Testing a prophetic word

In January I gave you a plethora of prophecies to consider for 2016. I encouraged you to read the original manuscripts and listen to the podcasts where applicable and discern for yourselves as to where we stand as a nation and as and where we may be going in the next season. Let me say at the get go, prophesy is not a fortune telling process and neither can it be confined to a specific time frame even though some prophets feel that they can be very specific. Time will tell.

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There is a biblical process of testing prophesy which I thought might be helpful to work through with the prophetic word released by Cindy Jacobs and the Apostolic Council. It’s called “The Year the Tide Turns. The Word of the Lord 2016”. I’m going to take some extracts from it and make comment on some of the areas, especially where it concerns us here in South Africa. After all I believe the prophetic is about building the Body, edifying, comforting and where they have prophetic direction I can’t comment on, I simply won’t. Like the OPEC situation and American politics of which I have no knowledge — I’ll stay right out of that arena.

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In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (1Thessalonians 5: 19 -21) he encourages us to examine everything carefully; and to hold fast to that which is good. We look at what is said, not at the person so much. The prophetic word presented by Cindy Jacobs and the Apostolic Council has a council of seasoned prophets who have been selected on reputation and gifting and they give all the credit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. When one looks at this word for the nations and the Body of Christ it’s helpful to note that the council is made up of men and women of good reputation.

However, just because they are men and women of high profile, we still have a great responsibility to seek the Lord for ourselves and get a witness as to the accuracy of the prophetic words. In Romans 8.16 it says the Spirit bears witness with our spirit.

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We are after all sons and daughters of God who are led by God and have the Lord to lead us as to which way to go.

The Lord did say He would speak to us too and not just through the prophets.

Regarding the timing of the prophecies they have the stance that the prophetic revelations are more seasonal than restricted to a particular calendar year and that some of the outcomes are dependent on the prayers of the saints. (see Genesis 18.17-32 Amos 7:1-6)

I think this is a helpful approach as the Lord says: ‘’ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. ”Isaiah 55.8. Thus implying there is great mystery in God and He cannot be held in our frames of reference.

HOTSPOTS FOR REVIVAL (ACPE): It’s so encouraging when you read a prophetic word and you know of people who are either being mobilised or are active in various nations mentioned in a prophesy and who are doing the work of the Lord in a significant way. It raises one’s faith to know that we are on the front foot, in time and responding to the call of the Lord. In this particular prophetic word released by ACPE they mentioned Germany, Scotland, India and the Middle East as being hotspots for revival. What a joy it was to know that our very own South African Lindy Ann Hopley is currently ministering in Germany and experiencing the favour of the Lord in a significant manner. Regarding the Middle East region we have had excellent reports of increased souls saved in that region and the favour of God on friends running churches there. What a great confirmation of what was prophesied – ‘’a great harvest of souls will take place in the Middle East as the Lord reveals His love and nature to those who are Muslims” (ACPE — See Joel 3.13, Luke 10.2) We know there is much more in the harvest and in the future.

In reference to India there have been prophesies about “Philip type” evangelists who will go to areas where no one else wants to venture. My heart leapt with delight as I know of so many Philips who go to India, but I’ll tell of this one outstanding South Africa, Andries Pelser who is well worth mentioning. He has an unashamed manner of preaching the gospel. He is willing to place his life in difficult circumstances just to reach the unsaved. He takes teams into the various parts of India for revival meetings and for their rewards they see the blind regain their sight, the deaf hear again, cripples walk and now the dead are being raised. Thousands upon thousands come flocking to receive Christ as Saviour at their revival meetings. One can only imagine the joy in Heaven as the souls come in. Yet he and the team have prophesies of the later days being greater than the former days. These meetings have been going on for many years already. Andries is one of many of the ‘Phillips’’.

CHILDREN – SAMUEL (ACPE): Upon reading about the children under the age of 12 being used as ‘’Samuels’’ – We were recently out ministering in Bokisi in Limpopo and were training the church on the gift of prophecy. A young boy, no older than 8 years came up to us and described a picture of revival breaking out in their church. Revival and increase had not been explained to them nor illustrated and there was no way they could have got the picture but the essence of revival was so beautifully and simply put, (through a translator) ‘’ I see lots of people coming and walking to the church, lots, lots, lots of people coming here.’’ As simple as that. After that he and his friend joined the groups and prayed for people with simple childlike faith. Straight to the point. These are our “’Samuels ‘’ of this generation who will be accurate in hearing God’s voice as referred to by Cindy Jacobs and the Council.

RUSSIA (ACPE): “A move of God among the Orthodox community will become evident. Cities such as Vladivostok will see the apostolic emerge and will affect the rest of the nation. Moscow will see a move of God among the youth, and large gatherings will take place to pray for the nation.”

This is so encouraging as we know of friends who have been across to minister in Russia last year and came back with great reports of people being hungry for the gospel and hungry for the prophetic. They have promises from the Lord that the Lord will break into this hardened land. This will be such a marvellous delight for the Lord. The last time Noel, my  husband, and I visited Russia it had a sadness about it and I left feeling one of those “Oh no, all those years of intercession to get this wall down and all we have is sadness”. I for one will be overjoyed.

THE REFORMATION OF NATIONS (ACPE): “The reformation of nations is well on its way, and new ideas on how to establish biblical economics on a national scale will be implemented. AFRICA will be a leader in this.” At this point we can only report of business groups calling for prophetic input and Godly counsel, of companies setting aside whole weekends for prayer to seek the Lord’s face for strategy. In James it says if any man lacks wisdom let him ask for it and it will be given to him. Surely God will grant us the wisdom we seek.

However it will be truly wonderful to have whole nations in Africa transformed. Does it take place incrementally, groundswell or is there a supernatural move of God? Let’s trust the Lord for it all.

KINGDOM CHURCH (ACPE): ‘’We also received the word Kingdom Church, as old independent spirits are put aside and new alliances are formed as one to stand for Kingdom purposes against ungodly agendas.’’

‘There will be connections between apostles and prophets that will result in prophetic words not only being released but also implemented to see their fulfilments.’’

For years the ‘I am of Paul and I am of Apollos’ independent spirits have existed in the churches and it has been divisive. It’s of great encouragement to know that that which the South African prophets have been praying for years, for the various streams working together, is on the hearts of the prophets abroad. In some ways we have already formed connections even with our friends through Global Legacy and we enjoy the benefits of the revelation that they bring to the Body. We look forward to so much more of the different streams working together. It’s vital for health and richness in the Body.

I remember back in the 80s when Dr Bill Hamon and his team came to South Africa to train us in the prophetic – there was such a strong emphasis on the apostles and prophets working together, but somehow I think it was due to this awful competitive spirit that we never quite got it right. It’s such a godly approach to work in team, especially with the prophetic and to have an apostle and prophet work together. There is comfort and it’s dynamic. Neither one has to carry the whole load. Best of all when you have a full fivefold team of apostle, prophet, teacher, pastor, and evangelist. Now there is a power team!

LOCAL CHURCH(ACPE): “Pastors will begin to prioritize based on current events. Rather than planning based upon one local congregation, there will be an understanding that there are issues that the Body of Christ, in general, needs to deal with and they will teach and train their people accordingly.

One of the key issues that the Lord prophetically spoke to us was that pastors are to be a major voice to deal with racial divides.

In addition, an admonition to be crisis-prepared and find a way to be the redemptive answer to the needs of society was brought by the Lord as an important issue.”

There are issues world-wide that need to be addressed. The revelation of God and keys to the Kingdom are critical to get the breakthrough in some of what appears ‘common-sense’ or obvious need areas. We have not yet had solutions in certain areas such as alleviation of the poverty mindset, abuse, sexual immorality, crime, racism, sickness — just to name a few. To share internationally really makes a lot of sense.

SECULAR CALLS ON THE PROPHETIC (ACPE): ‘’Major media outlets and secular business will call on prophets for insight and direction, instead of calling on mediums and psychics. A new level of visibility is coming to God’s leaders that will influence the secular fields.’’

As I mentioned earlier, we know of many businesses that call on the prophetic for direction and also for input for their staff. Several banks in Johannesburg such as Standard Bank, Rand Merchant Bank and Nedbank have prayer meetings either weekly or bi-monthly for any staff wanting to attend. Various prophetic ministers address the staff and minister to individuals.

The full prophesy from Cindy Jacobs and the Apostolic Council of Prophetic is available on http://www.generals.org/articles/single/word-of-the-lord-for-2016/

In conclusion here are some pointers for you when discerning a prophetic word:

• Prophecy is like a road map – apply diligence
• We have a free will, but God would love to partner with us
• Read through the whole prophecy, take notes, what is the Holy Spirit highlighting to you?
• Use the Word of God as the guide for your life
• Write out decrees for yourself and your family in response to the prophesy
• Prophets judge prophecy not the prophets. 1 Thessalonians 5. 19-21
• A word is made up of revelation, interpretation and application
• Apply Faith – without faith it’s impossible to please God Hebrews 11.6
• The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit Romans 8.16
• 11 Chronicles 20.20 “Believe and hold steadfast to God and His prophets and you shall prosper.
• Apply patience whilst you inherit the promises of God Hebrews 6.1
• Do not grow weary of well doing, for in due season you will reap your reward.
• Be wise and pray for wisdom on how to respond to the word of God spoken to you. James 3.171
• “ This charge I commit unto thee Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that through by them might wage a good warfare” Timothy 1. 18
• Build yourself up in your most holy faith, praying always rising higher and higher like an edifice – Jude