What does if mean when the Bible says people are prophesying?
(I might have spelled that wrong.)
2006-10-05 01:11:42 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Bible explains that "telling the future" is a tiny portion of what a prophesying person can do. Mostly, a person who prophesys (which is much different that the office of Prophet) will convey a message given to him or her (yes, women can prophesy!) by Jesus through the Holy Spirit (Rev. 19:10b). These messages are most often to encourage and build up the Body of Christ. However, this person may also be used by Jesus to rebuke a local church, a group, or an individual believer; this rebuke is intended to urge the group or person to repent and correct negative behavior.
You can read about this spiritual gift at 1 Cor. 14.
There is a test for anyone prophesying: their words MUST conform to God's message in the Bible; any "foretelling" of events MUST come true, otherwise the person is a false prophet.
I hope this helps. Peace and blessings.
2006-10-05 01:21:13 · answer #1 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Old Testament is filled with prophecies about Jesus' coming, and the New Testament tells how Jesus fulfilled those prophecies. Some are yet to be filled, such as when He comes again.
Prophecies tell of things that are to come, they are true and they appeared to the prophets usually through dreams or visions, or of an angel telling them what to write about.
There are no more prophets today since there is no need for them ... we have all we need to know in the Bible about Jesus.
There is a spiritual gift of prophecy, meaning it is one of encouragement and witnessing (talking about) Jesus to others, but this is not the same as foretelling the future of Jesus and the world during Biblical times.
2006-10-05 08:21:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To prophesy is to speak to the people a message given to you by God. It does not necessarily involve the foretelling of future events, though that may be the subject matter of the message.
2006-10-05 08:49:57 · answer #3 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
prophesying has 2 parts: predicting the future and giving enough details to recognize it as a specific event when it occurs...
people that generalize and say things that anyone could say like.... if you sin, God will punish you...is not prophesying.......that is just using logic.
If someone says, in the next year, enemies from the north of you will come in and destroy your city and take you as slaves, then that is more specific.....and if that comes true, then that is a prophecy.
2006-10-05 08:18:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't necessarily mean telling the future. It means speaking a message from God more often. A prophet was often there to set things right or to voice a warning. Some merely set an example for the rest.
Great question.
2006-10-05 08:40:30 · answer #5 · answered by luvwinz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prophecy is telling of a future event. But it must come true. A person prophesying will be telling something (from God) to someone (or a group of people) that will happen.
2006-10-05 08:14:58 · answer #6 · answered by RB 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They are acting as God's messenger, not always telling future events, sometimes confirming present of past events etc. Always weigh what they say against the Word of God as there are many false prophets.
2006-10-05 08:20:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think thhe prophecy that is mentioned, if in the verse you are thinking of, was used to connote divining-the seeing of the future in a way of pagan fortune telling. It was the way that was attempted to draw more faith to the One God of the Abrahamic following
2006-10-05 08:18:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Foretelling.
2006-10-05 08:15:09 · answer #9 · answered by Jackie B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi monkey-man
It means they have been given a message directly from God. It could mean the future or it could mean somethng in the present.
Prophets hear directly from God.
2006-10-05 08:16:17 · answer #10 · answered by Miss Vicki 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋