The Nature of Prophecy ...continued

The scope and types of Prophecy - The types of Prophecy

Without being too hung up on the types of different prophecies, let us look at the types and the caution that is mentioned against the different types.

Personal
Personal prophecies are usually given in private; however, as most pastors will tell you this is both unhelpful and unhealthy. God does not do things secretly or in a corner, rather such secrecy shows a lack of trust in the gift and faith in the God who gives the gift.

Personal or individual prophecies should be shared in a way and in a place where others who are known to move in the prophetic or the church leadership can weigh them.

This caution may be unnecessary and even restrictive. However, personal prophecies can sometimes lead to disaster if they are directive or inaccurate. Love will always show due concern for the well-being of the recipient.

Predictive
This is the foretelling of an event.

Proclamation
This is the forth telling in the form of proclaiming a supernatural experience of God, his greatness, kindness, love etc. expressed through a proclamation of praise, or the declaration of some insight or revelation.

Remember the canon of scripture is complete and that any revelation or insight should be in keeping with scripture and sound doctrine.

Conditional
In some ways all prophecy is conditional for its fulfilment on an individual's faith and obedience. However, the constant use of conditionality in prophecy shows a lack of faith in the person giving the word.

Illustration: God showed me that a particular man had a problem with his back. God gave me a word that if this particular man stood up, he would heal his back. I said, "There is someone here with a problem with their back. If they stand up and come forward for prayer God will heal them." As soon as the man stood up he was healed; he came forward with three other people for prayer and was prayed for even though he knew he was already healed. The interesting thing was that the other three were healed as they were prayed for.

Public or Private
There are real dangers with private prophecy, particularly personal prophecy given privately. Prophecy may be personal but it should not be private.

There have been times when people have said over the telephone or in a letter a personal prophecy in a manner that has been harmful to the recipient. Public prophecy given in front of mature and experienced members of the church can be weighed.

Directive
Much care should be taken when giving and receiving direction through the prophetic. In this area the prophetic should only ever be a confirming word and never the initiating word. The recipient should always have heard God first before receiving a directive prophecy and then should only receive it as a confirmation.

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