UNDERSTANDING THE PROPHET

THE MATURE PROPHET

Both the mature prophet and the immature pastor see and understand that the body of Christ has different offices or roles, all of which must be functioning properly to make the whole. The mature prophet honors the roles of pastor, evangelist, teacher and the Apostle. He also honors the various gift exercised throughout the church. In other words, the mature prophet does not judge all other ministries by his own call.

THE IMMATURE PROPHET

It is the immature prophet that tends to judge the pastor by prophet standards. Once a prophet judge a pastor by his own call, the no pastor can measure up. Why? Because the pastor has different gifts. They are not “inadequate” they are simply different from the prophet’s gifts. Pastors, on the other hand, very often do not understand or have much use for the prophet. The prophets are those in his congregation who always want things done better and who are constantly pointing out sin. And that‘s if the pastor is luck! If the prophet is immature and willful, he or she will very often cause trouble within the congregation. The overwhelming result of this does is to gather a small core group of the “faithful” around him. He become their defector pastor and enjoys the attention her receives they there are two pastors in the church and the real pastor has a big problem on his hands. When he attempts to correct that problem, he is often accused by this small but usual vocal group of being “unspiritual” or not hearing from God.

Another common error committed by the immature prophet is that he may try to cause his prophecies to come to pass. An example of this is when he prophecies the same theme repeatedly. Very often the theme is sin and repentance which we must know here. Whenever anybody, including the prophet, tries to cause a prophetic word to come to pass, it is the flesh. Only God, by His Holy Spirit, can cause His word to come to pass. But we must be faithful to do our part as well! And that it not the same as trying to cause it to happen.

12 ¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

COL.3:12-17

THE MATURE PROPHET AND THE MATURE PASTOR

To emphasize strongly enough the importance of the relationship between the mature pastor and the mature prophet. Notice mature prophet and mature pastor. A mature pastor will know who he is in Christ. He will not be threatened by the strong personality of a prophet challenging him on various issues. A mature pastor will be able to separate himself and hiself-worth from an issue that must be dealt with. A mature prophet will have those same traits. He too will be secure in his standing in Christ and not feel attacked or threatened when dealing with a pastor.

At the very heart of the relationship between these two offices is a mutual respect for each other and an understanding that each has a very different, though complementing role to play in the body of Christ. The goal of this relationship is that the mature prophet and mature pastor be in mutual submission to each other. Each shall honor and esteem the other and each should be very willing to listen and submit to the other.

8 The lion hath roared, –who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken, –who can but prophesy?

UNDERSTANDING THE PROPHETIC

Many Christians think prophecy only pertains to the telling of the future. But that’s not what the Bible says: “but he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort” (1 cor. 14:3)

the purpose of prophecy is to build up, encourage (exhort) and comfort the church and individual believers. If you think prophecy is just the telling of the futuristic events, you are missing the whole New Testament move and teaching on prophecy.

THE PURPOSE OF MOLDING PROPHET

The Lord take no pleasure in breaking His prophet, but He does take great pleasure in molding him into a vessel He can uses.

If a man therefore purge himself from these he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Ii Tim. 2:21

Thus, the purge instrument in the hand of the LORD GOD

1.       INSTRUMENT FOR NOBEL (HONOUR) PURPOSE

God reserves His purged, chosen matured prophets for noble use. I don’t necessarily mean nobility in mans eyes, but Gods eyes. Such noble purposes have to do with Gods invisible kingdom. God has feat plans and purpose that He reserves for these instruments. He can take such people and send them into very different situation and know that they will do His will every time He send the.

2.       MADE HOLY

To be made holy means one who is separated from sin, but one who is dedicated to god and His holiness.

But how is one made holy? Book of Hebrew answers the question for us: …but God disciplines us for our good that we may share in His holiness.” Hebrew 12:10. We become holy through the discipline process of the Holy Spirit. It is the disciplines of God when training makes the matured prophet grow to the levels and stages of holiness.” … without holiness no one will see the Lord,”

Holiness is both a prerequisite and a by-product of being one in Spirit with the Lord. In this light, Gods breaking and molding of the prophet is imperative.

3.       USEFUL TO THE MASTER

It is interesting to watch a master craftsman using tools. He uses each tool for specific purpose. He is very careful to keep his tools clean, sharp, and in order. Certain tools are used only for one thing. He never torches them until that particular need arise… them he reaches for that special tool. When that tool is needed, it is useful to him as no other could be. He easily accomplished his task with the right tool in god working order.

As a good craftsman enjoy using tolls that are well designed and sharp, so the Lord takes pleasure in using His matured prophets. Such men and women are so useful to Him only. He may at any time reach for that person, that toll, and it stands always ready to be uses.

4.       PREPARED TO DO ANY WORK

I know of one such vessel whom the Lord awakened very early in the morning and instructed to be ion a plane to a foreign country that day. He readily obeyed. On the way, he asks the Lord why He had given such short notice. The Lord told him that the first person He spoke to was not responsive. Sadly, that other person was entangled with “other things” he was not willy or prepared to go. The prophets need to be willing and prepared to do anything at anytime for the Lord.

As the breaking and molding is completed, there is a new Christ-centeredness which becomes evident. The prophet moves in a new power and authority. Jesus now has a vessel of honour fit for use in His glorious kingdom. Such mighty servants of the living God are a joy to behold and out standing among the rest in the service of the most high. www.prophetakanbi.org

Prophets are God’s eagle’s instructed to carry the eaglets into their inheritance. We have enjoyed God’s prophetic seal on our ministry, and as such we have seen a lot of people, connected to us by church membership, books, internet, leaving ‘Egypt” for their land of abundant, honour, health and liberty.

Prophets are mother eagles sent for the rescue of the eaglets and the upcoming eagles. Where prophet Elisha was the instrument God used to rescue the sons of the prophets from reproach. (2 kings 6)

Prophets are sent for the deliverance of people in every generation. They come with a specific mission and when you respond to their same manifestations!

But Apostles break new grounds, new frontiers and carries an unction that goes on and on.

The prophet has transferable unction. Anything they say or touch has divine backing and produces after the desire of the individuals involved.

At the prophet’s word, whatever has been an obstacle is converted by God to a miracle. Prophets are God’s gift to His people the body of Christ.

The prophets are prominent among God’s strategies for preserving His people this end-time. Then their ministry will be better appreciated and more profound, because they are sent to the world with the purpose to exempting God’s people form the coming holocaust.

When anything ceases in the lives of God’s people, one way God uses to set it into motion again is through the ministry of the prophets. As they prophesy, a change occurs. Prophesy always proceeds motion. It is always responsible for a change in the position of things. “24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. Ezra 4:24

1 ¶ Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.

2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them. Ezra 5:1-2

Prophets are God’s confidants. He gives them the privilege to look into his agenda for the hour. They are custodians of Heaven’s secrets. God keeps them with prophets, so they can let other people into them later.

PROPHETS ARE AGENT OF RELEASE

For every act of release upon the earth, there are human agents appointed by God to see that such acts come to pass. Prophets are God’s agents of release. The prophetic unction upon them is pre-dominantly the instrument of release.

God’s release programme for today is in place and He has sent His agents, the prophets, to carry it out, so, this is your day of released!

God has covenanted your release and behind that covenant is the omnipotence of God. He is stretched out His hand, who can turn it back? If God is releasing you, who can bind yourself? Your release is sure! However, every at of release is committed to prophets to execute.

The church is not a religious center; it is a center of reality. There is no position on earth today that can be comparing in the glory with Zion.

There is no prophecy stronger than the prophecy of scripture. From age to age, its words carry the same power and unction as when they were first written. That is why the power in the word is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Whatever Jesus has said is prophecy:

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Revelations 19:10

The word of God is a prophetic package sent by God to man for His liberation. Behind every word is the breath of the Lord. It is like saying God spoke and His voice was put in printed form.

Anything you find in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation was not put there by any man but by the Holy Spirit- the men only lent their voices to what God spoke in their hearts.

The Bible is not a history book. No! It carries life and that life is transmitted through your acceptance of its prophetic power.

The word is not a book of opinions either; it is not giving you ideas; it is not a documentation of events. It is will of God signed, sealed and packaged for your warfare. It is God’s express will for you.

The greatest prophets in the world at best prophesy in part because they know in part. But every word of scripture is prophesy in perfect truth.

Scripture prophecies are the most authentic, most profitable, most powerful, most resourceful form of prophesy-nothing compares with them. So you don’t have to wait for anyone to prophesy to you or tell you what next to do. You can go to the word of God and locate a way out of any predicament.

Scripture prophecies are sure, that is, they are infallible; they carry an eternal guarantee of fulfillment.

Prophecies are no value until faith is applied. In fact, they are impotent without faith, which is what makes them fertile.

Faith is the principle weapon of fulfillment in the school of prophecy.

“If you are not a warrior, you don’t become a conqueror.”

Every prophecy that comes you way places a responsibility on you to enforce it through warfare. Why? Because every word of prophecy and if you do not contend with him, he will tamper with them and make them look untrue.

Your mouth is a weapon of warfare. It is the mouth that makes dry bones come alive. It is also able to chart a course for your life.

The mouth is so powerful that it is able to make you prosper. “21 ¶ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Provers18

Your tongue has fruits. What you say will always produce fruits for you.

The tongue is a seed of creation, programmed to bear fruits for your life and establish your destiny.

The only word that is right a hundred percent of the time is the word of God. Right words are true words and no word is as true as the truth.

The flow of prophetic unction is not automatic. It responds to your faith in the prophet of God.

If you must partake of what the prophets carry, you must accept them as being placed above you.

SEE THE PROPHET AS ABOVE YOU

“37 ¶   In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.” John 7

The Holy Spirit is illustrated here as a river. This illustration is very important in the light of impartation, because prophets are the carriers of God’s power and this power is like a river.

One characteristic of rivers is that they flow downhill, not uphill.

In the same vein, if you must partake of what the prophets carry, you must accept them as being placed above you.

25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.’ Numbers 11:25

Did you see that? God took of the spirit that was upon Moses. He transferred the anointing from Moses to the seventy elders. God does not change. He will has human reservoirs He takes from the to impart others. Water always flows downhill!

When Moses was to leave the scene, God picked Joshua, the one who minister to Moses, to be captain over His people. Joshua was Moses servant. There were seventy elders, but they were elders, not servants and the anointing flow downhill!

This understanding is very important because there are people coming from orthodox background, who keep wondering if they should not be advice to the man of God; some want to be recognized as the father of the anointed, by virtue of their age, wealth, status etc. but the prophet is the father and mother of everybody-young and old, rich and poor!

You must know the difference between your brother and your boss! There is need for a master-servant or father-son attitude and relationship if there is ever going to be a flow.

For instance, if you have an opportunity to shake hand with a great man or woman of God, you must understand that he is far above you. If you do not understand this, you would only be touching his flesh, not tapping from his anointing. This is very important.

When Elijah was going away,

Elisha cries, “12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.” 2 kings 12

Elijah was a father to Elisha, not a colleague-even unto death. His commitment to Elijah was heart-seated (not lip service) because he remained his faithful servant even after Elijah’s death.

When the son of the prophets who mocked him earlier saw the transformation that had occurred in Elisha, “they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” 2 kings 2

The double unction that flowed downhill to Elisha resulted in him doing twice as many miracles as Elijah deed.

“2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalm 133 says:-

Every time you are set for impartation, appreciate that the prophet is far above you. That’s when mind, you see yourself as his colleague or his superior, the anointing he carries will not benefit you.

If you pour water on a level floor, does it flow? There has to be some degree of slope before it can flow. So in any church where everyone is a brother, they are like sheep without a shepherd upon mountain, exposed to the wolves to devour. Even in Heaven, there is a hierarchy: there arte 12 stools set by the throne of God for the 12 Apostles. No one’s prayer or labour can make him occupy that position. So we look forward to the pother labour faithfully.

There is no away I will be where I am today, if I did not recognizes those who are above me with all my heart.

Show me a man of authority on this earth in any field; he is a man of references. You are not an authority until you acknowledge the authorities that you appreciate what field. When you appreciate what they did before and add your own litter contribution, you excel over and above them! It is the same in the school of the Spirit.

Friend, it is time to acknowledge greater anointing. Just ask the Lord right now to cloth you with the garment of brokenness and humility, so the anointing can reach you.

We are in a forward-moving, end-time church. Except you carry the quality of anointing operational in it, people will being to water, “is he really in the church?” many that not be your potion. So open and draw form the river of lifer flowing past you!

ABRAHAM

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. Genesis 14

It is one thing to give and an entirely different thing to be blessed. Abraham gave and Melchizedec blessed him. But Abraham was also referred to as a prophet. “for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.” Genesis 20:7

But among the prophets, there are prophets. Some body else must say to you, “be blessed! Be lifted!”

God had promised Abraham, “and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:” (Genesis 12 :2.) But to actually see it, Abraham needed to be pronounced blessed by Melchizedek. To provoke it, he gave Melchizedek a litter of all he had.

When you sow a seeds that touch the heart of a prophet, you provoke prophetic utterances that cause you to break through all the barriers of our life. So locate such prophet, sent for your prosperity around you.

When Saul’s asses were lost, “6 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.” (1 Samuel 9)

But Saul not being ignorant of the covenant responsibility to a prophet of God said, “7 Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? 8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.” (1 Samuel 9)

Every time you gave something to the prophet a way is created for you. Saul and his servant needed to know the way to locate their lost asses. But what they gave as a matter of fact did more that help them locate their lost asses. It took Saul from wilderness to the palace!

If you are already connected to a prophetic ministry, know that God has brought you there to keep transformation your destiny. So, strong on your covenant responsibility and see your destiny continually transformed!

BE CAREFUL!

The office of the prophet is a delicate one. It has the power to promote and demote. It can cause you to break through or just as easily bring a break down. At the dedication of Jesus in temple Simeon brought out the two sides of prophetic office. “34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;” (Luke 2: 34)

Just as those who receive a prophet in the name of a prophet receive a prophet’s reward, those who reject a prophet ordained of God receive a curse. Prophets are not only reservoir of blessing, but also of curse.

Prophets of God around you are your divine opportunities to rise, don’t fall by them!

DON’T FOLLOW THE CROWED!

“10 ¶ My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” (Proverbs 10)

Enticers are all around. They are seeking your destiny. They want to destroy your precious prophetic life. Don’t consent, it is dangerous and risk.

NOTABLE PROPHETIC PILLAR

“7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3)

Every year in our ministry has prophetic name accompanied with definite prophetic declarations. Concerning what God is set to do for the people that year. God gives a revelation of hat He has in mind concerning the year for the ministry as a whole.

Every time failure is pervading the earth, God sends human agents called prophets as instruments of change to success. Prophets are God’s agents for men’s fulfillment. Heaven honour the words they speak; God back up the thoughts of their heart.

God can not reach man without man. Prophets are God’s agent for man’s fulfillment.

During times of tension, God release these agents on earth for the preservation of the saints.

I am persuaded that God ha release men across the world and in every generation to stand in the prophetic office. He ever leaves Himself without a witness.

Israel was in bondage for four hundred years and God sent them a prophet. By that prophet they were delivered from the land of lack, humiliation, reproach, and nakedness and thirsty. It was by a prophet that the Lord brought Israel out of the realms of servitudes and slavery, and by a prophet they were sustained in abundance.

Who was the eagle on those wings Israel rode out of bondage? The answer is in the book of numbers:

“11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?

12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?” (Numbers 11:11-12)

Moses was God’s eagle’s whose mission was to takes the Israelites from lack into plenty. Three millions people flew on the wings of Moses the eagle out of poverty and servitudes.

I bring you into a closer walk with the Holy Spirit, by expanding your appreciation of the prophetic office and what it carries.

We are in the days of the prophets. We are going t see more and more of this ministry in the body of Christ these end-times, for the building and blessing of the church.

BEWARE OF FAKE PROPHETS!     

“1 ¶ If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.” (Deuteronomy 13)

“20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?

22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” (Deuteronomy 18)

There is no doubt that just as there are counterfeit churches all over the world today, there are also many fake prophets. These are men whose words do not have divine backing; they speak, but Heaven does nit respond, so there are no testimonies.

These fake prophets also live a very questionable lifestyle. They are dubious and crooked, satanic agents who have penetrated themselves into the church to weary the saints. That is why many people are wary of prophets generally.

By the time a prophet prophesies and all he’s instructing you to do is given ten million naira (an amount you don’t have), know that he is fake, be what he has it is acceptable to God

“12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”   (2Cor. 6)

Matured prophets don’t force their way, rather, their words pave a way for God’s people. Their words are not meant to oppress but to release. People must be relaxed in God’s presence because His presence releases grace. His presence release pleasure, not pressures.

“11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16)

In spite of the many false prophets roaming the streets today, there are still many genuine ones. In fact, the existence of fake products is an indication of the existence of a genuine one. Every time you have a fake, it is a proof that there is an original.

There are still genuine mature prophets today, men and women anointed and sent by God for the rescue of their generation.

A true mature prophet is not an oppressor, but one who pulls people out lack into plenty. He speaks a word and can stand by it. He does not just speak to impress or confuse people, the true mature prophet.

7 But the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

 8 The lion hath roared, –who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah hath spoken, –who can but prophesy?

UNDERSTANDING THE APOSTOLIC & PROPHETIC

Many Christians think prophecy only pertains to the telling of the future. But that’s not what the Bible says: “but he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort” (1 cor. 14:3) 

the purpose of prophecy is to build up, encourage (exhort) and comfort the church and individual believers. If you think prophecy is just the telling of the futuristic events, you are missing the whole New Testament move and teaching on prophecy.