The Prophetic
The Two Facets of Prophetic Ministry
In the life of the prophets in the Bible, we see two aspects of the prophetic gift and or the prophetic “office” at work.
First, we have the predictive work of prophecy. According to Jeremiah 28:8 “From early times the prophets who proceeded you and me have prophesied war, disaster, and plague against many countries and great kingdoms.” This is the predictive aspect of the prophetic gift, which is by far, the very smallest aspect of the true prophetic ministry. As an example, if you were to read the book of Isaiah or Jeremiah or Ezekiel, you will find a tremendous amount of material, which is not directly predictive. Instead, it is discourse from the prophet or the Lord, to disclose his heart, his ways, and His frustrations with His people. Some call this “forthtelling”, or the bringing forth of God’s heart on a particular matter, time, or sin of the people. Again, think of how much you and I have learned about the Lord’s ways, rather than just some future event, by reading the book of Isaiah or Jeremiah.
Secondly, we often see God using the life of the prophet and his actual life experiences as an earthly representation, symbol, or illustration of the message He desires to send to the people through the prophet. We can point to Jeremiah preaching a message in the stocks, Isaiah being without clothes and bear feet for three years, Ezekiel’s wife being killed by God with one blow, Hosea being commanded to marry a harlot, John the Baptist living in the wilderness wearing camel’s hair, and Paul’s severe sufferings and his ministry being severely restricted at the end of his life, in jail.
In the videos immediately below, you can see examples of the predictive work of the Holy Spirit in my ministry. There have been four major times, where I have put out a passionate warning in a message, perhaps even tear filled, which was then followed by a precisely timed, war, disaster, or plague (COVID).
Then, below these messages, you can see the prophetic symbolism which God has worked into my personal life experiences, which have become vibrant messages of warning from the Lord.
Prophetic Symbolism
"I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable. - Jeremiah 2:2,7
“I have become a sign to many.” – Psalm 71:7
Nearly all the testimony, the teachings, and the pain of God in the Bible, are all rooted in the unfaithfulness of two women, (figures), Israel and Judah, both of whom God considered His wives, both of whom he divorced (Jer 3:8-11). Remarkably, nearly every suffering, every evil suspicion, every misunderstanding, ever trouble, and every persecution against this ministry, are all rooted in the unfaithfulness, and apostasy of my two unfaithful wives. God redeemed all that trouble with the mercy of my 3rd and finally faithful wife (My Beloved Lisa). God’s prophetic purpose in all of this has been to give us an earthly representation of his heart. As you listen to my story you will feel, as perhaps never before, God’s great pleasure from your faith and obedience, and His great anguish from your unfaithfulness, or apostasy. (Gen 6:6)
The Prophetic Ministry
Austin Sparks, who passed away two years before I was born, was given by the Lord, some remarkable insights about the true nature of prophetic ministry. It is so very different to what the charismatics have been led to believe it is. Here is an excerpt from Sparks teaching on the true prophetic ministry.
February 19 - 23, 2009
The Ministry Seed Planted
Panama, Central America. If there is one picture that most closely captured the turning point in my life, from 19 years of worldly Christianity, to the cross carrying, obedient spiritual life which comes by faith, it is this photo, taken on February 21, 2009. While eating dinner on the Panama Canal, three ladies prophesied about God’s plans to impact millions of people through me, in a future ministry, but they also told me that I had a major area of weakness which God was going to want to see me changed in first.