Prophecy

• Prophecy reveals a message from God (Deuteronomy 18: 21-22)-Deuteronomy 18:21 (KJV) And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?  Deuteronomy 18:22 (KJV) When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

In these verses; we see that God does send prophecies to His people.  Sometimes man questions whether or not a prophecy is truly sent from God.  The way that God is teaching His Children that when a prophecy does not come from Him, the prophecy is false, and whatever they say does not come true, or come to pass, this prophecy is not sent of God.  If the prophecy or event does come true, and the prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, then you know that the prophet is sent from God.  If a person speaks presumptuously, or of his/her own ideas, or heart, we should not be afraid of that person because God is above all.  We rely on the LORD's protection from false prophecies.

• False prophecy is not from God (Jeremiah 23: 25-32)-Jeremiah 23:26 (KJV) How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Jeremiah 23:27 (KJV) Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.  Jeremiah 23:28 (KJV) The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.  Jeremiah 23:29 (KJV) Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?  Jeremiah 23:30 (KJV) Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.  Jeremiah 23:31 (KJV) Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.  Jeremiah 23:32 (KJV) Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord.

God is warning about false prophecy in this passage.  He is warning to anyone who claims to be a prophet, yet, they are not sent of the LORD.  There are many who have gone out NOT in the name of the LORD to prophesy, and those are the prophets that the LORD hates.  They go in the name of Baal.  They are sent by the devil to confuse people.  They are vessels of the enemy to cause God's Children to forget God.  In this passage we can see that God does give prophecies to His Chosen people to deliver a message to His people.  When we do this under the direction of the Holy Spirit, we do it correctly.  The word of God is like fire.  It is a fire that consumes the darkest of things.  It has the power to break down the hardest heart and soften the wicked.  So the LORD is against false prophets, meaning he detests lies or deceit.  Sometimes people try to steal God's prophecies from His Prophet for their own interest, or gain.  The LORD is clearly against those prophets for attempting to steal His Prophecy.  There can be false prophets claiming to have had His dreams, and tell the lies causing God's People to make mistakes.  They are not sent by God.  Nothing they say can help God's People.  We must be careful not to take the prophecy of another as our own.  We must be careful of who claims to be a prophet of God.

• Claiming to prophesy does not indicate salvation (Matthew 7: 21-23)-Matthew 7:21 (KJV) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 7:22 (KJV) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  Matthew 7:23 (KJV) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity..

Claiming to be a prophet does not indicate salvation because not everyone who says "LORD, LORD" shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.  What this means is that there are people who claim to believe in God, yet they do not do God's will.  They do not live in the way the LORD instructs His Children to live.  On judgement day, many will say to the LORD "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name?, and in your name cast out devils, and done many works?"  It clearly says here the LORD will say to them "I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity"  So it is not enough to believe in the LORD.  It is not enough to claim to be a prophet and even see things come to pass.  A person can believe in the LORD, prophesy, but then make the mistake by living a sinful prideful life.  It is only by the blood of Christ, and reverence for the LORD, thereby living in His will.  Obeying His instruction.  We should not be prideful, or self righteous.  So, if you think you do not have sin, you are judged by God as a worker of iniquity.  We must humble ourselves unto to the LORD.  Acknowledge that He is LORD, and only through the sacrifice of Jesus, the blood that was shed are we then purified and saved.  Not by our own works, pride, or self righteousness.

• The Holy Spirit allows believers to prophesy (Acts 2: 17-18)-Acts 2:17 (KJV) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Acts 2:18 (KJV) And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

The Holy Spirit is what allows believers to prophesy.  The LORD has poured out His Spirit upon all who believe in Him.  Our sons and daughters shall prophesy by His Spirit.  Our young men shall see visions, and the elderly will dream dreams of meaning.  Clearly here we see he is pouring out His Spirit on men and women alike; young and old.  We will have the ability to prophesy in His name through the power of the Holy Ghost.  

• Prophecy is a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 14: 1-5)-1 Corinthians 14:1 (KJV) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  1 Corinthians 14:2 (KJV) For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  1 Corinthians 14:3 (KJV) But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  1 Corinthians 14:4 (KJV) He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.  1 Corinthians 14:5 (KJV) I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

 
Prophecy is a spiritual gift, because when a person is equipped by God to speak to the Church, they are a great help to the body of Christ.  Here we see it is great to be charitable, to have love for others, and to share.  It is wonderful to be able to speak in tongues, because you are communicating directly to God.  But, when you prophesy, you are communicating something directly from God to the people themselves.  This helps to edify the Church, to prepare them for eternity with Christ.  Also, a prophesy can be an encouragement to someone who is going through certain trials or tribulations in his/her walk of faith.  So, when we (the Church) speak in tongues, we ourselves are being edified.  When we prophesy, we are helping everyone.  Then, there are those who can interpret when someone is speaking in tongues.  This is also a great help for the rest of the Church.  To receive the gift of prophecy is to receive an even greater gift than speaking in tongues.  Nonetheless, we see these as evidence of the Holy Spirit working in an individual's life.  These are great gifts among others.

• We should listen to God's message-1 Thessalonians 5:20 (KJV) Despise not prophesyings.

In this verse we see clearly that God instructs His Children not to despise His prophecies.  We should not hate the plans that the LORD has for our lives, nor for the Church.  Here we can see that it is possible to feel some resentment towards God's prophecies.  This is possible among baby Christians who have not yet reached full maturity in the Spirit.  Therefore, they cannot fully comprehend the LORD's reasons for doing the things He does.  Sometimes people may not like what the future holds.  Nonetheless, we should embrace what the LORD has not only for our lives, but, the Church as a whole.  The LORD is perfect,  and perfect are His plans for you, and for me.  His Judgement is Righteous.  He is true.  Whatever He chooses, is what's best for the Church.  We should take heed to His Word, His Command, and His decisions.  He is faithful.  We can trust that when the LORD sends a prophet to speak to us, it is in our best interest.

• True prophets speak God's words (2 Peter 1: 20-21)-2 Peter 1:20 (KJV) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  2 Peter 1:21 (KJV) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

A true prophet speaks God's words.  We know this because Jesus taught the disciples that this is the way it would be.  Every prophecy will be interpreted by a chosen member of the Church.  The prophecy of the LORD does not come from man's heart or ideas, but, by the holy men of God that spoke as they were moved/directed by the Holy Spirit.  It is done by the power of the Holy Ghost.  The Holy Spirit will give God's Prophets the words that are to be spoken.  The Holy Spirit directs the Prophet of God on what to say.  We must speak the words that the Holy Spirit gives us to speak at the time indicated to do so.  This is how we know that the prophet is a true prophet.  What they say will come to pass.  It will happen without a doubt.  

I hope this study is as much a blessing to you as it is to me.  May we continue in faith, prayer, reverence, and peace by the love of God, and unto one another in Jesus's name.  Amen, until the next study, God bless you!  If you would like to receive the LORD as your personal Savior, or are in need of prayer, please feel free to contact us, directly using the contact form in the contact us page or comment below.  God bless you!
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