The prophet's handbook

Question #3: Whom is prophecy for? Prophecy is for its communicator; in our case, the Lord. Communication between the Creator and His creation began with God, who remains unknown apart from tangibly contacting us. True prophecy reveals His future for us. Despite what traditional doctrine preaches, the Scriptures emphatically show that He wants us to inquire of reputable prophets to unveil to us His eternal answers for our lives. Daniel 2:28 frankly makes this point. Question #4: Should “personal prophecy” be practiced? Yes, because people desire to know the future for many reasons, most of them good. Also, the Lord needs them to know it. Prophecy helps us plan life better, arm ourselves for its upsets, and equip ourselves to take better advantage of coming opportunities that God arranged before time. With prayer and Bible study, it can be an amazing tool. Question #5: Why should people receive personal prophecy? God desires people to know His future for them so that He can guide their life decisions. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says the Lord put eternity in our hearts. Why? So that He can lead us throughout life. Job 33:14–16 adds that He sealed our work in our hands for us to seek His plans for our lives because, as Acts 15:18 declares, God has known from eternity all of His works. Prophecy answers our unknowns. Question #6: What is the biblical basis for personal prophecy? Scripture is full of examples of personal prophecy to individuals, families, and nations. From God’s prophecy to Adam that he would surely die in the day that he ate from the forbidden tree, to the book of Revelation’s end of the age, prophecy reigns. Creation, future leaders, and answered prayer all started with prophecy. It is the single medium that keeps the Almighty in touch with His creation and keeps God in control. Jesus reiterates how He came to earth according to the prophecies made concerning Him. (See Psalm 40:7 and Hebrews 10:7.) The purpose of prophecy is to bring God’s eternal word to pass on time, as stressed in Scripture at least fifty-five times. Evidence of that word’s coming to pass is its physicality in events, objects, or actions. Question #7: What value is personal prophecy to people and why does God permit it? We cannot know tomorrow except if someone from the future reveals it to us. God is outside our time and holds all tomorrows in His hand. Psalm 139:16 says He wrote a book for every life that He made, and recorded every life before it began. Genesis 5:1’s book of Adam’s generations and Matthew 1:1’s book of Christ’s generation suggest this. See The Prophet’s Dictionary under