The Different ‘Realms’ Of Prophecy!
Just because someone prophesy’s, does not make him or her a prophet! Too many people are deceived into believing that if someone is able to prophecy that this immediately qualifies them to operate in the ‘Office of the Prophet’ – this is simply just not true! In this teaching we will seek to establish from His Word the different realms of the prophetic as well as distinguish the different levels of prophetic expression.
Communication in the spirit cannot be attained without the partnership of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is a Prophetic Spirit. In the Old Testament when the English word used in relation to God’s Spirit – often described as the wind, or breath of God – is the Hebrew word ‘ruach’. When this word is used in reference to God’s Spirit, it means an inspiring, ecstatic state of prophecy, war-like energy, an unaccountable impulse and administrative power. In essence, divine communication, illumination and divine inspiration is the work of the prophetic Spirit and, therefore, is prophetic in nature.
There are three levels of the prophetic:
- The Prophetic Spirit
- The gift of prophecy
- The office of the prophet
All three of these levels operate from the Holy Spirit’s working through a person. Every believer who is saved and has the Holy Spirit can now operate in the first level of the prophetic. God has always desired all His people to have access to divine communication with Him by His Spirit. The Old Testament prophet was established only because the people did not want to hear God’s voice for themselves. They wanted somebody else to hear from God concerning their lives.
Exodus 20:19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
Their spirits were no longer compatible with God’s Spirit to hear Him because sin had led to a destructive fear in their lives. They feared God’s voice. There could be no spiritual communion and, as a result, no personal illumination. As a result of sin that had entered man’s make up, God’s voice had become unclear. God established the order of the Prophet to speak to man on His behalf. This was never the perfect order.
1. The Spirit Of Prophecy.
Numbers 11:25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and
spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on
the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they
prophesied. But they did not continue doing it. (ESV)As a result of the Holy Spirit’s influence, Moses leaders had the ability to discover hidden things, to settle difficult things and operate in the wisdom of God. When Joshua wanted Moses to stop the people from prophesying, Moses expressed God’s desire as he envisioned a nation of prophets.
Numbers 11:27–29 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” (ESV)
Even enemies prophesy when the Spirit comes upon them. The Holy Spirit is a prophetic Spirit.
1 Samuel 19:20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul and they also prophesied.
In Numbers 11: 25 we see that they only prophesied once. Therefore, one cannot conclude that they had the gift of prophecy, or even functioned in the office of a prophet. But what we can conclude is that they had the prophetic Spirit. When the Spirit of prophecy is present i.e. the Holy Spirit, people who don’t normally prophesy may do so. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, prophesying was a task that could not be avoided.
Amos 3:8 A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?
Another prophet who expressed God’s heart to have a nation of people who would enter into divine communication with Him, was Joel. Peter saw Joel’s prediction in Joel 2:28-29 being fulfilled by the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2.
Acts 2:1–4 2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (ESV)
This was not only for the disciples of that time as has been erroneously supposed by many so called self appointed ‘heretic hunters.’
Acts 2:39 The promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.
Peter, defending those operating under the Spirit’s power, declared them not drunk as was ‘supposed’ by their accusers and those ‘perplexed’, makes mention of Joels prediction as being fulfilled!
Acts 2:14–18 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. (ESV)
His reference to ‘Upon all flesh‘ referred to every category of person who would repent, not to every individual. The Holy Spirit would no longer be confined to only a few individuals, as He was in the Old Testament. He would become available to every believer in Christ, regardless of age, status or gender. The prophetic would no longer be relegated to a few, but would become available to all.
Now all, by the Spirit, can communicate with God and speak forth the mind and councils of God under divine inspiration. This does not mean that someone is a prophet just because they prophesy, or even that they are exercising the gift of prophecy.
Rev 19:10And I fell at his feet to worship Him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”.
1 Cor 14:31 For you can all prophecy one by one, that all may learn and be encouraged.
2. The Gift Of Prophecy
1 Cor 14:1 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
‘Desire’ means To be zealous for, to burn with desire, to pursue ardently and to desire eagerly or intensely.
1 Thes 5:19-20 Do not quench the spirit. Do not despise prophecies.
‘To Despise’ means to set at nought, be in contempt, to make of no account, to despise utterly. We are encouraged to passionately seek the gifts of the Spirit, but above all that we may prophesy. The gift of prophecy is the second level of the prophetic (and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; 1 Corinthians 12:10)
To fully understand the gifts of the Spirit, we must study 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, 13 and 14 together. If we do not, there is a serious danger of taking what Paul is saying out of context as many have done throughout the ages. When Paul wrote this letter there was tremendous abuse, confusion and misunderstanding in the church, very much like today. His desire was for the church not to remain ignorant concerning the expression of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Paul responds to this problem by writing about the need for varied and multiple manifestations of the Spirit in Chapter 12. In Chapter 13 he writes about the need for loving and unselfish motives in these manifestations. He reveals the qualifying factor for the exercise of these gifts, testing the spirits to ensure that those who operate in the gifts are pursuing love. In chapter 14 he expresses the need for self-control and for maintaining an orderly and edifying expression of the gifts in the corporate services.
Paul’s conclusion on this matter is revealed to us in 1 Cor 14:38-40. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
It is unfortunate that most of the church has only focused on the “decently and in order” portion of this scripture. God also tells us to let “all” things be done. Some scholars would like to suggest that there is no such thing as the gift of prophecy. This occurs because chapter 13 is taken out of context and one scripture is used to support this view. 1 Cor 13:10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
Human opinion and presumption would reason that this reference of scripture refers to the closure of the canon of the Scriptures. Its completion at the end of the first century, they reason, signals an end to the continuing operation of the very powers it describes. On the contrary, the Word instructs us to welcome the Holy Spirit’s gifts and ministries in our lives, to touch a needy world through the Word preached and the Word confirmed. There is no reason to believe that this verse, or chapter, is declaring that the demise of the gifts of the Spirit is Paul’s intention.
He is merely drawing the contrast between love (the qualifying factor) and the gifts. Love is complete, eternal, and never fails. Gifts on the other hand are partial, temporal, and can fail. (Not because of any imperfection on the Holy Spirits part, but rather as a result of the imperfection of the person who exercises them.) The purpose for the gift of prophecy is made very clear.
1 Cor 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
3. The Office Of The Prophet.
1 Cor 12:38 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
Prophets, Thayer’s definition: 1 - In Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things. 2 - One who, moved by the Spirit of God as His spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation. (strongs – a foreteller.)
The prophetic ministry functions best in the local church when both Pastors and the people in the congregation have a unified view and understanding of the prophetic and how it should operate. If there is any ministry in the Body that needs to be taught to the people of God, it is the prophetic ministry. It can be a powerful tool for good and blessing in the Body, but also one of potential danger at the some time. A scalpel in the hand of the unruly can cut or maim, but the same scalpel in the hand of a surgeon can operate and heal. So the prophetic has great potential for building or destroying, depending on the skill, training, equipping and motivation of the one prophesying. We must learn to value the gift of the office of the prophet. We usually don’t value something because we don’t understand its purpose or positioning, and what we don’t understand we either ignore or abuse.
The office of the prophet carried the greatest anointing, authority and responsibility in the realm of the prophetic. A prophet has a stronger utterance and has the grace to go beyond the realm of edification, exhortation and comfort. This office is a gift extension of Christ Himself as the Prophet. The office of the prophet is anointed and authorized to operate in a higher realm than the one who is endowed with the Holy Spirit’s gift of prophesy and operates on the level of the prophetic Spirit. Because the prophetic ministry is often very dramatic, there is also a tendency in the Body of Christ to exalt this gift above the other ministries of Ephesians 4. This is a critical error. All these gifts are needed to bring truth, power, balance, equipping and maturity!
The Ministry anointing of this office may differ from prophet to prophet, in the actual administration of the gift; some prophets are stronger in certain areas than others. John the Baptist did no miracles and yet was considered great. Elijah and Elisha raised the dead. Daniel was strong in the area of visions and dreams. Ezekiel was a visionary prophet. They had different administrations. Some were stronger on deliverance, others in the area of discernment.
Prophets prophesy in a different realm from the spirit of prophecy, or the gift of prophecy. They prophesy with more: Authority – Revelation – Direction – Impartation and Activation! Utterances that come forth are charged with the power and anointing of God.
1) Authority
Jer 1:10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdom, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.
The prophets administration of authority has a dual purpose. For the destruction of satan’s kingdom (root out, out, pull down, destroy, throw down). There will be a love and compassion for people, but an intense hatred and intolerance for satan and his activities. For the establishing of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God (to build up and to plant).
Twice as much emphasis is given to destroying the kingdom of darkness as to building up the Kingdom of God. Prophets who administer authority in this realm are often misunderstood because they really love to fight. They will often find themselves being thrown into direct conflict with the powers of darkness. Prophets are often confrontational and provocative. This prophetic anointing is a spiritual weapon in the hand of the Lord. Prophets will often carry a strong deliverance anointing, setting people, cities and nations free by prophetic utterances. There have been many occasions while in prayer and fasting when God took me into the Spirit and caused me to deal with the satanic activity working against the people of a specific nation, city, region or household.
2. Revelation
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
‘Reveals’ means to uncover, reveal, open, lay bare, strip away, disclose, unveil – this word in its present reference has to do with the Lord revealing His secret plans to the prophets. As a result of greater revelation, the prophet will often find himself in greater realms of struggle.
Heb 10:32-33 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;
‘Spectacle’ – Theatritzo: To bring on a stage …
This verse suggests that once you access revelation, you are put on a stage and people watch you as spectators, not participators. They bring reproaches, which means ‘to speak vulgarities of’ and if that is not bad enough, tribulations also come ie. life comes against you to such an extent that it seems as if it is something from a fairy tale novel. We endure because we submit to the revelation, and not the circumstances. Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law. (Proverbs 29:18)
3. Direction
2 Kings 6:8–12 8 Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice. 11 And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” (ESV)
There have been many times where leaders would have made serious mistakes or even given up had they not received me into their midst as a ‘grace gift’ in the office of the prophet. Had the ‘Prophet’ not been present to grant a ‘directive’ word calamity might not have been averted! I have often seen the plans of the enemy for a President of a Nation, City, Church leader, believer and even my own children – if they listen they are spared, if not, destruction is often the sad result.
4. Impartation
1 Tim 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Prophets can impart great blessings to the church, causing people’s relationship with God to prosper. Also families’ health, social life and even finances can prosper within the congregation if the office of the prophet is celebrated as opposed to being merely tolerated.
2 Chron 20:20b … Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed. (ESV)
Prophets have the ability, as do the other grace gifts, to impart spiritual gifts and anointings to people. This can take place via prophetic utterances, and or, by the laying on of hands.
5. Activation
Eze 37:9-10 Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the lord God: “Come from the four winds, 0 breath, and breathe on these slain that they may live.” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Prophets have the power to activate individuals, ministries and even nations into the will of God for the hour! Even the dead may be raised by the power of the words of a Prophet when the gift is understood, received and accepted. God is raising up true prophets around the world as well as in South Africa – Go God!!
In His love,
Marc
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