Acts 2:17-21
17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
What Is Prophecy?
Prophecy: (prophetetia) (Pro, “for/forth”; phemi, “to speak”)
-The speaking forth of the heart, mind and counsel of God.
-This word also means to bubble up, to flow forth, or to cause to drop like rain.
–It is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means.
– It is the forth-telling of the will of God, whether with reference to the past, the present, or the future.
-It is the Holy Spirit expressing the thoughts and desires of Christ through a human voice.
New Testament prophecy functions in three realms:
1. Spirit of Prophecy and Prophetic Song– Jesus giving inspired testimony and praise through one of his saints by prophetic utterance or song of the Lord. (Heb.2:12; Rev. 19:10)
2. The Gift of Prophecy– One of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit which brings strength, encouragement, and comfort to the Body of Christ. (1Cor. 12:10; Rom. 12:6)
3. The Prophet speaking forth by divine utterance the mind and counsels of God and giving rhema word for strengthening, direction, correction, confirmation, and instruction in righteousness.
Who Can Prophesy?
Any Born-Again, Spirit-filled believer; Sons/Daughters; Servants of the Lord; Whoever the Holy Spirit comes upon.
Why Do We Need Prophecy?
1 Cor 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1 Cor 14:1-4 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
1 Cor 14:24-25 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” NIV
1 Tim 1:18-20 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. NIV
Ezekiel 37:11-14 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them:
How Do You Prophesy?
2 Peter 1:21 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. NIV
1 Cor 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV
Desire It! Offer Yourself! Draw Near to Hear! Hear It/See It/Say It!
How Do You Judge Prophecy?
1 Thess 5:19-21 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. NIV
Does it line up with Scripture? Does it glorify Jesus? Does it bear witness with my spirit? Does it bring me freedom? Does it do what the Bible say it will? Judge It! Receive It! Write It! Read It! Pray It! See It! Say It! Hold on to it!