This weeks devotional will be focusing on the nature of the true son's and daughter's and their prophetic abilities in God. As the opening Scripture above tells us that surely God will do nothing except He reveals it first to His prophets, we therefore, can get some understanding about these whom this verse is talking about. Who are these prophets that are referred to here in this passage? Well, according to the Strong's Concordance, the Hebrew word (Nabi) for prophet within this passage means, "them that prophesy." Therefore, it could read like this, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants, those who prophesy." The Strong's concordance also references the word (Nabi) as an inspired man. With this definition of the prophets referred to in the above passage we now can begin to see some other things of importance regarding you and me. Look with me at the prophecy of Joel that the apostle Peter referenced at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the notable Day of Pentecost where he stood up with the other eleven and spoke:

 

Acts 2:15-18 (KJV)
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 

When the baptism of the Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh it began the mark of a new kind of man. This new man would receive the power to become the son's of God. They would prophesy the Word just as the prophets of old did, who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Whereas, I am very much aware that there is an office of a prophet that we namely category within the fivefold ministry; yet, if we fail to recognize and teach that all of us are called as being God's servant's the prophets, then we fail to equip the body of Christ effectively. What do I mean by this? Consider how many believers do not know who they really are outside of being Christian. Some believers see themselves as truckdrivers, secretaries, doctor's, lawyers, etc. Unfortunately, this self-visualization has the church living well beneath its privileges and its divine authority. Until we begin to see the supernatural within our personal make-up as God's children then we will remain limited in what we do as representatives of Christ on this earth. Look with me over in the book of Revelation and let's establish some truths that can transform our lives forever.

 

Revelation 22:7-9 (KJV)
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 

Notice that the Lord Jesus emphasized the importance of keeping the prophecy of this book in verse seven. Then this passage goes on to reveal how that the apostle John saw and heard something from an angel which showed him these things. A true prophet of God sees and hears divine things, rather than cleverly speaking what others want to hear. I must add here at this point that many of the self-proclaimed prophets that we have going around today who are speaking this and telling that are no more than parrots who are simply using selected words to divine with. The true prophet of God is not a sayer; he is called a seer! He sees, before he says. Yet, we have so many self titled prophets running around saying all kinds of things that is nothing more than self-pleasing expressions to get people to follow their predictions and divinations. These are sayers who like to hear themselves talk. Self-absorbed and self-appointed; which if you follow them for very long, their fruit will eventually reveal their true motives without anyone ever saying a word. Judging fruit is the manner in which God desires that we judge one another by. It is the only lawful way for a Christian to judge. If someone prophesies and it does not come true then we are taught in Scripture that they did not speak by God. Therefore, every man will reap what he sows according to the Word of God, thus giving evidence of what kind of man he is. Look with me at another important passage of Scripture that will clarify these things even more.

 

2 Peter 1:20-21 (KJV)
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

When we look back on the false prophets such as Jim Jones, David Koresh and others like them. They twisted the Word of God to mold it into who they are so as to elevate themselves in the eyes of others. This is how they deceived: they used the Word of God for private interpretations; thus captivating their followers and gaining recognition through their false presentations. They were influencing through a wrong spirit that had entered into them through their own lust to have preeminence over others. 

 

2 Thessalonians 2:9 (KJV)
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 

 

Don't ever be fooled by the phenomenon of manifestations. The Word tells us clearly that the devil himself will use lying wonders to get people off course. What course am I referring to? The Word of God! Remember that the Bible teaches that signs and wonders shall follow the preaching of the Word. Yet, today people are more intrigued with the manifestations over the Word of God. What I mean by this, is that they will gladly do without any preaching and teaching of the Word as long as there are ongoing displays of supernatural events happening all around them. Please take note that true manifestations are a product of where the Word of God is believed on; and for it to be believed on, it has to be heard. If it is to ever be heard then it has to be spoken out loud by a messenger of God. The order is completely wrong when the Word of God is substituted for outward manifestations; and therefore, this is the reason why so many are being deceived today, and we will witness an increase as time marches on into the future.

 

People today want their ears scratched, telling them all the things that they want to hear and tickles their curiosity. But we all know that that is not what is truly needed. The Bible teaches that the Word of God will never pass away when everything else will. The Word according to Scripture has also been exalted above His own name. Why? Because the Word lives eternally as a divine moral agent within the hearts of men and women that are born again. It governs them inwardly. It is also the permanent rule of authority over the complete society of heaven itself. Therefore, it is an eternal morality that will never end or ever be changed. Self-professed prophets pursue their own agenda much like Balaam did. They often say things which they embellish on what the Word of God says, and twist its meaning to say something altogether differently. Whereas, Scripture should interpret Scripture, they put their own slant on it. On the other hand, true prophets of God will reveal the mysteries of God's Word and make them clearly understood so that the body of Christ may grow up into the full stature of Christ. Look at Ephesians chapter three.

 

Ephesians 3:2-5 (KJV)
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 

Here we find the apostle Paul writing in one of his epistles to the church and declaring what he had received by revelation of Jesus and not of men. There was a time before Christ where the prophets prophesied of His coming but did not understand its mystery though they spoke it. However, Paul is saying to us now it has been revealed. What is the mystery of Christ that Paul spoke of? We will need to turn over to Colossians to see what this mystery is based from the Scriptures rather than through any man's private interpretation.

 

Colossians 1:26-29 (KJV)
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. 

 

Paul was pointing to the Word (Christ) in us as being the mystery that is now revealed to all who believe. Whereas, now you can say with great confidence, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me," and it means something very real because He is in you doing the work through you. Every true prophet will speak the Word of God elevating it while he personally shrinks into the background as just the messenger. Remember how it was John the Baptist that said these words, "He must increase, but I must decrease!" Again, the Scriptures teach us that our Lord spoke these words, "He that is greatest among you must become servant to all." How is it that we have allowed these spiritual positions to become places of celebrity status? Is it because we have used these positions for private ambition that we have elevated our ministries above what they should be only to leave Christ under our shadows? You be the judge and mark the fruit that has fallen underneath the tree, rather than me paint a negative impression upon your mind about those that I refer to. We are to know one another by the spirit and not by the flesh. We are all God's priest's and prophets; and when the mystery of Christ in us is realized through revelation it will bring elevation to our life giving us more insight than we had before to live our lives and teach others the way. Let's turn back over to the book of Ephesians and see the purpose of revelation given to the holy apostles and prophets.

 

Ephesians 3:9-10 (KJV)
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 

Therefore, it is important that we all get into the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to bring out its truths. Because we are to make all men see the fellowship of the mystery that is now revealed.

 

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

If we deliberately neglect the Word of God then we will see our life deteriorate from what it could have been and will inadvertently affect those who are watching our life unfold. Sadly, this is the case for many believers in our churches today who never seem to grasp the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of comprehending the truths of the Bible. Why? They simply do not study it for themselves, but would rather have someone else tell them what it means. This is where the false prophet gets his many converts and followers. He gathers up all the lazy people who have no initiative to find out what God has to say directly to them from His Word. It is also where the devil keeps the promises of God from being realized in our life. Someone might be thinking to themselves, "Well, I just can't understand what it means." The Bible removes all excuses that we could ever think to bring to the table of arguments.

 

1 John 2:20 (KJV)
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 

I want to close with one more passage which is found in the book of Jeremiah. God said He never would do anything except He reveal it to them (filled with the Holy Ghost) who prophesy. Therefore, we have an unction from the Holy One and we know all things. The mysteries have now been revealed to us whom have received and kept the revelation of this book. Those who know who they are in Christ will do exploits as they carry His Word throughout the world. When you know who you are in Christ you will prophesy the Word of God and signs and wonders will follow. Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice and they will not follow a stranger." When the Word is in you and actively working through you it will produce the fruit that it boasts.

 

Jeremiah 1:4-10 (KJV)
4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. 

It is important that the Word come unto you and be allowed to speak accordingly as verse four so wonderfully expresses it. God has known everyone of us before the foundations of the earth. He has known our ending from the beginning. So it was with Jeremiah the prophet. Jeremiah heard a Word in his spirit declare what he should speak. Yet, Jeremiah answered, "I cannot speak such and such things as I am too young!" The Lord then spoke with a force that shook Jeremiah to the core. "Say not, I am too young, but go where I send you and speak what I command you to speak, and do not be afraid of their faces!" We must agree with the Word of God if we are to expect its manifestations in our life. This example before us could easily be applied to when we say things like, "I cannot say I am well, when I am so sick!" or "I cannot say I am rich when its apparent that I am broke." God's Word through a prophet of God will prophesy to himself if need be, and to those that he speaks, "Say not, I am sick, for it is God that healeth all manner of sicknesses." or "Say not, I am poor, for it is Christ who became poor that you may become rich; it is God who gives you the power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant through you."

 

My brethren in Christ, we are the prophets of God; we are those who prophesy the Word of God; who do not add, nor take away from it. Our future has been revealed in Scripture and no longer are we under the cloud of mysteries. Our identity has been confirmed in the Word of God that we need not be defined by men. There is no need to assemble ranks of popularity among ourselves, for one plants and one waters, but it is God that gives the increase. Therefore, glorify His name and the wonders of His hands which He reveals and speaks through the mouths of His son's. Throw off the many titles brethren, and bear the name of Christ in love. We are fellow heirs together with Christ where all things are ours through this One called the Son of God. Anything else is to rob Him of His glory and what He has accomplished for all! You are the prophets of God! Therefore, go and speak His life changing Words. The world will be wonderfully amazed at His power revealed in you.