The gift of prophecy.

[Joysong]

Very good understanding, Ceil.

The Scriptures warn of false prophets, which I assume are recognizable in that they go against the teachings of the Church.

One thing I would note about false prophets is that they are the ones who, having no authority to speak for God, will often use His name, saying, “God told me to tell you …” There is seldom an anointing or movement in your heart that agrees with this ‘prophecy.’ Rather, these are often fearful admonitions that may possibly effect a momentary conversion to God, but it is short-lived because it is not based on love of Him.

Any time we hear these and become agitated in spirit, they are not from God.

Another type might be the ones similar to those in Jesus’s day, who constantly accuse people of breaking liturgical laws, as they understand them, when God does not require this extraordinary keeping the ‘letter of the law.’ They may win the argument with citations that would fill a truckload to back themselves up, but then if one listens to this out of scrupulosity, that too, is building on sand and will not last.

The only prophecy that moves hearts will be full of God’s infinite love, even when it is an admonition. These types produce genuine tears of repentence and true sorrow for offending God.

 

[Ceil-1]

I recall some tele-preacher a while back claiming to prophesy that if people didn’t send him a certain amount of money, (millions), God was going to strike him dead. I cannot remember if he got the money, but, he struck me as a false prophet. Some of these religious channels are chock full of false prophets.

If for no other reason than this, we need the Church.

Thanks, everyone, you’ve helped tremendously.

 

[TOP]

Would the Lord allow prophecy only for the person who receives it in order to build their own faith or would it be only for the building up of the Church, even if it is just the domestic church, the family? Would not sharing be wasting a “talent”? Thanks, Tim

 

[Joysong]

Hi Tim,

Whenever I receive a word for another, it usually inspires me so much that it seems to give impetus to share it, knowing that others will be touched also. Remember the woman at the well? She was so exuberant from her encounter with Jesus that she went forth and told the entire town and gained many people to Him.

Sometimes we can receive a word that is only for our own benefit, but I would call that inspiration - not prophecy. I believe the Lord who sends the word, also helps us to know the difference … when to use it in public, and when it is simply for one’s self.

 

[InLight247]

Would the Lord allow prophecy only for the person who receives it in order to build their own faith or would it be only for the building up of the Church, even if it is just the domestic church, the family? Would not sharing be wasting a “talent”? Thanks, Tim

When the prophecy, or word of knowledge is meant for certain person, the person’s heart will be hit with a knowing. If the word is specifically to a family situation and both the husband and wife are present, both can receive the prophecy at the same time. If the prophet hesitates to speak it out, either out of uncertainty or lack of faith, someone who originally may be encouraged will miss the opportunity. But if it is God’s will to affirm, hopefully God will have the message passed one way or the other.

 

[TOP]

When the prophecy, or word of knowledge is meant for certain person, the person’s heart will be hit with a knowing. If the word is specifically to a family situation and both the husband and wife are present, both can receive the prophecy at the same time. If the prophet hesitates to speak it out, either out of uncertainty or lack of faith, someone who originally may be encouraged will miss the opportunity. But if it is God’s will to affirm, hopefully God will have the message passed one way or the other.

How can you tell if you have fulfilled the task as compared to just it dieing out? Will it stay alive until it is fulfilled? Thanks, Tim

 

[Joysong]

When you are releasing the word, you can feel a sense of unction or power going forth in your words. That’s hard to explain. I have noticed this a number of times when I am lectoring. There is a real sense of ‘delivering’ the word, and sometimes people will say afterwards that they were deeply moved by it. Through these feedbacks, you learn to recognize and know when you are speaking for God.

And yes, we can sometimes doubt and hold back on delivering it, but I trust that if God really wants someone to hear His message, He has plenty of means to use. After all, He does indwell our thoughts and can therefore impress his message repeatedly until the intended person ‘gets it.’ If it is truly important, He will use extraordinary means, but I often think this is done when we fail to heed the simple message first.

 

[TOP]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Have a Merry Christmas. Tim

 

[Joysong]

Thanks Tim, and a most blessed Christmas to you also.

If it is truly important, God will use extraordinary means, but I often think this is done when we fail to heed the simple message first.

Examples are always so helpful, so I thought maybe my last post would serve the readers better if I share one from scripture.

St. Peter was probably very ingrained with a lifetime of Judaism and had received His mission from Jesus to go to the ‘lost sheep’ of the house of Israel. Nothing could persuade him that this was to change.

If God had been sending through inspiration in Peter’s thoughts or prayer, that he should now go to the gentiles, it could be easily disregarded by Peter as false guidance. Because the matter was of vital importance, God now had to use extraordinary means to help Peter know His will, as change of direction.

Therefore, God sent a vision, not once – but three times! — to confirm this change. Providentially, God’s timing was coordinated perfectly so that when Cornelius’s servants were at Peter’s door, he was able to make the connection and go where God wanted him to minister.

Acts Chapter 10

 

[TOP]

Thanks Tim, and a most blessed Christmas to you also.

Examples are always so helpful, so I thought maybe my last post would serve the readers better if I share one from scripture.

St. Peter was probably very ingrained with a lifetime of Judaism and had received His mission from Jesus to go to the ‘lost sheep’ of the house of Israel. Nothing could persuade him that this was to change.

If God had been sending through inspiration in Peter’s thoughts or prayer, that he should now go to the gentiles, it could be easily disregarded by Peter as false guidance. Because the matter was of vital importance, God now had to use extraordinary means to help Peter know His will, as change of direction.

Therefore, God sent a vision, not once – but three times! — to confirm this change. Providentially, God’s timing was coordinated perfectly so that when Cornelius’s servants were at Peter’s door, he was able to make the connection and go where God wanted him to minister.

Acts Chapter 10

5 times I’ve been in the hospital and a message was used to heal by God’s grace. I was busting at the seams to tell all to whomever I came across, then one day I wrote to a particular person who went through a similiar experience as me and the urge left me after that. I still at times talk about it, but it doesn’t feel as impairative as it did before. I guess it’s target has been reached and I am no more aware for it, just feeling fulfilled. Tim

 

[Godlovestrength]

No person has the right to say that any of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not aloud in christianity. Any person who the Holy Spirit gives the gift to will certainly be able to prophasy. There is a difference though between giving a prophetic word and “being a prophet”. The prophet is the mouth piece of God and usually speaks words that tell peole to straighten up their path of God they walk.
God bless.

 

[Francine_Peters]

The prophet is the mouth piece of God and usually speaks words that tell peole to straighten up their path of God they walk.

Yes, but that’s kind of boring and “churchy”. The people prefer the spectacular definition of prophesy where he predicts the future and it comes true, thus becoming a sign that God is really there.

 

[Godlovestrength]

Speaking of Jonah, this story shows another example of probable inner witness from God to the hearts of the King and the Ninevites. Had Jonah been just another self-proclaimed seer, they would have laughed him to scorn as a mad man, but something else was at work besides the mere words of a messenger.

God indeed backed up Jonah’s words in their hearts, and the people heeded the message. When we speak for God, we are not responsible for these words. God is.

Hi joysong, I remember how on occasions God has told me to tell people certain things and I have not wanted to do so for fear of the repercussions. But I remember how in giving my heart to God these same worlds are on my shoulders until I deliver the message God gave me to give out. At one time if I had not delivered the message how it would be on my sholders as the bible tells us. But if an evil man changes then he would be spared and if a good man did not accept then it would be on his, but if I did not deliver the message then it would be all the more a disaster for all conserned.
May seem hard but understanding comes with the ability to do what God says.
Godbless

 

[Joysong]

But if an evil man changes then he would be spared and if a good man did not accept then it would be on his, but if I did not deliver the message then it would be all the more a disaster for all concerned.

Nice insight!

As we age spiritually, I have noticed the inner promptings are not as pressing as when I was younger. Because I expected to always receive them in the same manner, but didn’t, I had a transition period where I had to learn to trust the quieter promptings and courageously speak them for the Lord, believing He would work it out for good.

I guess it is growing out of knickers to trousers.

 

[Godlovestrength]

Yes, but that’s kind of boring and “churchy”. The people prefer the spectacular definition of prophesy where he predicts the future and it comes true, thus becoming a sign that God is really there.

I guess that since you seem to be relatiing to how you don’t enjoy the truth then any fortune teller will do , No? Well anyway Jesus covers your wants to, when He told the Jews that they would not get any “fortune telling” they had been given the life of Joaha in the fish and for that same time the son of man would also be in the earth for that time before His reserection, that they (as you seem to be expressing you want) would not get a fortune telling story. Jesus tells us to stay away from sooth sayers and fortune tellers who come with their lies.

You have not heard, it seems, a prophet come to you and tell you, for instance say, God want’s you to leave your evil ways and to follow Him, unless you do you cannot enter the gates of Heaven. When this happens it is the RIGHT words at the PERFECT time that is ordained by God for the right person and to cause change. Sooth sayers leave people full of untruthful words leaving the heart dry. God’s words are truth why would you want any thing else?

Godbless

 

[ncjohn]

GLS,

I don’t think Francine was saying that she doesn’t feel that. I think she was being sardonic in stating that most people only look at the “flashy” side of prophecy and find the more common and important form to be too “churchy and boring”.

Of course I don’t want to speak for her, and hopefully I’ll be corrected if I’m wrong, but that was what I read in what she said.

Peace,

 

[Joysong]

I was reading the Vatican’s Message of Fatima yesterday which was posted as a link in another thread. These words on prophecy were in that message and aptly apply to much of what we have been sharing in this thread, so I reprint them for you to reflect upon.

Public Revelation and private revelations
In every age the Church has received the charism of prophecy, which must be scrutinized but not scorned. On this point, it should be kept in mind that prophecy in the biblical sense does not mean to predict the future but to explain the will of God for the present, and therefore show the right path to take for the future.

A person who foretells what is going to happen responds to the curiosity of the mind, which wants to draw back the veil on the future. The prophet speaks to the blindness of will and of reason, and declares the will of God as an indication and demand for the present time. In this case, prediction of the future is of secondary importance.

What is essential is the actualization of the definitive Revelation, which concerns me at the deepest level. The prophetic word is a warning or a consolation, or both together. In this sense there is a link between the charism of prophecy and the category of “the signs of the times”, which Vatican II brought to light anew: “You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; why then do you not know how to interpret the present time?” (Lk 12:56). In this saying of Jesus, the “signs of the times” must be understood as the path he was taking, indeed it must be understood as Jesus himself.

To interpret the signs of the times in the light of faith means to recognize the presence of Christ in every age. In the private revelations approved by the Church—and therefore also in Fatima—this is the point: they help us to understand the signs of the times and to respond to them rightly in faith.

Joseph Card. Ratzinger

 

[Godlovestrength]

GLS,

I don’t think Francine was saying that she doesn’t feel that. I think she was being sardonic in stating that most people only look at the “flashy” side of prophecy and find the more common and important form to be too “churchy and boring”.

Of course I don’t want to speak for her, and hopefully I’ll be corrected if I’m wrong, but that was what I read in what she said.

Peace,

That is exactly how I took the note and although people have their own reason for being at church Mas? I found the way it was put as saying that the person wanted more of the excitement to be interesting. Although I myself find that to be told by God that something is in need of change relates more to bringing up pruning or what else. No down put here though.
Godbless