- Rev. Dr. Phillip Phinn

Phillip S. Phinn, Contributor

God desires intimacy with all human beings. From sin arose in the Garden of Eden, human ears and eyes have become dull to hearing and seeing Him respectively. Sin continues to plague the world today, and though God is always speaking, the sensitivity required to be in tune with His voice is lacking.

Being the caring Deity He is, He continues His unique plan; having made some to be "apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors, and teachers." (Ephesians 4 v 11-12).

As outlined in 1 Corinthians 12 v 8-10, "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are diversities of administrations, but the same Lord, and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all." Apostle Paul continues to highlight in the passage the different gifts of the Spirit; prophecy being one of such.

First insight

It should be noted that this Paul we speak of received his first insight that he would be an apostle to the Gentiles, not from Jesus on the road to Damascus, nor from the Holy Spirit, but from a prophetic disciple called Ananias, who prophesied the Word of the Lord and ministered healing to him, at the time God had commanded.

Prophecy also speaks to the hereafter; revelation and illumination given by God regarding the Mind of Christtowards the human race. The gift of prophecy flows from the Holy Spirit, who is otherwise referred to as the Comforter. Jesus also refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth, who "will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16 v 13-14).

Prophecy, therefore, is the Mind of Christ made clear to God's spokesperson on Earth; through the Holy Spirit using the prophet as a vessel, who may deliver God's Logos or Rhema Word to a people, a nation or an individual. What is therefore communicated are God's thoughts and intents to mankind, to give direction in accordance to His Will and Way.

The prophet may not only foretell the events to come but may be used to declare actions God will take. However, whatever is foretold is revealed only in part, as the Spirit may keep hidden a portion that He alone sees fit to do.

Prophet's role

The prophet's role is most important, though taken lightly. God commanded men to write the Holy Ghost-inspired book called the Bible, in which many prophecies have been recorded. For example, Samuel; a prophet, laid his hands on David who at the time was a shepherd boy, and prophesied he would be King to reign over Israel, and it was so manifested, 17 years after the Word was spoken. Elijah also revealed by the gift of prophecy that Elisha, a farmer lad, would become a prophet among his people, and so it was. Elisha, in turn, prophesied that Hazael would be King of Asyria, and it was so. These were all men who knew the voice of God and acted upon what they were told to do. Prophets they have been called, who carry the creative power of God through the spoken word.

It is most important, therefore, that we tarry before rejecting the Word of a prophet or consider it inaccurate, because it does not fit our way of thinking and our style of delivery.

'It is most important,therefore, that we tarry before rejecting the Word of a prophet or consider it inaccurate, because it does not fit our way of thinking and our style of delivery'.