14. The Nature of Prophecy

The Nature of Prophecy

We have now to ask, what is prophecy? I suppose most people would say, ’It is the foretelling of future events’, and we would need to say, yes, that is one character of prophecy but it is not the only character because prophecy is the giving forth of God’s word for the moment, the bringing to bear of the word of God so as to help the people of God in any particular situation (1 Corinthians 14:3). It is not merely quoting a verse out of the Bible, that is always very precious and we would not seek in any way to underestimate the value of that, nor is it giving a word on many things that we have heard over and over again, and there is certainly nothing wrong with that. Peter says, ’I think it fitting.... to stir you up by putting you in remembrance’ (2 Peter 1:13), but there is such a character of ministry that deals with relevant problems that are particularly connected with the people of God at any particular moment. This is the present application of prophecy. The Bible is a very large book, and if a man or woman is guided by the Spirit of God to give an appropriate word bearing upon the condition of the saints at any given time then they are prophesying - they are giving a word of prophecy to meet particular needs.

1 Corinthians 14:3 tells us that prophecy is for three things, firstly, it is for edification, that means for building the saints up, building them up in their affections towards God, in their knowledge of the truth, in their responsibilities, and in their privileges. Secondly it encourages, or as the Authorised Version says, ’exhorts’, it stirs up, engages the affections, the desires and the exercises of the people of God. The word of God brought to bear upon them exhorts or encourages them to further activity and further devotion in the things of the Lord. Finally, it consoles. It has been aptly said that it builds up, it stirs up and it binds up. Sometimes the saints need encouragement or help or comfort, and the word of prophecy is able to bring that to them.

One would think that when we come together upon special occasions, such as ’open’ meetings for ministry, as we call them, meetings when the Lord guides some servant or servants to give a word of ministry, we should expect ministry of such a character that would help us in our particular needs for that day. I think it would be very wrong for a brother to prepare a certain message prior to coming to the meeting and feel, ’Well, I am going to give this prepared message’. Rather we should come together waiting humbly upon the Lord that He would give His servant or servants the appropriate word that is necessary for us at that time. It is not simply the unfolding of truth, although it is that in a sense, but it is a specific word to meet a specific need. That being so, how much we need to be cast upon the Lord and to have that waiting, not a rushing to make sure that I am going to speak, but waiting humbly before the Lord to get the Lord’s mind, to give Him, we say reverently, the opportunity to speak, He Himself; and He speaks through servants. Now if we can only sit back quietly and humbly and have much prayer and exercise prior to those meetings, then I think we would find the Lord would give us the ministry that is necessary for us. This, I believe, is New Testament prophecy according to its present usage.

Strictly speaking, the time of prophets and the time for prophetic ministry is passed. The assembly was "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets" (Ephesians 2:20). Now you do not lay a foundation twice. If the foundation is laid, it is laid deep, it is laid strong, and on the foundation is reared the building. The apostles’ and prophets’ ministry was the foundation of the church. We must remember that in those early days they had not the New Testament in their hands as we have it. Many of the Christians were slaves, many could not read or write, but they could certainly listen. This is why Paul says to Timothy, "Give attendance to reading" (1 Timothy 4:13), that is, Paul’s letters were read by Timothy to those who could not read, he would make them aware of the mind of the Lord. Now the New Testament apostles and prophets, guided by the Holy Spirit, spoke the word of the Lord as it was necessary. Now we have the revealed mind of the Lord in our hands in the New Testament. It has all been revealed to us, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and consequently any ’prophecy’ that is given today is not of an inspired character, but really comes within the scope of what has already been revealed, the Holy Spirit takes from the inspired word and presses it upon our hearts and consciences, bringing a blessing to our hearts. Thus Deborah, being a prophetess, was able to convey the mind of the Lord to the people as they required it.