Understanding Prophecy: Part 3
Four Types of Modern Prophecy
PROPHECY CONTINUES TODAY - BUT NOT AT SCRIPTURE LEVEL
"Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 KJV)
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I. INTRODUCTION: PROPHECY IN THE MODERN ERA
The Continuation Principle
After Scripture was completed, prophetic communication did not cease but continues in four distinct forms:
1. Scripture Reading Prophecy - God speaking through His written Word
2. Gift-Level Prophecy - Spiritual gift for local church edification
3. Office-Level Prophecy - Ministry office for broader regional/national scope
4. Individual Prophecy - Individual receives a prophecy directly from God for his own individual instruction
Key Truth: None of these are NEW Scripture-level prophecy in authority or universal application.
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV)
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II. TYPE 1: SCRIPTURE READING PROPHECY
A. Definition
When believers read Scripture aloud or apply biblical text, God speaks prophetically through His written Word to present circumstances.
B. Biblical Examples
Jesus in the Synagogue: "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read... And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." (Luke 4:16, 21 KJV)
C. Characteristics
• Source: The completed Scripture
• Authority: Equal to original Scripture (because it IS Scripture)
• Scope: Universal application
• Duration: Permanent and unchanging
• Verification: Self-authenticating through Scripture itself
• NOT NEW Prophecy!
D. Many Churches' Position
Cessationist View: Many denominations teach this is the only form of modern prophecy, believing that Gifts and Office prophecy ceased with the apostolic age.
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III. TYPE 2: GIFT-LEVEL PROPHECY
A. Definition
The spiritual gift of prophecy available to all believers for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the local church body.
B. Biblical Foundation
"But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." (1 Corinthians 14:3 KJV)
"Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues." (1 Corinthians 14:39 KJV)
"For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted." (1 Corinthians 14:31 KJV)
C. Characteristics
• Source: Holy Spirit through individual believers
• Authority: Subject to judgment and Scripture verification
• Scope: Local church congregation only
• Duration: Temporary, situational
• Purpose: Encouragement, building up, comfort
• Verification: Must align with Scripture and be judged by church
D. Scripture Emphasis in Gift-Level Prophecy
A person operating in the spiritual gift of prophecy may 'recite' or quote Scripture because God wants that particular passage emphasized for the local church situation.
Example: During a church service, someone prophesying might quote "Be strong and of a good courage" (Joshua 1:9) because God wants to encourage that specific congregation facing a current challenge.
Key Distinction: The Scripture quoted applies specifically to that local church context and timing.
E. Biblical Guidelines
Testing Required: "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge." (1 Corinthians 14:29 KJV)
• New Testament Prophets (Office level or Gift level) are to be ‘judged’ but not executed for error. If it is a heretical error, then such a person should be strongly reprimanded and cautioned. A lessor error should be judged as error and the person cautioned. If the prophecy is given in public, then the ‘Prophet-Judges’ should give their verdict in public.
• An ‘Office Level Prophet’ is more accountable than a ‘Gift Level Prophet’.
• Prophet-Judges should include a person with the gift of discernment and also a consistent policy of how to handle erroneous prophets and their prophecies.
Order Required: "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV)
Submission Required: "And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets." (1 Corinthians 14:32 KJV)
F. Availability to All
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy." (Joel 2:28 KJV)
"But covet earnestly the best gifts... Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." (1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1 KJV)
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IV. TYPE 3: OFFICE-LEVEL PROPHECY
A. Definition
The ministry office of Prophet within the five-fold ministry, with authority extending beyond local congregations to multiple churches, regional, or national scope.
B. Biblical Foundation
The Five-Fold Ministry: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." (Ephesians 4:11 KJV)
Prophets in the Early Church: "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen... and Saul." (Acts 13:1 KJV)
C. Characteristics
• Source: Holy Spirit through recognized prophetic office
• Authority: Ministerial authority within specific sphere of influence
• Scope: Multiple churches, regional, or national level
• Duration: Ongoing ministry, but individual prophecies are temporal
• Purpose: Direction, correction, warning, or encouragement for broader Body of Christ
• Verification: Must align with Scripture and be confirmed by other ministry
D. Scripture Emphasis in Office-Level Prophecy
A person operating in the office of prophet may also 'recite' or quote Scripture because God wants that particular passage emphasized for multiple churches, regions, or nations.
Example: A prophet might quote "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray" (2 Chronicles 7:14) as a word to multiple churches across a region or to an entire nation facing spiritual crisis.
Key Distinction: The Scripture quoted applies to a broader scope - multiple congregations, regions, or national level - not just one local church.
E. Biblical Examples
Agabus - Regional Prophet: "And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar." (Acts 11:28 KJV)
"And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus... and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle." (Acts 21:10-11 KJV)
Judas and Silas: "And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them." (Acts 15:32 KJV)
Philip’s 4 Daughters: “And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.” (Acts 21:9 KJV)
* These are distinctly female.
** We are not told whether these are ‘Office Level’ or ‘Gift Level’ and they must have ‘spoken’ in church/assembly of believers.
F. Recognition and Accountability
By Fruits: "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20 KJV)
By Other Ministry: "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1 KJV)
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V. TYPE 4: INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL PROPHECY
A. Definition
A word of the Lord that is given directly to the intended recipient without a human mediator. The recipient of Individual Prophecy may be a 5-fold minister, a person who practices the Gifts of the Spirit, or a believer of any position – even a novice/beginner/baby Christian.
There is also the common case where a Prophet is given an “Individual Prophecy” to go somewhere/ to someone and prophecy to them an Office Level prophecy, or even in a church for a Gift Level Prophecy to go to someone in the assembly and prophesy to them a ‘Gift Level Prophecy’.
It is certainly acceptable to say that this is nothing more than leading of the Holy Spirit.
B. Biblical Foundation
“However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.” (John 16:13 KJV)
C. Characteristics
• Source: Holy Spirit speaking directly to an individual believer, or through another person (prophet, believer, etc.) to that specific individual
• Authority: binding on that individual recipient but carries no authority over others
• Scope: applies exclusively to that one person's life, decisions, or circumstances
• Duration: for specific circumstances, decisions, or seasons in that person's life
• Purpose: Personal direction, guidance, warning, encouragement, or confirmation for individual decisions, calling, or life situations
• Verification: Must align with Scripture; should be confirmed through prayer and wise counsel; major life decisions should receive multiple confirmations
D. Scripture Emphasis in Individual-Level Prophecy
A person receiving individual-level prophecy may have specific Scripture passages emphasized or quoted because God wants that particular passage applied to their personal situation. But this is a personal and individual type of prophecy wherein the Holy Spirit guides the Spirit-Filled believer what to do.
E. Biblical Examples
Ananias, a certain disciple: "And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight." Acts 9:10-16 (KJV)
Analysis:
• Recipient: Ananias - described only as "a certain disciple"
• Content: Very specific personal direction about finding and ministering to Paul
• Purpose: Personal assignment for Ananias alone
• Scope: Individual, not for church or broader ministry
Cornelius, a Roman Centurion: "He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." (Acts 10:3-6 KJV)
Analysis:
• Recipient: Cornelius - Roman centurion, not a prophetic minister
• Content: Specific instructions to send for Peter
• Purpose: Personal direction for Cornelius' salvation and household
• Scope: Individual and family level
Philip the Evangelist: "Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." (Acts 8:29 KJV)
Analysis:
• Recipient: Philip - though an evangelist, this was personal direction
• Content: Specific instruction to approach the Ethiopian's chariot
• Purpose: Personal assignment for individual ministry
• Scope: One-time personal direction
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VI. CRITICAL DISTINCTIONS
A. Authority Levels
Scripture-Level: Universal authority for all people, all times
Office-Level: Regional/Movement authority within specific sphere
Gift-Level: Local church authority for edification only Individual Level: Individual only
B. Scope of Application
Scripture: All humanity throughout all history
Office: Multiple churches, regions, or nations
Gift: Single local congregation or individual believers Individual Level: Individual only
C. Scripture Usage in Each Level
Scripture Reading: Universal application of the written Word Office Prophecy: Scripture quoted for regional/national emphasis Gift Prophecy: Scripture quoted for local church emphasis
Individual Level: Scripture alignment for the Individual only
D. Permanence
Scripture: Eternal and unchanging
Office: Ministerial duration Limited
Gift: Situational and temporary Individual Level: Individual only
E. Verification Standards
Scripture: Self-authenticating and foundational
Office: Must align with Scripture and be confirmed by ministry
Gift: Must align with Scripture and be judged by local church
Individual Level: Alignment with Scripture
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VI. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
A. Gift-Level Example
During a local church service, someone prophesying might say: "Thus saith the Lord, 'Fear not, for I am with thee' (Isaiah 41:10), for I see the concerns of this congregation about the building fund, and I want you to know that I will provide."
Application: Local church level - specific to that congregation's situation.
B. Office-Level Example
A recognized prophet speaking to multiple pastors might say: "Thus saith the Lord, 'Prepare ye the way of the Lord' (Isaiah 40:3), for I am calling the churches in this region to unity and prayer for revival that will sweep across these three states."
Application: Regional level - multiple churches and broader geographic scope.
C. Indicidual-Level Example
A believer hears the Holy Spirit say to him: “Turn left at this next intersection and you will find an old woman on her front porch. Go to her and I will tell you what to do next.”
Application: Individual / Personal level – For immediate use by the individual.
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VII. DANGERS AND SAFEGUARDS
A. Common Errors
1. Elevating lower levels to Scripture authority 2. Dismissing legitimate prophetic ministry 3. Operating without proper accountability 4. Confusing personal revelation with public prophecy 5. Applying local prophecies to broader contexts 6. Taking regional prophecies as universal truth
B. Biblical Safeguards
Testing Everything: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." (1 John 4:1 KJV)
Scripture as Final Authority: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20 KJV)
Accountability Structures: "Where no counsel is the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14 KJV)
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VIII. CONCLUSION
Prophecy continues today in three distinct forms, each with its proper place and limitations:
1. Scripture Reading - God's eternal Word applied to present circumstances
2. Gift-Level Prophecy - Encouragement for local church bodies (may include Scripture emphasis for that congregation)
3. Office-Level Prophecy - Broader ministry for multiple churches, regions, or nations (may include Scripture emphasis for that broader scope) 4. Individual-Level Prophecy – Specifically for the individual recipient.
None of these equal Scripture-level prophecy in authority or universal application, but all serve important functions in God's ongoing communication with His people.
"Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 KJV)
