Understanding Prophecy
Selected Scriptures
1 Corinthians 14:1, (NASB)
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
Daniel 4:17, (NIV)
"'The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.'
Deuteronomy 18:18-22, (NIV)
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account. But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death." You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?" If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.
Exodus 14:13-14,
But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."
Exodus 14:15, (NLT)
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!”
Acts 21:10-14, (NLT)
Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea. He came over, took Paul's belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, "The Holy Spirit declares, 'So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.'" When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. But he said, "Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus." When it was clear that we couldn't persuade him, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done."
1 Thessalonians 5:19, (NIV)
Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good.
1st Personal prophecy is not the same as the Bible
2nd In the Old Testament we judged the prophet in the New Testament we judge the prophecy
1 Corinthians 14:29, (NIV)
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
3rd Prophecy comes from God but reflects the personality and humanity of the prophet
1 Corinthians 14:3, (NIV)
But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
Deuteronomy 8:2-3, (NIV)
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
1 Timothy 1:18, (NIV)
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,
1 Timothy 4:14, (NIV)
Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
1 Corinthians 14:1, (NASB)
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
