PROPHETS AND PROPHESYINGS

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “PROPHETIC”?

CAN EVERY ONE BE “PROPHETIC”?

IF ONE IS PROPHETIC, WOULD HE BE LIKE THE OLD TESTAMENT OR THE NEW TESTAMENTS SAINTS?

DEFINITION OF TERMS:

PROPHET – Heb. Nabi; Greek Prophetes

-- is a person who serves as a channel of communication between the divine world to the human world (Harper’s Bible Dictionary)

Related word in Old Testament: a SEER – one who sees by Divine enablement what others cannot see, and tells it

The Greek word “prophetes” has its KEY ROOT WORD – “pro” – meaning BEFORE or FORTH, which means to PUT FORTH BEFORE ANOTHER, TO PROPOUND (Zodhiates Hebrew Greek Study Bible)

PROPHESY

Naba -- in Hebrew: to BUBBLE FORTH (idea of heated water bubbling forth, or a spring bubbling forth: connotes an INNER WORKING that is EXTERNALLY MANIFESTING)

PROPHETEUO in Greek – is a compound word from prophetes (prophet) and phemi (to tell)

PROPHESYING THEREFORE HAS TWO ESSENTIAL OR ELEMENTAL MEANINGS:

a. TO TELL FORTH (to say what one is tasked to say)b. TO FORE TELL (to say beforehand something

before it happens)

THE PROPHETIC OPERATION The SOURCE of the Message The TRANSMISSION of the Message The RECEPTION of the Message The DELIVERY of the Message

The SOURCE of the Message

Isaiah 46:9 -- “I am God and there is no other; I am God there is no one like me, I MAKE KNOWN THE END FROM THE BEGINNING, and from ancient times, what is still to come.”

I Cor. 2:9-10 – “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what GOD has prepared for them that love Him, BUT GOD HAS REVEALED IT TO US BY HIS SPIRIT.”

Amos 3:7 – “SURELY, the Sovereign Lord DOES NOTHING WITHOUT REVEALING His plan to His servants the prophets.”

THE TRANSMISSION OF THE MESSAGE

by INSPIRATION of the Holy Spirit (of authors of Scriptures only)

II Pet. 1:20 “First of all, you should know that no prophecy OF SCRIPTURES comes from one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God.”

Note: because ONLY THE SCRIPTURE AUTHORS WERE INSPIRED (“ALL Scriptured is inspired of God” or “breathed-out by God”, 2 Tim. 3:16), ONLY THEY NEEDED NO SCRUTINY or evaluation; what they spoke was the WORD OF GOD

I Cor. 12:1-11: NOTICE THE WORDS USED:1CO 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 1CO 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 1CO 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

NOTICE WHAT IS GIVEN IN RELATION TO THE REVELATION:

-- just a “word” (KJV) of wisdom, word of knowledge (“message” in NIV), BUT NEVER “ALL SCRIPTURE”

BUT: this IS “given to every man to PROFIT withal” (KJV) v. 7

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;

HOW DOES IT WORK? The “INSPIRATION” is CONSTANT, UNCHANGING,

PERMANENT The “WORKINGS” is subjective, particular, specific

Example: THE BIBLE IS LIKE A COMPASS. The NORTH remains the SAME AND IN THE SAME PLACE AT ALL TIMES. This is “INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT” – the Bible.

THE RECEPTION OF THE MESSAGE

.1. Via His written word in the Holy Scriptures.

This is the primary way by which God speaks. His word also provides us with a safe and strong foundation to discern and test what we are receiving. See 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 for verification. Study John 1: 1-3 and Hebrews 1:1-3

2 TIM 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. JOHN 1:1-31 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.HEBREWS 1:1-3 1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

.2. Via His voice. The Holy Spirit can speak

directly to us with an inner voice or an external voice. The inner voice is heard within your mind while the external voice is heard physically with your ears. See John 16:13 for verification. Study 1 Samuel 3: 1-10, 1 Kings 19:12 and Isaiah 30:12. (I Cor. 2, Rom. 8)

JOHN 16:13

13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

3. Via Dreams that God uses to communicate with us. See Matthew 2:13 and how Joseph was lead by angel that appeared in a dream for verification. (Joel 2:28)

.

MATHEW 2:13

 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

JOEL 2:28 28 “And afterward,  I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,  your old men will dream dreams,  your young men will see visions.

ACTS 10:1010 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

4.Via Visions which can be open visions or inner visions within your spirit. Sometimes these are called trances in the scriptures. See Peter's experience in Acts 10:10 for verification.

5. Via Prophecy given through a person by the Holy Spirit. See 1 Corinthians 12: 4 - 10 for verification

 1 CORINTHIANS 12 : 4-10 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same

Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a

] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b]

6. Via Other languages (tongues) and an interpretation given by the Holy Spirit. See 1 Corinthians 12: 4 - 10 for verification.

ACTS 27:2323 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me

HEBREWS 1:7

7 In speaking of the angels he says,“He makes his angels spirits,   and his servants flames of fire.”[a]

7. Via Angelic Messengers that God sends to minister to you. See Paul's experience in Acts 27:23 for verification. Study Hebrews 1: 7.

1CORINTHIANS 2: 13-16

13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.[a] 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

8. Via Inspired thought patterns that are internal but given by the Holy Spirit. See 1 Corinthians 2:13 - 16 Study also Romans 12: 1-3 and Philippians 4: 8, 9.

9. Via the counsel of others. See how the apostles in Acts 6: 1 -7 came together for counsel to address a problem. This includes those who teach and communicate spiritual truth to us.

 

ACTS 6 : 1-7

1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

10. Via open or closed doors of opportunity. See Paul as he followed the leading of the Lord through an open door in Acts 16: 6 10.

ACTS 16 : 6-106 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

HEBREWS 11:7 7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith..

11. Via the evidence of historical God directed events either through a time of blessing or a season of judgment. See the summary of Noah's life in Hebrews 11: 7.

12. Via the experiences or testimonies of others. See Peter's testimony before the other apostles and how that launched a whole new dimension of ministry in Acts 11: 1 -18.

ACTS 11: 1-18

1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 

13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with[a] water, but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

13. Via supernatural signs, wonders and miracles done to meet peoples needs and lead them into relationship with God. These supernatural events confirm that God is speaking. See Mark 16: 17 - 20.

MARK 16:17-2017 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

14. Via supernatural manifestations of God's direct Presence. See the burning bush encounter that God engaged Moses with in Exodus chapter 3.

15. Via Creation. We are told that creation itself speaks to us of God's attributes. Jesus used many spiritual parables to illustrate what God was saying and how God speaks. See Romans 1: 18 - 20

ROMANS 1:18-2018 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

ROMANS 1 : 18-20 The wrath of God is being revealed from

heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

THE PROPHETIC OPERATION

THE DELIVERY OF THE MESSAGE

The Person delivering: Through the PROPHET (one who occupies

the office) Through the exercise of a GIFT OF

PROPHESYING (either through a prophet or one who does not hold the office of a prophet but who operates in the gift)

Or Through a PROPHETIC UTTERANCE (message delivered by one prompted by the Holy Spirit at that moment only, though the messenger does not occupy the office of the prophet or does not necessarily have the gift of prophesying)

PROPHETIC BENCHMARKS IN THE BIBLE

1. MANHOOD (or WOMANHOOD) Gen. 1:26-27 God makes a man/woman first before

giving ministry Rom. 8:29 Man apart from position, message or

ministry Heb. 2:6,10 Personality evaluating person not

performance I Tim. 2:5 Jesus manhood 30 years, 3 ½ ministry,

ration 10:1

2. MINISTRY2 Cor. 6:3 No offense to ministry; I Cor. 2:4-5 – power and demonstrationMatt. 7:15-21 By their fruits you shall know them – anointing, resultsDeut. 18:22 Prophecies or preaching are productive – proven, pure, positive

3. MESSAGEEph. 4:15 Speak the truth in love; present-truth, life-givingI Tim 4:2 Message Scriptural, “full gospel”, doctrinally and spiritually rightMark 16:60 God confirms His Word – not person, pride or reputation

4. MATURITYJames 3:17 Right attitude; maturity in human relations; heavenly wisdomGal. 5:22 Fruit of the Spirit; Christlike character, dependable, steadfast Heb. 5:14, 2 Tim 2:15 (KJV), 3:14-17, Soaking in the Word (solid food) I Cor. 13 Not childish; disposition of love

5. MARRIAGEI Tim. 3:2,5 Scripturally in order1 Pet. 3:1,7 Priorities straight – God, wife and family, ministryEph. 5:22-23 Marriage exemplify Christ relationship with church

6. METHODSTitus 1:16 Rigidly righteous, ethical, honest, integrity – uprightRom. 1:18 Not manipulating or deceptiveRom. 3:7-8 Good end results do not justify unscriptural methods

7. MANNERSTit. 1:7; 3:1,2 Unselfish, polite, kind, gentlemanly or lady-like, discreetEph. 4:29; 5:4 propriety in speech, in words and mannerisms

8. MONEYI Tim. 3:6 not money-interested; does not approve dishonest methodsI Tim. 6:5-17, Luke 12-15 is not materialistic; simple and content

9. MORALITYI Cor. 6:9-18 Virtuous, pure and proper relationships, Col. 3:5Eph. 5:3 Biblically pure in sexual attitude and action, I Cor. 5:11Matt. 5:28 Pure thought life

10. MOTIVEMatt. 6:1 to serve or to be seen? Personal desire or God’s desire?I Cor. 16:15 True Motivation: to minister or be ministered?Prov. 16:2 to herald the truth or just be heard by man?I Cor. 13 motivated by love for the brethren, or fame, name or recognition?