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The Gift of Prophecy

 

Brief overview: One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord’s messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)

 

Why it is important to understand the truth about the gift of prophecy:

In 1 Corinthians 12 we read about several gifts God has given His church to help edify and build it up. Many are surprised to find that the gift of prophecy is one of the gifts mentioned (verse10). Prophecy in the biblical sense is so much more than just predicting the future. It is also having a message from Jesus-bearing His testimony, “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).

 

Why it is important to understand the gift of prophecy in light of the cross:

Ephesians 4:1-13 tells us that after the Cross Jesus gave the church several gifts including the gift of prophecy. Paul knew that just as Jesus and the prophets were not accepted in their time and place that many in his day and our day would reject the idea of someone having the gift of prophecy, so he wrote in1 Thessalonians 5:20,21 “Despise not prophesyings” but rather

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” We know that is sound advice as John has warned us in 1 John 4:1 “because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Please take a look in the further study section on how the Scriptures reveal a true prophet from a false prophet.

Further Study on the Gift of Prophecy

 

What two things identify the remnant church?

And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus. Revelation 12:17 NLT 

What is the testimony of Jesus?

Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.  Revelation 19:10 NLT 

 

What is the purpose of a prophet?

Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7 NLT

How long is this gift to be in the church?

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.  Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT

Was this gift given to men only?

Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. Exodus 15:20 NLT

Will this still happen in the last days?

“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on servants—men and women alike. And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—    blood and fire and columns of smoke.The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives.  Joel 2:28-31 NLT

 

How can one tell the true from the false?

 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.Matthew 7:15-20 NLT

Will what they say come to pass?

So a prophet who predicts peace must show he is right. Only when his predictions come true can we know that he is really from the Lord. Jeremiah28:9 NLT

Do prophets place their own interpretation on Scripture?

Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 2 Peter 1:20 NLT

Will all they say be in harmony with the Scripture?

Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. Isaiah 8:20 NLT

Will they point out sin?

Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israelof their sins! Isaiah 58:1 NLT

Will they edify and counsel?

 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.  A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. 1 Corinthians 14:3- 4 NLT

Will they warn of judgment?

The earth staggers like a drunk. It trembles like a tent in a storm.
It falls and will not rise again, for the guilt of its rebellion is very heavy. Isaiah 24:20 NLT

 

What if we reject a true prophet?                                                                                    

  I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him. I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf.  But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in my name or who speaks in the name of another god must die.’

 “But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?’  If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared.Deuteronomy 18:18-22 NLT

What is God’s assurance to us?

Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.  2 Chronicles 20:20 NLT

 

What are we counseled to do?

 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies,  but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.  1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 NLT