MorningStar REVELATION ON EARTH
Welcome to MorningStar… The Home of all Stars….
Redefining the Travelers Quest, Destiny, Purpose and Experiences on Earth!
THE APOSTOLIC AND PROPHETIC ROCK
The Apostolic and Prophetic Soldiers of Jesus Christ
Who We Are?
MorningStar An Arm of MorningStar Apostolic And Prophetic Church (INC.), EagleStar Ministries, LionStar Resouces Network, MorningStar Ministries is the Citadel of Supernatural Church on Earth, DoveStar Mandated in 21st Century. Jesus Christ is the Founder, President, General Overseer, Creator, Owner, Source of this Church, The Apostolic And Prophetic Warrior and Soldiers of Jesus Christ, We are The Apostolic and Prophetic Calling and Chosen Generation, We are a governing body Soldiers of Jesus Christ on earth, ordained and chosen to illuminating the Soldiers of quest, power, glory, purity and purpose on territories with apostolic and prophetic anointing on generational transfer, societal reform, national transformation and Heavenly citizen on earth, We are also “The Light and The Star Of The World,” it’s a Christ focused Church, Bible Centered Church, we destined and desired to known Christ personally and to make Him know to others, we believe nothing is more important than life transformation. “Rev. 2:28 …And I will give him the Morning Star. Rev. 22:12-16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and Morning Star. Deut. 32: 1-14; Acts 2, illuminating:- Dreams & Visions Interpretation, Revelations Interpretation, Salvation, Prophesy, Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom, Holy Spirit Gifts & Anointing, Breaking satanic yokes, Power of Holy Spirit as of Old, Revival of Fire, Crusader, Faith, Miracles, Soul Winner, Signs & Wonders, Destinies & Purposes Discovery, Solutions of all physical & spiritual problematic, Healing & Deliverance from demonic lives & Properties, Glory Grace of Apostolic & Prophetic Move (Apostolic & Prophetic Songs, Poem, Poetry, Mountain & Aggressive Prayer Ministries, Intercessor, Warrior for Christ, Holiness, Sanctification, Heavenly Citizen, Angelic Ministries, Jesus Christ Armies, Apostolic & Prophetic Doctor, Prophets In The Market, Prophets Are Super Entrepreneur Minister Of Jesus, Apostolic & Prophetic Counselor, Church & Ministries Doctor, Philadelphia & Laodicean Church Mentorship, Apostolic & Prophetic Fatherhood Mentorship, Leadership in Advance, Spiritual Guardian & Divine Direction, Soldiers of Christ, Apostolic & Prophetic writer, Apostolic & Prophetic Calling of the Nations & Jesus Christ Global Frontier Mission), the gift of the chosen Matured Apostles & Prophets, end-time messages and apocalypse Revelation of Jesus Christ coming, college of Seer (prophets), A complete evidence Supernatural in Christ Jesus, Prophet is the church Doctor, Prophetic Research & resources, Prophetic Ministries is the vitality of Churches, Understanding Your Prophet, Sons and Daughters of prophet, Seer & Prophet Apocalyptic, Prophet Distinctions, Prophetic Messages, Prophet Builders, House Of Prophet, Prophetic Perspective, Prophetic Mission, Prophetic Agencies, Church prophetic Solutions, Prophetic Organization, Prophetic Clinic, Prophet And prophetic Directive, Prophetic Illuminations, Prophetic Studies, Prophetic Rhema, Prophetic Government, Prophetic Business, prophetic Reformation, Prophetic Transformation, Prophetic Quest, Prophetic Kingdoms, Prophetic Books, Prophetic Subject, True prophetic Calling, Secure Prophetic Future Today, Schools of the Seer and Prophets, College of Seer and Prophets, University of art in Prophetic Calling an Prophetic Ministries, Understanding the Prophetic Calling and Prophetic Gifts, Purpose of Prophetic Ministries, Apostolic and Prophetic Ministries, School of Prophetess and Prophetess Advancement, Prophetic Ministries in Deliverance Ministering, Prophetic Faith, Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom of The Prophetic Move, The Prophetic Realm, The Prophetic Ministries In The Old Testament, Prophetic Ministries In The New Testament, The Prophetic Word, Prophetic Intercessor, Prophetic Power, Prophetic Songs, Poem, Poetry, and Similitude’s, Prophetic Healing School, Ministering Prophetically, The Prophetic Church, Power of Prophetic Teams, women in Prophetic Ministries, Children In Prophetic Ministries And Church, The Making of A Prophet in The Last Day, God Restoring The Prophetic Ministries In The Church, Learn How To Flow In The prophetic Calling And Gifts, Develop A Strong Prophetic Ministries, Prophetic Nations And Kingdoms, Prophetic Offices, Prophets In The Market, Prophets Are Super Entrepreneur Pioneer, Prophetic Governmental, Seer-Prophet, Prophet Hear God or satan, Dreams, Visions And Revelation Interpretation, Prophetic Experience, God’s Audible Voice, Prophet And Jesus Christ, Creativity In The prophetic Ministries, Prophetic Anointing, Prophetic Supernatural, Prophetic Demonstrations, Prophetic Influence, Prophetic Leadership, Prophetic Judgments, Distinguishes Prophetic Ministries, Fulfilling Prophetic Calling And Ministries, Advancing Seminar And LeaderShip In Prophetic Ministries, Prophet is the Church Doctor, Prophetic Research & Resources, Prophetic Ministries is the vitality of Churches, Understanding Your Prophet, Sons and Daughters of Prophet, Seer & Prophet Apocalyptic, Prophet Distinctions, Prophetic Messages, Prophet Builders, House Of Prophet, Prophetic Perspective, Prophetic Mission, Prophetic Agencies, Church Prophetic Solutions, Prophetic Organization, Prophetic Clinic, Prophet And Prophetic Directive, Prophetic Illuminations, Prophetic Studies, Prophetic Rhema, Prophetic Government, Prophetic Business, Prophetic Reformation, Prophetic Transformation, Prophetic Quest, Prophetic Kingdoms, Prophetic Books, Prophetic Subject, True prophetic Calling, Secure Prophetic Future Today, presbyter (in the Episcopal Church) minister of the second order, Redefining the Travelers Quest, Destiny, Purpose and Experiences on Earth! Apostle/Prophet Akanbi Jesus Adekanbi Ministries.
What We Do?
Here, we preach, teach and Acts on the infallible apostolic & prophetic Revelation of the Kingdom, upholding God’s Agenda obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit in everything we do. Showing men how to fulfill their destined purpose in Christ Jesus on earth; reaching villages, towns, cities, and nations of the earth with apostolic & prophetic distinction and apocalypse messages of the Kingdom of Heaven.
MorningStar Apostolic & Prophetic Church (INC.) is the place where God’s victory presence is taken to the people and nations of the world with undeniable apostolic & prophetic evidence of the power and glory of the resurrected Christ Jesus. We lives an extraordinary life of apostolic & prophetic revival on earth; a life of fueling fire in a divine destined, solution, purpose and unending grace victory.! Obadiah 1-21
An Apostolic and Prophetic Ministries, and revelation CHURCH of the last day the voice of seer, the prophetic nations, prophetic ministries to the prophetic people {church} the church and the ministers of the last day will move and work in the higher understanding of the prophetic Revelation mysteries, the church will understand and know the true Spirit and the true way of Holy Spirit, this ministry is to correct many error in the office of the prophets of the last day and to bring end into selfishness ambitions of the immature prophets and the false prophets. The prophetic family is born and the light of the true prophetic ministry is here on earth.
MorningStar
Apostolic & Prophetic Church (INC.)
Ordained and Chosen to Illuminating the Soldiers of Quest, Soldiers of Power, Soldiers of Purity, Soldiers of Glory, and Soldiers of Purpose in Christ Jesus Kingdom.
To Raise the Apostolic Soldiers and Prophetic People for the Last Day.
To Illuminate the chosen through the uncommon grace of the Word of God.
To Build the Heavenly Citizen in this last day for Jesus Christ Only.
To Announce the Coming of our Lord Jesus Saviour Jesus Christ and perilous hour in this last day.
MorningStar Mission:-
Redefining the Travelers Quest, Destiny, Purpose and Experiences!
MorningStar Strategic:-
Greater than just a church, it’s a Revelation… Jesus Christ Revelation on earth!
MorningStar Ministries is the Citadel of Supernatural Church on Earth.
MORNINGSTAR MINISTRIES ADDRESS AND OFFICE
Plot No 1 – 7, MorningStar Avenue, MorningStar Bus Stop, PowerLine, Abe Koko, Owode Yewa South L. G., Ogun State, Nigeria
Service Program , Weekly Programs & Monthly
WEEKLY Revelation Hour:
Sunday: Revelation Service- 8:00 am- 11:00 am
Tuesday: Searching the Scripture – 5:20 pm – 6:40 pm
Thursday: Hot Hour – 5:20 pm – 6:40 pm
Saturday: Early Morning Glory & Dew 6:00 am- 7:00 am
MONTHLY PROGRAM
Last Friday: Revelation and Solution Night 12 am
Last day of every Month: Cross Over & Exodus Night 12 am
First Sunday of the Month: Anointing & Thanksgiving Service
Powerful Yearly Programs:
Every last week of June it’s time of rain; Restoring The Lost Glory 7 Days vigil
The last 3 days that end month October is our Praise and Prayer Night
Fasting and Prayer January 15th to 31 that’s 15 days 5:pm to 7:pm daily
Revelation of MorningStar
The MorningStar Apostolic and Prophetic Church is created to be a spiritual war college, to teach people how to fight spiritual warfare. MorningStar Ministries is the Citadel of Supernatural Church on Earth. MorningStar Apostolic and Prophetic Church is mean to turn the joy of your enemies into sorrow. It is also set up to build an aggressive army of the Lord Jesus Christ in the last days, and deliver those who have become slave to evangelist, pastors, Teachers, prophets, and apostles. It is a ministry of healing, deliverance for those who have spent the major proportion of their lives carrying the bags of prophets, evangelist, pastors, teachers and apostles about and believing that by doing so and following all these men here will be miracles for them. MorningStar Apostolic and Prophetic Church is meant to build up a Heavenly bound aggressive Christians.
There are some people who come to MorningStar Apostolic and Prophetic Church because they consider the ministry as a fire bridged organization. They return to MorningStar to quench the fire of the enemy, and then go back to their vomit, that is, they return to their old lives once their problems solved. However, this is not God’s design. God wants every member of the MorningStar Apostolic and Prophetic Church to be a ‘power and fire generator’, God did not design anyone to come here and be a spiritual bat, which is neither a rat nor a bird. God does not want that kind of thing. God does not want somebody to become a spiritual dwarf or a football to be played around by witches and wizards.
Let us face the fact beloved; many of us are not serious spiritually. We may be serious in our secular work as a banker, an accountant, policeman, solider or whatever; bur spiritually we are not serious.
The MorningStar Apostolic and Prophetic Church does not practice modernized Christianity because God cannot be modernized. He cannot be improved upon. You may say that MorningStar Apostolic and Prophetic Church people are so old fashioned. You may not consider it terrible if only you knew that God too is old fashioned.
Daniel 7:9
Who was the ancient of days? God. in verse 13, it is the same thing.
“For I am the LORD, I change not; “means that God cannot be modernized or improved upon. It is good for all of us to know where we are in Christ. If anyone wants to run away, such a person can take the easier route.
Hebrews 1: 10-12
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
Then the popular preaching verse
Hebrews 13: 8
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
He cannot be modernized. He cannot be changed.
James 1: 17 says this,
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
That is God for you. He is ancient, and does not change
You may decide to change your ways and modify things to suit the world. But you cannot modernize God, He does not change. The moment a man sits down to modernize God; he becomes the architect of his own destruction.
The MorningStar Apostolic and Prophetic Church is a place for old time religion, a place for biblical, MorningStar Apostolic and Prophetic Church is the wrong place to choose for modernized.
The truth is this; the present day believers are yet to discover the footsteps of the Apostles, let alone walk in them.
The present day Christians do not wish to look different from the world. They find it hard to discard their makeup and jewelry. They try to recreate God’s creation by colouring their lips and their fingernails. They try to copy the hair texture of the white people. They wear skin tight and sexy dresses and unholy skirts that are afraid to knees! Without the sexy dresses, many men are already having problems: why should believers then make the job of the enemies easier? Some women will wear large belts like weight lifters and are not prepared to sweat in prayers. They want to copy the white men whose spiritual environment is completely different from ours. Many present day believers go about with no spiritual gift, at most they just prophesy. They tell lies to cover up their mistakes. It’s difficult to find the truth among Christians again. Some of them are more worldly minded than heavenly minded. They have failed to climb the mountain of power that our Pentecostal fathers climbed.
Whereas when Jesus was in the world, He turned water into wine. The present day believers, however are doing a much more “difficult thing and turning the wine into water by copying the people of the world”. The present day Christians are powerless and spineless. We also have a lot of part time Christians who are holy in the church, but not holy outside. They think that the greatest thing in the world is to belong to worldly clubs of diverse names. They want people to know them.
MorningStar Ministries… Redefining the Travelers Quest, Destiny, Purpose and Experiences on Earth!
THE APOSTOLIC
Apostolic ministry means men and women who believe in the New Testament method of ministry. In the Old Testament it was the prophetic but in the New Testament the church of Jesus Christ was called the Apostolic Church. In the setting of the early church there were prophets, teachers, pastors, and evangelist – working as a team, without usurping authority or creating sense of inferiority.
The Apostolic Ministry
As we have stated often, the first and most important thing lost by the fall of man was his intimate relationship to God. The whole plan of redemption that was added after the Fall was designed to restore the intimate relationship between men and their God. If there is any way we can measure the degree to which redemption has worked in our lives or that we have spiritually matured, it would be by our intimacy with God. God created man for fellowship, and His ultimate goal is to have His habitation among men. TO BE A DWELLING PLACE OF GOD IS THE ULTIMATE CALLING OF MEN. The apostolic ministry is given to the church as a master builder to help build the habitation of God.
Redemption is only the first step in restoring man’s former state of fellowship with the Lord. However, the Lord’s plan of redemption is much more than just restoring us to the former state before the Fall. As we are born-again, we become a part of the “new creation,” which greatly transcends the original creation. Now we do not just have fellowship with God, but we are being made into His dwelling place. To be born is just the first step of life. To be born-again is just the first step of our spiritual life. It is the beginning, not the end. Evangelists are concerned with the beginning; apostles are devoted to the final result, the full maturity of the church.
God does not just fellowship with the new creation; He has come to live in us. This is much higher than what Adam, Moses, or even the disciples experienced before the Holy Spirit was given. This is why the Lord said to the disciples that it was better for them that He go away so that the Holy Spirit would come. It was truly the most glorious and awesome time for mankind to have the Creator walking among men. Even so, it is even more awesome to have Him living in us!
This is not to belittle redemption, which is essential before we can even return to fellowship with God, much less become His dwelling place. Even so, we must recognize that redemption is not the ultimate goal, but rather the initial step. Redemption gets us back to “ground zero,” the place from which man fell. We are called to go on from there to much greater heights.
True Christianity is more than just acknowledging certain truths or even living by them. True Christianity is becoming a “new creation” that is in even higher unity with our Creator than the first creation. God is in us! He did not just come to change our thinking or just change our behavior; He came to live in us.
The apostolic ministry is especially devoted to seeing the church become the temple of the Lord. If there is any way to measure the overall fruitfulness of an apostolic ministry, it would be by the manifest presence of the Lord in His church. Is the church abiding in Him so that He can manifest Himself through us? We must always keep in mind that we do not change so we can fellowship with God, but we are changed by our fellowship with Him. That fellowship was made possible by the cross. Regardless of how mature we become, we can never enter the Lord’s presence by our own merit, but only through the blood.
The Last Great Movement of the Church Age?
Before the end of this age comes, there will be a movement that will bring true apostolic Christianity to the church. This can only be done by a restored apostolic ministry. The ministry that opened the church age will be the one that closes it out. The Spirit is now moving relentlessly toward that which will again be truly apostolic. This is our quest—to see true, apostolic Christianity restored to the earth. This is not just so the church can become what she is called to be, even though that is important. The church must become what she is called to be for a much higher purpose: so that the Lord can dwell among us.
What does this mean? First, it means that Jesus will be in us to do the works He did when He walked the earth. Second, it will mean that the church will accurately represent Him to the world. Our words must become His words, and our works His works.
As we read from Ephesians 4 in the previous chapter, when all of the ministries are fully restored and functioning in the church, believers will do the following:
1) be adequately equipped for the ministry,
2) come “to the unity of the faith” (which is much more than just a unity around doctrine),
3) come to “the full knowledge of the Son of God,”
4) be raised “to a mature man to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ,”
5) “no longer be children” (or immature),
6) no longer be tossed about the waves, the winds of doctrine, and the trickery of men, and
7) “grow up in all aspects into” the Head.
This is the apostolic commission, and it is far beyond human genius or ability. If we are going to be apostolic, our labor will not be finished until Christ is formed in His people. We must not let any other emphasis eclipse this basic work. We are looking for far more than the manifestation of the sons of God; we are looking for the manifestation of the Son of God in His people. Jesus must always be the focus of our ministry if we are ever to be truly apostolic.
The ministry of the apostle is to bear the travail of spiritual labor until Christ is formed in the church, not that the church would come into any certain form (see Galatians 4:19). To the early church, the apostles did certain things to achieve and maintain order in the congregations, but they did not emphasize any specific form, except the forming of Christ within. The Lord’s emphasis and the apostolic emphasis was devoted to changing the heart, not just the institution. When hearts are changed, institutions either give way to the Spirit or burst like old wine-skins.
Changing externals, such as where and how we meet, cannot by itself impart life. As discussed, the early church had community and met from house to house because they had life, not in order to get it. Again, the church is not the pattern for the church; Jesus is the pattern for the church. The church does have order and form, but when form becomes the primary emphasis, there is almost always a fall from the grace that can only come from abiding in the Lord Himself.
HOW TO IDENTIFY AN APOSTOLIC LEADER
Ministry may be blooming, but apostolic leaders are focused on the edge; where things haven’t blossomed yet.
For most of my life in the church, “apostle” has been something of a dirty word.
Either because it’s assumed to be an expired gift, or because we’ve so often seen it abused, most of us (even those of us who are gifted as apostolic leaders!) struggle with the idea of calling something “apostolic” and have difficulty finding the right language to identify this gift in its emerging forms. Toward that end, here are five key indicators that might evidence an apostolic gift at work in you or your community, and some reflection questions to help you identify the emerging apostolic leaders in your midst!
- Apostolic Leaders START NEW THINGS
Perhaps the surest sign of an apostolic gift at work is a litany of new things that have been started due to their influence, whether spiritual or not. Apostolic folks demonstrate a remarkable ability to get things off the ground (even if they don’t always last), whether it be a new initiative, gathering, or community. Whereas gifted evangelists leave a trail of new disciples in their wake, gifted apostles leave behind a trail of new communities that have come into being due to their vision and initiative.
* Whose vision was behind the new communities/initiatives that have started in your network?
Apostolic folks demonstrate a remarkable ability to get things off the ground…
- Apostolic Leaders DEMONSTRATE SPIRITUAL INTENSITY
Another indicator of the apostolic gift at work is a palpable spiritual intensity. Especially focused intensity towards starting new things that are not in existence yet. Apostolic leaders are zealous for God, God’s mission, and God’s people, and their passion leads them to act, even when the odds are stacked against them. In younger leaders, this passion can often create as many problems as it solves, either because they find themselves passionate about everything or sometimes the wrong things (notice I didn’t call this one spiritual maturity), but we can’t allow their immaturity to blind us to the potential latent in these emerging leaders.
* Who in your networks radiates an almost exhausting expression of intensity?
Apostolic leaders are zealous for God, God’s mission, and God’s people, and their passion leads…
- Apostolic Leaders THINK STRUCTURALLY
Whereas evangelists and pastors tend to think more relationally about individuals or groups of people, apostolic leaders are consistently thinking about the systems and structures that undergird a community and how they could be redesigned to function more effectively. They might be constantly devising new overhauls to your current structures or suggesting brand-new initiatives, but apostolic leaders often demonstrate an aptitude for connecting previously disparate parts of a given network, in a way that releases new energy and momentum.
* Who in your community is regularly coming up with better ways to structure your ministry for greater momentum?
apostolic leaders are consistently thinking about the systems and structures that undergird a…
- Apostolic Leaders EXPRESS A BURDEN FOR EXPANSION
In contrast to teachers and pastors who tend to be concerned primarily for what is already, apostolic leaders express an almost overwhelming burden for what isn’t yet—for the people not in the room, the communities not being reached, the territory no one else is talking about. Apostolic leaders have more than a vision to reach new territory, they have a genuine burden to do so; it’s housed not just in their mind, but in their soul.
* Who in your community is constantly championing growth & expansion to new territories?
apostolic leaders express an almost overwhelming burden for what isn’t yet
- Apostolic Leaders RESPOND TO BIG CHALLENGES
For better or for worse, apostolic leaders have huge vision, and consistently respond to big challenges—the more impossible the dream, the more motivated they are to take it on. Of course, this often gets them into trouble as they regularly bite off more than they can chew, but this willingness to act into the gap is a hallmark of emerging apostolic leaders.
* Who are the folks in your community who respond to your costliest challenges?
apostolic leaders have huge vision, and consistently respond to big challenges…
Because it wasn’t a part of the vernacular of community, I did ministry for more than a decade before I even considered whether I might have an apostolic gift. However, once I was given language that helped me understand my experience, I found the apostolic gifting in me fanned into flame and operating with far more boldness (and maturity). May these “clues” do the same for you or the emerging apostolic leaders in your midst!
See Mark 1.38-39 and Acts 13-14 for examples of this trait in Jesus’ and Paul’s ministry.
Luke 6.12-13 provides a great example of Jesus’ spiritual zeal, and Philippians 3.1-16 captures both the pre and post-conversion intensity of Paul.
The “Sending of the 72” in Luke 10 is a terrific example of Jesus’ structural thinking, and we see the early apostles demonstrating this same trait in Acts 6.1-6 in their handling of the food dispute. Finally, Paul’s shift from focusing merely on synagogues to the Greek oikos provides another fantastic example (Acts 20:20).
Paul’s words in Romans 15.20-24 capture this sentiment beautifully, and we see it too in Jesus’ decision to go through Samaria in John 4.1-42.
Of course, Jesus’ Great Commission to the 11 apostles in Matthew 28.16-20 is the preeminent example of this, and we see it too in Paul’s choice to press onward to Troas (despite multiple closed doors) in Acts 16.6-10.
THE PROPHETIC
Prophetic is majorly hearing and knowing the mind of God, prophetic is all about revealing the heartbeat of the Father speaking forth the divine mind and foretelling the future move with a proper growing accuracy. Apostolic/Prophetic is divine duet and foundational ministry. Even one will not and cannot be prophet, but prophetically minded to fulfill the divine calling and destiny purpose over our lives. Prophetic ministry is a ministry of divine supernatural operation of God in moving at the cutting edge of the prophetic to the church and personal encounter in all the five-fold office.
What is a prophet? What is prophecy? Who can prophesy? Is it right to seek prophecy? To whom should a prophet be accountable? How do the prophetic gifts and ministries function in the local church? Since we have the Bible for guidance, why do we need prophecy? If all God’s people are able to hear His voice, why do we need prophets?
These are just a few of the common questions being asked today. If we do not give the right answers to these questions, we can be sure that the vacuum created by ignorance will be filled with erroneous views and dangerous practices, which is exactly what has happened to many churches and ministries.
However, in spite of the confusion some have suffered, a truly remarkable prophetic ministry has begun to mature and become extremely useful to those who have recognized it. In the times ahead it will become not only more useful, but critical to the church—not only for its success, but in many cases, even for its survival.
In both the church and the world, there is a new hunger for the prophetic. This hunger stems from an increasing desire for guidance in order to survive the rampant confusion and fear of our time. The need for guidance is not new among God’s people, and neither is prophetic ministry. In fact, the very first one after the Fall who was said to have walked with God was Enoch, and it was also said that he prophesied. A case could well be made that everyone who has ever walked with God has been used to prophesy. Prophecy was a primary way through which the Lord related to His people in both the Old and New Testaments. According to the Scriptures which we will examine, prophecy will be one of the main ways that He relates to His people at the end of this age.
The humility to receive the Lord’s guidance through others is a characteristic of those to whom the Lord entrusts spiritual authority. King David, one of the greatest biblical prophets, wrote Scripture and is himself the subject of large sections of the Bible. Yet with great wisdom and humility, he frequently called for the prophets when he needed personal guidance. As long as he lived, he heeded their words and remained open to their influence. Such is the character of those entrusted by the Lord with great authority.
Another reason there is such an increased interest in this subject is because people are arising with remarkable prophetic gifts which are being restored to the church today. This is a present-day fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, quoted by Peter on the Day of Pentecost:
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy (Acts 2:17-18 KJV).
This passage indicates that there will be a dramatic increase in prophecy, dreams, and visions in the last days. This is, in fact, one of the great signs of the last days. Therefore, as we get closer to the end of this age we can expect this activity to increase. However, these gifts are not being given as just a sign, but because we are going to need increasingly specific and accurate guidance in the times ahead. Because of this, we do not have time to waste in learning to understand and use them.
Prophetic ministry in the last days will be used in some ways like the New Testament examples we have of the prophet Agabus, who foresaw a worldwide famine (see Acts 11:28), and the Apostle Paul, who went to Macedonia at the right time in response to a prophetic dream (see Acts 16:9-10). Prophetic revelation will enable the church to prepare for future needs and will dramatically increase the success of our missionary outreach globally.
Counterfeit Prophetic Ministry
The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 23:34, “Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes….” He also said in Matthew 24:11, “And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many.” By this we can expect that along with the restoration of a legitimate prophetic ministry to the church, there will also be a corresponding increase of false prophecy and false prophets. False prophets have real power and must be recognized if we are to avoid becoming their prey. The desperate hunger for supernatural guidance has spawned entire television networks devoted to psychic revelation. Just as Moses’ God-given power greatly exceeded the demonic power of Pharaoh’s sorcerers, the Lord’s prophetic gifts to His church greatly exceed anything offered by psychics.
There are sound biblical answers to the questions now being raised about the prophetic, and it is crucial that we address them satisfactorily. Since the Scriptures indicate that this will be one of the most important issues at the end of this age, we, too, must give it the attention it deserves. We can also expect that those who try to avoid the issue of the prophetic, which is to avoid a major provision of the Lord for His people in these times, will become increasingly subject to the enemy’s schemes. The Lord has given us every provision we need to accomplish His purposes and prevail over the enemy, and we would be foolish to reject any of the resources He provides. As the Apostle Paul said concerning his own ministry:
And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God (I Corinthians 2:4-5).
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake (I Thessalonians 1:5).
The truth of God is the greatest force on earth, but Paul understood that his message must be characterized by supernatural power rather than by words alone. This was also true of the Lord Jesus Himself. He was the Truth, but He still used the power of miracles to confirm His message. If this was true of the Lord Jesus and the apostles, how much more do we need to have His power confirming our words?
Even if we are not called to the office of a prophet, we need to understand this ministry. The entire church is called to be a prophetic voice to the nations, serving as the Lord’s spokesmen to the world. The prophetic ministry is listed as one of the primary ministries given “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service…” (Ephesians 4:12). The prophetic gifts are not just an optional novelty for the super-spiritual; they are essential tools for effective functioning in pastoral, teaching, evangelistic or apostolic ministry.
For example, effectively using words of knowledge can significantly reduce the time many pastors spend in counseling sessions. An evangelist using this gift can speak to one woman and stir an entire city, just as Jesus did with the woman at the well. The gifts of the Spirit are not toys but tools. The Lord does not give the gifts of the Spirit for our entertainment but because we need them to do His work. When used correctly, they will multiply the spiritual effectiveness of any ministry. This is why the Apostle Paul exhorted the church, “…desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” (I Corinthians 14:1).
Questions Regarding the Prophetic
Once we understand the importance of the gifts of the Spirit, we also need to understand how to properly use them. This includes becoming aware of the traps which the enemy sets for all who walk in the supernatural realm. Leaders who may not have these gifts, but who are called to equip the emerging prophetic ministries, also need to understand these matters. Because of this, we will address the questions listed at the beginning of this chapter, as well as others such as the following:
1) How does current prophetic revelation relate to the revelation contained in the Scriptures?
2) How do New Covenant prophets differ from their Old Covenant counterparts?
3) Can a true prophet give an inaccurate prediction?
4) Why does the Lord speak through dreams and visions instead of just telling us plainly?
5) How are we to interpret supernatural revelations, dreams, and visions?
6) How does one function in the revelation gifts of the Spirit such as prophecy, the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom, and discernment of spirits?
7) What are the characteristics of the counterfeit gifts of the Spirit, and how can we recognize them?
My goal in addressing these questions is to be both biblical and practical. We must be biblical if we are going to establish the real and recognize the false. We want to be practical in order to aid the effective release of true prophetic gifts and ministries in the church. This study will deal primarily with foundational issues pertaining to the prophetic, but we will also build upon them with more advanced issues.
Again, our targeted are not only to those who are specifically called to the prophetic ministry. Every Christian should be able to both hear from the Lord and, at times, speak a specific word from Him. The general principles addressed will apply in some degree to all Christians who desire to know the Lord’s voice.
Many Christians have a genuine prophetic gift or call to prophetic ministry, yet have been discouraged from pursuing their calling because of past mistakes. As I was shown years ago, the first part of the harvest will be the recovery and restoration of such ministries. My prayer is that this study will help stir up these gifts and give people the courage to rise again and pursue their purpose in the Lord.
It is also my desire to help those who have the gifts functioning in their lives but have not really understood them or known what to do with them. God wants to see the talents and spiritual gifts He has entrusted to us used to bring a maximum return for His kingdom.
And finally, to those who have never been used by the Lord in one of the gifts of the Spirit but have a genuine desire to be, I pray that this revelation will help you in your quest so you can be fully equipped for your place in God’s plan.
HOW TO IDENTIFY A PROPHETIC LEADER
What is a prophet? For many evangelicals, the calling/category of prophet is more confusing and controversial than apostle or evangelist. Some believe that the Old Testament prophets’ focus on communal repentance for culturally common sins (idolatry, adultery, social injustice) has been replaced from the New Testament forward by prophets who speak particular divine messages to individuals about the consequences of specific choices.
While the New Testament does place greater emphasis on the spiritual choices of individuals, individual decisions do show up in the Old Testament and collective decisions in the New Testament. I believe that we get farther (and avoid limiting God) when we look at the common core of the prophetic call.
“exegesis of existence from a divine perspective…not simply the application of timeless standards to particular human situations, but rather to a particular moment in history, a divine understanding of a human situation.”
Prophets speak God’s truth into a specific place and time for the transformation of lives and communities.
I have been engaging believers and Christian communities in doing justice for over 25 years. Doing justice involves enabling people to work together to ensure that the systems that impact their lives operate in ways that are more in accord with the will of God – more just, less oppressive, more beneficial to all of God’s creation.
Prophets speak God’s truth into a specific place and time for the transformation of lives and…
Where You Will Find A Prophet
The barriers to systemic change are deep, profound, easily overwhelming. It’s easy for middle/upper class people to feel that we don’t really need to take on the burden of systemic change. To have a certain level of privilege is to be able to escape the power of systems. If you are born a citizen, you don’t need to deal with the immigration system. If you have the money to pay for a private Christian school, you don’t need to care about the public education system. If you have health insurance through your job, you don’t need to worry about the public health care system. But if you are poor, you don’t have a choice as to whether or not you deal with the burden of the systems; if the systems are ineffective and oppressive, you often find yourself crushed under those burdens. When members of our Body are crushed under these burdens, we are called to bear one another’s burden and thus fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
To overcome the barriers to systemic change, we require prophets – people who can communicate the word of God for that place and time with such power and grace that congregations, community members and leaders are moved to sustain the struggle until change occurs.
As I have identified and developed many leaders with prophetic gifts over the years, I have noticed that there are two different kinds of prophetic gifts that God is rising up at this time in history.
There are prophet-provocateurs and prophet-organizers.
To overcome the barriers to systemic change, we require prophets
Prophet Provocateurs
Prophet provocateurs are called to break down ungodly assumptions and break apart smug contentment with the way things are. They are always passionately eloquent, and often fierce. They offend with the “offense of Christ.” They don’t make friends but they do influence people. Prophet provocateurs can cast a general vision for a new and better way to be, but they are not usually able to design a better system, particularly one which builds on the good elements of the existing system.
Some prophets are provocative and called to break down ungodly assumptions,
Prophet Organizers
Prophet organizers, on the other hand, are able to communicate the call for change more gracefully. They awaken gently instead of rudely, often through the building of relationships that open and change hearts. They “fish”, pulling on the “underwater lines” to bring communities and leaders through a series of steps into a new way of seeing and acting. They speak God’s truth in love and shrewdly. The apostle Paul manifested both kinds of prophetic gifts. When Paul dealt with King Agrippa about the persecution of Christians and with the Council in Jerusalem about the system for allowing Gentiles into the church, he abandoned his usual confrontational style and created change through collaboration.
Some prophets are called to be organizers and are able to communicate the call for change more…
Prophet provocateurs and prophet organizers need each other; the church and the world need them both. However, we will only be able to utilize them if they are recognized, trained, developed and prayed for by the larger Body of Christ.
How has this post helped you understand the role of a prophet better? Are you identifying these people in your ministry?
HOW TO WELCOME A PROPHET
Prophetic types might be the hardest to welcome because their gift is often unwanted. Even the most refined prophets are hard to hear. The history of, well, history—is that religious people don’t just fail to welcome prophets, we kill them. Here, then are some tips on how to welcome (and not kill) your prophets.
Don’t be afraid.
Try not to feel threatened or intimidated. Most mistakes we make with a prophetic person happen because we misunderstand their heart. Prophetic impulses often present themselves as aggressive, rigid or proud. Truthfully, unrefined or unbroken prophets can be hard to like. I am not sure I would like myself were I to meet my 19 year old counterpart. But fear (and the loathing that can follow) is often rooted in our own insecurities and not the prophet’s failures. We perceive prophets as threats because they are.
Prophets, when they are functioning perfectly, will challenge and critique existing structures and practices. In theory, good leaders want that kind of input. But in real life it can be almost unbearable to hear. If you are already struggling with the wisdom of a certain decision or even more profoundly the wisdom of your leadership in general, a prophet might just set those insecurities on fire. What is a smoldering inadequacy can become an inferno of self-doubt and defensiveness in the company of an unseasoned prophet. The first step then, is to buttress your own confidence. The first and best thing you can do to welcome a prophet is to be totally rooted in the love of God and confident in your own gifts and authority.
Prophetic types might be the hardest to welcome because their gift is often unwanted.
Because prophets challenge the status quo (of which you are likely the steward) they can come off…
This is the purest hospitality to the prophet, to really consider what they are saying….
The difference between a true and false prophet is often consistency.
PROPHETIC
What does it mean to be Prophetic?
Prophets love God with everything they’ve got and call others to do the same. They align their lives around God’s priorities and call the church out of idolatry and toward faithfulness in worship and mission. They challenge people to care about those on the margins of our society, and to purity in our pursuit of God’s presence.
