1 Corinthians chapter 14
verse 1
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual (gifts is an addition to the text) but especially (more and more) that you may prophesy.”
Our Heavenly Father desires us to pursue love in everything we do. He encourages us to seek spiritual matters, to search His scriptures for spiritual truths, but more and more that we Prophesy.
It is important to remind ourselves that this epistle is written “to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord…” (1 Corinthians 1 v 2)
Yes, that means it is written to you.
We are all encouraged to prophesy more and more. Straight away, we perceive that this New Testament prophecy is different to that available in Old Testament times, where usually one prophet spoke on behalf of our Heavenly Father at any one time.
1 Corinthians chapter 14
Verse 3, “But He who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.”
Again we understand that there is no element of foretelling or predictions in this Prophecy. Only that the words spoken would edify, comfort and encourage the Church in their respective renewed minds.
Verse 4, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”
Our Heavenly Father establishes the truth that this Prophecy is to be spoken out so that the church should be edified.
Verse 5, “I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied ; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”
There is a spiritual completeness here. Three times the Father has encouraged us to seek to prophesy so that the words spoken would edify the church. Please note that a message in tongues, complete with the respective interpretation also achieves that aim.
1 Corinthians chapter 12
Verse 7, “But the manifestation(demonstration) of the spirit is given to each one for the profit(benefit) of all.”
Prophecy is a demonstration of the spirit and its purpose is to benefit others. If you have been blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, you have the spiritual ability to prophesy.
1 Corinthians chapter 12
Verse 11, “But one and the same Spirit works (energizes) all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
It is our Heavenly Father who energizes that spiritual ability within us to prophesy words of edification, exhortation and comfort. He knows who will be in attendance at the meeting. He knows what His people need to hear, hence the importance of praying in tongues much before we attend the meeting. The Holy Spirit searches the hearts of those attending and makes intercession for them, through us as we pray in tongues to the Father. (Romans 8 v 26,27)
Prophecy, like kinds of Tongues and the Interpretation of Tongues, is always preceded by a prompt from the Holy Spirit. We do not decide to prophesy any time we wish to. Instead, we wait patiently. If no prompt is forthcoming, so be it, we wait until the next meeting.
New Testament Prophecy will always be in a language known to those present. It is a message from our Heavenly Father and will always agree with the scriptures.
1 Corinthians chapter 14
Verse 22. “Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers ; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.”
Just as tongues is an indicator of the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to those who have not faith, so Prophecy is a sign/indicator to those who believe. That is the importance of Prophecy.
1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 24, “But if all Prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted(examined) by all.”
When a person without faith comes to a spirit-filled meeting and tongues with an interpretation or words of Prophecy are uttered, all those words will convince and examine that person’s heart.
Supernaturally all these words from the Father will penetrate the hardest of hearts and cause that person to reflect and examine their existence and their relationship with Him. Some will walk away from these truths, but those that stay will be convinced that the Father has spoken to them.
Many Pastors are fearful that some guests will be challenged by Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues and Prophecy. That is the Father’s plan. Some will leave, some will stay. It is supernatural.
Verse 25, “And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed ; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”
This is the purpose of Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues and prophecy. Not only will the church be edified, but the words spoken will reveal, to those without faith, the secrets of their hearts, not to the church, but silently to them.
If a person accepts that these words are indeed from the Father, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. What a revelation!
I believe the Father is endeavouring to encourage those who have churches, run meetings, co-ordinate fellowships to allow these wonderful messages from the Father to flow through ordinary believers, not just the leaders and the elders, so that the church will be edified and those, without faith, can come into contact, supernaturally, with our Heavenly Father.
Again, as with Tongues and the Interpretation of Tongues, I have been privileged to speak out New testament Prophecy for the last 41 years. I am just a certain disciple, but I believe that if you desire to bless others and you are actively seeking spiritual matters, desiring to allow the Father’s supernatural power to flow through you for the benefit of all, He will surely oblige.
I have again just scratched the surface on the subject of Prophecy.
If I can be of any assistance to those of you who are seeking spiritual matters, please message me on WhatsApp on the website phone number.
Imagine every church and fellowship allowing these messages to be heard each time they meet. Wonderful!
In awe of our Father’s love and grace.
Have a glorious day!