Prophecy
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
--- 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
The gift of prophecy is one of the important gifts of God. The gift is prominent in both the old and new testament. The word "prophecy" is the Greek word propheteia which meant the gift to interpret the will of God or a divine utterance. Prophets which are ones who speak by divine inspiration. All prophets have at least two of the three of the revelation gifts plus the gift of prophecy The revelation gifts are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge and discerning of spirits. For information on the revelation gift - Here
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
--- Revelation 19:10
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
--- 2 Peter 1:10-12
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
--- 2 Peter 1:20-21
The testimony Of Jesus is spirit of prophecy. The Spirit of Christ was in every prophecy of the old testament scripture. The Spirit of Christ inspires the spirit of prophecy. The old testament prophecies did not come by the will of the prophets. The prophecies came the prophets as mysteries and those same prophecies become revelations to us. The prophecies of old mostly foretold of Christ and His sufferings and its effect on the nations of the world.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
--- Luke 24:44-48
Jesus declared that He was prophesied about in the law, the prophets, and the psalms.
Prophecy in the Law of Moses
17 And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
--- Deuteronomy 18:17-19
Prophecy in the Prophets
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
--- Isaiah 7:14
Prophecy in the Psalms
1 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
--- Psalms 110:1-7
Throughout the law, the prophets and the psalms there were many prophecies given concerning Christ and His destiny and the impact He would have on humanity and the world. Every prophecies had the Spirit of Christ signified in it. Before the law was given only God prophesied concerning Christ coming and the purpose of that coming. God prophesied to Eve that a seed would come forth who would bruise the head of the serpent and that was Christ. God prophesied to Abraham that in his seed that all the earth would be blessed and that seed was Christ.
Prophecy is a supernatural utterance in know tongue. A supernatural utterance under divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In the old testament it was given to foretell events and occurrences. In the new testament or church age prophecy is given to foretell but mainly it is to be used for forth telling. God may still use prophets, other fivefold ministries or even laymen to foretell events or occurrences, which are very important.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
--- John 16:13
It is important that when the Holy Spirit shows us things to come that we take heed. But as the heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ we are called to all prophesy according to faith.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
--- Romans 12:6
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
--- I Corinthians 14:1
The word "gifts is the Greek word charisma which means endowed with a gift of favor. The word "grace" is the Greek word charis which means favor. Having gifts according to the favor of God we could prophesy according to the proportion of faith. Remember that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy therefore more we believe the testimony of Jesus the more we can operate in the spirit of prophecy. The gift of prophesy is given for edification and exhortation and comfort.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
--- 1 Corinthians 14:3,39
The word "edification" is the Greek word oikedome" to build up. The word "exhortation" is paraklesis which means a calling near or to urge or a consolation. The word "comfort" is paramuthia which means to comfort. The gift of prophecy is given to build up and to bring consolation and to comfort. The gift of prophecy is given to every believer to profit on two levels on a personal level and a corporate level.
Corporate level
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
--- 1 Corinthians 14:3-5
The greatest use of the gift of prophecy is for the building up of the church. Even the person who prophesies can be edified by his or her prophecy. The gift of prophecy releases the potential of the kingdom. It is the possibilities of the kingdom that the gift of prophecy speaks forth. That is why the Apostle Paul instructed the church to prophesy according to faith.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
--- Romans 12:6
God wants us to prophesy our destinies and His promises. The gift of prophecy should not be based on what we see. It should be according to the proportion of faith. The gift of prophecy should never be based upon negative emotions. Three of the greatest enemies of the gift of prophecy is fear, doubt, and unbelief. The testimony of Jesus which is the spirit of prophecies is the testimony of grace therefore the spirit of prophecy must the spirit of grace.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
--- 1 Peter 1:10-11
The prophets prophesied of the grace to come. They did warn of the consequences of rejecting that grace. The church is called to prophesy of the grace that Christ brought and the glory that should follow. Christ did His part by suffering now we should our part walk in the glory. We should be prophesying about the glory while warning about the consequences of rejecting the plans and purposes of God.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
--- Colossians 3:16
The Word of Christ can release the gift of prophecy corporately through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. The word "psalms" is the Greek work psalmos which means to sing. The word "hymns" is the Greek word humnos which means a song of praise. The word "songs" is ode which means songs. Psalms can be song or recited or confessed. Hymns are songs written about the goodness of God. Spiritual songs are songs that come from the spirit.
Personal Level
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
--- Ephesians 5:18
The gift of prophecy can also be used to edify oneself in personal devotion. King David was a master at prophesying to himself.
There are one hundred and fifty psalms and many were written by King David which he wrote while in his intimacy with the Lord. Through the gift of prophecy we can edify ourselves and find comfort. We can speak to ourselves while singing and making melody in melody in my hearts to the Lord. The gift of prophecy is the master use of the tongue.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
--- James 3:3-5
The tongue gives direction to your life. We should prophesy according to the Holy Spirit. Mastering your tongue is a key to you mastering your life. Prophecy is one of the ways to master your tongue. Prophecy is speaking what the Holy Spirit speaks. There is no greater way to tame your tongue than to practice speaking what God speaks. Every believer can prophesy their God given destiny. The best way to fight for your God given destiny is gift of prophecy.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
--- 1 Timothy 4:14
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
--- 1 Timothy 1:18
It is through prophecies that we can war a good warfare. We can declare prophecies and we can pray prophecies. Prophecy is one of the ways for us to come into agreement with God concerning our callings and destinies.