Who is a Prophet?

 

This is a message to help you determine if someone who prophesies is a prophet, or if they are someone who just has a gift of prophecy. Not everyone who prophesies is a prophet, but all who are prophets do prophesy. It’s important to know the difference. I believe you will find this teaching most helpful in your learning about the prophetic people of today.

 

 

Who Can Prophecy?

 

It was in 1976 and I was 25 years of age when I began seeking God, asking what He wanted to do with my life. Each time I prayed the verse of Scriptures that kept coming to my mind was from Ezekiel 33:30-33.

 

“As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. And when this comes to pass-surely it will come-then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

 

At that time, I had not been baptized in the Holy Spirit and the denomination I was affiliated with did not believe in prophets for today. In fact, I had no idea what a prophet was; however, what I did know from reading the Old Testament was they were not very popular. For the next ten years I was confronted with this calling but I did not want to go that way. Each time the calling came I would see myself leaning over a pulpit, wearing an old moth-eaten sport coat, speaking some dry word. Being a banker was much more honorable in the eyes of the world than sounding like some crazy person calling himself a prophet. I learned that it does not always matter what you want. If you ask God for a Word and then reject His Word, He will see that His Word is fulfilled anyway. One way or another, His Word will come to pass either the hard way or the easy way. You have the choice. Unfortunately I learned this lesson, like so many others, the hard way.

 

Ten years later, I surrendered to the calling thinking that I would just automatically find my way into the ministry. Oh no, I learned another lesson and it is this: the amount of time you reject doing what God has called you to do will determine the length of time before He will allow you to begin living out the blessing of His Word.

 

The lesson I pray you learn from this message can be summoned up by this one verse of Scripture. “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.” (2 Peter 2:21)

 

 

Prophetic or Pathetic?

 

This teaching was recorded July 20, 1996, when the prophetic movement was at its peak. As new heights were being sought, some crazy things started to pop up. Immediate correction was needed within the movement if the church was to accept the New Testament Prophets.

 

If God has called you to be a prophet or a prophetic person, you do not need to change your appearance and your actions to something that is quirky and weird. God can use you just as you are. It is also important that you don’t think of yourself as being better than any other person out there. Arrogance in the prophets of God will hinder the prophetic movement.

 

 

Mail Order Prophet

 

This recording was made in March, 2012. “Mail Order Prophet” is the story of how I was tagged with the nickname “Mail Order Prophet”, and when I was referred to in this manner by church leaders. It was not meant to be a good thing! However, many of those leaders have passed on and here I am continuing to do what I was condemned for doing back then. As of May, 1995, we took a count of the number of prophesies I had mailed out, and the number was over 200,000. Now mind you, that count was made 17 years ago as of the date of this recorded video. I’m still living up to the name today, and will continue until the day I pass on to be with God the Father, and Jesus the Son in Heaven.

 

 

So You Want to be a Prophet?

 

A few years ago a good friend of mine asked me this question; “Why do people want to become prophets? If everyone knew what all you have been through walking in the office of a Prophet they would not want the job.” This was some years back and I have just now been released to share some the challenges facing anyone who is called to walk in accordance with God’s prophets.

 

First of all, I must reveal a few things about what the difference between those who prophesy and those who are called to be prophets of God. All prophets prophesy; however, everyone who prophesies is not automatically operating as a prophet. We also know that prophecy is used by God to edify, encourage and to build up the body of Christ. However, when a prophet of God begins to minister it is somewhat different. We always look for the positive in everyone’s life, but there are times when God has had enough.

 

All prophets prophesy; however, everyone who prophesies is not automatically operating as a prophet.

 

This is when the word of rebuke comes in and the hearer of the word is captivated. It is as if the Lord caused the recipient to become deaf and blind to His word.

 

Some time later when the word comes to light, the recipient knows they have been corrected and now have the choice of changing or turning against the word.

 

It is the word that judges not the messenger.

 

It is the word that judges not the messenger. Many times the prophet already knows what their decision will be and they will prepare for the hearer’s retaliation. The prophet must stand alone at this point and not allow emotions to enter into their thoughts. Waiting upon the Lord for instructions can be most difficult; nonetheless, a prophet worth their salt will wait upon the Lord for direction. Only when direction is given can the prophet move to safety.

 

Dull of Hearing

 

When I was called out by God to work in the ministry, part of my duties were to teach people that God is speaking; for many had become dull of hearing. So, I thought it would be a wise idea to go to the churches and teach on hearing God.

 

As I went to each church, I would ask the pastor if I could hold a Hearing Clinic in his church. Most of the pastors thought I would be offering hearing aides for sale. When I informed them that I was not selling hearing aides they wanted to know what I was offering. I told them I would be teaching the people how to hear the voice of God.

 

One pastor, whom I called upon replied, “You think you can hear God?” I said, “Yes sir I do.” The pastor picked up his bible and said, “Son, the only way you can hear God is by reading His word!” I waited a moment before replying. Then the Holy Spirit said, “Ask him if he is called to pastor this church.” So I asked the pastor and he said, “BLESS GOD, AMEN!” As he tucked his bible under his arm. Then the Holy Spirit said, “Ask him where his name is in the book.” As I was command, I ask the pastor and he slammed the door in my face.

 

Some 13 years later, I was finally invited to do my first Hearing Clinic, thanks to Pastor C. W. (Bill) Campbell in Batson, Texas.