e need it, he will send forth a word of encouragement. We see here that GOD was well pleased with what David wanted, just to glorify the LORD! GOD sent forth a word to let David know how much he was pleased with him.

Now sometimes GOD sends forth an exhortation, advising us in what we should do that we may be obedient to him and come closer to his glory. If you also look at 2 Samuel Chapter 7 we see along with encouragement the LORD gave David instruction through Nathan, telling David your not the man to build this temple for me. There comes times in our lives when the LORD will instruct our paths, or kind of show the way to go for us.

 

If you look all throughout the old Testament GOD has always used the Prophets to edify the people of GOD, to exhort them strongly, or to encourage them. If you look in 1 Corinthians 14 we see that the SPIRIT of GOD revealed to the Apostle Paul what a Prophet does, and Paul gives the same type of definition as used above.

 

1Cor:14:3:" But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort"

 

i guess this also raises another question to our minds, which is. are Prophets still around today. i have heard many churches say that the gift of Prophecy has passed away, and the Prophets are no more, along with Apostles. The only basis people use to back up this false opinion is 1 corinthians chapter 13:8-10. "7: Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8: love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall pass away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9: For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10: But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11: When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13: And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

The argument has been so bad that i have even seen this verse falsely translated in certain Bibles, such as the American Standard Version. This version added the word "gifts of prophecy, and gift of tongues in verse 8. What has happened is that men added opinions in translation instead of giving us the plain Word of GOD! Many Christians also justify by saying that "the perfect" in verse 10 is referring to the Holy Bible. This is definitely a misapplication of this verse.

First let us examine "the perfect". In the Greek this word is "teleios". What this word means is complete in the applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, as a noun this word means completeness, of full age, man, perfect. The perfect was never referring to the Bible, what the perfect is referring to(i believe, i might be wrong, but GOD is teaching me still, may GOD forgive me if i’m wrong) is the complete maturity of the body of CHRIST. When the body of CHRIST comes into the fullness of unity (prayed for by JESUS in John 17:21-end of chapter), maturity, and full growth, then the perfect (full manifestation of JESUS in us) will be fully manifested in his people, and if you look at Romans chapter 8 we see this is what the creation groans for.

 

"Romans 8:17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19: For the earnest expectation of the creation awaits the revelation of the sons of GOD.

20: For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21: Because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of GOD.

22: For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23: And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the SPIRIT, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

We can also see Paul talk about this in Ephesians Chapter 4

 

11: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15: But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

 

This is what i personally believe the HOLY SPIRIT was revealing through this amazing revelation given to Paul. Others believe it refers to when JESUS comes back, and when we see JESUS face to face. Then we won’t need prophecy, or tongues, only love will remain. i’m still praying about it which is right, but only GOD knows. One thing i will say though is that Paul was never referring to the Bible in that passage. Not only that, from my experience when i was 19 a woman prophesied to me, a woman i never met in my life before. Her words to my mother went something like this, "he is wavy, he follows the crowd, he does what everyone else does, but GOD wants you to know he will do this for 3 more years, then GOD will hold him." i myself wasn’t a believer because what i was taught, but three years later i began to seek GOD’s face. A couple of months after i gave my life to the LORD, i realized it had been 3 years, and the prophecy came to pass. Not only that, i have been prophesied over about 5 or 6 times, and every time GOD has exhorted, edified, or comforted me. One has come to pass, one was a word of knowledge that edified, and many others for encouragement and instruction. Each time the HOLY SPIRIT testified to me that this was of GOD! i have even had GOD use this gift in me in one form or another for the edification of brethren, and encouragement even though i’m not called as a Prophet in the kingdom. Basic point being, don’t be deceived if you don’t believe GOD still has Prophets or Apostles, ask GOD yourself, let him show you the truth. Also we can examine the verse above once again from Ephesians 4

 

"Ephesians 4:11: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of CHRIST:

13: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of GOD, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of CHRIST:"

 

(A little off subject)Now looking at this verse again we can see that GOD is revealing a five-fold ministry in the last days. We know according to 1 Peter that we are a royal priesthood.

 

"1Pt:2:9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"

 

We are a royal priesthood having five different callings, and five different types of priests, notice there are five fingers on a hand. Some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Pastors (sheperds), and some teachers. You see these 5 types of priests are the five fingers of GOD moving and doing his work in the earth. Notice that Paul said in verse 13 in Ephesians 4 that is until we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of GOD. This is to fulfill JESUS prayer in John 17:21.

 

"1Cor:14:3:" But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort"

 

Now back to the subject at hand, we see that prophesy is used for edification, and exhortation, and comfort. Prophecy can also be used to foretell a future event that GOD will warn you for ahead of time, or sometimes GOD will reveal what he is doing in the earth at a certain time. Look at the whole book of revelation! If someone ever receives a prophesy and it doesn’t edify, exhort, or comfort, or if it doesn’t come to pass, then you can rest assured that it is probably a false prophecy! A Prophet or someone prophesying will either give a personal word of prophecy, foretell a future event, reveal what the LORD is getting ready to do with his Body, or edify, exhort, or encourage HIS Body in prophecy given for the Body of CHRIST, or to a brother with a personal word.

To basically sum it up, in the OT, when times of encouragement were needed, or edification, or exhortation, GOD would normally send out a Prophet to give a word for the congregation as a whole. Most of the time these men were absolutely fanatical, radical for GOD alone, didn’t care to please anyone but GOD alone, single minded (thinking only of GOD), mournful for the people of GOD in their slothful spiritual state before GOD, and interceding on the behalf of their sins before GOD to forgive them. These were people who stood in the gap for the peoples sins, and cared to see people woken up from a slothful state no matter what the cost. Note that not all were like this though, infact these characteristics describe a few of them. Jonah was definitely not all of those.

Note that in these last days the HOLY SPIRIT gave Joel revelation about what would come.

 

"Joel 2:27: And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

28: And 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:

29: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."

 

From what little GOD has given me in revelation, GOD has shown me in the last 50 years GOD is restoring the five-fold ministry to bring about perfection in his body to the fullness of CHRIST manifested in the Body! Since the 1950’s GOD has really been restoring the teachers, pastors, evangelist, and these last 10 years you can notice a restoration to the prophetic part of the five fold ministry. GOD has for the last 10 years been releasing many Prophets to give instruction to the Body of CHRIST. i believe the reason why the last 10 years is because so many leaders in the Body of CHRIST have not believed in the prophetic calling existing anymore, and many still don’t. We can see that GOD has in the last 10 or 20 years been releasing many though.

Many people called been called in different ways. i guess you are the only person who knows if GOD has called you to be a prophet in the kingdom! Something else noteworthy is that a lot of times we don’t know what we have been called to. Look at Simon of Cyrene, he fell into his calling by accident(or so he thought). GOD had ordained and called him to carry JESUS cross.

 

"Mt:27:32: And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.:"

 

He fell into his calling one day walking home probably! i have met a people who thought they were called to be a prophet in the kingdom, and because of this that is all they focused on. Don’t be a victom of falling into that trap. Keep your eyes on JESUS, for he alone deserves all the glory, and he alone will be glorified and should be ruling or reigning in your heart and the heart of every man. Something else to think of is this, that just because the LORD prophesies through you once or twice, don’t think you have been called to be a prophet. You very well may have, but remember the Apostles prophesied. i have seen Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Intercessors, and many others prophesy. Remember the LORD even spoke through a donkey!!!!!!! Hee haw! (numbers 22:25-35) The reason i say this is because there are many who believe they have been called to be prophets, and they have not. Also remember that there are many false Prophets out there. JESUS said you would know them by their fruits.

 

"Matthew 7:13: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18: A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19: Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

 

This is something that you should be very careful of, do not trust any man at his word, but test the fruits of all words according to the WORD of GOD, and according to the HOLY SPIRIT! Anytime you are prophesied over, that prophesy should agree with the HOLY SPIRIT testifying to your spirit. Remember, if it is a prediction, it should come to pass, if it is a word for exhortation, edification, or for encouragement, then it should either exhort, edify, or comfort! If it does none of these, then i must say according to the WORD of GOD, it is a false prophecy bearing no fruit. i won’t lie, there has been times i have falsely prophesied, or given a word of knowledge, and i repented. i’m still learning to hear the LORD’s voice, and know only his voice. Many make mistakes, yet you must be very careful that you know what is from GOD and what is not. Also remember, that if someone is prophesying to you, and they are not bearing fruits with living a life in the SPIRIT, then you need to pray about it and question it according to the WORD and the HOLY SPIRIT’s guidance! Pray for clarity at all times in hearing GOD’s voice. Remember, sometimes you can be deceived by your own voice thinking it is GOD’s voice. Make sure you know GOD’s voice! JESUS said my sheep know my voice!

 

"Jn:10:27: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:"

"Jn:10:16: And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

 

"Jn:10:5: And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."

"Jn:10:4: And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice."

 

If you have trouble hearing GOD’s voice or discerning what is from GOD or not, then pray for GOD to show you. This is what i’m doing right now, and have been doing. Ask GOD for clarity to know what is not of him, and what is of him.

Remember there are many false Prophets out there, but test all things according to the WORD of GOD, and the HOLY SPIRIT in prayer.

 

"1Jn:4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of GOD: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 3: And every spirit that confesseth not that JESUS CHRIST is come in the flesh is not of GOD: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4: Ye are of GOD, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5: They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6: We are of GOD: he that knoweth GOD heareth us; he that is not of GOD heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."

 

GOD will show you what is of him, and what’s not. Remember by their fruits you shall know them. That is a promise from JESUS himself!

Remember before you ever, ever, ever say the words "Thus says the LORD", that it is like signing a check to his name!!!!!! Make sure you know that it is the LORD! For those who know they have been called as a prophet in the kingdom, ask the LORD for guidance, and remember there are many Prophets you can talk to across the states that have been called to this that can help you out in the struggles of what a Prophet goes through!

There are many uses of the Prophetic gifts. Paul said to ask for the gift, because it is a greater gift than tongues. Lets look at Romans 12.

 

"Romans 12:4: For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7: Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8: Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9: Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good"

 

We see also in 1 Corinthians 12:4

 

"1 Corinthians 12: 4: Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5: And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6: And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8: For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9: To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10: To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is CHRIST."

 

Here we see Paul through the HOLY SPIRIT lists out some of the gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT. The HOLY SPIRIT gives the gifts, and initiates it within us, we become the agents of the HOLY SPIRIT manifesting himself in us for the edifying, exhorting, or encouragement of a brother in CHRIST!

    1. A word of wisdom- When the HOLY SPIRIT gives a word of wisdom it is more for instruction from the LORD to the work of exhortation.
    2. A word of knowledge- normally this gift goes hand in hand with a word of wisdom. A word of knowledge is used in many different ways. This gift is used to exhort, edify, or encourage. This gift is also used for confirmation. Perhaps the LORD is trying to tell you something, then the HOLY SPIRIT will confirm it to you by telling you through someone else in a word of knowledge. One time i was praying with a brother and the LORD put it on my heart to tell him that he wasn’t a failure, because he thought he was. That was a word of knowledge from the HOLY SPIRIT. Sometimes after a word of knowledge the HOLY SPIRIT gives a word of wisdom to give instruction on how to correct that problem. For this guy who thought he was a failure, i believe(might be wrong, i’m still learning to distinguish what is from GOD and what is not) the LORD gave me a word of wisdom telling him he is a son of GOD, and that GOD loves him no matter what. They go hand in hand, and when so, it is equivilent to the gift of prophesy.
    3. Discerning the spirits- this is when the HOLY SPIRIT will let you know wether or not the spirit is of GOD or not. For example, a very well known Prophetess with a major gift of prophecy named Cindy Jacobs was once at a hearing with her organization to hear a Prophet prophesy to them. The last time he was there he was dead on with words of knowledge, and wisdom, and with predicting the future of what would happen to their organization, and a few of the people. For some reason she was feeling uneasy in her spirit, while the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD was telling her to pray because he was having personal problems. So she prayed that no false prophecies would be given that day. When he got up to speak he went towards her and backed her to a wall waving his arms wildly. Then he called up someone, while she kept praying no false words would be given. Then the man grabbed the womans breast, and pinched her nose and ear uncontrollably. Then he ran out of the place as fast as he could saying" i’m the only true prophet left in the land" This is the gift of discerning the spirits. The HOLY SPIRIT revealed to her that he had a clog in a spiritual artery, and that he wasn’t receiving the HOLY SPIRIT like he should because of it.
    4. Tongues is a multi manifested gift from the HOLY SPIRIT- i guess the best way to describe it is like this. When a son of GOD in the SPIRIT is born, they are young and do not know what to pray for. Then the HOLY SPIRIT will begin to make intercession for you in another tongue, either another language on earth, or the tongue of an angel. A prayer language in essence. Then as you begin to pray the SPIRIT of GOD prays what is needed to pray to GOD. When you speak in tongues you will also praise GOD and worship him telling him of all his amazing wonders in different languages. Also the gift of tongues is used when the HOLY SPIRIT gives you an utterance, and then it comes out in a language that another person understands therefore edifying his spirit, exhorting, or comforting his spirit. Once a Pastor named Rod Bitterman was preaching, and then the HOLY SPIRIT uttered 5 sentences in tongues. After the service a mormon with a Doctrine degree came up to the pastor and asked where did that man learn that language from. He told the Pastor that language was a dead Syrian language no longer used for hundreds of years. Then when he found out it was the HOLY SPIRIT uttering tongues through him, he came to the salvation in JESUS name. The SPIRIT of GOD did it for the mans salvation.
    5. Interpretation of tongues- This is when someone comes and utters a tongue before the whole congregation, or to a person. Then someone else will come by inspiration of the SPIRIT and interpret the tongue to that person letting him or her or them know what was said. Once i was praying on the phone with a friend. We began to praise GOD and tell him of his goodness in the SPIRIT’s inspiration. Then she began speaking in tongues smoothly. She spoke the tongue for about 1 minute. Then her friend said" i have the interpretation", and the SPIRIT interpreted through her what the LORD told me to encourage my spirit at that time. Tongues are mainly used during worship to tell GOD of his goodness and praise his name. Also for the edifying of your spirit when the HOLY SPIRIT makes intercession to GOD for you. When a tongue is given though, and an interpretation is given, that is equivilent to the gift of prophecy.

The SPIRIT will also give prophecy through visions, dreams(remember many dreams come from the flesh), and then also utterances of prediction through the SPIRIT of Prophecy. As i said before, when i was 19 a woman prophesied a prediction to me about what would happen in 3 years. It came to pass, so therefore it was on. Not to long ago i was prophesied to at a Church where a member of the prayer team prophesied to me that i was going to weep like i never wept before the LORD! i really didn’t believe this was from the SPIRIT of GOD, but the next evening the prophecy came to pass!

A Prophet is called out a lot of the time just to give instruction to the body of CHRIST. In these last days GOD is calling out many Prophets, and Apostles for the edifying of the body, exhortation of the body, and the encouragement of the body. They are being used to instruct the body of CHRIST so that the Body of Christ will come into the fullness of manifestation of CHRIST in us. Hallelujah!!!

Remember, you shall know them by their fruits!

May GOD bless you

in JESUS holy name