Lesson 5.SPIRITUAL GIFTS
PRACTICAL TESTING OF PROPHECY
Illus.: Prophecy “Jesus will come at 7 am “! Proved wrong by Matt 24:36
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?KJV
(1) NOT THE SAME GIFTS AS SPIRITISM
1 Cor 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
1 Cor 12:2 ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
1 Cor 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (KJV)
(i) JESUS is shown as Lord. Gift points to Him and not user.
C.f. Simon Magus magnified self
Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: (KJV)
GOD WANTS TO BRING US TO HIMSELF NOT THE PROPHET
Exodus 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. KJV
GO TO GOD DIRECT AND NOT JUST THROUGH A PROPHET.
(ii) Come in different ways to different people.
Different jobs: Gk = DIAKONIA = forms of service
1 Cor 12:5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. (NIV)
Different ways of working (Bill v Ernie) Gk = ENERGEEMA = WHAT IS WROUGHT
1 Cor 12:6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. (NIV)
All have same good result in view: Gk SUMPHERO = collect together for good
1 Cor 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
(iii) DANGER of reducing them to a pattern and copying somebody else
Illus.: Patients in mental home in Swansea: We like you better than the Vicar: you are more like one of us
. Peter asked Jesus about John by lake: DO NOT MIS APPLY WORD!
John 21:21 Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" 22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
IV. These
spiritual gifts, though proceeding from the same Spirit, are yet various. They
have one author and original, but are themselves of various kinds. A free cause
may produce variety of effects; and the same giver may bestow various gifts, v.
4. There are diversities of gifts, such as revelations, tongues, prophecy,
interpretations of tongues; but the same Spirit. There are differences of
administrations, or different offices, and officers to discharge them,
different ordinances and institutions (see v. 28-30), but the same Lord, who
appointed all, v. 6. There are diversities of operations, or miraculous powers,
called energemata dynameon (v. 10), as here energemata, but it is the same God
that worketh all in all. There are various gifts, administrations, and
operations, but all proceed from one God, one Lord, one Spirit; that is, from
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the spring and origin of all spiritual blessings
and bequests: all issue from the same fountain; all have the same author.(from
Matthew Henry's Commentary)THERE IS NO MULTIPLICITY OF SPIRITS SUCH AS IN SATAN'S
KINGDOM
2. SEVERAL MEANS BY WHICH WORD OF GOD MAY COME:
(A) DREAMS A state of mind in which images, thoughts, and impressions passthrough the mind of a person who is sleeping.
Dreams have had a prominent place in the religious literature of ancient peoples. Illus.: Man walked out during sermon:Wife he often walks in his sleep
(i) In ancient times, dreams-- especially those of kings and priests-- were thought to convey messages from God
Num. 12:6; And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
Gen. 31:10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.
11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. (KJV)
In the Bible these were sometimes prophetic in nature.
PROPHETS were called "seers" Heb.= Chozeh
1 Sam 9:9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) (KJV)
THERE IS A GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PROPHET AND A PREACHER (Heb QUOLEH like Solomon who declared God's wisdom Eccles.1.1 or TEACHER = didasko in NT)
PREACHERS AND TEACHERS comment on God's revealed word, while the prophet allows it to flow forth from divine revelation. The TEACHER HAS TO STUDY BEFOREHAND, where the genuine prophecy may come SUDDENLY when the mind is on something else or even inactive in a dream state.
Elihu stated clearly his belief that God speaks through dreams
Job 33:14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; (KJV)
In a dream God warned Abimelech, the king of Gerar, not to touch Sarah, because she was Abraham's wife. (Gen 20:3) WAIT ON GOD TO FULFIL HIS WORD
The Lord spoke to Jacob in a dream in which He renewed the COVENANT and assured Jacob of His protection and presence. (Gen 31:11, 32:24)
IF FALSE PROPHECY GIVEN TO YOU:
(A) REFUSE IT IF FROM INDIVIDUAL WHO IS TRYING TO CONTROL YOU
(B) IF FROM PASTOR, put a wall round you to protect you and say “I will pray about it”, rather than attack prophet publicly.
(C) BREAK WITCHCRAFT POWER lying behind false words given to you.
Two special cycles of dreams in which expert interpretation was
involved occur in the Old Testament.
(i) JOSEPH. Gen 38-40. WAITED YEARS AS GOD TESTED AND HUMBLED HIM.
The first cycle related to Joseph Gen. 40:5-19 OR his officers.
Genesis 40:5-19 PP4. IV. The dreams themselves, and the interpretation of them. That which troubled these prisoners was that being confined they could not have recourse to the diviners of Egypt who pretended to interpret dreams: There is no interpreter here in the prison, v. 8. Note,
Gen. 40:8; And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you. (KJV)
Gen 41:15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. (KJV)
There are interpreters which those that are in prison and sorrow should wish to have with them, to instruct them in the meaning and design of Providence (Elihu alludes to such, when he says, If there be an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness,
Job 33:23-24 Elihu attaches this ministry to dreams being interpreted
INTERPRETATION CAN BRING RELEASE AND HEALING IF ACCOMPANIED BY PRAYER TO GOD
Job 33:15-in dreams, in visions of the night when deep sleep falls on men as they lie on their beds.
16 He opens their ears in times like that and gives them wisdom and instruction,
17 causing them to change their minds, and keeping them from pride, and warning them of the penalties of sin, and keeping them from falling into some trap.
19 "Or God sends sickness and pain, even though no bone is broken,
20 so that a man loses all taste and appetite for food and doesn't care for even the daintiest dessert.21 He becomes thin, mere skin and bones,22 and draws near to death.
23 "But if a messenger from heaven is there to intercede for him as a friend, to show him what is right, then God pities him and says, 'Set him free. Do not make him die, for I have found a substitute.'25 Then his body will become as healthy as a child's, firm and youthful again.
26 And when he prays to God, God will hear and answer and receive him with joy, and return him to his duties.27 And he will declare to his friends, 'I sinned, but God let me go.
28 He did not let me die. I will go on living in the realm of light.'29 "Yes, God often does these things for man--30 brings back his soul from the pit, so that he may live in the light of the living.(The LivingBible)
, interpreters to guide their consciences, not to satisfy their curiosity.
Joseph hereupon directed them which way to look: Do not interpretations belong to God? He means the God whom he worshipped, to the knowledge of whom he endeavours hereby to lead them.
Note, It is God's prerogative to foretell things to come,
Isa. 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (KJV)
He must therefore have the praise of all the
gifts of foresight which men have, ordinary or extraordinary. Joseph premises a
caveat against his own praise, and is careful to transmit the glory to God, as
Daniel, <Gen 2:30>. Joseph suggests, "If interpretations belong to
God, he is a free agent, and may communicate the power to whom he pleases,(from
Matthew Henry's Commentary)
(ii) DANIEL
The second cycle involved Daniel <Dan. 2:14-45>, with the dreams coming to Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
Daniel DANIEL ROSE ABOVE SPIRITISM OF HIS DAY.
Dan. 2:20- Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. (KJV)
Daniel 2:14-23 PP14 [3.] he gives him the glory of this particular discovery. He praises him, First, For that he could make such a discovery (v. 22): He reveals the deep and secret things which are hidden from the eyes of all living. It was he that revealed to man what is true wisdom when none else could <Job 27:27-28>; it is he that reveals things to come to his servants and prophets. He does himself perfectly discern and distinguish that which is most closely and most industriously concealed, for he will bring into judgement every secret thing; the truth will be evident in the great day. He knows what is in the darkness, and what is done in the darkness, for that hides not from him,
Ps. 139:11If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (KJV)
>. The light dwells with him, and he dwells in the light
1 Tim. 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. (KJV)
DANIEL USED SCRIPTURE.
Daniel 9:2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
What was hidden from the celebrated Chaldeans, who made the interpreting of dreams their profession, is revealed to Daniel, a captive-Jew, a babe, much their junior. God would hereby put honour upon the Spirit of prophecy just when he was putting contempt upon the spirit of divination. Was Daniel thus thankful to God for making known that to him which was the saving of the lives of him and his fellows? Much more reason have we to be thankful to him for making known to us the great salvation of the soul, to us and not to the world, to us and not to the wise and prudent.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary)
THIS SHOWS SUPERIORITY OF HOLY SPIRIT v. THE OCCULT
HOW DO WE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
FALSE STATEMENTS ABOUT PROPHECY:
(A) True prophecy always” confirms what is in your heart.” BUT Ahab heard lie from 400 false prophets when he wanted victory 1 Kings 22) v true prophet Micaiah. Peter refused word from Jesus, he would deny Him. Lk 22:61
(B)If not sure about a word, put it on shelf.if it is PLAN of God, it will come to pass.
IF from wrong source, POLLUTION & DEFILEMENT WILL STILL SET IN.False prophecies WILL HINDER US
Cf Bill Hamonnd prophecy of bioble school by early September in Annalong: God will use you and your staff!
TEST ALL PROPHECY
1 Thessalonians 5:20-23
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
KJV
(A) by WRITTEN WORD = Daniel knew from Jeremiah prophecy.Daniel 9:2
Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.KJV
(b) WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT. Witness of peace in our hearts, not just accuracy.
Philippians 4:7 And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.
TEV
EAXMPLE: WEDDING BELLS AT END OF YEAR, but married to somebody else. Human emotions had got into prophecy.
PROPHETS ESPECIALLY OFTEN HAD DREAMS FROM GOD
In the Old Testament dreams were frequently associated with the Hebrew prophets
Deut. 13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, (HEB.= CHALAM= BECOME PLUMP & HEALTHY WITHOUT NOISE = TO DREAM...Vine)
2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
(KJV)
Jer. 23:25 I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. (Heb = CHALAM
26 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;
27 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.
28 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.
29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
32 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. (KJV)
. But dreams, with their proposed prophecies, were not accepted uncritically. The false prophet and his prophecy had to be recognized and rejected. Jeremiah, especially, denounced the prophets who spoke with lies. In N.T. we are told also to judge prophetic utterances by being in the Spirit ourselves
1 Cor 14:29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. (KJV)
In the New Testament, God appeared to Joseph in a dream after His
announcement of the forthcoming birth of Jesus <Matt. 1:20>. God also
spoke through these dreams to protect the infant Jesus <Matt.2:13-14>.
(B) ) VISIONS
Experiences similar to dreams through which supernatural insight or awareness is given by revelation. But the difference between a dream and a vision is that dreams occur only during sleep, while visions can happen while a person is awake
Dan. 10:7. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
In the Bible, people who had visions were filled with a special
consciousness of God. The most noteworthy examples in the Old Testament of recipients of visions are Ezekiel and Daniel.
Visions in the New Testament are most prominent in the Gospel of Luke, the Book
of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
The purpose of visions was to give guidance and direction to God's servants
Illustration : PAUL’s VISION OF CHRIST.
Acts 9:3-8
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
KJV
(i) Daniel's vision, for example, told of the coming of the Messiah
Dan 8:1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. (KJV)
(ii) Paul had several visions of Christ, to help him fulfil his mission in N.T.
Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (KJV)
Acts 22:17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. )
Acts 18:9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
2 Cor 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
(3) PICTURES in vision or the mind.
c.f. Structure of the Book. Zephaniah contains only three short chapters, but these chapters are filled with some of the most vivid pictures.
Cf Angels appear and tell about Jesus’ birth. Prophecy centers on Jesus! Rev 19:10
Luke 2:8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them,"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
NKJV
(4) WORD of God through prophecy.
1 Samuel 9:9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: "Come, let us go to the seer"; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.) NKJV
Gives you first words & rest follow. BIBLE WORDS for prophet & prophecy convey this:
A. Verb.
naba' ^5012^, "to prophesy." This word appears in all periods of the Hebrew language. It seems to be related to the ancient Akkadian word nabu, which in its passive form means "to be called."
Ezek. 37:10>. "To prophesy" was a task that the prophet could not avoid: "The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?" <Amos 3:8
. While the formula "The word of the Lord came [to the prophet]" is used literally hundreds of times in the Old Testament, there is no real indication as to the manner in which it came-- whether it came through the thought-processes, through a vision, or in some other way.
. Music is sometimes spoken of as a means of prophesying, as in <1 Chr. 25:1-3>.
nabi' ^5030^, "prophet." The word has a possible cognate in Akkadian. It occurs about 309 times in biblical Hebrew and in all periods.
Nabi' represents "prophet," whether a true or false prophet (cf. <Deut. 13:1-5>). True prophets were mouthpieces of the true God.
In <1 Chr. 29:29> three words are used for "prophet":
"Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the Book of Samuel the Seer [ro'eh] and in the Book of Nathan the Prophet [nabi'], and in the Book of Gad the Seer [chozeh]."
(1) ROEH= SEER
1 Sam 9:9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet (NABI) was beforetime called a Seer.= CHOEH(KJV)
(2) NABI= a prophet
The second occurrence of nabi' establishes its meaning: "And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet" <Exod. 7:1>. The background of this statement is <Exod. 4:10-16>, where Moses argued his inability to speak clearly. Hence, he could not go before Pharaoh as God's spokesman. It is clear that the word "prophet" is equal to one who speaks for another, or his mouth.
This word has a feminine form, "prophetess" (nebi'ah), which appears 6 times. In <Exod. 15:20> Miriam is called a "prophetess." Isaiah's wife, too, is called a "prophetess" <Isa. 8:3>. This usage may be related to the meaning "a companion and or follower of a prophet."
(3) CHOEH = SEER (1 Sam 9:9)
This study shows us the DEFINITION OF A PROPHET
A person who spoke for God and who communicated God's message
courageously to God's Chosen People-- the nation of Israel.
(i) The Prophet's Call.
A prophet received his call or appointment directly from God.
Some prophets, like Jeremiah or John the Baptist, were called before birth and had prophetic people for parents
Jer. 1:5; Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (KJV)
Luke 1:13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
, but their privilege was not a birthright. Their authority came from God alone call was a call to liberty and freedom to be oneself
It enabled the prophet to be unaffected by human bias and criticism.
The call of the prophet required that he not be intimidated or threatened by his audience Jer. 1:7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
Ezek. 2:6.And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
(ii) METHODS.
A prophet sometimes became quite dramatic and acted out his message.
c.f. Some TORONTO manifestations like roaring ?
Isaiah went naked and barefoot for three years <Is. 20:2-3>.
Ezekiel lay on left side for 390 days & on his right side for 40 more <Ezek. 4:1-8>.
Zechariah broke two staffs <Zech. 11:7-14>.
Making themselves a spectacle, prophets not only aroused curiosity but also invited the scorn of their peers
Jer. 11:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:
FALSE PROPHETS GO TO WEAK AND OFFENDED PEOPLE SEPARATED FROM THE FLOCK and they will attract FALSE PROPHETS
Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.KJV
ONCE OFFENDED, WE BECOME OPEN TO FALSE PROPHECY. NEED TO KEEP FORGIVING. In order to DISCERN TRUE PROPHECY FROM FALSE PROPHECY.
TRUE PROPHET WILL DRAW MEN INTO FORGIVENESS AND SEEKING GOD.
YOU NEED TO KEEP IN THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH.
2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.KJV
FALSE PROPHETS HAVE OWN AGENDA. God’s prophets have his AGENDA and TRUTH at heart. SEEK GOD’s WILL NOT OWN COMFORT.
Cf 1 Kings 13 OLDER PROPHET RECEIVED YOUNG PROPHET and made him eat and drink, contrary to his precise instructions from God.1 Kings 13:21 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee,22 But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.23 And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back.KJV
(iii) QUALITIES of the PROPHET.
Those who prophesy should be known by the fruits of their life
Matt 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 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.
22 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?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV)
(a) Except call, prophets had no qualifications. Often suffered in past.
(b)They appeared from all walks of life and classes of society. They
included sheepherders and farmers like Amos
Amos 7:14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdsman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit:
but also princes like Abraham
Gen. 23:6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. (KJV)
Even women and children became prophets <
1 Sam. 3:19And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. (KJV)
2 Kin. 22:14>. So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. (KJV)
In rare circumstances, God used hesitant or unruly to bear his message. Balaam prophesied <Num. 22:6--24:24> the Lord's message but was actually an enemy of God 2 Pet. 2:15- Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet.
Saul certainly was not in fellowship with God when he prophesied
1 Sam 19:20 And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. 21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. 22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah. 23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?
(ILLUSTRATION; MARY HAS SWALLOWED A COIN. "SEND HER TO THE MINISTER, HE CAN GET MONEY OUT OF ANYBODY
Some prophets prophecy peace for those who give them food & money. You have to PAY TO GET A GOOD PROPHECY!
Micah 3:5 Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.KJV
Other prophets want power, position and popularity.
Cf True prophet Samuel rebuked
ELI & feared God. 1 Sam 3:19-20
(iv ) PERIOD OF THE CALL.
Some prophets were called for a lifetime. But sometimes prophets spoke briefly and no more
Num 11:25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again.(NIV)
In either case, a prophet spoke with the authority of the Holy Spirit and Moses had a vision of all God's people prophesying in His people today !
Num. 11:29; And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!
illustration; child "I behaved well today:did not take collection plate offered me
One trait characterized them all: a faithful proclamation of God's word
and not their own
Ezek. 13:2>.Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT IS GENUINE?
WHAT IS PROPHECIED MUST COME TO PASS, or prophet is false
Deuteronomy 18:21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?22 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.KJV
RESULTS OF PROPHECY MUST BE GOOD & NOT BAD.
Deuteronomy 13:11 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.KJV
Cf BAALAM prophecied coming of Christ accurately, but led to immorality(Num 31:16,25:1-9) out of a covetous heart. (Called soothsayer Josh 13:22)
Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.KJV
He MAY HAVE WALKE DWIETH GOD AT ONE TIME AND FELL. His WAY of life was wrong.
2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; KJV
SOME PROPHETS PROPHESY FOR MONEY.Micah 3:11.Charge?
Jesus' reference to Himself as a prophet
John 12:49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. (KJV)
rests upon this standard of faithfully repeating God's word to man.
They made predictions of future events, but fulfilment was, in fact, the test of a prophet's genuineness
Deut. 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
22 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. (KJV) A prophet's
words were fulfilled within his lifetime or centuries later, they were fulfilled
1 Kin. 13:3;And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out
2 Kin. 23:15Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove. 16. And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words. But regardless of the time of fulfilment, the prophet's message applied to his generation as well as to ours.
.(v) MAIN WORK OF A PROPHET
The main role of the prophet was to bear God's word for the purpose of teaching, reproving, correcting, and training in righteousness AND BUILT ON SCRIPTURE, NOT TAKING AWAY FROM IT/
2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)
Prophets were referred to as
(A) "messengers of the Lord "<
Is. 44:26; That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: (KJV)
Hag. 1:13 Then spake Haggai the Lord's messenger in the Lord's message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD. (KJV)
(B) " servants of God "
Amos 3:7,Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (KJV)
(c) "shepherds"
Zech. 11:4, Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;
7 And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock. (KJV)
Jer. 17:16 As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee. (KJV)
(D) " watchmen "
Is. 62:6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence
Eze 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. (KJV)
There were warnings to those who DISREGARDED GOD:
Jer 11:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand: (KJV)
Jer 11:22 Therefore
thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall
die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine: (KJV)
(5) WORDS may come with anointing without PRIOR THOUGHT in the Mind.
This happened to Samuel:
1 Sam 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
1 Sam 9:16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. (KJV)
(6) AUDIBLE VOICE OF GOD.
Call of Samuel (& Elsie):
1 Sam 3:4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. (KJV)
1 Sam 3:5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. (KJV)
1 Sam 3:6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me.
And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. (KJV)
1 Sam 3:7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. (KJV)
1 Sam 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. (KJV)
1 Sam 3:9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (KJV)
1 Sam 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. (KJV)
1 Sam 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. (KJV)
1 Sam 3:15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. (KJV)
1 Sam 3:16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. (KJV)
1 Sam 3:17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. (KJV)
1 Sam 3:18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. (KJV)
DO NOT FEAR TO SHARE, but operate by faith.
OVERCOME FEAR "I think the Lord is showing" in small groups:
Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (KJV)
(7) PHYSICAL POWER THROUGH THE BODY.
POWER OVER FLAMES: (US Sailor & fire)
Daniel 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. (KJV)
POWER OF GOD and others fled (c.f. Conversion of Saul)
Daniel 10:7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. (KJV)
Daniel 10:10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. (KJV)
Daniel 10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. (KJV)
Daniel 10:14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. (KJV)
BUT THE KNOWING THAT GOD IS PRESENT FALLING UNDER THE POWER COMMON IN BIBLE AND ENABLED RELAXATION AND GOD TO SPEAK INTO SITUATION.
BEWARE OF COPYING ANOTHER'S EXPERIENCE. THE AUTHORITY OF THE PROPHECY DOES NOT LIE IN MANIFESTATIONS
1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (KJV)
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (KJV)
(8) ALL METHODS EXALT JESUS AND ARE FOUND IN SCRIPTURE.
Do not worship those with the Gift
Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (KJV)
(9) IN END TIMES PROPHESY BY CO-OPERATION AND NOT BY COMPETITION
1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.KJV
1 Corinthians 14:29 Two or three who are given God's message should speak, while the others are to judge what they say. 30 But if someone sitting in the meeting receives a message from God, the one who is speaking should stop.
TEV
ALL MAY PROPHESY PROPHETS ARE SPECIALISTS put in Church
Acts 2:17 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 dream18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (KJV)
1 Cor 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but
rather that ye may prophesy. (KJV)
1 Cor 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth
not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: (KJV)
1 Cor 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn,
and all may be comforted. (KJV)
1 Cor 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to
speak with tongues. (KJV)
1 Cor 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets. (KJV)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (KJV)
GOD MOVES IN ORDER AND NOT CONFUSION !
1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (KJV)
Do not let in a competitive spirit !
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (KJV)
THE WELL ANOINTED HOLY GHOST MEETING WILL MOVE FORWARD IN A LOVING PATTERN.
LESSON 5. SPIRITUAL GIFTS
PRACTICAL TESTING OF PROPHECY
1. PROPHECY NOT SAME AS SPIRITISM
(i) Jesus is Lord of Holy Ghost Gift: not user.cf Acts 8
(ii) Different ways to different people, but same good result
(iii) Danger of reducing them to as pattern
2. PERSONAL MEANS BY WHICH WORD MAY COME
(1) Dreams
(i) Kings and priests in ancient times, heard from God
(ii) Sometimes prophetic, which is NOT teaching.
(iii) Special dreams in O.T (a) Joseph. Gen.40. (b) Daniel.Ch.2
(iv) Prophets had dreams, but needed to be JUDGED
(2) VISIONS. gave guidance and direction
(i) Daniel.ch 8. (ii) PAUL had visions for his mission
(iii) Judgement must be used on these also
(3) PICTURES in vision or mind.
Shepherds told of Jesus’ Birth. Luke 2:8-20
`(4) WORD OF GOD through prophecy
. cf Samuel 1 Samuel 9:9
Words used for PROPHET in OT. (1) Roeh (2) Nabi (3) Choeh
(i) Prophet's Call
(ii) Methods
(iii) Qualities (a) Call of God (b) All classes
(iv) Period of Call = Lifetime or temporary
(v) Main work of prophet
(a) Messenger (b) servant (c) Shepherd (d) Watchman
(5) WORD WITHOUT PRIOR THOUGHT
(6) AUDIBLE voice
(7) PHYSICAL POWER
(8) ALL METHODS LEAD TO JESUS
(9) IN END TIME CO_OPERATION NOT COMPETITION