The Miracle Ministry of the Prophet (Part 2)

Miracles are a normal part of a prophet's life. As prophets, we must expect the miraculous to work in and through our lives. An absence of miracles is a serious issue in the life of a prophet. Why is that? Because miracles are designed to confirm the prophet's calling into the prophetic office in the eyes of others. As such, an absence of miracles means there is an absence of confirmation of the prophet's calling. That is what the Bible teaches about prophets.

Today, we have many claiming to be prophets who lack this confirmation of their prophetic office, calling, and authority. That is why it is essential for us to understand the Biblical standard for prophets rather than comparing our understanding of the prophet's office to today's teachings on prophets. Most of the teaching that exists in the church today is for those called to prophesy; it is not for those called to be prophets. That is why we must upgrade our understanding of the prophet's office.

Being a great prophesier does not make one a true prophet. Delivering an accurate word is not enough to make one a true prophet. Prophets do more than prophesy. Prophets are governmental in nature. Prophets govern on earth by bringing Heaven to earth. Prophets establish Christ's government on earth. The 5-fold ministry gifts are all called to bring Christ's kingdom on earth. How? By bringing a modern revolution into the earth through the gospel of Christ.

In that revolution, there are 2 key figureheads, the apostle and the prophet. Why is that? Because apostles and prophets lay the foundation for the advancement of Christ's kingdom on earth. How do they do that? Through revelation. The church is built on the rock of the revelation of Jesus Christ. As Jesus said, 

[U]pon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matt. 16:18, NLT.

Some have tried to persuade the church that revelation is no longer needed by the church today. That revelation ended with the canonization of scripture. Although I believe in the supremacy of scripture, and that no new scripture is being written today or will ever be written, that does not mean we do not need revelation. We, the church, need a greater revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus has chosen to reveal Himself to those whom He calls to function as prophets and apostles in His church.

Today, we have many ministers who are trying to build greater works for Christ. And while I am not against ministers building greater works for the advancement of Christ's kingdom, I believe more is necessary. We need a pure revelation of Jesus Christ. Believers today are in famine because prophets and apostles have not unveiled the person of Jesus Christ. Where there is an absence of revelation, a natural byproduct is churches fail and the gates of hell prevail.

Ask yourself the question, is the church prevailing today? If the church is not prevailing, and if the gates of hell are prevailing, then a serious issue exists. What is that issue? A lack of the revelation of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul teaches us, believers, much about how apostles and prophets are called to function in the church. Where does he begin? In Galatians 1:11, 12, Berean Study Bible, he says, 

For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 

Apostolic authority was predicated on the apostle's revelation of the person of Jesus Christ. Prophetic authority is also predicated on the prophet's revelation of the person of Jesus Christ. Both apostles and prophets bring their revelation of Jesus Christ to the church for the church to be built. I will illustrate. Doctrinally, many ministers know of the authority Christ has given His church to heal the sick. Yet, practically speaking, few effectively practice that doctrine.

The Apostle Paul, in teaching on his apostolic authority, states, 

Friends, when I came and told you the mystery that God had shared with us, I didn't use big words or try to sound wise. When I talked with you or preached, I didn't try to prove anything by sounding wise. I simply let God's Spirit show his power. 1 Cor. 2:1, 2, CEV. 

The Apostle Paul's apostolic authority was rooted in God's power. Elijah's prophetic authority was rooted in his revelation of God. Elijah faced his brook and widow before he faced his Jezebel. The Jezebel spirit was rooted in the house of civil government. When Jezebel came after Elijah, he didn't hire a group of attorneys to defend him. What did he do? He relied on his prophetic authority to face Jezebel.

After his great moment at Mount Carmel, Elijah faced an adversary that made him afraid, Jezebel. Elijah ran. Remember, Elijah had miracles that attested to his prophetic authority. But, Elijah lacked what he needed to defeat Jezebel. What did Elijah need? Revelation. In 1 Kgs. 19:9-18, Elijah checked in to his new residence - a cave. What happened at that cave? Elijah rediscovered God: God's purpose for his life, and God's calling on his life.

To rediscover God's purpose and calling on his life, Elijah had to hide his face in his mantle. What did Elijah's mantle represent? Elijah's mantle represented his prophetic authority. That prophetic authority came through his revelation of God. Elijah learned God wasn't in the great wind, earthquake, or fire; rather, God was in "a still small voice." 1 Kgs. 19:11, 12. Elijah needed to be reawakened to God's voice.

The prophetic movement needs to be reawakened to the authoritative voice of God. We must wrap ourselves in the revelation of Jesus Christ to hear God's authoritative voice. As we do, then miracles will begin to flow. Please hear me: The revelation of Jesus Christ always releases the miracles of Jesus Christ. The absence of miracles in the prophet's ministry today is a sign of our lack of revelation of the person of Jesus Christ. Simply put, we don't know him.

That is the severity of what we face. Jesus, when speaking to his disciples, said, "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'" Matt. 7:23, NKJV. They knew him. They were further ahead than many ministers and leaders today. But Jesus didn't know them. Listen to what Jesus said, "I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws." Matt. 7:24, NLT.

Before there can be a great awakening, there must be a rude awakening. We must regain our sense of perspective. The world does not revolve around us. As good as our technology becomes, as far as man advances to the furthest reaches of space, as much as we advance in human wisdom, everything is futile in the face of what is certain for us all - death. Yet death doesn't have to be our end. A greater revelation exists - the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The last book in the Bible is prophetic and it is the revelation of Jesus Christ. That book demonstrates the authority of Jesus Christ. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." Matt. 28:18, Berean Study Bible. All creation is groaning and travailing for the revelation of Him. And that is what we have as prophets - the revelation of Him. That is the rock of the true prophet. That is the foundation for a prophet's life. That is where the miracle ministry of the prophet is born.