Prophecy

Prophecy is a gift from God and according to GOd's Word, Prophecy has a three
fold purpose.
1Cor.14-3." But he who prophecies speaks edification, exhortation and comfort
to men," Prophets are so important to God that He gives Prophets to the
church, together with Apostles, Evangelists and Pastors and Teachers [1cor.12:28]
and Eph.4:11. It is not hard to understand why, when we look at the deeper
meaning of these 3 purposes. Edification; literately building up in Holiness.
Exhortation; means giving strong advise or warning, urge strongly, incite or
encourage. Comfort; to console, reduce grief with the purpose to encourage.
Halleluhja, what a great need there is for these 3 purposes of Prophecy today!
Remarkable, although the Lord Himself appoints prophets in the Body of Christ, He
encourages every believer to qualify for the job by learning! First of all He
tells us that He wants us ALL to Prophecy {1 Cor.14:1/5} . Then In 1
Cor.14:30/31 He tells that we can all Prophecy one by one so that we may learn! This to
the extend of the fact that the "regular" prophets have to give the new
learners a chance to learn! The concept of learning involves making mistakes at
first. My conclusion therefore is, that we should not judge the beginning prophets
too harshly for some mistakes, although verse 29 tells us to judge prophecy.
Harshly judging and condemning has been part of the reasons why there are so
few saints who attempt to prophecy. The Evil One is trying with great success
to prevent prophesying. Corrupting it and making the people afraid to learn it.
How sad this is! Our Lord must abhor this! Some preachers are saying that
actually their preaching is prophesying. Although I do admit that preaching the
Word has to involve also the 3 purposes for prophecy, I find the context of
what the Lord is saying in 1Cor. 1 2 and 14 about prophecy, not in line with the
concept of preaching. What the Word says about preaching is different.
Personally I have noticed that beginning prophets[including myself] sometimes did
start of in the Spirit speaking for God but then going astray by adding something
in !'the flesh." A gentle correction by other mature saints is in place. We
have to judge Prophecy but not prevent or stop it. 1John 4:1 says that we have
to test the Spirits, whether they are of God." Because many false prophets
have gone out into the world" New Testament teaching about prophecy does not
tell us to stone the false prophets to death if their predictions do not come
true. I believe that is because since Jesus went to heaven, we are living in the
age of Grace until He comes back to judge us. It aiso seems that New Testament
prophecy is not so much about telling the future as the old prophets often
did. He is giving the new prophets Grace for a chance to learn The Lord has
given us a plumbline to judge by. The plumbline is God's Word itself as recorded
in the bible. If It edifies, exhorts and comforts and is in line with the
bible, you may assume that it is from God. Thirteen years ago when we returned from
the Philippines I received a prophecy for the church and I spoke it out in a
congregation. Ever since then I felt that the lord wanted me to repeat it to
as many believers as possible. So here follows a part of the prophecy I did
give: My children, you are living in the last days. And today, the deception I am
warning for in My Word, is taking place worldwide. My sheep are being led
astray by much false teaching. If it were possible the very elect will be
deceived, unless I cut the days short. I want to give you a straight plumbline, to
measure all the teachings of today by. Does what you hear center in on Me and My
Word and thus give Me Glory and Pleasure says the Lord? Or is the teaching
and doctrine centered and focused on man and his comfort? Apply this plumbline
says the Lord. Then You will not be deceived and then you shall endure until
the end. THUS SAYS THE LORD. So let us not despise prophesyings, but let us test
all things and hold fast what is good.[ 1Thes.5:20/21 ]
Christ's Servant and yours, Johannes G. Weiss