- Jul 22, 2019
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Whether the leaders are teacher types, or prophetic types, their status too often comes from their entourage, the camp followers and fans. They arrive in that place because the people demand to be led by a man rather than God. Scripture and world history repeatedly shows this.
The worst part is that when someone takes the initiative, the camp followers get angry and want them stamped out.
Moses had this problem when he was bowed under with the burden of carrying the Israelites on his shoulders.-
Numbers11v25Then the Lord came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again.
But look what happens to the two men who continued moving in the Holy Spirit.-
26But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp. 27And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”
Observe Joshua's indignation.-
28So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!”
And Moses's (A very humble man) amazing response.
29Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” 30And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
"Oh that all the Lord's people were prophets" should be the cry today, but that's not what the church wants!
Jesus stated categorically that the Father would pour the Holy Spirit on all who ask. I believe that has always been the case, and is still the case today.
We see the same carnality in another set of NT camp followers.-
Mark9v38Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”
39But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40For he who is not against us is on our side.
Elsewhere, Jesus states that He cast demons out by the Spirit of God, and we know from the Seven sons of Sceva that casting demons out without the Holy Spirit is a perilous activity, therefore just like Eldad and Medad, this lone exorcist must have been walking in the Holy Spirit, despite being an outlier to the camp.
Anything that disturbs the comfort zone of Christians is usually viewed as a threat to be exterminated! And as many have observed, the next new move of God is invariably condemned by those who participated in the last move of God.
Yes, I agree in full. Thank you for your thorough replies. I'm learning a lot and getting other stuff affirmed.
Pastoral/prophetics' circle of friends can determine a lot. My family and I attended two churches where sons inherited their fathers' pulpits and their old friends and family members held prominent positions. Something was unhealthy about the cultures at both churches. I wonder if those pastors and the churches might have been better off without all that padding around such leaders constantly influencing their decisions.
I saw a Gospel Coalition video where a pastor admitted he has to be careful not to say yes to all those around him whom have money, enthusiasm, or are for him. As you demonstrated in the Moses passage, leadership is weighty. Poor Moses. I can be compassionate to a point.
Amen on spreading the phophecy around! I understand prophecy can be about wise ,relevant, and timely information not just partial awareness of things yet to come at odd times. That would be so great if all had it . So many bad decisions would be avoided. There would be a lot less pain. So it is a very good thing--prophecy. I understand it takes serious molding to be useful in it.
I read a book on pastors vs prophets. I now know they are not always both gifted to the same person. It seems some pastors put prophetic types in intercessary prayer groups to identify them or maybe contain them, lol? There are some uber zealous types? Perhaps containing them is less necessary than loving them until they grow in Christ and into their gift as the Lord measured out for them?
The book also mentioned how some pastors or church leaders try to end prophetic types with a religious fervor. The book might have used the term "slaughter." Or I'm just deflecting, lol.
Finally, in my end time studies, I've been researching Partial Rapture theory. One author speculated that some pastors might be thrilled when the Rapture comes because his prophetic people will gone out of his church. ***I hope not but his meaning is clear I think. Crazy gift-- prophecy.
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