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The Prophetic: Prophets, Manifestations and Gifts
Part 3 - Gifts: The Functions of Prophecy
By Yashah Ben-Y'shua
In seeking a full understanding of the prophetic gifts, the most important word to keep in
mind is that they fall into two basic categories: the office of prophet ordained by Y'shua,
and the prophetic gift given by Ruakh Ha Qodesh (The Holy Spirit).
The prophetic gift of the Spirit is eventually given to every Messianic/True Christian believer
who continues on from justification to consecration in Y'shua. But the prophetic OFFICE
includes the added dimension of oversight as well as organizational responsibilities within the
holy nation at large.
And in truly understanding the prophetic, we must not only draw a distinction between the
office and the gift; but we must know very simply that the office of prophet is rooted in
foretelling, while the gift of prophecy is rooted in "forth-telling."
As we so often teach, a true prophet has a measured ability to see not only into the future,
but into the lives and destinies of individuals, as well as whole communities, cities and
nations, when they themselves are either unwilling or unable to do so. And contrary to the
prevailing winds of doctrine, YAH anoints His prophets even under the 'New Covenant', for
this purpose (see Acts 11:27-30).
On the other hand, the prophetic gift to the faithful at large is the spiritual ability to declare
the mighty works of YHWH - to glorify and extol His goodness and mercy, and thus inspire,
console, and encourage the brethren.
Now let's look a bit further into the two basic gifts of prophecy, to gain a full understanding
of each gifting, and its various components.
Let's begin with the gifts of the prophetic office.
To begin with, a true prophet of YAH will move in ministry by three basic means:
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Foresight.
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Insight.
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Oversight.
The first of the office gifts is foresight - the most basic and most widely accepted
function of the prophetic mantle.
In the earliest days of our fathers, a prophet was called a 'seer', since his sole responsibility
was to provide divine vision, and thus guidance to his given family, city, tribe, and in certain
instances, the entire Israelite nation. [And in some instances - á la the prophet Yonah
(Jonah), and others - even to other nations whom YAH had taken issue with...]. For
example, a seer putting his city on notice of an impending famine, or foreign invasion, would
obviously be an invaluable and deeply appreciated contribution to the community, to say the
least!
First and foremost, a true prophet of YAH was and is, a visionary...
But needless to say, as time in ancient Yisrael progressed, her inevitable backsliding caused
the judgment of YAH to be proclaimed. Of course, this became a word from the prophets
that, although humbly received by a faithful remnant, earned the wrath of many - often to the
point of the prophets very lives hanging in the balance.
The true test of a prophet at this hour, beyond his worship of YAH in Y'shua, and that, those
things which he says do surely come to pass, is a willingness to declare even that which is
likely to offend his listeners - and suffer the inevitable tribulation and persecution
that arises as a result. Measured by that yardstick, it becomes obvious that there aren't
many genuinely anointed prophets of YAH in our midst...
What becomes just as obvious is that we desperately need the ones who are willing, like
Y'shua Himself and all the prophets of Israel, to tell the hard truths in love. Sélah. And thus...
The second of the basic office gifts is insight - again, the divine ability to see into the lives
and destinies of individuals, as well as whole families, communities, cities and nations... And
like the mighty prophets of old; the will, the courage, and the humility to speak a true word of
correction or judgment to the mistaken and the disobedient...
Of course at some point, the ancient prophets of Yisrael, for the most part, were no longer
held in high esteem as valued and respected members of the community.
Instead, more often than not, they were viciously maligned, isolated, tortured, and even
killed outright, for being "bearers of bad news". But even so, do not err, beloved. Contrary
to popular religious opinion, a TRUE prophet's mantle continues to this very hour to include
the full range of prophetic expression; including judgment by rebuke, reproof and admonition
- until we all come to the unity of the faith...
In the apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he sets forth the proper manner to fulfill
the prophetic needs of the church, instructing, "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let
the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace.
For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted". (1 Cor.
14:29-31). This order of the prophets is absolutely crucial to our receiving the knowledge and
revelation we require to overcome the world...
But also, the prophetic order is needful for the powerful witness and testimony it brings to
the weak or unbelievers among us, they they might repent, and find new life in YAH through
Y'shua.
The apostle Paul put it this way: "...But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes
not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of
his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship YHWH, and report
that YHWH is in you of a truth". (1 Cor.14:24-25). And yet, for the record, our congregations
for the most part, have no such practice, and are therefore clearly without the WHOLE
counsel of YAH.
Therefore, the study of the prophetic is no mere exercise in rote theology - but a practical
matter of paramount importance in bringing the remnant of Israel in Christ into the very
unity of the faith...
The third basic gift of the prophetic office is oversight - another key area that has yet
to be established among our churches and congregations; and is a MAJOR cause of our
extreme vulnerability to heresy and demonic infiltration.
The office of prophet is first and foremost a governmental position within the local
congregation, as well as the holy nation at large. And unlike most local pastors and teachers,
an endowment of supernatural spiritual discernment is a part of a prophet's gifting for
overseeing the church of Y'shua - prophetic discernment being a major requirement for
ordering the household of faith, and maintaining its operation in peace and true holiness.
As it is written, "Where there is no vision the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy
is he". (Mishlei [Proverbs] 29:18). In other words, no prophetic vision, no limit on lawlessness.
And the vision that provides real, life sustaining hope is not the vain, materialistic madness
being passed off as "anointed prophetic teaching" today; but a vision that simply has yet to be
fully realized at this hour...
The true prophets of YAH, like the prophets who were before them, are yet in 'the wilderness',
or away from the camp, so to speak. Like the prophets of old, these men are prepared for
ministry not by the 'second-hand' revelation of the established order of their day, but by YAH
Himself!
Hear, O Yisrael, and understand - Moshe didn't encounter "I AM THAT I AM" among his
brethren, but was prepared for leadership among the Midianites - a different branch of the
family of Abraham. David didn't seal the vision of YAH in the court of Shaul (Saul); but in part,
while sojourning among the Philistines - in enemy territory. EliYahu (Elijah) gained the courage
and faith to overthrow Achab's (Ahab') ungodly rule under Jezebel, not in the synagogue, but
in the wilderness.
Y'shua Himself was born in Judea, but grew in favor with YAH and man, not among the
Israelites, but among the Samaritans. Sélah.
One of the main causes for His rejection was that He was perceived by the priestly order as a
non-Judean, and therefore not a legitimate Messianic candidate; as in "Can any good thing
come out of Nazareth?", and "You [Y'shua] are a Samaritan, and have a devil." And so shall it
be in this final hour...
Hearken, O beloved nation - as we move into the season of the restoration of all things
spoken in the Ruakh by the prophets, the true prophets of YAH will become increasingly
evident, and increasingly effective in preparing the way for establishing Kingdom order in
Y'shua.
...Behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand!
And now, let's take a brief look at the gift of prophecy given to every true Messianic
/Christian believer.
To begin with, the gift of prophecy by the Holy Spirit is given to every true disciple of Y'shua
for three basic purposes:
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Edification.
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Exhortation.
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Consolation.
At the onset of the Church of Y'shua, His family and disciples, after misunderstanding Him,
forsaking Him, and even betraying Him; were finally gathered together in one accord, and
were then filled with the Holy Spirit. They immediately began to prophesy in the languages
of the proselytes from the many nations who were gathered at Jerusalem for Passover.
Clearly, this gift of prophecy, which was promised to us by Y'shua Himself, is given to every
believer who moves beyond being a distant, fearful follower of Christ, to a true disciple, or
STUDENT of Christ.
The apostle Kefa's (Peter's) message to the gathered throngs on that Passover included this
marvelous assurance - "...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Y'shua Ha
Mashiach ('Jesus Christ') for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit [Ruach Ha Kodesh]. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are
afar off, even as many as YHWH our Elohim (the LORD our God) shall call". (Acts 2: 38-39).
I beseech you in the name of Y'shua Ha Mashiach, O Yisrael; do not be deceived! The gift of
prophecy was not limited to the birthing of the church alone, but for her growth into maturity
as well, which includes the faithful remnant of Messianic Israel of every generation,
including our own!
The first basic prophetic gift is edification, which simply means to build up - and the gift of
prophecy properly exercised does exactly that.
This wonderful gift of the Spirit both strengthens the saints, building up the believer, and brings
conviction and repentance to the unlearned and the backslidden, building up the church. As it is
written, "How is it then, brethren? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm,
has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done
unto edifying". (1 Cor. 14:26). The fact that so many of our meetings have become little more
than one-man pontifications is a major reason why the remnant is so divided and confused...
The second of the basic gifts of prophecy is exhortation, which is, according to the
dictionary, "To urge by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice, or appeal... ."
The gift of Ruach Ha Kodesh and the utterances He inspires will often serve to greatly
encourage the remnant, and re-energize our spirits for the day-to-day difficulties and
challenges that face all of us who seek to live holy and consecrated lives in Y'shua...
There are those among us who suggest that the "hooping" of 'black' preachers for example,
is not ministry at all, but nothing more than a show. And while in many instances this is no
doubt the case, we must also know that this rich tradition, which many have misused to gain
followers unto themselves, was born as a legitimate gift of the Spirit, only to be co- opted by
the wicked, and exploited for personal gain.
And yet, as with all things, we must strike a balance between teaching AND preaching. To be
sure, YHWH by the mouth of the prophet Hoshea (Hosea) declared, "My people are destroyed
for lack of knowledge." And not a lack of entertainment, I might also say. But at the same
time, the positive spiritual impact of a stirring, heartfelt exhortation in the Spirit is self-evident,
and in my judgment, without question. Let there be no doubt - this ability is in great measure
what has kept us, O Israel, through the long and bitter winter of our captivity...
The third basic gift of prophecy is consolation, which is simply the comforting of one
another, again, through the inevitable trials and tribulations we face as disciples of Y'shua.
A word of consolation, fitly spoken, serves as a kind of spiritual balm for our wounds. And
although this beautiful gift seems to be less popular than the more 'high profile' gifts, the
binding up of the broken or wounded in spirit is without question a necessary and very real gift
of Ruach Ha Kodesh to the body of Messiah/Christ... After all, Y'shua declared according to the
prophet YeshaYahu (Isaiah), that YAH "...hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted".
(YeshaYahu [Isaiah] 61:1). HalleluYAH!
Finally my brethren, it is written, "...believe in YHWH your Elohim (the Lord your God), so shall
you be established; believe His prophets, so shall you prosper" (2 Divrei HaYamim
2 Chronicles] 20:20).
Surely, without the prophets of YHWH, the body of Messiah/Christ has no eyes - unsightly and
disfiguring, not to mention dysfunctional...
And just as importantly, without the inspired utterances of consecrated Spirit-filled believers,
the body of Messiah/Christ has no spark, without which genuine forward spiritual motion as a
nation is impossible - foolish and wasteful, not to mention immobilizing...
O nation, greatly beloved, I simply cannot over-emphasize our need to come into a new and
renewed understanding of the prophetic!
We must finally submit ourselves to, and endure the rod of correction, and the divine judgment
of the prophets; as well as reinstitute the exercise of the prophetic gifts given to us all - that
we may become a suitable bride for Mashiach; crowned with glory, and honor, and
praise; and beautifully adorned with divine knowledge, wisdom, and understanding! Ahmein.
Part 2 | Part 1
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