Prophecy

What is prophecy?  
Some people believe that prophecy is only all about predicting the future. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Strong’s concordance describes prophecy in Greek as prophēteia, which means:

“a discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden, or about upcoming events…”.

2 Peter 1:19 (AMP)

¹⁹ And we have the prophetic word [made] firmer still. You will do well to pay close attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dismal (squalid and dark) place, until the day breaks through [the gloom] and the Morning Star rises (comes into being) in your hearts.

In actuality the revealed word of God “i.e. the scriptures” is where we receive the entirety of prophecy.  God has revealed His plan in detail to us who believe in the truths of the bible. Our response is to allow the word of God to engraft or embed itself upon our hearts and minds and to take root and grow deep, so that the new life of Christ which is engrafted or seared into our minds can begin to overtake our old nature and reveal the life of Christ in us.

1 Peter 4:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

As God’s word begins the transformation or regeneration process in our hearts and minds, our thoughts become quickly aware of a different perspective which is contrary to our old nature and desires.  We begin to see our world from a Kingdom perspective where God reigns and we are bound to this humble potentate by the bonds of His love for us.

The word of God (scripture) is true prophecy, for it reveals the heart and purposes of God as well as the destiny of humankind.  The intent is we are being shaped and molded by the scriptures to form within us the very image and nature of Christ, not a caricature of something which lives by the flesh, having stiff rules which are restrictive and legalistic.  No, we are bound by God’s love, which is undeserved, unearned and unmerited.  In this type of love there is freedom and rest, for it is His free gift to us. There is no lack on God’s part, our only challenge is appropriating the depth of His love on our part. 

The canon of scripture has been established and set, there is no need to add any further extra-biblical words or phrases to the scriptures.  However, there is the need for illumination of the existing text.  That is where prophecy comes in.  Prophecy in our day and age is more akin to teaching and preaching, for we are bringing illumination and practical understanding to the engrafted word working within us which has been historically revealed some 2000 years ago, not declaring any new extra-biblical revelation.

Revelation 22:18-19 (NKJV)

¹⁸ For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; ¹⁹ and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

If it were necessary for new extra-biblical information to be revealed in our day and time, then we could honestly say that the bible is not enough to assure our salvation, for the information it contains is incomplete.  And the revealed Jesus in the scriptures is not enough to save us to uttermost, because the information concerning Jesus and His role as intercessor is also incomplete and lacking further revelation.

But, Thank God!  We do have a complete biblical canon of scripture which not only declares God’s heart for a fallen world, but also reveals Jesus who is our intercessor and our salvation.

Colossians 2:13-15 (NKJV)

¹³ And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Jesus has declared that the war with Satan is over, it has already been won by His death on the cross, so our involvement with “battles or skirmishes with the enemy” are for shaping and forming our lives, we are being changed, transformed into the likeness of the one who loves us.  We can confidently declare the truth of what we know through the scriptures that Satan has been defeated, we stand victorious in Christ and His victory.  That is our position in Christ Jesus, as co-heirs partaking in His victory. 

John 16:13 (NKJV)

¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

As the scriptures continue to grip our minds and reveal a paradigm which is totally counter to this world and it’s ways, we are not left on our own to sort it out, we are given a tutor or guide  to help us through these changes, He is called the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will bring lessons and stories we have read, coupled with life experience back into our minds which we have learned through reading scripture, and He helps us to make meaningful application.  He will also bring conviction over sin which needs to be dealt with in our lives to bring the light of Christ into every corner of our minds which brings complete freedom.  The Holy Spirit will also give us insights into others so that we may effectively pray for and encourage others. 

Jude 1:3 (NKJV)

³ Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

The gift of prophecy is quite unique because it declares truths which have already been revealed in scripture. It does not utilize extra-biblical sources in as much as it speaks of the light and revelation from scripture as it applies to history, and as it applies to our present day lives. God does have an amazing way of bringing insight into scripture when we ask Him to show us what He wants us to see.

The gift of Prophecy is more about who we are positionally, rather than just about what we say. Our words can fall upon deaf ears and even fall to the ground with little or no effect, but our position in Christ will never change or be taken away, and that alone is our greatest testimony, we are in Christ. We are His children who have been bought with a heavy price.  That fact is built upon the truth of scripture and should always make us aware that we have been given such amazing unconditional love from our Savior Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 13:2 (NKJV)

² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Prophecy is all about love, and about sharing the relationship we have with Jesus that others may know the freedom that comes through Him.  How could we not share something so amazing?


Stephen Barnett

God is good all the time―all the time God is good!

Word of God Speak
Words and Music by Peter Kipley and MercyMe

I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's okay

The last thing I need is to be heard

But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak

Would You pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see

Your majesty

To be still and know

That You're in this place

Please let me stay and rest

In Your holiness

Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You

Beyond the music, beyond the noise

All that I need is to be with You

And in the quiet hear Your voice

Word of God speak

Would You pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see

Your majesty

To be still and know

That You're in this place

Please let me stay and rest

In Your holiness

Word of God speak

Word of God speak

Would You pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see

Your majesty

To be still and know

That You're in this place

Please let me stay and rest

In Your holiness

Word of God speak

I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's okay

©2002 Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

The music above is copyrighted by the respective artist and is presented here for demonstration purposes only and not for profit.