spirit of prophecy

©2020 dan bulkley | ask@lifechurchco.com

the Spirit of prophecy

supporting scriptures

We are not supposed to get caught up in speculations and arguments about prophecy ii timothy 2:23 . For love of conflict and quarreling over words is not a virtue but a vice i timothy 6:3-6 proverbs 17:19 , and it only brings ruin ii timothy 2:14 . Rather we are to try to encourage each other to a holy life ii timothy 2:22 . We are not to go beyond what is written i corinthians 4:6 as the secret things are the Lord’s while the things revealed are ours to LIVE by them deuteronomy 29:29 .

supporting scriptures

ii timothy 2:23

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

i timothy 6:3-6

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

proverbs 17:19

He who loves a quarrel loves sin;

he who builds a high gate invites destruction.

ii timothy 2:14

Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

ii timothy 2:22

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

i corinthians 4:6

Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.

deuteronomy 29:29

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Prophecy becomes clear or unveiled acts 1:6-7 at the time it is being fulfilled and after daniel 12:4 8-10 john 13:7 . The Scriptures have such prophecies to bring understanding especially at the that time and after it jeremiah 23:20 . He gives insight so as to live WITH Him ii timothy 2:7 deuteronomy 29:4 in the time and place He has assigned to us acts 17:26 psalm 31:15 .

supporting scriptures

acts 1:6-7

So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

daniel 12:4, 8-10

But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”

9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

john 13:7

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

jeremiah 23:20

The anger of the Lord will not turn back

until he fully accomplishes

the purposes of his heart.

In days to come

you will understand it clearly.

ii timothy 2:7

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

deuteronomy 29:4

But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear.

acts 17:26

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

psalm 31:15

My times are in your hands;

deliver me from my enemies

and from those who pursue me.

Prophecy is a confirmation and magnification of God isaiah 43:8-13 so that we might be bold witnesses certifying His Truthfulness john 3:33 . It should humble us to see the Scriptures confirmed from past prophecies already fulfilled to the anticipation that future ones will also be done just as it was promised isaiah 48:3-6 . This way we can have confidence through the past prophecies for future prophecies as no other God has or can do such things isaiah 41:20-29 .

supporting scriptures

isaiah 43:8-13

Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.

9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble.

Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”

10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.

11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.

12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed– I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.

13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand.When I act, who can reverse it?”

john 3:33

33 The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.

isaiah 48:3-6

I foretold the former things long ago,

my mouth announced them and I made them known;

then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.

4 For I knew how stubborn you were;

the sinews of your neck were iron,

your forehead was bronze.

5 Therefore I told you these things long ago;

before they happened I announced them to you

so that you could not say,

‘My idols did them;

my wooden image and metal god ordained them.’

6 You have heard these things; look at them all.

Will you not admit them?

my notes:

isaiah 41:20-29

so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

21 “Present your case,” says the Lord. “Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King.

22 “Bring in [ your idols] to tell us what is going to happen.

Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come,

23 tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear.

24 But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; he who chooses you is detestable.

25 “I have stirred up one from the north, and he comes–one from the rising sun who calls on my name. He treads on rulers as if they were mortar, as if he were a potter treading the clay.

26 Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know, or beforehand, so we could say, ‘He was right’? No one told of this, no one foretold it, no one heard any words from you.

27 I was the first to tell Zion, ‘Look, here they are!’ I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good tidings.

28 I look but there is no one– no one among them to give counsel, no one to give answer when I ask them.

29 See, they are all false! Their deeds amount to nothing; their images are but wind and confusion.

Don’t fret about the possible coming trials to your life as if worry could help you escape them jeremiah 45:5 luke 12:22-26 32 . Rather give glory to God now before the darkness falls on us jeremiah 13:15-16, serve Him gladly in good times deuteronomy 28:47-48 , so that your character may be built up and sure as to be a child of the light even if and when dark times come john 12:35-36 ; for whether through fulfilled prophecy or the general course of life you will have dark times ecclesiastes 12:1-7 isaiah 50:10-11 . Such foreshadowing should spur us on to godliness now before the time of testing zephaniah 2:1-3 , not to needless anxieties, speculations and arguments.

supporting scriptures

jeremiah 45:5

Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’ ”

luke 12:22-26, 32

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

jeremiah 13:15-16

Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant,

for the Lord has spoken.

16 Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings the darkness,

before your feet stumble on the darkening hills.

You hope for light, but he will turn it to thick darkness

and change it to deep gloom.

my notes:

deuteronomy 28:47-48

Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, 48 therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.

john 12:35-36

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

ecclesiastes 12:1-7

1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”–

2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;

3 when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim;

4 when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;

5 when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.

6 Remember him–before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well,

7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

isaiah 50:10-11

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?

Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light,

trust in the name of the Lord

and rely on his God.

11 But now, all you who light fires

and provide yourselves with flaming torches,

go, walk in the light of your fires

and of the torches you have set ablaze.

This is what you shall receive from my hand:

You will lie down in torment.

zephaniah 2:1-3

Gather together, gather together,

O shameful nation,

2 before the appointed time arrives

and that day sweeps on like chaff,

before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you,

before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you.

3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,

you who do what he commands.

Seek righteousness, seek humility;

perhaps you will be sheltered

on the day of the Lord’s anger.

Prophecies were given not for us to have inside information to be puffed up in i corinthians 8:1-3 , but rather to give us enough enlightenment to not be deceived matthew 24:4 and have our faith disturbed by lies ii timothy 2:18 . We should NOT actually try to interpret the signs of the Lord’s coming leviticus 19:26 , but rather seek to fulfill His commission to us matthew 24:14 all the more as His described signs keep prodding us along in our God-given call to encourage one another hebrews 10:24-25 , love one another in holiness romans 13:11-14 and make disciples matthew 28:19-20 without being frightened into inactivity philippians 1:27-29 nehemiah 6:9 .

supporting scriptures

i corinthians 8:1-3

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God.

matthew 24:4

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.

ii timothy 2:18

who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.

leviticus 19:26

26 “ ‘Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it.

“ ‘Do not practice divination or sorcery.

matthew 24:14

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

my notes:

hebrews 10:24-25

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

romans 13:11-14

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

matthew 28:19-20

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

philippians 1:27-29

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved–and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

nehemiah 6:9

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”

[But I prayed,] “Now strengthen my hands.”

Prophecy is in its essence about how we are to relate to Christ in our current state revelation 19:10 , how we are to live right now with our knowledge of what He has done, what He is doing and what He will accomplish in it all hebrews 13:8 . So in light of any prophecy the most Biblical and therefore pertinent question we need to answer is not about the timing and details i thessalonians 5:1-2 , but rather HOW OUGHT WE TO LIVE NOW WITH CHRIST ii peter 3:11-14 i thessalonians 5:1-11 .

supporting scriptures

revelation 19:10

At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

i thessalonians 5:1-2

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

my notes:

ii peter 3:11-14

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

i thessalonians 5:1-11

1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

my notes:

my notes: