Brief Summary
This video introduces a course on the prophetic, outlining the vision of Rama Institute to raise a prophetic generation equipped with God's love, power, and wisdom. It establishes that while not all are called to be prophets, every believer is called to be prophetic, possessing the ability to see, hear, and know the Father's will through intimacy with Him. The lecture covers key definitions, biblical examples of prophetic training, and the importance of intercession and spiritual warfare in prophetic ministry.
- The prophetic is the heritage of sons, calling for intimacy with the Father.
- Training and equipping are essential for believers to function prophetically.
- The foundation of prophetic ministry is built on prayer and intercession.
Welcome and Introduction to Rama Institute
The speaker welcomes both online and on-site students to the Introduction to the Prophetic course at Rama Institute. He emphasises the privilege of being present and encourages students to maximise their time during the 12-week session. The Lord has given Rama Institute a mandate to raise a prophetic generation who will reach the world with the love, the power, and the wisdom of God.
The Prophetic Calling and Apostolic Foundation
The speaker clarifies that while not every believer is called to be a prophet, every believer is called to be prophetic and apostolic. Being apostolic means being sent by God, speaking His words, and possessing the Spirit without measure, as stated in John 3:34. The prophetic is not limited to an office but is the heritage of sons, enabling them to see and hear what the Father is doing, as Jesus exemplified in John 5:19-20. This capacity is available to all who receive Him, empowering them to become sons of God, as mentioned in Romans 8:19-21.
Intimacy with the Father and the Role of the Holy Spirit
The prophetic is a calling to intimacy with the Father, allowing believers to see and hear what He is doing and to carry out His will on Earth. The Holy Spirit, a prophetic spirit, guides believers into all truth, revealing things to come and making known the Father's heart, mind, and will. This enables believers to partner with God in advancing His kingdom on Earth, as taught in Matthew 6:9.
The Need for Training and Equipping in the Prophetic
If all believers are called to be prophetic, training and teaching become essential. The office of the prophet, as part of the five-fold ministry in Ephesians 4:11, is meant to equip the saints with prophetic grace through teaching, training, and impartation. The goal is for the entire body of Christ to become God's prophetic voice to the world, understanding the voice and heart of the Lord. The speaker clarifies that the school aims to make people prophetic, not necessarily to make them prophets, as the latter is a calling into an office that no man can bestow.
Coveting the Gift of Prophecy and the Old Testament Schools of the Prophets
The prophetic can be desired, and God calls believers to earnestly desire the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy, as stated in 1 Corinthians 14:1. The Bible encourages believers to "covet to prophesy," using "covet" in a positive sense, meaning to be dissatisfied with the current measure of the Spirit and to hunger for more. The speaker references the Old Testament schools of the prophets to explain the importance of teaching and equipping. He quotes Kenneth E. Hagin, emphasising that a measure of God's workings will be lost if the church is not taught how to move in the Spirit.
Samuel and the School of the Prophets in Ramah
The speaker references 1 Samuel 7:15-17, noting that Samuel judged Israel and built an altar unto the Lord in Ramah, his hometown. In 1 Samuel 19:18-24, David fled to Samuel in Ramah to escape Saul, and the company of prophets there prophesied under Samuel's leadership. This established Ramah as a place of prophetic anointing, where even Saul's messengers were overcome by the Spirit of God and prophesied.
David's Prophetic Anointing and the Importance of Association
David received his prophetic anointing in Ramah through association with Samuel and the company of prophets. Although anointed as king, David's prophetic utterances in the Psalms came from his time in Ramah, where he fellowshipped with Samuel. The speaker emphasises that the anointing can be caught by association, teaching, and training. He also notes that Samuel established schools of the prophets in various regions of Israel.
Elijah, Elisha, and the Continuation of Prophetic Schools
The tradition of schools of the prophets continued with Elijah and Elisha, as seen in 2 Kings 2. These prophets maintained schools in Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, and Jordan. After Elijah passed on his mantle to Elisha, Elisha also continued the schools of the prophets. Although the Bible does not extensively detail the existence of these schools after Elisha, the speaker believes they continued.
Moses and the Seventy Elders: God's Desire for All to Prophesy
In Numbers 11:24-30, Moses gathered seventy elders, and God took of the spirit that was upon Moses and gave it to them, causing them to prophesy. Even those who did not follow protocol and remained in the camp, Eldad and Medad, prophesied. Moses expressed his desire that all of God's people would be prophets and that God would pour his spirit upon them, reflecting God's heart for all believers to know His voice and express it on Earth.
The Prophetic Will Not Cease: God's Desire for Continuous Impartation
The speaker emphasises God's desire that the prophetic will not cease in believers' lives after receiving impartation. He highlights that God wants many sons to be brought into glory and seeks a church that will become His prophetic voice to the world. The goal is for believers to carry a prophetic DNA in all their ministries, enabling them to advance God's kingdom on Earth.
The Prophetic Can Be Taught and Caught: The Role of Teaching and Impartation
The prophetic can be taught and caught through the word of God, creating an atmosphere for impartation. Spirits travel through words, as seen in Ezekiel 2:2, and impartation can occur through listening to teachings, as demonstrated in Acts 10:44. The speaker mentions practical sessions and courses such as the science of prophecy and prophetic protocol and administration, aimed at equipping believers to administer the prophetic gift accurately and avoid the abuses that have wounded many.
Defining a Prophet: Spokesman, Messenger, and Interpreter
The lecture transitions into defining key terms, starting with "What is a prophet?" A prophet is defined as a spokesman for God, a messenger of God, and one who speaks by divine inspiration. In the Old Testament Hebrew text, the word for prophet is "Nabi," meaning a spokesman or messenger. In the New Testament Greek text, a prophet is one who speaks by divine inspiration and interprets the divine oracle or the will of God.
The Law of First Mention: Abraham as the First Prophet in Scripture
The speaker introduces the "law of first mention," explaining that to understand any subject in scripture, one must refer to the first time the word is used. The first mention of "prophet" is in Genesis 20:7, where God refers to Abraham as a prophet and instructs Abimelech to restore Abraham's wife, Sarah. God says Abraham will pray for Abimelech, and he and his household will be healed. This indicates that the foundation of the ministry of the prophet is not built on prophecy but on prayer and intercession.
The Foundation of Prophetic Ministry: Prayer and Intercession
The guiding scripture in Genesis 20:7 reveals that the ministry of the prophet is built on the foundation of prayer, specifically intercessory prayer. The first call of a prophet is to build a life of prayer and intimacy with God, bearing the burden of God's people in prayer. It is out of this culture of prayer that God begins to speak to the prophet.
Standing in the Counsel of the Lord: The Importance of Intimacy with God
Referencing Jeremiah 23:18, the speaker emphasises that a prophet must stand in the counsel of the Lord, having fellowship with God and discerning His mind before speaking as His spokesman. A prophet must have a closed-door meeting with God before speaking on His behalf, lest he speak his own agenda. The calling of the prophet is not first to prophesy but to build intimacy with God through prayer.
Intercession for the Church and the Nation: Jeremiah's Example
In Jeremiah 27:18, Jeremiah challenges false prophets to make intercession to the Lord, demonstrating that a prophet's first assignment is to labour with the word of the Lord in intercession. The intercessory ministry of the prophet covers the church and the nation, as Jeremiah prayed that the vessels of the house of the Lord and the house of the king of Judah would not go to Babylon. Prophetic people have a responsibility to intercede for their local, territorial, and global church, as well as for their community, city, and nation.
Prophetic Intercession: Beyond Selfish Prayer
The speaker distinguishes between personal supplication and intercessory prayer, noting that a prayer ministry goes beyond praying for oneself to capturing the burdens and purposes of God for others. He references Paul's instruction to give no offense to the church, the Jews, and the nations, emphasising that accurate prophetic people understand God's dealings with these three categories. He cautions against replacement theology, which falsely claims the church has replaced Israel, and highlights the importance of supporting Israel in light of last-day prophecies.
Anna the Prophetess: The First Prophet Mentioned in the New Testament
The speaker notes that the first person called a prophet in the New Testament is Anna the prophetess in Luke 2:36-39, whose ministry was built on prayer and fasting. This reinforces the principle that the prophetic is rooted in intercession. He also points out that the first ministry gift mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments is the prophet, highlighting the importance of the prophetic in preparing the way for God's purposes.
The Prophet as Intercessor and Contender with Darkness
The prophet stands as an intercessor before God, contending with the kingdom of darkness. Referencing Jeremiah 27:18, the speaker explains that the prophet makes intercession so that the agenda of hell against the church and the nations is not realised. The prophet receives the secrets of God and stands in intercession to counter the plans of the enemy.
Speaking to Men and to Powers: The Twofold Ministry of the Prophet
The prophet is called to speak for God to His people and to speak to Satan and the gates of hell. Using Moses as an example, the speaker shows that the prophet is both a spokesman and a mouthpiece of God. In Exodus 4:14-16, Aaron was to be Moses' spokesman to the people, while in Exodus 7:1, Aaron was to be Moses' prophet to Pharaoh, a type of Satan. This demonstrates that the prophetic ministry involves both speaking to men and confronting the powers of darkness.
Prophesying Against Powers: Spiritual Warfare and Consecration
The speaker emphasises that spiritual warfare is a major part of the work of a prophet, who is called to prophesy against the powers of darkness. Referencing Ezekiel 29:1, he notes that God instructed Ezekiel to prophesy against Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and against all Egypt. This requires consecration, as one must know where they are standing when fighting spirits.
Defining Prophecy: Communication of God's Heart, Mind, and Will
Prophecy is defined as the communication of the heart, mind, will, plans, and purposes of God by divine inspiration. This includes not only the mind of God but also the emotions and intent of God. The speaker notes that prophecy can be sung, dramatised, or spoken, and that prophetic actions can be carried out under divine inspiration.
Divine Inspiration: The Breath of God
The underlying principle for engaging in the prophetic is divine inspiration, the breath of God. Referencing Job 32:8 and 2 Timothy 3:16, the speaker explains that prophecy functions from the standpoint of inspiration, with the spirit of God breathing into the human spirit. He uses the analogy of human speech, where words carry both breath and sound, to illustrate how the spirit of God communicates.
The Purpose of Prophecy: Bearing Witness of Christ and His Kingdom
The ultimate purpose of prophecy is to bear witness of Christ and His kingdom, as stated in Revelation 19:10. Prophecy is not for self-aggrandisement or self-projection but to bring the reality of the living Christ and His kingdom into the world of men.
Two Kinds of Prophecy: Foretelling and Forthtelling
There are two kinds of prophecy: foretelling and forthtelling. Foretelling involves speaking about the future before it happens, while forthtelling involves telling forth the will of God for the present. The speaker notes that Old Testament prophets were more preachers than teachers, bringing the rhema of God to the people.
Four Levels of Prophecy: Gift, Spirit, Office, and Scripture
There are four levels of prophecy: the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10), the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10), the office of the prophet (Ephesians 4:10), and the prophetic scripture. The speaker explains that while no scripture is of private interpretation doctrinally, scripture can have private meanings prophetically, as God can use one scripture to unlock something else to an individual.
The Importance of Knowing the Scripture: Avoiding False Prophecies
The speaker cautions against being merely a "gift hunter" and emphasises the importance of knowing the scripture to avoid being misled by spirits and false prophecies. He warns against those who seek quick fixes and disobey the word of God, noting that it takes a fake Christian to follow a fake prophet.
Explaining the Four Levels of Prophecy
The gift of prophecy is a gift of the Spirit that can be stirred up within anyone. The spirit of prophecy is atmospheric, causing people to prophesy in a prophetic environment. The office of the prophet is a sovereign calling by God, not a gift to be coveted. The prophetic scripture is the word of God that comes alive and becomes a compass for life and destiny.
Three Major Measures of Prophecy: Personal, Corporate, and National/International
There are three major measures of prophecy: personal, corporate/congregational, and national/international. Personal prophecy ministers to individuals, as seen in John 1 and 4 and Acts 9. Corporate prophecy is for an entire congregation, as demonstrated in Acts 15:32. National/international prophecy covers a nation or the world, as seen in Acts 11:27-30.
The Prophetic Process: Revelation, Interpretation, and Application
The prophetic process functions at three levels: revelation, interpretation, and application. Revelation is an unveiling, while interpretation is understanding the meaning of the revelation. Application is knowing how to apply the word. The speaker emphasises that having the right revelation without interpretation and application is not enough.
Pharaoh's Dream: A Case Study in Revelation, Interpretation, and Application
The speaker uses Pharaoh's dream in Genesis 41 as a case study. Pharaoh had the revelation but needed Joseph to provide the interpretation and application. Joseph's interpretation was that there would be seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. His application was to find a wise man to preserve food during the years of abundance for the years of famine.
Seeking God for Interpretation and Application
The speaker emphasises that God often withholds interpretation to encourage people to seek Him. He references Job 33:14-18, noting that God speaks in dreams and visions to open people's ears and seal their instruction. The lecture concludes by stating that the two streams of the prophetic are the seer realm (ra'ah) and the prophet realm (nabi), which will be discussed in the next class.
