It was a long queue for the prophetic presbytery that day, and I was one of the last waiting to receive a word.  

Most personal prophecies being shared were general words of encouragement—so I was surprised by the clarity and anointing of the message that was delivered to me:

“And the Lord says, ‘Daughter, you have got a very special gift of love and compassion that I need to spread over my Body, and I am going to use you like a spread upon toast, and I am going to spread you richly and warmly over the entire Body…  [You say], Lord I want to be a prophetess, and I want to do all those things”, and the Lord says, I am going to release you into a multi-faceted ministry.”

It was 1992.

Although I recognised God’s call upon my life, I did not know what a ‘prophetess’ was—let alone desire to be one. 20 years ago, I was simply a young mother, with a 2-yr old son and another child on the way, taking a break from a career in accounting. Our ministry involvement at that time was in the area of missions.

However, the personal prophecy I received that day proved to be a panoramic prophetic picture of what God would do in my life over the next two decades and beyond. [1]

Now, when I express my surprise to Father God at being in full-time prophetic ministry, He reminds me that I had at least 20 years notice!

5 Things I have Learned about Prophecies that Relate to the Future

1. Some Prophecies only make sense in Retrospect.

I have often heard it said of a prophecy, “That was spot on!” By this we mean that the prophecy makes sense to the person’s current situation, or in the light of what we know concerning the call of God upon his or her life.

But I have discovered that there may be some prophecies that do not fit within our current framework of understanding.

• A prophetic word may be given to encourage us during a future difficulty or circumstance.
• It may contain revelation—supernatural insights—that will only fully make sense in a future setting.

Consider this word given to Mary the mother of Jesus by Simeon in the temple:
“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:34-35)

The full meaning of this prophecy to Mary was a mystery until after Jesus’ resurrection.

2. Weigh up the Prophecy and Record it for Future Review

Even if we do not fully understand a prophecy, it is still important to weigh it up.[2] Once we have considered the prophetic word carefully and feel comfortable with it, we can keep it recorded and in a place where we can retrieve it and pray over it.

God’s advice to the Prophet Habakkuk was:
“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. (Hab 2:2-3)

I am glad that I kept the audiotape of my prophecy and wrote it out. I have also kept a record of words, visions and dreams God has given to me for other members of my family as well and encourage others to do the same.

3. Remember that a Personal Prophecy may be Conditional

Personal prophecy concerning a future call of God is conditional upon us walking in integrity and waiting for His timing.

The prophetic word that I mentioned above gave additional information about a work that God would do in my life. It spoke of a spiritual battle I would need to overcome, and the need for me to persevere and to stay submitted to leadership.

When I look back I can see several clear crossroads, at which I could have taken a wrong turn. I am grateful for God’s grace that has helped me to stay on track with his call on my life.

4. Be Cautious about using a Prophetic Word for Decision Making

I sometimes come across people who would like to use a prophecy to help make important decisions about their life.

A prophecy should be confirmation, not a primary means of guidance.

So what should we do if we believe a prophecy is confirmation of a direction we believe God wants us to take? Before taking any action, we can submit both the word and our personal guidance to leadership. This accountability is our safety net. [3]

5. Don’t Forget Timing is Involved

Sometimes our sense of timing and God’s can be different. [4] Remember Moses?

I waited nearly 20 years to see the above personal prophecy fulfilled. I did not try to push open any doors—I simply cooperated with God every step of the way. At the significant points of transition, pastors and ministry leaders who recognised God’s call on my life released me into new ministry responsibilities. Today I am privileged to be on the prophetic team at David McCracken Ministries.

Notes:

[1] Prophecies concerning specific ministry (i.e. commissioning prophecies) should be submitted to church oversight. See the following examples in the New Testament: 1 Tim 4:14, Acts 13:1-3. For further information, see the article: Is Personal Prophecy Biblical?

[2] See How to Make the Most of Your Personal Prophecy for more insights about weighing up your prophecy

[3] Following are two important articles on this subject:

Do You Have A Ministry Call?

Personal Guidance For The Important Decisions Of Life

[4] If unfulfilment of a word that you were given in the past has brought discouragement to you, I recommend that you read the following article:

Dealing With Prophetic Disappointment

What have you learned about personal prophecies that relate to the future? Leave a comment in the comments box. If it is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” (Isaiah 42:9)

The New Year is a time when many people eagerly seek prophetic words for the coming year.

Next week I will be sharing an exciting prophetic insight that I have received for next year. However, I would like to preface that today with some keys to help you weigh up prophetic words, and to receive encouragement directly from God for yourself.

Why seek fresh Prophetic Encouragement for the New Year?

The Father’s overall plan for our lives does not change, and we should always be focused on aligning ourselves with His previously revealed will for us. So there should always be a balance between this and seeking new words.

We need to check our motivation for seeking prophetic insights, and we need to check that we are currently on track with His overall purpose for our lives.

However, I do believe that the God who created days, seasons and years, desires to reveal more of His love and purpose for our lives within those time frames.

Biblical prophecies frequently referred to times and seasons. [1]

Following are some thoughts that may assist you as you seek God for encouragement for yourself, your family, church or ministry for the coming year:

Prophetic Words from Global Ministries

This is a time that prophetic voices are sharing what they believe God is saying for 2012. And with the current technology, it has never been easier to receive prophetic words via the Internet.

Recently, I received an email from a prophetic ministry that included a ‘personal’ prophecy for 2012. Even though the email had been sent to many thousands of people, it included a personalised message from God addressed to me by name!

As with all prophecy, we need to carefully weigh up such words. If the message includes is a timely word from God for us, the Holy Spirit will quicken this to our hearts.

It is vital that we discern what response we have to a broadly given prophecy is of the Holy Spirit, and what is based in our own desires.

Here are a few thoughts to help you process a prophecy:

• Remember that the word is a general, not a personal prophecy—and as such, may or may not relate to your situation. We each have our own unique, God-ordained seasons in life.
• If you believe the Spirit is speaking to you personally through a prophetic word, pray about it and weigh it up carefully. [2]
• If a prophecy leads you to take action or change direction, submit the word and your response to oversight. [3]
• Remember that God’s promises are conditional upon you partnering with Him for their fulfilment.

For more thoughts on weighing up prophetic words, check the following posts:

How Do I Know A Personal Prophecy Or Dream Interpretation Is From God?

How Do You Weigh Up What The Prophets Are Saying Pt 2

Receive Your Own Encouraging Insight from God

The best place for you to receive a personal word of encouragement from the Father for the coming year is directly from Him.

God longs to speak to you personally. It is not about having a prophetic gift; hearing from God is based on our relationship with Him. [John 10:4]

For some ideas on how to receive your own personal word for 2012 see the following post:

Are You Seeking a Prophetic Word For The New Year?

May you be filled with a sense of excitement and expectation as you enter 2012. The coming year is one of great possibilities in our life with God!

Notes:

[1] For example:
“This shall be a sign to you: You shall eat this year such as grows of itself, And the second year what springs from the same; Also in the third year sow and reap, Plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.” Isaiah 37:30
See also Jer 25:12; Is 38:5; Is 21:16-17

[2] Journaling is a tool that can assist you in praying about prophetic insights.

How To Activate Your Prophetic Gift Through Prayer Journaling

[3] If you are considering making adjustments in relation to personal guidance from God, I recommend the following article:

Personal Guidance For The Important Decisions Of Life

Related Posts:

4 Things You Don’t Need A Prophetic Word For Concerning 2012

2012: A Year Of Unprecedented Access

Do you have any further thoughts about responding to prophecy, or have you received your own word of encouragement for 2012 that you would like to share? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

 ‘Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.’ (Proverbs 13:12)

You received a personal prophecy—or a prophetic word for your family or for your church.

You believed, you positioned, you prayed, and you waited.

Now it has become evident that the prophetic word will never be fulfilled in the way that you believed it would.

Maybe it is too late for something to eventuate in your life, as a prophecy led you to believe. Maybe someone you cared about became sick, and died contrary to prophetic words that he or she would live and do something more for God. Maybe other people around you, or in leadership over you, have made decisions that have ruled out the possibility that a prophecy will be fulfilled.

Questions now arise:

• Was the prophecy wrong? If so, why did God allow me to believe it and pursue it? What about the person who prophesied—was he or she mistaken?

• Was the prophecy right? If so, what have I, or we, done wrong? What conditions have gone unmet, and what has got in the way of the prophecy’s fulfilment?

• And how do we get past the hurt and the disappointment, the crisis of faith, and indeed the grief, of having a long-term prophetic vision die?

The Problem of Unfulfilled Prophecy

There are varying degrees of difficulty and pain associated with an unfulfilled prophecy. At the lower end of the scale, I have prophecies sitting in my drawer that I now realise will never be fulfilled in the exact way the prophetic minister described it to me. This does not cause me concern, because Father has clearly led me in a different direction.

At the other end of the scale, we have had friends pass away, leaving prophecies unfulfilled, questions unanswered, and pain in our hearts.

Why are Some Prophecies Unfulfilled?

There are many reasons why a prophecy may not be fulfilled. Let’s explore a few of them:

The Prophecy was not Adequately Weighed up

If you are waiting on a prophecy to be fulfilled, then it was most likely a very specific, directive type of prophetic word.

For our protection, these kinds of prophecies should always be submitted to wise oversight and leadership in the church. [1] Without this Biblical safety net, there is a greater possibility of some of the following issues taking place. (1 Cor 14:29, 1 Thess 5:20-22)

Conditions Unmet

Some prophecy, especially that concerning the call of God, is conditional upon us doing our part, obeying God, and allowing the Spirit to deal with us in maturing our character.

I received a prophecy many years ago concerning my future ministry. In the same prophecy, I was exhorted to ‘stay committed, stay submitted.’ I know without doubt that I would not be where I am today if I had not stayed committed and submitted to my church and leadership during testing times.

The Prophecy has Already Fulfilled its Purpose

Sometimes a particular prophecy is the signpost that God uses to get you somewhere else. Instead of the destination you expected, you find that you are positioned for another, higher, God-given purpose.

This may also be an issue of inaccurate delivery of a prophecy. But we also need to understand the nature of prophecy:

Fulfilment of prophecy is not always like hitting a ‘bulls eye’ on a target. It may be more like a river that has twists and turns before reaching the Father’s intended destination.

The Prophecy was Delivered Inaccurately

‘For we know in part and we prophesy in part’ (1 Cor 13:9)

Following are some reasons that a prophecy may have been delivered inaccurately.

• If the person prophesying knows the recipient of the prophecy, it is tempting to deliver the prophecy in the context of what is known currently. This can hamper the purity of a word

• This also goes for prophecies made in church life. We may be receiving a revelation from God, but then we interpret and deliver that word in the light of our church’s current vision or circumstances, which may later change

• The person may have prophesied out of the desires of his or her heart, rather than from a revelation from God

• The person delivering the prophecy may be receiving an incomplete revelation, but then try to express the prophecy in specific terms when it has not been received that way.It is true that there is, on occasion, higher revelation and greater levels of accuracy (indeed we believe and strive for this), but we must also be content—and honest—when this is not the case.

The Prophecy was Interpreted by the Recipient Inaccurately

Maybe the prophecy was not mistakenly given, but there was a miscommunication, and the recipient took the prophecy the wrong way.

Just as the giver of a prophecy can interpret and deliver a word based on known circumstances, a receiver of a prophecy can also interpret a word based on what he or she knows or desires it to be.

Mystery

At the end of the day, we may never understand this side of heaven why a prophecy remained unfulfilled, just as we do not understand why some sick people who are prayed for do not get healed.

In the face of the unknown, we need to trust in the love and sovereignty of our Heavenly Father.

What to do About Prophetic Disappointment

There is a time to hold on to a prophetic word, but we also need to know when to release or shelve a prophecy. The time to release a prophecy is when holding onto it is not bearing good fruit in your life, or in the lives of others around you.

This includes disappointment, disillusionment, division or disunity, dissatisfaction, resentment, bitterness, grief, or any other negative fruit.

If you can relate to this, here are some things that may help in the process:

1. Allow the Prophecy to be Weighed up Again

Prophecy is subject to being weighed up. This does not only relate to assessing a prophecy at the time it is delivered. For our protection, we should also keep our prophetic vision submitted to godly leadership as time goes along.[1]

2. Forgive Whomever you Need to

If an unfulfilled prophecy has left you feeling disappointed or even bitter, it is vital that you forgive anyone that you need to. (Mark 11:25) This may be the giver of the prophecy, yourself, or anyone you perceived stood in the way of its fulfilment.

3. Stop Looking for Unfulfilled Conditions

If you are open to God, and the Holy Spirit is not forthcoming about a condition not being fulfilled, don’t labour over finding one—this may be distracting you from releasing it and moving on with God’s purpose for your life, or that of your family or church. Release it and trust Him to show you anything necessary.

If you can identify a wrong turning in your life, as you repent, the grace of God is released over your life. He will give you a new vision—He is the God of the resurrection.

4. Release Others from Expectations Relating to the Prophecy

Sometimes in our search for unmet conditions, it is tempting to blame other people for hindering the fulfilment of a prophecy. This may include a spouse, family member, vocational boss or leader in a church.

We need to release them completely from expectations and remember that God is sovereign and able to fulfil His plans regardless of their actions. Look at the life of Joseph! (Gen 37-50)

5. Release the Prophecy Completely

You are not being unfaithful to God and His word when you release a prophecy and all expectations associated with it, if holding onto it is not bearing good fruit.

God is able to bring the word to you again if it was truly of Him. He can resurrect the promise in His time.

Sometimes it is helpful to release the prophecy, not only through prayer, but to do something symbolic as well. We need to do whatever it takes to bring closure.

6. Ask, ‘Am I in the Father’s Will Right Now?’

If you know that right now your heart is right with God, then you are on track for His purposes to be fulfilled in your life.

Ultimately, we must trust in the absolute sovereignty of God—not in ourselves, others, or in any prophetic word.

‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.’ (Ps 37:23-24, NKJV)

It is Time to let go

‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?’ (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Is it time to let go of an unfulfilled prophetic word?

• Let go, and you will be released from the place of disappointment and grief
• Let go, and you will be able to receive the new word from God
• Let go, and you will have the joy of discovering the new things Father is doing

Notes:

[1] This can be a leader or pastor in your church, or Christian mentors (safe Christian mentors are themselves under authority). I am aware that many people have experienced unhealthy or even abusive leadership, at some stage of their journey. This must not put us off seeking safe Christian leaders who can speak into our lives.

Related Posts:

Is It Time To Birth Your Prophetic Word In Prayer?

How To Make The Most Of Your Personal Prophecy

Your Prophetic Word and Spiritual Warfare

Do you have any experiences or questions to share on this topic? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

God is not the author of natural disasters, and He is not a remote spectator—rather, He is a God of love who is present with us in our suffering.

This past week we watched in horrified disbelief as the first news reports of Japan’s earthquake and resulting tsunami flashed across our screens.

As New Zealanders, my family is still reeling from news of the devastating Christchurch earthquake.

Some of the questions I muse over as I write today are:

• Why are there natural disasters?
• Where is God in the pain?
• Should we look for prophetic meaning in the earthquakes and natural events?
• Do earthquakes prove that we are in the end times?

Creation in Crisis

‘How could God allow natural disasters? Couldn’t He intervene and prevent the pain?’ My reflections take me back to the very beginning: the book of Genesis.

God created the earth to be perfectly in balance and to sustain life. The Fall that brought separation between humanity and God also affected creation—the earth itself. (Gen 1-2, 3:17)

Genesis reminds me that the imbalance in creation that causes natural disasters was not God’s plan, but the tragic outcome of sin.

In Romans 8, Paul tells me that creation is groaning in bondage, waiting for a future time when it will be set free. The earth is running a course that is parallel—and intrinsically connected to—the salvation of its people.

Turning to the last book in the Bible, I read that God’s plan for restoration climaxes in a new heaven and a new earth, where ‘There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ (Rev 21:1-4)

The reason for delay in the culmination of God’s plan is His mercy—the Father desires to give as many people as possible the opportunity to hear the Good News. (2 Peter 3:9)

I don’t have answers as to why disasters happen. [1] But I do believe that the Bible reveals:

• God is not the author of natural disasters, and He is not a remote spectator—rather, He is a God of love who is present with us in our suffering.

• Having participated in our suffering through Jesus’ death on the cross, He is at work to restore all things—including the earth we live in—to His original purpose.

Seeking Prophetic Meaning In Disasters

Should we look to see if there is any prophetic meaning in the earthquakes and other events that are taking place?

Two perspectives I have come across recently are:

1. Natural disasters are the judgment of God on nations that refuse to repent of sin and
2. Natural disasters are earthly signs of changes that are taking place in the spiritual realm.

Before embracing these, or any other viewpoints, we should ask, ‘What message are we sending out to those who are suffering?’

As a prophetic community, we need to view all insight through the lens of God’s love and mercy. All prophecy must be tested against the message of the Gospel. [2]

We must take the stance of Jesus, who said,

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)

I believe that the most important prophetic insight to do with current events is that of Jesus’ own prophecy.

Are we in the End Times?

In Matthew 24, Jesus Himself prophesies, ‘There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.’ (Matt 24:7-8) [3]

According to Jesus, an increasing number of earthquakes and natural disasters is one sign of the end times. As He continues His discourse, we learn that there are even more tragedies and evil to befall us.

In this catalogue of darkness, Jesus shines a beacon of light:

‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.’ (Matt 24:14)

We cannot know for sure whether or not we are in the end times. (Acts 1:7)

One thing, however, is of primary importance to me:

Regardless of the Biblical era we live in, for our generation, it is the end of time.

This generation—alive on the earth right now—is never going to have another opportunity to learn about the love of God expressed through His Son Jesus.

We have had recent reminders of our vulnerability and our mortality.

Our consuming passion should be that of Jesus. Our vision should be that which the prophet Zephaniah spoke of:

‘The nations on every shore will worship him, every one in its own land.’ Zeph 2:11

The Banquet is Ready

Jesus told a parable about a man who prepared a great banquet. (Luke 14:16-24)

When the time of the banquet arrived, the man sent out his servants to those who had been invited. However many made excuses, saying they could not attend.

He sent out his servants again, this time urging,

‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ (Luke 14:21)

Finally, the servants returned, saying, ‘There is still room.’ The master sent out his servant one last time saying,

‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’ Luke 14:23

Let’s pray earnestly for those who are suffering.

Let’s give extravagantly.

And let’s be a church on fire with an urgency to share the Gospel while we can, wherever we can, to reach whomever we can.

Because for this generation—time is running out.

Notes:

[1] Many people grapple with the question, ‘Why does God allow suffering?’ If you know of some helpful resources on this topic, I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below this post. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

[2] I urge Christians to weigh up what prophetic ministries are saying carefully before embracing and repeating their viewpoints. See my posts:

How To Weigh Up What The Prophets Are Saying Pt 1

How To Weigh Up What The Prophets Are Saying Pt 2

[3] Paul further explains the birth pains of creation in Romans 8:

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Rom 8:22-24

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog http://propheticpeople.com/

Now on team with David McCracken Ministries

Last week I discussed the need to weigh up prophetic ministry in light of the phenomenon of global prophetic ministry via the use of the Internet.

In times past, the only prophetic words that reached us personally were those of visiting prophetic ministries to our church or area. These were ministries known to us, or known to other leaders that we respected.

However, with the advent of the Internet, social media, Google and email lists, the ability to give and receive prophecy has multiplied dramatically.

To test this, I googled “Prophetic Word For 2011” and it came up with 13,500 results!

Language is no longer a barrier. I notice, for example, that people can view my pages in languages such as French and Spanish using a translator.

Of course this is a blessing, because there is now media available to share God’s word worldwide. I have known some prophetic words to go viral—spreading from inbox to inbox.

Many prophetic words that are circulating are filled with grace and have the ability to bless and instruct.

However, some that have crossed my path (or should I say inbox) recently have caused me concern.

I believe that the Bible teaches us to consider prophecy carefully and test whether or not it is from the Lord.

Last week I discussed some guidelines we can use as we weigh up prophetic ministries.

Today I am looking at what to consider when weighing up the content of a prophetic word or message.

Weighing up a Prophetic Word

Someone sends us a prophecy via email, or a link to a prophecy online that he or she is excited about. Before we hit the ‘forward’ button, here are some things to consider about the prophetic word:

A. Does the Word Reveal the Father’s Heart?

Prophesying Natural Disasters and World Events

In Part 1, I mentioned that some abuse of prophetic ministry today arises from ministries adhering to an Old Testament paradigm of prophetic ministry.

The New Testament ushered in an era of God’s mercy. It is an age in which God’s kindness, not His wrath and judgement, leads to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

When Jesus announced His ministry, He quoted that part of Isaiah 61 where it says, ‘He has sent me to proclaim… the day of the Lord’s favour.’ He stopped short of quoting, ‘and the day of vengeance of our God.’ (Luke 4:18, Is 61:1-3)

Jesus Himself said, ‘For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ John 3:17

God’s judgment on the nations is reserved for a future time. (Rom 2:5; Matt 25:31-46) [1] This being the case, what should motivate a prophecy about future events and trials?

Jesus’ Motivation: Prepare and Protect

A prophetic word warning of pending disasters should reveal God’s heart to save and protect.

When Jesus prophesied concerning the devastation coming upon Jerusalem He included the heartfelt cry:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Matt 23:37)

Jesus’ verbally expressed desire was to embrace and save, not to condemn and judge.

In Matthew 24 Jesus warned His disciples of events to come, forecasting the destruction of Jerusalem and the tribulation of end times.

During His discourse, Jesus gave practical advice for protection (Matt 24:15-18), as well as warning signs to watch out for.

He was conveying prophetic revelation of difficult times to come, in order to prepare and protect His people.

A Prophecy that Mobilised the Church to Give

In the book of Acts, Agabus’ prophetic foretelling of a severe famine resulted in mobilisation of resources from the church to relieve those who were suffering. (Acts 11:27-30)

The purpose of Agabus’ prophecy was not to pronounce judgement, and not to authenticate the prophet. Instead, the prophecy prepared the church to express God’s heart towards those affected by the famine. [2]

What if today—instead of prophesying judgement—the church weighed up prophetic words concerning future events and then used those insights to prepare to share the Gospel through extravagant giving and service to those in need?

What if prophetic words, delivered in a spirit of love and concern, helped governments and civil leaders plan for disaster relief?

B. Does it invite consideration—is it open, or closed?

A prophetic word should invite hearers to consider it and weigh up for themselves whether the prophecy is from God.

In the past I had a mistaken belief that prophetic ministries have a ‘hotline to God’ that precludes them from error. I now realise how unscriptural and dangerous this is. [3]

This belief can sometimes be reflected in the language used in a prophecy.

Words of Direction and Correction

All prophecies are subject to testing, and this is especially true of words that give direction or correction.

Even a mature prophetic ministries in the prophetic office should not give directive or corrective words without submitting them in an attitude of humility.

A message that is directional (gives specific guidance) should be framed in an ‘open’ way that gives the recipient room to weigh it up—and if necessary, shelve or even reject the word.

C. Is It Redemptive?

A prophecy should reflect the truth of the Gospel; that God’s desire towards people, His church and the nations is always to restore and redeem.

Jesus used prophetic revelation in His discussion with the woman at the well to point out her sin; however, He did not condemn or judge her. Instead, He showed her truth and grace and led her to faith in Him. (John 4)

Does the prophecy bring with it faith and a sense of expectation? As God says in Jer 29:11,

‘ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”’

D. Is It Biblical?

Most of us know that prophecy should not contradict scripture. However, a prophecy can be Biblical and yet be imbalanced, or take a point out of context.

Prophetic ministry should reflect the whole counsel of scripture; for example, Old Testament truth is balanced and explained by revelation in the New Testament.

E. Is It Empowering?

‘Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.’ Acts 15:32

A prophetic word should empower the church and our individual Christian life. A word that brings conviction, for example, should lead to freedom and to intimacy with God.

Prophecy should be concerned with changing our heart first and our behaviour second. We need to be wary of a performance focus in prophetic ministry.

F. Does it Resonate with the Spirit of God Within Me?

The Apostle John said,

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1 John 2:26-27

A good question to ask about a prophecy that is aimed at us personally is, ‘Where does the prophecy lead me?’ As John said, we can discern a ministry by whether it keeps us in fellowship with Jesus.

I need to be on the alert if a prophecy leads me into fear, condemnation, criticism, or an unhealthy focus on supernatural experiences.

We need to be careful about a sensational word or a word that feeds our sinful nature (greed, need for affirmation, etc). Ask, ‘What in me is responding to the word?’

Finally, unless I am convicted that the word is pertinent and have gone through a process of weighing up the ministry and message, I am very reluctant to pass on a prophetic word, especially by email.

I would love to hear what others think about this topic. To view or contribute to this discussion, leave a comment below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

[1] This is a big subject. I highly recommend Ps Mark Conner’s response to a so-called ‘prophecy’ that fatal bushfires were a result of God’s judgement for sin in Australia. You can find his discussion here:

http://markconner.typepad.com/catch_the_wind/2009/02/are-the-bush-fires-the-judgment-of-god.html

[2] Agabus’ later prophecy concerning Paul’s upcoming arrest allowed both the church and Paul to come to terms with and prepare for what was to come. (Acts 21:10-14)

[3] I warn of a ‘hotline to God’ philosophy that bypasses Godly wisdom and accountability in my book, ‘Prophetic People In A Changing Church.’

See also the following blog post: Not Word Perfect: Understanding How Prophetic Ministry Works In The Church Today

This article should be read in conjunction with Pt 1:

How Do You Weigh Up What The Prophets Are Saying? Pt 1

© Helen Calder   Enliven Publishing Blog   http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/

Now on team with David McCracken Ministries

By nature and gifting, prophetic people tend to place a high value on prophetic words. We desire to know what the Father’s plans are for our lives, as well as what is on His heart for our church, community and nation.

As a result, we are naturally curious about what prophetic voices around the world are saying.

In today’s global community, a prophet may not even visit our nation, let alone our church, and yet still influence us because of the capabilities of the Internet, email, and related media.

I believe it is vital that we exercise wisdom in discerning both the prophetic messages and the ministries that are broadcasting globally.

How do we discern what is of God, from amongst the many voices that claim to be prophetic in the world today?

The Importance of Weighing up Prophetic Ministry

The Bible teaches us that we should weigh up prophecy and prophetic ministries carefully. (1 Thess 5:21, 1 Cor 14:29, 1 John 4:1)

Jesus warned that false prophets would come on the scene and deceive ‘even the elect’ with signs and wonders. (Matt 24:24)

Even though this is the extreme scenario, Jesus’ warning is a reminder that accurate predictions, signs, miracles or spiritual experiences do not of themselves validate a prophetic word or ministry.

John wrote,

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1-2)

‘Many’ means a lot. Even so, we should not draw back in fear, but take Paul’s wise advice:

Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. (1 Thess 5:19-21)

So I believe the key question is not, ’Should we test prophetic ministries’, but ’How do we test them?’

How To Weigh Up a Prophetic Ministry

In the early days of growing in prophetic ministry, I did not exercise care in discerning the prophetic ministry that I received from or associated with.

As a result of being led along a pathway of prophetic independence, my heart, church and ministry suffered. I thank God for the gift of repentance and for the help and leadership He has given me along the way. [1]

Following are some characteristics that I believe are vital to exercising balanced prophetic ministry today.

(Note that I am not referring to testing a prophetic ministry in the context of church life—which is another topic, although many of the following points do apply).

A. Ministering out of a New Testament Paradigm

We can learn a lot from studying the lives and ministry of prophets in the Old Testament. However, there are some crucial differences between Old and New Testament prophetic ministry.

John The Baptist was the last prophet in the Old Testament era.

Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension ushered in a new age; the church was born. From that period on, prophetic ministry is a function of the church body.

Prophetic ministries that model their ministry on an Old Testament paradigm may miss some of the key attributes of New Testament prophetic ministry, such as:

• Being part of the church community (Acts 13:1, 1 Cor 12:27-28)
• Having a primary purpose of equipping, encouraging and strengthening the church (Eph 4:11-13, 1 Cor 14:3, Acts 15:32)
• Prophecy being confirmation, or subject to being confirmed[2]
• Accountability and the need for testing prophetic words (1 Cor 14:29, 1 Thess 5:19-21), and most importantly—
• Revealing the heart of the Father—the grace of God—as seen in Jesus (John 14:9, Rev 19:10b)

Setting aside these characteristics of NT prophetic ministry results in abuses and extremes in the prophetic movement today. [3]

B. Accountability

Jesus commended the Centurion who recognised that the release of God’s power came from being under authority. (Matt 8:5-13)

If I don’t know ministries personally, I look to see to whom they are accountable. Are they reporting to a board or other mature apostolic oversight? Are they connected to a local church?

It is easy for ministries to have the appearance of accountability on their website. However the prophet’s testimony (life journey or ministry stories) may give more insight into whether or not true accountability exists:

• Do they describe the importance that leaders and community have played in their journey, or do they boast of being trained directly by God?
• Do they have accountability in place regarding spiritual insights and experiences, or do they describe supernatural encounters without reference to them being weighed up and tested?

Paul reported to church leaders both in Jerusalem and in his sending church of Antioch (Acts 14:26-28, Acts 15:2, Gal 2:1-2)

If the Apostle Paul, to whom God entrusted direct revelation and who wrote scripture, was accountable to church leaders, shouldn’t we be?

Other glimpses of accountability in the New Testament include:

• In Acts 15:32-35, the prophets Silas and Judas were sent from the church in Jerusalem to the church in Antioch.

• In the New Testament we see less of the individual prophet and more of prophetic teams – e.g. Acts 15:32, Acts 13:1, Acts 11:27, 1 Cor 14:29, 31-32.

• Even Agabus a noted prophet in the New Testament, was part of a prophetic group from the church in Jerusalem. (Acts 11:27)

Demonstration of accountability also reflects an attitude of humility and teachability—two vital attributes in prophetic ministry.

C. Loving the Church

Love for people and for the church is vital in prophetic ministry (1 Cor 13:2).
How does this relate to the many prophetic ministries today who believe they have a mandate from God to address areas of weakness in the church?

Words of Correction

Two prophetic words address weakness or sin in the church. Both have the same insights. Yet one is sourced in the spirit of ‘accuser of the brethren,’ whilst the other is of the Spirit of God and expresses the Father’s heart. How can this be?

Jesus is not ‘soft on sin’ in His church. In His letters to the churches in the book of Revelation, Jesus rebukes and corrects the church (He also gives some of the most powerful promises in the Bible).

The person Jesus chose to receive and convey this prophetic revelation of warning and rebuke was the Apostle John.

John had not only helped build the church, but he also served and loved the church—to the point that he paid the ultimate price of laying down his own life.

Here are some questions to consider the next time you hear a prophetic ministry exposing and rebuking sin in the church:

• Is he or she recognised and received as a builder of the church—or on the contrary, known as someone who consistently tears the church and its leaders down? (1 Cor 14:12, 2 Cor 10:8)
• Does he or she love the church—and how has this love been demonstrated?

C. Questions to Ask

Following are some more questions that may assist in weighing up prophetic ministries (and that we need to look for in ourselves):

1. Do They Exhibit a Godly Lifestyle & Character?

An intimate relationship with God is central to prophetic ministry. However, this is not displayed in the quality of supernatural experiences a person claims to have had.

It is revealed as he or she bears the likeness of Jesus. (Acts 4:13, 2 Cor 3:18). Humility, integrity, faith, grace towards people, honour towards other Christian leaders and a moral lifestyle are all hallmarks of a life lived with God.

2. Who recognises / endorses their ministry?

• Are respected ministries and churches receiving these prophets?
• If they are prophesying concerning nations, do they actually have the ear of governing leaders?
• What do other prophetic ministries say concerning their prophetic insights (1 Cor 14:29)
• And closer to home, would my own church leaders recommend these ministries, or caution against them?

3. What is Their Fruit?

Jesus said, ‘By their fruit you shall know them.’ (Matt 7:15)

• Is their ministry bearing fruit? If so—what? If they are calling for repentance, for example, is the Holy Spirit actually using their ministries to turn people from sin and to Jesus?

4. Are They Exalting Jesus?

Signs, wonders, angels, supernatural experiences or prophetic accuracy may draw people’s attention, but do not validate a prophetic ministry.

• We should always be looking to see whether ministries are making Jesus the focus.
• Is revealing the heart, mind and intention of the Father the primary mandate of this ministry?

I would love to hear what others think about this topic. To view or contribute to this discussion, leave a comment below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

Next week I will share part 2 of this series, including some thoughts about prophetic words that foretell natural disasters and world events.

Notes:

[1] I share my story in my book, ‘Prophetic People In A Changing Church.’ To learn more about my testimony, click on this link for the ‘About’ page. To find out more about the book, visit http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/e-books/prophetic-people-e-book/

[2] In the New Testament Church, all believers have the Spirit of God and can hear God’s word and receive guidance for themselves. Christian leaders have the ability to hear from God in relation to their roles and the oversight they have been given. The prophetic voice should either bring clarity and confirmation to what is already received—or be confirmed by what others then hear.

[3] See also the following post: Differences Between Old And New Testament Prophetic Ministry.

Graham Cooke deals with this subject well in his book, ‘Developing Your Prophetic Gifting’ in the chapter ‘The Role Of The Christian Prophet.’ If you are interested in exploring this topic more, I recommend looking it up, as he covers some different points to those I have touched on above.

He notes,

‘’Sadly far too many people are displaying an Old Testament ministry and personality in a New Testament Church setting. This I believe accounts for the large number of horror stories, misunderstandings and misrepresentations which belittle the prophetic ministry and discredit the gift.’(P 201)

[Graham Cooke Developing Your Prophetic Gifting’ 1994 Sovereign World Ltd Kent England]

© Helen Calder 2011    Enliven Publishing Blog

Now on team with David McCracken Ministries