Prospering Through The Prophetic

WHAT IS PROPHECY?

In the Old Testament the words 'prophecy' or 'to prophesy' are translated from several Hebrew words:

'massa' meaning 'what is lifted up, a burden, message' (Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1);

'nebuah' meaning 'prophecy' (2 Chronicles 9:29; 2 Chronicles 15:8; Ezra 6:14; Nehemiah  6:12);

'nabi' meaning 'a prophet' (Daniel 9:24);

'chazah' meaning 'to see (in vision)' (Isaiah 30:10);

 'nataph' meaning 'to cause to drop, let drop' (Micah 2:6,11)  (all meanings from Young's).

However, the most common Hebrew word used is:

'naba' meaning 'to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simplediscourse): prophesy (ing), make self a prophet'  (Strong's);

'To announce, to show, to deliver an oracle from God, to speak as God's ambassador;  to foretell future events;  to sing songs or hymns: each implying divine inspiration' (Wilson's);

'naba' is used over 105 times in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament the Greek words used are:

'propheteia' meaning 'prophecy, public exposition' (Young's);

'propheteia' is used 15 times;

'prophetikos' meaning 'prophetic' (Young's) (2 Peter 1:19).

'propheteuo' meaning 'to foretell future events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office: prophesy' (Strong's);

 'To hold the office of a prophet; to do the work of a prophet, i.e. to speak forth, in declaration, warning, or exhortation, as directed by the Spirit of God'(Bullinger's) (used over 25 times).

Prophecy, therefore, is the bringing forth of spoken words that are inspired by the Holy Spirit. It brings to life the message and Word of God to a group of people in a particular place at a particular time. Prophecy should bring a consciousness of God's will and desire for His people.

BUILDING THE TEMPLE:

For example, the building of the Temple of God in Jerusalem was completed because the people were inspired by two prophets:

'Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of lddo began to prophesy to the Jews of Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel Who was with them. At this, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak started again to build the Temple of God in Jerusalem; the prophets of God were with the people, giving them courage'   (Ezra 5:1-2, Jerusalem Bible).

Haggai and Zechariah were in touch with God and, because of that, were able to inspire the people to rise up into action to fulfil the purpose of God. Prophecy encouraged the hearts and spirits of the people! It motivated, then activated them.  The Amplified Bible says God's Spirit was upon Haggai and Zechariah.

If we turn over to Ezra 6:14 we read:

'And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia' (KJV).

They prospered through the prophetic word!

That word 'prospered' means 'to accomplish successfully; to reach the goal'(Wilson's).

Prophecy enabled them:

1. To prosper.

2. To build.

3. To finish the work.

4. To obey God's commands.

5. To obey man's commands.

They reached their goal!

They accomplished successfully the task given them!  Prior to this the work had ceased because of opposition and discouragement. The outward circumstances had become their focus, and they ground to a halt. How true this can be of life today.

When the Prophetic Word is coming forth amongst God's people it helps us to focus on that which He wants done. He wants us to reach the goal, to accomplish successfully those things He has called us to do.

• The people of Samaria prospered as a result of Jesus giving a word of knowledge to the woman at the well - many became believers as a result (John 4).

• The sick people on the island of Melita (Malta) prospered physically because Paul released the gifts of healing on them (Acts 28:1-10).

• The Ethiopian eunuch prospered as a result of Philip receiving a word of knowledge(via an angel) who told him, 'Arise and go toward the south, on the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert' (Acts 8:26-40). His life was changed, and Ethiopia was impacted by the Gospel for many years.

•  Saul of Tarsus prospered as a result of Ananias bringing to him the prophetic word of the Lord concerning his ministry calling. He also received his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:15-20; Acts 22:10-16).

The prophetic also brings warning and power to bind those who oppose the Holy Spirit ministry, i.e. Barjesus (Elymas) was struck blind - the word of the Lord prospered as a result of that demonstration of authority (Acts 13:1-12).

Paul had knowledge of that which was going to happen at Ephesus after his departure. That knowledge would have helped numbers to be watching that they did not get caught up with those who 'seek to draw followers after themselves' (Acts 20:22-38).

FOCUS:

In Holy Spirit ministry focus is very important.  It helps us to be all that more specific in doing what God wants done.  So, let's . . . focus! And focus on developing our powers of perception in order that we may prosper in the prophetic.

What does it mean to focus?

' . . . A point upon which attention, activity, etc. is directed or concentrated . . . To bring or come to a focus or into focus.

To fix attention (on); concentrate. From the Latin: hearth, fireplace' (Collins).

'The adjustment of the eye or a lens necessary to produce a clear image.  A state of clear definition. The centre of interest or activity.'

'lnfocus': 'Clear, clear-cut, distinct, sharp, well or sharply defined';

'Out of focus':  'Unclear, indistinct, blurred, blurry, fuzzy; centre, focal point, heart, core, hub.'

Concentrate, centre, direct, bring to bear; zero in on, pinpoint.

Converge, merge, meet; come or bring into 'focus' ' - (Reader's Digest Complete Wordfinder).

We can start out full of vision, excitement and faith.  But as time goes on we tend to 'lose our focus' and become subject to all kinds of negativity. It takes the Holy Spirit working through prophetic people to stir us back into the reality of the situation.  Prophecy (true prophecy) lifts us into the realm of how God sees us, things, circumstances, the course of our life, etc.  He inspires someone prophetic to speak His Word of life!  That  word  'is  spirit  and  it  is  life' (John 6:63);  it  generates  our  spirit  to rise, believe and act upon what He wants.  We need the Gift of Prophecy today so we can prosper in God's will!