UNDERSTANDING PROPHECY
(Numbers 12:16, Acts 12:17)
WHAT IS PROPHECY?
Prophecy
is a gift from the Lord Jesus to His people given through the Holy Spirit to
edify, warn, correct and chastise His loved Children
GOD GIVES PROPHECY FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON
1. To
enable men to write the scripture (2 Peter 1:21). Inspired word were given to
these men by the spirit, to enable them to write.
2. To
reveal His heart and mind to His people. Amos 3:7. Prophecy comes from someone
who is understanding the heart and mind of God and then reveal it to us
3. To
show God's people some things which will happen in the future
4. To
give prophetic guidance to individual, people or churches (2 Chronicles 18:6,
19:2, 20:20, Rom. 8:4)
HOW DO PROPHECY COMES & INCLUSION
VISION & DREAMS
The
difference between vision and dreams is that vision is seen while awake or
conscious and a dream is a vision seen while asleep or unconscious.
VISION
God
said that He would use medium of communication. Num 12:6, Acts 2:17. Secret sin
in the church is been exposed today through vision. (Eze 8:3, Daniel 1:17,
2:17, Daniel 2:28, 2 Cor 12:1)
DREAMS
God
spoke to pharaoh in a dream. Gen 41:1-40, joel 2:28, Matt 1:20
PROPHECY IS NECESSARY
Prophecy
is needed today because it is a great help and a medium of God passing out
message to us and His heart desires. 1 Thessa 5:20, Rev. 22:18-19
1. To
build up the Church. 1 Cor 14:3
2. To
confirm the preaching of the Word. Mark 16:20
3.
God urges us to seek for it and to manifest it. 1 Cor 14:1
4.
Prophecy makes heavenly things more real and exciting to us.
5. It
builds up, exhorts and encourages the church. 1 Cor. 14:3
6.
Prophecy sometimes brings answers to prayer. 2 Kings 19:20
7. On
occasions, judgment comes through a prophecy
8.
Prophecy can bring warning. Acts 21:10-11. Matt 2:13
9.
Prophecy expresses faith. 1 Chro 25:3
10.
Prophecy helps in evangelism
HOW CAN TRUE PROPHECY BE BALANCED?
1.
Does it agrees with scripture? Isaiah 8:20
2.
Does it exalt Jesus? 1Cor 12:3
3.
Does it build up? 1 Cor 13:3
4. Is
it given in Love? 1 Cor 13:2
5.
Does it witness with the Spirit? Rom 8:16
6. Is
it rightly timed and controlled. 1 Cor 14:32-33
7.
Does the person's life add up? (Jere. 23:14)
8. Is
the WORD fulfilled? Deu 18:22
9.
Are they speaking beyond their anointing? Rom 12:6
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROPHECY AND
TEACHING
The
Bible shows that both are essential for the health of the Church. Acts 13:1, 1
Cor 12:28, Eph 4:11
1.
Teaching gives us a true knowledge of God's principles. Prophecy reveals the
specific purpose of God in a given situation
2.
Teaching generally reveals the mind of God. Prophecy often reveals His Heart
and His feelings
Teaching
without revelation can lead us to correct but lifeless formality
HOW CAN WE IMPROVE OUR PROPHECY?
1.
Studying the scriptures. 2 Tim 2:15
2.
The essential discipline of Prayers. Jere 23:18
3. God
demands for purity. Psa 24:3-4
