Prophecy is so not talked about for the most part in the circles I live or work in, but it’s a powerful part of the Judeo/Christian heritage!
People from all cultures generally understand prophecy is a component of a faith system, and means the foretelling of something before it happens. In the Bible it’s used many times to predict that certain things will transpire at a certain time or way.
Before the Jews were an organized people, God spoke prophetic words to many individuals. When Abraham decided to not worship the idols of his father God spoke to him to move away from his fathers culture. He spoke other things to Abraham …. changing his name, giving him a child in old age. Prophecy was sometimes used as an ominous sign of impending doom on the Jews, other nations …. but normally it was used to encourage certain people to dream big or hang in there and believe that God will truly do what He said He’d do for them. (Joseph, Jacob).
God prepared every Jewish age with the prediction that a Messiah would be born to fulfill His plan for not only the Jews but all peoples. The New Testament is the culmination of those prophecies as God came to earth as a human Jesus to teach, heal and proclaim that all must go thru Him if they wanted to go to heaven.
Nowadays prophecy is being discussed on many Christian TV shows or in books by writers with excellent credentials. It’s very popular to listen to all kinds of sources share how God’s prophecy for the Jews has been fulfilled, as Jews from around the world have returned to Israel. God’s spoken about other nations going under or rising up, in the book of Daniel, other books. Those kingdoms have gone on to fulfill their time in world history.
There’s a grand scheme of things in God’s creation. So while God has a prophetic plan for all groups, He has a plan for each person. King David is maybe the best example of how God can work prophetically in an individual. Because of David’s character as a youth, God honored him and told Samuel to anoint him King. David loved deeply but suffered as no other had, yet he wrote very personal songs about a Creator who was a continual strength and comfort to him. He passionately and eloquently shared intimate details of the attacks against him, how God always rescued him, the way he loved God’s presence. David prophetically revealed to us that God knows what we go thru in our walk with Him. God sees all. No matter what happens, how much we’re attacked, He is not far from us. He’s in fact loved us since we were in our mothers womb and has a plan for us.
Prophecy is a promise, a future, but God’s blessings can’t be known unless we ‘accept’ that God speaks that way to us thru predictions. We know the 10 Commandments are right to live by. We may know there is salvation thru Christ, but we can’t know God’s plan for us unless we ask Him to reveal it.
God won’t force us to see the world the way He sees it. He’s been dropping hints in our conscience, creation and other sources that He’s desiring to be intimately involved in our choices. He speaks prophetically to us thru our hearts desires if we relinquish them to Him. If we don’t believe he’s the kind of God who cares about our everyday concerns, the little things as well as big, we won’t seek Him out. If we think God’s only interested in the Jews or the larger world picture, we’ll worry, suffer and stress out waiting for some miracle or sign or whatever.
He wants us to talk to Him about our circumstances, trust His leading, His timing. He wants us to read his Word so we get familiar with His love and plans for those who turn to Him. Many times people have a bad dream about something and it scares them from trusting God in the prophetic realm. Our bad dream could stem from watching tragic news before bed or not dealing with a tough decision at work. But it doesn’t mean we are to stop listening to Him. God is never too busy to speak with us about His personal plan for us, even in the backdrop of a world in chaos. He’s that kind of god!
God uses words of knowledge, words of wisdom or gives miracles, dreams and visions. I used to have more dreams and visions, now I have have ‘nudgings’ where I know to stop and ‘listen’ to His voice. He speaks many times out of order, meaning, I may have something brewing on the inside that I want an answer about but He will speak about something on another issue, which is exactly what I need. His timing always is right!
Real prophetic words from the Word, a prophet or from the voice of God in us always gives identity, protection and purpose to a person or people group. (Myles Munroe speaks about this phenomena being present in those following God’s directive to have dominion on earth.) God’s not too far away to hear you. Bring EVERYTHING to Him, don’t hold back feeling what you have to say is too hard to come true, too silly or painful. We’ve all made been there.
But ….. true prophecy also involves ‘risk’ and going outside what may be your comfort zone. Others may not understand what you hear, find those who will. God will give you dreams to spur you on so you can weather any storm that comes your way. He has strategies for each of us that we can use to claim our purpose under heaven! I think in this age, there’s many out there who sense the prophetic but they think it’s outside their ability to understand, . Many see ‘co-incidences’, not understanding they are God incidences. Many have had dreams and revelations that could only come from God. Don’t just take someones word on it but try expanding this side of your life.
I saw this side of life in Marc, and sometimes I marveled at the rapidity, blessing he received because of it. I’m seeing it in his case with the defendants as well. God never stops showing me a life after loss …. love after tragedy!
Beautifully written and insightful! Thank you!