The Gift of Prophecy

A Meditation

Prophecy is a gift of service to the community.

... he who prophesies speaks to men for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. [1 Cor 14:3-4[

Prophecy depends on faith and love.

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ]Rom 12:6]

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [1 Cor 13:2]

Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. [1 Cor 13:8-10]

Order is desired during a gathering of believers.

... and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. ... [1 Cor 14:32-33]

You need to be open to God, and to listen to the Spirit.

Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesying, but test everything; hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil. [1 Th 5:19-22]

You need to test all prophesies against God's word, Scripture, and the teachings of the Church.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. [1 John 4:1]

The Gift of Prophecy

A Meditation

Bob Van Cleef, August 1993