The Prophetic - Part 2

(continued)

"Long periods of meditation in the presence of a holy God bring about a dynamic revelation of the roots of evil, the reasons for failure and the way to restoration and holiness."


"Prophets hear from God and speak the direct message that he receives in a variety of ways. These may include: a gradually unfolding consciousness of God's will, an audible voice, and internal voice, by seeing into the spiritual world, by visions or dreams."


"In most Old Testament cases, the prophetic office carried the attendant supernatural gift of working miracles."


"The prophet's ministry is revelatory, involving the past, present and future, and in this way manifests God's omniscience. In the Old Testament, prophets were known as seers, and were prominent in uncovering past facts and hidden things. The prophet will also receive revelation regarding future things. This is the quality that sets a true prophet apart from other ministries. While he will not have total knowledge of future things, he will generaly be used of God to convey predictions and revelations much more than other ministries will."


"This ministry, while based in the local church, is often 'released' for travelling ministry to the whole Body of Christ to assist the apostle to set the church in order. The prophet has no right to usurp authority in another local church, but if he is God-sent, his ministry will make way for him. The prophet frequently has an ability to cause change in people's hearts more than other ministries. This is due to the inspired nature, and direct revelation of both his message, and its manner of delivery."


"The ministry of the prophets has often emerged at times when there is a decline or degradation among God's people. Prophets aslo emerge at, and facilitate times of transition in the church."


"All believers may exercise the gift of prophecy, but not all are prophets. There are many in local churches who bring a word of prophecy on occasions who are not prophets. In fact all believers may exercise the gift, but the Lord has only given 'some' to be prophets. The person with the gift of prophecy is primarily concerned with edification, exhortation and comfort. The spiritual gift of prophecy is spasmodic in operation, while the prophetic office is permanent. A person may give a word of prophecy on an occasional basis, but a prophet will operate in his ministry regularly. Prophets may, and usually will also regularly manifest the gift of prophecy, though this will perhaps be exercised more regularly and to a greater degree than the average believer in a congregation."


"The signs of a prophet: he supports the apostle in establishing churches, he brings direction to the church, his ministry may expose sin, though in the New Testament this is primarily the responsibility of the apostle, he has revelation of the mysteries of God, he unveils new truth to the people of God, he pormotes the presence of God, his ministry in prophecy and preaching tend to be immediately inspired, he speaks for God in a personal way, he may predict future events or reveal hidden facts."

(To Be Continued)