24/12/2024
PROPHECY, PROPHETS OR PROPHETIC SUNDAY AND WHAT IT MEANS TODAY
1. What does prophecy mean and where did it originate from?
The Greek word for prophecy is propheteia, which is the amalgamation of two other words, pro, meaning-forth and phemi-meaning to speak, it also means-"A gift of interpretating the will of God" or "foretelling". The Illustrated Oxford Dictionary says that a prophet is:
1. A teacher or interpreter of the supposed will of God;
2. A person who foretells events; and
3. A person who advocates and speaks innovatively for a cause.
In the New Testament a person who prophesies is one who recognizes the heart of God in a situation and
expresses that to others. The apostle Paul wrote the following:
Everyone who prophecies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church-1 Corinthians 14:3-4.
According to Hebrews 1 there was a specific mission for the Old Testament prophets. They spoke the very oracles (scripture) of God, there was little room for error (Numbers 18:20). In the Old Testament kings, judges and prophets were recipients of the Holy Spirit and through them the scripture came forth, even in the Old Testament the Spirit prophesied through Moses the very heart cry of God.
I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would place his Spirit on them-Numbers 11:29.
From the origin itself you can see that it does not only mean foretelling but goes beyond that one attribute.
In the biblical context, prophecy does not solely mean to predict the future. While foretelling future events is one aspect of prophecy, it is also about communicating messages from God, which can include guidance, warnings, and calls for repentance. Prophets in the Bible often addressed the present circumstances of their communities, providing insight into God’s will, moral directives, and the consequences of actions, it is substantially different because in this context the PROPHETIC SUNDAY implied here DOES NOT necessarily mean telling a person about their future, talking about a persons date of birth(I see 1999) or their names(I see A-that my name Ana) or where they were come(I see solwezi) to convince them you are a prophet as it is today, No that's not the Prophetic Sunday or Prophecy we mean( of I can see this or that). Rather, prophecy encompasses a broader role of speaking on behalf of God, conveying both immediate and future implications of the people's actions and choices.
There are many aspects with regards to prophecy which include:
1. Foretelling Future Event (the always thought meaning): Prophets often predicted future occurrences. For instance, in Isaiah 7:14, the prophecy of the virgin birth is given: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." This verse illustrates how prophecy can reveal future events in that case concerning the coming Messiah.
2. Calling for Repentance and Proclaiming God’s Judgment: - Ezekiel 33:11: "Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways.'" This verse shows the prophetic role in warning against impending judgment while offering a chance for repentance. These verses collectively illustrate the multifaceted nature of prophecy in the Bible, encompassing future predictions, calls for repentance, guidance, comfort, social justice, and the proclamation of God's will and judgment: Many prophets called the people to repentance, addressing current behaviors and their consequences. In Jonah 3:4, Jonah proclaims, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" This is a call for the people of Nineveh to repent from their wickedness to avert impending judgment.
3. Providing Guidance and Comfort: Prophecy can also serve as a means of offering encouragement and guidance. In Isaiah 40:1-2, it states, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned." Here, the prophetic message is one of hope and reassurance.
4. Revealing God’s Will and Plans: Prophets often communicated God’s will to His people. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse illustrates that prophecy can reveal God's intentions and promises for His people that is not to harm but prosper you.
5. Addressing Social and Moral Issues: Prophetic messages frequently include critiques of social injustices and moral failures. In Amos 5:24, the prophet declares, "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." This highlights the role of prophecy in calling for social justice.
In all admissions whether you agree that prophets do exist or you disagree to the assertion depends on the explanation of the very word PROPHECY and it's originality which is not just solely on future telling. In one way or the other if you are a preacher of the word of God you are a prophet but I must admit that most of the prophecies we see today do not edify the church but are for recognition as a prophet as one that has power and not what was intended by being a prophet(to edify the church).
A person who just criticizes everything that is different from what they they know or convinced they know will never learn a thing.
Anyways what are your thoughts on this subject matter 🤔
