Prophesying today.
October 12, 2008 – 4:00 pm
What a wonderful opportunity we have to preach the gospel today. The last few years have appeared as though we are really living in Revelation 6 as the Twin Towers destruction in New York saw “peace taken from the earth” like never before. Communism never appeared as such a great threat, though we have lived in its shadow for as long as I can remember. Living in “fortress Australia” has allowed me to see this more clearly. Australians are a proudly independent people who see themselves as isolated from the world’s troubles, and their politicians preach it. I recall being told the things we heard so often happening in other parts of the world, “Will never happen in Australia.” Yet, today Australia finds itself greatly affected by the Twin Towers fallout, worldwide drought and famine, and the now global financial collapse. A people who saw no reason to fear are now living in fear. For more than 40 years I have heard the Church [at least that part to which I belonged] preach that the Bible says these things were coming upon us. Passages such as Revelation 6, Matthew 24, and Thessalonians were used to trumpet the message of Christ’s imminent return. There are many, even from within the church today, who laughed these prophets to scorn, as they clearly proclaimed that the Bible predicted these things – yet they happen today around us as though yesterday carries tomorrow’s news. I believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the rapture of the church. The reason I believe is because those men who proclaimed this also proclaimed that the Bible predicted exactly that which is happening today. I believe that there has never been a more appropriate time for saying, “People, get ready.” What a wonderful opportunity we have to preach the gospel today. Even within the church we have seen the Bible prediction that, “The love of many will grow cold”, and “Some will neglect coming together with the saints”, which was also warned by these prophets of righteousness, come to pass as we have more and more folk leaving the church for a life of spiritual solitude – even declaring that God made them do it. I see no such teaching anywhere in Scripture. Today is the day of the prophetic voice, but I do not see those as prophets who declare visions and dreams; who declare ‘personal prophecies’ [these have their place when the parameter remains the Word of God], but those who go declaring the Word of God. Some of these are evangelists, and some teachers, but wherever they go they are witnesses to the testimony of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Christ: the Son of God, because the Spirit of Prophecy is the testimony of Jesus Christ. The greatest prophetic declaration that anyone can make is, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” The word of prophecy is the opening of the word of God: enlightening darkened eyes to receive the light of the truth. Kerry Stevenson - NSW - Australia.
15 Responses to “Prophesying today.”
Kerry ~ I believe in what you say in general terms, likewise I have been a Christian Believer many years, never negating on a pick & choose basis any elements of the Bible including the Holy Ghost power released at Pentecost. But beware, many might say, spiritual gifts can be abused, mis-used and parodied (viz, Todd & Benny). Tongues still for today? Prophesying? Does this mean predicting the future one might say? No, what we must address is the purity of these gifts, so often mixed in with the humanity of the one (trying to) express these gifts as part of God’s Will. There is much nonsense pouring out of churches today, including the gifts of Prophecy & so on. Thereby many are virtually frightened to death of certain gifts, because they have never heard utterance of expression of pure gifts.There is place in God’s heart for true prophecy, true tongues & interpretation, true and (I would say) wondrous words of prophecy that offer assurance comfort and exhortation ~ yes, to be sure, all clearly pointing to the nature and spirit of Jesus. So I do disagree that evangelists, preachers and teachers either express or are embodiments of prophesying. In essence I have just mentioned four spiritual gifts, every one vital and valid for today. Some examples of prophecy can be found on www.endtime.org.uk (sincere apologies if this website is in anyway not functioning, though it should be)
God Bless All
By Abraham on Oct 14, 2008
The sooner the ‘church’ starts preaching the real gospel of the Kingdom, the better!
The sooner the ‘church’ gets back to her Hebrew Roots and ceases from it’s pagan traditions like christ-mass, easter and sun-day worship [which are idolatry] the better! The 7 Festivals are not ‘Jewish’ but are God’s and He has NEVER done away with them! The ‘church’ became apostate when Rome sabotaged the Hebraic Faith and poisoned it from within!
The sooner the ‘church’ repents of it’s arrogance against the Olive branches and realises that the church is the House of Israel, then we can go forward!
By Lee Mullen on Oct 15, 2008
New King James Version used throughout this blog
Paul, the apostle taught:
“Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” - 1 Corinthians 5:7.
In other words Christ becomes the fulfilment of the passover to ALL who are in Christ - Jew and Gentile. Since Christ came, died and rose again then ascended to heaven, there is NO obligation upon anyone to keep any of the feasts because:
“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” Romans 10:4.
Those who look to the “law” for salvation in any regard are in bondage to that law and also they are under the bondage of sin:
“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” - James 2:10.
In other words it’s ALL of the Law or NOTHING of the Law and ALL OF GRACE.
A moment’s thought will tell you that it is impossible to keep the Jewish feasts or [as Lee Mullen calls them] the Lord’s Feasts, which is true, BUT not in the way he applies them. Take for example the Feast of Tabernacles. The Old Testament law requires that it be kept at JERUSALEM, the place where God appointed; that those who keep it leave their own homes and live for the days of the feast in “booths” i.e. temporary dwelling places [e.g. tents]. Even those legalists who say we must keep the feasts do NOT keep them — certainly not the feast of Tabernacles — as required. So they are guilty of failure in the very thing they promote.
The above blog by Lee Mullen is an apt commentary on the poet’s couplet:
“A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep or taste not that Pierian spring” (Alexander Pope).
Obviously, as Lee Mullen implies, Roman Catholicism had a detrimental impact upon Christianity and the Christian Church, but it’s impact was not primarily upon the Hebraic roots of our faith, which can never be destroyed. The root is always there and it bears the tree. However the entire New Testament teaches that to return to the roots in the way Lee appears to imply is to deny the faith and to establish legalism and a return to Judaism. It’s end is the crucifixion of Christ over again for it denies the total efficacy of the work, death and resurrection of Christ.
There is nothing wrong in Jews, or Gentiles for that matter, keeping the feasts to some extent — it is impossible to keep them all to their fullest extent — BUT to make the practice obligatory is an insult to Christ and to the New Covenant in His blood. It binds the law which in its very nature becomes a bondage of “sin” upon those who have been set free in Christ. It is another Gospel — not the Gospel of Christ.
Celebrating Christmas and/or Easter and worshiping on a Sunday are totally different things. They are simply a matter of choice and/or convenience. These issues have been carefully argued elsewhere in the material published by CWM in CETF. Just use the search engines at: http://www.christian-witness.org/search.html
The Sabbath was NOT a day of worship but of REST, and was clearly given to the nation of Israel for a specified time and for a purpose. Our Lord said that it was given for man’s benefit and man was NOT created for the sabbath. In other words it has health and welfare implications and is NOT obligatory. Paul emphasises this when he forbids anyone to judge anyone else in respect of keeping the sabbath.
A 24 hour sabbath can only be national and NOT international. In the international context it must exceed the 24 hour time slot to coincide around the world and immediately the entire concept is changed.
Lee is right when he says the Church should not boast over the House of Israel. By the same token the house of Israel MUST not boast over the Church. There is ONLY one way into the Kingdom of God and Christ is that WAY:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” - John 14:6 (NKJV).
God bless you and may He reveal His mind and purpose and His way to us all.
By philip on Oct 17, 2008
Thanks for the patronisation Philip. Very ‘godly’ of you to say I am ‘denying’ the faith?
“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” Romans 10:4.
Really? Funny, because didn’t he also say He never came to do away with the Law and the Prophets??? No wonder confusion abounds.
By Lee Mullen on Oct 18, 2008
Are you a “Gentile”?
Saturday, 05 February 2005
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By Yedidah, February 5, 2005 (Revised December 25, 2005, October 16, 2007, November 18, 2007)
List of articles by Yedidah
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EDITORIAL NOTE - Philip Powell deleted this article because:
1) It is not written by the person who posted it and whose name appears below;
2) It is TOO long for a blog - approximately 8,400 words total
3) There is no indication that the person who posted this obtained the prior permission of the true author;
4) It really has nothing to do with this thread - “PROPHESYING TODAY”.
By Lee Mullen on Oct 18, 2008
Whilst I am certain that all matters discussed in this site and others are subjective, and therefore statements made from one’s own thoughts and understanding, and one’s own ‘construction’ of God (this has to be true otherwise there would be no denomination) I rather baulk at the pedantic nature of some comments (pedantic=abtruse and fussy & etc.) whereby the true love of God never shows through. Quite simply I love the Word of God : this is my absolute safety. Critiques may be useful from time to time, but I really want to hear any contributor on the subject of Prophesying Today : anything else rightly belongs elsewhere or to a new thread if it is a worthwhile subject. If not! - then no one will respond. Why hijack the ’subject heading’ for one’s own particular podium?
By Abraham on Oct 20, 2008
Lee,
You’ve posted this same long comment of 19/10 on 3 blogs here - & it is irrelevant to all but the “Gathering the Faithful Remnant” blog. As a result I’ve deleted it from this blog. It would be apt to contribute your ideas about “returning to Hebrew roots” there, as they do not address this blog’s ‘Prophesying Today’ theme.
with kind regards
By Moderator 2 on Oct 20, 2008
Abraham - I am a little unsure how to answer you. If you thought that I am implying that evangelists and teachers are prophets, I apologise, I am not. But evangelists and teachers may prophesy, as Paul said, “You may all prophesy.” Once again, I do not regard prophecy as foretelling the future, but as exhortation and edification to believe the gospel.
Also, I am not speaking of men of great reputation but ordinary common believers willing to carry the word of God to a lost world like Abraham (Sid) Gee, and Gary Patterson. Like Santy Maggio, Dan Issett, Titch, Mario, Mark Demas, and many others I know and others I have never met. [I doubt you know any I have mentioned because they are just believers - not TV evangelists, they have not written books, have no websites, and have not promoted themselves as so many do.] The evangelists I speak of are not men of reknown, but people of commitment and conviction who give themselves that others might know the truth. Hope that helps you see where I was going.
By Kerry Stevenson on Oct 21, 2008
Abraham - I just thought I’d add clarification. The mention of evangelists and teachers was not meant to denote office, but stylistic approach. We all have ways of sharing our faith that differs from person to person. I just find that evengelist and teachers are the most common styles today. Kind of like Antioch, where the common stylistic approaches were prophets and teachers.
By Kerry Stevenson on Oct 21, 2008
Kerry : thanks, I see your point of view,
I’ve always used the acronym a.c.e. which concurs [viz. prophesying for “assurance, comfort & exhortation”] - which is what you say of course. Coming to the matter of predictive prophesying, how about this one given by General Wm. Booth [founder of the Salvation Army] at the end of the 19th century who said “In about 100 years time much of the Church will be preaching Christianity without Christ, Heaven without Hell, Forgiveness without Repentance, Salvation without Regeneration”. Just about sums it all up?
Then what about this prediction that I am quoting from memory “in about 1995 or thereabouts, the whole of the homosexual community in San Francisco will be completely destroyed by the hand of God ..&…”. Uttered by Benny Hinn!
Two aspects of the predictive. Of course a lot more false prophecy is pouring out of, mainly, US ministries seeking to embellish their ministries. No names, but usually utter nonsense. The devil’s having a field day. [Incidentally General Booth’s home town was Nottingham, UK, where I live.] God Bless
By Abraham on Oct 24, 2008
Abraham: thanks also. Yes, I do not say that there is no predictive prophesying, the Bible plainly shows otherwise, and the Scriptures plainly confirm that which William Booth predicted. That may be a key point in judging prophecy. Today too many try to predict that which cannot be confirmed, and people hang on to these vague promises more fervently than the word of God. Nowhere in the Bible does it predict the destruction of the homosexual community in San Fransisco. I am always careful of such claims, yet I do leave all in the hands of God. I will not run after such prophecies because it is not in my power to bring them about. If God wills, God will.
Kerry.
By Kerry Stevenson on Oct 26, 2008
A curious question about the fig tree. Many I have heard relate the figtree of Matthew 24 and Luke 21 to the birth of the nation of Israel, but Jesus doesn’t mention that here. He says that the lesson of the fig tree is, “when you see THESE THINGS happening you know the end is near.” How did this become related to the birth of Israel as a nation?
By Kerry Stevenson on Oct 26, 2008
Philip,
I agree with your comments to Lee. The comments of Lee seem to indicate a certain “sect” who castigate all other “Churches” and consider themselves the “chosen ones”. His group is a result of “false prophecy”. Lee’s comments may bear little relevance to “Prophecy Today” topic but I believe it is a timely reminder that we should “give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”Heb 2:1 (KJV)
The danger we all face is the elevation of the gift above the Majesty of the GIVER. The gift is meant to glorify the Giver and NOT the gift or the recipient of the gift. Today we have “prophets” who bask in media-hype and “showmanship.” They make prophecies, predictions of the future, bully followers and the naive into propping up their empires, and bring blasphemy to God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and upon the written WORD. Again, they put themselves over “the people” and live like kings. I do not have to name them but because Paul, the Apostle (1Ti 1:20, and John, the Beloved Apostle (3Jo 9), name these wolves, we too have the right to name these deliberately wicked men in an attempt to warn others of the subtlety of these wicked men and their false doctrines. What did our Saviour call the scribes and Pharisees? (Mt 23).
People who argue that we should not “name them” are very mistaken. These misguided souls lack discernment.
God Bless you.
The little frail bark
By John Douven on Nov 29, 2008
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By Moderator 2 on Mar 3, 2009
Just a comment about the Fig tree. When a fig tree is full of leaves, there should also be fruit on it at the same time. I believe that Jesus’ lesson was that if you are full of leaves (i.e. professing to be a Christian) then you should also be bearing fruit i.e. the Fruit of the Spirit.
By Elizabeth on Feb 9, 2010