The Power of Prophecy

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV)

Prophecy is an important gift. It is the main gift God uses to communicate His will, mind and intentions to mankind, and one could go so far as to call it a precursor to the demonstrations of the Spirit and of power. The Bible admonishes us to desire to prophesy, and God would not tell us to desire something that was not good for us, or that we had no ability to do.

Every born-again child of God who has the Spirit of God potentially has the ability to prophesy. Let me clarify: being able to prophesy does not by any means make one a prophet. You can prophesy without being a prophet. Can God speak to you? Then you can prophesy, because to prophesy is simply to speak under divine inspiration; the Greek word suggests a bubbling up of divine words. These words may or may not carry revelation of the future, but they will speak to edification, exhortation and comfort.

This is the operation of the gift of prophecy referred to in 1 Corinthians 14, and it differs from the anointing of a prophet. That operation of prophecy is much stronger, and will always be accompanied by revelation of the future, knowledge of the past and power to effect change in the present.

Before I was anointed to function in the office of a prophet, I prophesied a great deal in my times of prayer and fellowship with the brethren, but never to the degree I have since entering the office of the prophet. It is simply different. Both, however, should serve to edify and bless the people. Any prophecy that does not carry these elements is destructive, and you should be wary of it.

Having said all that, I believe the body of Christ has not fully embraced this gift of God, which is entirely able to transform lives and destinies to the glory of God. Prophecy is the blueprint by which God builds lives and establishes destiny.

Through prophecy God can correct and mend a person's present and secure his future. Every "Thus says the Lord" has in some way altered the fabric of time and of human life; everything God has done came about as a result of His speaking. Prophecy is God speaking, God revealing. Prophecy can heal a multitude of wounds and deliver from the perils of life, and the supernatural is manifested through it. Set aside the errors and abuses of this gift that have taken place. Study the Word, and see how God transformed nations and lives through this gift. Kings were wise enough to seek counsel from the prophets of their time. Prophecy can help you win the battles of life.

God is still speaking. He is moving, and He is certainly still doing great things.