“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets. The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?”
Amos 3:7-8 ESV
The Church is in a season of restoration: God is about to revolutionize the world through the prophetic and apostolic anointings currently being released upon the earth.
These are the days of Elijah and the era prophesied about by Joel. These are the days when our sons and daughters will prophecy!
Truths that are being reestablished today in quantum fashion will seem elementary tomorrow.
The hour is at hand when we must vigilantly seek biblical truth concerning the heart and mind of God, His will for our lives, and the destiny of nations.
There is a call as never heard before, beckoning to those willing to press into the things of heaven—summoning explorers, trailblazers, and pioneers to new spiritual frontiers.
The spirit realm is light years ahead of the natural realm.
Those who dare to enter the prophetic realm eagerly anticipate time catching up with eternity.
These adventurers will discover the things prepared for us before the foundation of the world and will resoundingly say: “The whole earth is filled with His glory!”
God is releasing a strong prophetic anointing among His people.
And as a result, the enemy has stepped up his resistance by rousing a counterfeit.
Psychics are popping up everywhere. They are amongst the many false prophets the Bible states will characterize “the last days.” (See 1 John 4:1-11; 2 Peter 2:1; 2 Corinthians 11:13.)
These false prophets represent a counter-movement to Joel’s prophecy, which speaks of a time when the Holy Spirit would be lavishly poured out upon God’s people.
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions”
Joel 2:28
The book of Acts records the actual manifestation of this prophecy generations later.
The second chapter of Acts tells of the day when the disciples had power poured upon them “from on high” as Jesus foretold in Luke 24:49. From there, multitudes were filled with the Spirit, as evidenced by speaking in tongues and prophecy. (See Acts 2:4-12.)
Unfortunately, controversy surrounds the validity of modern day prophets.
Paul explained it this way to the church in Corinth: “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” (1 Corinthians 13:9-10 KJV).
I believe “that which is perfect” refers to the second coming of our Lord. This event has not yet happened; therefore prophets and prophecy have not yet been done away with.
Prophecy is an established ministry gift that God has placed in the Church
“God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.”
1 Corinthians 12:28
Clearly, God values His prophets. (See Deuteronomy 29:9-29; 30:14.)
Vine’s Bible Dictionary defines the New Testament word for prophet as “a proclaimer of a divine message.”
There is a strong heritage of prophets and examples of prophecy from the time Jesus began walking the earth all the way through the first centuries of the early church.
From John the Baptist (see Matthew 11:9) to Jesus the Christ (see Acts 7:37) to Judas and Silas (see Acts 15:32), prophecy has been a central theme throughout the New Testament—and should continue to be so today.
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
Ephesians 4:11-12
In the New Testament, prophetic ministry is for the purpose of encouraging, comforting and building up the family of God within the Church. It is one of the five-fold ministries established to equip God’s people for “works of service.”
But more so, the prophet and prophetic bring unity. A word fitly spoken in due season binds the Body closer together—and where there is unity, you’ll find every good thing. (Unlike where there is envy and strife, as we read about in James 3:16.)
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.”
Psalm 133:1-3
Prophecy is an essential ministry gift. However, you don’t have to be a prophet to prophesy. You can learn to operate in the prophetic and hone this skill as you would any other with practice.
All believers are called to lay hands on the sick, intercede for the lost, share the gospel, discern God’s will, and disciple others, although not all walk in the office of pastor, teacher, prophet, or evangelist. You can give tithing through mobile giving to your church to help them reach others and share God’s lessons.
All of us are called to encourage and exhort one another by all means possible.
“But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.”
Corinthians 14:3
So what is the difference between the office of the prophet, the gift of prophecy, and operating in the prophetic? And how has the role of prophecy changed from the Old Testament to the New?
These are some of the questions we explore in depth at Kingdom School of Ministry. In fact, one of eight powerful course intensives is dedicated exclusively to the study of Prophets and Prophecy.
“The Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.”
Amos 3:7
Yes, the role of prophet and prophecy has changed over the course of biblical history. Where in the Old Testament the Prophet—with a capital “P”—was assigned by God to rebuke and call to repentance, a prophet in the New Testament is stirred primarily to confirm and comfort.
Following in the footsteps of our mentor and model Christ Jesus, the greatest Prophet of all, who foretold that you and I would do even greater works than He did—we must each, as carriers of Christ, press into how we can manifest this precious gift given us to “strengthen, encourage, and comfort” one another.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”
John 14:12
Won’t you join me for Kingdom School of Ministry to learn how you can have greater impact on the world around you for Christ? Get into the prophetic flow of God and join the movement!