PROPHETIC OPERATIONS (4)

“Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and PROPHETS, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” – Ephesians 2:20

Apostolic and PROPHETIC OPERATIONS are foundational to the Building of Christ’s Church: “Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and PROPHETS, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Eph.2:20). The specialty of prophets is their God-given ability to speak for God, not just teach and preach the Bible truths about God and His Son. Prophets can teach the Logos word, preach the gospel, shepherd the flock, and do just about anything the other ministry gifts can, but not with the same anointing and success of those who are especially called to their particular office and ministry. Prophets excel when they’re functioning in their special calling and anointing.

The Prophet is one who speaks for God and has a specific divine message for those to whom he ministers. He has rights and authority to prophesy encouragement, direction, correction, guidance, help, and fresh revelations to a person, church, or nation. Some prophetic vessels are used to pronounce judgements and reveal the calling and purposes of God to whomsoever God wants to speak. Prophets are to be God’s mouthpieces to speak whenever and wherever and to whomsoever God wants to personally express His Thoughts, Purposes, and Will. With the apostles, prophets have been given a unique anointing that carries with it greater responsibility and accountability before God.

Just as prophets in the Old Testament were an extension and expression of God’s Heart and Mind, prophets in the New Testament are an extension and expression of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, One with the Father and the Holy Spirit – God manifested in the flesh. Prophets help lay foundations in churches by prophetically clarifying visions, giving prophetic direction and order for certain aspects of the church, and revealing where they are in their journey of fulfilling God’s progressive purpose for their local church. Prophets can also reveal what’s going on in the demonic spirit realm concerning demons who have been assigned by the devil to stop and destroy God’s work.

Prophets can supernaturally reveal and give clarity and application to what the leadership is sensing, as Prophet Daniel did for the king of Babylon, and Joseph did for the Pharaoh of Egypt. Other churches have been saved from splits and destruction when a prophet accessed what was going on in the spirit realm. Essentially, apostles and prophets are foundational ministries upon which the Church is built (v.19).

Prophets are ordained by God. No one can make someone a prophet; God calls and appoints (Jer.1:5-7). Prophets are directed by God, not led to where the best opportunities may be. Prophets speak whatever the Lord declares. They are not chosen because of communication skills, but rather their ability to hear God’s voice and accurately communicate what the Father intends to say. Jeremiah 1:7 says, “Whatever I command you, you shall speak” and verse 9 says, “I have put My words in your mouth”!