Time and again people have had personal prophecies given to them in a variety of settings. In many instances, those who heard the Words given would be ecstatic over what spoken over them. Visions would immediately come to mind as to how things would be from that moment on; only to discover that in a very short period of time everything would look the exact opposite of what was declared to them. Suddenly the question would roll right off the tongue before they realized what they were saying, “Did God really say?” The internal accusations begin to form, such as false prophet, or the reverse, I didn’t have enough faith to make it happen. Of course, there is one of the old favorite stand-byes, “The devil is really coming against me because he does not want to see it come to pass.” Granted, the enemy never wants us to succeed, that’s a given, but he does not have the power or authority to stop what the Lord has declared. A true Word from the Lord will confirm something to us that He has already revealed to us in our heart. If something spoken is false, the alarm should be going off within us; it is called discernment. Moreover, He has given us the Scriptures to compare with what was said. But what about when it is the true blue Word that comes from the throne and things still appear to be opposite? One simple word: “Process!”
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it (KJV). Everything the Father says or does has purpose. This includes His very Word. We must understand that we are on a journey, and there is a specific route the Father wants us to take in order to get to our final destination. Similarly, there is a specific timing to prophesy, and a specific purpose in the way it happens. It is not about merely bringing something to pass, it also includes how it is to come to pass. Certain gifts, offices, and promises require certain maturity levels. This process takes one from being called to being chosen. For example, a person may desire the office of a bishop, but that office has standards for the one who would hold it. 1Timothy three lays out the qualifications for bishops and deacons. In verse 6 it says, “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil (KJV). If a person takes that position before he is ready, he is setting himself up for a fall. He needs to mature in the Lord first. We are going to be the most effective in our calling when we are on time!
Each individual believer is going to mature at different rates and go through different processes. Each of us has had different life experiences that affect our walk with the Lord. Some have more baggage than others do. Whether there are deep-seated hurts that need healing or lusts that have not been dealt with properly, these can surface at the wrong time. We need to understand that gifts work regardless of the individual’s personal life. For example, in John chapter 18 we find that Caiaphas the high priest said, “It is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation” (John 18:49-51, KJV). The prophecy did not come from Caiaphas himself; he prophesied as the result of the office he was in. Even though he prophesied, he would still cry out, “Crucify Him!” His character was hidden behind the office. That is why we can see people accurately preaching or teaching the Word of God, only to fall into sin later. What they said could very well be true, but that does not necessarily mean their individual walk is lining up with the Word. In some cases, people started to minister before their time. This why it is important for us to embrace the moment we are currently in. We must allow God to do things in His timing and allow for the process He needs to take us through so that the gift, calling, or promise does not destroy us.
3John2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (KJV). The desire of the Father is that we do prosper and walk in health, but it is to be in proportion to the prospering of our souls. We must allow God to define what prosperity is for us as well. Many equate financial wealth to prosperity; nevertheless, for some financial wealth can be their ruin if they are not equipped to handle it. Prosperity takes on different shapes and forms, and we must walk in the prosperity that we are designed for at the proper time. Part of prospering our soul is the trying of our faith. You, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time: Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1Peter 1:5-7, KJV).
We cannot equate being used of God as being a sign of holiness or acceptance in of itself. Some seek to use teaching, preaching, or operating in the various gifts of the Spirit as means of personal validation. They want to be known as men or women of God; they want status. That is not to say what they do is entirely impure, but they are missing what God intended for them. What we do should be the result of our relationship with the Father, not trying to earn one. Some try to hide the need for validation, lusts, jealousy, envy, deep-seated hurts, and the like behind the gifts. Keep in mind that God is not overly fond of hypocrisy. It will be exposed either on this or on that side of eternity. We can receive correction on this side, or be condemned on that side. Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in They Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity (emphases mine, KJV). Sad but true, there will be those in the end who will have done many things in the Name of the Lord, only to find that it was meaningless. Because He loves His people, the Lord will sometimes withhold for a season, and when the time is right, the promise will come to pass. Often, the promise comes in unexpected ways, and very suddenly.
Of course, other aspects are involved with personal prophecy. One example is the preparation for others to receive what the Father wants to impart through us. The process we go through is also for others. How many times have you looked at someone going through something and prevailing, and finding yourself more hopeful as a result? Then there is sense of faith rising up in us as we read about the many triumphs that come out of hardship, found in the Scriptures. There are many facets to the process, and this blog is not intended to cover them all. After all, our God is infinite, and there is always more. Remember, it is all about Him, not us. Both in the journey to our destiny and our actual arrival, He will get all the glory!
Be blessed and uplifted in the Name of Jesus!
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