PJ's prophecy...

i-Logos: *NOT THE ONLY* PJ! :)

The word "prophecy" is often misunderstood in post-modern, "western-theology" circles due to the fact that it is not comprehensively translated in our modern English dictionaries:

proph⋅e⋅cy  /ˈprɒfəsi/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [prof-uh-see]

–noun, plural -cies. 1. the foretelling or prediction of what is to come.
2. something that is declared by a prophet, esp. a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation.
3. a divinely inspired utterance or revelation: oracular prophecies.
4. the action, function, or faculty of a prophet.

[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/prophecy]

Ok, I stand corrected, if you look at definition #2 (albeit probably not the first one people think of when the word is heard), we do see that the secular dictionary does touch a bit upon the original intended spiritual meaning. Let's dig into some "scripture" shall we:

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

[1 Corinthians 12:7-11] Seven-eleven? "God's mouth never closes" :)

29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire[e] the greater gifts.

[1 Corinthians 12:29-31] To some degree, depending on your interpretation/understanding of the passage, I would answer that YES... all are apostles, prophets and teachers to some point, it's all about as my prof put it the other day "spiritual discernment" there's that word again :) which like the concept in Hebrews 5, we need to sift out what God is saying to us despite whether the person talking is non-Christian (Psalm 24:1, 1 Corinthians 10:26) to even a Christian with their doctorate in theology.

Leads me to my other point, I hate to break it to you, but for most people, we shouldn't see seminary as something that necessary makes a person "more spiritual", it is what it is, a potential environment for encountering and experiencing God and also a good place for equipping one for ministry. But my personal opinion is that it doesn't actually make someone somehow be "more spiritual" because seminary cannot forcefully-impart or coerce the gift of Jesus and the holy spirit (John 16, Acts 1-2) upon us. Where I'm going with this is we all are capable of serving God and fulfilling his Matthew 28 calling, it is just like my prof would put it "a matter of foregrounding."

To make a long story short, our lesson of prophecy (perhaps I'll post it on my GREEN one later) came to an interesting new lesson for me. Apparently, prophecy is primary "forth-telling". Basically the prophets in the bible "tell it like it is" based on what God inspired them to say, but most prophecy from God has an integrated element of "fore-telling" (like prediction) in it as well. Hence, why even though PJ may not be able to "remember what I said"... I will quote some of his "prophecies here"...hehehehe, he shouldn't mind... I hope.... afterall most of these he made (semi) "public" anyhow (I may not remember word for word so there might be a bit of 'spiritual revision'):

"Got in the wrong car at the wrong time... we nearly all died, but God saved my life and theirs...As a Christian now, I can't understand why guys are so concerned they have no girlfriend... I'm 24 and still single and it DOESN'T BOTHER ME..."

PK (inspired, wish I could be like that too): "I wanna be like i-KE..."

LOL be careful what you wish for I suppose, that spin out on the highway wasn't exactly "fun"...

"They say there are two events in a person's life worth commemorating, your baptism and engagement. (PK: yada yada... that day he talks only about those two topics LOL, is this what they call "bridle college"? :P)"

"You have to understand... I can understand even in the secular world, my co-workers are always debating when to propose or 'pop the question'...But do understand it can be taken to the other extreme as well (PK: LOL I don't see a problem with taking it to God's extreme though)...Like not everything we say in class (PK: Are you sure about that? "Office of Prophecy" lesson in class ;) necessary is meant to be taken literally, you know like CRUNCH TIME or stuff that happens on the softball field, bottom of the ninth (or in Christian leagues, 7th), bases loaded...You know, like maybe you study at *seminary*... God's not going to part the clouds to show you when to propose man..."

i-JAMES5: "What's this? I don't get it..."

"Marriage counseling..." (hehe, I think I experienced the fulfillment of this in some ways the other day too, for those of you praying, "never give up" praying especially for both myself and you, I only ask what I am doing for you as well :)

One thing I do want to point out in all of this, is that I do not consider myself a person who needs "confirmation" from any "prophet" if there is something I am already clear that God has already spoken onto my heart via the holy spirit (John 16, Romans 8) But like Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14, notice the placement of this passage ;) "I thank God that I (perhaps in my case) speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue." Perhaps mentioning things like this is good for the edification of the church or body of Christ so even if it's for that reason only, His God's cast I will update...

I'm now going to quote a few lines I found "prophetic" to me from my last class as those who have been following my blog will know that it perhaps has significant meaning to my present context over the last half year or so (since we are a seminary class and it came up during our already overtime "discussion" my prof did not quote all the relevant passages here but I have included them for the sake of my readers):

Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1-3) has NO EXCUSE (no written excuse not to prophesy), so he *bottles up all his emotions inside*, including fear.... that is why God have to give him the scroll to EAT (like a disease? :P)

Isaiah (Isaiah 6) is sent on MISSION IMPOSSIBLE... same as Hosea (Hosea 1) “GO AND TAKE A HARLOT AS YOUR WIFE... COULD *YOU* SWALLOW THAT?” (ok in my case the harlot is probably more figurative/"metaphorical" [TWONG CD TEAM], let's get that part clear :)

Filled with your glory
-----------------------

In my heart, in my heart, there's a fire burning
A passion deep within my soul
Not slowing down, not growing cold
An unquenchable flame that keeps burning brighter
A love that's blazing like the sun
For who You are and what You've done

And as the fire is raging on
So Your praise becomes my song

The whole earth
Is filled with Your glory, Lord
Angels and men adore
Creation longs for what's in store
(Mountains bow and oceans roar)
May You be
Honored and glorified
Exalted and lifted high
Here at Your feet I lay my life

From the ends of the earth
To the heights of Heaven
Your glory, Lord, is far and wide
Through history You reign on high

From the depths of the sea
To the mountain's summit
Your power, Lord, it knows no bounds
A higher love cannot be found

So let the universe proclaim
Your great power and Your great name

[http://www.lyricstime.com/starfield-filled-with-your-glory-lyrics.html]

5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. [2 Corinthians 1:5-7 (New International Version)]