Chapter 10


CONTROL OF PROPHECY

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze


CONTROL OF PROPHECY
         We have seen that 1 Corinthians 14: 32 calls for the control of the spirit of the prophets, in order to ensure peace and orderliness in the church of God. This does not mean that the spirit of God is under the control of man, or that man has the authority to stop or ban the spirit of prophecy. St. Paul was only advising the Corinthians to do everything in order.
         From the nature of Paul’s writing, it is evident that the Corinthians love prophecy. Their trend had become such that several individuals prophecy at the same time. Instead, as St. Paul advised them, a few should prophesy. It is then that they are in consonant with God who is orderly in all His ways.
         Those, who because of 1 Corinthians 14: 32, change the messages, directives or ban the spirits and Angels from God, should learn better from the Bible. Since the beginning of the world, it has been the spirit of God, not man, directing the affairs of the church. Those who opposed the spirit of God met with severe punishment; Jonah disobeyed God and was cast into sea (fish) for three days and three nights.
And God is prophetic in all His ways. He determines and fulfils. Nothing which He does not permit can exist; He is the Alpha and the Omega: the Beginning and End of all things.
         Individuals can prophesy, only because the spirit of God is in them. It is the same spirit that gives and interprets prophecy.

“The spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is why we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.” 1 Corinthians 2: 10-13

         This is a confirmation of Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit”, says the Lord Almighty”. The same spirit is Life and Truth; itself embodies knowledge and understanding.

GUIDELINES: PROPHETIC FACTS
  1. Prophecy comes like lightening. God is able to inform His ministers and people instantaneously. There is the validity of instinct, intuition and inspiration. Refer to Matthew 10: 19, 20.

  2. God is ever ready to make revelations to mankind, so as to guide them aright. Refer to Isaiah 65:24; Jeremiah 33: 3 and John 16: 12; 13.

  3. Prophecy is a sign of the true church of God. Refer to Proverbs 29:18; John 16:12, 13 and 1 Corinthians 14:1-5.

  4. Prophecy is possible, not only when there is spiritual possession.

  5. Facts are naturally prophetic. In fact, as prophetic as fact.

  6. Prophecy is an everlasting attribute of God.

  7. Prophecy depends on God, man and events: but it comes only from God.

  8. God is the only one independent prophet. All the prophets and prophecies depend, directly or indirectly, on God.

  9. One for a nation; the same for mankind – A prophet meant for a particular nation, tribe or church, is as well a prophet for all nations.

  10. The prophecy from God is as clear as daylight- true and evident.

  11. A dream message you receive about another person may be a message about yourself. Therefore, when you receive such message, first inform the person concerned; also pray about the message, for fulfillment or prevention.

  12. Evil spirits may use the face of your friends or close relatives to attack you in your sleep or dream. A novice may take it that the friends or relatives are his enemy.

  13. It is not every message received about a person that should be delivered to the person. Some messages are to teach the receiver. Certain message should be sealed, where they will do more harm than good, if delivered.

  14. An “insignificant” message may end up being a major event in fulfillment.