Spiritual Growth

Daily Meditation from the Bible - The Word of God

39th Issue
THE VALUES, USES AND MISUSES OF PROPHECIES

"But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" - (I Corinthians 14:3)

By Patriarch John Williams (President of IICM)

Email: iicm.vv@gmail.com (If you live in India)
iicm@aol.com (If you live in any Country outside of India,
but please identify the Country of your Residence)

1. WHAT IS A PROPHECY?

It is a Word from God
It is something that is foretold to men before it happens
It is a Supernatural Revelation about what is going to happen in the future
God has Ordained Prophets to give Prophecy
Prophetic Utterances are recorded throughout the Bible
Holy men of God Prophecy under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
It is one of God's ways of communication with man
Generally Prophecy is about something that is going to happen in the future
Prophecy is not Fortune Telling
Prophecy has some Real Value and Significance

2. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PROPHESY?

To Comfort those who need to be comforted
To Exhort those who need to be warned about something
Prophecy is for the Edification of the believers
To help prepare people for the future events which are going to take place
To give a chance for the people to repent and to turn away from the wicked ways
To let the people know that God is in control and that God has a plan and purpose for the lives of the people
To reveal God's plan and purposes for the lives of the people
To warn people of the dangers ahead of them and to communicate a way of escape
To confirm something that God has communicated already to some specific individuals
To keep people informed of the plans of God for the future

3. HOW PROPHECIES ARE GIVEN AND INTERPRETED?

Prophecies are given through the Written Word of God
Prophecies are given through Prophets who have been specially chosen and ordained to be Prophets
Prophecies are given by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
Prophets Prophesy but not everyone that gives Prophecy is a Prophet
A Prophecy is given through the voice of God or from Heaven
Prophecies are also given by Angels
Prophecies which are given in any form, will and should be consistent with the written Word of God
Prophecies given by someone can be discerned by those who have the gift of discernment
Prophecy is given to entice people with ulterior motive should be disregarded as Prophecies
Every Prophecy should be checked in the context of other Prophecies given in the Bible

4. SOME WARNINGS THAT SHOULD BE GIVEN ABOUT THE PROPHECIES?

The Bible says that in the Last Days there shall be Many False Prophets
Many Prophecies are given to comfort people which have some positive values even though it may not come directly from God
Many People give Prophecies to attract followers which is wrong
Many Prophecies are given which are nothing but what is already stated in the Bible
Many Prophecies are not given for Exhortation or Warning because it might cause them to lose some followers and offerings
Many believers seek Prophecies and Prophets to know what is going to happen in their life in the future, as Fortune Telling, which should not be the motive and the purpose of Prophecy
Many men of God manipulate and given enticing and soothing Prophecies for popularity and offerings which is immoral and unethical
People should be encouraged and given counsel to rely more on the Word of God, and its proper interpretation, rather than relying on Prophecies for knowing their future
People should be taught be discern and test every Prophecy in the context of the written Word of God, and also in terms of its relevance, meaningfulness, significance and the urgency, in the context of the critical situations of the lives of the people
While true Prophecies have real value and significance, it is important to know that many Prophecies are too general, vague, enticing and soothing, and does not forewarn and demand some specific action or preparation. Perhaps, they are more profitable to the Prophets than to the person over whom it is prophesied. It is becoming increasingly fashionable and enticing, and credit is taken by the Prophets for the accuracy of their Prophecies in terms of Prophecies that are fulfilled only, and not giving any follow up reports or comments about Prophecies which are not fulfilled