UNDERSTANDING THE FOUR DIMENSIONS OF THE PROPHETIC
"In addition, we have a Most Reliable Prophetic Word, and you would do well to pay attention to it, just as you would to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the Day dawns and the Morning Star...
BIBLE READING: 1 SAMUEL 10:5-10; 1 CORINTHIANS 14:1-4; EPHESIANS 4:11; REVELATION 19:10
"In addition, we have a Most Reliable Prophetic Word, and you would do well to pay attention to it, just as you would to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the Day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19 (Common English Bible)
Every Christian believer is required to have a Comprehensive Understanding of the Dynamics of the Prophetic Dimension because it would grant them a major advantage over others. According to the Holy Scriptures, the Lord God Almighty's Admonition was documented: "Saying, “Do not touch My Anointed ones, and DO MY PROPHETS NO HARM" (Ps. 105:15). Some may ask, "So who were the prophets in question?" The Lord was referring to the entire Nation of Israel rather than certain specific people who functioned in the Grace of the Prophetic Office. Simply put, He sees the Church of Jesus Christ as a Prophetic Nation or People who serve as His Own Mouthpiece to the rest of the nations of the Earth.
There are Four Major Realms, Dimensions, or Levels of the Prophetic Ministry, which are stated as follows in the reverse order of prominence and importance:
(1.) THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY: This refers to the most Basic Dimension that is highly inclusive to every Christian believer. The Spirit of Prophecy becomes activated when two or three (or more) members of the Church gather together within a Prophetic Atmosphere (Matt. 18:20) whereby every individual present who keys in becomes Prophetic and is "turned into another man" 1Sam. 10:6b(NKJV).
(2.) THE GIFT OF PROPHECY: This speaks about the Spiritual Gift of Prophecy, which could be defined as "Inspired Utterance in a known language or tongue." It is one of the Nine Gifts or Manifestations of the Holy Spirit and is less inclusive as one travels deeper into the Realm of the Prophetic (1Cor. 12:10a).
(3.) THE OFFICE OF THE PROPHET: This refers to one of the Fivefold Ministry Gifts as documented in Ephesians 4:8-11 which also serves as one of the Foundations or Bedrocks of the Church of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:20). Every Genuine prophet of God is equipped to prophesy, but not all who prophesy are actually prophets because the Office of the Prophet is accompanied by certain unique Spiritual Equipment. For instance, the Lord Himself told the prophet Jeremiah during his Calling: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; BEFORE YOU WERE BORN, I SANCTIFIED YOU. I ORDAINED YOU A PROPHET TO THE NATIONS Jer. 1:5(NKJV).
(4.) THE PROPHECY OF THE SCRIPTURES: The Holy Bible serves as the Key Foundation of every Sound Prophetic Ministry hence this is the Highest Level of them all. In spite of the fact that alongside James and John the sons of Zebedee he was one of the eyewitness of the Transfiguration Experience of the Lord Jesus, Apostle Peter still stated emphatically that "we have a MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY" 2Pet. 1:19(KJV). In other words, the Holy Bible is far more reliable than any single Prophetic Encounter because "THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY" (Rev. 19:10b).
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we glorify You for granting us Insight and Unfettered Access into the Prophetic Ministry. O Lord, please endow us with the Grace and Wisdom to fully comprehend the Dynamics thereof in order to fully utilize the Prophetic as Your Church in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.