“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke." - Joel 2:28-30

A couple of months ago, Paul looked at the gift of prophecy in the series, 'Back in the room', where we as Jubilee church, re-look at our values and what we want to shape us in the months and years ahead. We thought it might be good to flesh out some of what Paul talked about during his preach...

What does God say about prophecy, and who will prophesy?
As we see in Joel 2:28-30, the Bible talks about "all people" being able to receive the gifts of the Spirit. This scripture is a prophecy for the New Covenant people a New Covenant people are people who know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and are part of the family of God. This is a promise about what will happen when the Holy Spirit is poured out on the people of God. "Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below,  blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ - Acts 2:14

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy." - 1 Corinthians 14:1
Scripture demonstrates time and again that all spiritual gifts should come from a place of love, if it doesn’t then we shouldn’t operate in them. This verse also clearly shows us that we should ‘eagerly desire these gifts’. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, during times of prayer, do we ask God for the gifts of the spirit? Do we ask him to speak directly to us, to our hearts?

God shows us how much he loves us by pouring out his spirit on us and by blessing us with these gifts. Even as broken humans we love to give gifts to our children, friends and loved ones. Think of how much more God longs to shower you with His gifts, His love is utterly complete and perfect. 

What is Prophecy?
Paul made the distinctions between the Old Testament, New Testament, and Modern-day prophesies. Old Testament prophecies "Thus say the Lord" was God-breathed scripture, the perfect word of God. New Testament prophecies - the imperishable word of God was given to the apostles as you see in the Gospels and New Testament writings. Modern-day prophecies therefore do not carry the same weight and authority as scripture. Hence why it is wise to weigh up all prophecies against the perfect word of God. For us, it is a dialog between us and God. In any good healthy relationship, you have regular two-way communication; that is how God made us to relate. Its the same with our relationship with Him, it's also a two-way relationship. God can speak to us through our hearts and through other people sharing what they feel God may be saying with us. 

Today God can speak in many ways. Either through other people, prophetic art, words of knowledge, visions, dreams, hymns, scripture, worship, poetry, and more The Holy Spirit is very imaginative and creative and He will speak to you in a way that God knows He can really engage with you and your personality.

Who should Prophesy?
If you are born again and know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, then you can move in a gift of revelation from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit must have given you a revelation of who Jesus is, which you are unable to do on your own. He must have also revealed to you your sinfulness so that you could see your need to be born again. He has revealed a gift of faith so you could say the prayer of salvation. So what has changed then? When you're saved, that doesn't mean the Holy Spirit stops talking to you, it's a continuous journey God takes you on of healing, revelation, and living in God's freedom and grace, living in the spirit.

Guidelines
Every prophetic word should always glorify Jesus. You must weigh prophetic words against scripture. Scripture's heart is loving, holy, gracious, merciful, and encouraging, which genuine prophecy should be also, especially if you are new to prophesy. When receiving prophecy, God usually has already confirmed it in your heart. Avoid deadlines and dates, God does not share his time scales with us.

"What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.  If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people." - 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

God speaks to us to build us up and not tear us down therefore prophecy should come out of a place of love, sharing the Father's heart for each one of us, his dear children!

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