THE PROPHET'S REWARD

A guide to help understand the prophet of today. An encouragement to those who would receive God's wonderful gift.

BY

D. GREGORY WARK

A NOTE ON GENDER

It is unfortunate that the English language does not contain an adequate generic term (especially in the singular number) that includes without bias both male and female. So "he, him, his, man, mankind" must do the work for both sexes. Accordingly, wherever it is appropriate to do so in the following chapters, please include the feminine gender in the masculine, and visa versa.

This book is dedicated to ALL THE PROPHETS of the Lord God Jehovah—past, present, and future—who have been so vastly misunderstood in their attempt to carry out their God-given mandate to the nations and the people of the earth.

D. Gregory Wark

Greg and his wife, Amber, pastor Manna Christian Fellowship which they founded in Vista, California in 1982. They reside in Vista with their five children, four boys and a girl. Greg holds a Bachelors degree in Biblical studies, a Masters degree in Theological studies, and a Doctorate in Ministry.

The Lord has given Pastor Greg a vision to plant churches up and down the California coast. That vision has so far resulted in the successful planting of two churches and Greg is presently laying the ground work for a Christian school and university to be based in San Marcos, California. His vision is to train a generation of young ministers and lay workers from both indigenous and international backgrounds. Greg has a vision for team ministry. His desire is to integrate five fold ministries where each ministry gift provides uniquely for the needs of the body of Christ and the unfolding spiritual needs of the nations. In pursuit of this dream Greg and Amber have recently founded, "Discovery Ministries International", a non-profit corporation with a vision to provide leadership and direction to future domestic churches and international team ministry.

For over a decade, Greg has served the body of Christ ministering the Word of God. He teaches directly from God's Word using everyday life experiences and contemporary illustrations. His straight forward and direct teachings bring revelation, conviction, deliverance and healing.

A Prophet's Reward is his first book.

Foreword

Definition is a term used in many ways. It's when a child is taught to draw lines around the coloring to give it definition. Dictionaries exist for one purpose; to give definition to words. At times, people in too much darkness, or light, are not clearly seen because of the lack of definition for recognition. Also, definition is needed for better understanding of knowledge.

Reverend Wark has given definition to an often misunderstood, and even much-maligned ministry. By doing so he has helped us see clearly the ministry of the prophet so we can receive him joyfully.

A paradox is that we need the abstract of understanding to come to concrete obedience. By his providing understanding we are able to bring our lives in obedience to the revelation of God's Word through the prophets.

In this book, Greg "tears down, roots out, plucks up, replants and rebuilds"—which is the essence of the prophetic ministry, and by so doing gives us an insight to its peculiar and precious character.

Just read it!

Dr. Edwin Louis Cole

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

CHAPTER 1: TO RECEIVE A PROPHET

A Dying Woman Receives a Prophet

The Divine Order Goes Out

The Blessing to Those Who Receive

The Choice

Woman Who Rejected The Prophet

Jezebel Cries Out

To Refuse the Prophet

God Reveals His Arm of Judgment

The Spirit of Jezebel Today

The Spirit of Jehu

The Church and King Jehu

A Blessing or a Cursing

CHAPTER 2: THE PROPHET: GOD'S GIFT TO HIS PEOPLE

Functioning Without the Prophet

Palsy in the Body

A Word for Today

CHAPTER 3: THE PURPOSE FOR THE VISITATION

Images

The Image of Death

The False Image Left by Vietnam

Prophets—God's Garbage Collectors

The Image of God

A Renewed People

Change is Not Change Until it is Change

CHAPTER 4: THE ANOINTING AND THE RECEPTIVITY OF GOD'S PEOPLE

Rejection

Grieving the Holy Spirit

Rejected in His Own Home Town

Fresh Revelation Purposeful Preparation

CHAPTER 5: A STUDY OF THE PROPHET

The Prophet's Humanity

The Prophet's Anointing

The Prophet's Purpose

Nehemiah Removes the Rubble

The Ground Must Be Prepared

Building and Planting

The Results

CHAPTER 6: REMOVING THE RUBBLE: A CASE STUDY

Rubble in Manna Ministries

The Prophet Arrives

A Grave Error

To the Pure in Heart

God's Promise to Those Who Receive

CHAPTER 7: THE ESSENCE OF PROPHECY

A Weapon Against Darkness

What to do with a Rhema Word from God

Three Ways to War with Prophecy The Pure Heart

CHAPTER 8: THE FALSE PROPHET

His Methods

What to Look for in a False Prophet

The Difference Between False and Wrong

What if the Prophet is Wrong?

The Trap of Over-Caution

A Virus in the Church

CHAPTER 9: THE WORD CARRIES RESPONSIBILITY

A Profane Word In the Hope of Correction

Beware of False Words

Accept It or Reject It

Wise Counsel

A Message to Those Who Would Be Prophets

The Prophet's Servant

Merchandising the Anointing

The Comparison

CHAPTER 10: FAITH AND PROPHECY

The Sin of Assumption

God Does Not Change His Mind

Faith that Endures

CHAPTER 11: POWER, PATTERN, AND PLAN

The Power!

The Pattern!

The Plan!

CHAPTER 12: SEE JESUS, NOT THE MAN

Seeing and Not Hearing Methods of Prophecy

CHAPTER 13: THE CHURCH AND "THEOLOGY"

No Plan "B"

Prophets Rejected

Why the Church Has Been Defeated

Causing the Little Ones to Stumble

Power in the Anointing

CHAPTER 14: HONOR

Grieving The Spirit

The Fear of Money

"No One Shared"

Tent Making

God's Method of Provision

To Your Account

CHAPTER 15: THE VOICE OF GOD

"How the Mighty Have Fallen"

Listening to the Cry of the People

Taken by Force

The Prophetic Church

Chapter Highlights

Introduction

There is nothing that God wants more for the church than to see it become what He promised it would be a glorious bride, and a victorious church. Throughout the ages, God has sought to bring His people into that place of promise by His love and sacrifice for them. He has worked miracles, signs and wonders, just to let His people know that He was their God, and that He was committed to bringing them into His full blessing.

But, all too many times, those who call themselves God's children ignore His presence and sin against His grace, causing despair and defeat to, once again, control the body of Christ. A lonely, broken-hearted prophet once wrote,

"How lonely sits the city That was full of people! How like a widow is she, Who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces Has become a slave!" (Lamentations 1:1)

Jeremiah wrote this after seeing a people who refused to listen to the continued exhortations of their God to serve Him and turn from their sin. Many years later, Jesus, in the same spirit of brokenness, said of Jerusalem,

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37)

God is longing for a generation of people to listen to

Him and obey. He is seeking a people who are wholly committed to Him, and will receive His prophets instead of turning a deaf ear to them.

In almost every generation, there have been messengers God has sent to admonish and encourage His people to change. In those occasions where the prophets were ignored, the people who refused to listen entered into bondage.

The difficulty the Church is presently experiencing is the direct result of a drought of a prophetic voice. This condition cannot change unless we, once again, accept God's gift—the prophet.

Our ability to be established, and to press on to our high calling, is directly dependent upon our willingness to believe God and His prophets. Ezra chronicled the words of King Jehoshaphat when he said,

"So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper. " (II Chronicles 20:20)

When Judah was being harassed by God's enemies, Jehoshaphat spoke to the people of God who were under this siege and told them to do two things.

a) "Believe in the Lord your God and you shall be established."

b) "Believe His prophets and you shall prosper."

There could not be a more prophetic word for the church today!

The body of Christ has inherited a legacy of sin and defeat from the previous generations. This has caused it to be vulnerable to the harassments of the enemy. This bombarding of discouragement has come forth from enemies seeking to force the Church to shamefully bury its prophetic promise. That promise, among others, is spoken by the Lord Jesus Himself:

"... and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

To become that Church that forces hell to shudder, the modern-day army of God must return its ear first to God, and then to those who are His messengers. To do so can only cause the Church to push forward in its prophetic calling and make us, once again, a people who demonstrate the prosperity of our God in this evil time. Jesus said,

"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward." (Matthew 10:41).

Chapter 1

To Receive a Prophet

A Dying Woman Receives a Prophet

"My love for him will never die. Even though he was taken from my son and I, we will never forget his unfailing love for us, his gentle leadership and constant, dependable provision. He was a loving husband and father, always diligent in the affairs of his trade, respected among the elders of the city, and a man who loved God more than anything. My heart aches with his passing, and I know he would grieve sorely if he could see our present plight, if he could see the hunger and the lack we have experienced in these past months.

"I cannot understand why we were given this sentence of poverty, this sentence of death. I miss you, my husband. We miss you! Lord, what must I do, what can I do?

"The days ahead provide no comfort for my son and I with all of our resources swiftly running dry for survival. I can no longer avoid the cries of my son for food. I can no longer bear to tell him to have hope, that tomorrow will be better.

"I have no hope myself!

"What a miserable way to die. I never thought it would be like this. The thought of tomorrow requires a conclusion on my part that is almost unbearable to make.

"Death is eminent.

"I have come to my end. I must accept reality and prepare myself and my son to die. My final joy will be this meal I am about to prepare. I'll gather the sticks, and I'll make up the last of my flour and oil and eat. We will eat and laugh together until we fall fast asleep, and then tomorrow face the fateful future."

So could have been the thoughts of the woman we read about in I Kings 17. After all, this woman was not unlike any wife and mother. Her heart was broken over the death of her husband, and frustrated over her inability to meet her son's needs.

She had to look into her boy's dazed eyes day by day, wondering and hoping that possibly this day he would be able to go to sleep without the cramping pains of hunger. The frustration in her heart had turned to desperation as their food reserves finally ran dry.

But somewhere, without her knowing it, God was moving to reach out to that widow woman and her son in their time of desperation.

The Divine Order Goes Out

A Divine order was dispatched to the man of God, a prophet; his name was Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitancy of Gilead. God had spoken to him while he resided by a brook, Cherith, which flowed into the Jordan. God said to the prophet,

"Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you. " (I Kings 17:9)

As she gathered her sticks for the final meal, a stranger asked for a cup of water to drink. As she was on her way to meet his need, he added a request: "Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand as well."

The thought of her plight rushed through her mind at this seemingly selfish request. Without thinking, she blurted out to this stranger,

"... As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die. " (I Kings 17:12)

This would be a strange way to respond to the prophet of God, but she could not have known this was the messenger of God with whom she was speaking. She was oblivious to the fact that this was the one sent by God who would bring her the hope she had lost for a miracle. After all, he made no introduction of himself, wore no distinguishing clothing, and had no markings that identified him as a man of God. But, the widow's humble heart is revealed here as she is observed giving to this stranger... in her time of desperation!

His request for food seemed so selfish and uncaring, and was difficult to obey. After all, what was given to him would come out of the mouth of the mother and child.

But, there was something inside that widow that commanded, "This is right; do as he says."

The prophet's retort to her is not with words of judgment or anger, but with compassion. With a sure tone of voice he responds,

"...Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.' So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah." (I Kings 17:13-16)

Such is the testimony of a woman who would receive God's prophet. Because this hurting woman received the prophet and responded to his odd requests, she became the recipient of God's supernatural blessing. God sent Elijah at the right moment, with the perfect gift of love, and although the means of God's deliverance was different than one might expect, it was nonetheless God's way and method.

The prophet Isaiah, speaking of God's ways, said,

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD." (Isaiah 55:8)

Rarely does God deliver an answer to prayer the way we expect.

The emphasis, then, is not so much on the means God uses to deliver the answer, but simply, that He answers at all.

The Blessing to Those Who Receive

To this woman and her son, the prophet became God's tool for blessing and supernatural provision. Because she obeyed this prophet and acted upon his commands, God gave to her what she could not have obtained any other way.

This prophet was God's spokesman and messenger to her. He was God's gift to her, to edify her, to build her up, and ultimately, to replace and replenish her faith and hope in the future.

Throughout time, we see that when God's messengers were received and their message was adhered to, blessing was released upon the receiving party. When the people would receive God's messenger, they were, in essence, receiving Him. Jesus said,

“Whoever falls on that stone will be broken, but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder. " (Luke 20:18)

To receive the prophet is to fall on the stone.

To reject the prophet is to invite the stone to crush.

When Jesus sent His disciples out into the harvest field, He clearly prepared them to experience both acceptance and rejection.

"He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, 'In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day ofjudgment than for that city'!" (Mark 6:711)

Here Jesus also clearly related God's judgment on a people or a city concerning the treatment given to His disciples. That makes a clear statement that God is intimately linked to His servants when they are functioning as His ambassadors.

Nothing has changed since that day!

God is very personally involved in the ministry of His prophets. How they are treated determines God's response to that people from that point on. Jesus said,

"... Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:40)

The Choice

The issue of choice comes in when considering the need for the ministry gift of the prophet. I once heard Dr. Ed Cole say, "We become the servants of our choices."

The widow woman chose to receive the prophet and follow his commands. Because she chose to receive him, she became the servant of God's blessing. If she chose to reject him, both her and her son would have had to experience the torture of starving to death.

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Woman Who Rejected The Prophet

From the shelter of the widow's home, the Word of the Lord is spoken once again to the prophet.

"...'Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth'. So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab; and there was a severe famine in Samaria. " (I Kings 18:1-2)

Here, God was calling the prophet into a situation that was to be totally different from the experience with the widow woman and her son. This time the prophet would not be received; in fact, he would be hated and resisted.

God sent Elijah to confront the falsehood and terror that had been brutally imposed upon His people. When Ahab saw Elijah, his words revealed his heart. He said,

"... Is that you, O troubler of Israel?" (I Kings 18:17).

Through these words, one can see the fear that Ahab had for this mighty prophet of God. But his wife, Jezebel, a seducing queen and worshiper of Baal, would have manifested a much different response. That response could have been as follows:

Jezebel Cries Out

"I hate these prophets of Jehovah! I've succeeded in massacring most of them. What a joy it was to silence them forever. These servants of Jehovah stand in the way of my control over this kingdom. Each time I gain ground, each time I obtain control over the masses of people, they speak the word of their God and the ground I have obtained and my control over the people is denied me.

"And then there is this Tishbite, Elijah! Who does he think he is marching into the throne of my husband and attacking the authority of my prophets and the hold of my god, Baal? Who does he think he is challenging my prophets? His words ring in my ears:

'Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table'. (I Kings 18:19)

"What is he planning? What trickery is this?

“Therefore let the prophets of Baal give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God'. So all the people answered and said, 'It is well spoken'. (I Kings 18:23-24)

"This challenge is not simply an attack on the strength of my prophets, but on my strength and on my power. Does he dare to challenge ME? Does he think His God is more powerful than mine? This will be my opportunity to defeat the greatest prophet of all.

"THIS IS MY CHANCE!

"He is my final challenge to ruling and controlling this kingdom. My husband will be of no help. He is weak and shrinks at Elijah's rebuke. He is afraid of this prophet's very countenance. I will enlist the services of all the kingdom to resist this prophet. Those subject to my weak husband,

Ahab, will serve my purposes. They will not fail me. They better not fail me! I MUST DEFEAT ELIJAH! I WILL DEFEAT HIM!"

To Refuse the Prophet

To those who would receive the prophet, the blessing of God is given. But to those who will not receive God's gift, their lot can only judgment and the wrath of God. Jezebel realized that this man was Jehovah God's representation on the earth. Therefore, his command was the command of His God. Her hatred for Elijah was fueled by the demons she worshipped; she became the dupe of the demons that dared to challenge the authority of God.

The man of God boldly issued the challenge!

"...Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it. " (I Kings 18:25)

With the prodding of their master, Jezebel, the prophets then:

"...took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, 'O Baal, hear us!'

But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made." (I Kings 18:26)

God Reveals His Arm of Judgment

With boldness and authority, the prophet of God becomes God's arm of Judgment to the prophets of Baal, and the instrument of God's shame for their mistress of darkness, Jezebel.

"So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again. Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD,

He is God! The LORD, He is God! And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!" So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there." (I Kings 18:35-40)

Jezebel's treatment of the prophets of God brought His wrath and judgment in its full force. His wrath would not cease to follow her until it had taken her life to ruin and death.

The Spirit of Jezebel Today

Even though Jezebel is dead, we must remember that the spirit of Jezebel will be present on the earth in the last days, even as it was during the time of Elijah. Wherever the true prophet is present, this spirit will be actively seeking to silence him.

John the Baptist, the prophet that proclaimed the coming of the Lord, faced this spirit in Herodias, the wife of Herod. She was under the control of the spirit of Jezebel when she orchestrated his murder. Her hatred for John was analogous to Jezebel's hatred for Elijah. Herodias' hatred for the prophet was fueled by his exposure of her sin, and his challenge to the position she usurped through seduction. John told her that it was not lawful for her to be married to Herod since she was the wife of Herod's brother, Philip. Marriage to a brother's wife, while the brother was still living, was strictly forbidden by Mosaic law.

When John exposed her sin, she became enraged. From that moment "...Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him." (Mark 6:19) She became obsessed with the idea of ending this prophet's life, and through manipulation and seduction, she finally became successful.

We also hear of this spirit of Jezebel in John's revelation of the endtimes. Jesus, warning the church at Thyatira said,

"Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols." (Revelation 2:20)

Jesus is warning the later-day Church to be on the watch for this spirit that rejects the true prophet of God because his presence exposes their falsehood and sin. Jesus makes it clear that the believers "allowed" this spirit to work among them. As long as this spirit continued among the believers, there could be no good thing manifested among them.

This spirit's presence polluted the Church to the core. Rather than just submitting to this spirit, Jesus would have the believers RESIST it. The ministry of the true prophet of

God exposes the falsehood of this spirit of Jezebel.

I believe the resistance in the endtimes to the ministry gift of the prophet is fueled by this spirit. As long as there is no prophet to expose the works of the spirit of Jezebel, it remains a threat to the very life of that people. As the days grow increasingly more and more perilous, God will send HIS voice to His people.

WE MUST HAVE AN EAR TO HEAR!

We must not be afraid to challenge the spirit of Jezebel!

The Spirit of Jehu

I am convinced that God is raising up a people who will refuse to give place to the spirit of Jezebel. They will be a people who will not lend their hearing to the seductive and tantalizing lies, but will actually rise up in strength against it.

I am reminded of the Biblical account of a man named Jehu. Jehu was unique because of the method he used in dealing with Jezebel. Now, it is important to note, at this point, that great men had fallen prey to this woman named Jezebel. Elijah, for example, the great prophet of God, called fire down from heaven to destroy the prophets of Baal, was chased into the wilderness and wished he would die because of the threats of this intimidating woman.

It was not easy to deal with her!

But Jehu dealt with her like the Church should deal with this spirit today.

In II Kings we read:

"Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window.

Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, 'Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?' And he looked up at the window, and said, 'Who is on my side? Who?' So two or three eunuchs looked out at him." (II Kings 9:30-32)

Here Jehu was faced with a great decision.

The power of seduction was great in this woman Jezebel. She also had great power in her words which she used to intimidate and control those who would seek to do her harm. If he responded to her appearance and gave ear to her questions, he probably would have fallen prey to her just like so many other great men of God.

Notice His response to her seduction and manipulation.

HE TOTALLY IGNORED HER!

He did not respond to her at all (Elijah neglected to do this), but instead addressed her servants who were called "eunuchs." These eunuchs had been emasculated by Jezebel; she had stolen their manhood by making them her servants. (Incidentally, it is impossible to be under the spirit of Jezebel as a man and not be emasculated.) These eunuchs were stripped of their God-given role as men ... to serve this woman. They were unquestionably under the control and domination of Jezebel; whatever she said, they did.

Jehu, under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, speaks to them. He asks, "Which of you wants to be free from this woman?"

"Then he said, 'Throw her down'. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot." (II Kings 9:33)

No more intimidation, no more control over kings and kingdoms, no more eunuchs to serve her every desire, no more persecution and destruction of the prophets of God.

NO MORE!

This time God used the very people who were under the spell of Jezebel, those who were in bondage to the spirit, to be His instruments of judgment against her. Jehu was the encourager, but God used those in bondage to Jezebel to destroy her.

The Church and King Jehu

King Jehu can be seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit; the eunuchs are a symbol of the Church. As Jehu was the encourager to the eunuchs to destroy Jezebel, the Holy Spirit is an encourager to the Church. Jesus said,

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12)

It will take a violent act on behalf of the Church to bring down this spirit. The resistance cannot be passive in seeking out any semblance of control, seduction, or intimidation that could become part of our ministry, business or home.

A Blessing or a Cursing

Just as the prophet was a blessing to the widow woman and her son, so too the prophet is a blessing to anyone who will receive him in the name of the Lord, and obey. This ministry gift of prophecy (Ephesians 4:11) brings with it the full blessing of God, and will perfectly fit either the individual or corporate need (the Church).

To those who will not receive the gift that God would send, it represents a cursing. I want to emphasize that it is not God's desire to bring judgment upon anyone. He obtains no glory by bringing judgment. But God will allow man to make his choice regarding His will.

God's Word is clear regarding these choices.

"Then he said, 'Throw her down.' So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot." (II Kings 9:33)

Chapter 2

The Prophet: God's Gift to His People

The prophet Amos wrote,

"Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?" (Amos 3:7-8)

The prophets are speaking today.

The question has to be, "IS THERE ANYONE LISTENING?"

Jesus prophesied that a church would exist that would have such authority that the powers of death, or all the forces opposed to Christ and His kingdom, would not be able to exercise force over it to overpower it. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus announces the will of the Godhead for the church:

"...and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."

Jesus also introduced a prophetic picture of what that church is to become before His return. Paul spoke of the church Jesus would return for in His exhortation at Ephesus:

"That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27)

It does not take a prophet to realize that the present-day church is far from fulfilling this picture. But, it DOES take a prophet to point the church back in the direction of becoming what God desires. The prophet is called by God to point His people to the strategic direction that is ordained by the Spirit for that day and hour.

Functioning Without the Prophet

Tragically, much of the body of Christ is not being built up correctly. It is ignorant regarding the ministry and the message of the prophet. Many have been erroneously taught that this ministry gift passed away with the end of the Apostolic Age, and is no longer needed for spiritual growth.

Other well-meaning teachers have diluted the church's understanding of their need for this ministry gift by teaching that the New Testament prophet simply refers to any inspired speaker. They say that this could involve the street preacher who is winning souls on the corner, or a pastor teaching a sermon to his congregation, or a teacher instructing his pupils, or even a housewife teaching her children.

In other words, there is no one person who represents the ministry gift of the prophet, as with other ministry gifts. The premise is that anyone can be a prophet, as long as they are speaking contemporary truth under the inspiration of God.

Unfortunately, this has caused a palsy condition in the spiritual framework of the body of Christ.

Palsy in the Body

Palsy is the condition that deprives certain parts of the body of strength. When the church is denied the input of a vital ministry gift, it cannot help but be deprived of the strength that is needed for its health and natural function. This causes it to act independently of the commands of the head, who is Jesus Christ.

Satan wants to keep the church in mediocrity and fruitlessness. There is one gift that he will work overtime to convince the church it does not need.

You guessed it.

The prophet.

Of the five gifts given to the New Testament church in Ephesians 4:11, none is more difficult to receive and understand than the gift of a prophet. If one fully believes God's Word, then there should be no question that the prophet is indispensable to the church today.

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers..." (Ephesians 4:11)

Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave this ministry gift, among others, to the church.

"When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." (Ephesians 4:8)

These gifts were given by the head of the Church, Jesus Christ, from the sovereign design of the Godhead. Jesus did not make this ministry gift subject to the opinions of men, or to man's doctrine. God gave the gifts, and His prophetic gift is still present today on the earth, seeking a place to bless and edify His people. To exclude this ministry gift for any reason is to invite immaturity and instability into the church.

The prophet was given to the church until a full disclosure of the person of Jesus Christ is revealed and manifested in the church. The prophet will take present truth, as revealed through the canon of scripture, and speak it into the lives of those who make up the church, thereby revealing Christ.

He will also bring a contemporary word which does not conflict with the canon, revealing God's strategic calling and purpose for His people. He will make known the plan of God to a church and its people. He will often foretell God's purpose for a church body, and for individuals that are present. This word from God enables the recipients to direct their lives into the path of God's perfect will.

The word of the prophet can also work to confirm the direction of a church and its vision. Foretelling is not a human premonition that comes from the prophet's head, but from the heart of God. Peter said,

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, (did not come from the prophet's head), for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (II Peter 1:20-21)

A Word for Today

The prophet will reveal things before they happen only when the Spirit moves him, and when it serves God's strategic purpose for that individual or church body. What the prophet reveals should not conflict with God's Holy Word, but will give direction and encouragement. Through this direction and encouragement, trouble can be averted, lives can be saved, and church congregations can find God's specific guidance for decisions it is about to make.

Paul said this ministry gift would be present and active in the church...

"... till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13)

This promise does not speak of simply one denomination of the church, but speaks to all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ, Lord and God. Therefore, it behooves the body of Christ to deal with its fears and misunderstandings surrounding the gift of the prophet so we can receive the full benefit of Christ's gift to us. The gift of the prophet is as necessary to the equipping of the church as the other four ministry gifts.

Chapter 3

The Purpose for the Visitation

Images

The function of the prophet is unique because it deals primarily with IMAGES. There are basically two types of images on the earth: images of value, and images of no value.

Jesus is, was, and always will be, the image of value both in heaven and on the earth. Value or worth finds its definition in the person of Jesus Christ. Salvation, and the resulting righteousness which is obtained through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, enables man to embrace and enjoy that image of Christ in his body, soul, and spirit.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. " (John 1:12)

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1:14)

Jesus is the Word of God.

He is seen in that Word and revealed through that Word.

When that Word is spoken, an image of Christ is imposed upon the mind, soul, and spirit of man. Life then is realized when that image is received and acted upon.

Jesus is not only spoken of in His Word, He is the Word. When that Word is spoken under the anointing of God, the image of Christ is imposed on the mind and spirit of the hearer. That image totally destroys the images of darkness, thereby revealing the image of the Christ.

Jesus is the example to all who would call upon His name of what value really is.

"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness'." (Genesis 1:26)

Originally, God created man in HIS OWN IMAGE, but that image was changed when man fell victim to the deceit of Satan in the Garden of Eden. The snake lied to Eve about God, and her understanding of the person of God changed, thus polluting her image of God. When she took of the fruit and ate, her image of who God was changed. When Adam accepted this false image, along with his wife, death was the tragic result.

The Image of Death

Death is always the result of a false image working in the soul of man—of man deciding to follow evil. Counseling rooms today are filled with individuals who, for one reason or another, have received a false image. I define a false image as being a deceitful, lying picture that differs from the image preordained by the Creator. That image can be presented by traumas such as child abuse, rape, or other forms of tragedy. It can also be presented through the words of others, such as parents, peer groups, or authority figures.

A false image can be imparted by demonic beings through temptation. When these false images are presented, and they are received, a stronghold results! The mind of the hearer will become subject to that image. If not resisted, it will begin to transform them through the lenses of that lie until that stronghold is broken by the Holy Spirit. John 10:10 says,

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy."

Death will result unless that false image is broken.

An example of this is seen in the different problems facing many believers and non-believers today. Bulimia, anorexia, and other types of eating disorders are the result of a false image working on the mind of an individual. That effected person refuses to see themselves as acceptable in their present physical state. Their self-destructive activity is fueled by a lie, a self-prophecy that "thin" is beautiful and anything else is ugly.

Suicide is the result of a lying image that has assumed control over the psyche of an individual. To this person, death is a means of obtaining attention, escaping pain, or of relieving others of "the burden" they consider themselves to be in their society.

Sexual sin always begins with a false image.

Pornography is the act of portraying unrealistic fantasies in a way that seems realistic and attainable. When that image is received, it begins to grow and develop until the one in bondage cannot differentiate between fact and fantasy. The one that is given to this filth follows his/her fantasy until it leads them into every form of death and destruction.

Rape, child molestation, habitual masturbation, adultery, and other sexual sins are all the result of a false image working its destruction on the mind.

The longer an image of death is left intact in the mind, the stronger that image will become, and the deeper its roots will grow. The longer an image of death is meditated upon, the more like that image that person will become.

The False Image Left by Vietnam

The war in Vietnam was not only tragic because of the death that came to soldiers physically, it was tragic because of the death that came spiritually. When our heroes returned from Vietnam, many found that coping with "normality" was next to impossible. The government found itself in a quandary because it was not able to help with the psychological problems that plagued those who served.

Many Vietnam soldiers suffered from false images imposed on them like, "baby killers" or "murderers". But the greatest false image was not imposed simply by some "hippie" without anything better to do than to tear down those who fought and died for our freedom. The greatest false image was imposed by demonic spirits that ruled over the skies in Vietnam. Chuck Dean, in his booklet, America Ambushed, The Unseen War, states that post traumatic stress disorder, the malady that plagues hundreds of thousands of Vietnam veterans today, is a SPIRITUAL problem, and a byproduct of pagan curses.

In late 1989, "Point Man Ministries" headquarters received a verbal report that an ex-Buddhist monk had shared some vital information with an American pastor regarding demonic curses being cast upon American troops during the Vietnam war. Since we know that Satan's playground and battlefield is mostly in the minds of men, we began to take serious notice of how these curses may have affected Vietnam veterans. We became aware that post traumatic stress disorder's origin had a more inclusive explanation than the typical one of an American soldier beaten down by the rigors of combat, and of participating in an unpopular war. According to this ex-Buddhist monk, an entire sect of Vietnamese Buddhist monks spent years heaping specific curses upon all Americans who came to fight in their country. These specific curses included:

1.    That the American soldiers would become wandering men without direction.

2.    That they would never find peace.

3.    That they would be angry men and women for the rest of their lives.

Dean states, "These Americans became wounded souls, and brought this torment back to live with them in their homes, in their families, and in most of their social relationships. They had been deeply wounded by an elusive enemy in the spirit realm..."

It does not take long to deduce from what Dean says that the curses worked against the soldiers. Those curses described the condition of many Vietnam veterans in our country today. The government has given up on them, saying they cannot be cured, but God has not.

That curse, or false image, is powerless against the power of the Holy Spirit.

The wisdom of man cannot break an image of death.

The image of death finds its end in a confrontation with the anointing of God working through the man or woman of God. The curse of those Buddhist monks was only effective because of the unregenerate condition of most of the soldiers. But, through salvation, the means of Breaking "that lie of death is present, and the Spirit is always willing to REVERSE THE CURSE through the image of God.

Prophets—God's Garbage Collectors

In essence, the prophet of God is called to go into the hearts of men to collect garbage that the enemy has sown. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, God reveals the lies, the deceit, and the images that distort the purpose of God for that individual. Then, the prophet acts boldly and decisively to collect the false word which he then disposes of in the dump from which it came. If the recipient of the ministry of the prophet is open and willing to respond to the word of the Lord, he will find a clean house of the Lord to occupy with His glory.

"For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; From heaven the LORD viewed the earth, To hear the groaning of the prisoner, To release those appointed to death... " (Psalm 102:1920)

The Image of God

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

God sent His Son into the world to bring back to man the image of Himself. Paul referred to this image in Hebrews 1:2-3:

"God...has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high... "

Jesus is, at this moment, seated at the right hand of God making intercession for the saints. He is actually praying that we will become all that God has created us to be. That requires us to exchange that which is corrupt in our lives for that which is holy.

Just as the first Adam submitted to the lying image that Satan painted, Jesus, the last Adam, returned God's image to the earth. Through salvation, believers have the ability to be transformed back into the image God created them to be.

The process of salvation is the transformation of a man from the image of sin and deceit to the image and likeness of God. It is the process of exchanging what is ugly and representative of death for that which is holy and representative of life. Paul, speaking of this change, said,

"And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man." (I Corinthians 15:49)

He also said,

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (II Corinthians 3:18)

And again, speaking of the new man, he says:

"... and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." (Colossians 3:10)

Rick Renner, in his book, Dream Thieves, said that one of the main reasons why Christians never see their dream or vision realized is that they never come into the place of divine alignment. We must say the same thing God says, and do it the way God wants it done.

Again, the reason God insists on this is so that He can bring forth Christ likeness in our lives.

As you align yourself with God, you are becoming more like God. His plan is not just to bless you, nor does He want you to do it His way just to prove your obedience to Him. He wants to alter you, to change you, to make you into the image of Jesus Christ for the ultimate good of the Body of Christ.

A Renewed People

Joshua was called by God to bring His people out of the desert and into the promised land. God required Joshua to co-exist with the rebellious, unbelieving generation in the desert until they all died. Then God spoke to him to move the new generation out of the desert and toward the land of promise.

I find it notable that before he could go into the land and occupy it, God required a memorial from Joshua. When the new generation of Israelites had crossed over the Jordan, previously selected men, one from every tribe, brought out twelve stones and placed them where the priests carrying the Ark of the covenant stepped. Then Joshua said to the multitude,

"... And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever." (Joshua 4:7)

The word "memorial" here comes from the Hebrew word, "zikrown,'' which is translated "memento." A memorial is a memento or record of an end to something, like a grave stone. The stones in the river Jordan were given so the generations to come would remember not only the miracle that God did for the people, but also that this was the place where the generation of the rebellious ended, and the new generation began.

For there to be a new beginning and a new life for the people in Israel, there first had to be a breaking from the old. The image of death had to be replaced with the image of God.

Change is Not Change Until it is Change

Godly change cannot come to a congregation or an individual unless the image of God takes hold. For God's image to take hold, there must be more than knowledge of His Word. Just KNOWING about God's purpose for our lives will not bring positive change. We must have an experience with that truth or image of life to see real change!

It is possible to know everything about a car engine and the mechanics of a car and never KNOW the experience of driving one. God's image becomes reality only when knowledge is paired with action!

For a new generation to arise out of defeat and reproach, destruction must first come to the image of death. As a result, the person of Jesus is able to come forth and manifest itself in the lives of God's people. Paul said to the church at Corinth,

"And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man." (I Corinthians 15:49)

When we submit to God, we take on His image.

Instead of hate and greed, we become people who love and give.

Instead of people who lie and use others, we become vessels of truth and blessing.

The whole purpose for God sending His prophet to His people is to aid in this process of transformation. When God's Word is spoken, that image becomes a tool against every falsehood. In fact, that word goes into the depths of the human being and searches out darkness to expose it.

Isaiah, speaking of the promise of God to expose darkness, says:

"I will give you the treasures of darkness. And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel" (Isaiah 45:3)

There are untold treasures that God has placed in the hearts of His people that are presently being hidden by darkness. Because God's people are believing a lie, those treasures cannot be realized until that falsehood is exposed. When an individual is able to see their own image as God sees it, then the treasures are revealed.

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (II Corinthians 3:18)

Chapter 4

The Anointing and the Receptivity of God's People

Rejection

Rejection seems to accompany the calling to be a prophet. Jesus said to His disciples just prior to sending them to minister the gospel throughout the cities,

"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward..."

(Matthew 10:41)

There was no question in the disciples' minds that the Lord Jesus was a prophet. But Jesus was not going with them on this particular mission. Therefore, He could not have been speaking of the receptivity to His own ministry. We must conclude, then, that Jesus considered some of His disciples to be prophets.

Why did the Lord exhort them in this manner?

The answer is simple!

God knew that not every city would be receptive and open to prophets. One would think that the people and cities would welcome God's gift, the prophet, but the Lord knew that would not be the case. By His own example, Jesus revealed that most would reject them, even as He was rejected. The Sadducees and Pharisees, even though they were leaders of God's special people, would not receive the prophet.

They rejected Jesus, and they would reject the disciples as well.

Since the prophet was primarily sent to God's people, Jesus was preparing them to be rejected by the very ones who needed the gift the most!

This same dilemma faces the Church today.

Many of those to whom God will send the prophet will not receive him. This lack of receptivity can be attributed to several possibilities.

1.    Rebellion has long been found to be a factor in this resistance. Usually, hardness of heart because of unrepentant sin fuels this condition.

2.    Sometimes the resistance is simply a result of ignorance and fear.

Since rejection is inevitable for the prophet, I believe God gives special grace to those who carry that calling. Resilience then becomes God's gift to the prophet so he can function continually as God's messenger. Regardless of the reasons men do not receive the prophet, to say "NO" to the ministry gift of the prophet is to say "NO" to the Sender of the gifts, and deny God His rightful place of authority among His people.

It is vital that the Church understands this concept. How we receive the prophet will, many times, determine how greatly God can use him to bless and edify.

Recently, I received a letter from an acknowledged prophet of a local church in Orange County; he heard I was writing this book on receiving the prophet. He told me a story that vividly emphasizes the main point of this chapter. He described a series of meetings that were held in another city where he was received as a prophet of God, even though he was traveling with a nationally-known evangelist. The leadership, as well as the people, had enlisted prayer and fasting in preparation for his coming; they wanted to hear and receive the word of the Lord. They treated him with honor and respect during the entire time he was present. He further stated that the result of the people's receptivity was "awesome." He had never ministered under the prophetic anointing with such power as during these meetings.

Later in the same month, he attended another conference with the same evangelist.

This time things were very different.

The people did not even acknowledge his gift at all, even though he was present to minister as a prophet of God. He had sought God for these people, and asked for a word to edify and build up the people. But because of the attitude of the people regarding his ministry gift, he was not able to prophecy or minister at all.

Grieving the Holy Spirit

Since the Holy Spirit is the one who gives the prophetic anointing to the prophet, how we respond to the ministry gift could either aid or hinder the anointing to prophecy. Paul warned the church at Ephesus about their treatment of the Holy Spirit when he said,

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

(Ephesians 4:30)

The word "grieve" here comes from the Greek word, "lupeo," which means "to distress or to make sad." Paul is warning the Christians that they could actually bring distress to the Holy Spirit, or make Him sad, if their treatment of His presence was wrong.

It is possible that God could send a prophet with a word for a people and that that word not be spoken because the Spirit has been grieved by the treatment of the prophet. A prophet is a prophet only because the Holy Spirit dwells in him and wells up inside him with an utterance for a people or a nation. The treatment that he receives will determine the extent that God will be able to use him.

Rejected in His Own Home Town

It is incredible to think that even Jesus was hindered in ministering to the people in His own home town because of their attitude toward Him. In the Gospel of Mark we read,

"Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, 'Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon ? And are not His sisters here with us?' And they were offended at Him." (Mark 6:1-3)

These people obviously knew Jesus when He was a carpenter's son. They knew Him as a boy when He played in the streets. They watched Him grow and develop, and, although I am sure He was unique as a young boy, the town's people simply saw him as just another boy.

In the above passage, we read that Jesus enters into His own country, which in the Greek could also be said to be "the father land", or native town. But this time He is not a little boy—He had reached His time of revealing; He was the anointed of God! Some of the people refused to see Him as such, and instead grieved the Spirit inside Him by their heart's attitude toward Him. Jesus, seeing this, said,

"...A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." (Mark 6:4)

As a result, the scripture says,

"Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. " (Mark 6:5-6)

Jesus was obviously in His hometown to bring the gift of God to the people. He was there to do "mighty works," but was only able to lay hands on a few and heal them. It is at least inferred in this scripture passage that Jesus wanted to do more than He was able.

What a blessing He could have been to that city and its people!

Instead, many of them went without the miracle of God that day, and did not receive the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Because Jesus was resisted, He simply packed up and went to another city where the people were more receptive.

This is an appropriate response to rejection of the prophet of God—to simply pack his bags and go where he is received. If the Church does not learn to honor the gifts of God, there is a great possibility that the blessing God desires to bring His people will be lost.

It is the Father's heart to meet the present and unfolding needs of His people. But many times, His will, and His messenger, are rejected.

What a tragedy when a church is destroyed because of a lack of wisdom, a directive word, or a warning from the prophet of God.

What a tragedy when God responds to the heart-cry of that pastor and his congregation, but because of an insensitivity or incorrect preparation, they reject the gift that God has sent to bring deliverance.

Fresh Revelation

One of the prophet's rewards to the Church is fresh revelation from God. When I speak of "revelation," I am referring to a contemporary word from the Lord regarding the vision and direction God wills for His people. When the prophet is denied a voice to the people, there will be no fresh revelation.

Stagnation is the eventual result.

Fresh revelation is God's tool to keep religious spirits from taking hold in the lives of God's people.

It is vital to the effectiveness of the Church that a fresh word from God flows.

Jesus first went to the Jews to preach the message of the Kingdom. For hundreds of years, a religious spirit had set in among the religious Jews because of the absence of a prophetic word. Jesus came to them to give them a fresh revelation, but they rejected it. As a result, God gave them over to the religious spirit that dominated them. The great tragedy is that they were left out of the prophetic fulfillments that were taking place through the Messiah.

Purposeful Preparation

Our hearts must be prepared to receive the gift of God!

When we are humble before God, and open to the messenger and the message, God can and will do "mighty works."

Chapter 5

A Study of the Prophet

There are many prophets in the Bible that one could draw a contemporary example from. As I studied both the major and minor prophets, one particular prophet seemed to stand out to me more than the others as an example of a present-day prophet. Jeremiah seems to reveal a prophetic example that can apply beyond his day and time into this generation of people.

One problem that many have when attempting to understand the prophet and his ministry is a lack of knowledge of what the New Testament prophet represents —both from a personal and ministerial standpoint. An understanding of the "PERSON" of the prophet will help in the receiving of the gift of the prophet. An understanding of the "MINISTRY" of the prophet will help in the appropriation of the reward he is sent to deliver.

The Prophet's Humanity

Jeremiah is easy to identify with because He was a man given to such things as fear, bouts of inferiority, and insecurity, just like many Christians are today. He even attempted, like many other Bible characters, to talk God out of using him because of his insecure opinion of himself. As far as he was concerned, he was too young to answer God's call on his life. The Bible indicates that he also could have been afraid of people. As God was telling him of his call as a prophet to the nations, the Lord also had to deal with his fear of the faces of men (Jeremiah 1:8).

Even though he may exhibit an extraordinary gift, he still deals with the same problems every other person does. Before God places His hand upon the prophet, separating him to His service, he may have been a person with a past of turmoil, abuse, and pain.

He may himself have had to deal with the effects of Satan's false image on his life. When God called Jeremiah, He did not choose him because he fit an image men would receive. Nor did God choose him because he was the right age, or the best orator. God chose a man that, by the very fact that God was using him, would bring men to awe of what God was able to do through a willing vessel. I love what Paul said about God's choosings:

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak thing of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty." (I Corinthians 1:27)

Many called by God to do great things in building up the Kingdom of God will seem foolish. Yet they will put to shame the wise because they will seem to the wise (which in many cases could be other Christians), to be the last ones God should use.

The Prophet's Anointing

After God dealt with the insecurities of the prophet, Jeremiah, we read,

"Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: 'Behold, I have put My words in your mouth'." (Jeremiah 1:9)

God anointed His prophet and placed His words in Jeremiah's heart. Then God described what His words would accomplish in the lives of those to whom God would send him.

"See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant." (Jeremiah 1:10)

No other passage in scripture describes more clearly the role of the prophet to the nations. I am not just speaking of the prophets of old, but also the New Testament prophets.

Of course, I am aware of the changes in the roles of the Old and the New Testament prophets. Later in this book, I will deal with the present-day limitations to the prophet's function, but we can take a type from the Old Testament example and apply it to the New Testament for learning purposes.

The Prophet's Purpose

First, God told Jeremiah that his role would be to "root out, pull down, destroy, and throw down. " Think about how this news effected Jeremiah. You can almost hear him say, "Great! I did not ask for this calling in the first place. The thought of facing all those people was hard enough to swallow, but now God tells me that my calling includes destroying things. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOVE THAT! But how do you say NO to Jehovah God?"

It is notable that in Jeremiah's job description, God first identifies the negative part of his ministry. God even warned him that as a result of his ministry, men would come against him.

“‘They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you', " says the LORD, 'to deliver you'." (Jeremiah 1:19)

Jeremiah's first sermon was to the Jews in Jerusalem to call them to repent. God told him to...

"Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: 'Return, backsliding Israel,' says the LORD; 'I will not cause My anger to fall on you.

For I am merciful,' says the LORD; I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the LORD your God, and have scattered your charms to alien deities under every green tree, and you have not obeyed My voice,' says the LORD. 'Return,

O backsliding children,' says the LORD; for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion'." (Jeremiah 3:12-14)

Jeremiah became God's oracle to deal with all that held Israel in bondage. This prophet was a gift from the Father to Israel to clear away sin and darkness so the children of God could see His full blessing.

I believe the prophet's ministry is similar today!

When he speaks, regardless of whether he is speaking to a person or a church, he will first deal with what seems to be negative. Before God can build and plant in the lives of men. He must first tear down those things that stand in His way.

Nehemiah Removes the Rubble

In the Old Testament, we see God using Nehemiah to clear the way for God's blessing by removing the rubble of reproach from the walls of Jerusalem. God sent Nehemiah from the service of the king to rebuild the wall in the holy city of Jerusalem. It had been torn down under war and siege, and had become a reproach to God. Nehemiah heard of Jerusalem's destruction, and purposed in his heart • to be God's tool to change that condition.

Nehemiah can be viewed as a type of the Holy Spirit who is always working in the lives of men and women to remove the rubble of reproach and restore the hearts of the people. But before Nehemiah and the builders could change the reproach of the city, they first had to remove the rubble left over from the city's destruction.

Before building could begin, there first had to come a work of removing.

When Nehemiah began to remove the rubble from the broken down walls of Jerusalem, the provincial ruler of Judea came to taunt their work and actively sought to discourage the effort to once again make Jerusalem a praise to God. In like manner, when rubble is being removed from the lives of God's people through the ministry of the prophet, Satan comes to harass and discourage the project.

Satan knows that if the rubble can be removed, God will be praised, and glory will be restored.

In the New Testament, John the Baptist began his ministry the same way Jeremiah did. Coming out of his wilderness home, he began preaching,

"... Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2)

Repentance is the process of tearing down and removing.

Repentance is a change of thinking that leads to a change of lifestyle.

By preaching repentance, John carried on the ministry of the prophets before him of tearing down that which stood in the path of blessing for God's people.

Jesus introduced that prophetic ministry into the New Testament. He began His ministry in the same manner as Jeremiah and John the Baptist.

"From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'." (Matthew 4:17)

Peter, on the day of Pentecost, and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, called a whole city to repent, carrying on the prophetic work of rooting out, pulling down, destroying and throwing down.

"... Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'." (Acts 2:38)

The results of this ministry were astounding!

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41).

The Ground Must Be Prepared

God will not add His blessing to sin, nor will He build upon a foundation that is defiled.

Therefore, He must, because of His great love for His people, first deal with the rubble that has brought a reproach upon His people. He must deal with sin—in the lives of men, and in the Church. He must deal with curses that are present, with dissension among leadership, and with strife. To receive His full blessing, we must first submit to His Spirit's work of purging.

Building and Planting

God's instructions to the prophet Jeremiah were clear:

"See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant." (Jeremiah 1:10)

Jeremiah would not be God's tool to build and plant until repentance had come to Jerusalem. The building and planting were to be the direct result of Israel's submission to God's rebuke.

In like manner, today, wherever there has been a successful rooting out, pulling down, destroying, and throwing down, there will be a BUILDING AND PLANTING. The prophet is not present simply to remove, he is there to build or raise up the word of the Lord in the lives of God's people. He is present to release the blessing promised to the obedient and humble. He is there to proclaim the liberty of God to His people, and in doing so, to edify and encourage the saints.

He is also present to PLANT God's seed, the word of God, among the people.

This time of planting is usually characterized by words from the Lord regarding the strategic calling God has placed on a local church or individual. God reveals His calling and purpose surrounding the people of God with clarity and specifics. Vision is imparted, callings are identified, and specifics regarding the plan of God for an individual's life are revealed. One of the reasons the Church has so much spiritual unemployment (men and women not being fully used by God) is due to the lack of knowledge the saints have regarding their place in the Church.

Paul said, in his letter to the Corinthians,

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant... " (I Corinthians 12:1)

The ignorance of the saints to their role in the Church can bring undue burden upon others. The work of the ministry is not carried out correctly unless the saints are activated for ministry.

Paul, speaking of the diversity of these gifts said,

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all." (I Corinthians 12:4-6)

Then Paul revealed that every member in the body has a role in the health of the whole.

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all..." (I Corinthians 12:7)

One of the ministries of the prophet is to ignite the gifts that God has placed in His people. Thus, God will plant seeds of purpose in the hearts of the hearers.

The Results

Once the seeds are planted by the prophet into the lives of the saints, and after a season of watering and nurturing them, they will grow up and produce great things for the Kingdom of God. Future missionaries, pastors, teachers, and prophets will be identified by the prophet. Their hearts will be the ground for the seed that will produce mighty results in the endtimes.

God longs to release this blessing among His people!

If we will submit to the process of clearing the rubble, God promises to BUILD AND PLANT.

Chapter 6

Removing the Rubble: A Case Study

Rubble in Manna Ministries

Manna ministries was born in the early part of 1983. The ministry progressed slowly through the 80's with the normal difficulties of a newly established church. In the later half of the 80's, I found myself becoming extremely discontented with our lack of growth and progress. It seemed that our church was basically a pastoral church, and I was the main input to the people on an ongoing basis.

I remember talking to the congregation about their need for the other ministry gifts spoken of in Paul's letter to the Ephesians. However, I rarely brought those ministry gifts in because of budget constraints and a simple lack of outside relationships. I could not get away from the knowledge that, as the pastor, I alone could not equip and build up our body.

So, I began to pray that God would provide for the people with other ministry gifts.

I began to develop a relationship with another pastor across the city who felt his primary gift to the Church was that of an evangelist. Although he was presently pastoring a church, he was also frustrated with the lack of other ministry gifts operating in his ministry. Through our discussions, we developed an idea. Since we both functioned in different ministry gifts, my gift as a pastor and his being an evangelist, we should merge ministries and operate equally in authority over all the areas of ministry.

Although that sounded good to us at the time, it turned out to be a disaster. Since there was no one in authority (two heads are not always better than one), when conflict would arise between us, we were doomed to live in compromise. After two years of struggle, we dissolved the team and went our separate ways.

I was left with a residue of a people that were (understandably so) disoriented, fearful, divided among loyalties, and disenchanted.

I seriously considered closing the church down and sending the people to another church so they would not have to deal with the difficulties. Yet, I had a clear sense, even in my own discouragement, that the Lord wanted me to continue to pastor the people. I knew that God was holding me responsible to lead the people out of the heartache and pain they received, partially at my hands.

My most memorable experience with the prophet to the nations came in 1989, one year after the termination of the "team ministry." The ministry had recovered to a certain point during that year. The congregation had come out of the mind-set of defeat and despair. We obtained a new building, and we were able to see God's hand on us. His provision in seeming impossible circumstances was evident.

But, I was very aware of the presence of what seemed to be, for lack of a better term, the spirit of the past.

As I prayed and sought the Lord, He continually encouraged me that He would turn our reproach. The Lord drew me to a church meeting where a man named Kim Clement was ministering. I had heard of this prophet many times, and was excited to see God move through him. I remember, as I listened to him speak, I was moved by his words.

It was clear that he was not speaking out of preparation but out of revelation.

I realized he was speaking to the spirit of the church he was visiting. God spoke to me clearly that we were to receive this man in our church, and that through him God was going to move mightily.

The Prophet Arrives

That night I invited him to come to our local church. He said that he would pray about it and let me know if he would be coming. After prayer, he called me and together we set the dates for a future meeting. The days passed, and the time grew short when we would have Kim minister in our church. I must admit that the last thing I wanted him to know was that we had just been through the mess I previously explained. What I did not know was that God was sending him for the express purpose of dealing with that past.

I remember, as I prepared for the meetings, I exhorted my wife and staff not to bring up anything that we had been through since that was all in the past, and a complete waste of time.

But, it seemed from the minute Brother Clement arrived, issues were uncovered he could not have known about.

The first night of the meetings, the Word of God taught was powerful and confronting. All present knew God was speaking to us through this man. Each night the prophet continued to chip away at a wall of oppression until the final night arrived. I will never forget the moment that Kim called my wife and I forward and began to prophecy. If I were to sum up all that God said to us through him, I would say that he rooted out, pulled down and destroyed the things that were seeking to bring a reproach to our ministry.

Before God attempted to build or plant, He first dealt with the rubble.

Since that time, Brother Clement has ministered to our church on a bi-yearly basis. Each time, he consistently helps us to deal with things that are clearly a hindrance to our fulfilling the vision God had given us.

BUT ALL AT ONCE THE SEASON OF NEGATIVE TURNED.

I could almost feel it!

Kim was coming, and there seemed to be an excitement in my spirit I had not felt in the previous meetings. I just knew God was going to bless and build. It was at that time God drew me to Jeremiah, chapter one, where it speaks of the role of the prophet.

I heard God speak to me clearly!

"Because you submitted to the rooting out, the pulling down, the destruction, and the throwing down, NOW I WILL BUILD AND PLANT!"

From that time on, the ministry of the prophet was more focused on words of encouragement and hope. Our vision for the city and beyond was confirmed over and over again. Those in leadership were encouraged, and God's calling on many of the young people was identified.

I will not say that it was easy responding to the time of uprooting. During that time, I was required to change much of the way I perceived ministry. I found myself repenting, along with many others, and letting go of many of my fleshly aspirations.

A Grave Error

I am convinced that a basic mistake many churches make is that they receive the prophet thinking that he will function as an evangelist. When he begins to deal with the negative that stands in the way of those people fulfilling God's will, they no longer receive his ministry. That is like tearing up a weeded lawn, uprooting it and turning it over, fertilizing it, and then refusing to plant the new seedlings.

Some teachers totally discount the ministry of a prophet if his word seems to be something other than exhortation, edification or comfort. It is true that the New Testament prophet will, through his gift, manifest these things. Paul said to the church at Corinth,

"But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men." (1 Corinthians 14:3)

Just because "a word of the Lord" deals with things that are negative in the eyes of men does not mean that word does not fit into the three categories of exhortation, edification, or comfort. In fact, the nature of the word is subject to the condition of the heart of its recipient.

To the Pure in Heart

If you were to take two people and give them the same word, one could perceive the word very differently than the other. How a person receives a word depends upon the condition of his heart.

To someone who has a heart to know God, and is willing to be molded, conviction of sin is not negative. But to someone who is hard of heart, and is willing to deal with sin, the same word would not, in their opinion, be considered exhortation, edification or comfort.

The Word of the Lord to the pure in heart becomes the basis for a change of heart.

An example of this is seen in the prophet Eli's dealing with a grieving woman name Hannah. Hannah was unable to bear children for her husband, Elkanah. This became a source of great agony to her. On one occasion, she was present in the house of the Lord, weeping.

"Then Elkanah her husband said to her, 'Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, 'O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your maidservant and remember me, and not forget your maidservant, but will give your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.' And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!' And Hannah answered and said, 'No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.' Then Eli answered and said, 'Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.' And she said, 'Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.' So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad." (I Samuel 1:8-18)

The word of the Lord, through Eli, became the basis for a change of heart in Hannah. This woman was not even pregnant yet, and she received the word as proof enough that her barren condition was ended. Her humble heart and honest petition were received by the Lord, and her need was met.

God's Promise to Those Who Receive

"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. " (II Chronicles 7:14)

What a marvelous promise God makes to His people! If we strive to be like Hannah, to walk with a humble heart and in prayerful petition, God desires to forgive us of our sins, and to heal our land.

Chapter 7

The Essence of Prophecy

Prophecy is simply communicating God's thoughts and intent to mankind. Prophesying is when the Holy Spirit takes the "logos," which is the written word of God, and speaks the word directly to an individual, which then becomes the spoken word. The New Testament refers to two Greek words to define either the written or the spoken word.

"Logos" is the Greek word for the written word, and "rhema" is the Greek word for the spoken word. Vines Expository Dictionary says, "Rhema denotes that which is spoken, that which is uttered in speech and writing" (W.E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Nashville, Tennessee, Nelson, 1939, page 1242).

Paul, writing to the church at Rome, said,

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

Here he uses the word RHEMA to describe to the people that faith comes from hearing God speak.

Then, again, he uses the word RHEMA when he exhorts the church at Ephesus:

"And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17)

Here Paul is saying that the sword of the Spirit, which

is used by the Christian to engage in spiritual battle against the forces of darkness, is the active, living, spoken word of God. A RHEMA is the timely, Holy Spirit inspired, word that brings life, power and faith to the recipient.

Bill Hammond, in his book, Prophets and Personal Prophecy, speaks of the difference between the RHEMA and the LOGOS.

"The Bible is God's complete revelation to man. These inspired words were gathered into sixty-six books and canonized into the Scriptures, the Word of God, the Holy Bible. This prophetic word is thus complete. It is perfect, fully sufficient to bring all the revelation of God that we can comprehend and appropriate.

"No further prophetic communication from God is to be added to it and none may be used to subtract from the Bible. Any truly prophetic word given today must therefore be in full agreement with the spirit and context of the Bible."

Later, Bill wrote,

"In the broad sense, then, personal prophecy is a Rhema: God's Word individually applied, a word which is subordinate to the Logos. This more specific revelation of God's will for our individual lives may come by many ways. A Rhema may come while reading the Bible, as God quickens a certain text, or it may come to us through the spoken words of another person."

A Weapon Against Darkness

The Rhema word from God becomes a weapon in the hands of the Christian soldier. Paul, speaking to young Timothy under both spiritual and physical attack, said:

"This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare... " (I Timothy 1:18)

When the word of the Lord is spoken, which in Timothy's case was at his ordination, that word becomes a weapon against darkness. Paul spoke of these weapons when he said,

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds..."

(II Corinthians 10:4)

God's Word or will in the heart of a believer is a potential force against Satan. Therefore, it behooves him to steal that word before it can do damage. Jesus said,

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." (John 10:10)

The devil seeks to steal that word through any means he can. Jesus revealed the devil's tactics in a parable.

"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

"But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for awhile. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

"But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:19-23)

War must be waged by the recipient over a word from the Lord. The devil has much to lose by that word coming to pass.

What to do with a Rhema Word from God 1. Hear the word and understand it.

When God has spoken a Rhema word, it must be meditated upon until it is understood. The process of meditation will build upon the word as the Holy Spirit reveals more and more of the specifics surrounding the prophetic utterance. I Corinthians 13:9 says,

"For we know in part and we prophesy in part. "

Many times the prophet will only give a synopsis of God's plan for an individual. Much more needs to be revealed before the direction is complete. When we meditate on a word, comparing it to the Bible through study, the Holy Spirit unfolds the plan of God more fully. When we seek God's wisdom over a word, submitting it to His wise counsel, that gives place to the Holy Spirit to increase the understanding of what God is seeking to impart. Meditation (thinking seriously about the word) brings that word to a completeness and enables us to move ahead with faith, understanding and wisdom.

2. Act on that Word from God.

I remember the day God spoke to me to fully dedicate myself to the ministry. That morning, upon rising, I felt God's presence in my room. For years I had served and dedicated myself in service to the pastors and leaders of my church. But something was different about this day. When I awakened, the Lord spoke to me in that still, small voice.

"This day I am separating you to the ministry to which I have called you!"

I was excited, and shared that word only with my wife. It was Sunday morning, and we were to have a special guest speaker at our church. Bob Weiner from Maranatha Campus Ministries was the special speaker, and his message inspired and challenged me. After the last service, I went with my wife, Amber, to children's church to get our son. While we were walking down the hall we ran right into Bob. What surprised us was his interest in us. He began to ask us who we were. We really did not know how to respond to that question, since we were just helpers in the church. We looked back at him perplexed and said, "WE'RE NOBODY."

He stared at us for a few minutes, and then said, "I do not know why, but I feel that the Lord is telling me that it is time that you be separated to the ministry to which you have been called. Furthermore, you are to take three months pay from your present job and move to where God leads you."

When he finished speaking, he just went along his way!

Since God had spoken to me that morning and confirmed it through Bob, I knew that one more test was required.

I was to go to my pastor and seek his counsel.

I set up an appointment, and shared what God had done. I submitted this all to his judgment, believing that God would speak through him. He simply concurred with what I had heard, and said that we would have his blessing as we went to pursue God's call on our lives.

Since I had confirmed God's word, all that was required was action on my part. I must admit, taking three months pay and leaving a good job seemed a bit risky, but if I did not obey God, I would have never seen the blessing I now realize after 10 years of full-time ministry. I want to make it clear, though, that many times in the past ten years I have had to war with the prophecies that have been spoken over my wife and I. We have learned that each time the devil comes to steal, but we must resist him with the RHEMA word.

IT NEVER FAILS!

Three Ways to War with Prophecy 1. Mix it with faith

Paul, seeking to keep the Jews from repeating the folly of their forefathers, warned,

"For indeed the Gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. " (Hebrews 4:2)

The reason the promise of a land of rest was not realized by the Israelites was simply because they did not believe the word. They had no faith or conviction that the word was true. Therefore, when situations arose that gave them reason to depart from God, they succumbed to their unbelief.

When a Christian has faith in a word from God, no temptation can move him or her from their stand. No deceit, no lie, no threat is too great for them because faith is carrying them.

Paul spoke of this type of faith in his letter to the Hebrew Christians.

"And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth." (Hebrews 11:32-38)

2. Mix it with prayer.

The last thing Paul referred to in his instructions to the Ephesian Christians regarding spiritual warfare was prayer. He said,

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18)

This passage reveals a great strategy to bringing the will of God to fruition in our lives.

We are to pray always with all prayer and supplication. Simply put, we are to pray with every type of communication with God to see His will come to pass in our lives. That involves intercession, high praises as described in Psalm 149:1-6, and petitions or confessions.

Prayer disables the plans of the enemy and enables the saints of God to be involved in the spiritual war that wages against them.

3. Mix it with praise.

Praise is a weapon the Church has ignored too long.

Many of God's people see praise as simply being a part of the church liturgy—rather than a weapon against the enemy. We must remember that the enemy actively seeks to steal the word of prophecy from our hearts. If that promise comes to pass in our lives, the enemy has lost ground.

Praise is a weapon that enters directly into the strongholds of darkness. It pierces the heavens where demonic forces actively plan the demise of believers. So, when we praise, the forces of darkness must stand back and watch as the promise comes to pass in our lives.

When Paul and Silas were imprisoned for doing the works of Jesus, they were whipped and tortured by the guards, had chains shackled to their feet that dug deep into the skin, and without doubt felt excruciating pain. Yet, we read that:

"... at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed" (Acts 16:25-26).

What a testimony of the power of praise!

The very foundation of the house of bondage was shaken! It is not a mistake that the scriptures use the word "foundation". The very support of this terrible place was shaken because it was illegally holding two of God's children.

No demon could withstand the praises of these two men of God!

When Paul and Silas praised, the forces of darkness had to stand back and watch the Kingdom of God destroy their fortress. In like manner, when the Church praises, the hold of the enemy is broken, its foundations shaken, and the heavens are opened to release God's liberty upon His people.

The Psalmist, speaking of the destruction that comes to darkness through praise, said:

"Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute on them the written judgment—This honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD!" (Psalm 149:5-9).

The Pure Heart

Lastly, nothing is more important than a pure heart as ground that God can plant His seed in. A pure heart, purged from pride and arrogance, will humbly accept that which God speaks. It refuses to allow pride to creep in. And, it will keep the ground of the heart free of weeds that would seek to choke out the promise of God.

GOD LOOKS UPON THE HEART OF MAN, and it is to the heart of man that He presents His truth. It is up to every born again Christian to provide God with a heart that He can use.

Chapter 8

The Take Prophet

When speaking of receiving the prophet, there has to be a chapter on false prophets.

The fear many Christians feel about the gift of the prophet can be greatly curtailed by some practical teaching that helps determine whether or not a prophet is false. The Apostle John said,

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.

And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. " (1 John 4:1-3)

There is no reason for those in the body of Christ to be afraid of false prophets. But, that is not to say that we are not to be on the lookout for them.

Whatever God creates, Satan is committed to pollute.

Satan has raised up false prophets for the purpose of defiling, not only those who are without God in this world, but for God's people as well. Therefore, it behooves the Church to be watchful for those who call themselves prophets, but actually are Satan's servants.

False prophets defile their hearers by speaking words that are not of God, but find their origin in the pit. God warned His people, through Paul, when He said,

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 5:6)

His Methods

To best identify these individuals, we must understand that there are differing categories of false prophets. One category of false prophet is seen in the various cults found in the world. Most of these people actually believe they are doing mankind a service.

Most of them honestly believe that what they are teaching is truth. Paul said that as time goes on,

"...evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. " (II Timothy 3:13)

These individuals are easy to identify through a close study of scripture. They may deny the deity of Jesus Christ, or the triune nature of the Godhead. They may require of those under their control to act in a manner that is clearly forbidden in scripture. When these falsehoods are present, that group is a cult.

There are other false prophets who are not so easy to identify because they can carry on among believers with what I call a "CLOAKED DECEPTION."

We are warned about them in Acts 20:29:

"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock."

The early church had great problems with a group of false prophets who propagated what we know as a "Gnostic deception." They taught their deception to those who thought they were safe in the Church, but were actually being deceived. That was the primary concern of the Apostle John when he wrote his letters to the churches. Speaking of these false prophets, he said,

"They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us." (1 John 2:19)

The Gnostic's claimed a knowledge that was unique and different from that which the Apostles taught. They taught many false doctrines to the people, thereby confusing them. Ultimately, their lies revealed the condition of their hearts, unregenerate and lost.

They were false prophets, and deceived.

Jesus warned us of false prophets who enter in among His people. He said,

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15)

Note that they are wearing "SHEEP'S CLOTHING." That means they will be hard to identify unless a close examination is done. I must emphasize that this examination must be done by all, and not just left to the leaders of the church. When everyone in the body of Christ is on the lookout for the entrance of falsehood, then it is very likely that it will be exposed before it can pollute and take hold of anyone.

What to Look for in a False Prophet

Just like the Gnostics in the days of the Apostles, false prophets demonstrate characteristics that clearly identify them as FALSE. Therefore, by revealing those characteristics, we are able to see them easier.

1. False prophets speak what people WANT to hear rather than what they NEED to hear.

One of the greatest incidents I can think of to illustrate this is seen in II Chronicles 18. Jehoshaphat was King of Judah at the time, and Ahab was King of Israel. Jehoshaphat was greatly blessed of God. He only had one problem, he was married to Athaliah by alliance, who was the daughter of Ahab. The King of Israel is seen manipulating Jehoshaphat into a battle alliance by sacrificing large numbers of animals in his honor. He did this to "urge him" to attack Ramoth Gilead.

Unfortunately, it worked.

When King Ahab asked Jehoshaphat if he was with him, he replied,

"'...I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war'. And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, (but then Jehoshaphat added a request), 'Please inquire for the Word of the LORD today'." (II Chronicles 18:34)

Ahab then brought his prophets into the court and said,

"'...Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?' And they said, 'Go up, for God will deliver it into the king's hand'." (II Chronicles

But for Jehoshaphat, the words of these prophets were not enough. He said to Ahab,

"Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him?" (II Chronicles 18:6)

Ahab's response really reveals the condition of his heart with regard to the Word of the Lord. He says,

"'There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.' And Jehoshaphat said, 'Let not the king say such things"." (II Chronicles 18:7)

Ahab did not want to hear the Word of the Lord; he wanted someone to confirm what he already chose to do, and the false prophets accommodated him. They spoke what the king WANTED to hear rather than what he NEEDED to hear.

But, the prophet of God could not but speak what God would say. This prophet of God responded,

"...As the LORD lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak." (II Chronicles 18:13)

While all the false prophets are tickling the ears of the king, Micaiah spoke the Word of God.

"Then he said, 'I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd.' And the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace'." (II Chronicles 18:16).

He spoke what the king NEEDED to hear, and not what he WANTED to hear. The true prophet of God is interested in one thing—SPEAKING THE WORD OF THE LORD! Whether that word is palatable to the hearers is not his concern. He cannot but speak the heart of God to that people. This is important for the Church to know because we are told by the Apostle Paul that...

"...the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. " (II Timothy 4:3-4)

There will be those who will speak whatever people want in the endtimes. If the people want peace, they will say "Peace, peace."

If the people want to hear tantalizing teachings, they will speak those teachings. As Paul warned Timothy, all Christendom must BEWARE of those who will SPEAK WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR, AND NOT WHAT WE NEED TO HEAR.

2.    They demand independence for themselves, but deny it to others.

False prophets hate to be subjected to close scrutiny. Therefore, they are always on the move, and are not accountable anywhere. Although they are found among believers, they are not in relationship with anyone that is a peer. When pressed by those in authority, they find another place to go to church. False prophets usually draw vulnerable people around them, and then demand a great deal of accountability to them by the people, although they are without accountability themselves.

3.    They enjoy judgment, and seem to gleam when seeing people under it.

One of the greatest signs of a true prophet is his distress when he is required to bring judgment. A true prophet never relishes in the call to bring judgment, but grieves. Since he is a representative of the Father, he is not only to share the words of God but relay the heart of God.

I DO NOT BELIEVE GOD LIKES TO JUDGE MEN!

But, a false prophet burns at judgment.

He loves it!

One way a false prophet obtains a following is by finding vulnerable people who are in sin. Then, he tells them that God's judgment is at hand. Once he has them in fear, he begins to control them and manipulate them to follow him.

4. The false prophet is unwilling to identify with the condition of the people.

Be careful of those who are always referring to the Church as "those people" or "your people". False prophets have a way of being present somewhere without really being there. They are aloof and indifferent to the heart of that local body.

A true prophet will identify with the condition of the people. He will commit himself to being a tool that God can and will use to bring God's full blessing. When problems arise in a church, false prophets exclude themselves from any responsibility. They are always finding fault with the people and leadership. You will hear them say, "There is no love in this place; there is no compassion here."

False prophets also use the term, 'THE LORD REVEALED IT TO ME", as a means of avoiding being tested. After all, who is going to question God?

5. The false prophets are usually narcissistic in personality and demand unquestioned obedience from those around them.

Their narcissistic personality demands that they are always right. To be wrong is to be avoided at all costs. Kenneth C. Haugk, in his book Antagonists in the Church, described narcissism as "a personality pattern in which a person displays an excessive sense of self-importance and preoccupation with eliciting the admiration and the attention of others."

He goes on to describe the root problem.

"Superficially, the root problem of a narcissistic individual seems to lie in an overdose of positive self-concept, but appearances are deceiving. More often than not, narcissism disguises an inner sense of inadequacy. To compensate for these negative feelings—that is, to cover them up—a narcissistic individual greedily fishes for and hungrily devours the praise and attention of others."

Narcissism, when it is present in an individual that has great charisma, can be deadly and destructive. Haugk continues,

"Narcissistic individuals who are antagonists are extremely reluctant to admit wrongdoing. They cannot conceive of being in error, because 'right' is what meets their needs and 'wrong' is what obstructs the meeting of those needs."

When a false prophet is questioned regarding activity that seems in error, they have mechanisms that kick in to intimidate those testing them. Many times they will be easily agitated when confronted about issues, and respond with immediate anger. The opposite means of intimidation would be to pretend to be hurt because you do not trust them. They would say, "How could you mistrust me? I thought I was special to you."

These mechanisms are signs that this individual should be resisted at all costs.

There is a great difference between CONTROLLING and LEADING. A false prophet cannot differentiate between the two. To him, controlling is leading. When judging the wisdom of a prophet, and validity of his personal style of leadership, James says,

"But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy," (James 3:17)

6.    They tear down those who are in Godly authority.

Part of their control comes from keeping people from trusting those God has set up as authority in the Church. Because, if those authorities ever bring question to their lives, they can say to the people, "See, I told you!"

Peter spoke of these men when he said...

"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage." (II Peter 2:19)

7.    Their fruit, or the result of their so-called ministry, is clearly bad.

False prophets consider themselves to be leaders in the church. Therefore, their lives are accountable to the scriptural criteria for a church leader. Paul made that criteria clear in his letter to Titus:

"if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled" (Titus 1:6-8).

This becomes a clear measuring stick to determine whether or not any minister of God is who he or she claims. When the fruit of that individual's life does not fit this picture, great caution needs to be applied.

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matthew 7:15-20)

I want to reiterate that no one in the body of Christ need be afraid of the false prophet. The Spirit inside will always bear witness with that which is true. Learn to listen to that quickening.

Go with what brings peace.

Reject that which grieves.

Determine to be in such fellowship with the Holy Spirit that you develop your listening ear.

GOD WILL SPEAK; HE WILL PROTECT; HE WILL GUIDE.

The Difference Between False and Wrong

It must be understood that there is a difference between FALSE and WRONG! It is the spirit of a man that makes him. False prophets are deceived in their hearts. They have been defiled, and have a hard heart toward God.

A true prophet can be wrong and not be a false prophet.

When a pastor or teacher instructs wrongly, he does not become a false pastor. I have heard many sermons from pastors that sounded good at the time, but later turned out to be wrong. I have read books written by reputable pastors and teachers which speak of Russia as being, in essence, the great Satan. Many books on the endtimes written over the past decade have been proven totally wrong by the changes in Eastern Europe. Now, although those teachings led people to believe something that was totally WRONG, that does not make that pastor or teacher a false teacher.

When an evangelist preaches doctrinally incorrect, he or she does not become a false evangelist. In like manner, the prophet can be WRONG and still be a true prophet. Now, that does not excuse the wrong. When any teacher or minister of the truth finds that what he has imparted is wrong, repentance must come.

The great difference between a false prophet and the true prophet (or evangelist, pastor, etc.) will be the humility to admit a wrong and make it right.

The man of God will have the integrity to repent!

A false prophet will not usually do that.

But WRONG does not make a ministry gift false. No man is perfect! False begins with the spirit and heart of a man and then goes on to corrupt the whole man. John warns us,

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)

The term "false prophet" comes from the Greek word, "pseudoprophetes," which is translated "pretending," "foreteller," or "impostor." This definition comes from "pseudes" which means "erroneous, deceitful, and wicked," and from the Greek word "prophetess" which means "foreteller."

John is referring to an individual who is the embodiment of all that Satan stands for. Jesus warns us that in the endtimes Satan himself will anoint individuals to do great signs and wonders as a means to deceive. When John writes his letter, it is important to note that he is not dealing with a brother that is prophesying among the people. He is dealing with the Gnostic false prophets whose residue of falsehood was still being dealt with among the elect. But these Gnostics were clearly identified as false prophets by their false doctrine, their false words, their false love, and their false truth. They clearly were revealed as false by their fruits.

Jesus said,

"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. " (Mark 13:22)

The fruit of these false prophets is not only wrong, it is clearly false. The spirit that empowers them is seen in any close scrutiny of their fruit. The target of the false prophet is any flourishing body of believers. He will seek to pollute and destroy the beauty of the fellowship that the Holy Spirit has provided. The well-traveled path of the false prophet is paved with strife, debate, Christians hating one another,and lovelessness. Therefore, watching for Him is the responsibility of any and all believers who care about the presence of Christ in their midst.

What if the Prophet is Wrong?

I have heard many individuals teach that we should judge the present-day prophet in the same manner that the Old Testament judged them. When they were found wrong, they were to be stoned. This kind of thought simply does not fit into the New Testament teaching. In fact, if we are to judge a prophet according to Old Testament law, then we would also have to judge all others with that same law.

We would have to stone the blasphemers (Leviticus 24:16).

Also, those who curse (Leviticus 24:14).

And, those who commit adultery (Deuteronomy 17:5).

We no longer live under the Old Testament law.

We must remember that Old Testament prophets operated as the voice of God when there was no Bible. Therefore, when they spoke wrong, God had to judge them as an example to the people. We must also remember that if the priest entered the Holy of Holies and he was not correctly sanctified, he would be killed.

Because of the work of Christ on the cross, all men have an advocate with the Father. Repentance is for anyone who come to God.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful andjust to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)

This grace is imparted to all without partiality.

The Trap of Over-Caution

Because of the many exhortations in scripture to beware of false prophets, there is a great caution regarding the acceptance of this gift, and rightly so. Jesus Himself warned,

"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. " (Mark 13:22)

It is evident by one look at church history that this gift is singled out as, possibly, the most resisted of all. Whatever God had raised up for the benefit and help of His people, Satan has counterfeited.

One of the greatest deceptions is realized when one cannot easily tell the difference between that which is from God and Satan's counterfeit. Close scrutiny, then, is required in judging those who claim to be God's representatives in this world.

But, over-caution can also be the doorway to deception.

It is possible that, in the desire to protect and preserve God's people, leadership can become over-cautious. It is possible that the motivation behind the desire to protect could be fear, rather than godly concern.

We can become so careful of things that we reject anything that we do not understand. What is even worse is when we reject things that are helpful and necessary because we are unwilling to objectively take the time to look into them. Dr. Edwin Lewis Cole says, "What people do not understand they have a tendency to reject."

Wise leadership will not reject something based solely upon "gut feeling." The wise will look intently at the issue at hand, testing it by God's Word, counsel, and prayer, and then make judgment. To be extreme in caution is to invite legalism, or even worse, deny the gift of God designed to serve the people of God.

Such a distortion should be fought at all costs.

A Virus in the Church

I recently came across a teaching by Bill Gothard which clearly reveals the heart of the false prophet. He writes:

"False prophets which attack the body of Christ are similar in nature and operation to opportunistic germs, which attack the physical body. These germs are disease-causing organisms in and around the body. As long as the body's cells are strong, well-nourished and cleansed, opportunistic germs are ineffective. However, if the body becomes weak, or is overly exposed to these microscopic agents, they will quickly multiply and bring destruction to the body. Viruses consist of a "genetic message" (nucleic acid) surrounded by a protein coat.

"When a virus approaches an individual cell in the body, it first "knocks on the door" by means of a precise chemical message. The message is perfect; that is, it can be understood without vagueness or ambiguity. The message is, in effect, 'I am here. May I come in'?

"If the cell is strong, it will reject the virus whereupon the message of the virus is rendered void. However, if the cell is weak, it will be "receptive" to the message and allow the virus to gain entrance."

There is a similar truth in the spiritual world regarding prophets.

The receptivity of a person or a congregation to the false prophet is a by-product of weakness in the spirit. That is why Paul so strongly exhorted believers to build up one another in the most holy faith. The weak cells who are members of the body of Christ are the inroads used by false teachers and prophets. The stronger members of the church must rise to the responsibility to help those who are struggling or weak in their faith, strengthening them and disciplining them in the truth.

Paul, the apostle, said:

"And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." (I Corinthians 12:26)

Gothard goes on to say that,

"In some cases, the cell actually enfolds the virus as a welcomed "guest." The virus is literally gulped into the cell as though it were vacuumed inward through a revolving door.

"The virus deceives the cell by appearing to be one of its own kind. In this way, it is precisely like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"The cell does not distinguish the message of the virus from the true message within itself. The virus used deception to get into the cell. Having gained admission, the virus uses subversion to carry out its deadly work.

"The process of subversion begins with a second genetic message. The first message was, 'I am here. May I come in?' Now the message becomes, 'Willyou reproduce me?' When expanded, this message is, 'You have taken me in. You have recognized me as your own kind. Now you must understand that perpetuating me is more important than life. Begin now to multiply me.'

"If the cell agrees to reproduce the virus, the message of the virus continues: Don't trouble yourself by thinking of life. Just relax, I will utilize your 'machinery and resources' for a purpose that is bigger than you are. You are now a part of my purpose and destiny.

"Cells were designed by God to reproduce themselves. A virus is incapable of reproducing itself without a host cell. It is totally dependent upon its victim for sustenance.

"When a virus finds a host cell and begins to rob it of it's nutrients, the subversive message continues, 'You are simply a casualty in a larger battle. The battle is against the ultimate enemy. You are sacrificing your life for me. You can have no greater purpose offulfillment than this.'

"One might reason that if the cell dies, the virus will die with it and will no longer be a threat to the rest of the body. This reasoning fails to account for the destructive genius of the virus.

"The trickery and subversion of a virus enables it to multiply and then move to adjacent cells before the infected cell dies. In this way, the disease producing virus spreads throughout the body."

False prophets are spiritual parasites in the Church. They are vile and corrupt people in heart and soul who serve the purposes of their father, the devil. The only way the body of Christ can be free of them is through strict adherence to the law of love among members—each member considering others before their own needs. The law of love in action is what the Church needs—a law that causes believers to look out for one another with a loving eye, ever willing to do what is required to maintain the strength of other cells in the body. The Church that has love abiding in it cannot fail the test that will surely come as these wolves in sheep's clothing approach the sanctuary.

"Love never fails..." (I Corinthians 13:8)

Chapter 9

The Word Carries Responsibility

A Profane Word

I will never forget the story of a family who received a word from the Lord at a service we had at our church with the visiting prophet. Our services during that week were extraordinarily anointed as people were being set free by the Holy Spirit every evening. One night, the prophet was in the process of ministering to the congregation when he suddenly stopped and began to talk to a visiting family. Once he had their attention, he began to say that the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that the father had cancer. Since the family had said nothing to the prophet at all regarding their situation, they quickly realized that the Lord was ministering through him, and each of them broke into tears.

As the prophet ministered God's word to the family, God revealed an attack that Satan had brought against them. He told them that this evil would try to take the life of this husband unless it was resisted. To my remembrance, the prophecy made it clear that it was not God's will that this man die of the disease. He continued to pray over them, breaking the power of the image of death, and went on ministering.

The next day, I received a phone call from the wife of the man who had cancer, and she was insistent about speaking to the prophet. I make it a point to resist people wanting counsel from the prophet regarding the word he has spoken. Instead, I encourage them to speak to their pastor or church leaders for confirmation and counsel regarding that word. Paul said that we are to "test all things to see whether they are from God." In my opinion, that individual's pastor or church elders are best equipped to counsel and judge the word they've received. The pastor and elders know the details surrounding the life of that individual, and will be able to reveal the whole counsel of God surrounding that particular situation.

The prophet is best in delivering the word, and then the leadership that knows the person can intervene and instruct.

As I continued to dialog with the woman, she divulged to me her thoughts regarding this word from God. I must admit I thought it odd that her initial concern was not so much for her husband as it was for herself. She began to tell of a supposed visitation she received while attending a recent women's retreat. She described sitting on a stump and praying. During her silence, she said that the Lord spoke clearly to her that He was going to give her a ministry. He went on to tell her that her husband was going to become ill and die soon, and that after he was dead she would receive this ministry. Then, as a test to the word, she asked the Lord to confirm that word by letting light shine on the log across that ravine.

SURE ENOUGH, LIGHT APPEARED ON THE LOG!

After listening to this for a while, I asked her if she wanted me to respond to this supposed "word" she had received from God.

Without hesitating, she said "Yes!"

With a gentle boldness, I said, "If God told you that your husband was going to die, and then through the prophet said it was His will for him to live, then either one of two things has happened. Either God is confused, or one of the words you received was wrong. Since God cannot be confused or wrong, then that only leaves you or the prophet as potentially wrong."

As the conversation continued, I told her that Jesus came to give life, not death. The Bible says that "the thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill, and destroy." (John 10:10)

In the Hope of Correction

As a result of our dialog, I concluded that the word from the prophet was spoken to destroy the image of death that came through Satan. In His mercy, God imparted His image of life over the husband through the ministry of the prophet. I told her that since the prophecy was not incorrect, that "only leaves you" who could be possibly wrong! This 'word' you heard regarding your husband dying was instituted by demons.

I was not trying to be cruel by pointing out her deception, but I felt a strong leading of the Lord to admonish her to renounce the false word. If the lie of this image of death was not renounced, the word of life, or the image of life would not come to pass over her husband.

Beware of False Words

We must beware of flesh or demon inspired word. A curse can enter into an individual's life when a word is received that is not inspired from God. One of the most vulnerable times of our lives to these false words is during times of desperation, like the situation surrounding this woman and her family.

We must be meticulous in our judgment of words that come during times of trauma or desperation.

As the days in our world grow increasingly more debauched, the presence of false prophets will grow, and thus the increase of false, defiling words. Paul warns us in his letter to Timothy:

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come..." (II Timothy 3:1)

Later, he warns that men will arise who will have the outside appearance of godliness, but will be liars.

"having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (II Timothy 3:5)

Accept It or Reject It

Paul, speaking of the believers' responsibility to either accept or reject a word, said,

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (II Corinthians 10:4-5)

A false word is a "high thing" that has exalted itself against the knowledge of God. Since the word is a lie, it comes from the father of lies, and must be cast down and not received. I cannot find anywhere in the Word of God that says we are to "sheve" a word once it is given. This is usually encouraged when the receiver of a word does not understand or think the prophecy was accurate.

We are either to accept or reject it.

If a false prophecy is "shelved," it could be like holding a python in your heart. Someday, it is guaranteed to rise up

Wise Counsel

We must understand that God, in His wisdom, has given us the means to test all things, not only through His word, but also through the counsel of leaders in the church.

I want to emphasize that nothing is too silly to bring up to those who are in authority in the church. The Bible says that the leadership has stewardship over the souls of those entrusted to their card. If we do not allow them to exercise that stewardship by giving us counsel, then we have only ourselves to blame when we are defiled.

It would be wise to submit every word we receive from God to the scrutiny of the wise, godly judgment of a church leader. The Bible says that

"every word should be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses." (Matthew 18:16)

When we receive a word, and we have had it tested, then we are to act—to either accept it or reject it.

A Message to Those Who Would Be Prophets

Integrity in a prophet is not something developed overnight. The strength we see in the prophets of both Old and New Testaments was developed over a period of time and tests. God would put the life of His would-be prophets in a very restricted arena so that only those who passed the test would be approved by Him.

The strong disposition of prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, just to name a few, was developed through strict discipleship by God and those who were His established servants. Many of the prophets God raised up in the Bible obtained their calling through service to another, proven prophet. In the Old Testament, there are two particular individuals that I thought would be great examples of both what NOT to do, and what TO DO in rising to the calling of the prophet.

The Prophet's Servant

Elisha is the greatest biblical example of one who would be a prophet. This young man was apprehended by God to respond to His call to be a prophet But God, in His infinite wisdom, placed him with a seasoned prophet to be his servant, and to train. The principle of God is that when we are faithful in what is another man's, God will give us our own responsibility (Matthew 25:14-28).

Elisha gave himself to the service of the prophet and was blessed to be part of the miracles, and the signs and wonders that accompanied that relationship. It was only after proving himself as an obedient servant that God raised him up to be a prophet. Because Elisha gave himself to God's service, and the service of the prophet, without regard for how He would benefit, personally, God gave him more anointing than the prophet he served!

The integrity of Elisha's life is revealed in his desire to build God's kingdom through the gifts he inherited. Like the prophet he served, Elisha was not interested in the fame or the money he could have obtained through his power. His desire was to be obedient to God and remain faithful to the calling, to be a voice for God on earth.

Merchandising the Anointing

Gehazi, like Elisha, was called by God to serve the prophet of God. Just as Elisha had served Elijah, God called Gehazi to serve Elisha. God was seeking to raise up another generation of prophets through Gehazi like He did through Elisha, but there was one main difference between Elisha and Gehazi—one was in the service of God for the greater glory of the Kingdom of God, and the other was in it for personal gain.

The Comparison

There are many similarities between Elisha and Gehazi as servants. Both observed the supernatural manifestations of God on a continual basis. Both were often the instruments of God in delivering the miracle. Both saw the accolades that men give to servants of the Lord. Both saw the glory men place upon the prophet. Both saw the potential for money and wealth that could come through the gifts of the prophet. Both saw the true prophets of God reject all of man's attempts to attach praise to the man, and instead looked to God in all things.

What separates Elisha from Gehazi is how each dealt with the temptation to personally accept glory.

Elisha was a kingdom builder. He wanted no glory for himself, but desired to build God a house.

Gehazi saw personal gain in the supernatural. In II Kings, we learn that Naaman was a very powerful military man who had one great problem: leprosy. Naaman heard through one of his servants that the man of God could heal him if he would go to him. Naaman packed up his possessions and a number of his servants and journeyed to the dwelling of Elisha. He brought in his caravan treasure to pay the prophet of God for his deliverance. When he arrived at Elisha's residence, God put Gehazi, the servant of the prophet, there to deliver the word that would lead to Naaman's healing. I believe this was a test from God to see how Gehazi would cope with temptation.

Gehazi surely could not have helped but notice the wealth of the caravan at the door. It is quite possible that the image of greed was, at that time, locked firmly in his mind. When Naaman returned to the prophet's dwelling to lavish wealth upon him, the prophet refused, sending a surprised Naaman away—with his wealth.

Gehazi remained perplexed.

"But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, 'Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but as the LORD liveth, I will run after him and take somewhat of him.'

So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, 'Is all well?' And he said, 'All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.'

And Naaman said, 'Be content, take two talents.' And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.

But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, 'Whence comest thou, Gehazi?' And he said, 'Thy servant went no whither.' And he said unto him, 'Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?'

The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever.' And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow." (II Kings 5:20-27)

Because of greed, Gehazi not only lost his calling, but he was cursed with leprosy for the rest of his life!

Each person responding to the call of God chooses between the anointing and blessing of Elisha, or the curse of Gehazi. Spiritual leprosy is the reward to those who would use the call of God for material gain. But, great blessings come to the house and the seed of those who would only seek to be holy and obedient in the calling. Blessings come to those who build God's house, and leave the building of their own house to Him.

After all, God is much better at building your house than you are!

Chapter 10

Faith and Prophecy

The Sin of Assumption

Many people make the mistake of assuming that simply because God speaks a word through the prophet, it MUST come to pass. But we can see in a study of God's Word that the promises of God must be believed to come to pass. If a word of life is spoken and the recipient does not believe the word, and does not continue to walk in a way that is pleasing to God, the word will not come to pass.

When a word is spoken over our lives, there are requirements attached. God's will cannot come to pass in our lives if we make choices to walk away from Him. God will not honor disobedience with His promises. Scripture declares,

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)

GOD'S PROMISES ARE SUBJECT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF HIS PEOPLE!

There are many examples of this in scripture.

One example is when Israel did not see the promised land because they did not believe the word or the promise spoken over them in Egypt. Because of their unbelief and rebellion, they died without that promise.

Paul said to the Hebrew Christians,

"Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where you fathers tested me, tried me, and saw my works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.' So l swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest.' Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "today", lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. " (Hebrews 3:8-13)

Remember, God had promised Moses and the people that they would enter into the desert and cross over into the promised land. We read in Exodus 3:16-17 that God told Moses,

"Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, "I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt; and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey'."

So, even though the Israelites had received the promise of God to bring them into Canaan, they all died without receiving that promise.

The opposite example is seen in Hebrews, chapter 11, which gives us a picture of men and women who, because of their faith in God's promise, obtained it.

Paul said to the Hebrew Christians,

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

Paul did not want these Hebrew Christians to repeat the mistakes of their forefathers. He exhorts them first to believe that God is, and then he encourages them to believe that God rewards those who diligently seek and pursue Him.

God Does Not Change His Mind

God never repents of His promise, nor will He allow a word He has spoken to return to Him unaccomplished. The prophet Isaiah, revealing the ways of God, says,

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways', says the LORD. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it'." (Isaiah 55:8-11)

God's word will not return to Him void. The Hebrew word for "void" is "reyqam" which carries the idea of "empty, ineffectual, or worthless." Once God speaks a word, it cannot return to Him until it has prospered or accomplished what He sent it to do.

It is not lawful for that promise to return to God empty, ineffectual, or worthless. If the one who has received that word does not believe that word, and dies without knowing its fulfillment, then it remains until another receives it and believes it.

This was the case with Moses and Joshua. God promised Moses the land of Canaan, but because of unbelief, he died without ever seeing (except from afar) that land. So, the promise remained to the next generation, to Joshua who saw that promise fulfilled.

Paul, warning in his letter to the Hebrews, said,

"Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. " (Hebrews 4:1)

If we should fear anything as believers, it should be the fear of not entering into the promise that God has set aside for us.

Faith that Endures

We err as believers when we think that God's promises will come to us without any faith, obedience, endurance or faithfulness on our part. Nor can we expect, through a simple confession, that a promise will come to past. Our lives have to be a confession in word, gesture and deed, before that promise will manifest itself. What we confess must also exude from our lives in gesture and deed. Paul said,

"For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise." (Hebrews 10:36)

God is committed to doing His part to bring the word to pass. Once the word is spoken, it is our turn.

Power, Pattern, and Plan

The Power!

I do not know how many times I have heard ministers say how frustrated they had become with a person who continually receives ministry, counsel, and prayer—but never gets any better.

Although there seems to be an initial response to the prayer of the counselor or minister, there is no lasting change in that individual's life.

In a previous chapter, we learned that the prophet's primary responsibility is to deal with images. He destroys false images imposed by Satan and his demons, and imparts the image of God. The Lord has given him the POWER to break the hold of darkness over His people. When Jesus sent the seventy out to do the work of the ministry, scripture says:

"The seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.' And He said to them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you'." (Luke 10:17-19).

Jesus clearly gave them authority, or power, over all that Satan and his demons had imposed upon mankind. They would face no darkness that could withstand their authority. Those believers were able to break the POWER of darkness in any life seeking freedom.

BUT, BREAKING THE POWER OF DARKNESS AND BONDAGE IS NOT ENOUGH FOR LASTING FREEDOM!

The Pattern!

Deliverance from the POWER of sin and darkness is just the beginning. Sin has a way of developing a pattern in the life of the individual. That PATTERN begins with the thought, and ends with the submission to that sin. If the POWER of that sin is broken, and that person does not take responsibility for breaking the pattern of sin, then the deliverance will be short-lived. There is even a chance that when the bondage comes back, it will be stronger than before.

The prophet, or minister of the Lord's deliverance can only go so far in helping an individual in darkness. Once the POWER is broken, that person must break that PATTERN of sin.

This same concept is also true when correction is brought to a church body. When God speaks through the prophet and breaks the power of darkness over it, if the pattern of sin that initially opened the door for that stronghold is not dealt with, the deliverance will be shortlived. One great example of this is seen in Jesus' ministry to the woman caught in adultery.

"The Scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, 'Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?' This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking him,

He raised Himself up and said to them, 'He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.' And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, 'Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?'

She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said to her, 'Neither do l condemn you; go and sin no more'." (John 8:3-11)

Jesus broke the POWER of her sin through forgiveness, BUT HE DID NOT STOP THERE. He went on to exhort her to "GO AND SIN NO MORE"! He told her to go and break the PATTERN, or lifestyle, of sin.

No prophet or minister of God's deliverance can make a person or church body break its pattern of sin. The recipient of God's freedom must choose to forsake that bondage.

Many times, a person will receive a prophetic word from the Lord, have hands laid on them, and experience the power of the Holy Spirit and freedom. But that FREEDOM will be short-lived if the PATTERN of sin is not forsaken.

The Plan!

God's PLAN of deliverance cannot be fully realized unless the POWER of sin and its PATTERN are broken.

That means that the minister of God needs the obedience of the one being prayed for to see the plan of God come together.

Many times our ministry methods do not help the people of God understand their responsibility in the process of deliverance. The prayer line or altar ministry sometimes gives the impression that when the service has ended, so has the bondage.

Altar ministry is just the beginning.

Once deliverance has come, sanctification and dedication must be emphasized.

Paul said, in the closing of His letter to the Thessalonians:

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. " (I Thessalonians 5:23)

Sanctification is a process—the result of man's obedience and God's love working together. God works through His word and ministry gifts to expose darkness so that His people can come to know him more fully. Paul said to the church at Rome,

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1)

See Jesus, Not the Man

The apostle Paul, whom God used to dictate two-thirds of the New Testament, had every natural reason to consider himself highly. But it was this apostle who wrote,

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." (Philippians 3:7-10)

He also said,

"looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

Paul did not want people to look to men as their source and means to fulfilling the calling God had on their lives.

Even though God uses men to bring us to the place of maturity, it is Jesus who causes the growth and maintains our lives in that process. Paul was very aware that men have a tendency to uplift the vessel or individual that God uses to bring His supernatural power. Personal experience taught Him that this must be resisted at all costs. On one missionary trip to Lystra, scripture tells us,

"In Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, 'Stand up straight on your feet!' And he leaped and walked. Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, 'The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!'" (Acts 14:8-11)

Paul's response to this human exaltation was immediate.

"But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them'." (Acts 14:14-15)

You see, it is the very spirit of Satan that seeks to take the place only God deserves. Satan was cast out of heaven because he sought God's glory in the heavens. He wanted to be worshipped and adored like God. So, he attempted to lift himself up above God (which resulted in his fall).

Today, the spirit of Satan is revealed when men seek the exalted place rather than give it to the one to whom it rightfully belongs. Paul hated man's exaltation because he knew that God hated it. He was keenly aware that if he were to allow the people to place him in an exalted place, death would come to both the people and to himself.

Man-made exaltation can be destructive, both to the people who are uplifting a man, and destructive also to the servant who God is using. No man can take God's glory and continue to be His vessel of power. God will not share His glory with a man, and although we are thankful for the prophet of God who has been sent into our midst, all the praise belongs to Jesus who is the true Giver of the gift.

Seeing and Not Hearing

We must not get so mesmerized by the man and his gift that we forget the one who is the true giver. It is possible to get so caught up in the actions of the prophet that we do not receive his message.

Such was the case with the Israelites in Ezekiel's day. The Lord said to Ezekiel,

"As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, 'Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD'. So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as MY people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. And when this comes to pass—surely it will come then they will know that a prophet has been among them." (Ezekiel 33:30-33)

Ezekiel was quite a sight to see. His actions were, under the direction of the Lord, far from normal. Therefore, the people took great interest in his demonstration. On one occasion, he mimed the destruction of Israel. On another, he laid on his right side for three hundred and ninety days. And then he flipped over and laid forty days on his left. There is no question that this was a spectacle to each observer.

Sometimes, as I watch the prophet move under God's anointing, I too get caught up in the actions and forget the word that he brings from the Lord. God is not only interested in us seeing His works, but He wants us to do His Works. We must not be like the Israelites who loved the show but were not moved by the word.

Methods of Prophecy

God uses some very interesting methods in delivering the word of the Lord. We hear of SONG as being one of them. God said, in His description of Ezekiel's methods of delivery,

"Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them." (Ezekiel 33:32)

Here, Ezekiel was clearly prophesying through song.

He also prophesied through MIME.

He would act out the word of the Lord by laying on his side as a testament of the people. In the day that we live in, there will be a restoration of these and other kinds of ministering the word of the Lord to people and cities. We will undoubtedly find ourselves awestruck as the people in Ezekiel's time did. When this happens, we must look to the Lord and give Him our hearts and ears. Never should man be the focus in this or any other demonstration of prophecy.

"Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 29:2)

Chapter 13

The Church and "Theology"

No Plan "B"

The church is God's only plan for reaching mankind with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is also His chosen means to overpower the forces of darkness that bind and terrorize mankind.

GOD HAS NO PLAN "B" for declaring TRUTH and righteousness on an evil world!

This church is composed of people who have been saved out of darkness and transformed by the power of God's Son. As those WHO ARE THE CHURCH are built up and equipped, darkness ceases to prevail over them, and truth begins to spread.

We must realize that the prophet is one of the gifts that is necessary for the building up of the church. Without that gift, the body of Christ cannot reach its place of maturity in the knowledge of God, or arise to its place of power over darkness.

One of the lessons we can learn from a study of church history is, whenever the church was found in deep darkness, defeat, and despair, there was first a preceding attack on the revelation gift of the prophet. Their absence from the mainstream of church activity was not due to them not being present on the earth. The tragic truth is when they spoke what God had placed in their hearts, they were persecuted and even martyred. Tragically, not by those who

Prophets Rejected

One example of this is seen in the martyrdom of George Wishart, a modest, God-fearing man who spoke with boldness, gravity and such revelation truth that even some of his own people would have slain him.

But the Lord was his defense.

He preached many places against idolatry and the false doctrines of the Catholic Church. He foretold many extraordinary things such as the Reformation, his own sufferings, and gave warnings to cities that refused revelation truth and the Gospel of Christ.

One such city was Dundee; it suffered a plague four days after they banished him. The church quickly arrested him and brought him to St. Andrews in Lothian. Many people were turning away from the Catholic Church after hearing him preach the Gospel of truth. Cardinals and bishops wrote and spoke curses over him. He was called a renegade, traitor, thief, heretic, deceiver and was spit upon by them. He was condemned to be burnt as a heretic on March 1, 1546 (Foxes, page 156-162).

Another such example is seen in the ministry of Brother Rawlins White, a humble, unlearned fisherman in the city of Cardiff; he loved the truth of the Gospel. With the help of others, he studied scripture and spoke truth throughout his city—causing the spiritual eyes of many people to be opened. He continued in this practice for five years until King Edward died; Queen Mary succeeded him to the throne. She introduced the reign of persecution. Queen Mary pursued Mr. White so hotly that he expected every hour to be sent to prison. Notwithstanding the opposition, he continued unmoved to uncover the lies of false prophets and the evils of idolatry in the Catholic Church.

After his arrest, he was condemned as a heretic, and the authorities chose to burn him immediately because many people were persuaded by him. As he was fastened to the stake, the bishop began to say mass, prompting Mr. White to proclaim loudly, "I bow not to this idol!" As the bishop proceeded with his sermon, Mr. White beckoned the people saying, "Come hither, good people, and hear not a false prophet preaching" (Ibid., pages 277-281).

Why the Church Has Been Defeated

Jesus prophesied over the church when He said,

"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

One look at the church over the past 2000 years will reveal that this powerful church Jesus spoke of has yet to surface. The acceptance of the prophet is integral to this powerful church being revealed.

The church will never change today until we begin to question some of the theology surrounding the prophet and other ministry gifts. One of the main reasons for the absence of the prophet in mainstream evangelical churches today is the "theology" that has developed regarding its present-day function. If our theology does not produce the Church Jesus spoke of in Matthew 16:18, it is not theology at all.

The study of God should reveal more of His person, not take it away or hide it.

Much "theology" today is self-destructive rather than edifying.

Much of what we are taught is producing division and discord among believers.

In the name of apologetics we are giving believers reasons not to love and accept one another. Much of what is accepted as "theology" today gives people reasons to deny the right of ministry gifts, such as the prophet, a place in the body of Christ.

A mature leader or theologian does not mind being questioned regarding his dogma. Time and time again in the history of the Church, leaders have been "SURE" of their teaching on a certain subject, only to see it change with the passage of time. Since "Theology" is the study of God, then should we not ask, "Are we truly learned about God if our learning produces division and discord among the brethren? Are we learning of His person when we persecute the very ones He has made gifts to us? Is it truly theology when we convince God's people that they do not need a gift Jesus gave them, like the gift of the prophet?"

Causing the Little Ones to Stumble

I do not think God takes it lightly when men convince His people that they do not need a ministry gift such as the prophet. The Lord said, speaking of those who trip up His people:

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea." (Mark 9:42)

To keep the prophet from the children of God is to deny them vital spiritual sustenance. Without that, the children of

God will grow up weak and finally trip and fall. The church cannot grow into the people the gates of hell will not prevail against unless it whole-heartedly receives and accepts this gift.

Paul, when warning young Timothy of the signs of perilous times, said that He should be on the lookout for men who are "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (II Timothy 3:7)

Most readers of this passage attribute this caution to someone other than themselves. No theologian wants to admit that he could be the one spoken of here. But, throughout the ages, theologians have been the most guilty of always learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth.

Knowledge that is from the heart of God will produce in its recipient at least the opportunity to OBTAIN FREEDOM. If what is being taught does not reveal the potential for freedom in the hearers, then it is not truth, but something else.

When the Holy Spirit truly speaks through a man, even though it may convict and reveal sin, there is a knowledge that with the conviction comes the means to change through the blood of Jesus Christ. With the conviction comes the strength to face the bondage that is the obstacle to liberty and freedom.

TRUTH IS NOT SUBJECT TO MAN, BUT MAN TO TRUTH!

We must begin to differentiate between truth and opinion; they are not always the same thing.

Power in the Anointing

The apostle John said,

"But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him." (I John 2:27)

For us to receive all that God has for us, we must accept the continual scrutiny of our theology and doctrine by the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, many will never receive the ministry gift of the prophet because their doctrine and theology are not subject to the Holy Spirit at all.

Tragically, because of this indifference, those God desires to bless most are hurt the most.

Honor

In this closing chapter, I would like to speak directly to the leaders of churches that have had the courage to open their hearts and congregations to the ministry of the prophet. I know the mental gymnastics you went through when considering whether or not to receive the prophet.

IT WAS NO SMALL HURDLE!

The thoughts of what your colleagues would say, or worse yet, what they would not say, haunted you more than you wish to admit. And, the possible repercussions of the more conservative members of your congregation were always on your mind. Then there were the innuendos that came from some of your most trusted leaders. They were intimidating and even frightening at times. But each of these challenges pales in comparison to the battle you waged with yourself. A battle with the fear that precedes any life changing decision. The questions that filled your mind, the "theology" you had to challenge, the convictions you forced yourself to follow.

Having received the prophet, you now know that it was all worth it, that it was one of the greatest decisions of your life, not only for yourself, but for your congregation.

Blessing drips from the people.

The skeptics have been silenced.

The church has grown and you now cannot wait for the prophet's return.

As pastors and leaders of God's precious people, we find nothing more fulfilling than to see the saints of God come to know His image and likeness more fully. And, it is the desire of the Godhead that this blessing continue until the Church has come to the place of victory and authority it is destined to flow in.

Grieving The Spirit

No true leader of God's people would want to do anything that would keep this blessing from returning over and over again. But one problem exists in our treatment of the prophet that I believe could grieve the Spirit and cause Him to keep the prophet from returning again. I speak primarily of our response as leaders to encourage financial giving among the people who have been blessed by the prophet. No true prophet of God would ever consider money as the deciding factor in accepting an offer to come minister to God's people.

To do so would make him a hireling.

The minister of God goes where the Holy Spirit sends him and simply would not let a dollar amount dictate his obedience. The real issue, then, is not in the number of dollar amounts that a congregation would give, but in the heart that is revealed in a congregation and its leaders through their giving.

Like nothing else, our willingness to give reflects the condition of our hearts toward God. Thanksgiving many times finds it's demonstration in the act of giving. When our hearts are overwhelmed by the goodness of God, we desire to give back to Him through praise and giving.

Since our money is a representation of our lives, when we give our money to the man of God, we are giving our life in the offering. Such a gift is like Abel's offering in the book of Genesis. God sees it as a sacrifice of the best—not just a token offering.

The Fear of Money

I realize how difficult it is dealing with the subject of finances in the church. With all the projects that the congregation is involved with, as worthy as they may be, they sometimes become balancing acts for the church leaders. And since the church is not a "one man show," the input of the board of directors or governing committee must be given high priority.

But leaders, we must never forget that the One really in charge of the church and its money is the Lord Himself. The church is not a democracy but a theocracy, where Jesus is the undisputed head and Lord.

Everyone else fits into the category of "servant."

EVERYONE!

A good friend of mine once said, "We are owners of nothing and stewards of everything."

When considering what response, financially, we are to give to the prophet, God's wisdom must be sought. It is not a passive issue when considering our response in giving financially to the prophet of God. As ministers of God, and stewards over His people, we must consider seriously the encouragement we give to the people in our churches when special ministry gifts come to deposit their anointed gift into their lives.

It is possible to quench the giving of the people because we are so caught up in the other needs of the assembly.

It is possible to miss an opportunity that God has provided both for the people and the church by not giving

Jesus preeminence in the encouragement we give the people to bless the prophet financially.

After all, we as ministers continually remind the people that giving releases God to give back. This principle also works for the church as a whole, both for the leaders and the congregations.

Speaking from experience, I remember many times when we have had the prophet come to our church and were facing great pressing financial needs at the time. In almost every occasion, God had spoken to me to ignore our needs and instead encourage the people to give liberally to the prophet. The good news is that although it was very difficult to make that decision, God liberally met our needs as a result of our obedience.

"No One Shared”

I find Paul's word intriguing when he wrote to the church at Philippi. He said,

"Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only." (Philippians 4:15)

Is it possible that these words were an indictment to the other churches Paul planted?

Almost no church cared enough for Paul to support his ministry.

In other words, there were other things more important to them than to honor the man God used to father that church. I believe this is an insult to the Holy Spirit, and indicates the beginning of a decline in those churches of a hearing ear. The people became so caught up in the "business of church" that they forgot the purpose of the church.

Without the support of those churches, Paul had to make tents to support himself.

Tent Making

I have heard a number of preachers speak of Paul's tent making and how honorable it was that he provided for himself in this manner. (By the way, I rarely hear that taught by those who are willing to do that themselves). But, for a moment, please consider that God was possibly not pleased with Paul's tent making even though Paul and theologians throughout time may have been.

The Bible says that the minister of the Word should not be distracted by such outside labor. One example is seen in Luke's account in the book of Acts. We read,

"Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, 'It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business'." (Acts 6:1-3)

The disciples placed such a high priority on the ministry to the saints that any distraction that would woo them away was resisted.

Even business relating to the ministry to the poor.

Certainly, secular labor would be an even greater distraction from both the ministry of the Word and prayer. This would be considered worldly to them, which was strictly forbidden. Remember, it was Paul himself that said,

"No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer" (II Timothy 2:4)

The man of God needs to trust God for his provision. For the prophet, his provision comes from the generous and grateful hearts of those who are recipients of God's gift to them.

God's Method of Provision

Throughout the Bible we can see God meeting the needs of those who are called to minister to His people through the offerings of His people. In fact, God saw to it that the people be liberal in then—giving to those who served. Paul said, in his letter to Timothy,

"Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. " (I Timothy 5:17)

Paul also said that the people were to give financially to those who taught them the Word. He said,

"Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches." (Galatians 6:6)

To Your Account

"Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account." (Philippians 4:17)

I remember a tragic situation with a family in our church that can illustrate this very well. This woman had two young children, a boy who was four years old and a girl who was five. She had been divorced since the children were one and two because her unsaved husband was found being sexually abusive to the children. Like many divorces, tension was an ever-present problem. The father was combative and contentious to the mother because he wanted visitation of the children.

One day, the children turned up missing—with no sign of their whereabouts. The mother later found out that the father had abducted the children and moved out of the country. I remember the terror she lived with knowing the past perverted activities of the father. To her, there was no question that he was abusing the children.

The days and months passed as the mother hoped and prayed for any sign of their condition. The church continued to pray for her, and tried to encourage her in any way possible. On one occasion, when we were to host a series of meetings with the prophet, she asked if she could prepare the food for him and his family while they were here.

She had a reputation of being a good cook, and we gladly accepted.

When the prophet arrived, she made sure that the food was there and the prophet, as well as other pastors and guests, were served. Every day of the meetings she labored to serve the prophet. Never once did she speak to the prophet about the situation surrounding her children. She simply served, giving the only thing that she could give to the servant of the Lord.

During that series of meetings she received no word from the prophet, and undaunted, she continued to hope for the safe return of her children.

Approximately six more months passed, and the prophet was coming again. We were approached again by her and asked if she could prepare the food for the guests. Of course, we said "yes" and again she prepared and served the prophet and all the guests.

I need to interject here that we were unaware of a prayer that she had lifted up to the Lord many months back regarding her children. She promised the Lord that she would give to the prophet the only thing she had to give, her services and talents at cooking. She purposed to serve this man and his family as unto the Lord. Each night she waited for God to speak something to her that would help her find her children.

The first night many were healed, saved, and set free by God's Holy Spirit, but still no word from the Lord. Suddenly, the prophet stopped and looked intently at this woman. No one had said anything to him regarding her plight, although most attending knew of this tragic situation. He took her hand and began to speak to her under the prophetic anointing. God revealed to him that her children were indeed taken from her and that they were in great danger. The church burst into emotion as each heard the word of the Lord. God continued to speak that the children were not in the United States but were close to the border.

Through the authorities, it was learned that the children could be in Canada. There was an ongoing investigation that revealed evidence that the man and children had crossed over the border into Canada and were living there. The prophet went on to tell her that the children would be freed within two months, and as you can imagine, the praise was great. The meetings ended and the woman continued to thank the Lord for her children's release.

About two weeks passed and the woman received a phone call from an investigative team from a credit agency that was trying to find the car that had been taken from this man. They told her that they had reason to believe that the man was living in Mexico with the children. Then a local newspaper called this woman and printed her story in their paper. They told of the details of the abduction and the great grief the mother lived with as a result. Another week passed and a phone call came from a woman who lived in Mexico. She had apparently heard about this situation and thought she knew where the children were being held.

At that, a lawyer in our church arranged a trip to the location and found the children. Working with the local authorities, they rescued the children and brought them home. The word had come to pass just as the Lord had spoken it through the prophet.

I cannot help but believe that this woman's giving heart quickened God to respond to her plight. Like the widow woman in the first chapter of this book, her obedience to give to the prophet as unto the Lord released a miracle from God.

The Voice of God

The voice of God is the source of all life.

Through God's spoken word, all things that exist came into being. The earth, and all that is in it, is held in it's place because of the power of God's spoken word. Paul, speaking of this, said:

"Jesus upholds all things by the word of His Power." (Hebrews 1:3)

Later, in his letter to the Hebrew believers, Paul said:

"By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." (Hebrews 11:3)

God's creative voice is still going forth from His presence today. Jesus said,

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27)

We need to understand that when God speaks, His words are incapable of emanating without creative power. God's voice carries the image and the expression of His person.

I have noticed that when I enter into our house each night, even before my five children physically see me, they respond to my voice. When they hear me speak, they run to me with joy and happiness, shouting, "Daddy, daddy!" That response demonstrates the results of my stewardship as a father in their lives.

Conversely, if I were an abusive father, the sound of my voice would cause them to run and hide, revealing the effects of a negative, abusive stewardship in their lives.

My voice carries the image and the expression of my person to the hearer. We can be thankful that Jesus is incapable of being an abusive Lord. He is Love, and when He speaks, love is released to the hearers.

God's very image and expression is creative power!

When He speaks, life is the result.

The body of Christ is deeply in need of God's voice today. Those who are perishing are in need of that voice. In this day and hour which we live, God's creative voice is the only answer to the various dilemmas mankind is facing.

The world is hungry for God's voice.

When we look at mankind, we see a beehive of activity as men search for answers to the problems that this world is facing. Humanity is desperate, and in that desperation they are looking for answers. Tragically, the leaders men look to for answers always fail them, driving them even further into despair and hopelessness.

In our present day, the people are in a stir, the political systems of this world are in transition, and old world rulers are being taken down while others are rising. The turbulent events of the decade of the nineties are unprecedented in history.

The fall of the Berlin Wall, the overthrow of Communism, and the end of the Cold War have all been the results of the uprising of a people who are more desperate now than in any other time in history. The potential for civil war is present in almost every nation. Political and social polarities are becoming greater and greater.

The world is fed up with the promises that are made that only lead to greater oppression. People are beginning to realize that man has few, if any, answers for the problems he faces, and that man is incompetent in dealing with the real pains of his society. This condition of desperation among the masses has caused them to be open to answers in the spiritual realm.

Today, people are seeking solace and refuge in false religions, and are following false prophets. They believe that these confused individuals are speaking on behalf of God. If something is not done, a delusion will overtake the deceived, and possibly result in their eternal damnation.

The church is God's salt and light to the world. To not respond to the cry of our day without a contemporary word would prove catastrophic.

We must speak God's prophetic word!

The salt of our day is the prophetic word of the Lord!

When the masses of people hear it, they will come to it and surrender.

Paul warns us that in perilous times like today,

"...the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming.

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie. " (II Thessalonians 2:7-11, NIV)

"How the Mighty Have Fallen"

A certain responsibility rests on the Church for the conditions of the nations. The voice of God has not been heard because we have turned our ears away from God's voice, and desired our own voice instead. We became so enamored by our own voices that we no longer see God's voice. The tragic result is that we have not grown.

Saul made the familiar mistake of believing he was the owner of his kingdom instead of the steward of it. As a result, his downfall came. He stopped declaring the voice of God. He stopped listening to the voice of God. Instead, he insisted on his own voice and will. At one point in Saul's reign as King, he felt he could quit listening to God and do whatever he wanted with his kingdom.

He rejected the voice of the prophets; he rejected the voice of the Lord God.

Because Saul rejected the voice of God, the Lord had no choice but to reject Saul as King. Scripture says of Saul,

"How the mighty have fallen, And the weapons of war perished!" (II Samuel 1:27)

I wonder how many men and women of God have fallen in our day because of the same reason? Saul's tragic example should serve as a warning to all that God's voice is not an option in the ministry of service we have been called to do. Whether that function is an apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, administrator, Sunday school teacher, or church member, the voice of God is what gives life to what we do.

Without that voice, and the power that follows, we have nothing but flesh to depend upon.

Listening to the Cry of the People

The lost in the nations of the world are ready, now more than ever before, to listen to a voice. The question is whether that voice will be God's voice or the voice of Satan. When we look at church history, we can see that whenever society or a nation were in a time like the one we see today, God released His prophets to bring His voice to the people. The desperation of the people became an opportunity both for the furthering of the Kingdom of God and also for the furthering of darkness. With the revealing of the prophets of God, there is also a revealing of false prophets. Therefore, a confrontation is inevitable.

Taken by Force

Jesus said that...

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12)

The word "suffer" in the Greek is "biazo" and means "to be seized or pressed." It refers to the overpowering of the Kingdom of God. Jesus, in the above passage, is speaking about John the Baptist, a prophetic forerunner in his day who was commissioned to set the stage for the coming of the Lord Jesus. In Matthew 11:12, Jesus referred to "the days of John the Baptist."

What does this mean? The days?

John was unique; he was going to usher in the new prophetic type, and bring a close to the old prophetic type.

John would bring a close to the age of the Old Testament prophet and usher in the pattern for the New Testament prophet.

The prophets of old functioned in governmental positions and were used by God to give counsel and judgment to kings and kingdoms.

The New Testament prophets function differently.

These prophets are called to PREPARE THE WAY and be the forerunners of the things God will reveal in the endtimes. "The days of John" refer to the beginning of the Church's prophetic role to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. It also refers to the beginning of the Church's responsibility to take God's Kingdom by force and rise in battle against the darkness seeking to keep it from fulfilling it's new, prophetic role.

John came out of the wilderness to call the people to repentance. He spoke forcefully about the condition of man, and the futility of man's systems. He called the people to look to the coming of the Lord and His government— instead of man's system. He was God's voice to the people of his day, and when the people heard his voice, they knew he was speaking on behalf of God.

They found peace and rest.

Jesus said,

"From the day of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence..."

John's ministry was not without opposition. As John was declaring that the Kingdom or rule of God was at hand, a violent force was rising to resist him. John did not mince words in dealing with any opposition. When the Pharisees and Sadducees came out to spy on him, he said to them:

".. Brood of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Matthew 3:7)

John recognized the demonic violence coming against him to stop his progress through these religious hypocrites. He realized that his violent approach to take the Kingdom of God was being violently resisted by an opposing force of darkness. Jesus said that the Kingdom of God will be taken by the violent!

The question today is, "Who will be more violent?"

Will the Church today be like John and refuse to bow to the attacks, pressing forward at all costs?

Or, will the demonic forces be the more violent and take the spoil of the people?

The actions of the Church and it's response to the prophets God is raising up today will determine the answer. If the present generation of believers do not receive the new thing God is doing in this day, we will be violently defeated in this generation.

The Prophetic Church

God is raising up a prophetic church today that corporately will do, in these endtimes, what John did before the birth of Jesus.

But, there will be one major difference.

John proclaimed the entrance of a Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. He came to declare the entrance of a mediator between God and man.

The prophetic church that is presently being raised up will prepare the way for the second coming of the Lord.

This time, He will not arrive as the humble lamb, but will manifest Himself as a lion ready to punish the hosts of hell!

He will arrive with a shout!

He will ultimately destroy all that is under Satan's rule!

The church today must embrace it's divine heritage as a prophetic people. The masses are crying out in their darkness for God's voice, and the church must heed the words of the prophet Isaiah who said,

"Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. " (Isaiah 60:1-2)

The time is NOW for us to embrace the prophetic anointing with vigor and enthusiasm.

The time is NOW for God's strength to deliver the voice of God to a dying and hurting generation!

Chapter Highlights

Chapter 1 To Receive A Prophet

The widow woman at Zarephath saved both her own life, and her son's, by hearing the words of the prophet Elijah, and obeying those words.

Ahab, on the other hand, heard the words of Elijah and renounced them. Jezebel, his wife, realized the prophet was God's representation on earth. Her hatred for Elijah was fueled by demons she worshipped. God used Elijah to be the prophet of judgment against Jezebel.

The spirit of Jezebel in the Church today is that spirit which rises up to silence the modern prophet. Like Jehu, the Church today should ignore the spirit of Jezebel.

The prophet is a blessing to those who receive him.

Chapter 2 The Prophet: God's Gift To His People

The prophet guides the Church in the direction of what God desires. The gift is still active; it did not end with the Apostolic Age. When the prophet is absent from the body, then palsy—a lack of strength—sets in; mediocrity and fruitlessness are the results.

The prophet always is consistent with God's Word as he gives direction or encouragement.

Chapter 3 The Purpose For The Visitation

The prophet deals primarily with images. Death is the result of false images such as suicide, sexual sin, pornography, and child molestation. American soldiers received images of "killers" from Vietnam. All false images are powerless against the Holy Spirit. Prophets destroy false images, and bring the image of God. The process is the transformation of man from the image of sin to the likeness of God. The purpose of the prophet is to aid in this transformation.

Chapter 4

The Anointing And The Receptivity Of God's People

Rejection seems to accompany the office of prophet. This was true even in the life of Christ. Rebellion and ignorance are two main factors for rejection. How a church body responds to a prophet could either aid or hinder the anointing. Jesus was rejected in his own town, and it hindered His ministry there.

The prophet brings fresh revelation from God to keep religious spirits from taking hold in the lives of God's people.

Chapter 5 A Study of the Prophet

The New Testament prophet has a different role than the Old Testament prophet. Prophets are men—just like any other, who have an extraordinary gift. Like Jeremiah, they are often insecure, and not anxious to "root out, pull down, destroy and throw down." Fortunately, the negative is always followed by a time, like with Nehemiah, where God removes the rubble of reproach to rebuild, and restore the hearts of the people.

Repentance is the process of tearing down and removing so building and planting can take place.

Chapter 6 Removing The Rubble: A Case Study

Manna ministries went through a time of confusion, a time when a prophet was needed to remove the rubble. After a season of negatives, there followed a time to build and plant. How we receive the prophet's words depends upon the condition of our hearts. He is different from an evangelist. His word is the basis for a change of heart, as in Hannah.

Chapter 7 The Essence Of Prophecy

Prophecy communicates God's thoughts and intent to mankind. His rhema is the timely, Holy Spirit-inspired word that brings life, power and faith to the recipient, and acts as a weapon against darkness. For prophecy to be fulfilled, the hearer must receive the word, and then act upon it. Prophecy should be mixed with faith, prayer and praise, and received with a pure heart.

Chapter 8 The False Prophet

The body of Christ should beware of false prophets, but not be afraid of them. False prophets defile their hearers by speaking words not of God. False prophets try to control in manners forbidden by scripture, such as the Gnostic deception. Other things to watch for: they speak what people want to hear, not what they need to hear; they demand independence for themselves, but deny it to others; they enjoy judgment; they are unwilling to identify with the condition of the people; they are usually narcissistic in personality and demand unquestioned obedience; they tear down those in authority; their fruit is bad.

A true prophet (New Testament) can be wrong, and will have the humility to admit it and make it right. There is a virus in the church of spiritual weakness that feeds false prophets. Love is the tool God gives us to strengthen the body of Christ.

Chapter 9 The Word Carries Responsibility

When the word of the prophet is spoken, the recipient has a responsibly to receive it and act upon it, weighing it against any other so-called "words." After the word is delivered, church leadership should counsel and instruct— they are God's control to provide testing of the word. Curses result when a word is received that is not from God. The integrity of a prophet is paramount. Elisha's life is a good example; Gehazi failed God due to his desire for personal gain.

Chapter 10 Faith And Prophecy

Prophecy does not have to come to pass. If a recipient rejects the word, it will not come to pass through them. God's promises are subject to the obedience of the people. The Israelites were promised Canaan, but all died without receiving that promise—the promise was then received by Joshua's generation. God never repents of His the word, it will not come to pass through them. God's promises are subject to the obedience of the people. The Israelites were promised Canaan, but all died without receiving that promise—the promise was then received by Joshua's generation. God never repents of His promise, nor will He allow a word spoken to return to Him unaccomplished.

Chapter 11 Power, Pattern, And Plan

Deliverance from the power of sin and darkness is just the beginning—the pattern of sin must be destroyed—both in an individual, and in the Church. No prophet can make a person or church body break its pattern of sin.

Chapter 12 See Jesus, Not The Man

Even though God uses men to bring us to the place of maturity, it is Jesus who causes the growth and maintains our lives in the process. Do not lift up men. Man made exaltation can be destructive. No man can take God's glory and continue to be His vessel of power. God will not share His glory with a man.

God often uses unusual methods for prophecy, such as song and mime.

Chapter 13 The Church And "Theology"

The Church is God's plan for reaching mankind. The prophet is one of the gifts needed to keep the Church strong. When the prophet is rejected by the Church, the Church is weakened.

Truth is not subject to man, but man to truth! For us to receive all that God has for us, we must accept the continual scrutiny of our theology and doctrine by the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 14 Honor

Receive the prophet in honor, and compensate him willingly from your heart. When we give money to a man of God, we are giving to distractions. The man of God needs to trust God for his provision. As we give to God's men, He will give back to us.

Chapter 15 The Voice Of God

The voice of God is the source of all life. Through God's spoken word, all things that exist came into being. God's voice carries the image and the expression of His person—it is creative power. The body of Christ is deeply in need of God's voice today. We must speak God's prophetic Word! When the masses hear it, they will come to it and surrender. The lost in the nations of the world are ready to listen to a voice. The prophets will prepare the way for what God reveals in the endtime generation. The time is now for God's strength to deliver the voice of God to a dying and hurting generation!

About the book

Finally, a solidly researched, scripturally-based book for today concerning God's gift to His Church: the prophet.

This well-written book offers the Church new hope in a society where there seems to be confusion, despair and insecurity.

God is still using His prophets to bring deliverance to His people. His will is that we, as Christians, be strong, full of faith and victorious in our walk with Him. The Prophet's Reward was written for those who need a word from the Lord, those who can't seem to overcome, those who would dare reach out and receive His gift...the prophet!

"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward."

Matthew 10:41

D. GREGORY WARK

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

TO RECEIVE A PROPHET

A Dying Woman Receives a Prophet

The Divine Order Goes Out

The Blessing to Those Who Receive

The Choice

Woman Who Rejected The Prophet

Jezebel Cries Out

To Refuse the Prophet

God Reveals His Arm of Judgment

The Spirit of Jezebel Today

The Spirit of Jehu

The Church and King Jehu

A Blessing or a Cursing

THE PROPHET: GOD'S GIFT TO HIS PEOPLE

Functioning Without the Prophet

Palsy in the Body

A Word for Today

THE PURPOSE FOR THE VISITATION

Images

The Image of Death

The False Image Left by Vietnam

Prophets—God's Garbage Collectors

The Image of God

A Renewed People

Change is Not Change Until it is Change

THE ANOINTING AND THE

Rejection

Grieving the Holy Spirit

Rejected in His Own Home Town

Fresh Revelation

Purposeful Preparation

A STUDY OF THE PROPHET

The Prophet's Humanity

The Prophet's Anointing

The Prophet's Purpose

Nehemiah Removes the Rubble

The Ground Must Be Prepared

Building and Planting

The Results

REMOVING THE RUBBLE: A CASE

Rubble in Manna Ministries

The Prophet Arrives

A Grave Error

To the Pure in Heart

God's Promise to Those Who Receive

THE ESSENCE OF PROPHECY

A Weapon Against Darkness

What to do with a Rhema Word from God