A Prophetic Shift that took place over the weekend of July 30-Aug 2

Many prophetic people are reporting a shift in the Spirit that took place over the last few days. This is not some simple thing. This is a profound move in the Spirit Realm.

Paul Keith Davis recently wrote of a tearing of the veil. A tearing down of divisions between priesthood and the priests. I'm not sure he understands what he just wrote. He will.

I saw this happen before my very eyes. It was dramatic.

One minute the world was as it has been. Leaders and Clergy standing before the people doing what they do and the next minute God pouring out his grace on all flesh, anointing, filling, equipping. Suddenly it was if people were empowered based on the intimacy and revelation they had. Those who's lamps were full were transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into a new place of authority. It was so obvious it was amazing.

I suspect this shift came as a result of some of the "High Places" leadership abuses we have seen recently. This is no longer being winked at by Father. He is tearing down the high places. He always does.

This is from high places on Christian Television and other places where Big Time Celebrity preachers pitch their program. And to the smaller church venue where a clever and entertaining pastor uses his visibility to entertain and thrill the people with his brilliance and humor. His congregation has become a way for him to satisfy his ego. Make him think he did good. Give him strokes. Meanwhile the Glory of God is hidden. The glory has gone to be claimed by a man.

Father is fed up. I tell you by the Spirit of God, that day is over. The one man show is finished. God wants his bride to shine. Not by a lecture by a platform centric churchy meeting. God is about to clean house and bring his Glory forth for all to see. In his sons and daughters, old men and young. All flesh. It's happened.

Here's what has taken place. Many churches like Samson "whist not that the Spirit has left them". They will operate a little while in the flesh, ability can take you a long way. Father is finished with fleshly ability. Skill is not an anointing. Those who never had a word before will have one. Those who never had a revelation before will now. Those who could never bring a Hymn will now. The church (small c) must change and if it does not, it will die.

Those who say, this won't work in our church because of size or structure will soon find their church building empty. This is a new day. I have never quite seen anything as dramatic as this shift was. What leadership used to get away with is no longer allowed in the spirit.

This is about the Graces of God. God give graces to people to minister to his people. Some have called it anointing, but it's much more. Anointing can be ginned up. Play a few fast and a few slow songs and soon someone will become fired up enough to bring a rip snorter of a sermon or prophecy.

This is not that. This is Grace that come from an intimacy developed while seeking the Face of God.

Moses was just such a man. He was not a great speaker. Aaron had to do that for him. He wasn't bold. He wasn't even a compelling leader in his own spirit. Korah evidently had better and more effective leadership skill. Korah led off a large portion of the congregation. So what was it that in the end caused Moses to walk in power and authority? Moses had been with God. He came down from the mountain and his face shown. Such that he had to cover his face so the people could look at him.

God is doing it again. There are Moses leaders among us. Most are not on any platform today. They are out in the back country tending sheep. Now God has revealed himself in a burning bush to them. They are ready to take their place. They are ready to become what God called them to. He gave graces. The Grace that many standing on platforms no longer have. It's not impossible for one who has been on that platform to have the grace, but God is measuring once again. He is not content with simple ability. Grace must be granted once more. If you have it...God's grace. If not, you best step aside until you do. God will take you off otherwise.

The old rehashed messages won't work any more. The revelations from a year ago are stale. The word you brought last month is old Manna, spoiled. You will now need to have fresh manna to make it.

Father will clean up or close churches that have depended on ability, cleverness, skill and training. You can't install commission confirm or ordain one who is graced. And if you install commission confirm or ordain one who does not carry the grace of God in their life will find it much more difficult to minister effectively in days to come.

This is not a negative word unless you want to hang on to what used to be. This is a release of the church as it was intended to be. This is a new beginning. A prophetic friend of mine tells me that this is also a date confirming the birth of Israel 60 years ago. I don't know all about that, but I do know this, God is changing everything. I have so many people from all over the globe confirming that what you felt, what you saw, what you sensed was genuine.

Father just changed everything. Don't settle for second best. Father is about to release his glory, his grace and his power thru the people who have set in pews long enough. Churches who have been preparing their people for this change are positioned to benefit. Those who have had a few people on the platform and guarded that platform carefully are in trouble. They whist not that the Spirit has just departed. There is an Ichabod sign being prepared unless true repentance happens quickly and sincerely.

This will be exciting and will bring vitality to the Body of Christ that has been missing for a long time. It will be clumsy and even sloppy sometimes. It will even be fits and starts, but it's what Father wants. His Bride on display. The whole bride.

Let's line up with the word of God as Kings and Priests. Father just crowned us again. Step into your destiny. There is a world to be won to Jesus.

You are empowered to be everything you were called to be.

Confirming Word by Beki Hodge-Ward

Prophetic Words

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 4:24pm

At church this past Sunday, the Lord YAHUVEH gave me a vision and an interpretation of the vision. I seen a mountain top, rugged, rocky and very treacherous. I seen loose rocks and boulders, varying in size. The loose rocks laid everywhere on this mountain top. The boulders are fitting snuggly in their places. On this mountain top are mountain goats. Their hoofs are made to stand fast or move about the mountain top regardless of the terrain. They are wise and know where to step and move swiftly. They are white and regal.

The mountain starts to shake violently! The loose rocks immediately fall to the bottom of the mountain. The boulders become loose immediately! Some boulders, as they fall break apart as the smash into other boulders, causing the other boulders to come loose and fall to the bottom of the mountain. Some of the larger boulders take a lot more shaking to come loose, but they eventually give way to the shaking! The mountain goats stay firmly planted and were able to ride out the violent shaking of the mountain. And as they had to move around they were still able to remain upright and never fell down.

My impression is that the violent shaking is emanate and the shaking referrers to anything (natural or by a designed disaster) that would have an effect on everyone’s, beliefs (where is God and why would He allow this to happen), morals (how you deal with a tragedy), integrity (the way you chose to survive), physical (pain due to injury)and mental (one’s ability to stay sane). As a result of the disaster(s) our inalienable rights will be taken away. That will affect our beliefs as well.

The Lose Rocks

The lose rocks are the weak Christians who are not following YAHUVEH. They are lukewarm in their beliefs in YAHUVEH and do not follow the commandments of YAHUVEH. They are Christian’s in name only. They don’t study the Word of YAHUVEH, they rarely go to church, they don’t get involved or have any accountability with true believers in YAHUSHUA ha MASHIACH.

The Boulders

The boulders are those in the church who think they are firmly planted and nothing could cause their faith to be shaken. They say all the right things, they do what looks to be righteous but in private they curse others, they gossip, they are idolaters, adulators and fornicators. Some much larger boulders are pastors who are speaking a messages that have a form of godliness. but it is laced with poison and deception. When the mountain shakes some of the boulders come loose very quickly and some of the other boulders take longer to come loose, they couldn’t hang on and eventually came loose and fell to the bottom as well. You are either for YAHUVEH or against YAHUVEH. You are 100% following Him without compromise and you are 100% the righteousness of YAHUVEH through YAHUSHUA ha MASHIACH.

The Mountain Goats

The regal, white mountain goats are those who are the equipped and have prepared themselves to stay firm against the mountain top…their hoofs are what keeps them planted…that is what YAHUVEH gave them to prepare for such a day as this. Staying in YAHUVEH's Word, the Word of YAHUVEH in their hearts, they are strong and always encouraged, faithful and steadfast.

The Pastor, Mark Maki...read this verse in church Sunday as a confirmation of the vision I received from the YAHUVEH, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bandage.” Galatians 5:1

Revival of Restoration By Carol Pulley Au3, 2010 (It is the 8th month, the number of 'new beginnings')

CAROL WROTE:

My morning began in the early hours as the Lord stirred me awake. His voice speaking, "can you hear the call, the Spirit cry"? The words came, "the door", and I perceived there must be a transition happening, a crossing over. The clock said, it was 4: 44 AM Something new is coming! God's wake up alarm went through my spirit and it was a good one. It felt intense enough that I woke up my three sons along with my husband. I just said, pray for what God is doing this moment until He shows us more.

Being the friend that I am, I immediately called several intercessors., two of which were already awake and praying, sensing something exciting today would happen. One called back and said, it was revival. Through intercession I saw a picture of the mounds of earth with rock, like granite that began to smooth over. New grass, flowers, trees and vegetation began springing up. Everything was being renewed. It was new life and restoration. Remembering the exact time I woke up and the symbolism of the number 4, I began to revelate. There are 4 seasons, 4 directions, 4 rivers in the Garden of Eden, and the sun, moon and stars were made on the 4th day. There are 4 faces of the Living Creatures, and Judah (which means praise), was the 4th son of the 12 tribes (of Israel). Consequently the 4th Hebrew letter is the Dalet which is symbolic of the veil, and the swinging door. The Dalet also symbolizes the parable Word, Jesus who gives us authority and dominion when we pass through the door.
I asked the Lord to reveal to me the name of the book in the bible to go with 444. I pressed into intercession and I saw the letters "IS". My first thought was of the tribe of Issachar, who knew the times and the seasons. Then I saw the same two letters again and I realized it was also Isaiah 44: 4 which read:

Is. 44:1 Yet now hear, o Jacob my servant; and Israel, H3478 (one who rules with God) whom I have chosen. h977 (select) 44:2 Thus saith the LORD that made H6213 (brought forth) thee, and formed H3335 (to squeeze and shape) thee from the womb, H4480, H9990 (inward part) which will help H5826 (protection and aid, prepared) thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, H3484 (upright) whom I have chosen. H977 (appointed) 44:3 For I will pour H3332 (grow and overflow) water H4325 (flood, spring, symbolizing revelation) upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground. H3004 (us) I will pour my spirit 7307 (ruach, breath, and violent whirl) upon thy seed, (the Word) and my blessing H1293 (prosperity) upon thine offspring. 44:4 And they shall spring up H6779 (bear and spring forth, bud) as among the grass, H2682 (symbolizes new life) as willows by the water courses. H2988 (streams) 44:5 One shall say, I am the LORD'S, and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel. Is. 44:4 is the main reference and refers to the restoration that the revival is bringing forth. The grass speaks of new life and the willows according to the Webster's dictionary say, "A genus of quick growing trees with tough pliable shoots". Willow roots are known to go to all extent even through pipes to reach for water. Doesn't this sound like Forerunner Ministries? We are to be tough, pliable shoots that go to all extent to search for water-the revelation of the Word. This will bring about our restoration.

You can glean even more from this, but I know this will encourage you as I was encouraged. I thank and praise Yeshua for His insights....

Foreclosure and Homelessness Root of Evil

From Art at New Wineskins

Some may be inclined, as they read the following story/factoid, to think in entirely earthly terms — i.e., about the hard but essential realities of free market economics, and how the alternatives (socialism, communism, etc.) are much worse. In those terms, I would very much agree with you.

Bloomberg: Home Vacancies Rise as U.S. Ownership Falls to Lowest in Decade

About 18.9 million homes in the U.S. stood empty during the second quarter as surging foreclosures helped push ownership to the lowest level in a decade… Lenders are accelerating foreclosures as borrowers fall behind in mortgage payments after the worst housing crash since the Great Depression. A record 269,962 U.S. homes were seized in the second quarter… [and] probably will top 1 million this year…

I would urge you however, to view this not with human fear or anger, but through God’s eyes, recognizing that what seems impossible to us is very much possible with Him, and that the root causes of the housing crisis go deep indeed in the spiritual dimension.

The thread of culpability for the situation the U.S. finds itself in now with regards to home ownership wends its way through virtually all of our civil, corporate and political institutions (taxes, ‘bailout’ payments, sub-prime loans engaged-in with little thought, etc.), not to mention the corrupt, Greek-chorus, Babylon ‘church’ which echoes: you can have-it-all-now, on this earth. My thoughts on the following passage stem from some reading I was led to the other day for reasons unknown at the time (most of them made before I read the news story; below). Those thoughts are in brackets in black type; scripture in dark red:

Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! [schemes via laptop and cell phone late at night] When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand. [dictates via mouse, keyboard; arbitrary power on a whim] They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. [mortgage foreclosures, eminent domain] Therefore thus says the LORD: behold, against this family I am devising disaster, from which you cannot remove your necks, and you shall not walk haughtily, for it will be a time of disaster. In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you and moan bitterly, and say, “We are utterly ruined; he changes the portion of my people; how he removes it from me! To an apostate he allots our fields.” [trace the ownership of the major banks receiving these properties] Therefore you will have none to cast the line by lot in the assembly of the LORD. “Do not preach”–thus they preach– “one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us.” Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Has the LORD grown impatient? Are these his deeds? Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly? But lately my people have risen up as an enemy; you strip the rich robe from those who pass by trustingly, returning from war. [abuse of reserve military; job loss] The women of my people you drive out from their delightful houses; from their young children you take away my splendor forever. [welfare encourages single-parent households, divorce; abortion and child poverty become endemic] Arise and go, for this is no place to rest, because of uncleanness that destroys with a grievous destruction. If a man should go about and utter wind and lies, saying, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be the preacher for this people! [flip open any magazine or sporting event on TV; look at adds for liquor, beer, etc.] (Micah 2:1-11)

H/T, John McTernan, who comments in his Wednesday posting:

[As] America tampers with Israelis living in their homes in the West Bank and Jerusalem, so American homes are vacant.

The Coming Day

Jesus stood above Jerusalem and lamented, "How often would I have gathered you as chicks under my wings" Matthew 23:37. He couched this in the rebellion and rejection of the moves of God and the murder of the Prophets. This was Jerusalem. Apple of God's eye. Yet he stands seeing the future in pain. In the end not one stone was left on another in 72 AD. The picture is of that time.

Now once again the time draws close, Father is looking above us and thru the Prophets are speaking of the troubles to come. When Jerusalem was destroyed all the support systems were destroyed. People were scattered. People carried the new Faith in Jesus with them and it covered the earth. Till today.

The question is this: what or who will survive this event? This has been prophesied for a long time. It has intensified. Visions and dreams. Manifestations. Father is sending a message to his Bride. Don't hang on to anything except HIM.

What will survive? Some people won't. It happens in every tragedy. Some nations won't. Maybe even the Great USA won't. Government won't. Politicians won't. Many businesses won't. Most churches won't.

The capital C Church will. She's eternal. Many lower case c churches will not. The CHURCH was built on the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles who were put in place by the Holy Spirit. The man created church was built on organizations and hierarchies that will collapse when the crisis comes. Most of those churches will wither in the heat. They will run from the battle. They will not know how to respond. It will cause them to collapse. Hearts failing for fear.

The CHURCH on the other hand will prosper and grow with nameless faceless saints of God driven by passion and purpose placed in them by the Holy Ghost. They will march lock step toward a glorious destiny over the top of the ashes below. The world will be ready to hear.

There will be fierce persecution of Christians, but the tested and tried CHURCH, the BRIDE OF CHRIST will come from the warfare without single spot or wrinkle.

Are you ready for this coming day? I want to believe many are. I fear most are not. So, be ready. The time is near. This is NOT what your eschatology teachers have taught you in the left behind books. This is a purification by fire that burns away every wood and straw man made religious concept. Only Jesus will remain. That's all that remained after 72 AD. It will repeat. Get ready.

Prophecy, Prophets and the Holy Spirit Lifestyle

One of the great changes that came about in the new Christian community on the day of Pentecost was the emergence of prophecy as a common Christian experience. After 400 years of prophetic silence (until John the Baptist) a new phenomenon emerged after Pentecost. Now that all believers had access to God through the one Spirit (Ephesians 2:18) we can receive inspiration and revelation from God. We have received the "spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him". (Eph 1:17, 1 Cor 2:9-16). The sheer largesse and abundance of this is almost too much to comprehend. It all starts with Peter's bold interpretation of a prophecy of Joel.

(Acts 2:16-18 NASB) but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: {17} 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; {18} EVEN UPON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy.

Prophecy would now be abundant. Their sons and daughters (verse 17) and their men-servants and maidservants (verse 18) would prophesy. Prophecy did indeed become common so that when Paul was writing to the church in Corinth ( and we need to remember these were house churches) he wrote:

(1 Corinthians 14:29-33 NASB) And lettwo or three prophetsspeak, and let the others pass judgment. {30} But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent. {31} Foryou can all prophesyone by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; {32} and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; {33} for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Here Paul was saying that only two or three prophets should speak at one time, and that one at a time and everyone can wait their turn to prophesy. Wait a minute - two or three prophets, at least, in every house church! This is astonishing! This is a massive outbreak of prophecy. Paul even tells the Corinthian believers to seek the spiritual gift of prophecy as if it was fairly commonly available, in the process he contrasts it with the gift of tongues.

(1 Corinthians 14:1-5 NASB) Pursue love, yetdesire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. {2} For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. {3} But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. {4} One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. {5}Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

Abundant Prophecy And Abundant Problems

This outbreak of prophecy soon had its problems and discernment was needed so that Paul would write phrases like "let the others weigh what is said", 'don't despise prophetic utterances' and "hold to what is good, reject what is evil" in regard to NT prophecy. ( 1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:20,21). Prophecy is not without its problems today especially if we try to use an OT model as the standard for NT prophecy. We soon end up with questions like:

• Are NT and OT prophets the same or different?
• Are NT prophets adding to Scripture?
• Can NT prophets say "Thus said the Lord"?
• If everyone can prophesy are we all prophets like Isaiah was?
• Do NT prophets predict long-range futures such as the return of the Lord or national destinies?
• What is the role of the prophet in a local congregation and how is it different from the forceful prophetic leadership of national Israel?

Many of the abuses of prophecy today flow from importing an OT idea of prophecy into the NT idea of the prophetic. They are indeed similar but there are some HUGE differences. In the NT all things are made new - including the prophetic.

OT and NT Prophecy

We saw earlier that the Law and the prophets prophesied until John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11-13). Whatever OT prophets were - they ceased then. There are no more OT style prophets today. Who then prophesies in the NT? If "the prophets" ceased with John the Baptist - who was Agabus and what shall we make of Revelation? I will have to take you into a very little bit of Greek and Hebrew and semantics so hold tight.

John the Baptist was the last of the Scripture writing prophets, the OT "nabi". The OT prophet was a very different figure to the NT prophet and perhaps we should not even be using the same English word for them. No-one can go around doing a "thus said the Lord" today or coming up with a new book of the Bible. No NT prophet wrote Scripture. Let's see why.

The NT prophet uses the Greek word "prophetes" a prophetes was an "inspired person" much as we might see a poet or an inventor as being inspired. Inspiration with a small "i" not the big "I" of the inspiration of Scripture. For instance Pythagorus the mathematician was called a "prophet" and Paul calls the Cretan poet Epiminedes a prophet when he quotes him in the first chapter of Titus. (Titus 1:12) . The word is a very general use of the term prophet.

One sub-set of the prophetes was the nabi - the OT prophet who spoke infallible words from God. If you think of the term prophetes as a very big circle with a wide range of meanings then right in the centre is a very small circle containing the inspired, authoritative and inerrant ""nabi" of the OT. The term prophetes covers the "nabi" and a lot more besides. All nabi are prophetes but not all prophetes are nabi.

None of the NT prophets wrote Scripture. Not one word of it.(Agabus is reported in Scripture but he didn't write it) All writing of Scripture was done by the apostles. The prophets encouraged and exhorted the local congregations, predicted famines and tried to keep Paul in line unsuccessfully.

National vs. Congregational Prophets

In the OT the national prophet was part of the system of prophet, priest and king and had a recognised role in anointing and appointing national leadership. The prophet prophesied the rise and fall of national groups (Jer 1:10) and was a political figure. When Samuel turned up there was fear and trembling. The prophets were given awe and respect and were not evaluated first. When they spoke you simply did what you were told.

In stark contrast the NT prophet is generally an apolitical person. She ministers in the local congregation and is judged by her peers. The NT prophet is not concerned with appointing national leadership, anointing Emperors or tackling the political reforms of the day. The nature of the Kingdom has changed. It is no longer a political Kingdom we belong to but a spiritual one and the prophet's role has changed accordingly. The NT prophet is concerned with God's people, generally in a local congregation of which they are part and in which they operate under submission and review (see the latter part of 1 Cor 14). Two mysterious prophets will rise up at the end time (Rev 11:3-6) with national and international significance but they are a rarity. The NT prophets of Acts, Corinthians and most renewal congregations today are not national or international prophets but congregational prophets and it is deeply risky for them to borrow the mantle of Elijah.

.

The NT Congregational Prophet

The effects of prophecy on the unbeliever are perhaps a good place to start.

(1 Corinthians 14:24-25 NASB) But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; {25} the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

The prophet, inspired by God, uncovers the secrets of the unbelievers heart so that he falls on his face in repentance and worships God. Here we see NT prophecy operating in a ministry of conviction.

Earlier in that chapter Paul speaks of the general role of prophecy in the congregation. The role of the prophet is to edify the church with words of exhortation and consolation.

(1 Corinthians 14:3-4 NASB) But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. {4} One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

In contrast to tongues prophecy ministers to people generally. It is other-centred. It builds up the body of Christ which is why Paul valued it so highly.

(Acts 15:32-33 NASB) And Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. {33} And after they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out.

NT Prophecy And Predicting The Future

Prophecy can also be used to predict the future. Agabus is the best known example for his two prophecies in Acts. Such prophecies of the future seem to be mainly a) personal destinies or b) short-term futures only. There is no example of them prophesying the future hundreds of years in advance as Isaiah or Daniel did.

(Acts 11:27-28 NASB) Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. {28} And one of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.

(Acts 21:10-11 NASB) And as we were staying there for some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. {11} And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"

These predictions of the future are delivered in situations where they are immediately relevant. They are not stored up for many years hence. The future predictions of a famine was so the church could prepare in the present and Agabus' prediction of Paul's fate was an attempt to get Paul to see reason at that point in time. Both future prophecies were relevant to the congregation or individual at the moment in time when they were delivered.

We have no examples of NT prophets predicting national destinies or giving new light on the return of the Lord - that is always done by the major apostles. Congregational prophets do not establish new doctrine concerning Christ and when they do predict the future it is relevant to the life of the church at that point in time.

Imparting Spiritual Gifts/Ordination

Just as the prophets were involved with sending out Paul and Barnabas they were involved with imparting a spiritual gift to Timothy. Notice also the plurality of prophets in the Acts reference which is also implied in 1 Timothy.

(Acts 13:1-4 NASB) Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. {2} And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." {3} Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. {4} So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus

(1 Timothy 4:14 NASB) Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which wasbestowed upon you through prophetic utterancewith the laying on of hands by the presbytery.

Bearers of Inspiration From God

In the light of the above, the NT prophets can perhaps best be described as "bearers of inspiration from God for the need of the moment". They bring inspiration from God into the centre of the congregation of believers which then works out as a prophetic utterance that convicts, exhorts, and consoles . The NT prophet also sees personal destinies and short-term futures and imparts spiritual gifts to those set aside for the work of the gospel.

The clearest examples of this "bearing of inspiration from God for the need of the moment" can be found in the "Pentecosts" in Acts, the Jewish one in Jerusalem and the Gentile one at Cornelius' house and the mysterious one with John's disciples in Ephesus.

(Acts 2:3-11 NASB) And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. …..-- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God."

(Acts 10:44-48 NASB) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. {45} And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also. {46} For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, {47} "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" {48} And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

(Acts 19:6 NASB) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.

When the new Christian community is created it is created as a Spirit-filled community that receives inspiration from God that results in the new believers bursting out in praise and glorifying God.This is seen as a prophetic act in that Peter stands up as says of this activity "This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel you sons and daughters shall prophesy.." while the speaking in tongues and praising God was going on all around him. By the time we get to Acts 19 Luke is directly describing it as prophesy. It fits the Jewish tradition of prophesy in that it is similar to quite a few prophetic incidents in the OT such as:

(Numbers 11:25 NASB) Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And it came about that when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again.

(1 Samuel 10:5-7 NASB) "Afterward you will come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is; and it shall be as soon as you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and a lyre before them, and they will be prophesying. {6} "Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man. {7} "And it shall be when these signs come to you, do for yourself what the occasion requires; for God is with you.

This informal definition of prophesying seems much closer to what happened in the NT church.

Thus congregational prophets are bearers of inspiration from God and form part of the spiritual heart of the new community called the Church. They glorify God in the Spirit and bring conviction, exhortation and consolation. They are the Holy Spirit speaking through Christians to the present needs of the moment.

Prophetic Abuse

If someone says "I prophesied, therefore I am a prophet, therefore I am infallible and I can tell you what to do with your life with a "thus said the Lord" then that person is in serious error. Prophetic abuse is common today as the revival of prophecy combined with the homogenising of OT and NT that is common in so many pulpits leads to disaster. I'll get to the point here and perhaps be a bit blunt.

• You cannot say "thus saith the Lord", the closest the NT comes is "thus saith the Holy Spirit" (Acts 21:11) and that was from a tried and tested prophet.
• Not all who prophesy are prophets. Many Christians prophesied but the office of prophet was next to that of apostle and was an itinerant and probably full-time ministry. Paul says bluntly "not all are prophets" ( 1 Cor 12:28-31) yet seems to imply that the gift of prophecy can be sought by most Christians. (1 Cor 14:1-5) Phillip the evangelist had four virgin daughters who prophesied but they are not called prophets. (Acts 21:9) Women prophesied in Corinthians but were explicitly not to be given authority in the Corinthian church. ( 1 Corinthians 11:3-5, 14:34,35) Thus for some reason these women who prophesied in that church were not given the office of prophet in that church. The gift and the office are different.
• NT prophecy was not infallible but had to be judged by others (1 Cor 14:29) was sometimes a mixture of good and bad (1 Thess 5:21) and was such that it could even be despised - presumably because of its eccentricity (1 Thess 5:20).
• Prophecy is for the building up of the church not for the personal domination of individual believers by the "prophet". You have freedom to disregard even the best prophets as Paul disregarded Agabus and went on to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:10-14)
• NT prophecy seems mainly to have been bringing God's inspiration, through the Holy Spirit to people at a particular place and point in time. It was very much grounded in edifying God's people for the immediate task at hand and imparting wisdom and spiritual gifts so it was achieved. Perhaps a bit like Haggai prophesying about the rebuilding of the Temple. Day by day prophecy to get the job done. Prophecies which purport to give the fate of America or the nature of the end times are, in my view, highly suspect - that is unless the person or group receiving the prophecy is somehow directly connected with these things and needs that word. We have enough in Scripture to give us a good idea of such things, let us turn to that instead. We cannot take the OT national prophet model and impose it on the NT congregational prophet.

• Conclusion

In the NT God has created His church to be a Spirit-indwelt community that directly receives revelation from Him (1 Cor 2:9-16, 1 John 2:10,27). The receiving of such revelation and passing it on to the community is the role of those who prophesy. Such revelation needs to be properly discerned and tested. Prophecy is now generalised and no longer the province of national prophets of immense status who spoke the infallible words of God. NT prophecy has more to do with God's will in the present moment and glorifying Him in worship. There are very significant differences between OT prophecy and NT prophecy and we cannot use the OT model as normative for the NT phenomena.

Francis Frangipane: God Says, "I Do Not Remember"

How little we understand of eternal redemption! How many times will God forgive you? If you have truly set your heart to follow Him, He will cancel your sins as often as you ask. Will He forgive you of the worst sin you can think of? Yes! You may have to live with the consequences of your misdeed, but the redemptive power of God is such that, even in your sin, there are many things of value to be reclaimed. As for the sin itself, if you deeply and sincerely repent of it, not only will God forgive you, He will blot it out of His memory.

Let me share an experience. A certain man of God had been gifted with revelatory insight into people's lives. During an evening service, he ministered to a Presbyterian pastor and his wife. By the gift of the Spirit, he revealed the couple's past, uncovered their present situation and then disclosed to them what was to come. This work of God greatly impressed the couple, and as the prophecies were fulfilled, one month later the Presbyterian minister brought two other pastors, each with their wives, to another service for personal ministry.

The word of knowledge was exceptionally sure that night, and the second minister and his wife marveled at the accuracy and truth in the prophetic word. The third couple stepped forward for ministry and again the word of knowledge was present. The prophet spoke to the husband, revealing his past, present and insight into his future. Then the man of God turned to this third minister's wife. As he began to speak of her past, suddenly he stopped. "There was a very serious sin in your past." The woman, with her worst fear seemingly upon her, turned pale and closed her eyes. The congregation hushed and moved to the edge of their seats.

The prophet continued, "And I asked the Lord, 'What was this sin that she committed?' And the Lord answered, 'I do not remember!'"

He Has Removed Our Sins as
Far as the East is from the West

The Lord had been faithful to His promise: "I will not remember your sins" (Isaiah 43:25). Although many times this minister's wife had asked for cleansing, still she could not believe the depth of God's forgiveness. Christ had placed her sin in the sea of His forgetfulness. He removed it "as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12). From everywhere but the prison of her own mind, her sin had been paid for and removed. And now, in His great mercy, He removed it from there as well!

Oh, what burdens we carry, what guilt and limitations surround us because we do not accept God's total and perfect forgiveness. In Isaiah we read, "I, even I, am the One who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins" (Isaiah 43:25).

How great is the God we serve. How wonderful is His love toward us. He is our Redeemer! Our Savior! If you are willing to forgive others and will but ask Him to forgive you, He will pardon your debts as often as you contritely turn to Him. He promises He will remember your sins no more.

Francis Frangipane
Ministries of Francis Frangipane
Email: francis1@frangipane.org