From the desk of Roy Roden: Every week I will be posting an overview of the teachings of the “basic Training for the Gift of Prophecy course we are doing in Belfast every Wednesday at 6:00pm.
3 -The Essentials of Prophecy – its nature, power and impact.
Last week we covered the purpose of prophecy, its definition and the three elements of prophecy, which are; 1. Exhortation 2. Edification 3. And Comfort.
In this session, we cover the essentials of prophecy, but first let’s look at the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth, who will speak His words and reveal them to you and “He shall glorify Me” (John 16:13-14).
It is written that Jesus is the “The Word of God.” The Word of God is a person, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1, Revelation 19:13).
Jesus said, “My sheep know My voice and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).
We hear His voice speaking to our hearts through the anointing of the Holy Spirit whom Paul calls “The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation” whose purpose is to “Enlighten our hearts in the knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 1:17).
There are myriad ways that the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Such as through the Scriptures, anointed teaching, prayer, prophecy, visions and dreams and so on.
Prophecy is one of the many ways the Holy Spirit communicates to His people as a powerful ministry of the word.
But at all times the Holy Spirit reveals the divine nature, power, Kingdom authority, light, love and life of Christ that is inherent in His living word.
The following are some basic elements of the “Essentials of Prophecy” that we will cover in this session.
The Essentials of Prophecy
Prophecy enables people to prosper. It does so by strengthening the people to rise up to accomplish their task. For example, during the time of King Darius, ruler of Babylon, the Jew was attempting to rebuild the House of God when they came under great opposition by their enemies.
Being discouraged, they ceased from their work. After two years, the prophets through prophesying strengthened them and they returned to work to rebuild the temple of God.
“So, the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet… And they built and finished the temple, according to the commandment of God” (Ezra 6:14).
Prophecy puts on display the love, mercy, acceptance, and compassion of God for a person. That enables them to know God’s value for them, and their value to Him with the response, “God is real! He really does see me, cares for me and knows me.”
Prophecy consoles those that are in despair and troubled by confirming (validating) their position in Christ. In the book of Acts, church strife occurred in Antioch when false teachers troubled the people, telling them they must keep the ceremonial Law of Moses.
Now the elders of the church, hearing about this, wrote them letters, which Judas and Silas read to the people concerning the matter (See Acts chapter 15). “Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted the brethren with many words and CONFIRMED them” (15:32).
Now remember, all believers, not only those who have been identified as “prophets” can prophesy. “For you may all prophesy one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted” (1 Corinthians 14:31).
“Wow,” says Sam. “I really like that!”
Prophecy reveals the intentionality of what is taking place in the inner working of God’s heart and mind.
These insights shift our perspective in regards to how He feels, how He sees you, How He see others and the situations and circumstance that we face in everyday life.
Prophecy speaks to the hidden treasure that resides within every person, for the purpose to unpack the spiritual gifts, talents, purpose and destiny of a believer.
As it is written, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7). We are miners with the tools to mine the hidden treasure that lies within every person.
Prophecy can speak directly into a situation that brings clarity, direction as well as divine wisdom. The wisdom of God is the ability to know what to do in a particular situation, as well as to know how to move forward with that which God reveals to you.
Prophecy is the supernatural ability to awaken the hearts of the people into their true God given purpose and identity. This is the power that renews hope with the courage to change a person’s much-needed course of direction.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Hebrews 4:12, tells us that the Word of God is alive and active. When spoken in love, can heal the broken hearted, break the power of deception, open prison doors and set the captives free.
It effectively breaks the chains of bondage and releases resurrection life into dead places and brings light in places where there is darkness.
Prophecy has the inherent ability to impart the divine nature of God – such as His peace, love and joy, “Whereby He has given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these, you might be partakes of His divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).
AND… when you get in close proximity of the anointing, especially those that are fluent in prophecy will cause you too, to prophesy. This is what happened to King Saul who met a company of prophets, “And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Him and he prophesied” (1 Samuel 10:10).
Prophecy is a builder. It builds people up by the fragrance of His love. The heart of prophecy can be heard in Jeremiah 31:3-4,
“…I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness, I will build you up again, and you shall be rebuilt. “
Prophecy not only connects us with our Creator, but with one another. When you prophecy to someone, a connection is made between you and them. From this, we can cultivate a prophetic community for life giving fellowship.
Time to activate and participate. See activation “Prophesying Using Scripture” in your training manual. Here you will find three fun activations that will bless you.
Homework Assignment: See the activation exercise called “Discovery” in the section “Prophesying Using Scripture” in your training manual.
In His heart Roy Roden