ROLE OF THE PROPHETIC VOICE IN THE BODY OF MESSIAH

Transcription

1 ROLE OF THE PROPHETIC VOICE IN THE BODY OF MESSIAH

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 ROLE OF PROPHETIC VOICE IN THE BODY OF MESSIAH 3 ROLE OF THE PROPHET 4 TWO SPHERES OF PROPHETIC VOICE 6 SUMMMARY 7 STATE OF THE WORLD TODAY 7 TESTING PROPHETIC MINISTRY 15 UNDERSTANDING THE PROPHETIC GIFT 31 PROPHET TO THE NATION 43 IN CONCLUSION 60 NESHAMAH AND TESTING PROPHETIC MINISTRY 61 PRAYER GUIDELINES 63 CAN NESHAMAH BE STOLEN? 65 KUNDALINI RENUNCIATION PRAYER 68 RENUNCIATION PRAYER - SICKNESS & DISEASE FROM KUNDALINI 72 RENUNCIATION PRAYER AGAINST THE FRUIT OF FREEMASONRY 75 PRAYER OF RENUNCIATION FOR A FALSE PROPHET 79 PRAYER OF PETITION 87 SCRIPTURE REFERENCES 97 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 97 2

3 ROLE OF PROPHETIC VOICE IN THE BODY OF MESSIAH Years ago Y shua (Jesus) 1 died on the cross in the dusty streets of Jerusalem. At that time HE indicated that we should be working in the Kingdom and looking towards HIS return. That has encouraged the Gift of the Prophetic. However, I think it s right to: Review whether we are still on track. Ask ourselves if we are making the impact that we should with this gift. 1 We use the Name Y shua instead of Jesus, except where it appears in Scriptures. 3

4 ROLE OF THE PROPHET Paul gives us the insight on how we should live. 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example and warning (to us); they were written for our instruction (to admonish and equip us), upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (also Romans 15:4) What he says is that all of the Scriptures, mostly those from the Old Testament, give us glimpses of the role-model of prophet. It is therefore, by the making of a study into these people s lives that we will learn what a prophet should do, how they would live and more importantly what sort of messages they would bring. What we understand from such a word study is that prophets had a WORD that was destined to be heard by the DECISION MAKERS of nations. Moses was a prince in the land of Egypt before he spoke to Pharaoh. Daniel was top adviser to the Babylonian king. Nehemiah was the cup bearer to the Persian king. Samuel was the political judge of the nation of Israel. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah, Jonah, Amos and many others all spoke to the highest offices of the land. We are born for a time such as this the famous words of Esther. Critically, that means that we should know, understand and accept our POSITION in the Body as these exciting times occur around us. We are to LIVE, REIGN with HIM upon this earth as a nation of PRIESTS. Revelation And they sang a new song (of glorious redemption), saying, Worthy and deserving are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your Blood You purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a Kingdom (of royal subjects) and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth. Isaiah 6:1-4 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw (in a vision) the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted, with the train of His royal robe filling the (most holy part of the) temple. Above Him seraphim (heavenly beings) stood; each one had six wings: with two wings he covered his face, with two wings he covered his feet, and with two wings he flew. And one called out to another, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is filled with His glory. And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, and the temple was filling with smoke. 4

5 Isaiah 62:1-12 For Zion s sake I (Isaiah) will not be silent, And for Jerusalem s sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness and vindication go forth as brightness, And her salvation goes forth like a burning torch. The nations will see your righteousness and vindication (by God), And all kings (will see) your glory; And you will be called by a new name Which the mouth of the Lord will designate. You will also be (considered) a crown of glory and splendor in the hand of the Lord, And a royal (a)diadem (exceedingly beautiful) in the hand of your God. It will no longer be said of you (Judah), Azubah (Abandoned), Nor will it any longer be said of your land, Shemamah (Desolate) ; But you will be called, Hephzibah (My Delight is in Her), And your land, Married ; For the Lord delights in you, And to Him your land will be married (owned and protected by the Lord). For as a young man marries a virgin (O Jerusalem), So your sons will marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you. On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed and stationed watchmen (prophets), Who will never keep silent day or night; You who profess the Lord, take no rest for yourselves, And give Him no rest (from your prayers) until He establishes Jerusalem And makes her a praise on the earth. The Lord has sworn (an oath) by His right hand and by His mighty arm, I will never again give your grain as food for your enemies, Nor will (the invading) foreigners drink your new wine for which you have labored. But they who have harvested it will eat it and praise the Lord, And they who have gathered it will drink it (at the feasts celebrated) in the courtyards of My sanctuary. Go through, go through the gates, Clear the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway, Remove the stones, lift up a banner over the peoples. Listen carefully, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth, Say to the Daughter of Zion, Look now, your salvation is coming (in the Lord); Indeed, His reward is with Him, and His restitution accompanies Him. And they will call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord ; And you will be called Sought Out, A City Not Deserted. As reborn, set-apart priests we need to be able to enter the Tabernacle of LIVING STONES. This tells us that we need to be WALKING in purity and holiness in order to function in that Tabernacle. After all, it s only when we can enter this Tabernacle that we can hear GOD s Voice. 1 Peter 2:4-10 Come to Him (the risen Lord) as to a living Stone which men rejected and threw away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God. You (believers), like living stones, are (b)being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices (that are) acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen stone, a precious (honored) Cornerstone, And he who believes in Him (whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him) will never be disappointed (in his expectations). This precious value, then, is for you who believe (in Him as God s only Son the Source of salvation); but for those who disbelieve, The (very) stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief Cornerstone, and, A stone of stumbling and a rock of offence ; for they stumble because they disobey the word (of God), and to this they (who reject Him as Savior) were also appointed. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a (special) people for God s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies (the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections) of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people (at all), but now you are God s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 5

6 TWO SPHERES OF PROPHETIC VOICE Once again as we study the word, we note that the prophet has two dimensions within which they flowed. They spoke to the leaders of nations BUT they also spoke to the individual. Let us note some of the examples: 1. Elijah speaks to king Ahab (1 Kings 17:18-19) and also to the poor widow. 1 Kings 17:10-16 So he set out and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks (for firewood). He called out to her and said, Please bring me a little water in a jar, so that I may drink. As she was going to get it, he called to her and said, Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand. But she said, As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar. See, I am gathering a few sticks so that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it (as our last meal) and die. Elijah said to her, Do not fear; go and do as you have said. Just make me a little bread from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. For this is what the Lord God of Israel says: The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted nor shall the jar of oil be empty until the day that the Lord sends rain (again) on the face of the earth. She went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, in accordance with the word of the Lord which He spoke through Elijah. 2. Elisha speaks to Jehoshaphat (2 Kings 3:6-27) and also to the Syrian army captain (2 Kings 5:1-14). 3. Y shua speaks to king Herold and a single man - Pontius Pilot. 4. Paul speaks to the secular kings of his day (Acts 24-26) but also to Caesar. In other words, it is right to have a word for the individual in the congregation. What we must ask ourselves, however, is whether the gift of prophecy that we see in the church is performing in the full dimension that it was supposed to, or has not become merely a process where members of the church have conversations with themselves? 6

7 SUMMMARY What we now should have in place in the Body of Messiah is: A set-apart, holy nation of priests. A Tabernacle of Living Stones. A prophetic message (we will come back to this later). STATE OF THE WORLD TODAY Our world is in a mess. While we speak to you from our experience in South Africa, we would suggest that these sorts of problems are magnified here in Europe. The weather patterns are all mixed up - unprecedented floods, and even worse droughts for example in the Western Cape that are almost unknown. Consider the daily news we hear how the Date zero (when all water is used up) in Cape Town is changed from time to time. Daily, we are faced with stories of large scale corruption where people arrange deals that have one purpose in mind - to move money destined for the needy, into the hands of a corrupt few. Recently we heard of scam where millions of Rand s were paid out to a few, for a function that never happened this is not an African story, German and British companies paid millions of Rands in order to obtain lucrative contracts. 7

8 A number of years ago, the world economy went into free-fall when banks and other financial institution s played games with investment s that resulted in a market crash. In our country we felt the effect of that crash for the past 7-8 years our economy has stagnated. Jobs have been lost at a time when large numbers of youth have come through the learning institutions and have an expectation of being able to work. At the same time, State-run institutions have continued to highlight management failures and have built up colossal losses. Again, this is not just an African problem Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Iceland all faced huge financial restructuring. Numerous projects designed to better the lives of many, better health, better living conditions and better education have all been stalled due to the lack of finances. More concerning is a strong world-wide trend of increasing anti-semitism and has been evidenced by word of hatred, acts of violence - murder, collusive actions by people to intimidate other people who have different views on Israel and the Jewish people. What has become evident is that these actions are now focused on any one who publicly declares that YHVH is GOD and that JERUSALEM is His Holy City. Europe should seriously be thinking about their past choices in life. Consider this they exchanged 6 million Jews, who followed the same GOD that we do - who contributed to society in knowledge, science, arts and innovation, creativity and talent, and above all, as the conscience of the world. Europe accepted in their place 20 million foreigners who serve another god, extremists and lack of tolerance, crime and poverty, an unwillingness to work and to support their families with pride, and who advocate war instead of peace. DOES THE CHURCH HAVE A DESPERATE NEED FOR THE FULLNESS OF THE PROPHETIC? YES!!! The Bible gives us an example of the consequence of the churches non-involvement in world affairs. A short study in the Book of Ezekiel highlights the fact that nobody was prepared to get involved in the major social and economic problems of that day. GOD called those problems BREACHES IN THE WALL. Ezekiel 13:4-5 O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among the ruins. You have not gone up into the gaps or breaches, nor built the wall around the house of Israel that it might stand in the battle on the day of the Lord. In many respects the church distances itself from the physical world and wants to remain in the spiritual realm. 8

9 By this I am not saying that the church does nothing for the widow, orphan etc, but by and large remains divorced from the major wrongs that we see and read about in the newspapers. I highlighted some important matters earlier and will not go into much more detail - however I feel that s it s important to mention and call you to look at the: Disarray in marriages Level of humanism gay and lesbian rights but at the expense of believers rights Human trafficking EVIDENCE THAT THE FULLNESS OF THE PROPHETIC WORD IS BEING MANIFESTED? In the domain of a KINGDOM OF PROPHETS / PRIESTS? NO!! Remember, as a royal nation / kingdom of holy priests / set apart in a Living Stone Tabernacle something that every person should aspire to but will not necessarily be called into this level of prophecy. We should: Reveal the heart of GOD for all people. Mentor Presidents and Prime ministers on nations. Influence those leaders that can change culture. Reveal Gods message about current affairs. Influence the climate / culture of a city / nation. Is the domain of the Gift of Prophecy IN THE BODY? YES - to some extent! We have seen the prophetic ministry shared through some powerful preaching - through some messages of exhortation and some messages of word ministry direction most of these are directed to members of the community. In addition, we get flooded from time to time with messages of end-time some or other object in space that will hit the earth or a tsunami that will destroy large parts of the world. Rarely do we see a word that goes outside of the 4 walls of the church, or prayer meeting with a group of believers. What do I think is the real place for the prophetic? A word from GOD that goes outside the 4 walls of the church. 9

10 This implies that we need a new generation of church leaders that can: Receive God s message Reword the content into the context of this seasons / times meaning s / terminology. Search for a forum that will be suitable to reach out to the masses that our outside of the church Use all of the technology that is available to mankind to ensure that the leaders of nations are made aware of Gods plans Most critically, what are the ATTRIBUTES of a man who is a TRUE PROPHET of GOD? The CHARACTER of the man (prophet) A PROPHET MUST BE WISE A PROPHET MUST HAVE A CLEAR, LUCID MIND A PROPHET MUST HAVE IMPECCABLE CHARACTER A PROPHET MUST BE ABLE TO CONTROL THEIR EMOTIONS AND THEIR PASSIONS A PROPHET MUST SHUN MATERIALITY A PROPHET MUST DEVOTE HIS LIFE TO SERVING GOD It s a tall list of attributes. Clearly, very few men will be able to meet all of these criteria. However, one should be aware of the attributes where you are weak, and therefore build up these walls in your life, and get others to support you in particularly, those weak areas. 10

11 What are some of the basic rules for a prophet to observe? 1. Practice what you preach do not tell others that GOD wants us to do something and then fail to live to that standard. 2. Do not suppress a prophetic word like Jonah did. You should not let you own fleshly desires determine whether you will speak or not. 3. Do not express words of prophecy that are aligned to other gods the example of Balaam. 4. Test the word that you receive against the Bible - against the list of warnings and blessings that GOD has had recorded for us, before you express these in public. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MESSAGES THAT THE OUTSIDE OF THESE 4 WALLS PROPHET SHOULD BE BRINGING? While I suggest that these messages should be aimed at the broader community, they are equally valid and necessary for the believers inside the church. I have divided these messages into 3 groupings messages that correspond with the major works of sin and rebellion, for which restoration is required if we wish to impact the world. i) Messages to deal with the sin of the fall of Adam. Words that speak to the removal of impurities / uncleanness in the nation and the restoration of Purity and holiness. Words that speak to a walk of loving obedience to do the Commandments / Word of GOD. John 15:1-12 I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He (repeatedly) prunes, so that it will bear more fruit (even richer and finer fruit). You are already clean because of the word which I have given you (the teachings which I have discussed with you). Remain in Me, and I (will remain) in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you (bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith) unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for (otherwise) apart from Me (that is, cut off from vital union with Me) you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a (broken off) branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you (that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart), ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My (true) disciples. I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love (and do not doubt My love for you). If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father s commandments and remain in His love. 11

12 I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing. Words that speak to a return to true GODLY Worship - and a removal of performance and showmanship to dance like David danced. 1 Chronicles 25:1-6 Moreover, David and the commanders of the army selected for the (temple) service some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to (a)prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals. The list of the musicians who performed their service was as follows: Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied (b)under the (c)direction of the king. Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. All these (men) were the sons of Heman the king s seer to (d)exalt him in accordance with the words of God; for God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. All these were under the direction of their father to sing in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order and direction of the king. 12

13 Words that reveal the understanding of GOD's Seasons and Time - how can prophets pretend to know GOD s Seasons if they are not keeping HIS Feasts? Luke 12:54-56 He also said to the crowds, When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, It is going to rain, and that is how it turns out. And when (you see that) a south wind is blowing, you say, It will be a hot day, and it happens. You hypocrites (playactors, pretenders)! You know how to analyze and intelligently interpret the appearance of the earth and sky (to forecast the weather), but why do you not intelligently interpret this present time? Words to expose rotten leadership. Words of encouragement: 1 Corinthians 14:3-4 But (on the other hand) the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification (to promote their spiritual growth) and (speaks words of) encouragement (to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God) and (speaks words of) consolation (to compassionately comfort them). One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church (promotes growth in spiritual wisdom, devotion, holiness, and joy). ii) Messages to deal with the contamination arising from Genesis 6 and the Nephilim. Words of outrage AGAINST the evil at the time where foreign gods and their false prophets will attempt to place bondage on GOD s People the case of Elijah. 1 Kings 18:20-40 So Ahab sent word to all the Israelites and assembled the (pagan) prophets together at Mount Carmel. Elijah approached all the people and said, How long will you (c)hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. But the people (of Israel) did not answer him (so much as) a word. Then Elijah said to the people, I alone remain a prophet of the Lord, while Baal s prophets are 450 men. Now let them give us two oxen, and let them choose one ox for themselves and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. I will prepare the other ox and lay it on the wood, and I will not put a fire under it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the god who answers by fire, He is God. And all the people answered, It is well spoken. Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, since there are many of you; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it. So they took the bull that was given to them and prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, O Baal, hear and answer us. But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they had made. At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, Cry out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied, or he is out (at the moment), or he is on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened! So they cried out with a loud voice (to get Baal s attention) and cut themselves with swords and lances in accordance with their custom, until the blood flowed out on them. As midday passed, they played the part of prophets and raved dramatically until the time for offering the evening sacrifice; but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention. Then Elijah said to all the people, Come near to me. So all the people approached him. 13

14 And he repaired and rebuilt the (old) altar of the Lord that had been torn down (by Jezebel). Then Elijah took twelve stones in accordance with the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, Israel shall be your name. So with the stones Elijah built an altar in the name of the Lord. He made a trench around the altar large enough to hold (d)two measures of seed. Then he laid out the wood and cut the ox in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, Fill four pitchers with water and pour it on the burnt offering and the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it a third time. The water flowed around the altar, and he also filled the trench with water. At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached (the altar) and said, O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob), let it be known today that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and that I have done all these things at Your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back (to You). Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood, and even the stones and the dust; it also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell face downward; and they said, The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God! Then Elijah said to them, Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape. They seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and (as God s law required) killed them there. Words declaring and defining GOD s Plan for the New Jerusalem. Words of encouragement to believers to go to war the stand and take courage. iii) Messages to deal with the rebellion / pride arising from man action at the tower of Babel. Words of reconciliation with Israel / the Jews and definitive action that contributes to the fulfilment of Paul s pleas of building the ONE NEW MAN. Words of direction to tear down the works of the occult / bloodlines / generational hurts and to build up a renewed Living Stone that is made whole in body / soul and spirit and who can now contribute to the Work of GOD described as the role played by Jeremiah, but similarly spelt out by Paul. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 But if all prophesy (foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people), and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted (of his sins) by all, and he is called to account by all (because he can understand what is being said); the secrets of his heart are laid bare. And so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is really among you. 14

15 TESTING PROPHETIC MINISTRY Prophetic ministry is an essential part 2 of the Fullness of the Body of Messiah HOWEVER, the prophetic calling / gifting comes with a stern warning we are to TEST ALL prophets and ALL prophetic words, to make sure they are truly from GOD. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the (Holy) Spirit; 20 Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets (do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning). But test and prove all things (until you can recognize) what is good; (to that) hold fast. Abstain from evil (shrink from it and keep aloof from it) in whatever form or whatever kind it may be. However, before we can even begin to discuss how to TEST prophetic ministry, we need to understand the role / function of, and the difference between, the OFFICE of a prophet and the GIFT of prophecy there is a DIFFERENCE! 3 Calling OR gift? Let s quickly look at the Hebrew word for PROPHET 4 (Strong s Hebrew 5012, 5030, 5197) pronounced naviy (spelled Nun-Bet-Yod-Aleph), from the root navat (to look intensely, watch, consider). As we ll see, the OFFICE of a prophet does not necessarily deal with seeing the FUTURE this focus on the future (and what is now largely future-telling ) only came into the understanding of what a prophet is after 300 A.D., when the Church began to embrace Greek / pagan thinking and practices, and more and more distanced Itself from our Biblical (Hebraic) foundations The Hebrew letter-picture for the root word navat reveals the meaning of life in the house of the Covenant. A prophet points (and / or calls for a returning of) GOD s people toward the Way of LIFE he simply delivers GOD s message to the people Keep this in mind as we look at the Biblical understanding of a prophet. 2 Note, prophe+c ministry is only ONE part/gi8 to the Body each of us need to seek the Father and walk in THAT which He has purposed for us. We are all unique, and have a specific role/part to play in the Body without each one of us func+oning in what the Father has called us to, the Body will never reach the Fullness GOD desires and what the Body needs! 3 We also need to dis+nguish the prophe+c ministry (that of prophets and those who have a prophe+c gi8) from that of PROPHECY, as in Messianic and end-+me prophecy. Notes on the Hebrew word for prophet taken from the Hebrew word studies by Skip Moen, hyp://skipmoen.com/ 4 tag/prophet/ 15

16 The OFFICE of a prophet: The MAIN role / function of a prophet (called of GOD) is to FIRST bring CORRECTION (for the current time) many times this included a prophetic warning of the consequences if the word is not heeded. We see that every Biblical example of a Godly prophet (those functioning in the OFFICE of a prophet) was that of a man sent out (commissioned) to call the people back to GOD s Covenant, back to His Ways, back to His Instructions (His Torah) the ministry of the OFFICE of a prophet is one of calling GOD s people back in repentance Jeremiah writes the following passage against false prophets, who did NOT bring a word of warning / correction: Lamentations 2:14 Your prophets have predicted for you falsehood and delusion and foolish things; and they have not exposed your iniquity and guilt to avert your captivity (by causing you to repent). But they have divined and declared to you false and deceptive prophecies, worthless and misleading. NOTE! There is no example of GOD ever sending prophets to prepare the people for revival, or to foretell of good times that lie ahead. Prophets are WATCHMEN their job is to give forewarning of danger NOT to encourage excitement or contentment. A prophet s message is NOT a comfortable one. There are examples of when a prophet s message brought revival but this was only as a result of the people heeding the message, and repenting. Following are some examples of those called to be a prophet note the words of correction (for the CURRENT situation) and the consequences of disobedience, as well as the repeated call to repentance: Samuel 1 Samuel 13:9-14 So Saul said, Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. And just as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came! Saul went out to meet and greet him. Samuel said, What have you done? Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines were assembled at Michmash, I thought, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD. So I forced myself to offer a burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly! 16

17 You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your GOD which He commanded you; for the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever; But now your kingdom shall not continue; the LORD has sought out a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince and ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you. 1 Samuel 15:10-11 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, I regret making Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not performed My commands. And Samuel was grieved and angry (with Saul), and he cried to the LORD all night. Nathan 2 Samuel 12:1-14 AND THE LORD sent Nathan to David. He came and said to him, There were two men in a city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds, But the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb which he had bought and brought up, and it grew up with him and his children. It ate of his own morsel, drank from his own cup, lay in his bosom, and was like a daughter to him. Now a traveler came to the rich man, and to avoid taking one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfaring man who had come to him, he took the poor man s lamb and prepared it for his guest. Then David s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, As the LORD lives, the man who has done this is a son of death. He shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no pity. Then Nathan said to David, You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the GOD of Israel: I anointed you king of Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. And I gave you your master s house, and your master s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added that much again. Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, doing evil in His sight? You have slain Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife. You have murdered him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because (you have not only despised My command, but) you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. Thus says the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your down house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun. And David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said to David, The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD and given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child that is born to you shall surely die. Elijah 1 Kings 18:17-18, When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, Are you he who troubles Israel? Elijah replied, I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father s house, by forsaking the commandments of the LORD and by following the Baals. 17

18 36 At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, O LORD, the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are GOD in Israel and that I am Your servant and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You, the LORD, are GOD, and have turned their hearts back (to You). Jonah Jonah 1:1-2 NOW THE word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me. Jonah 3:10 And GOD saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and GOD revoked His evil that He had said that He would do to them and He did not do it. Jeremiah Jeremiah 7:3-10 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the GOD of Israel: Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust not in the lying words (of the false prophets who maintain that GOD will protect Jerusalem because His temple is there), saying, This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD. For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly and truly execute justice between every man and his neighbor, If you do not oppress the transient and the alien, the fatherless, and the widow or shed innocent blood (by oppression and by judicial murders) in (Jerusalem) or go after other gods to your own hurt, Then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers to dwell in forever. Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot benefit (so that you do not profit). Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, And (then dare to) come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My Name, and say, (By the discharge of this religious formality) we are set free! only to go on with this wickedness and these abominations? Jeremiah 18:8 And if (the people of) that nation concerning which I have spoken turn from their evil, I will relent and reverse My decision concerning the evil that I thought to do to them. 18

19 Jeremiah 26:3-13 It may be that they will listen and turn every man from his evil way, that I may relent and reverse My decision concerning the evil which I purpose to do to them because of their evil doings. And you will say to them, Thus says the LORD: If you will not listen to and obey Me, to walk in My Instructions (Torah), which I have set before you, And to hear and obey the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you urgently and persistently though you have not listened and obeyed - Then will I make this house (the temple) like Shiloh (the home of the Tent of Meeting, abandoned and later destroyed after the ark was captured by the Philistines), and I will make this city subject to the curses of all nations of the earth. And the priests and the (false) prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD. Now when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, You shall surely die! Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant? And all the people were gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. When the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king s house to the house of the LORD and sat down in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the LORD. Then the priests and the prophets said to the princes and to all the people, This man is deserving of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.then Jeremiah said to all the princes and to all the people: The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard. Therefore now amend your ways and your doings and obey the voice of the LORD your GOD; then the LORD will relent and reverse the decision concerning the evil which He has pronounced against you. Miscellaneous examples: Ezekiel 18:21-23 But if the wicked man turns from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all My statutes and does that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of his transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; for his righteousness which he has executed (for his moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the LORD, and not rather that he should turn from his evil way and return and live? 19

20 Joel 2:12-18 Therefore also now, says the LORD, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning (until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored). Rend your hearts and not your garments and return to the LORD, your GOD, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness; and He revokes His sentence of evil. Who knows but what He will turn, revoke your sentence, and leave a blessing behind Him (giving you the means with which to serve Him), even a cereal or meal offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your GOD? Blow the trumpet in Zion; set apart a fast (a day of restraint and humility); call a solemn assembly. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation; assemble the elderly people, gather the children and the nursing infants; let the bridegroom (who is legally exempt from attending) go forth from his chamber and the bride out of her closet. (None is exempt from the humiliation.) Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar; and let them say, Have pity and spare Your people, O LORD, and give not Your heritage to reproach, that the (heathen) nations should rule over them or use a byword against them. Why should they say among the peoples, Where is their GOD? Then was the LORD jealous for His land and had pity on His people. Micah Chapter 3-4 (selected verses, please read in full) Thus says the LORD: Concerning the false prophets who make My people err, when they have anything good to bite with their teeth they cry, Peace; and whoever gives them nothing to chew, against him they declare a sanctified war. Therefore it shall be night to you, so that you shall have no vision; yes, it shall be dark to you without divination. And the sun shall go down over the false prophets, and the day shall be black over them. And the seers shall be put to shame and the diviners shall blush and be confounded; yes, they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from GOD. But truly I am full of power, of the Spirit of the LORD, and of justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. Hear this, I pray you, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor and reject justice and pervert all equity, 1Who build up Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity. 11 Its heads judge for reward and a bribe and its priests teach for hire and its prophets divine for money; yet they lean on the LORD and say, Is not the LORD among us? No evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion on your account be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps (of ruins), and the mountain of the house like a densely wooded height. CHAPTER 4 BUT IN the latter days it shall come to pass that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains; and it shall be exalted above the hills, and peoples shall flow to it. And many nations shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the GOD of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways, and we may walk in His paths. For Instruction (Torah) shall go forth out of Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 20

21 Zephaniah 3:1-4 WOE TO her that is rebellious and polluted, the oppressing city (Jerusalem)! She did not listen to and heed the voice (of GOD); she accepted no correction or instruction; she trusted not in the LORD (nor leaned on or was confident in Him, but was confident in her own wealth); she drew not near to her GOD (but to the god of Baal or Molech). Her officials in the midst of her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones on the morrow, for nothing is left by morning. Her prophets are light (lacking truth, gravity, and steadiness) and men of treachery; her priests have profaned the sanctuary; (defrauding GOD and man by pretending their own word is GOD s word) they have done violence to the Torah (GOD s Instructions / Commandments). Zechariah 1:1-6 IN THE eighth month, in the second year (of the reign) of Darius, came the word of the LORD to Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying. The LORD was very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, Thus says the LORD of hosts: Return to Me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you; it is the utterance of the LORD of hosts. Be not as your fathers to whom the former prophets cried, Thus says the LORD of hosts: Return now from your evil ways and your evil doings; but they would not hear or listen to Me, says the LORD. Our fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, did they not overtake and take hold of your fathers? So they repented and said, As the LORD of hosts planned and purposed to do to us, according to our ways and according to our doings, so has He dealt with us. JOHN functioned in the OFFICE of a prophet Y shua confirms 5 this in Matthew 11 (please read the entire chapter): Matthew 11:7-11 Then as these men went their way, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: What did you go out in the wilderness (desert) to see? A reed swayed by the wind? What did you go out to see then? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in the houses of kings. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one (out of the common, more eminent, more remarkable, and) superior to a prophet. This is the one of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who shall make ready Your way before You.Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 5 See also MaYhew 3:3, Mark 1:1-3, and John 1:23. 21

22 What is the TEST 6 of a true prophet? 1. A true prophet is not elected (by the people) or SELF-promoted, but called of GOD. a. We see this exampled throughout the Scriptures Moses, Jeremiah, Elijah, Samuel, Jonah, John all GODLY prophets are called by GOD, unto HIS Purposes. b. We also see that most of those CALLED to be prophets, actually DIDN T want the job. Most (think of Moses and Jeremiah as great examples of this) were reluctant, and sometimes even scared they knew that being called as a prophet most often meant a life of hardship and persecution also keep in mind Israel s track record in regards to true prophets most every one of them were killed. This is a test-point to consider is the prophet out for the glory and fame, for the limelight and his own purposes / pride? Does he love the prophet title and position? Then, he very well could be a false prophet. 2. A true prophet is recognized by TRUE believers, within the Body of Messiah. a. As mentioned, a prophet s calling is one of correction and repentance, (most of the time) to GOD s people who have strayed from the Covenant and GOD s Ways, and gone after other gods / idols, and their own pleasure. Most people in this rebellious state do NOT want to hear a word of correction. Further, like the example of the Houses of Israel and Judah in the Book of Jeremiah, sometimes wayward people still call themselves GOD s people so the test that a true prophet is recognized by the Body of Messiah does need to be clarified TRUE believers will recognize a TRUE prophet, as they are genuinely seeking after GOD, and truly wanting to follow / love Him. As previously mentioned, MOST times in the Scriptures, the prophets were persecuted and mocked (and killed) so, popularity (or recognition) is not so much the test for a true prophet it is actually the opposite true prophets were / are not welcomed or popular. Paul echoes this in: 2 Timothy 4:2-4 Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency (stand by, be at hand and ready), whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. (Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.) And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching. For the time is coming when (people) will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching (for something pleasing and gratifying), they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. 6 Some points taken from the blog of Nathan Lawrence: hyp://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/tag/prophet/ 22

23 b. Sadly, many people actually prefer FALSE prophets: Isaiah 30:9-14 For this is a rebellious people, faithless and lying sons, children who will not hear the Torah (Teaching) and Instruction of the LORD; Who (virtually) say to the seers (by their conduct), See not! and to the prophets, Prophesy not to us what is right! Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceitful illusions. Get out of the true way, turn aside out of the path, cease holding up before us the Holy One of Israel. Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: Because you despise and spurn this (My) word and trust in cunning and oppression, in crookedness and perverseness, and rely on them, Therefore this iniquity and guilt will be to you like a broken section of a high wall, bulging out and ready to fall, whose crash will (then) come suddenly and swiftly, in an instant. And he shall break it as a potter s vessel is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing so that there cannot be found among its pieces one large enough to carry coals of fire from the hearth or to dip water out of the cistern. Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests exercise rule at their own hands and by means of the prophets. And My people love to have it so! But what will you do when the end comes? 3. A true prophet s words are / will be fulfilled. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. And if you say in your hearts, How shall we know which words the LORD has not spoken? When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or prove true, that is a word which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. a. NOTE! This test must be used with discernment. Sometimes a true word is not fulfilled, because the people repent (as in the example of Jonah and the people of Nineveh), or GOD shows mercy and postpones judgment. After all, the ultimate GOAL for a prophet (when he brings a message of repentance, with future consequences for disobedience to GOD s Word) is that his word NOT come true this would mean that his word of correction was heeded. b. However, the majority of examples we have in Scripture, is that the words of a true prophet were fulfilled (the people did not repent, and the 23

24 consequences / curses, as prophesied by the prophet, came upon the people). This leads into another important point 4. A FALSE prophet s words can also be fulfilled and he can come with signs and wonders! Deuteronomy 13:1-57 If a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder he foretells to you comes to pass, and if he says, Let us go after other gods gods you have not known and let us serve them, You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or to that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your GOD is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your GOD with all your (mind and) heart and with your entire being. You shall walk after the LORD your GOD and (reverently) fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and cling to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has talked rebellion and turning away from the LORD your GOD, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage; that man has tried to draw you aside from the way in which the LORD your GOD commanded you to walk. So shall you put the evil away from your midst. a. Y shua also warns us of FALSE prophets, who will deceive many with signs and wonders: Matthew 24:11, And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. 23 If anyone says to you then, Behold, here is the Christ (the Messiah)! or, There He is! do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have warned you beforehand. Mark 13:22-23 False Christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and (work) miracles to deceive and lead astray, if possible, even the elect. But look to yourselves and be on your guard; I have told you everything beforehand. b. We are given other New Testament warnings: 2 Peter 2:1-3 BUT ALSO (in those days) there arose false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among yourselves, who will subtly and stealthily introduce heretical doctrines (destructive heresies), even denying and disowning the Master Who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their immoral ways and lascivious doings; because of them the true Way will be maligned and defamed. And in their covetousness they will exploit you with false arguments. From of old the sentence for them has not been idle; their destruction has not been asleep. 7 For addi+onal study on Deuteronomy 13, please see the teaching by 119 Ministries, The Deuteronomy 13 Test : hyp:// 24

25 Matthew 7:15-23 Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves.you will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every healthy tree bears good fruit (worthy of admiration), but the sickly tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear excellent fruit (worthy of admiration). Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, LORD, LORD, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly (disregarding My Commands / Torah 8). (Psalm 6:8.) 1 John 4:1 BELOVED, DO not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from GOD; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. c. We need to be so careful at running after signs and wonders especially in these end-times! Revelation 13:11-14 Then I saw another beast rising up out of the land (itself); he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke (roared) like a dragon. He exerts all the power and right of control of the former beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell upon it to exalt and deify the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed, and to worship him. He performs great signs, even making fire fall from the sky to the earth in men s sight. And because of the signs which he is allowed to perform in the presence of the (first) beast, he deceives those who inhabit the earth, commanding them to erect a statue in the likeness of the beast who was wounded by the (small) sword and still lived. Revelation 16:13 And I saw three loathsome spirits like frogs, from the mouth of the dragon and from the mouth of the beast and from the mouth of the false prophet. Revelation 19:20 And the beast was seized and overpowered, and with him the false prophet who in his presence had worked wonders and performed miracles by which he led astray those who had accepted or permitted to be placed upon them the stamp of the beast and those who paid homage and gave divine honors to his statue. Both of them were hurled alive into the fiery lake that burns and blazes with brimstone. 8 For addi+onal study on MaYhew 7:23, please see the teaching by 119 Ministries, The Fruit Of Wolves, hyp:// 25

26 d. So, we see signs and wonders may follow a true prophet (Moses and Elijah example this), but this is NOT a test-point in determining if a prophet is true how then do we know if a word is from GOD? ANSWER: A true prophet s word will be one of repentance, and ALWAYS be in line with obedience to GOD s Instructions (Torah / Law): Jeremiah 23:21-22 I did not send these (false) prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My council, then they would have caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them (My people) from their evil way and from the evil of their doings. Jeremiah 26:4-6 And you will say to them, Thus says the LORD: If you will not listen to and obey Me, to walk in My Teaching / Instructions, which I have set before you, And to hear and obey the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you urgently and persistently though you have not listened and obeyed Then will I make this house (the temple) like Shiloh (the home of the Tent of Meeting, abandoned and later destroyed after the ark was captured by the Philistines), and I will make this city subject to the curses of all nations of the earth. Jeremiah 35:15 I have sent also to you all My servants the prophets earnestly and persistently, saying, Return now every man from his evil way and amend your doings and go not after other gods to serve them; and then you shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers. But you did not submit and consent to Me or listen to and obey Me. Isaiah 8:20 To the teaching and to the testimony! If their teachings are not in accord with this word, it is surely because there is no dawn and no morning for them. e. This raises some important questions, and a reminder of our individual responsibility are we being students of the Word? Do we understand the Scriptures? Or are we simply following the doctrines and teachings of our specific slant / denomination, and giving up our responsibility to pastors / leaders, instead of studying the Scriptures for OURSELVES? Paul commended the Bereans: Acts 17:11 Now these were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 26

27 f. As a side-note against which Scriptures were the B e r e a n s t e s t i n g P a u l s teaching? At the time, the New Testament did not exist (the canon of Scripture, including both the Old and New Testaments, was only compiled in A.D. 363, many years after the apostles) to properly understand the Scriptures, we begin to see the need to return to our Biblical Foundations, and study out the foundational patterns setout in the Torah and Old Testament and then, how the New Testament follows on beautifully, with no contradictions (for more information on returning to our Biblical Foundations, please see the section on the website, 5. A true prophet is not out for the money money is the motivation of a FALSE prophet. Micah 3:9-12 Hear this, I pray you, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor and reject justice and pervert all equity, Who build up Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity. Its heads judge for reward and a bribe and its priests teach for hire and its prophets divine for money; yet they lean on the LORD and say, Is not the LORD among us? No evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion on your account be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house like a densely wooded height. Jeremiah 6:13-15 For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed also the wound of the daughter of My people lightly and neglectfully, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace. Were they brought to shame because they had committed abominations? No, they were not at all ashamed, nor could they blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them they shall be overthrown, says the LORD. 27

28 Ezekiel 22:25-28 There is a conspiracy of (Israel s false) prophets in the midst of her, like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. Her priests have done violence to My Instructions and have profaned My holy things. They have made no distinction between the sacred and the secular, neither have they taught people the difference between the unclean and the clean and have hid their eyes from My Sabbaths 9, and I am profaned among them. Her princes in the midst of her are like wolves rending and devouring the prey, shedding blood and destroying lives to get dishonest gain. And her prophets have daubed them over with whitewash, seeing false visions and divining lies to them, saying, Thus says the LORD GOD when the LORD has not spoken. 6. A true prophet is always in harmony with other prophets of GOD and Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:28-33 But if there is no one to do the interpreting, let each of them keep still in church and talk to himself and to GOD. So let two or three prophets speak (those inspired to preach or teach), while the rest pay attention and weigh and discern what is said. But if an inspired revelation comes to another who is sitting by, then let the first one be silent. For in this way you can give testimony (prophesying and thus interpreting the divine will and purpose) one by one, so that all may be instructed and all may be stimulated and encouraged; For the spirits of the prophets are under the speaker s control For He is not a GOD of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. As in all the churches of the saints, 7. Finally, a true prophet s word will be more on a community / national / Bodily level, as opposed to an individual level. The prophets of the Scriptures spoke to communities, cities, and nations very rarely did they give (personal) words to individual people words to kings and leaders are no exception, as these words dealt with the respective city / nation. 9 For addi+onal study on the Shabbat (Sabbath), please see our book, A Messianic Perspec?ve Of Shabbat (hyp:// as well as the following links: hyp://119ministries.com/thesabbath-day?vi= and hyp:// Please us if you have any further ques+ons. 28

29 Understanding the role of a SEER: There is another word / role involved in prophetic ministry, which we need to look at that of a SEER. The word for SEER is chozeh (Strong s Hebrew 2372 / 2374, though chozeh is actually an Aramaic loan-word 10) the root word is chazah. Chazah is different from the other Hebrew word to see (ra ah) this seeing is not in the natural sense a SEER sees what GOD sees. In contrast to the office of a prophet, it seems a SEER s role deals more with the future and what is coming. Although in Scripture the two roles (that of a p r o p h e t a n d a s e e r ) a r e u s e d interchangeably, and some of the prophets (such as Samuel) functioned in both roles the two roles are distinct and separate. Often you find prophets and seers were contemporaries, and worked together as in the examples of: Gad the seer, and Nathan the prophet, who served in King David s court (2 Samuel 24:4, 1 Chronicles 29:29). Asaph the seer, and Isaiah the prophet, during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:30, 2 Kings 20:1). NOTE: Some believe that seers have not existed since the time of the Prophet Samuel, based on 1 Samuel 9:9, Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of GOD, he said, Come, let us go to the seer, for he that is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer. However, this view has a dilemma if the two roles are interchangeable, why does Scripture continue to make a distinction between prophets and seers, AFTER the time of Samuel? Biblically, the exact understanding of the role / function of a SEER is more vague than that of a prophet (the seers are not as well documented as the prophets) as mentioned previously, the two are distinct, though often worked together The points for testing / discerning a true seer from a false one will be similar to the testpoints for a true prophet in fact, as we continue and discuss the prophetic GIFT, most of these same points will also be used in testing / discerning prophetic words / giftings 10 For addi+onal study, see Skip Moen s word study on a SEER, hyp://skipmoen.com/tag/seer/ 29

30 A word of prophetic PRIVILEGE We must be careful about building a theology of prophetic privilege. GOD has not promised to protect His prophets, but He will protect His Word. Y shua warned that prophets would be persecuted. He did not say they should be protected. True prophets are often mistreated and rejected we need to cultivate an environment where the true prophets for today are welcomed, and prophecy is respected, but where prophets and their ministries are rigorously assessed and prophecies are vigorously tested. The idea that there are ministries whether pastors, teachers, or prophets to whom we must blindly submit is wrong and dangerous. Far too many believers have been led off the right path, because they have followed their pastor / leader without questioning his decisions. This problem is actually TWO-fold: A. Leaders rejecting questions and input from the community / Body. The leadership model is un-biblical / wrong, where the leader is put on a pedestal, and is above input (GODLY) input is seen as rebellion and challenging authority. B. The individual has neglected or given up his OWN responsibility to discern and test all teachings, words, and decisions, according to Scripture. On the other hand, believers should be very careful about attacking a prophet (or any other believer) in the wrong spirit. These attacks are usually a way of rejecting the words the prophet has spoken. If the word is true, they are putting themselves in a dangerous position. Rejecting GOD s Word, whether prophetic or Scriptural is risky, because it weakens our spiritual protection. Prophets and seers can be likened to the EYES of the Body if we reject GODLY / true prophetic ministry, it is like shutting our eyes blinding ourselves. Not raising up true prophets, with prophetic correction / warning, AND giving the people over to FALSE prophets, was actually a JUDGMENT from GOD: Isaiah 29:10 For the LORD has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep. And He has closed your eyes, the prophets; and your heads, the seers, He has covered and muffled. This is the tension welcoming true prophets and prophetic ministry, and yet TESTING every teaching / word. 30

31 UNDERSTANDING THE PROPHETIC GIFT Now that we ve looked at the specific points regarding the office of a prophet, and the function of a seer let s take a look at some points regarding the prophetic GIFT as we discuss the points regarding the GIFT of prophecy, please note the difference between the prophetic GIFT and the OFFICE of a prophet (The following points have been revised and edited from Derek Prince s notes on The Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The full / original notes are available for download at Corinthians 12:31; 14:1 Believers are exhorted to seek after all spiritual gifts, but special emphasis is placed upon the prophetic gift Corinthians 14:3 4 Prophetic words minister primarily to the assembled group of believers, but also to individuals within the group. 3. Prophetic words have three primary purposes: a. To edify = to build up, to strengthen, to make more effective. b. To exhort = to stimulate, to encourage, to admonish. c. To comfort = to cheer up. 4. Thus the GIFT of prophecy overcomes two of satan s most common attacks: condemnation and discouragement (compare Romans 8:1). 5. John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7 The Holy Spirit is the Comforter (Exhorter) of GOD s people. He never discourages or condemns. 6. Proverbs 15:23; Isaiah 50:4 Prophetic words can give a word in season to him that is weary. a. Sometimes this consists simply of Scriptures combined by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. b. Prophetic words have been called the poetry of the Holy Spirit. 7. Proverbs 21:28 Hearing must come before speaking Corinthians 4:12 The egotistical self-life in us must die before we can minister life to others. (One main theme of this epistle is comfort. See 2 Corinthians 1:3 6). 10. Acts 2:17 18 At the close of this age there will be a great increase in prophesying and related forms of revelation, especially amongst young people. 31

32 11. Acts 19:6 Speaking in tongues often works with the gift of prophecy. 12. Acts 2:17 18; 21:9; 1 Corinthians 11:5 The exercise of the prophetic gift is specifically opened to women, but a woman prophesying in the public assembly should have her head covered. 13. Prophecy (the prophetic GIFT) may become a vehicle for other related gifts such as a word of wisdom or a word of knowledge. Similarly coffee may denote pure coffee; or it may contain also cream and / or sugar, but is still called coffee. For example: a. Acts 13:2 A directive word of wisdom given (apparently) through prophecy to Barnabas and Saul and the others. b. Acts 20:23; 21:4, 9 11 Prophecy and other ministries apparently combined to give Paul warnings and direction. c. 1 Timothy 1:18 Prophecies used to reveal Timothy s appointed ministry, and later to strengthen him in fulfilling that ministry. d. 1 Timothy 4:14 Prophecy used to direct in laying on of hands for a gift or a ministry Corinthians 14:22 24 The prophetic GIFT is directed primarily to believers, but occasionally it may minister to an unbeliever who happens to come in Corinthians 14:29 30 The prophetic GIFT should not be used to excess in any one meeting. Otherwise its edge is blunted Corinthians 14:31 It is within the revealed Will of GOD for all believers to prophesy, but not necessarily to have the ministry / OFFICE of a prophet (compare Ephesians 4:11). a. There is room for believers to learn how to prophesy. b. Few people exercise the gift perfectly the first time (compare Romans 12:6). c. These points need to be stressed although it is vital we test ALL prophetic words, it is important that we allow those with a prophetic gift to practice their gift we are all on a journey, and as a community / Body, need to have grace for each other, as we grown and learn to practice in our gifts. This applies to ALL spiritual gifts not one gift is better or more important than another. As Paul says, each and every one of us make up the Body not one part is more necessary than another we ALL need to be asking the Father what is our role / part in the community / Body, and be learning to walk in that which the Father has for us if not, the Body is missing some parts! And can t function in the FULLNESS the Father has for us! d. We encourage communities / congregations to create space for Bodily ministry to encourage each and every one to begin to walk in that which the Father has for them this is not about seeking some glory for yourself, or some selfish gain the gifts the Father s has given you are not for 32

33 YOURSELF, but for the edification and benefit of the BODY. If we re all walking in our gifting, and giving / loving each other the circle is complete, and ALL needs are met. e. HOWEVER, just as we need to have grace, love, and patience with each other we also need to be TEACHABLE and open to correction this applies to ALL the gifts, and especially the prophetic gift. The person learning or functioning in their gift needs to be open to rebuke (in love), in order that their gift be honed and developed. We are all on a journey, seeking to mature and develop we all see through a glass darkly in other words, we all make mistakes 11, and therefore NEED the input of the family / community around us to see the blind-spots we can t see. Those who are seeking to mature 12, will accept and appreciate Godly correction and input, in order to grow and learn f. in terms of the prophetic gifting those who are maturing in their gift will urge everyone to whom they give a word, to judge, test, and compare the word against Scripture they are not offended when people are careful, as they desire that the prophetic word be PURE and truly from GOD correction, input, testing, and so forth in LOVE is the only way we grow and mature. How do we TEST prophetic words? The test for prophetic words will be similar to the test-points for a prophet please use the test for a prophet as a guideline, as well as the following points. (Again, points take from the notes of Derek Prince.) 11 Especially as we are growing the picture given over and over again in the Scriptures, is that of a child, who at first is a baby and treated as such, but who, if properly trained and taught, will grow up into a mature young adult, and eventually a mature elder while we have much more grace for a growing child, there is greater accountability/ responsibility for elders those func+oning in five-fold ministry this is why it is SO important that leaders are trained up (mentored) and brought to MATURITY! It is SO important to walk the journey of healing dealing with childhood pain/past lies, and thereby maturing, in 12 order to walk more fully in your gi8ing, and be a blessing to others! We STRONGLY recommend working through our J2F8 materials. 33

34 Introduction: 1. 1 Corinthians 14:22 prophetic words are normally addressed to believers (not unbelievers) Corinthians 14:29 prophetic ministry normally operates in a group (compare Acts 11:27 28). The ministry and message of each must be submitted to the judgment (discernment) of the others Thessalonians 5:19 21 Test everything, retain only the good John 4:1 Try the spirits. A false prophet has a false spirit (compare 1 John 4:6). Scriptural principles for judging prophetic words / ministry: 1. 1 Corinthians 14:3 The end purpose of true prophetic ministry is threefold: edification, exhortation, comfort. Anything which does not achieve these purposes, or fall within these limitations is not true prophetic ministry. 2. Jeremiah 1:10 Sometimes rooting out and pulling down precede planting ; destroying and throwing down precede building. a. Although words of correction, rebuke, and warning are primarily the function of a PROPHET sometimes prophetic words can include correction, in order to bring edification. b. 2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10 The end purpose of prophetic ministry to GOD s people is always edification Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 8:19 20 All true prophetic ministry always agrees with the letter and the spirit of ALL Scripture. The Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself (compare 2 Corinthians 1:17 20). a. One of the most important things to do in a congregation that wants to nurture and administrate prophetic ministry is to dial down the mysticism and the carnal desire to look super-spiritual. We need to keep our eyes off people and remain focused on Y shua and HIS purpose for us (revised, quote by Mike Bickle). b. Prophetic ministry does not bring new Truth. Revelation is simply a revealing of what is already true and bringing it to bear upon our heart and soul. Revelation is based upon insight into the Written Word of GOD, not into visions and dreams and prophecies. These other things are simply tools for expressing the Word, they are not the Word; no more than the water hose is water, it simply delivers the water (revised, quote by Chip Brogden). 4. John 16:13 14; Revelation 19:10 All true prophetic ministry always exalts and glorifies Messiah Y shua and gives Him complete preeminence (compare Colossians 1:18). 34

35 5. Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22 23; Matthew 7:15 16 True prophetic ministry produces fruit in character and conduct that agrees with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Righteousness comes first. a. False prophets (wolves in sheep s clothing) are likewise identified by their fruits: e.g., pride, arrogance, boastfulness, exaggeration, dishonesty, covetousness, financial irresponsibility, licentiousness, immorality, addictive appetites, broken marriage vows, broken homes (compare Matthew 7:21 23; 2 Peter 2:12 15). b. When evaluating a prophetic word, it is important to also consider the character / life of the person are they living a life of obedience to GOD s Instructions? Are they sincerely seeking the Father? Again, no one is perfect we are all on a journey but is the person walking in GOD s Ways? And pursuing GOD, in order to be conformed to the Image of Messiah? What FRUIT is the person s life producing? c. Numbers 23:10; Joshua 13:22 Balaam set forth as a warning of a prophet corrupted by wrong motives (compare 2 Peter 2:15 16) Corinthians 3:17 True prophetic words, given by the Holy Spirit, produces liberty, not bondage. Contrast the following: a. Romans 8:15 Bondage b. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Confusion c. 2 Timothy 1:7 Fear d. True prophetic ministry never promotes spiritual dictatorship Corinthians 3:6 True prophetic ministry, given by the Holy Spirit, will always inject fresh life 8. into a meeting, and harmonize with the overall purposes of GOD John 2:27 True prophetic ministry, given by the Holy Spirit, is attested by the Holy Spirit within each believer who hears it. This test is subjective to the other testpoints. Once again, we see that prophetic words MUST be submitted to Scriptural judgment: 1 Corinthians 14:29 So let two or three prophets speak (those inspired to preach or teach), while the rest pay attention and weigh and discern what is said. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 Do not quench the Spirit; Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets (do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning). But test and prove all things what is good; (to that) hold fast. Abstain from evil in whatever form or whatever kind it may be. 35

36 Why is it important to TEST ALL prophetic ministry? Because we need to discern true prophetic ministry from divination, demonic knowledge / powers, and fortune-telling the enemy has the ability to work in FALSE prophetic ministry remember, he ALWAYS counterfeits! Acts 16:16-18 As we were on our way to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who was possessed by a spirit of divination (claiming to foretell future events and to discover hidden knowledge), and she brought her owners much gain by her fortunetelling. She kept following Paul and us, shouting loudly, These men are the servants of the Most High GOD! They announce to you the way of salvation! And she did this for many days. Then Paul, being sorely annoyed and worn out, turned and said to the spirit within her, I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! And it came out that very moment. The enemy ALSO has power we need to DISCERN the SOURCE! Angels, dreams, and VISIONS... Throughout the Scriptures, we see examples of people Daniel, John, Ezekiel, Peter, and Paul who were given TRUE visions / experiences by HOLY angels, for example: Daniel 10:6-12 His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and his feet like glowing burnished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the noise of a multitude (of people or the roaring of the sea). And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision (of this heavenly being), for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them so that they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me, for my fresh appearance was turned to pallor; I grew weak and faint. Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep, with my face (sunk) to the ground. And behold, a hand touched me, which set me (unsteadily) upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And said to me, O Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for to you I am now sent. And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your GOD, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of your words. 36

37 Ezekiel 40:2-4 In the visions of GOD He brought me into the land of Israel and set me down upon a very high mountain, on the south side of which there was what seemed to be the structure of a city. He brought me there, and behold, there was a man (an angel) whose appearance was like bronze, with a line of flax and a measuring reed in his hand, and he stood in the gateway. And the man said to me, Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears and set your heart and mind on all that I will show you, for you are brought here that I may show them to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel. Acts 5:18-20 They seized and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the LORD opened the prison doors and, leading them out, said, Go, take your stand in the temple courts and declare to the people the whole doctrine concerning this Life. Acts 12:5-12 So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent prayer for him was persistently made to GOD by the church. The very night before Herod was about to bring him forth, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And suddenly an angel of the LORD appeared, and a light shone in the place where he was. And the angel gently smote Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, Get up quickly! And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, Tighten your belt and bind on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Wrap your outer garment around you and follow me. And went out (along) following him, and he was not conscious that what was apparently being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed through the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate which leads into the city. Of its own accord (the gate) swung open, and they went out and passed on through one street; and at once the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, Now I really know and am sure that the LORD has sent His angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting. When he, at a glance, became aware of this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where a large number were assembled together and were praying. When we examine the various accounts, we see OFTEN the experience / vision was: REAL to the bodily senses, The visions were sometimes OVERLAID on top of reality, There were sometimes physical effects / manifestations during the vision (Paul was PHYSICALLY released from prison), The person was often AWAKE, not dreaming, nor in a TRANCE, These visions / experiences were NOT hallucinations (made up in their MINDS), But REAL and absolutely ASTOUNDING! 37

38 Question if HOLY angels have this ability, do FALLEN angels as well? GOD has given ANGELS abilities and POWERS, as originally, ALL angels were HOLY... it would make sense that FALLEN angels still retain these same abilities, and in fact, we see, angels can do MIRACULOUS supernatural things, the very REASON we need to TEST and DISCERN! We need to DISCERN the SOURCE! HOLY angels are GOD s messengers, often bringing a PROPHETIC word / vision or WARNING... they are subject to GOD, and ALWAYS glorify HIM! FALLEN angels are EVIL, and work in DECEPTION, lies, and FALSEHOOD. As we know the enemy can and DOES counterfeit -- we need to be aware and DISCERNING! And test every vision / experience, no matter how REAL it is! Test CORRECTLY! HOWEVER, while we MUST test ALL prophetic ministry it is not only wrong to quench the Spirit or to despise prophesyings, in doing so, we rob the Body of a blessing / gift! We also need to discern / judge with the right attitude! 38

39 A word on those trained for destruction of communities / congregations We also need to understand that there are people who are mind control victims they have been subjected to horrific rituals and then trained to destroy the Body. They will be DID / SRA 13, and have MANY identities some who were allowed to become Christian parts. These parts will be born-again, they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and will be able to quote Scriptures, attend congregations and Bible studies. They will be VERY prophetic and will be able to grow quickly in the ranking of those in the local prophetic ministry. Their words are often very accurate, as they are so sharply trained to see things in the spirit. They can even build a strong prophetic ministry and have international ministries. They impress many people with their discernment and words of prophecy. The situation can be TWO-fold: 1. The person has genuinely been born-again, and is sincerely seeking the Father. However, (depending on the degree of dissociation and mind control) maybe the congregation is not equipped to walk the road of healing with a survivor of DID / SRA, and so the / any cult-active parts of the person are not addressed, and can influence the congregation. 2. The person is on assignment, with the purpose to bring destruction to a congregation / community. Those DID / SRA individuals who are on assignment, have deceived many churches and leaders so much so, they have been given leadership positions and become the main voice in giving direction to the church and the leadership. Their Christian parts are allowed to operate as Christians and look quite normal but behind the scenes their cult-loyal parts are very actively serving satan and destroying the Body. This is satan s best kept secret, and only those who have been trained in understanding DID / SRA on this level of deception, will be able to expose this evil infiltration in a congregation or ministry. DID stands for "Dissocia+ve Iden+ty Disorder" those with mul+ple personali+es, who have suffered from trauma+c 13 abuse and / or mind-control... SRA stands for "Satanic Ritual Abuse" those who have suffered from trauma+c abuse from the occult, which can also result in dissocia+on... 39

40 NOTE! Broken / wounded people are often the most drawn to false prophetic ministry, and more susceptible to deception those who have not dealt with childhood pain and wounds (including bonding issues) are more vulnerable, because they are, in their emotional growth, still children woundedness prevents a person from maturing pain clouds a person s judgment / discernment. A wounded person is needy, rejected, isolated, and most often, unteachable (because of their pain) looking for some sort of love and belonging. This is a perfect match the false prophetic is willing to give false words of comfort and encouragement tickling ears kind of words and gather people around them. When a wounded person finds some sort of belonging, they are also very loyal they will not challenge or discern, as they fear rejection in this way, wounded people can become trapped in destructive cycles, including those of ministry. They are vulnerable to abuse. This is NOT a judgment or criticism towards those who are wounded / broken it is most certainly the opposite a WARNING, in love. 1. Firstly, to recognize you may be wounded / broken to one degree or another, we ALL are. a. Please see our J2F8 materials for more information. 2. Wounding / pain MUST be addressed if you want to mature and walk in the FULLNESS GOD has for you. 3. There is a process of growing and healing you need to join a LOVING community, with MATURE / trained elders, where you can be taught and mentored, and walk the journey of healing. Charismatic Witchcraft Charismatic witchcraft also happens where a decision has been made already and confirmation for one s own desires are sought... in the imagination the prayer has already been answered you have made up your mind! (I want a new house, car, job, marriage partner and so forth). Spirits of deception can then organize circumstances in such a manner that it seems as if the prayer has been answered. Through deception and manipulations, the soul of one person reaches out to that of another person to form a soul tie and to enslave the person. When you allow your own desires and will to rule over the Will of GOD, you open yourself up to a spirit of deception that will control your will and emotions. You are totally deceived and unaware that your prayers have become charismatic witchcraft. Our prayers should always be directed to bless people and not to curse them. Don t use your authority as a Christian to curse and manipulate other people. You may even be of the opinion that your pastor or minister is outside the Will of GOD and does not fulfill his task properly. No matter the case, it is very dangerous to pray into a situation and not to ask that GOD s Will would take place as well as undermining the person s authority by gossiping and word curses. It boils down to witchcraft and rebellion! 40

41 False Prophets Many false prophets start out as true prophets of GOD. What happens? They compromised the Word of GOD and started depending on their own personal charisma instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to minister. They gradually became more and more deceived and eventually prophesied their own thoughts and desires. In this manner GOD s gifts are abused and used to people s own advantage. Be careful of prophecies telling you whom to marry and where to move, or what the sex of the child will be. Be careful of prophetic utterances that inflate the egos of people and cause them to become proud. Jeremiah 23:16 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Do not listen to the words of the (false) prophets who prophesy to you. They teach you vanity and fill you with vain hopes; they speak a vision of their own minds and not from the mouth of the LORD. Revelation 19:10 Then I fell prostrate at his feet to worship to him, but he and said, Refrain! I am another servant with you and your brethren who have the testimony borne by Jesus. Worship GOD! For the substance of the Truth revealed by Jesus is the Spirit of all prophecy. All prophecy should glorify GOD! Ezekiel 13:6 They have seen falsehood and lying divination, saying, The LORD says; but the LORD has not sent them. Yet they have hoped and made men to hope for the confirmation of their word. Dangers when seeking a prophetic word. Many people attend prophetic ministries in the hope of receiving a Word from GOD. People who continuously seek out a prophetic word can actually fall into fortune-telling and divination and come under the influence of evil spirits. Do not try to tap into the prophet s anointing that will cause you to draw from the prophet s soul / psychic power when you focus on the MAN and not GOD. To hear what you want to hear wanting the prophet to give you a word in front of all the people to prove to everyone that GOD has called you and you have such a very special and anointed calling is can be DANGEROUS! The prophet has to stay focused on the Holy Spirit and only speak what He says! You should be praying for the prophet to hear clearly from the Throne Room of GOD! There is a time and season to enquire from a prophet for direction, but Christians have to come into the habit of personally enquiring from GOD. 41

42 ! Idols in our hearts. Ezekiel 14:3-10 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and put the stumbling block of their iniquity and guilt before their faces; should I permit Myself to be inquired of at all by them? Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the LORD GOD: Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity (idols of silver and gold) before his face, and yet comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him, answer him according to the multitude of his idols, That I may lay hold of the house of Israel in the thoughts of their own mind and heart, because they are all estranged from Me through their idols. Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the LORD GOD: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations. For anyone of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel who separates himself from Me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity and guilt before his face, and comes to the prophet to inquire for himself of Me, I the LORD will answer him Myself! And I will set My face against that and will make him a sign and a byword, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people; and you shall know (that I am the LORD. But if the prophet does give the man the answer he desires, I the LORD will see to it that the prophet is deceived in his answer, and I will stretch out My hand against him and will destroy him from the midst of My people Israel. And they both shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the iniquity of the prophet shall be the same as the iniquity of the inquirer, GOD HATES idolatry! What is the result of idols in your heart / life? When you have already made up your mind you want that house, that girl, that job, whatever that is an IDOL! GOD will then put a word in the mouth of the prophet to deceive you! You hear what you want to hear but leanness, disease, and death enters in! Psalm 106:13-15 But they hastily forgot His works; they did not wait for His plans regarding them, But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tempted and tried to restrain GOD n the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls and disease and death. 42

43 PROPHET TO THE NATION The primary responsibility of a prophet is to bring direction and correction to their Church, but God may raise some prophets up to be a Prophet to the Nation. Many of the prophets of the Old Testament found themselves confronting kings, and taking an important role in national affairs. Some also addressed their words to foreign nations. They demonstrate the ministry of the Prophet to the Nation. A thousand or ten thousand ordinary priests or pastors or teachers could labour quietly on almost unnoticed while the spiritual life of Israel or the church was normal. But let the people of God go astray from the paths of truth and immediately the specialist appeared almost out of nowhere. His instinct for trouble brought him to the help of the Lord and of Israel. Such a man was likely to be drastic, radical, possibly at times violent, and the curious crowd that gathered to watch him work soon branded him as extreme, fanatical, negative. And in a sense they were right. He was single-minded, severe, fearless, and these were the qualities the circumstances demanded. He shocked some, frightened others and alienated not a few, but he knew who had called him and what he was sent to do. His ministry was geared to the emergency, and that fact marked him out as different, a man apart. To such men as this the church owes a debt too heavy to pay. The curious thing is that she seldom tries to pay him while he lives, but the next generation builds his sepulchre and writes his biography, as if instinctively and awkwardly to discharge an obligation the previous generation to a large extent ignored (Leonard Ravenhill - Why Revival Tarries). Times of Transformation A Prophet to the Nation releases God's hand of power. We are living in a time of transformation, when God's purposes will be accomplished through "shaking" and judgement. The ministry of the prophet is very important at these times, because God cannot act, without first giving a warning through his prophets. Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). God cannot shake a nation until he has announced it through his prophets. There are two reasons for this. 1. God is merciful and always gives people an opportunity to repent, before he sends judgement on a nation. God would be happier if he did not have to shake the nation, he gives a warning, hoping that his people will put things right. But if the warning is not heeded, God has no alternative but to act himself. 2. Any shaking event must be recognised as coming from the hand of God. If a judgement is seen as just a normal event, it can be ignored. An event that has been announced beforehand by God's servants is obviously a work of God and its meaning will be clear. The fact that it has been announced beforehand by God's servant will be proof that it is a work of God. Prophetic activists and national apostasy are often associated (Milton Smith). 43

44 The prophet knows what time it is, knows what kind of time it is. He holds prophetic understanding of the mentality and mood of this present time. He identifies and knows the trends of a society by looking at its roots. He is able to analyse trends and upcoming events by judging foundations. His words are a force against the mentality of the day (Lars Widerburg - The Forthtellers). Sin inevitably brings divine judgement. Jerusalem the Holy City collapses, not because the enemy was stronger but because God decreed it. The fall of Jerusalem is represented as a divine judgement against sin. Human rebellion against God, not weakness caused the collapse of the Holy City (Milton Smith). Changing Governments The story of Abimelech contrasts three different methods of bringing political change (Judges 9). The first two methods bring bad results. 1. Abimelech was elected by a democratic process, but he did great harm to the people of Shechem. This incident is a timely reminder that democracy gives power to the wrong people. The skills needed to get ahead in politics are pragmatism, arrogance and a light hand on the truth. These are very different from the skills needed by a good judge. 2. Rebelling against an evil leader will usually fail, because violence produces violence. A person capable of rebellion is also capable of being a dictator. Now Gaal son of Ebed moved with his brothers into Shechem, and its citizens put their confidence in him. Then Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should be subject to him? If only this people were under my command! Then I would get rid of him. I would say to Abimelech, 'Call out your whole army!' (Judges 9:26,28,29). Gaal led a rebellion, but the and those who followed him were destroyed (Judges 9:38-41) 3. Prophetic proclamation is the best way to remove a bad government. When a prophet voice speaks God's judgment against an evil ruler, God will honour that word and bring sanctions against the wicked person. Jothan, the youngest brother escaped and prophesied against Abimelech and the people of Shechem. If then you have acted honorably and in good faith may Abimelech be your joy, and may you be his, too! But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelech and consume you, citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and let fire come out from you, citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelech!" (Judges 9:19,20). God honoured this prophetic word. After Abimelech had governed Israel three years, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem, who acted treacherously against Abimelech (Judges 9:22,23). 44

45 Abimelech was removed by prophecy. Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done. God also made the men of Shechem pay for all their wickedness. The curse of Jotham came on them (Judges 9:56,57). Modern Christians place a lot of faith in democracy, even though it does not produce godly government. Others have tried rebellion, but this has failed too. Prophetic proclamation is the best way to get rid of an evil government. Unfortunately, belief that God can bring governments down is rare. The missing element is a strong prophetic voice to release God's power to bring political change. Prophets and Tyranny One reason that tyranny has been so serious in the twentieth century is the lack of prophets in the nations. There have been no prophets challenging political rulers to obey the law of God. Many rulers do not even know that they are required to serve God, or that he has put limits on their jurisdiction. God can only act against evil rulers, if he has a prophet to speak out his challenge and warn of his judgements. Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets (Amos 3:10). God will not bring sanctions against wicked rulers unless their sins are clearly understood. God does not like to send judgement against the leaders of a nation, unless his prophets have announced it. If prophets have not announced the judgement in advance, the rulers will not understand that it was sent by God. They will not realise that the calamity is the consequence of their sins. They will assume that it is just another tragic event. Some rulers may even use the trouble to expand their powers. If judgement is not announced in advance by the prophets, its purpose is diffused or lost. Isaiah 16 describes a number of kings and tyrants, who were brought down from the place of pride and power by the shaking of God. He gave relief from suffering and cruel bondage by destroying the aggressive and oppressive rulers. God was able to stretch forth his hand and accomplish his purpose, because prophets like Isaiah had prophesied against them (Isaiah 12-23) The worst thing that can happen to a nation is the have no prophets. Psalm 74 is the cry of a people suffering under tyranny. We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. How long will the enemy mock you, O God? Will the foe revile your name forever? Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them! (Psalm 74:9-11). 45

46 The Psalmist feels like his nation is in a hopeless situation. It is being ruled by tyrants and God's hand of judgement against this injustice is being held back. The Psalmist knows that God has power to destroy the wicked ruler, but while there are no prophets this is unlikely to happen. This lack of prophets is a still a problem in the modern world. Prophets to the nation will have to emerge in the church first, but the modern church has been unwilling to release this gift in the church. The prophetic ministry has been stifled in the church, so prophets to the nation have been unable to develop. The absence of the prophetic ministry has impoverished the church, but it has had even more serious consequences for the world. Tyrants have been able to rule with impunity, as God's hand of judgement has been held back, hidden his garment, the church. Restraining the Sword The sword is dangerous and the political sphere will always tend to expand. People with political power will always see new problems to solve and their people will often expect them to solve them. Rulers will always face the temptation to expand their power. Pressure to do more good is dangerous, because the state can use force to expand its role. This is a great dilemma for political theory. The state needs force to punish criminals and protect society. However, this monopoly of force makes it almost impossible for citizens to prevent their government from expanding its power. We cannot resist the state, because it is stronger than we are. History suggests that this is a serious problem. Throughout the twentieth century, the power of the state, whether dictator or democracy, has increased immensely. Even where political powers start out with modest intentions, they seem to end up with more power and control. Democracy does not prevent this from happening, but tends to make the situation worse. It tends to produce leaders who pander to the desires of the people by expanding political power. The United States constitution was carefully designed to limit political power, but the United States government has now amassed incredible power over its citizens. Prophetic Antidote The only antidote to the expanding state is Christian prophets proclaiming the law in partnership with God. When the church is functionally correctly, God will raise up prophets to the nation, who can speak his word to its rulers. These prophets will confront their rulers, whenever they take up power and responsibility that does not belong to them. Biblical law sets out the boundaries on the power of the state. The Prophets of God will challenge any political ruler who takes powers that are not authorised by the law. If the rulers do not heed these warnings, the prophets will announce God's judgement against them. If the rulers then persist in taking power that God has not given to them, they will experience his judgement. If they will not voluntarily shrink their power to the size specified by God's law, he will cut them down to size. The law and the prophets are the key to limiting the power of the state (Romans 3:21). 46

47 This earth belongs to the Lord, so all rulers are his servants. They do not have absolute power, but exercise delegated power given to them by God. If they take power that has not been delegated to them, they are in rebellion against him. When a ruler ignores God's will, the prophets will warn of God's judgement. If the rulers refuse to surrender to God, they can expect his sanctions to fall upon them. The best restraint on the power of the sword is the power of the trumpet. A good example of this restraining power is recorded in 1 Kings 11: About that time Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh met him on the way, wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone out in the country, and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. Then he said to Jeroboam, "Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon's hand and give you ten tribes. Solomon had rejected God by taking foreign wives to form alliances with foreign nations. Ahijah the prophet announced God's judgement against Solomon. This resulted in his son Rehoboam losing most of the kingdom to another king. Crisis and Hope In the troubled times that lie ahead many people will have their hope shattered. The plans and the projects to which they have given their lives will collapse. Often they will feel as if God has abandoned them. The nations will need prophets who can give new vision in these times of shaking. We must recognise the danger of despair that comes with extinguishing dreams. In the troubled times that lie ahead many will believe that their dreams have died. Theologically they will believe that God has abandoned them. If the church in our time is to avoid despair we must construct the new vision of God's presence in the midst of our judgement (Bruce Bint). With the shattering changes -political, economic and technological -that have been thrust upon the twentieth century world it is a small wonder that the generation facing the close of the second millennium and peering uncertainly into the uncharted waters of the twenty first century are crying out for divine guidance (Clifford Hill - Prophecy, Past and Present p. 281). God raises special people for special times and the times dictate the strength of God's hand upon the person (Paula White). Prophets will explain how God is at work in what appears to be a disaster. And because prophets can see what lies ahead, they will be able to give direction and hope for the future. Prophets arise in times of crisis. Their message is always relevant to the contemporary situation. The encounter with prophecy is always at the frontier of the social and religious. The factors that give rise to prophecy are always both sociological and religious. (Clifford Hill - Prophecy, Past and Present p. 20). 47

48 When Israel was in trouble and needed a deliverer, God sent a prophet. They (Midian) invaded the land to ravage it. Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help. When the Israelites cried to the Lord because of Midian, he sent them a prophet (Judges 6:6,7). Building faith and hope is one of the functions of the prophetic gift. Jeremiah was able to obey God in the midst of troubling circumstances because he had been given a picture of the future (Chuck Pierce - The Future War of the Church). God's Spokesperson A prophet to the nation is a person who speaks on behalf of God. Peter said that prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20,21). Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. They were moved by the Spirit, so they could speak in the name of the Lord. When calling Jeremiah, God said he would puts his words in the prophet's mouth. The Lord said to him, You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you I have put my words in your mouth. Jeremiah 1:7,9 A prophet is a person with the gift of a keen ability to hear from God. They have a finely tuned ability to hear God's voice (Noel Woodlock). The same point is made in Deuteronomy 18:18: I will raise up a prophet I will put my words in his mouth and he will tell them everything that I command him. A prophet speaks in obedience to the Lord. He says only what God tells him to say. He brings God's word to the church and the world. Ezekiel described this as the Lord's hand being upon him. The hand of the Lord was upon me (Ezekiel 37:1). The prophet was primarily a man of the word of God. His task was to bring the word of God to his fellow man (J A Motyer-Prophets and Prophecy). The prophet of God was thus the mouthpiece of God. He was God's messenger whose task was to deliver whatever God said to him. He was not simply a holy man, nor was he a man with a mission to reform the world or to accomplish any particular task of religious teaching or leadership. The Prophet was simply a "mouthpiece" (Clifford Hill - Prophecy, Past and Present p.25). 48

49 A prophet is a divine spokesperson. To speak prophetically is to speak by divine inspiration. It is the presentation of God's message for an individual, group, nation, or generation. It may bring direction, correction, warning, encouragement, or instruction (John Bevere - Thus Saith the Lord p.2). The picture of the prophet that emerges from the pages of Scripture and the early church writings is impressive. Rather than a mere mouthpiece who passively responds when god picks him up, the prophet is a conscious agent of God, gifted by God to be an envoy, a watchman and bearer of royal authority (Bruce Yocum - Prophecy p.59). If we are to arrive at a proper conception of the function of to "nabhi", we must look elsewhere than to philology. We must examine the actual usage of the word in the Old Testament, and from such usage seek to determine what it meant. In Deuteronomy 18:18b the essential nature of the prophetic function is clearly set forth; "... and I shall place my words in his mouth and he will speak unto them all which I command him." Here the function of the prophet is that of declaring the word. Precisely this same thought also appears in the classic text, Exodus 7:1. God declared even before his birth, Jeremiah had been sanctified and had been set apart to be a nabhi. Immediately upon hearing this announcement, Jeremiah cries that he does not know how to speak. Evidently Jeremiah, as soon as he hears that he is to be a nabhi thinks of speaking, and complains that he is unable to fulfil the function of a nabhi namely, speaking. To his mind the word nabhi called up immediately the connotation of speaking. Jeremiah was to be a nabhi therefore he would have to speak (Edward J Young - My servants the Prophets p.59). The definitions of the different Greek and Hebrew words translated "prophet" in the Old and New Testaments reveal that this ministry is one that speaks for God, has immediate intercourse with God, is an interpreter of the oracles of God, and preaches the counsel of God. These are all indicative of the awesome seriousness of prophetic ministry. To speak for God and interpret of preach his counsel is a responsibility of unfathomable proportions to be entrusted to mere men (Rick Joyner - The Prophetic Ministry). A prophet is defined more by a willingness to speak than an ability to hear. Every Christians should be able to hear God. However, only a few have the courage and boldness to speak everything that God wants spoken. Prophets have a special sense of the heart and burdens of God. They are committed to the truth. They are willing to speak God's word, regardless of the cost. God needs prophets who will speak his work fearlessly, without regard to the consequences. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen (Ezekiel 2:7). They developed a keen sense of God's presence and knew when he wanted to speak to his people. They sensed his moods and his burdens of heart, even before they knew exactly what they were feeling. It was wonderful, but it also confused them because they often felt squeezed between what God wanted to do and the religious routine going on about them (Stephen L Mansfield - Pastoring the Prophetic). The task of the prophet to the nation is also demonstrated in the relationship between Moses and Aaron. Moses was not a good speaker, so God said Aaron would be his "prophet". He explained what this would mean. 49

50 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him (Exodus 4:15-17). In this passage, Aaron clearly appears as the mediator between Moses and Pharaoh. Moses stands in relation to Pharaoh as god to the people, and the message of Moses is given to Pharaoh by means of Aaron. Here again the function of the Prophet is that of speaking forth a message which has been received from a superior (Edward J Young - My Servants the Prophets p.58). Prophet for the Season Every prophet is different and unique. We should not try to put them all into the same mould. God always has the right person for the time and situation. God has always had his specialists whose chief concern had been moral breakdown, the decline in the spiritual health of the nation or the church. Such men were Elijah, Jeremiah, Malachi, and others of their kind who appeared at critical moments in history to reprove rebuke and exhort in the name of God and righteousness (A W Tozer). Jeremiah was God's man for a nation flying apart (David Pawson Jeremiah). The institution of prophecy, therefore is to be regarded as a gift of God. It is he who raised up the prophets and gave them their messages. They were not merely men of religious genius, nor did they appear because Israel was a particularly religious nation (Edward J Young - My servants the Prophets p.36). George Wishart was believed by his contemporaries to have spoken under the influence of prophetic inspiration. John Knox says, He was not only singularly learned, as well in Godly knowledge as in all honest human science, but he was also so clearly illumined with the spirit of prophecy, that he not only saw not only pertaining to himself, but also such things as some towns and the whole realm afterward felt, which he spoke not in secret but in the audience of many (Torrance). In this connection we must remember that the entire prophetic institution was a gift from God. It was not an expression of the religious nature of the people, but a Divine gift. The prophets were raised up of God: they did not emerge from the national religious consciousness. As the spokesman of God they uttered their messages wherever God commanded them to do so (Edward J Young - My Servants the Prophets). Eyes of the Nation There is a watching aspect to the ministry of a prophet. In fact one of the words for prophet is the Hebrew word Seer. Formerly in Israel, if a man went to inquire of God, he would say, "Come, let us go to the seer," because the prophet of today used to be called a seer (1 Samuel 9:9) 50

51 Seers are men of revelation. Seers are men of enlightenment. Seers are men of intellectual maturity. The prophet is a seer. The basic nature of his commission is observation and watchfulness. He is prone to contemplation and skilled in the art of deduction (Lars Widerberg - The Seer). Isaiah described the prophets as the "eyes" of or nation. The Lord has brought over you a deep sleep: He has sealed your eyes (the prophets); he has covered your heads (the seers) (Isaiah 29:10). Balaam was a false prophet, yet the Lord used him when the Spirit came on him. He said some good things about how a prophet needs to have his eyes opened to see what God is doing. The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: (Numbers 24:4) Prophets are people of vision, who can see what God is doing. They co-operate with God in breaking down all that is not built on the true foundation. They do this by announcing his judgements. At the same time they watch over all that God is doing in the nation to see that it is built according to his Word. The prophet does not confuse truth with consensus. The prophet does not confuse God's word with the word of those who happen to hold power at present, or with the opinion of the majority. This is because powerholders and the majority can fall victim to a lying spirit-and this means a power that actually seizes the majority of experts, the political leadership, and the public (Michael Welker God the Spirit Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994, p.88). Nations and Encouragement Personal prophecy should be mostly encouragement. A problem occurs when a person who is fluent with the gift of prophecy and experienced with personal prophecy moves up to the role of prophet to a church or nation. This problem is more serious with prophecies to a city or nation or state. These entities have a strong tendency to turn away from God, so they rarely need encouragement and mostly need warning and correction. Christians living within them need a clear trumpet sound, so they know what they should do. If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? (1 Corinthians 15:8). To often, Christian's who have learned their craft bring encouragement in personal prophecies try to step up and bring prophecies to their nation. If they do not understand the difference and make a transition to the different level of operation, they will often bring spiritual warm fuzzies when the nation really needs a clear trumpet call. 51

52 In a prophecy to any nation, at least a couple of the following questions should be answered. What is going on in this nation? Has the season changed? What do the people of the nation or its leaders need to do to turn things around? What is God doing in the nation? What do the people of God need to do, to be a part of what the Lord is doing? Some will be surprised that none of these questions refer to predictions about the future. The truth is that I would sooner know what God is doing now and what his people should be doing now, than what will happen in the future. Knowing who will be the next President will not help us at all, if we do not understand what is happening in the nation that has caused God to give us that particular President. Most prophecies for a nation on the internet do not measure up. They just carry on the encouragement model that is typical of personal prophecy. This will provide plenty of spiritual warm fuzzies, but a clear trumpet call is rare. Choosing to speak for God is a serious business. He is not honoured by spiritual mush. Moral Campaigners God calls does not call Christians to be "moral campaigners". The Pharisees were the moral campaigners of Y shua s time. They loved to find fault with the weak and sinful people in their society, but Y shua criticised them for their lack of mercy and their spiritual blindness. He showed mercy to those trapped in the grip of sin. The Pharisees got things all wrong. They could not see their own sin, so they seemed like hypocrites. They dealt harshly with weak people who had been seduced by a culture of sin and were not clever enough to hide it, but missed the far more serious sins of society's leaders. They focused on obvious sexual sins, but were blinded to the more deceptive sins that open the nation to evil. This should be a serious warning to those who campaign against sin. God does not need moral campaigners, but he does call a few of his people to speak prophetically to the nation. These prophets will remind the nation of God's standards and warn of the consequences for society. A key part of their role is to identify the core evils that are the root of their society's problems. They will not be obsessed with the more obvious sexual sins, but will focus on the subtle shifts in attitude that creep in and open the door to real evil. They will know that the sins of their political and cultural leaders are usually well hidden, but are really dangerous to society. 52

53 True prophets will be concerned about devious and influential sins, like pride, selfishness and "state idolatry". They will be less concerned about sexual sins, as these generally only emerge when other more subtle sins have already taken hold in society. Blatant sexual sin is a symptom of a sick world, but is not the root cause. Prophets to their nation will be more concerned about the cause than the symptoms. They will focus on the issues that are really damaging their society. Focus on the Cause not the Symptom Much modern prophecy is very shallow. Real prophets go deep to the heart of an issue. They are not distracted by surface issues and symptoms that that are not the real cause of what is happening. Prophets press in deeper until they get to the crux of the issues that are shaping the heart of their nation. Abortion is an example of this problem. Most Christians realise that abortion is a terrible sin. Some get really stirred up about it, but this prevents them from seeing the real issues affecting their nation. Abortion is not a legal issue, but a manifestation of a much deeper spiritual malaise. Something is seriously wrong with the spirit of nation when many young women feel compelled to destroy their future (their children). Prophetic people are wasting energy when they attempt to make abortion illegal, because banning abortion deals with the symptoms of the problem, but does not change the underlying cause that is rooted deep in the culture. The prophetic task is to expose the cracks in the heart of the nations that are manifesting through abortion. The solution is not a change in the law, but deep-seated repentance, a renewed world view, and powerful healing by God. Abortion is just one manifestation of an impaired spirit. The Left Behind phenomena is another manifestation of the same core blemish. Many Christians have lost confidence in the future and are looking to Y shua to come and rescue them soon. They have no confidence in the ability of the Holy Spirit to establish the Kingdom of God. This lack of faith puts them in danger of being cut off from their future, just as the young woman who has an abortion cuts off her own future. Abortion and rapture obsession are manifestation of the same spiritual flaw. Many Christians are stirred up about homosexual marriage, but again they are focussing on the symptoms and not the root cause. Christian prophets will realise that homosexuality is a symptom and not the real crack in the heart of their culture. Ezekiel understood this issue well. When he describing the sin of Sodom, this is what he said. Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy (Ezekiel 16:49). Sodom's root sin was not homosexuality, but arrogance, laziness and refusal to care for the poor. It seems that when a society makes and idol of comfort and pleasure, it descends into a promiscuity that eventually manifests in homosexuality. What Lot found in Sodom was just the natural outcome for a society that worshipped comfort and wealth. 53

54 Lot saw the symptoms of the problem and like many Christian was upset about what he saw. Ezekiel looked much deeper and realised that the key issue was a love of comfort and pleasure. We need more prophets like Elijah who can see deep into the heart of our nation. Avoiding Corruption Prophets to their nation must remain humble, so they are not corrupted by their close link with the state. The scriptures have strong words against the "court prophets" who support everything that a ruler does, but do not listen to what God is saying. Prophets to the nation must also be careful to remain in the place where God has planted them. Because, they understand the art of government, they might be tempted to enter politics. However, prophets have a responsibility to speak God's word, so they must not usurp the role of the king. This would be dangerous for them and their nation. An excellent prophet will make an inferior king. The boundary between church and state must be kept clear. Prophets must not attempt to manipulate or control the civil authorities on God's behalf. They must limit their efforts to persuasion. They must speak God's word and leave the Holy Spirit to change the politicians heart. The key to being heard is to hear from God. The more clearly the prophet hears from God, the more his words will be heeded. Wise prophets will remain separate from the trappings of the state, so that they can hear God clearly and speak with integrity. Prophets to the Nation speak as individuals and not on behalf of their church. Their authority will not come from their position in the church (they may be recognised as prophets by the church). They will only have authority in the nation, if their words are true and anointed by the Holy Spirit. They will not be able to make decisions for the government or business. Those with authority in business or the government must test the words of the prophets and only obey them if they are true. They should listen to those who are skilled at hearing form God, but they are not required to obey them blindly. They must obey God, rather than man. Controlling prophets are as dangerous as an imperialistic church. Political loyalties Political loyalties are very limiting for prophetic people. A person who is loyal to the right or to the left will be able to function as a prophet in their church or bring words to the people the meet, but they are unlikely to move on to the role of prophet to their state or nation. A prophet to the nations must be totally loyal to God and to his law. Unless prophetic people understand that political parties and human politics are not part of God's plan, very few real prophets to the nations will emerge. God's revelation for rulers and governments is contained in his law, so prophets called to speak to their nation must understand and defend the law. They cannot afford to be blinded by loyalty to a party or political leader. People with valid prophetic gifts become "court prophets" when their loyalty to a particular political leader or a political party takes precedence over their loyalty to God. The court prophets that led Jehoshaphat astray were not prophets of Baal. They were prophets of the Lord, trained among the sons of the prophets. 54

55 They would have been brought to the palace when their ability to hear and speak the word of God was recognised. The problem was that they became too loyal to the king's party. This prevented them from hearing God's warning and left them vulnerable to a lying spirit (1 Kings 22). The American nation does not have a clear prophetic voice. That is a dangerous place to be. I am sure that God is calling many of his people to be a prophet to the nation. Unfortunately most are so wrapped up in America that they cannot offer the total loyalty that God needs for this role. Blind loyalty to the left or right is blocking the prophetic flow at the national level. True Justice Social justice is becoming an important issue for the church. This is good, because God is concerned about justice. However too often the justice that is proclaimed is merely humanistic justice. The church tends to jump on the bandwagons that are being pushed by liberal humanists. Moreover, the message is too often spoken by committees or church officials, who have no real authority in the eyes of the world. The result is that their voices are lost amongst all the other voices that are speaking into modern society. If the church is to have an impact in the area of social justice, it must pray that God will raise up prophets to speak to the nation. Watchmen serve their time and their church by understanding and defining the mentality of contemporary phenomenons. The prophet is a man of foundations, able to analyse the results of a common trend in society by looking at its roots. He is skilled in the art of deduction, interpretation and discernment. He, himself becomes a force against the mentality of the time and he offers understanding of how to avoid the influence of its atmosphere. This imminent force of separation and purity is the prophetic dimension (Lars Widerberg - The Seer). Prophets should know the mind of God, so they will proclaim a standard of justice and righteousness that is true. They will know the issues that are on the heart of God and how true peace and justice can be established. Prophets will speak in the name of the Lord, so they will have tremendous authority. God will watch over their words to ensure that they come to pass. There are many calls for the church to be prophetic, but this is impossible for a church without prophets. As Christians we believe that God is active in the world and that his word can be heard in the events of human history. We believe it is the church's duty to proclaim what God is doing and what he would have us do. So Amos of old denounced the selfish indifference of the rich and the unjust suffering of the poor in Israel. Jeremiah who proclaimed that the inevitable judgement of a just God on his faithless people was to be seen in the fall of Jerusalem. We cannot doubt that God is at work in the turmoil of our world today, in inflation, in industrial unrest and political uncertainty, in the aspirations of the Third world. He has a word for us to proclaim to our contemporaries, a word of challenge, of judgement, of comfort and of hope. Yet the voice of the church and of Christians generally seems, strangely silent. What a nation needs more than anything else is not a Christian ruler in the palace, but a Christian prophet in earshot (Kenneth Kaunda, Former President of Zambia). 55

56 The good news of salvation is still being proclaimed but if a crisis is being faced, why is their no clear guidance. If the church is to give a lead in proclaiming God's word about economic and political questions, it will be those engaged in economics and politics as practitioners or a students and teachers. We need to understand what God is saying to us in the situation in which he has placed us at the present time (John F Solemn). Guidance to Rulers A key role of a Prophet to a Nation is to provide guidance to rulers. Prophets will be experts on God's law, so they can teach political authorities how to obey it. When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees (Deuteronomy 17:18,19). The Prophet to the Nation will teach the rulers of the nation how to implement God's law. As prophets love the law more than others, they will have better understanding of its principles. Their wisdom will assist those who are struggling to interpret the law. Prophets will understand the principles of good government, so they will be able to provide good guidance to those in authority. Ruling a nation can be a frightening task. Many decisions have to be made and most of them are hard, so rulers have always attempted to surround themselves with wise people. The king of Israel knew the benefit of having a prophet close by to help him make decisions. Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place. The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: "Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there." So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, "Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?" "None of us, my lord the king," said one of his officers, "but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom." (2 Kings 6:8-12). Prophets will give supernatural guidance to the political ruler. Because their wisdom is from God, it will be effective. God will establish the Prophet to the Nation in his position by giving him the wisdom that the ruler needs. The King of Israel knew that Elisha was a prophet, because his words were correct. The King of Babylon trusted Daniel, because he correctly interpreted a dream that none or the Babylonian wise men understood. This is a very important principle. Many people, including prophets, are willing to criticise their government. Prophets to the Nation are different. They begin their careers by assisting their government in tricky situations. Ahab trusted Miciah's words, because he provided correct advice in the past (1 Kings 22:7,8). Rulers will be glad to have prophets in their court, even if they hate God, because they need their advice. 56

57 Prophets will give warning to the rulers of nation when they are taking the wrong direction or taking authority that God has not given them. The Old Testament prophets spent much of their time warning kings who had rejected God's way and were following the way of the world. Strong prophets are the best protection against the power of the state. Good rulers welcome correction. The prophet Nathan challenged David when he committed adultery and murder, but remained his friend. Nathan had established his credibility with David much earlier, when the King was planning the temple (1 Samuel 7). Every ruler needs a prophet like Nathan who can hear the voice of God and challenge his sins. Rulers are usually surrounded by people trying to "grease up" to them. In this environment, a prophetic friend is the best protection against the occupation hazard of hubris. All rulers need a friend to speak God's word to them. The Prophet to the Nation will pray for their government. Samuel prayed all night when his friend King Saul fell from grace (1 Samuel 15:11). Every political leader needs a friend of God who will intercede for him with this intensity. Prophets and Law God is raising up prophetic people all over the world, to be a prophetic voice in their church. Hopefully a few of these will go to be prophets to their nation. The Old Testament prophets were the guardians of God's law. They prosecuted kings for their failure to obey the law. Every prophet speaking at the national level must use God's law as a standard for testing the behaviour and actions of rulers and kings. To be an effective voice to their nation, these prophets must have a sound understanding of God's law. Those called to be a prophetic voice in their nation must understand the connection between their ministry and God's law. A prophet who is not rooted in God's law will end up following after some fashionable secular voice. The can easily become the servant of particular political party. Without a clear standard, prophets will be blown around by every wind of change. As prophets exercise the power of the trumpet on behalf of the Church, they will need to love the law. The Old Testament prophets were like legal prosecutors who charged and attempted to convict Israel of failure to keep the law. They were so passionate for God's law they were willing to risk the wrath of wicked Kings when confronting their nations sin. For prophets to exercise the power of the trumpet, they will need to change their attitude to the law. Several Psalms teach that we should love the law. Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders for I obey your precepts (Psalm 119:97-100). 57

58 We have interpreted this message as a call to love the scriptures, but that is not what the Psalmist says. We are actually told to love the law and are promised that this will give us greater wisdom than our teachers. Prophets will study the Old Testament law with passion to understand how it applies to civil government in a modern society. The Old Testament prophets were like legal prosecutors who charged Israel with failure to keep the law. They were so passionate for God's law they were willing to risk the wrath of wicked Kings when confronting their nations sin. I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame,for I delight in your commands because I love them. (Psalm 119:46,47). Prophets will only be able to speak clearly to the rulers of their nation, if they truely love the law. Prophets and Judges The prophets will have a role in exposing judges who are unjust. Micah challenged the judges of Jerusalem for accepting bribes. Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money (Micah 3:11). Jeremiah warned the judges against protecting evil people and not establishing justice. How can you say, "We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely? The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have? From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when they are punished, says the LORD (Jeremiah 8:8-12). The prophets will expose judges that are not honouring God and his law. Difficult Cases For really difficult cases, judges might call in people with spiritual discernment or prophetic insight. If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge-whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults-take them to the place the LORD your God will choose. Go to the priests, who are Levites, and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict (Deuteronomy 17:8,9). Following the work of the cross, there are no priests or Levites as such, but every society should have men and women of God with the gift of discernment. Wise people may be called on to help with difficult cases. 58

59 However, no matter how wise our judges, mistakes will still be made. Judges should be humble, knowing that we will never get perfect justice on this earth. God is our final judge. Any mistakes that are made by human judges will eventually be corrected when we stand before the perfect judge at the end of the age. All mistakes will be corrected perfectly. Rare Ministry A calling to speak to the nation will be rare. Most prophets will function as an elder in a Church and only a few will become a Prophet to the Nation. We should not confuse these two roles. Most prophetic people will never get beyond the ordinary role of elder in their Church. Those with a ministry in a Church should not presume to be a Jeremiah or an Amos. Many of the more solemn and serious aspects of the teaching on these pages only apply to the Prophet to the Nation. Prophetic Nations Some nations have a calling to be prophetic. They cannot achieve their destiny until the prophetic ministry is established in their midst. 59

60 IN CONCLUSION We need to examine our OWN hearts! We ve focused a lot on testing / discerning prophetic ministry however, we need to ask the question what of our OWN hearts? WHY are we seeking a prophetic word? - Are we seeking prophetic ministry as a Christianized version of divination and fortune-telling? - As a quick fix to some problem? - For the experience / thrill? - Because we want to test GOD? Or are tried / frustrated in waiting for an answer? WHY are we using our prophetic gift? - For our OWN purposes and glory? - For the reputation and recognition? - To fulfill some sort of personal need and ambition? Deuteronomy 13:1-4 If a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder he foretells to you comes to pass, and if he says, Let us go after other gods gods you have not known and let us serve them, You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or to that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your GOD is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your GOD with all your (mind and) heart and with your entire being. You shall walk after the LORD your GOD and (ear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and cling to Him. Before testing prophetic words and ministry, we need to examine our OWN hearts Are we desiring more of GOD (and less of ourselves)? To know and love Him from a circumcised heart? To sincerely walk in loving obedience to HIS Ways? Are we sold out to Him and His Kingdom? His Purposes? Are we walking (even if it s just step-by-step) the journey of being conformed to the Image of Messiah? If our hearts are not focused on Him we will very easily be lead astray LOVE GOD with all your heart, TEST everything, Remain TEACHABLE, Speak the Truth in LOVE Shalom! 60

61 NESHAMAH AND TESTING PROPHETIC MINISTRY As discussed, it is IMPERATIVE that we TEST all prophetic ministry. We ve seen that true prophecy is a Word from the LORD, that comes from the Holy Spirit and flows through the spirit (Neshamah) of man. One needs to be very careful of a word that is defiled / influenced by a wounded and / or defiled spirit or soul. Understanding how Neshamah works is very important in counseling, and discerning the difference between spirit and soul. When flowing in prophetic counseling, one needs to understand the role of Neshamah, and how to pray that we are NOT deceived with false direction, coming from the flesh, soul, and / or wounded spirit. Core There is a CORE of the SOUL which is your personality the person GOD created you from the beginning. There is a CORE of the SPIRIT we call this NESHAMAH, Ne sh mah Strong s Hebrew 5397, meaning: Breath Spirit (NOT the same as RU ACH) NESHAMAH is the GOD-created breath of LIFE. Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD GOD formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life (NESHAMAH), and man became a living being. NESHAMAH is SEPARATE to our human spirit and human soul... but works WITH the Holy Spirit. NESHAMAH is the GOD-given capacity to know, perceive, and understand. Neshamah is the LAMP of the LORD! Proverbs 20:27 The spirit (of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts. Neshamah gives us LIFE and UNDERSTANDING! Job 32:8 But there is (a vital force) a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives men understanding. 61

62 " Job 33:4 (It is) the Spirit of GOD that made me, and the breath of the Almighty that gives me life. Neshamah is the GOD-imparted capacity to know and connect with HIM and His LIFE! Neshamah and PRIMAL SPLITS It is also very important to know that your Neshamah is that part of your being we call LIFE and GLORY! Satan lost all the glory he had when he was evicted from Heaven. He craves to get that glory back, and he devizes many plans to steal from GOD s children. He is known as a THIEF and a SCHEMER! He steals parts of the Neshamah through trauma, dissociation, satanic rituals, and so forth. When one suffers trauma as a baby, the result will be insecure and problematic attachments, causing many different ways of coping that is, to separate one s from overwhelming pain. We call this PRIMAL PAIN. A PRIMAL SPLIT can occur when the baby splits mommy into two people in order to cope, while at the same time being totally unaware of what has occurred. Thus, I unconsciously split my mother into two people to acknowledge that good mommy and bad mommy were one and the same person would have totally devastated me. Baby will be arrested in development, and therefore be held captive. For example, the Kanaan team ministered to one lady, who had experienced a primal split as a baby in prayer, she saw her original core in a cage, much like a bird s cage. 62

63 Following are some steps in prayer to undo the primal split, and receive healing and deliverance. EXTERNALLY baby will have a mommy with many issues - she is unstable and very emotional - one minute she loves the baby but the next minute she shouts and abuses the baby. To make sense of this confusion, baby creates a good and a bad mommy INTERNALLY. This all happens on the subconscious level; as the person grows up, they will constantly have conflicting thoughts: I must always try to be very good and do my best versus You are such a loser! It s better if you are dead! You will never be good enough! etc. PRAYER GUIDELINES 1) Once you have determined that the person did not have a healthy bond with their mother, you ask them how did they perceive their mother if they think of her now, how do they see her? 2) Many times they say they see a good mommy and a bad mommy. You then explain that when the mind of a little baby cannot make sense of this confusion, the baby creates two mommy s. 3) It is a known fact in psychology that when a small child suffers external abuse, they will build an internal world of an exact replica of their external world. So there will be an internal good mommy part and bad mommy part keeping the system of abuse in place. (That is why play therapy can be such an important aspect in working with abused children who cannot verbalize what is happening to them. Much trauma takes place before the child can speak as the trauma was recorded when they were not able to speak, even when the child is older and can express themselves, they will struggle to communicate this trauma / pain for younger children, play therapy will be such a help, as they play / act out what happened to them in play therapy.) 4) Pray with the person to forgive their mommy for whatever she did to them. She did not have the ability to bond with them, leaving them so deficit of love and acceptance. Counsellor, take your time here and ask ABBA Father to do a DEEP work in their hearts. 5) When you sense the release and forgiveness spoken out loud to ABBA Father and towards the mother, you then explain that now as the Christian adult, they need to EMBRACE the parts that the mind split off to try to make sense of the confusion of the good mommy and the bad mommy. 6) Pray that ABBA Father will come and help the Christian adult must now move towards the two mommies they must ask ABBA which part they must embrace first. 7) It is usually the good mommy part that is embraced at first. The Christian adult moves towards the good mommy part and declares ONENESS with that part. Under the authority of the Holy Spirit, guide the person to speak to this part and say: I recognize the work you have done all these years in my mind, helping me to be good. You do not need to be separate from me anymore. I now embrace you and receive you as being ONE with me. 63

64 8) Then together with the good mommy part as ONE with the adult Christian, they move towards the bad mommy part, and under the anointing of the Holy Spirit declare: I recognize the work you have done in my mind all the years. You were trying to correct and discipline me. I always heard you accusing me of being bad and never good enough that is all you knew to do. I now release you from this task and together with the good mommy, I embrace you and declare you are ONE with me. I release both of you from the state of arrested development and I ask ABBA Father to help both of you grow up and totally become ONE with me as a Christian adult. We declare that the splitting off that was made in my mind with the coping mechanism of dissociation is now dismantled; the door I opened is now closed and sealed with the Blood of the Lamb. Thank You ABBA Father! We now move as ONE together towards the core part of my being -- the part that was arrested in development and placed in (a cage or whatever place of captivity). Together we unlock the baby from captivity. We embrace the baby and declare we will never be separated again! We ask ABBA Father to release the baby from all arrested development and breathe His Breath of Resurrection Life over the baby to be healed from all rejection and abuse, to be delivered from all demonic attachments and curses, and to grow up and integrate with the adult Christian completely! AMEN! 64

65 CAN NESHAMAH BE STOLEN? We know that positionally in Messiah, our Neshamah s connection to GOD cannot be completely broken... However, the human spirit (Neshamah) is capable of DEFILEMENT and therefore a part of the believer s IDENTITY is in need of SANCTIFICATION (2 Corinthians 7:1, 6:14-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). You may ask If Neshamah is that GOD-part within me, that connects me to Him, how can this be stolen?! In Psalms, we see that GOD allowed the Ark to be carried into captivity: Psalm 78:61 And delivered His strength and power into captivity, and His Glory into the hands of the foe. What we learn from this Scripture is that it is possible to steal a part of your Neshamah that part of your being that is made in the Image of GOD the CORE of your spirit that is made from the very same essence as GOD Himself SPIRIT! GLORY! LIGHT! Because of the abuse, and the way that the mind has tried to make sense of the pain and confusion, by forming a good and bad mommy... the wounded person is now open to further abuse by having a part of their core-spirit cut / syphoned off and stolen to be used for satan s glory. Satan hides behind this piece of Neshamah as a shield 14, together with all the other people s Neshamah that he has captured for his purposes. 14 For a more detailed study, please see Doug Riggs s teaching on the shields of Leviathan. 65

66 Continued Prayer Guidelines: 1. Now, again take your time, and ask ABBA Father if any of the person s Neshamah has been stolen, and where the enemy has placed it. If the person was subjected to a mother witch in a cult or a SRA leader in a ministry, then it is very possible that the cult-active person would have scanned the person with the primal split and taken up the position as mother. Because of the person s woundedness, and their seeking for the acceptance from a mother, a strong but un-godly bond is formed - one that is not easily broken and the person is subjected to more abuse by the mother witch. This cult-active ministry leader who is trained for church destruction, will want to stay hidden to continue operating in church circles for satan. She will then steal some Neshamah from the primal-split person and use it as a shield 15 to hide behind, to look very spiritual and Godly. 2. The person who has the primal split now needs to pray and ask ABBA Father to empower them to go and fetch their Neshamah back from wherever it has been stolen and held captive. Break the demonic seal that has been placed upon this piece of Neshamah as well as any other demonic claims. Pray for healing, deliverance, and restoration of all Neshamah. 3. Forgive the SRA person s humanity who was involved in making you a slave in many ways, DO NOT hold bitterness and unforgiveness towards them, or judge their humanity judge the demonic spirits involved. Jezebel 16 A person with a Jezebel spirit can also draw people around them with primal splits, and then she will mother them... because she herself is still so wounded and always needs to be in control, she will actually be acting in the role of a mother-witch. She feels validated and worthy because she is so needed by these wounded people (who often almost worship her). Again, a strong bond of loyalty towards the Jezebel-controlling mother is created. A wounded / Jezebelic female ministry leader will often draw primal-split women around her those who have weak relationships with their husbands, are divorced, or have Godly spiritual weak husbands. 15 For more informa+on/study, please see Doug Riggs s notes on the shields of Leviathan, included in the Doug Riggs manual, along with his other ar+cles. 16 For a complete study on Jezebel, please see the following resources: 1. The sec+ons covered in the J2F series. 2. Understanding Jezebel and Other Principali+es 3. Overcoming Jezebel, Athaliah, and Belial in the Heavenlies Jezebelic Footprints 5. Ahab and Jezebel 66

67 Conclusion The Christian adult must now declare that all dissociation that the mind used as a coping mechanism is now integrated they are now ONE PERSON as GOD made them at conception. All open doors of arrested development are now shut, and they declare that they will grow up to be mature sons / daughters of the Most High ABBA Father GOD of Israel rooted and grounded in HIS Love secure and fully nurtured by El Shaddai! We encourage the person to proclaim and declare that, in Messiah, they BELONG to the Father that are HIS! He LOVES them! To cement this truth we encourage the person to make a study on the Love of the Father how in Messiah, we are no longer slaves or orphans, but SONS of the Most High GOD! We are grafted into His Family and to learn what is the Heart of our Abba, Who He IS. For studies on the Love of ABBA Father, you can check out the following Kanaan resources: HOWH Illegitimacy The Orphan Heart The Agape Series As well as the following resources: From Slavery to Sonship -- Jack Frost The Agape Road -- Bob Mumford We pray ABBA Father will reveal to you HIS Heart and LOVE towards you! That He would shine His Face upon you, to teach you and you would walk in His Ways! 67