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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 Ruach Ha Kodesh

[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:

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 is, a visionary...