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The Prophetic Word - part 3 of 3 (Amplified Bible) Effective delivery and accurate interpretation of the prophetic word require a basic understanding of the fundamentals of prophecy as well as of the prophet’s own responsibility in receiving and delivering that word. Three basics of prophetic revelation include: God’s progressive times and means of fulfillment, His integrated levels of meaning, and identification of His intended audience. Fulfillment of the prophetic word may be immediate, as in Moses’ warning to Pharaoh of the coming plague of locusts {Ex 10:1-20}. A not-too distant fulfillment of God’s using the locusts as a natural means of judging sin occurs later in Joel’s description of the devastation left by a similar invasion {chapter 1}, and a far distant fulfillment {Rev 9:1-11} is prophesied to occur after the sounding of the fifth angel: “And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth and unto them was given the power, as the scorpions of the earth have power” {Rev 9:3}. Just as there may be levels of fulfillment of prophetic prophecy, so there may be layers of meaning. Most basic is the literal interpretation in which a word means exactly what it says. From the principle of “first the natural, then the spiritual,” one usually begins with this level of interpretation. For example, both Moses and Joel witnessed a literal plague of locusts. The next level of meaning is that of the metaphorical, in which one thing stands for another. For example, some commentators interpret the locusts as also referring to the Assyrians/Babylonians, the Medo-Persians, the Greeks and the Romans, sequential armies which would invade the nation: “For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion” {Joel 1:6}. A further level of meaning is that of the symbolic interpretation, as in viewing “leprosy” as representative of “sin” or “locusts” as representative of “instruments of God’s judgment,” whatever form He may use. In scripture, colors and numbers are often symbolic as in “red” representing “the Blood of Christ” and “five” representing “grace.” For uncontaminated reception and delivery of the pure word, whether of prayer, supplication, or prophecy, every man “shall know the plague of his own heart” {I Kin 8”38}. The prophet is responsible for his own faithfulness to deliver the Word as instructed and given by the Lord, not for the way others respond. After delivery, he must release the results back to God unless the Lord calls him to intercession for the situation. The prophet must know the exact audience to whom he is to deliver his message. This may be to a single person, as with Elijah and Ahab; to a group of people, as with Jeremiah and the religious leaders; to a city, as with Jonah to Nineveh; or to a nation, as with Joel to Judah. In some cases, the prophet receives a word he is not to share, but rather to use as the basis for God-directed intercession. In order to deliver God’s message according to His timing and purpose, the prophet may have to wait for people or circumstances to align themselves. Recognizing the weight of Divine trust placed upon him, the prophet must not alter God’s message to suit his own preference, prejudice or presumption. Knowing the Lord desires vessels who maintain on-going personal repentance as well as a pure heart and a righteous walk, may we offer ourselves as prophetic vessels to carry the prophetic Word. -Ruth French December Newsletter 2004 | Profound Obedience | The Fruit part 3 of 3 Pastor's Journal December 2003 | True Treasure | Prophetic Word part 3 of 3 |
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