The cross and other devices used for prophecy are in view, today. Included are divine admonition, Ezekiel’s commission, demonstrations, spiritual gifts, law, signs, and divine utterance. The intent and purpose for prophecy is not the prediction of future events so much as prophecy is for crystallizing divine judgment, expressing the will of GOD, and continuing to reveal the character and nature of Deity. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “abdul” (Level 1 with 39 points, a member since May 12, 2015) posted the following:
What do these mean?
"Eat the food as you would a loaf of barley bread; bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel.” The Lord said, “In this way the people of Israel will eat defiled food among the nations where I will drive them.” (Ezekiel 4:12-13, New International Version)
THE GOLDEN ARROW: The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. Revelation 22: 17-19, New International Version (NIV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Divine Meanings and Values (03/31/2016); Forsaken Upon the Cross? (03/17/2016); Two Signs of Covenant (05/09/2016); The Forms of Prophecy? (04/26/2016); The Baptist and The Tishbite? (02/18/2015); The Need for Prophecy Then and Now (11/24/2014); Prophetic Demonstrations (09/06/2013); Why GOD Prayed to GOD (09/07/2013)
“abdul”, for mature Christian believers, prophecy is a sacred process whereby divinity communicates, exchanges, and interacts with created beings and living creatures through operations of spirit substance that can be initiated using physical actions (we say, prophetic demonstrations) as well as divine utterance (e.g., prayer, proclamation, promise), dreams, and visions. Prophecy reveals the will of GOD, and may share admonition and warning; thus, prophecy “tells the future” only in the same way divine commandments (we say, the law, “the expressed will of GOD”) foretell the future by describing what will happen when there are transgressions and violations. The work of prophecy is always comfort, edification (nourishing spirit growth), or exhortation (urging action). Just as sin may dominate the living through their awareness and self-will, divinity may maintain contact through discernment and recognition of sacred law, holy writings, the divine presence, eternal purposes, and specific expectations (we say, hopes). Prophecy also serves as a divine device to identify and separate believers as a “peculiar people” and authentic divine spokespersons (we say, prophets). Only those having an endowment of spirit content from the makeup of GOD (e.g., faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, wisdom, wrath against sin) can correctly apprehend the message and spirit substance contained within prophecy, events, other persons, etc. Just as the death of Jesus upon the cross is a clear example of prophetic demonstration, it is also an example of prophecy fulfilled. Consider again how these ideas are stated using language from the Holy Bible New International Version® NIV Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®:
(1.) 1st Corinthians 12: 1-6, New International Version (NIV)
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
(2.) 2nd Peter: 1: 16-21, NIV: 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[b] 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
There is far more that should be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood. (For example, (3.) Revelation 19: 9-10, NIV: 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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