The Truth About The Last Days, Antichrist, The Rapture, More.

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The Truth About The Last Days, Antichrist, The Rapture, More.
http://www.teachingfaith.com/content.cfm?id=304
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First and foremost, I know there are many scholars, theologians and charismatic leaders who have
delved into the subject of the prophetic with great understanding and insight. They have probably
forgotten more than I will ever know.
With that said, I will endeavor to bring the prophetic down to simple every day terms and hopefully
help the average Joe like me reading this translate the prophetic into everyday life. After all, the
everyday trials and joys of life is where we interact with family, co-workers and friends and it is in
these places we need the prophetic the most.
The prophetic has garnered a lot of attention over the years; some good and some bad. It seems
the bad is more often remembered and causes fear in the body of Christ. I hope to help eliminate
this fear by first discussing what prophecy is.
Breaking It Down
If you look it up in the dictionary prophecy can mean to tell of a future event in order to reveal the
will of a deity or be seen as a prediction, a foretelling, foresight or insight. The act of predicting or
foretelling is most often what scares or at the very least concerns many believers. Either they
discard the value and legitimacy of prophecy or leave it up to someone more qualified or gifted.
Prophecy is often looked at as something the so called "national or local church leaders" engage
in and can be seen as something reserved for a select gifted few. It can be seen as something
operating on a grand scale in regard to nations and/or governments with little relation to everyday
life and experiences. Prophecy is also seen as something a Prophet visiting a local church or
conference might engage in. This is indeed true, but prophecy is much more than that.
Now if we break down the word prophecy to a more acceptable term like "hearing God" which we
will discuss in detail, it becomes more palatable...it becomes less mysterious.
Expectations & Examples
There is an expectation for our pastors, worship leaders, Sunday school teachers and so on to
hear God. Yet for the most part we do not see this as prophetic. I beg to differ. Understanding this
will enable you to move more freely in the prophetic than you might have previously thought.
Every time a pastor preaches a message, a worship leader leads the congregation in worship, or a
Sunday school teacher teaches a lesson they are hearing God. The preacher may study but
thoughts of other scriptures pop into his mind...his spirit and gives clarification to the subject at
hand. Things he has learned over the years come to his remembrance as the Holy Spirit speaks to

2. him or her.
The worship leader may have a program but sometimes other songs begin to ring in his heart and
things change. The Sunday school teacher gets ideas about how to bring a lesson down to a
practical level while studying. They can then help others to understand through example or by
using visual aids.
In all these examples the testimony of Jesus is proclaimed and I guarantee you someone one
listening receives the Word in such a way they are changed. According to the Word the testimony
of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10).
How simple is that? Though simple, it is just the beginning of an exciting adventure consisting of
the grand to the sublime and all in between. We must become aware of our Spirit inspired ideas,
thoughts or insights and not go on idly unaware of God's still small voice urging us, speaking to us
or encouraging us according to what is on His heart.
A Gift To The Body
Prophecy is a gift to the body of Christ at every level and for every situation and circumstance.
One level is no more important than any other. In fact the Word is clear when Paul says all should
desire to prophesy, all should hear God (1 Corinthians 14:5, 14:24, and 14:31). The key word is all
not some or a select few. The result of such obedience in speaking out what you hear will cause
all to benefit (1 Corinthians 14:31).Prophecy or hearing God is to be a lifestyle available to all who
are born again...a lifestyle of living, moving and having one's being in Him...a lifestyle of being a
hearer and then a doer.
It's Just That Simple
Let's simplify prophecy a bit, and for the moment, ignore the dictionary definitions I mentioned
earlier. I will define prophecy according to the Word and explore its purposes in daily life. Not only
will we define and explore, we will use a new way to simplify prophecy all together; Hearing God.
In other words; prophecy is simply hearing God and doing as He says.
Hearing God? Yes! It is just that simple. For the most part, hearing God is something we believers
do every day. The sad part is how many people I have encountered as I have taught on this
subject who believe they do not hear God. I believe many times they are unaware and thereby
miss out on the Good Shepherd's voice and the fruit thereof.
As soon as I define hearing God in more simplistic terms many are often astonished at how many
times they have actually heard and how many times they have prophesied without even knowing
it. They are pleased to find prophesying is not some mystical or grand thing they cannot attain or
something they should fear. Instead, it is a byproduct of relationship with the Lover of one's soul.
Real Experiences
The very real experiences others have had such as feeling led to call a person and share a
scripture or pray with them, feeling compelled to share a testimony with someone, the desire to
sing a song of praise in tough circumstances, or how sharing their insight into a Scripture with

3. someone releases the testimony the Lord's love and grace changes their whole perspective and
opens their hearts.
Once they realize how all these encounters are results of hearing the still small voice of God the
prophetic is demystified. In turn, faith to step out on behalf of the Lord grows. Many times the
simple release of telling someone the Lord wants them to know He loves them has the power to
break down barriers and change their life. In releasing the simple things we hear God prompting
our hearts with will enable us to grow in faith and courage to share on a broader and grander scale
when the time comes. Experiencing the release of such a simple spoken faith extinguishes fear
and releases the heart of prophecy; to edify, exhort and console (1 Corinthians 14:3).
You see, using the word "hearing God" is much friendlier and is indeed more approachable to the
Church at large. Hopefully, it is more acceptable to all reading this and not too basic of an
approach to the more seasoned in this area. It never hurts to be reminded of basic principles in
any area and prophecy is no exception.
Just Like Us
Remember, pastors and such are just like us in respect to being created in the image of God. We,
like them, are temples of the Holy Spirit, and according to 1 Corinthians 2:16, we hold the thoughts
and intents of the Lord's heart. Since we hold His thoughts and intents then we are capable of
having those thoughts become real to us in a way that can bring life to those around us.
Hearing God or the testimony of Jesus is not meant for an exclusive few. In fact the body will be
edified and walk in the light according to the Lord's fullest desire if all of His children participate.
This way the earth can be filled with His glory. Know this, God shows no partiality. But He is partial
to all His sons and daughters, including you. He is a "whom so ever will kind" of God. Are you a
"whom so ever will" person? I hope so.
The Testimony Of Jesus
According to Revelation 19:10, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. What is the
testimony of Jesus? Too big of a subject for this article but let's confine the testimony of Jesus to
"hearing God" for now and how said testimony relates to the Word. Simply put, Jesus only did
what He heard and saw the Father saying and doing. Therefore, everything He did was a
testimony. Everything He did was prophetic. We must follow in His footsteps. We must hear and
see what He is doing and then share it until all are edified, exhorted and consoled.
We, who are born again, are like Jesus and we are all prophetic beings or ones who hear God.
Therefore, we must spend time with Him in all possible ways and choose to agree with Him that
we hear His voice and do not follow another. In doing this, His abundant life is released and many
are saved, healed and delivered.
Conclusion
Now that we have established the simplicity of what prophecy is and who can prophesy, I pray you
will open your heart to hearing His voice on a more consistent basis...journaling what He speaks to
you. You could be like me and find yourself writing a book filled with a collection of thoughts from

4. the Father's heart.
Take some time to contemplate all the times you have ministered to someone...how you did it and
what benefit resulted from your obedience. Be sure to join me in my next article as we discuss the
beautiful gift of prophecy or hearing God in more detail.
Brenda's writings are designed to provide prophetic insight and encourage others to develop a
two-way relationship with the Lord. Brenda is the author of Carvings In His Palm, What God
Thinks When He Whispers Your Name.
You can read more of Brenda's inspirational works online at http://www.journalsoftheheart.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Craig
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The Truth About The Last Days, Antichrist, The Rapture, More.
http://www.teachingfaith.com/content.cfm?id=304
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