The Truth About Prophecy

Before the mountains were born Or before You had given birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are [the eternal] God. Psalm 90:2 (Amplified Bible, AMP)

Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. Psalm 93:2 (New International Version, NIV)

Time is linear. We can live our lives in only one direction. We cannot go backwards into the past; we can only go forward minute by minute, day by day. God lives in eternity, so He is not bound by time.

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ Isaiah 46:10 (New International Version, NIV)

God created time and He has seen the future because He has spoken it into being. He can move into the future and use our words to bring the future into the present- in the form of prophecy. We are bound by time to this present moment, but God allows us to see the future by the words He speaks through the prophets and by the prophetic words He gives to His people to speak forth. Do not despise prophecy.

Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. I Thessalonians 5:20 (Amplified Bible, AMP)

Many people have been taught that prophets and prophecy are no longer in operation today. This is simply wrong teaching. Those who do not recognize the current office of the prophet do not recognize the current inspiration of God and the ability of the Holy Spirit to speak to us. Nowhere in Scripture does it tell us that there is a deadline to any of the five-fold ministry offices noted in Ephesians 4:11. If anyone wants to use I Corinthians 13: 9-10 to prove that prophecy has passed away, they have not rightly divided the Word. We cannot base doctrine on one verse or passage. The Word confirms itself, therefore, we are to use the entirety of the Bible for setting doctrine.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. I Corinthians 13:9-10 (New International Version, NIV)

This was written by the Apostle Paul after Jesus came the first time to Earth, therefore it is not referring to Jesus’ first coming when it speaks of the completeness, or perfect, coming. He says “when completenes comes”, or if you wish to use the King James, it says, “When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” That uses the future tense “shall be done away.” That means Paul was speaking of something yet to happen in the future- the coming of Jesus for His bride. At that time, all of us will see Jesus face to face and will no longer need prophets to tell us the heart of God and give us insight into the future. As a matter of fact, none of the five-fold ministry offices will be needed for the body of Christ when it is taken to heaven to be with Jesus.

However, while the church is in heaven during the seven-year tribulation period, two prophets will be sent by God to earth as witnesses, according to Revelation 11. So, to say that prophets and prophecy have ceased is to deny nearly an entire chapter of Revelation.

Yes, prophets and prophecy are in operation. All of the five-fold ministry gifts are in operation and are sent by God for our growth, maturity, and to equip us to do the work of the ministry. Do not reject what God has sent. Instead, welcome every gift He gives, for they are for our benefit.