The Father’s Love

Prophecy isn’t fortune-telling.

It’s about God making Himself known so His people can understand His heart, His warnings, and His promises.

What is a Prophet

Before we talk more about what is Prophecy it is important to know what is a prophet. Prophets of the Bible, are human messengers chosen by God to guide people, call them to righteousness, and reveal God’s will. The following are the Prophets appointed by God to lead Israel.

You will notice that in the New Testament, there are no prophets like in the Old Testament. This is because when Jesus was crucified, died and rose again to return to the Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit was released to be on earth with people permanently. It is important to note that the Holy Spirit is the one Who whispers messages from the Almighty God to His people. You are His people.

God wants to have a Relationship with His people

The Holy Spirit can work in a person’s life before baptism leading them to faith, conviction, and repentance.

It is believed that the Spirit dwells permanently in a believer after they have truly received Christ. The main idea is that the Spirit’s presence seals and empowers believers once they have truly come to faith in Christ. Being baptised is often the moment that this is publicly confirmed.

Prophets in the Bible

Noah

He was a righteous man in a corrupt world (Genesis 6–9). His life itself was a prophetic message about God’s coming judgment and mercy. God told Noah that a great flood would come as judgment on sin. Noah warned others and built the ark. Living in faith when others don’t believe shows us how obedience can lead to prophecy.

Abraham

The father of faith and the nation of Israel (Genesis 12–25). In Genesis 12:3, God promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his descendant. A prophecy later fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This was because Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac foreshadowed God’s sacrifice of His own Son. In Genesis 20:7 God calls Abraham a prophet. Prophecy can come through promises and faith just like how Abraham trusted God even without seeing the outcome.

Moses

His message was to lead God’s people out of Egypt and gave them the Ten Commandments. He prophesied that God would raise up another prophet like him, this points forward to Jesus, Deuteronomy 18:15. From this we learn that God uses humble people to lead and reveal His will.

Moses was the principal author of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Samuel

Called Israel to repentance and anointed the first kings of Israel, Saul and David. His prophecy where one of warning that turning away from God would bring consequences. Through prayer and obedience often we will be able to hear God’s voice.

Samuel was the principal author of Judges and 1 Samuel.

David

He was a shepherd, a warrior, a king, and a psalmist. Many of David’s psalms were prophetic describing the coming Messiah, including His suffering and resurrection (Psalm 22, Psalm 16). God also promised him in 2 Samuel 7:12–13 that his descendant would rule forever, this is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The way David prophecised through worship and writing David’s songs revealed God’s plan of salvation.

David was the principal author of Psalms.

Elijah

He stood against idol worship (such as Baal) and called Israel back to God. He spoke of judgment and performed miracles showing God’s power. Showing us how God can work mightily through one faithful person.

Elisha

Elisha continued Elijah’s mission. The day Elijah was going to ascend, Elisha and the company of prophets at Bethel all knew that he was going to ascend. Elisha asked the prophet Elijah to let him inherit a double position of the spirit that dwelled inside Elijah. Elijah told him if he say him taken away then he shall receive it and he did, becoming Elijah’s successor (2 Kings 2–13). He performed miracles, healed people, and spoke God’s words to kings and nations. Sharing prophecy that shows God’s compassion through acts of mercy and power.

Isaiah

Warned the people of Israel about judgment but promised hope and salvation through the coming Messiah. He predicted the birth of Jesus, in Isaiah 7:14 and His suffering as well in Isaiah 53. Remind us of God’s promises of salvation are sure, even in dark times.

Isaiah was the principal author of Isaiah.

Jeremiah

Warned Judah about the destruction because of sin but promised a new covenant written on their hearts. He saw Jerusalem’s fall and spoke of God’s plan to restore His people. Even when His people fail Him, God’s love remains faithful.

Jeremiah was the principal author of Jermiah and Lamentations.

Ezekiel

Share about visions of God’s glory, judgment, and restoration while in exile. He saw the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37), symbolising God bringing His people back to life. Reminding us that God’s spirit can restore what seems completely lost.

Ezekiel was the principal author of Ezekiel.

Daniel

He served faithfully in foreign lands of Babylon and Persia. Daniel received visions about future kingdoms and the coming of God’s rule. He predicted world empires and the coming of the “Son of Man” (Daniel 7:13–14). Powerful nations cannot stop God’s plan, He is sovereign over history.

Daniel was the principal author of Daniel.

Hosea

God told Hosea to marry a woman named Gomer, who would be unfaithful to him. Hosea’s marriage was meant to be a living picture of what was happening between God and Israel. Hosea represented God, faithful and loving and Gomer represented Israel (God’s people), who kept running away and chasing other “lovers”meaning idols, sin, and worldly desires.

Hosea was the principal author of Hosea.

Jonah

Called to to warn the city of Nineveh to repent. His message led the whole city to turn back to God showing us that God’s mercy extends to all people and not just one nation.

Jonah was the principal author of Jonah.

John the Baptist

His call was to show that true prophecy points people to Christ. John the Baptist messaged was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” and he announced the coming of Jesus.

Why We Can Prophesy

1. Because the Holy Spirit Lives in Us

In Old Testament times, prophecy was given only to a few special people chosen by God: prophets and some priests and leaders. But after Jesus died and rose again, He sent the Holy Spirit to live in every believer.

"And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy."

Acts 2:17–18 (quoting Joel 2:28–29)

This means prophecy is no longer limited to a few, it's open to all believers who have the Holy Spirit.

We can prophesy because of what Jesus has done and because of the Holy Spirit living in us.

2. Jesus Made the Way for Us to Hear God Directly

In Old Testament times, only prophets or priests could hear directly from God on behalf of the people. But when Jesus died and rose again, He opened the way for all believers to have personal relationship and communication with God.

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me."

John 10:27

This personal communication with God is part of the new covenant Jesus established. So prophecy is part of our relationship with Him, we hear His voice and share what He says in love.

3. Because Jesus Made Us a Kingdom of Priests

When you belong to Christ, you're not just forgiven, you're invited into God's service and communication.

"To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father..."

Revelation 1:5–6

Priests in the Bible had direct access to God. Now, through Jesus, every believer can hear from God and speak His truth, that's the essence of prophecy.

4. Because Prophecy Is a Gift of the Holy Spirit

The apostle Paul taught that prophecy is one of the spiritual gifts given to build up the church.

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good... to another prophecy..."

1 Corinthians 12:7, 10

"Pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy."

1 Corinthians 14:1

Paul says "especially prophecy" because it encourages, strengthens, and comforts others.

"But the one who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort."

1 Corinthians 14:3

So we can prophesy not to predict the future or act like fortune-tellers, but to speak God's heart to others through the Spirit. He gives prophecies not to make us look powerful, but to serve others, to bring them hope, peace, or direction when they need it.

5. Because Prophecy Builds Up the Church

God gives prophecy so His people can grow together in faith, unity, and love.

"The one who prophesies edifies the church."

1 Corinthians 14:4

Prophecy is not about personal pride or "showing off spiritual power." It's about serving others by sharing what the Holy Spirit puts on your heart, always in line with Scripture. So when you share what God puts on your heart, maybe a verse, an encouragement, or a reminder of His love, you're helping strengthen someone's faith. That's prophecy in action!

6. Because the Spirit of Jesus Is the Spirit of Prophecy

If a word helps someone see Jesus more clearly; His love, His truth, His grace and it's the Holy Spirit working through you.

"For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

Revelation 19:10

This means that true prophecy always points people to Jesus not to a person, ministry, or event. When we speak by the Holy Spirit, we're revealing more of who Jesus is and what He's doing.

7. Because Prophecy Is Part of the New Covenant Relationship

Under the old covenant (before Jesus), only certain people heard directly from God. But in the new covenant, every believer can hear His voice:

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me."

John 10:27

"But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people... For they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest..."

Jeremiah 31:33–34

Prophecy flows naturally out of this new relationship, hearing and sharing what God speaks to our hearts. Prophecy isn't about predicting the future; it's about sharing God's heart with others to bring hope, comfort, and direction, always in harmony with the Bible and centred on Jesus.

How Prophecy has been deviated

Satan cannot create anything new but he can distort what God made good. Where God gives true prophecy, the enemy offers a counterfeit: things like astrology, fortune-telling, feng shui, numerology and card reading to name a few. These things look spiritual or mystical, but they come from sources that are not the Holy Spirit.

All of these are forbidden in Scripture, not because God is against “mystery,” but because He wants to protect us from deception.

“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire,a  practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you. ”

Deuteronomy 18:10–12

Because these practices open hearts to spirits that are not from God. Prophecy shows that God is real, alive, and personal, the enemy tries to create confusion.
He offers cheap copies that seem spiritual but are empty they promise guidance without repentance, and power without relationship.

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions. ”

2 Corinthians 11:14–15

That’s why we must always test every spiritual voice. The Bible gives simple ways to test prophecy or spiritual experiences:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,”

1 John 4:1–2

Start by asking these questions:

Does it agree with Scripture?
Does it glorify Jesus?
Does it bring peace and love, not fear or confusion?
Is it motivated by humility and service, not pride or profit?

If the answer is no to any of these, it’s not from God.

Understanding Prophecy

Prophecy in the Bible is not about predicting the future or mysterious fortune-telling.

It is one of the ways God speaks to His people through the Holy Spirit to bring encouragement, guidance, correction, and hope. In the New Testament, prophecy is described as a gift given to believers to strengthen, encourage, and comfort others (1 Corinthians 14:3), always centered on Jesus Christ.

Prophecy flows from a relationship with Jesus, not from special status or spiritual power. Because the Holy Spirit lives in every believer, God can speak through ordinary Christians in loving and practical ways, often through Scripture, prayer, or a timely word that points someone back to Christ.

In the Old Testament, God spoke through specific prophets. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, God poured out the Holy Spirit on all believers. This means prophecy is no longer limited to a few individuals, but is a gift available within the church to help believers grow and remain aligned with God’s truth.

Acts 2:17 & 1 Corinthians 12

"‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."

Acts 2:17

Biblical prophecy will always agree with Scripture, honour Jesus, and build up the church. It does not replace the Bible; instead, it helps believers apply God’s Word to real-life situations. True prophecy reflects God’s love, brings unity, and reminds His people that He is present, active, and faithful to His promises.

Prophecy today is not about control, curiosity, or personal gain. It is about hearing God’s heart and sharing it with humility and love.

Understanding prophecy helps new believers grow in confidence that God is not distant or silent. Through the Holy Spirit, He continues to speak, guide, and care for His children in personal and meaningful ways.