Some in the Church refuse to accept Prophecy as either of this time or of a legitimate area for ministry or study. This is not a biblical position to hold. Revelation 19:10 tells us so clearly and in plain language to “Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Indeed, it was “He who gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still others to be pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). There can be no doubt about it, Prophecy is intended to be part of the Church today.

What happens when we do not carry out the duties assigned to us? If we refer to the Bible, we find plenty of examples to serve as warnings. Let us look at the New Testament and to Luke 12:54-56 where “Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud coming in the west, you immediately say, ‘There’s going to be a storm,’ and that’s what happens. When you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, yet you don’t know how to interpret the present time?” Later in Luke 19:41-44 we read that when Jesus came close to Jerusalem “he came closer and saw the city, he began to cry over it, saying, “If you had only known today what could have brought you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days will come when your enemies will build walls around you, surround you, and close you in on every side. They will level you to the ground-you and your children within you. They will not leave one stone on another within you, because you didn’t recognize the time when God came to help you” (emphasis added).

Because they, the Pharisees, the leaders of the Jewish community and of all Israel were unable, or unwilling to understand and discern the signs of times in which they lived. “Because you didn’t recognize the time when God came to help you” and were unwilling to seek the Lord, instead of receiving blessings from God, Jesus instead declared and prophesied the judgement which was to befall them for their lack of revelation. Their enemy will surround them and “will level you to the ground-you and your children within you. They will not leave one stone on another.” In AD70 it came to pass and Jerusalem was destroyed and Israel ceased to exist for 1,878 years, until 1948.

But it was not only that Jerusalem was to be destroyed and the nation vanquished and dispersed, Jesus also prophesied “But now it [He] is hidden from your eyes.” He hid Himself from their eyes. God was responding in kind; as Israel rejected the Lords revelations, so God rejected them. Luke 13:35 confirms God’s position saying “Look! Your house is left to you deserted. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘How blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'” In other words, God is saying here to them: you have rejected Me and I will grant you your wish to be alone. I will now ignore you.

The times are changing for the Church. God is doing new things. He is not a God whom we can keep in a box and hold to our denominational worldviews of what He is or should be. God is bigger than that, and His rhēma word tells us He is doing lots of new things. We need to be where He is, not where He was in the days of our fathers.

Heavenly Father,

You are Lord and God. Let Your will be done now on earth as in heaven. Reveal to me now Your Sovereign will for me in Your prefect plan. Change my mind and heart for a mind and heart which are aligned fully with You and Your will for me. Empower me now, for that destiny which You have marked me for since the beginning of time. Set me on that path today. Remove my unbelief and give me the faith of Jesus Himself that I may be an over-comer for You. Reveal to me that gift which is yet dormant within me, that it may now be used for the glory of Your Kingdom. Let your eyes now shine upon me and make me as new for You.

In Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen.