“It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” Proverbs 25:2 (ESV)
There is so much tension, confusion and division today around the role of prophecy! But just because there are challenges, we are not to throw it out. In fact, I unequivocally say yes, prophecy is absolutely needed in this hour!
Though Paul said he would have us all speaking in tongues, but even more that we should all prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:5)! We are told to earnestly desire spiritual gifts but especially prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1). We definitely need the gifts of the Holy Spirit in this hour, especially prophecy! Is your church equipping you to hear His voice, and to operate in the other gifts of the Holy Spirit?
I just wonder if we have made prophecy too mystical! I suppose that is why Paul said we are not to despise prophecy. He told us to test it not simply reject it (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). Paul said elsewhere that prophecy is all about encouragement, comfort and bringing strength to others (1 Corinthians 14:3). Boy, is that needed in the body at this hour! And we all can do that!
Jesus said that His sheep will hear His voice (John 10:27). Are you being equipped to hear the Master’s voice? Jesus didn’t say, His prophets hear His voice and the sheep must hear His heart through them only! No, He said His sheep will hear Him directly and personally! Every believer should hear Jesus’ voice and to speak prophetically. If you are not being trained in this, you are being severely held back!
We are told that God does nothing, meaning NOTHING, without first sharing it with His servants, the prophets (Amos 3:7). God wants us all to be prophetic! His children are meant to be a prophetic people!
We have this beautiful friendship with God. Jesus told us that He no longer considers us servants, but His friends (John 15:15)! Like all friendships, we must grow with each other and continue to learn to communicate more effectively. God wants us to continually grow in hearing His voice. In one season He may speak one way, then in another season speak to you in a very different way. We are meant to press into God, to seek Him until we find Him, and then keep seeking Him! God is always communicating, but we need to dig for it, to wait on Him, to seek! It is the glory of kings is to search matters out (Proverbs 25:2). We are the king’s kids!
Btw, there is a difference between being a prophet and being a prophetic people. The church is meant to be prophetic, but not all of us are prophets. Yes, prophecy is necessary for the church in this hour. Like all the five-fold ministries (Ephesians 4:11-13), the prophet’s role is to equip the body of Christ in hearing the Lord’s voice and to become a prophetic people.
Prophecy not only reveals the Lord’s voice and heart, it also exposes where the enemy is operating. It’s no wonder that the prophetic is so highly attacked, especially by the religious! Queen Jezebel was highly focused on taking out all the true prophets. The reason for that was, prophets exposed what she was really about. Prophets still do this today, and are attacked by the same evil spirit that was behind Queen Jezebel so many years ago! We need the prophetic to identify where this is operating in the church today!
Ask God to open your ears to hear His voice so that you can follow Him better (John 10:27). Ask Him for the Spirit of wisdom and REVELATION so that you can know Him better (Ephesians 1:17). Ask Him to equip you as a prophetic person. Repent if you have ever mocked or despised prophecy. Ask Him to restore it in you. Ask Him to fill your words as you speak encouragement, comfort and strengthen to others. Ask Him to do the same in your pastor, and for your church to become a place that better equips Jesus’ sheep to hear His voice! Ask God to stir and increase prophecy across our city!!!
