“…let us prophesy in proportion to our faith” – Romans 12:6
When people hear the word prophecy, they often picture dramatic predictions or mysterious revelations. But Scripture paints a much clearer picture. The primary role of prophecy is forthtelling—declaring what God has already revealed in His Word. The Bible itself came through prophetic revelation, “given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, NKJV). And because God has spoken fully and finally in His Son (Hebrews 1:2), His written Word is complete. Revelation 22:18–19 warns us not to add to or take away from it. That means any guidance we believe comes from the Holy Spirit must be measured against Scripture. We don’t create new revelation; we communicate the revelation already given. Like ingredients in a kitchen, God uses His Word in countless combinations to guide us—but the ingredients never change.
Prophecy also includes foretelling, though not always on the scale of Daniel or Isaiah. In Acts 21:11, Agabus gave Paul a specific warning about what awaited him in Jerusalem—a personal, Spirit‑led prediction. God is sovereign and can still speak this way, but Scripture remains our foundation. Many modern “prophecies” fail because they are not anchored in the Word. True prophecy today is less about predicting the future and more about applying God’s timeless truth to present situations. A pastor who prayerfully prepares a message, seeking to edify, exhort, and comfort God’s people (1 Corinthians 14:3), is functioning in this prophetic role. Like Peter on the Day of Pentecost, he takes the written Word and applies it to the moment with Spirit‑given clarity.
And at the center of all prophecy—whether forthtelling or foretelling—is one Person: Jesus Christ. Every prophet pointed to Him, every promise finds its fulfillment in Him, and every true word from God leads us back to Him. Moses foretold His coming (Deuteronomy 18:15–18). Jesus Himself explained that “all the Scriptures” speak of Him (Luke 24:27). He is the living Word (John 1:1), the One in whom all prophetic truth finds its meaning. The earlier prophets reflected God’s light in part; Jesus radiates it in full. To speak prophetically is to speak of Christ—His truth, His gospel, His glory. Prophecy is not about predicting what we want God to do—it is about proclaiming what God has already said. Hold fast to His written Word. Test every impression, every message, every “word” against Scripture. Speak only what God has spoken, no more and no less. When your words are anchored in the Bible and centered on Jesus, you stand on the surest foundation and become a vessel of edification, exhortation, and comfort to others.
“The Holy Spirit does not give new revelations today; He illumines the one final revelation given once and for all.”—D. Martyn Lloyd‑Jones
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