THE GIFT OF PROPHESY

Written by Marian Fitz-Gibbon

2010

 

 

DEFINITION

“The one who prophesies speaks to men for their building and constructive spiritual progress and encouragement and ….”

 

Ephesians:4.11-13 “And His gifts He himself appointed and gave men to us, some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints that they should do the work of the ministering toward building up Christ’s body. That it might develop until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the knowledge of the ‘son of God that we might arrive at really mature manhood, the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ and the completeness found in Him.”

1 Cor 12.7 “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

 

 

THE PURPOSE

 

It is God speaking through men to people to edify, comfort and exhort l Cor l4.3 – “But, the one who prophesies speaks to men for their building, edification, consolation, encouragement and spiritual progress.”

Leave correction to the elders

2.   This is a divinely inspired word in a known language.

   The speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God.

3. John 10.3-5 “The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it, and he calls his own sheep by name and brings them out” The language the Lord speaks is often the heart language of a person so there is a resonance. Engineer, Dr, Teacher, Mother, etc

4.   This declaration cannot be known by natural means

5.   It tells of God’s will regarding the past (possible captivity), the    present and or the future.

6.   The prophesy will testify to the presence of Jesus in our midst

7.   1 Cor l4. 24-25 “ But if all prophesy and an unbeliever or untaught outsider comes in, he is convicted of his sin by the Holy Spirit and convinced by all, and his defects and needs are examined. The secrets of his heart are laid bare and so falling on his face he will worship God, declaring that God is among you in very truth

 

Heb 4.12 “For the word that God speaks is alive and full of power , operative, energising, and effective it is sharper than any two edged sword, penetrating to the diving of the line of the breath of life and the spirit and of joints and marrow exposing and sifting and analysing purposes of the heart.”

 

3 HOW THE GIFT OPERATES / KEYS

 

1.   Be a believer and filled with the Holy Spirit

2.   Through prayer, a good knowledge of the word of God is most helpful

3.   Believe (Mark 11.24) – “There I say to unto you, what things you so desire when you pray, believe you receive and you shall have them.”

4.   Be not ignorant – have knowledge of the gifts (l Cor 12.1) – “Now    about the spiritual    gifts, brethren I do not want you to be    misinformed.”

5.   Desire them and covet them(l Cor l2.31.) – “But earnestly desire and cultivate the greatest best gifts and graces. And yet I will show    you a still more excellent way, love.” – Love for God’s people – once

You were in great need of God’s love too – it’s not about power(1Cor 14.l. 14.39)

6.   Be bold to step out (Acts 4.13) – “Now when they saw the boldness and eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned in the schools, they marvelled and they recognised that they had been with Jesus.” – You have no need of fine academic skill, but a good knowledge of the Word of God is most helpful.

7.   Hunger and wishto operate in the gifts (lCor l4.5) – “Now I wish that you might all speak in tongues, but more especially I want you to prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless he should interpret, so that the church may be edified.”

8.   Be zealous and eager for the gifts ( l Cor l4.2) – “For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands his meaning, because in the spirit he utters secret truths.”

9.   Seek and follow after the gifts (l Cor l4.12) “Follow after charity and desire spiritual gifts but rather that you may prophesy.” – Hang around folk who build others not those who criticise.

10.   Make a decision for the gifts and set my will on them ( l Cor l4.l5) – “Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind and understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind and understanding also.”

11.   Be thankful and grateful for the gifts

12.   We must allow the gifts to operate (l Cor l4.29) – “ Let two or three prophets speak while the rest pay attention and discern/test what is said.” – Safety in numbers – no lone rangers

 

 

EXPRESSIONS OF PROPHECY

 

The simple gift of prophesy l Cor l4.l – “Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire love; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” Acts 21.9 (The resident gift in every believer)

 

Prophetic minister or gifting. Acts l3.1, 2 – “ Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers:

Prophets office or Ministry of a Prophet   Acts 21.10, Acts 11.28 “ and one of them named Agabus …..

Male or Female – Acts 2.17 “your sons and your daughters will prophesy, on my man servants and maidservants will I pour out my spirit, and they shall prophesy”

Anna – Luke 2.36 Prophetess

Isaiah 8.3 – went to a prophetess

Miriam

 

Preaching – Highlighting a specific time Gods intention to bring change individually or group

Dance, Sign And Drama – films, plays, weather, people, announcements publically,

Declaration In Banners & Flags – Write the Vision down and make it plain – books, newspapers

Prophetically Praying – targeted praying. Taking scripture or a prophesy and praying the solution rather than the problem

Others are praying over you listen to what they are saying

Prophetic Counselling – this saves time – the leading of the Lord

Poetry – song of Solomon

Art – painting, sculpture

Music, Songs

Literature, Narrative – books –

Journals Of Theology

Silence

Pain – Paul Thorn in his side

Circumstances – Job

 

LEVELS OF PROPHECY

 

The level of prophesy is based on the following:

 

Measure of anointing or authority

The calling from God

The purity of the Gift – How much man and how much God.

The accuracy of the words

The measure of other gifts flowing with prophesy, e.g. discerning of spirits, word of wisdom etc.

How often the gift manifests

 

HOW TO BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO PROPHESY

 

The still small voice l Kings l9.ll,12 – “And He said, Go out and stand on the mount before the lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake there was a fire, but the lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, a still small voice.”

The Word of the Lord

By utterance The Spirit Speaking Acts 8.29 – “Then the Holy Spirit said to    Philip, go forward and join yourself to the chariot.”

By unction 1Sam l0.6 – “Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily, and you will show yourself to be a prophet with them; and you will be turned into another man.”

l John 2.20 – “But you have been appointed by the Holy One, and you know the truth.”

Vision / Mini vision Daniel l0.7 – “And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not, but a great trembling fell upon them so that they fled to hide themselves.”

By prayer Eph 6.l8 – “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding on behalf of all the saints.” – in order to proclaim the gospel

Impression Rom 9.l – “I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience is prompted by the Holy Spirit bearing witness with me.”

Rom 8.l6 – “And the Spirit himself testifies together with our own spirit that we are children of God.”

Inspired scripture 2 Tim 3. l6- l7 – “Every scripture is God –breathed and profitable for instruction, reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, for training in righteousness. So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Confirmation in your spirit Romans 8.l4 – For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. vsl6- And the Spirit himself testifies together with our own spirit that we are children of God.

By perceiving and enquiringJames

By revelation Amos 3.7 – “Surely the Lord will do nothing without revealing His secret to his servants the prophets.”

John the Baptist – island of Patmos – book of Revelation

 

JUDGING THE GIFT

 

“Let the others judge” l Cor l4.29 –2. / Prove and test all things

1 Thes 5.21   

Does it fulfil the purpose of prophesy as stated in the bible, Lift the name of Jesus

Is it a personal confirmation or revelation Romans 8.14, For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Vsl6-

Math 7.20“Therefore, you will fully know them their fruits.”

 

 

 

 

               

 

 

RESPONDING TO PERSONAL PROPHESIES

 

RECORD, READ AND MEDITATE

1 Tim 4, 14, 15 “ Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by the prophecy, with the laying on of hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all”

Hab 2.2 Write the vision down make it plane

 

 

1 Thes 5.20 , 21

Do not despise the gifts. But test and prove the prophesy.

Rom 8. 16 “ The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit

You must be able to discern between our human soul, ad our own spirit and the Spirit of God.

Flesh – senses includes our feelings, emotion, reasoning, desires

Spirit – Devine love, and faith operates

Prov 3, 5, 6 “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to thy own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths

 

7.FAITH

 

Heb 11.6 “ Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Rom 10.17 Faith comes by hearing –

If the message is taped – then listen carefully to the words used and often

 

OBEDIENCE

James 1.22 “ Be doers of the word and not just hearers, deceiving yourself.

James 4.17 Therefore to him that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it

 

PATIENCE

 

Heb 6.12 It takes patience to inherit the promises of God.

Do not grow weary of well doing, for in due season you will reap your reward.

Prophesies are like precious pearls – do not cast them before swine.

God is never in a hurry – only the devil will try to hurry you.

Read the accounts of Joseph (17 years for fulfilment) Gen. 37 – 42

Abraham Gen. 15.4/ 16.2 Lack of patience produces Ishmael.

 

HUMILITY MEEKNES AND SUBMISSION

 

James 1.21 Receive with meekness the engrafted word

Be wise and pray for wisdom on how to respond to the word of God spoken to you.

 

 

WAGE A GOOD WARFARE

1 Tim 1. 18 “ This charge I commit unto thee Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that through by them might wage a good warfare”

 

 

PRAYER

 

Build yourself up in your most holy faith, praying always rising higher and higher like an edifice – Jude

 

DO NOTHING UNLESS YOU GET DEFINITE DIRECTION

 

1 Sam 16 Daniel – prayed over by Samuel and was anointed to be King. No timing or how was said to him – so he went back to tend the Sheep – singing praying etc. – He was in this early teens.

 

Do nothing major different until we are definitely directed

Confirmed out of the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses.

Record the prophesy

Write it out – open in a file on the computer

Date it

The name – yours and speakers

Divide it into minor, major prophecie