Prophetic ministry sometimes gets a bad press because a lot of what is declared is shallow or doesn't prove to be correct. I'm sad, because the Holy scriptures are full of prophecy that did come to pass! Let's recover our trust in prophecy by returning to the 'more sure word of prophecy' (2 Peter 1:19 KJV), which is the word of God itself. Our confidence should be in the fact that prophecy is real, needs to be tested, and is needed in the church. It is clearly part of the foundational five fold ministry giftings of the New Testament taught by Paul the apostle (Ephesians 4:11-13).
I have been in church ministry and leadership for over 40 years, I've been astounded at the realisation that prophecy spoken in truth, comes to pass. I've seen it many times, but don't just take my word for it. If you have any doubts, let me point you to the scriptures. When God speaks through His prophets, things come to pass, lives are changed and transformed, insight is brought as light in the midst of darkness. That is one of the major purposes of the prophetic ministry, to shine a light on darkness, in order to bring the opportunity for salvation and transformation of individuals, families and whole communities (through the church).
The major prophet Isaiah in chapter 9 declared some amazing facts that actually came to pass, which is a test of every prophet! Look at the following facts, and be as astounded as I am. The scripture was written some 700 years before Jesus birth. In each case, there is a prophecy (P) and then proof that it came to pass! How amazing (A) is that. I can find five key aspects where Isaiah was incredibly accurate, and therefore led by God to write and declare these prophetic things.
P - v1 " ... there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress ... but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan.
A - Jesus spent a lot of time in Galilee (Matthew 12:-25), it was where He started, and where He declared some of His most profound teaching, all in fulfillment of what Isaiah had declared!
P - v2 " ... The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
A - The shepherds were dazzled by the angel (Luke 2:8-20), and the wise men saw a bright star that guided them (Matthew 2:1-12).
P - v6a "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, ... "
A - Jesus was born as a baby and laid in a manger (Luke 2:1-7), and declared as the Son of God (Matthew 3:17 and 17:5).
P - v6b "And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
A - Jesus had many Names that He attributed to Himself. Here we see that the Holy Spirit is mentioned as Counselor and Comforter (John 14:16,26; 15:26 and Romans 8:26), as God ( Acts 5:3-4), as Father (Matthew 10:20) and finally Peace (John 14:27; John 16:33; Romans 5:1)
Are you not amazed that the word of God declared, came to pass in full some 700 years later? I certainly am, and I state the case that prophecy was needed for the children of |srael, and is ever more needed in the 21st century church. Raise up your prophets Lord. Come Holy Spirit, quicken and anoint your prophets for today. Amen
Roger Grassham December 2020
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