GIFT OF PROPHECY: [PART 8]

“Prophecy is a supernaturally inspired spoken word, spontaneously spoken, either to encourage, strengthen, warn or correct the body of Christ. It is a direct message from God either to a person or a group of people. It may be spoken in tongues or in a clearly understood language.” Now we are made to understand, ALSO, that THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL TO BELSHEZZAR and THE MYSTERIOUS IMAGE TO NEBUCHADNEZZAR both kings of Babylon, were prophecies in those manners of unknown tongues.

A prophecy has to be judged before it is accepted. [1Cor.14:29] Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
A message in tongues, interpreted, is a prophecy.
The gift of the “Word of Knowledge" deals with either the past or the present.
The gift of prophecy usually points to either, the near future, or distant future.

PROPHECY CAN BE GIVEN AT 3 LEVELS OF PROPHETIC MANIFESTATION:

(1). By a Major Prophet. [Seer]

This level pertains to a man who is born, ordained, predestinated, called, and commissioned as a

prophet. This group includes men such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, John Baptist,

and William Marrion Branham.

52-0810E - Jesus Christ The Same Yesterday, Today, And Forever. [Rev. William Marrion Branham]
38. Gifts and callings are without repentance. You absolutely receive them when you're borned in this world. The Bible says that. How many believes in predestination, foreordination, election, calling, so forth? If you believe the Bible, you have to.

... When Moses was born, he was a proper child, and was borned a prophet. You believe that? Nothing nobody had to do with it. God made him a prophet before he was born to fulfill Abraham's prophecy. How many believes that… Why, John the Baptist seven hundred and twelve years before he was ever born, Isaiah saw him. Said, "He is the voice of one crying in the wilderness." You believe that? Look at this.

39. … The 1st chapter of Jeremiah, 4th verse, I believe it is, God said: "Before you was even formed in your mother’s belly, I knew you, and called you, and sanctified you, and ordained you a prophet over the nations," before he was ever borned. You believe in predestination, foreordination? We could go right on down through the Scripture. Yes, sir. It's altogether by grace. It's not by desire; it's by grace.

This kind is called “The Seer”
He is God’s spokesman in a dispensational age: [Exo.4:12]. “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt

(2). A Prophet of the five fold ministry category.

In Laodicea, this would be a prophet as stated in [Ephesians 4:11]. “And he gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers

These are also God called, ordained and given for the perfection of the church.
They operate alongside with the dispensational prophet.
In this category, they are all men.
Examples include; Agabus, Judas and Silas
They are inspired to deliver specific message, warning, edification, exhortation encouragement.

[Acts. 11:27[;

27. And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

28. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

[Acts 15:32]

32. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

In the Old Testament, they include men like Eldad and Medad, of the seventy whom God gave to assist Moses. [Numbers 11:27-29]

27. And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.

28. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses,one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.

29. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, andthat the LORD would put his spirit upon them!

(3).A gift Prophecy; [one of the nine spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit.]

In this category, the Holy Spirit can inspire and use both men and women to prophecy.
This does not make that man or woman to become a prophet as in the Five Fold Ministry office.
This gift does not become your possession. You may, or you may never prophecy again.

50-0810 – Expectations. [Rev. William Marrion Branham]
For instance, if this tent here tonight concealed the entire body of Christ. The Holy Spirit leads the body of Christ. And in this body there are nine spiritual gifts. They are here in the body. Gifts of healing, gifts of prophecy, it might fall upon someone here tonight, this lady setting here,this man, or this man; and he may give a prophecy and it would be true. But it would never work on him maybe again. It might come back at the… See, that doesn't make him a prophet.

EXAMPLES OF WOMEN IN THE BIBLE WHO WERE INSPIRED and PROPHECIED IN THEIR DAY:

Four daughters of Philip the evangelist: In the New Testament, [Acts 21:8-9]

8. And the nextdaywe that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which wasone of the seven; and abode with him.

9. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

That did not make them to be counted in the office of the 5 Fold Ministry prophets.
Their prophesying did not make them of the status of Major Prophets.

There are several women in the Old Testament who did prophecy in their day too:

Miriam the prophetess; [Exo.15:20], thesister of Aaron,
Deborah; a prophetess; [Judges 4:4], she judged Israel at her time; she is the wife of Lapidoth.
Huldah; the prophetess; [2Kings 22:14], wife of Shallum.
Unnamed prophetess; [Isaiah 8:3],an unnamedwife of Prophet Isaiah, bore him a son named. Maher-shelal-hash-baz, which means: “haste ye, haste ye to the spoil”

According to [Joel 2:28]; the prophetic ministry of women would be at the level of prophesying:

28.And it shall come to pass afterward,thatI will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,your old menshall dream dreams, your young menshall see visions:

Your daughters shall prophesy
The four virgin daughters of Philip the evangelist, did prophesy
The old Testament prophetesses, Miriam; Deborah; Huldah; and the unnamed wife of Isaiah did prophesy.
So is it today, women can prophesy.
That doesn’t make them prophetesses.

60-1204E - The Patmos Vision. [Rev. William Marrion Branham] One wanted to know if it was wrong for women to testify, or to sing, or give messages in tongue,

interpret the messages, or a prophecy, in the church.

No, it isn't wrong, as long as it comes in the place in order. See? The church is in order, and only when… The real, true way to do it is for those who speak with tongues and things, their messages are given before the message from the pulpit, never during that time; 'cause the Holy Spirit's moving just from one place at a time, as Paul spoke of there.

But women are gifted with prophecy, and gifted with tongues and interpretations, and everything but being preachers. They're not to be preachers. They're forbidden to preach in the churches, that's right, take the place, or be a teacher or anything in the church.

But as far as gifts, the woman has all those, can occupy one or any of those nine spiritual gifts according to First Corinthians 12, and is under no bondage that her message should not come forth in its place.

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE GIFT OF PROPHECY?

[1Cor. 14:3-5; 12;31]

To strengthen; to uplift; to confirm; to instruct beneficially
Exhortation: to advise; to caution earnestly; to admonish or remind of obligation; to warn; to encourage.
Comfort: to console; to cheer up; to make distress light; to re-assure; to bring to solace.

EXAMPLES:

4. Foretells or forewarns of an on-coming event.

ON-COMING FAMINE; [Acts.11:27-28]

27.And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

28. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

29. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea.

Precautions were made to avoid starvation upon the brethren in Judea.
The prophecy indeed came to pass.
We must not despise prophesying, but check it by the word, and respond accordingly.

PAUL FOREWARNED OF PERSECUTION IN JERUSALEM: [Acts 21:10-11]

10. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaeaa certain prophet, named Agabus.

11. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost,So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliverhiminto the hands of the Gentiles.

PAUL never shied away from going to Jerusalem. He acted AS JESUS DID at what he was told at GETHSEMANE, about going to Calvary

60-0228 – Conferences:[Rev. William Marrion Branham]
37.... Christianity in action, not just taught from the pulpit, but acted among the members, among the pastors. That's when you see Christ living in the church, decisions made.

JESUS was brought Himself to a decision. And before going to Calvary, THE FATHER brought His own Son into conference in Gethsemane,

While Angels taking their positions, to see what the decision would be. Oh, it might not have been this way, but let's think maybe it was. I can hear Him say,

"Son, do You desire to go on to Calvary? There's a band waiting for You; there's persecution; there's death and murder laying in the way. There's exposure of Your own body; they'll strip the clothes off of You; they'll beat You into pulp. They'll pull a crown of thorns over your head, and You'll die screaming for mercy. SHOULD YOU GO ON?"

38. Look at the decision. And sometimes when we setting in our seats and THE HOLY SPIRIT SAY, "You must do this, or you must do that…" You got someone you won't speak to you; you won't speak to them. You won't make it right. And you're just ashamed to go up and say, if you are in the wrong or

WHAT, IF YOU'RE NOT IN THE WRONG, to go up and say, "Brother, let's forget it and talk it over."

JESUS, when He looked up into the face of the Father, He said,"It's not My will;it's Yours to be done." What a decision. THAT DECISIONanchored and swept the world, and still comes tonight to every penitent soul."Not My will, but Thine be done." THAT'S THE DECISION of…

The prophecy to Paul was a test to see what decision he would make
The Gethsemane Conference was to see what decision Jesus would tell the Father.
A prophecy for us may also be to test us if we can do what The Holy Spirit tells us to do.
Paul was not disobeying the prophecy.
He was doing and fulfilling what Jesus told him when he spoke to him on the road to Damascus.
Paul’s response was scriptural.
Jesus response was scriptural. [John 12:27]

“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, SAVE ME FROM THIS HOUR: but FOR THIS CAUSE came I UNTO THIS HOUR.”

THE DEATH OF KING AHAB AND JEZEBEL HIS DOMINEERING WIFE. [1Kings 21:18-19; 23]

18. Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold,he isin the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.

19. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD,Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood ofNabothshall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

23. And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogsshall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.

Both prophecies in the Old and New Testament came to pass.
God still works with them today too.

COMFORT AND CONSOLATION:

[Acts 27:22-25]

22. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of anyman's life among you, but of the ship.

23. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

24. Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

25. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

26. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

Tragic circumstance are before then on the sea.
God gave Paul a word of comfort to console the sailors in the Journey to Rome.
That they would all survive except the ship.
It came to pass as was spoken.
The God of foreknowledge still uses this gift to manifest himself the same yesterday, and today and forever.

Exhorting and confirming Brethren in the faith:

30. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

31. Whichwhen they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32.And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

Now, notice, each of the nine spiritual gifts is distinctive from the other.
A believer filled with the Holy Spirit should be able to distinguish which of the nine spiritual gifts is, or are in operation.
When a prophecy has gone forth, and it was judged as from the Lord, it will always come to pass.
It might linger or delay but it will come to pass.
God expects his believing child to believe His prophecy and hold on to it until it comes to pass.
It becomes a responsibility of the individual or the group to respond appropriately when any of the nine spiritual gifts is used to convey God’s word.

LET US NOW PICK A FEW EXAMPLES TO ILLUSTRATE THIS DUE RESPONSIBILITY.

WORD OF WISDOM: [1Kings 3: 24-25]

King Solomon facing the two contending mothers, received from the Holy Spirit, the word of wisdom which settled the dispute righteously.

24.And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.

25. And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

Solomon’s response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit was the challenge and the responsibility he had to do.
Knowing that it was God speaking to him did not make him doubt to carry out the instructions.
The genuine mother of the living baby was identified by her reaction.
When all Israel heard this, they acknowledged the wisdom of God in their King, and feared him.
God was glorified in the manifestation of himself through that gift.

WORD OF KNOWLEDGE: [Acts 10:19-20]

God by this gift, “THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE” gave Peter information about three men waiting for him downstairs at the door. He told him not to doubt what they said.

19.While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Cornelius believed and acted on the instruction God gave him from the answer to his prayer.
The three men fulfilled their mission o find Peter.
Peter was to fulfill his part to complete God’s plan to start the salvation of Gentiles.
Imagine someone in this chain of responsibility failing to perform his role.
There is a responsibility that goes with desire to have those gifts operating in the church of the living God.
Don’t just get excited about what gifts can do, but remember, there is a required responsibility that goes with it.

DISCERNING OF SPIRITS: [Mt. 16:16-17; 23]

16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

22. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not beunto thee.

23.But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

The Godhead revelation of WHO Jesus is, is not a learned knowledge, but a revelation from God.
Peter’s attempt to persuade Jesus not to die was not only his flesh, but Satan was now involved.
Jesus directed the rebuke to Satan and not to Peter the man.

UNKNOWN TONGUE INTERPRETED IS PROPHECY: [Dan. 5:25-28]

24.Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.

25. And thisisthe writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

26. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.

27. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

28. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

Daniel, who knew for sure that he had the interpretation took his position and gave it.
The interpretation of the unknown tongue [in writing] was a prophecy and it came to pass that very night [Dan.5:30-31]

30. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.

31. And Darius the Median took the kingdom,beingabout three score and two years old.

That was the “GIFT OF INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES”at work then. It works the same today.

61-0205E - Jesus Christ The Same Yesterday, Today, And Forever;

[Rev. William Marrion Branham]
Tongues interpreted, is prophecy

And in that is gifts of tongues and interpretation of tongues. And now, that just isn't repeating something or making a vain repetition. It's saying something directly to be interpreted for a certain person in that congregation or something, to make a way. Tongues, by interpretation, is prophecy, and it's prophetic utterance given to the people to tell them what to do or something to correct them. Oh, if the great church of the living God could only be set in order…

61-1217 - Christianity Versus Idolatry
[Rev. William Marrion Branham]
Tongues interpreted, is prophecy.

I said, "Any spirit that I grieve with the Word of God ought to be grieved." I said, "Don't the Bible say that the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophet? If she's testifying, which prophecy is ... Speaking in tongues is prophecy if it's interpreted." I said, "Then let her wait till I am finished, then she can have it."
This is knowledge and responsibility, we all must take note of.

If we would like to see God manifest himself through gifts, we also MUST CONDUCT OURSELVES RESPONSIBLY, and avoid bring reproach to these mechanics of God. They are of God. Honour them with godly reverence.
You know, God is NOT AUTHOR OF CONFUSION.
The DYNAMICS will operate orderly when the MECHANICS are in scriptural ORDER

GIFTS ARE GOD'S LOVE TOKEN TO THE CHURCH

62-0211 – ONENESS: [Rev. William Marrion Branham]
34. Now, the Church now is engaged to Christ for the wedding. The wedding has never been performed yet, it will be at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. So, we see that the Church is now engaged, like a man engaged to his wife.

What does he do while they're engaged? He's just bestowing all kinds of things, sending her presents, making her feel good. Well, that's what Christ is doing to His Church. He's sending us gifts of the Spirit. How can you be engaged then when you're denying these gifts exist? It's the very love tokens. It's God's token to the Church. Jesus said so, "These signs shall follow them that believe."

GIFTS ARE RAYS OF LIGHT FROM THE SAME DIAMOND.

56-1207 – GIFTS: [Rev. William Marrion Branham]
It's like this. Now… And as He goes out, one will fuss with the other one. "Did you speak with tongues or did you prophecy? " Now, there's where the people get these gifts all mixed up. You see? One will say, "Because you don't do this, you haven't got it, or you don't do this, you haven't got it." Now, you're wrong on that.

God is like a great diamond. Listen, so you can really understand this. God is like a great diamond. And each diamond has a chip of a diamond has chip places, this big master diamond. And lay it in the light, great rays of light shines off from it. And those are God's messengers, gifts. All of it comes back to the selfsame God.

The gift of healing, the gift of preaching, the gift of prophesying, all the spiritual gifts of the body are just rays or reflections off of the selfsame God. 26 See the big diamond?

For to one is given knowledge, to another, wisdom, to another, gifts of healing, to another one, gifts of prophecy, but all by the selfsame Spirit, the great diamond.

And the big rays of light that we see shoot this way and shoot that way, all declare one thing: there is a God that lives and reigns. Amen.

Now each age has its core truth as its centre-peace.
Spiritual gifts are God’s mechanics he uses in all ages, in the O/T and in the N/T.
They have a place for one another in each and every age.
You may ignore or belittle them, but God won’t.
Give them their rightful place, and they will keep the church clean.

God bless you as you get reminded that these mechanics of God have been in use in the past; they are in use today; and will always be used until when that which is perfect is come.

[1Cor.13:8-10]

8. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10. But when that which is perfectis come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

So until then, they will stay. The author of them all will take them away when it is TIME for HIM to do it.

Let us move on the next gift; FAITH.

Pastor Martin Tombe.

Restored Bible Truth Assembly.