When I read and study much of the prophetic words in the Old Testament I see the same thing. To the one who has discernment, it has meaning. To those without, it is not understood. It's all types and shadows. It still is. It's a mosaic. We comprehend God's heart but only a passing by the cleft of the rock of his wisdom.
I think of the image in the Book of Daniel. People are still debating over that almost 3000 years later. We have a lot of Nebuchadnezzars who do not understand and want clarity. Even with it, it's still confusing.
I look at Chapter 13 of Isaiah. Is that about then, later or now? Is a Kurd (Mead) going to once again rule over Babylon (Iraq)?
Even when Jesus taught the Beatitudes they have been badly interpreted and misunderstood. Blessed be the POOR? I don't think so.
So the issue is, how direct, Chrystal clear and obvious does a prophet have to be? On whom does the responsibility for understanding prophecy depend. On the prophet or on the hearer?
What role does the Holy Spirit have in making Revelation by the Prophetic clear? Any, Much?
I know I will offend some people, but those who insist on absolute clarity from the prophetic, Old Testament, the Book of Revelation, or some prophet who walks the earth today are demonstrating a lack of discernment and a stupor of the Spirit of God in them. I suggest they do what all of us are to do. Take the prophetic word, hear it, judge to see that it sounds like Jesus and then, allow the Spirit of God to quicken what is important to you right then. I seldom write down prophetic words I have heard or received. They are so important I just don't forget them. The Holy Spirit brings them back to remembrance as I need them.
I will read them if they are published. Same thing. I don't have to do a "Bible Study". I allow the Holy Ghost to teach me what is important.
A week ago tonight I was at a meeting in Rochelle IL where Stephen Strader spoke. At the end, Pastor Horvat laid hands on me and prophesied over me and Peggy for perhaps ten minutes. Much was tongues. Much was random. But as time passed (I'm patient) pieces started to come together. He started speaking of my future, my past, my life, my work, my ministry. I promise he had no idea what he was saying.
I walked away understanding that the Spirit of God had spoken. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't complete. But it was edifying and worthwhile.
I think those who require a footnoted prophetic utterance lack faith in God to reveal himself to them. As I have heard it expressed, they have more faith in the devil to deceive them than they do faith in God to reveal himself to them. How about just receive the prophecy and let it go at that. God will give you the understanding. At least that's what he promised.
John 16:12-15I have come to appreciate and understand the profound harmony of the prophetic on the earth today. Sure there are crackpots. But you can hear them in the Spirit, you can see them for what they are. Crank your discerner UP.
12 "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
I wouldn't worry about them. If you have ears to hear, HEAR what the Spirit of the Lord Says.
1 comment:
Gene
You are confusing two different things: the prophecy and the application.
The application of a prophecy can be unclear, especially if it is intended for a different person or a different time, or the listeners have hearts. The prophecy itself should be clear and precise.
This is evident from the scriptures. The application of many prophecies is unclear. Often the application is not clear until they have been fulfilled. This is also true of Revelation. Much of the application of this book is still not clear.
The prophetic word itself if always very clear and precise. The prophets did not just dictate what they heard the Holy Spirit saying, like automatons. They received a revelation from God and wrote down or spoke what they had received. It is clear that what they wrote is very carefully honed. Much of Jeremiah’s prophecy is presented as poetry. John recorded the revelations he received on Patmos with an amazing economy of words, yet what he saw is vividly and precisely described.
Isaiah 53 is a good example. The application of this prophecy was totally unclear, until Jesus had died on the cross. However, the prophecy itself was very clear and precise. Reading now, it is clear that every word was important and is exactly where the Holy Spirit wanted it to be.
Jesus never rambled. The beatitudes themselves are amazingly precice and clear. The application of them is much more difficult.
Jesus could tell an complicated parable in just a few words, because his communication was precise and clear. His listeners understood the story clearly, their problem was with the application.
Many modern prophets are quite different. They often ramble and their messages are often confused and vague. Quantity of words often seems to be more important than quality. When I look at the prophecies on the various prophetic websites, I find that many of them to be ambiguous and imprecise. Vague words benefit the prophet, because it means that no one can prove that they have spoken a word that is not true. With some prophecies that are said to be fulfilled, it is hard to be sure, because the wording is so loose that you could drive a truck through it.
I am sure that many of these people have received a revelation. They have just not taken the trouble to hone the word and ensure that they are communicating what they have received precisely and accurately. If prophecy is going to be taken seriously, prophetic people will need to communicate much more clearly.
The biblical prophets were very precise and clear in the way they wrote and spoke their words. They knew they would quite likely be misunderstood by a people with hardened hearts, so they made sure that they did not give them and excuse, by speaking vaguely.
The application of a prophecy will often be unclear. People with hardened hearts will not just not get it, but that is not an excuse for prophets to be lazy with their presentation. I am not surprised that much modern prophecy is ignored, because the wording is often just too sloppy.
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