Josho,
I don't have the time right now for a full reply as I'm back from a week's holiday with lots to do. I'm still unpacking from my house move.
Here are a few of my points to chew on:
- I also consider the Bible teaches about OT and NT prophecy and that NT prophecy is alive and well today. Even though many people are alive and well today, there also are many who are alive and unwell. So, be aware that the false and truth can be mixed in some contemporary church expressions of prophecy. That's why the prophetic messages in a church gathering should be 'weighed carefully'.
- Consider the content of 'Prophecy and Prediction'.
- The nature of NT prophecy and the gift of a prophet are best explained in 1 Cor 12-14, especially ch 14. There you'll find that prophecy is preferred to tongues (unless there is interpretation) because of its intelligibility when the church gathers.
- The purpose of NT prophecy is: 'the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort' (1 Cor 14:3 NIV);
- 'Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged (1 Cor 14:29-31 NIV, emphasis added).
- But 1 Cor 12:29 asks: 'Are all prophets?' The Greek construction using the negative me instead of ou expects a 'no' answer. How does that verse synchronise with 1 Cor 14:31 and 'all prophesy'?
- Is OT prophecy always predictive? What is the purpose of OT prophecy? See Jeremiah 35:15.
- As for the 'The Testimony of Jesus' being 'the Spirit of Prophecy', is it really saying that ALL people who have Jesus living in them can prophesy? See 1 Cor 12:29 (NASB): 'All are not prophets, are they?'
Gotta go, on this coolish Brisbane morning. Here in the autumn sub-tropics it was down to 11C overnight but it has warmed to 20 at 9:52 am - with clear skies and lots of sun (not 4 seasons in a day like Melbourne).
Ozzie from Brissy in coldy,
sniffly weather
Ah wow that's quite a bit of a reply for a quick one, haha.
You are right about the mixture today in Churches, and we should not take every word, but we should not despise any prophecy, Christians slip up as you would know, in a world with so many voices, so many noises, an accurate prophet can be hard to find. I don't have a problem if Christians are searching, asking and seeking the Lord for the gift of prophecy. There are also other Christians that have been called to teach, so there will be written materials out there written by real prophets, that may assist people to understand, and that's not really a problem either, I'm sure there are a few Christians out there specifically instructed by God to write a book on prophecy, and other stuff too like healing, living by faith, books on the anointing of the Spirit, how to be Still His presence, the last days, etc. etc. etc. And i think you understand that. As Ephesians 4:11 says "some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and some to be teachers." Of course you are probably also aware some are more than one.
Anyway Prophecy, I believe prophecy is prophecy, it's a supernatural form of seeing or hearing about the future or something being revealed to you through the supernatural, and I believe prediction is different, prediction is just logic, the weather-man has done years of training, they know how to read weather charts and know how to predict where the weather patterns is going to hit, whether it's going to be hot or cold, rain or snow. A prophet, A true prophet, God just tells him, a prophet of Jesus doesn't need to read charts to tell him what's to come, God tells or shows him in whatever way that may be whether it be dream, vision, audible, in the heart, etc. and true prophecy maybe to warn others, encourage others, a call to prayer, etc, etc, but also it's a display of "Jesus's Knowing," and how great He is.
I don't know whether if this is your main concern or what. But what is a problem with some and it's definitely not good, is when you get luke warm Christians or anyone (but no Christian should be involved in this sort of stuff.) seeing what the psychic has to say or medium or whatever, that is consulting with the demonic, and is not good at all, it is dangerous for anybody to get involved in that stuff. But then there is the lesser stuff that creates such a mixture when it comes to prophecy in the Church today, the many voices, too many voices.. I can expand more on that part, but I will leave it for another day.
But we can both agree on Jesus, no matter how a Christian receives it, a prophecy from Jesus is great, in a way it's another display of God's power, and we should not underestimate His ability to prophesy whether it be through a prophet or an angel or direct from the Holy Spirit to you.
Don't be held back from past experiences with prophecy mate. Jesus loves you and He is all powerful. 11c ahhh that's a warm Winter's morning here, hahha.