THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

by Ron Wood

All through the history of God’s dealings with his people, he has used spokesmen called prophets. These anointed individuals were used of God to bring God’s word to his people. The fact that we now have a Bible does not replace our need for this ministry. In fact, the Bible predicts prophetic ministry will increase.

The apostle Peter quoted the prophet Joel on the Day of Pentecost when he said, "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy." (Acts 2:17-18 NIV). God promised that the outpouring of his Spirit in the last days would result in people prophesying, especially young people.

What is prophesying? Is it valid today? If so, how does it occur? What are the biblical safeguards surrounding this gift? These are questions that must be answered in order for us to proceed in faith and wisdom.

What is NOT Prophecy

First, let me address what biblical prophecy is not. It is not preaching, and it is not predicting the future. Preaching may have prophetic elements mixed in it, but not all preaching is prophesying. Most preaching is simply exhorting or teaching. Prophecy may foretell the future, but its primary purpose is usually forth-telling. It speaks a "now" word from God by revelation.

Preaching involves studying the Scriptures then declaring them in an expository manner. Sermons are the product of presenting biblical truth in an orderly way. Preaching is a wonderful gift, for it is by this anointed act that God calls men to be saved.

Prophesying, on the other hand, is speaking words that God brings to mind in a spontaneous manner, often with no forethought, preparation, or knowledge of what you are going to say. Prophecy, like speaking in unknown tongues, is inspired utterance given by the Holy Spirit. But prophecy comes forth in a language known to the hearers, with immediate application and relevance.

Prophecy may have within it a word of wisdom or knowledge that unfolds something hidden or future events known to God, but not always. Normally, the pure gift of prophecy is limited to words that edify, comfort, exhort, or stimulate the faith of the person listening to draw nearer to the Lord and fulfill God’s call on their life. Also, don’t confuse prophecy with fortune-telling. That’s a counterfeit gift, sometimes called channeling, which comes from the activity of Satan to deceive the gullible. It is an idolatrous sin and a snare to any who get involved. People should seek counsel from the Bible, from pastors, and through prayer, not greedy new age gurus who have familiar spirits and clever deceptions.

The Office of the Prophet

It is important to distinguish the office of the prophet from the gift of prophecy. In the Old Testament, God’s primary spokesmen were people who stood in the office of the prophet. Their words carried powerful authority. They themselves were a sign to God’s people.

Often, these prophetic people predicted the future. How were they able to do this? They did it by being sensitive to the Spirit of Christ within them. For this ability to see by the Spirit, they were often called "seers." They called God’s people to repentance. They sometimes had words of judgement as well as future blessings to those who would turn from idolatry and obey God. They were agents of the covenant who carried divine authority.

In the New Testament, the office of the prophet is still being filled by Christ as he appoints and prepares people for this ministry. The office of the prophet is mentioned in Ephesians 4:12, in 1 Cor. 12:28, as well as numerous other passages. Prophets are one of the five "Ascension-Gifts" of the resurrected Lord. Prophets play a vital role in encouraging local churches and in strengthening apostolic teams. They are invaluable to the body of Christ for their sensitivity to the Spirit. Often they are the first to get wind of God’s directions or to uncover concealed sin. When joined to apostolic ministry, they are part of the foundation ministries of the Church.

The Gift of Prophecy

The gift of prophecy is distinct from the office of the prophet. Not everyone who prophesies is a prophet. The ordinary gift of prophecy is one of the nine charismatic gifts mentioned in 1 Cor. 12-14. It is the premier gift when it comes to public ministry in the church. Why is this so? Because prophetic utterance, when spoken by a pure vessel with a heart full of faith, serves as a catalyst to stir up and release other gifts. Prophecy has tremendous power to build up the body of Christ. It can’t replace teaching. Nor can it replace good pastoral care, but it can stimulate, electrify, and replenish believers’ faith in God’s power, wisdom, and love. For this reason we are told, "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy." (1 Cor. 14:1 NIV).

Not all Christians will have the gift of prophecy. There are many other serving gifts listed in Romans 12. The Holy Spirit divides gifts according to his own will and purpose. Yet, we are told to covet the best gifts, especially prophecy. Often the desire for a certain gift is a signal that God wants to give it to you.

It is important to understand the way these gifts function. They do not operate at the discretion of the recipient alone, but according to the will and enabling grace of God. Our role is to stay in close communion, yielded to God, available for him to utilize us as a channel of his grace any time he wishes. Then, when the anointing for that gift comes, if we will step out in faith, that gift will be manifested and many will be blessed.

The Spirit of Prophecy

The spirit of prophecy is another manifestation of God’s grace that operates in believers’ lives. "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Rev. 19:10 NIV). When this anointing, this spirit of prophecy, is upon someone, they will bear witness to Christ in a remarkable way. The character and glory of Jesus will shine through believers who have this anointing. This spirit can even rest upon a whole congregation for a brief period, producing a powerful effect upon sinners... "the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, ‘God is really among you!’" (I Cor. 14:24-25 NIV). Everyone at some time may prophesy when the Spirit of God rests upon them to grant this ability. It is often manifest when someone initially receives the gift of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 19:6). We should all be open to the Holy Spirit using us at times in this manner.

Some will be graced with a more powerful or frequent manifestation of prophetic utterance or insight and we can discern over time that they have the gift of prophecy. The fruit of their ministry of this gift, its timeliness, its accuracy, and its uplifting effect will confirm it. Some will be set apart by the Lord and called to become prophets in the church. You can’t call yourself to this office; it is Christ’s choice alone. This is an awesome burden and whoever is invited to wear this mantle will be sorely tested, brought through faith and humility, and purified. Thank God for those the Lord is calling, equipping, and sending into the church with this ministry today.

Governing Prophetic Ministry

God has built-in safeguards that should guide the operation of these gifts in our churches. Every believer should be accountable to the spiritual authority of the elders in his church. Being answerable is a safeguard from pride, independence, or even divisiveness. (A heretic is a factious person, self-willed and opinionated.) Everyone who has the genuine spirit of prophecy will manifest Christ’s gentleness and submission. They will cooperate with the government of the church and not produce discord. They will submit to the written Word of God as supreme. Prophetic ministers should be judged for the fruit of their individual lives, their families, and their ministries, as well as the accuracy of words they bring. No one, not even those who say, "Thus says the Lord," is above spiritual authority in the church. They will love the church, honor its leadership, and work for its unity.

We are in a change of seasons in the body of Christ. Many denominations have stalled right where they were fifty years ago, settling for old traditions. But God is restoring the prophetic gifts and the prophetic office in our day in a remarkable way. If the leaders of the church will understand what God is doing, then they will have no fear of the changes that are occurring. The new wine needs new wineskins. The new wine is the outpouring of God’s Spirit. The wineskins are the authority structures of the church. Flexibility and humility will help us embrace these changes in the church. We are all learners in matters of the Spirit.

People are hungry to taste and see God’s goodness and the powers of the age to come. Reality is breaking in on our complacency. God is causing prophecy to spring forth. Our task is to understand it, relate to it properly, and rejoice at God’s loving provision for his people.

© 1997 by Ron Wood. Ron and his wife, Lana, have been pastors more than 30 years. He has served as a State Coordinator for the U. S. Strategic Prayer Network. Ron is best known for his prophetic writing ministry. Ron & Lana are a ministry team. They are members of Reconciliation Ministries International led by Bishop Joseph Garlington. Ron & Lana were sent to Africa to help equip emerging apostolic leaders in the developing church. If you wish to copy this article for free distribution, permission is hereby granted to duplicate it provided there are no changes or omissions made to this article and this byline is included. The author asserts his moral rights of ownership. For more information or helpful literature, visit our web site at touchedbygrace.org, or e-mail us at ron@touchedbygrace.org.