For the Lord, the Eternal, does nothing Without having revealed his secret to his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7.
What is a prophecy?
It's the coming of thespirit of god on a person chosen by God (man or woman), to proclaim something from God. It is generally addressed to men in general and particularly to the people of God. It can be received by revelation, by inspiration, by dream, by vision and even by direct appearance of God to man, as was the case with Moses.
Prophecy has the particularity of announcing future things or revealing hidden things with the aim of consoling, warning, edifying, exhorting, preparing, predicting happiness or misfortune and even resuming. He who prophesies, on the contrary, speaks to men, edifies them, exhorts them, comforts them. 1 Corinthians 14: 3.
The gift of prophecy
Draw on the best gifts. And I will still show you a way par excellence. 1 Corinthians 12: 31
Seek charity. Also aspire to spiritual gifts, but especially to that of prophecy. 1 Corinthians 14:1
The gift of prophecy is a better gift of the Holy Spirit. It is granted to anyone according to the goodwill of God. Having this gift does not automatically make a person a prophet or a prophetess, as many who call themselves prophets or prophetesses believe because of the honor and consideration attached to this title. But on the other hand, to be a prophet is to have at least the gift of prophecy.
The gift of prophecy is not manifested by the ease of our intelligence or our wisdom, it is entirely controlled and managed by the Holy Spirit depending on whether God has information to transmit to his people, to the whole world, to a community, an assembly, to a country, or to a particular person.
Characteristics of a Prophecy from God
Beloved, do not believe in every spirit; but test the spirits, whether they are of God: for many false prophets have come into the world 1 John 4:1.
God has his imprint or trademark on everything he does or produces, so that those who know him will recognize what comes from him. The prophecies coming from God have characteristics that allow us to reassure ourselves of Their origin (God). It is true that the enemy tries and sometimes manages to make very close counterfeits of the prophecies of God, which are a mixture of truth and lies; but there is always one or more details, which will allow us to recognize the deception (the fake).
The characteristics are:
A source that belongs to God: The physical source of a prophecy must belong to God. I am talking about the person or prophet who gives the prophecy; this person must be of God, belong to Him. This is why when we hear about prophecies that come from the Mayans (for example: the end of the world in December 2012), we will refrain from believing it. God uses and has always used his servants as channels of his prophetic messages for men.
In agreement with the Word of God : Everything that comes from God always agrees with His word. A prophecy that comes from Him must be based on His word and above all not be contradictory with it on any point. Let us be careful not to patch up a prophecy that we hope to hear because it suits us, regardless of the fact that it is not totally in accordance with the Word of God.
Complementary with what has already been said: The new prophecies coming from God, cannot contradict those which have already been said in the past on the same subject. Sometimes a prophet tells you this and tomorrow or a few years later another prophet or the same person tells you something different. So, be careful, at least one of the prophecies is false, or both. God does not contradict himself, and above all, he never lies because he is THE TRUTH.God is not a man to lie, Nor the son of a man to repent. What he said, won't he do it? What he has declared, will he not carry out? Numbers 23:19
Without stains or wrinkles:
It happens that a prophecy comes true in part or in large part and that a detail does not come true as predicted or announced. Even if the prophecy was 99% fulfilled and one detail came true differently, it should be understood that the prophecy will have to be examined more closely before believing it. For the prophecies of the Lord are completely fulfilled. Understand in this, that Jesus Christ will return soon, it is not a lie, since the majority of the signs which predict it have come true. And behold, I come soon. -Happy one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book! Apocalypse 22: 7
When a prophecy expresses what they hope for, men tend not to examine it at first, they swallow it and firmly believe that it will be fulfilled. Understand that prophecy expresses the will of God and the mind of God; a thought that is contrary to that of men. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. Isaiah 55:8
It is very important that we learn to examine the prophecies, to probe if they come from God before putting faith in them. I do not urge us to despise or reject them, but above all to examine them first. Do not despise the prophecies. But examine all things; remember what is good; abstain from all kinds of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5: 20
Because of the naivety of some people, false prophets have had and continue to have success, destroying the spiritual and even physical life of many. Let us discern the truth.
Let us not rush to believe in a prophecy because it reflects what we hope for!
May God enlighten us ...
Auteur: Donald SORO
