Prophecy means to speak forth or to declare God’s will and purpose. The gift of prophecy can be misunderstood as a gift to foretell the future. Future events can be included in a prophecy, but prophecy is primarily proclamation, that is, forth-telling not fore-telling.

St Paul clearly describes the various gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:8-12. He uses a body to illustrate the people of the church, with their differing parts, functions and skills. The Scripture teaches that each individual is to celebrate their own role, to use their gift co-operatively so that the whole body benefits.

The church is like an orchestra, each musician keeping in tune with the conductor and the music, so that the result is pleasing and harmonious.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”

Corinthians 12:8-12 New Revised Version (NRSV)

In the Old Testament, prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Elijah and Malachi spoke out God’s words of wisdom. There were also women prophetesses such as Miriam and Deborah. The prophets had different backgrounds, methods and styles of communication but they were all called by God to deliver God’s message with accuracy and obedience. Their prophecies primarily concerned the people of Israel. Jonah tried to avoid this responsibility and was corrected. Prophets often had to risk not only their reputation but also their lives, and were called to swim against the tide of popular opinion.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world."

1 John 4:1. Amplified

The role of prophecy reached consummation in the person of John the Baptist, whose life and work was predicted* by the angels and the prophets. Ultimately in Jesus Christ, whose birth, life works and death can be accurately tracked throughout the Old Testament prophets and was Himself  the Prophet predicted to be “like Moses”. **

* see  Malachi 4:5 (cf. Luke 7:26–27);
** see Deuteronomy 18:15 (cf. Acts 3:22).

Prophecy Today

No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.'"

Acts 2:16-18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Clearly, since the time of Christ we have been living in "the last days" and the gift of prophecy is still poured out on God’s people. However, we are warned to bebe cautious when approaching the claims of prophecy and test it against Scripture. Authentic prophecy will always agree with Scripture and with God’s revealed word.

Protection Under the Shadow of My Wing

The Shadow of My Wings is not a dark place,
but an over shadowing of My protection.
I hem you in to keep you safe.
It is a place of rest and restoration for your soul.

Wait awhile with Me and know My Kind presence.
Come and find peace
from the struggles that you have endured,
for I Am your all in all
and nothing will take you away from My Love.

Hide in Me each morning and
your day will be set up whatever you come against
for I Am with you
your refuge and advocate.

I Am Yours and you are mine.
I care deeply for you My child.
Remember you are My child and I Am Your Father.