don’t come to pass simply because God has given them to us. (1 Timothy 1:18) Most prophecies require our active involvement. True, some prophecies about Jesus were fulfilled while He was dead. (None of His bones were broken, and he was buried among the rich.) There was no way that Jesus could have been involved in the fulfilment of them. But only in death was Jesus passive regarding prophecies about Him. “That it might be fulfilled” led Him to do many things.

Prophecies that say we will succeed are for us to use in those times when it seems that we won’t! God gives us prophecies so that we will do everything possible to cooperate with His will.

For example, the Lord told Paul that he “must” bear witness of Jesus in Rome, as he had in Jerusalem. But that didn’t make Paul complacent. When Paul heard of a plot against his life, he did all he could to avoid being assassinated. (Acts 23:17, 18) Later, he “appealed to Caesar” when the Jews would have had him returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 25:11)

After being tossed in a violent storm while sailing to Italy, Paul prayed and fasted until told by an angel that he “must” appear before Caesar. “Must” is an imperative! Due to the call of God on his life, the lives of the other 275 persons on the ship were “given” to the apostle. But Paul warned those attempting to save themselves in a small boat that their lives could be saved only as God had shown him, in a vision that didn’t include a lifeboat!  

The imperative alone didn’t save Paul. What did was his active involvement, through prayer and fasting, and his obedience to every detail of the angel’s instructions. “Must” doesn’t just pull us through – it steels us to keep pushing until we break through!

How involved are you in the fulfilment of the prophecies that have been spoken over your life? Are you active or passive? These are key questions!

THE EVIL INVOLVEMENT OF HAZAEL

Elisha told Hazael, who had been anointed to succeed the sick king of Syria, that the king would live. But shortly after, he prophesied to Hazael that the king would die. (2 Kings 8:7-15) Which was it to be? The answer is that the king would have recovered if Hazael had not later suffocated him! The king’s recovery would have meant a longer wait for Hazael’s succession to the throne. Elisha said, “He’ll get well, if you don’t murder him; but you will.”

Hazael acted horrified, but Elisha knew that he would murder his master. So the king’s life or death was in Hazael’s hands. He could have changed his mind and not have murdered the king, but he didn’t; and so Elisha’s prophecy came to pass.

THE IGNORANT INVOLVEMENT OF FOUR LEPERS

Elisha prophesied incredible abundance for the besieged city of Samaria. How was it to happen? The four lepers outside the gate were not “men of faith” – they were fatalists! Using the logic of those with nothing to lose, each of the four put forth a proposal. Only one proposal held any chance of survival. (2 Kings 7) They started in the twilight, and God made their feeble footsteps sound like an army. The enemy fled, leaving behind them more than enough supplies for Samaria.

God used the logic of the four lepers to fulfil Elisha’s prophecy, and turned starvation into abundance, overnight! The prophet had no idea how it would happen, but he did have a word from God, who still works in half-light conditions, with unlikely people, to bring His prophetic word to pass!

THE HALF-HEARTED INVOLVEMENT OF A KING

Elisha’s last prophecy before his death was to King Joash of Israel. (2 Kings 13:14-19) The prophecy was the king’s last opportunity to get God’s blessing on what should have been a final, decisive battle with the Syrians. A window of opportunity was opened at the prophet’s command. When Elisha placed his hands on the royal hands that held the bow and arrow, he bestowed God’s blessing on the king for the battle.

But how willing was the king to win conclusively? After shooting the arrow, Elisha told the king to strike the ground with the remaining arrows. He did so, but not as many times as he should have. God was more willing for him to win than he was to fight! The shooting of the arrow was prophetic, the target –victory! But what would the king do when the prophet was dead? He would win, but it would be no crushing victory. The battle would be as indecisive as the king’s actions had been. Half-heartedness plays no part in the fulfilment of God’s prophetic plans. Don’t get partly involved – get fully involved!

THE WILLING INVOLVEMENT OF JEHU

Jehu was a militant man! (2 Kings 9 & 10) He was probably plotting a military coup with his fellow officers when a prophet anointed him – and ran! The anointing released the pent-up potential within Jehu. It sanctioned what he wanted to do. He drove his chariot “furiously”! He encountered Jehonadab and questioned: “Is your heart with my heart as my heart is with yours?” When assured by that righteous that it was, Jehu said, “Come and see my zeal for the Lord!” (2 Kings 10:15, 16) His invitation was one not to be refused! 

Zeal is holy jealousy! (The words jealous and zealous are the same in both Hebrew and Greek languages.) Jehu was an exterminator! He didn’t stop until he had eradicated every descendant of Ahab and Jezebel – Israel’s desperately evil king and queen. When questioned whether he came to one city in peace, his retort was: “What have I to do with peace – get out of my way!” Whole-hearted involvement in Jehu’s cause was not only wise – it was also safe! 

Jehu had Jezebel thrown out of a window. Jehu did no miracles. Nor did he prophesy. He was a military officer who did what God anointed him to do, knowing that he would do it with all his heart.

God gives us prophecies – the rest is up to us. We can get involved in them or do next to nothing. We can “war a good warfare” by the prophecies spoken over us by using them as spiritual weapons, or we can just accept defeat as inevitable. 

Some may say that God will do things simply because He has said He will, and in some cases that is true, as with the prophecy “None of his [Messiah’s] bones shall be broken”.  The crucified Jesus was dead when the soldiers came to break his legs so that he would suffocate, so they left his bones unbroken. (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; John 19:36)

When God gives us a prophecy, it is a promise – “You will succeed!” How can we possibly lose when God Almighty has promised that we will win?  You can make a difference – if you are willing to use God’s prophetic word as a weapon!