The Prophetic Generation

[Periann]

Joel 2:28 (King James Version)



28And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions

And I know in some translations 'afterward' is 'in the last days'.

Is anyone really seeing a rising tide of people with the prophetic gift?

Also has anyone ever specifically prophesied over you and you've seen the prophecy come to pass? How do you test the spirit of those who do have this gift to know whether it is from God? Is this gift something that all Christians are supposed to desire?

Im learning a little bit about the different kinds of spiritual gifts and I admit that the gift of prophecy has always been a little hazy to me. I would appreciate any insight that anyone has regarding this area! Thank you.

 

[FireQuest]

And I know in some translations 'afterward' is 'in the last days'.

Is anyone really seeing a rising tide of people with the prophetic gift?

Also has anyone ever specifically prophesied over you and you've seen the prophecy come to pass? How do you test the spirit of those who do have this gift to know whether it is from God? Is this gift something that all Christians are supposed to desire?

Im learning a little bit about the different kinds of spiritual gifts and I admit that the gift of prophecy has always been a little hazy to me. I would appreciate any insight that anyone has regarding this area! Thank you.

I have been prophesied over many times, and the rule of thumb is is it scriptural? Does it bear witness to your spirit? What is the person's "track record"? The Bible seems to indicate we are to desire the gifts, and they are to be used to build up, edify, and encourage the Body of Christ. It is a wonderful gift to have!

 

[Periann]

FireQuest-thanks for responding! I have a question though, what do you mean by the prophecy being scriptural? And does track record mean how many times the person has been right in the past? Ive heard that the Biblical test for accuracy of a prophecy is that the prophet must be correct a 100% of the time...is that true?

I have been prophesied over a few times by different people seemingly about very general things about my future, about good and bad things. They have so far come to pass. Recently someone has prophesied over me and this prophecy was so specific it was almost frightening. The time, the people, the event, what I must do to be in the will of God, everything was mentioned. The person who prayed over me has an extremely good track record, I can say without a doubt is a servant of God, and follows the word of God. So does that mean this I should also trust these words of prophecy also and what does it mean if the prophecy doesn't happen.

It seems that every time I get an answer I have a new question about things of this nature..!

 

[pauldst]

FireQuest-thanks for responding! I have a question though, what do you mean by the prophecy being scriptural? And does track record mean how many times the person has been right in the past? Ive heard that the Biblical test for accuracy of a prophecy is that the prophet must be correct a 100% of the time...is that true?

I have been prophesied over a few times by different people seemingly about very general things about my future, about good and bad things. They have so far come to pass. Recently someone has prophesied over me and this prophecy was so specific it was almost frightening. The time, the people, the event, what I must do to be in the will of God, everything was mentioned. The person who prayed over me has an extremely good track record, I can say without a doubt is a servant of God, and follows the word of God. So does that mean this I should also trust these words of prophecy also and what does it mean if the prophecy doesn't happen.

It seems that every time I get an answer I have a new question about things of this nature..!

Get used to the new question thing, Periann, that is just the way things are.

Anyway, prophecies do not always come to pass because sometimes we (people) can act in such a way as to change the outcome. There are some that are inescapeable and there are some that are escapeable. It takes wisdom and discernment and listening to your spirit to tell which is which. It sounds like it isn't the case with the prophecy that you are wondering about, but often we have to be careful how we interpret the words given us, as well. It is easy to let our own desires or fears hijack a word and tell us it means something different from what is intended.

My opinion in the case that you are describing is to wait and see. If things start to happen follow what was said and follow your spirit.

 

[FireQuest]

FireQuest-thanks for responding! I have a question though, what do you mean by the prophecy being scriptural? And does track record mean how many times the person has been right in the past? Ive heard that the Biblical test for accuracy of a prophecy is that the prophet must be correct a 100% of the time...is that true?

I have been prophesied over a few times by different people seemingly about very general things about my future, about good and bad things. They have so far come to pass. Recently someone has prophesied over me and this prophecy was so specific it was almost frightening. The time, the people, the event, what I must do to be in the will of God, everything was mentioned. The person who prayed over me has an extremely good track record, I can say without a doubt is a servant of God, and follows the word of God. So does that mean this I should also trust these words of prophecy also and what does it mean if the prophecy doesn't happen.

It seems that every time I get an answer I have a new question about things of this nature..!

Does the prophetic word line up with the Word of God.Yes, track record is based on their charachter, and reputation in the accuracy of the prophetic words they speak.100% Accuracy was certainly true of OT prophets. Is it true of prophets today? I would say that is a matter of great debate among Christians. We are under grace now, but we should always strive to make sure we are in the will of the Lord when we prophecy, and should be accurate if we are a PROPHET! Those with the gift of prophecy are not necessarily prophets. They are to edify, exhort, and encourage the Christians.

 

[Periann]

Thank you Pauldst for your reply. That is good advice. I think the only thing I can do is wait and see really.

And to Firequest-interesting idea about the gift of prophecy vs. a prophet...I didn't know there was a difference! I recently heard a pastor say that when you prophecy you shouldn't go with the expectation of doing so...if that makes any sense, you should pray for that person and if the Spirit inside you moves and I think the word he used was 'give utterance' then prophecy. Anyway thanks for the replies! This grey area is a little clearer to me now.

 

[pauldst]

Thank you Pauldst for your reply. That is good advice. I think the only thing I can do is wait and see really.

And to Firequest-interesting idea about the gift of prophecy vs. a prophet...I didn't know there was a difference! I recently heard a pastor say that when you prophecy you shouldn't go with the expectation of doing so...if that makes any sense, you should pray for that person and if the Spirit inside you moves and I think the word he used was 'give utterance' then prophecy. Anyway thanks for the replies! This grey area is a little clearer to me now.

I agree with what that pastor said. I hadn't thought about it that way before--I just did it that way--bu that is a conscious nugget that I can take away. Thanks
May the Lord bless you with wisdom and discernment. May the eyes of your understanding be opened more and more so that you may know the fullness of His power and His love for you.

 

[Barraco]

FireQuest-thanks for responding! I have a question though, what do you mean by the prophecy being scriptural? And does track record mean how many times the person has been right in the past? Ive heard that the Biblical test for accuracy of a prophecy is that the prophet must be correct a 100% of the time...is that true?

I have been prophesied over a few times by different people seemingly about very general things about my future, about good and bad things. They have so far come to pass. Recently someone has prophesied over me and this prophecy was so specific it was almost frightening. The time, the people, the event, what I must do to be in the will of God, everything was mentioned. The person who prayed over me has an extremely good track record, I can say without a doubt is a servant of God, and follows the word of God. So does that mean this I should also trust these words of prophecy also and what does it mean if the prophecy doesn't happen.

It seems that every time I get an answer I have a new question about things of this nature..!

The thing about prophecy is that its not about fortelling the future. Its about God saying what he has observed, what he's going to about it, and what he wants you to do about it. Its God's Word, not ours. So me must see it in light to God's will. God bless

 

[Barraco]

Get used to the new question thing, Periann, that is just the way things are.

Anyway, prophecies do not always come to pass because sometimes we (people) can act in such a way as to change the outcome. There are some that are inescapeable and there are some that are escapeable. It takes wisdom and discernment and listening to your spirit to tell which is which. It sounds like it isn't the case with the prophecy that you are wondering about, but often we have to be careful how we interpret the words given us, as well. It is easy to let our own desires or fears hijack a word and tell us it means something different from what is intended.

My opinion in the case that you are describing is to wait and see. If things start to happen follow what was said and follow your spirit.

I agree. God sent Isaiah to prophisy to Ahaz about going to war with Ephraim and Syria. Ephraim and Syria had joined forces and sought to overrun Judah. Ahaz was concerned, and God sent Isaiah to tell Ahaz to not worry and to go out and fight them. God said that the sign that he was with Judah would be that a virgin would give birth to a son and his name would be Immanuel; meaning God with us.
However, Ahaz did not listen and sought the aid of Assyria. Assyria, however, did not help, and only overran Syria. Ephraim then invaded Judah and was successful in overcoming them and carried away captives. They soon returned them due to a prophet's word. Then Ephraim was later taken down by Assyria and exiled. So thus, God's sign to Ahaz never came through because Ahaz didn't listen to the Lord. Sometimes prophecies are conditional, based on the terms of the prophecy. Like, "If you do this, I will do something in return." "If you obey my words, you will not be defeated by Ephraim and Syria." Such is some prophecies. Prophecies such as Daniel and Revelation, however, are determined already and will happen when God wants them to, as history has shown. God bless

 

[Periann]

I agree with what that pastor said. I hadn't thought about it that way before--I just did it that way--bu that is a conscious nugget that I can take away. Thanks
May the Lord bless you with wisdom and discernment. May the eyes of your understanding be opened more and more so that you may know the fullness of His power and His love for you.

And the same to you.

The thing about prophecy is that its not about fortelling the future. Its about God saying what he has observed, what he's going to about it, and what he wants you to do about it. Its God's Word, not ours. So me must see it in light to God's will. God bless

What else can I add to this except for I agree!

I agree. God sent Isaiah to prophisy to Ahaz about going to war with Ephraim and Syria. Ephraim and Syria had joined forces and sought to overrun Judah. Ahaz was concerned, and God sent Isaiah to tell Ahaz to not worry and to go out and fight them. God said that the sign that he was with Judah would be that a virgin would give birth to a son and his name would be Immanuel; meaning God with us.
However, Ahaz did not listen and sought the aid of Assyria. Assyria, however, did not help, and only overran Syria. Ephraim then invaded Judah and was successful in overcoming them and carried away captives. They soon returned them due to a prophet's word. Then Ephraim was later taken down by Assyria and exiled. So thus, God's sign to Ahaz never came through because Ahaz didn't listen to the Lord. Sometimes prophecies are conditional, based on the terms of the prophecy. Like, "If you do this, I will do something in return." "If you obey my words, you will not be defeated by Ephraim and Syria." Such is some prophecies. Prophecies such as Daniel and Revelation, however, are determined already and will happen when God wants them to, as history has shown. God bless

Thanks for sharing that. I had no idea about all of that history but it makes sense. I suppose in terms of conditional covenants even more so (if that's a correct term). Though the prophecy about Immanuel certainly did come true later on...just not in Ahaz's generation....!

 

[Barraco]

And the same to you.



What else can I add to this except for I agree!



Thanks for sharing that. I had no idea about all of that history but it makes sense. I suppose in terms of conditional covenants even more so (if that's a correct term). Though the prophecy about Immanuel certainly did come true later on...just not in Ahaz's generation....!

That is true. It was done under different conditions as well. But truth remains that Syria and Ephraim fell before Emmanuel became an adolescant. God bless

 

[JPPT1974]

That is true. It was done under different conditions as well. But truth remains that Syria and Ephraim fell before Emmanuel became an adolescant. God bless

Wow that is something! Thanks for sharing!