Ministry Offices ~ The Fingers of God ~ Prophets

Do you have the gift of prophecy, or you’ve been told you have the gift of prophecy?  How marvelous, truly exciting!  You can hear wonderful things for people; encouraging things; exhortations and comforts.  The Holy Spirit may even share possible futures for people if they fulfill their destinies.  But what if you are called to the Office of Prophet?

The Office of Prophet ~ Being a prophet is not like the gift of prophecy.  The gift of prophecy can be used with a person’s free will, but the Office of a Prophet is 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  It is who the person is, it is an office one is born into.  Though some may answer the call later in life, it is all consuming.  One cannot control the voice of the Lord. 

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 prophet has to be able to stand and hear the things the Lord would say (good or bad).  Sometimes, to sit with Him in the uncomfortableness of the words He brings forth.  To listen to God’s anger and to be a scribe for Him.  They have to be willing to put a face to the Lord’s voice.  And to be persecuted at times for the calling and for His sake.  It can be a ministry of loneliness (even if the prophet holds other fivefold ministry offices).  The office is held by both male (a prophet) and female (a prophetess).

The gift of prophecy operates around others and for others. A prophet does give out personal messages, but this is only a small part of their job.  The Office of Prophet can be a job of aloneness and seclusion as the prophet ministers to the Lord.  He speaks to the prophet alone.  And the prophet performs for God; like an actor on a stage whether it be to speak, or to perform a prophetic act.  The prophet does as the Lord requires. 

Once instructed, the prophet fulfills the instructions to whomever God wants spoken to.  Through the Office of the Prophet, God sometimes tells people what is about to take place to help prepare them for things that are ahead.

Saying that, today's prophets are under God’s authority and the Body of Christ.  The Lord assigns covering to the Office whether it be a church’s leadership; a mentor or other prophets.  No Lone Rangers in the New Testament.  Through the Lord’s assigned covering, the prophet receives a witness through the Spirit and confirmations from other prophets of the message.

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  (1 Corinthians 14:32).

In addition, under the unction of the Holy Spirit the prophet can speak words (preaching, teaching, exhorting or a prophecy) that flows forth without foreknowledge of the utterance.  They are assigned a territory by God to operate in; a church, a city, a state a nation, or the end-times.  A prophet cannot choose this ministry ground, they can only be obedient to God. 

“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).

On the Hand of God, the prophet is the index (pointing) finger, also known as the forefinger.  This finger often possesses the largest amount of sensitivity and greatest dexterity of any of the fingers.  Doesn’t that make sense?  A prophet is called to point to the future; points out evil in the midst of a body of believers and discerns the plans of the enemy.   They are also called upon by God to provide a vision or direction to the assigned ministry ground of Christ.  To be a forerunner in conjunction with the Office of the Apostle.

A prophet is a watchman who can discern when evil spirits are planning an attack; if they have arrived; as well as the intentions or miss intentions of ministers that perhaps have gone astray.  The prophet is a watchman on the wall of God’s house peering into the future to prepare His way.   A prophet sees God’s movement coming and a prophet is assigned to bear the burden to birth it.

“A prophet’s commission is usually not made public until after it is accomplished. Sometimes even the prophet does not know, until in retrospect it is revealed to him what the Lord has accomplished through him. Thus, he often cannot explain to people why he does what he does.” Sandford, John; Paula Sandford. The Elijah Task.

And as such, they are also intercessors, ministering to God.  They stand in the breach to intercede before judgment falls. The prophet takes the brunt.  This takes a lot of love, brokenness and facetime to stand in the gap.  

Therefore, He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach, to turn away His wrath, lest He destroy them.  (Psalm 106:23).

He will even deliver one who is not innocent; Yes, he will be delivered by the purity of your hands.  (Job 22:30).

There are those who believe a New Testament prophet is not used by God to pronounce warnings of judgment.  If that’s the case, what do we do with Peter (who stood in all five ministry offices) when he faced off with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5)?   And what to do with judgment beginning in the House of God, who announces this?  The Office of a Prophet.

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?  (1 Peter 4:17).

We all have the Holy Spirit and God gives us every opportunity for repentance and self-reflection but, if one in a position of authority refuses then He calls on one of His prophets to bring warning.  He does this so His sheep are protected.

Yet do not count him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother.  (2 Thessalonians 3:15). 

With that said, a prophecy must be brought forth in love knowing the recipient has free will to do as they choose with the message.  Yet, as Jesus said: “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.”  (Luke 4:24).  However, if the prophet is received and believed, a blessing will follow.  Matthew 10:41 states: He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. 

What gifts of the Holy Spirit operate consistently in the prophet?

I believe one of the healthiest attributes of a prophet is having a consistent fear of the Lord.  This fear leads to a purified life and an obedient ear; A vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.  (2 Timothy 2:21). 

Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  (Proverbs 2:5).

The fruit of the Spirit that is of utmost importance is longsuffering and self-control.  Trustworthiness is likewise well developed in a mature prophet.  The Lord tests a prophet to see if they can be trusted with His secrets.  It’s like being employed as a top government official, you have to be able to hold your tongue.  He entrusts His prophets with Kingdom secrets akin to State secrets.  Any slipup could be catastrophic!

A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.  (Proverbs 11:13).

The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.  (Psalm 25:14).

The Office of Prophet has a variety of spiritual gifts in operation, but the most consistent are the gifts of Prophecy; Discerning of Spirits; the Word of Wisdom; the Word of Knowledge; and dreams (including interpretations).  They hear the voice of the Lord echoing through eternity in their ears.   And I do mean echoing, repeating in their spirit.

Then He said, “Hear now My words: if there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream.  (Numbers 12:6).

Every prophet needs to be solidly rooted in the Word.  However, their training is like no other.  They are trained in humiliation and brokenness; taught to fear no man and to obey at all costs.  It is a heart preparation through the Word; prayer and seeking God’s face.  They are trained for the jurisdiction that they will be placed over.  Each of God’s prophets are prepared individually; no cookie-cutter training for this office! 

“The calling of a prophet demands years of self-death. No one can become a prophet quickly. The age of instant coffee and instant-on TV cannot produce instant prophecy. The prophets have been brought to more death of self… the prophet has rather been made so aware of the deceit and villainy of his inner heart that he has come to utter despair of his ever becoming true to God. That awareness of helplessness is what God wanted.”  Sandford, John; Paula Sandford. The Elijah Task.

I hear the Lord say: “When has it ever been easy to be called a prophet of the Most High?  No, it is not easy.  It is a life of sacrifice yet; their life will yield great benefits in the scope of eternity.  Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added.  Be not dismayed at the naysayers, they will always be around but listen to My voice to fulfill your calling.  That is all I require of you, to be about My business.”

Read more about prophets in our day under the article titled Elijah Callings.