Purpose of Prophecy

[branchesofHim]

Often people can focus on the prophecies given by God in hoping to realize the truths of things to come on the earth without them truly giving attention to the reason for prophecy. Prophecy is for the edification of the body of Christ, the church.

I. Corinthians 14:

"3": But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

"4": He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

To edify means to build up. Prophecy is to build up the church as a body. I remember a small booklet that came out years ago. It was called "88 Reasons Why Jesus Returns in 1988" or something to that effect. It was good reading and was encouraging to people to truly give their hearts to the Lord, but at the same time it offered a false sense of deliverance from the present evils of this world by culiminating all of the then current events to cause consideration that everything in life as we knew it was going to be changed in "the twinkling of an eye". That was good mind you, I'm not saying it wasn't. However we must understand that all prophecy of God is focused on one central theme - mankind (womankind) being conformed into the image of Jesus (for whom and by all were made that are made "Colossians 1:16"). Jesus was our example that we should follow His steps "I. Peter 2:21"). Even Jesus himself prayed with the ultimate, central prophecy for the original disciples in John chapter 17:

15: I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16: They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

(We are born again of incorruptiple seed, the word of God which livieth and abideth forever: I. Peter 1).

17: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

(Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren: I Peter 1).

18: As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

(For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil: I. john 3).

19: And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

(That He might sanctify and cleanse it - the church - by the washing of water by the word: Ephesians 5).

Then Jesus comes to the end reason for the prophetic prayer:

20: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22: And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

24: Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

*The entire purpose of creation was for man (woman) to co-exist with God the creator of all things.

Therefore all true prohecy points to this central theme - the mystery of the Church as Paul called it in Ephesians - the marriage supper of the Lamb (Ephesians 5).

If you look into the Jewish customs of marriage during Jesus' day you can see awesome parallels between them and the church. Matthew depicts this in chapter 25 of his epistle when he writes about the ten virgins and the bridegroom coming at midnight. The Jewish young man would become engaged to his bride then he would go to prepare a place for her and he to live. While he was away preparing a home for his bride, she would learn how to do whatever it was she needed to do in fulfilling her duties as his wife. And she was to watch for his return because that was when her new life with him would begin as he came to take her away and they would co-exist for the rest of their lives. When the bridgegroom came there would be a procession in front of him sounding trumpets and joy would fill the streets as everyone was made aware of the coming marriage. The disciples therefore understood the ultimate prophecy of Jesus when he spoke to them as recorded in the book of John chapter 14 when He told them that He went to prepare a place for them so that where he was going they could come also.

God's wisdom, love, grace, provision, and purposes are so beyond our ability to even comprehend the fullness of His purpose for you and I. All glory be to God, the Father, who has given us His Spirit to prepare us for our ultimate purpose in existence as the bride of His beloved Son and bona fide members of His family. We all have purpose beyond compare to the things we experience now in this present world. It is for Him that we are to exist daily. What did Jesus say was the ultimate commandment? "That thou shouldest love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul, and all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and prophets." See that? That is the ultimate fulfillment of prophecy - that we love God and our neighbor. That my friends is the reason for lilfe in all. God is love.

Be encouraged and be watching. For the Bridegroom cometh for His Church soon. Therefore let us make ourselves ready for the very reason for life - the culmination of our marriage to the Lord for all of eternity. Hallelujah and all glory be unto God in Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

[gypc]

Good word and in season. Thanks!!

[Marnie]

How would you distinguish the Spiritual gift of prophecy (your reference in Corinthians) and the office of the prophet in the OT? In your opinion, is the office of the prophet still here today? I am just curious.

[branchesofHim]

Marnie, it is my belief that prohecy serves the same function in the New Testament as it did in the Old Testament - it is simply the Spirit of God foretelling events for the admonishment and encouragement of God's people. The spirit world is the eternal world which has forever existed and forever will. However the role of the prophet in the Old Testament was primarily for the benefit of the natural Jew whereas now the role of a prophet in the New Testament is for the spiritual Jew (he which is a Jew inwardly by the circumcision of the heart and not of the flesh).

I. Corinthians 12:28 - And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Ephesians 5: 11 thru 16 - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Even the devil attempts to mimick the prophetic gift of God that is operational in the church today.

I. John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

The Prophet is one finger of the hand of God spiritually allegorically like the fingers of our natural hand. Most people have five fingers on one hand. And each finger works with the others to do whatever a hand is set to do.

1 - the Apostle (as the thumb grasps)

2 - the Prophet (as the forefinger points)

3 - the Evangelist (as the longest finger that reaches the furthest)

4 - the Pastor (as the finger that reaches closest to the wrist where the hand is attached to the body)

5 - the Teacher (as the finger that that compliments the rest of the hand with balance)

Remove one of the fingers and the hand is not as effective as it could have been with all 5 fingers. Furhermore by example it is readily seen that the Body of Christ hasn't arrived at the place where God desires it - walking in the unity of the faith in the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the fullness of Christ. Therefore the Holy Spirit continues to work with the Church to make herself ready for indeed the Bridegroom cometh for His Bride who is clean and committed to Him alone - not doctrines, not beliefs, not emotions, but committed to faith in the Truth of God's Word.

Does that answer your question about my opinion?

[Marnie]

Marnie, it is my belief that prohecy serves the same function in the New Testament as it did in the Old Testament - it is simply the Spirit of God foretelling events for the admonishment and encouragement of God's people. The spirit world is the eternal world which has forever existed and forever will. However the role of the prophet in the Old Testament was primarily for the benefit of the natural Jew whereas now the role of a prophet in the New Testament is for the spiritual Jew (he which is a Jew inwardly by the circumcision of the heart and not of the flesh).

The prophet in the OT was also a forthteller of righteousness, much as preachers are today, would you agree?

I. Corinthians 12:28 - And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Ephesians 5: 11 thru 16 - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Are there "foundational ministries?" That is, ministries that were around at the very beginning of the Church but no longer around today? For example, there are no apostles today. I am not sure there are prophets today, in the sense of a person predicting future events. Would you think that the modern day preacher has become the "prophet," in the sense that he declares G-d's Word? Also, since we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we can all potentially exercise the Spiritual gift of prophecy, no?

Even the devil attempts to mimick the prophetic gift of God that is operational in the church today.

Man, isn't that the truth? Not just the gift of prophecy, but all the Spiritual gifts.

I. John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

The Prophet is one finger of the hand of God spiritually allegorically like the fingers of our natural hand. Most people have five fingers on one hand. And each finger works with the others to do whatever a hand is set to do.

1 - the Apostle (as the thumb grasps)

2 - the Prophet (as the forefinger points)

3 - the Evangelist (as the longest finger that reaches the furthest)

4 - the Pastor (as the finger that reaches closest to the wrist where the hand is attached to the body)

5 - the Teacher (as the finger that that compliments the rest of the hand with balance)

Remove one of the fingers and the hand is not as effective as it could have been with all 5 fingers. Furhermore by example it is readily seen that the Body of Christ hasn't arrived at the place where God desires it - walking in the unity of the faith in the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the fullness of Christ. Therefore the Holy Spirit continues to work with the Church to make herself ready for indeed the Bridegroom cometh for His Bride who is clean and committed to Him alone - not doctrines, not beliefs, not emotions, but committed to faith in the Truth of God's Word.

Does that answer your question about my opinion?

Partially, indeed it does. I have been studying the works of Gordon Fee and others concerning Spiritual gifts. It is difficult to find a scholarly approach to this subject. There seems to be a glut of charismatic writing, which for the most part involves some questionable exegesis and dabbling in Covenant Theology. Please feel free to e-mail me if you would like continue this discussion off the boards.

Thanks.

[branchesofHim]

I'm willing to learn and I'm willing to share what I know. What I don't know or don't understand I am quick to admit. God knows my heart and it is to Him that I am accountable. We are all to study to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth. Peace.

[felix]

Marnie, the Holy Spirit gives each member a gift according to His measure.

The same Spirit that gives one saint a hymn is the same Spirit that gives another a prophecy. I believe this is clear in 1 Cor 12. I think prophecy happens a lot in many churches, people just don't notice. Many times what people think was just fancy rhetoric or some figurative language was actually a prophecy. Sometimes pastors will prophesy in their sermon and not know it. When we all get together and speak we prophesy will usually occur. In this way we can all prophesy.

But then there are the five-fold ministry as Rod mentioned:

Apostle

Prophet

Evangelist

Pastor

Teacher

If there are no apostles today then why does Eph 5:11 say "And he gave some, apostles...."? The apostles today I believe are the one's who are planting churches on the earth and take care of them.

[Marnie]

Marnie, the Holy Spirit gives each member a gift according to His measure.

The same Spirit that gives one saint a hymn is the same Spirit that gives another a prophecy. I believe this is clear in 1 Cor 12.

Understood. I believe wholeheartedly in the present day manestation of the Gifts.

I think prophecy happens a lot in many churches, people just don't notice. Many times what people think was just fancy rhetoric or some figurative language was actually a prophecy. Sometimes pastors will prophesy in their sermon and not know it. When we all get together and speak we prophesy will usually occur. In this way we can all prophesy.

I would agree with that. Many of the OT prophets didn't grasp the magnetude of their words either.

But then there are the five-fold ministry as Rod mentioned:

Apostle

Prophet

Evangelist

Pastor

Teacher

If there are no apostles today then why does Eph 5:11 say "And he gave some, apostles...."? The apostles today I believe are the one's who are planting churches on the earth and take care of them.

Yeah, my understanding of that passage was that Paul was giving a kind of general statement and teaching concerning the mission of the Church, and that the apostles were the foundation, and that we have moved on. I recall hearing Alistair Begg (sp?) saying something to that effect. I will see if I can find that reference and post it.

Thanks.

[Marnie]

Okay, I was laying awake in bed, and I remembered this verse:

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;, Eph. 2:20. This would suggest to me that the apostles and prophets were foundational offices that do not exist any more today. This does not mean to suggest that the I don't believe in the gift of prophecy. I believe that each and every believer has the potential to exercise this gift as the Lord wills because they are filled with the Holy Spirit. What I have trouble with is the notion that G-d has chosen certain individuals to appear on TBN and "prophesy" future events or whatever. Again, perhaps it is my newness to the faith, but I was taught that the canon of Scripture is closed, and that there are no new revelations, that G-d's Word is final, that believers are indwelt with the Holy Spirit and His Spirit bears witness to my spirit and that that same Spirit leads believers into all righteousness. It is the office of the pastor/teacher that is responsible for instructing believers in the Word. Therefore, we don't need the office of the prophet anymore, just the gift of prophecy, which the Lord uses to exhort believers to Holy Living, not predicting future events.

As far as the office of the apostle goes, I have tried to research this, but I am having hard time finding a scholarly approach to this subject. If there are apostles today, and I assume we are not talking about somebody exercising the "gift of being an apostle," because I don't see this gift in Scripture, just what does an apostle do, exactly? How is it differenct from that of an evangelist or pastor/teacher?

Edited February 12, 2006 by Marnie

[Marnie]

As for what does an apostle "do". Well, in short an Apostle plants and oversees churches. An Apostle functions in all 9 "gifts of the Spirit" as well, while a Prophet does not necessarily function in all of them. John the Baptist did no miracle, but Jesus said that he was the greatest prophet who had ever lived up to that time. I gather this from evidence in scripture, the two apostles we have the most historical information on from scripture are Peter and Paul. Both of whom functioned in all 9 gifts of the Spirit. We know from the synoptic gospels that all of the 12 disciples functioned in the gifts of healing, miracles, and discerning of spirits as well. Im pretty sure i can show from scriptures how several other of the apostles had all 9 of the Gifts mention in 1 Corinthians as well. So its a little tricky to pin down exactly, a prophet and an apostle are similar, but the prophet focuses more on correction and righteousness, while the apostle focuses more on teaching and church planting.

Okay, what do you make of this article? http://www.letusreason.org/Pent1.htm