PROPHETIC WORDS

A SEASON OF PROPHETIC ALIGNMENT, STRUCTURE, AND PROTOCOLS

by Lyn Packer

October 2019

The Lord is calling us to step into a new level of maturity in using the gift of prophecy. We are entering a time of great prophetic release and power and, in order for us to minister wisely in that release of power, the Lord is giving us understanding of what is needed at a foundational level for this next season of ministry – prophetic alignment, structure, and protocols.

A little background – The prophetic gift was largely lost to the church for hundreds of years and it is only since the Charismatic movement of the late 1960’s - early 1970’s that people have an understanding that the gift of prophecy is for using today. In the timeline of history that’s not a long time and during that time we have had to relearn how to use the gift. Up until now there have been some attempts at giving widespread understanding and setting protocols around the use of the gift, but in God’s timing we are coming into a season where it is now important to do so.

Up until now we have had little structure and protocols established for prophetic ministry, but for the release of power that is coming to the prophetic gift we will need some. We are being called to greater maturity in function and with that comes the need to take greater responsibility for how we function. As leaders we will need to establish protocols with wisdom, grace and love, and as prophetic ministers we will need to receive those protocols with love, grace and understanding. We need to understand that these protocols are established not to hem us in and stifle our use of our gifts, but to create safety for us and those we minister to and to allow for a greater release of power to flow through the gifts.

What we’re coming into

In September this year (the Jewish new Year - Rosh Hashanah) we are entering the Hebrew year 5780 and the beginning of a new decade. That is represented by the Hebrew word or symbol “Pey” – the symbol for the mouth. It can also mean "word," "vocalization," or even "breath." We have just come out of a decade that related to an increase in sight (the Hebrew word and symbol “Ayin”).

There is an interesting correlation between the prophetic symbolism of these two Hebrew decades and the western or Gregorian calendar year 2020. 20/20 in our society symbolizes "perfect vision." We see in this a linking together of sight and sound – the ability to see and to give voice to what we see. Prophetic people already do this but there is a shift coming for many prophetic people who have functioned as reporters instead of functioning as releasers.

There is a shift from just reporting what you see to releasing what you see. What I mean by that is – a reporter simply tells the story of what they see or have found out; a releaser steps into their place as a voice of the Lord in the earth, the words they speak releasing the power and provision of Heaven to bring something to pass.

Because of this shift that is taking place, as prophetic people realise more and more the power of their words we find that the Lord is calling us to establish some things in our lives. He is calling us to establish safe boundaries within which to operate – for us and for those we minister to – and also in that, to give us the needed wisdom and discernment within which to release things.

Alignment

The Lord is bringing His prophetic ministers into right alignment in some areas. He is making, as it were, a chiropractic adjustment so that we can function better with the rest of the body in the use of the prophetic gift. Where we have been out of right alignment with the Body of Christ He is bringing us back into right alignment.

He is also calling prophetic ministers to a new season of being aligned with apostles, teachers, pastors, and evangelists; particularly with apostles and pastors. We will see apostles and prophets, in particular, begin to move in tandem like never before. Both of these are powerful ministries and the synergistic release that will come when they function together will take their ministry to a whole different level of power.

Establishing structure and protocols

Structure and protocols are important for several reasons, as we’ll see throughout this word. Alignment, structure, and protocols are positive, not negative, when established and used properly. They restrict chaos and the misuse of a gift and release greater safety and freedom within which to minister and receive ministry.

Protocols are “the accepted or established code of procedure or behaviour in any group, organization or situation” (computer dictionary definition).

Scripture establishes and places structure and protocols around the use of the spiritual gifts. There are protocols in regards to how we use our gifts individually and when we gather together, and these are found scattered throughout Scripture. The following are some of the protocols Scripture establishes around spiritual gifts and their use.

The foundation of love – 1 Cor 13 is the main foundation on which all spiritual gifts are released and operated in. It is primarily a spiritual gift protocol passage and a call to maturity because it’s shared in the context of speaking about the use of spiritual gifts. Yes, this passage of Scripture also has wider implications for lifestyle, marriage etc but its main purpose is in reference to using spiritual gifts. Have a fresh look at it with that perspective. It even mentions specific gifts as examples (tongues, prophecy, supernatural knowledge, faith, and giving).

“If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

The common good – The gifts are given for the common good (1 Cor 12:7). They are given to bless us and others. What does that mean in relation to how the gifts are used? What protocols does that suggest we need?

Prophecy must encourage, edify and comfort (1 Cor 14:3) That’s a protocol statement that establishes procedure and behaviour. So we need to ask ourselves, “What needs to be in place to ensure that outcome when we minister?” 

We are told that “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Cor 14:40). This verse is the last verse in a whole chapter devoted to explaining protocols for corporate gatherings.

We are told to weigh prophecy and test the words spoken. 1 John 4:1 and 1 Thess 5:19-22 tell us to “test everything, hold fast to what is good.” 1 Cor 14:29 talks about prophetic words given in a church setting.

Prophecy should reveal Jesus or His work. Rev 19:10 says prophecy should give testimony to, or point us to, the work of Jesus.

The Bible is the absolute standard for weighing and assessing all revelation (2 Tim 3:16; Col 2:18-19; John 1:14). While we treasure spiritual experiences from the Holy Spirit we are not to place subjective experiences (supernatural manifestations, the seeking of angels, angelic activity, or other supernatural manifestations), and discernment above the Bible (Rev 19:10; Col 2:18-19).

Prophetic words are an expression of God. God places great value on His words, His promises – they are an expression of His name and nature (Psa 138:2). We are not only to speak truth but to speak prophetic words in a way that reflects the loving heart of God.

Some things are not to be shared – Scripture gives us the understanding that some things should not be shared with others. Paul had experiences in the third heaven and some of what he saw he was not permitted to share (2 Cor 12:4). Daniel and John both had experiences that weren’t able to be shared and were sealed up until a later time (Rev 1:1; 22:10, Dan 8:26; 12:4,9). We should always check with Holy Spirit as to whether we can share an experience or not. Many people don’t realize that this is part of the scriptural protocol surrounding revelation and experiences and they share things that they shouldn’t.

Good protocols –

• Create safe boundaries within which we function – for ourselves and for those we minister to.

• Create quality controls and consistency – having protocols means that we can check things like, “Is this gift being used with wisdom, in love, with impartiality, etc.?” “Is it being used for personal gain – such as to gain acceptance, to feed ego, to prove a person’s worth and value, to establish someone’s sense of identity etc.?”

• Create and establish Kingdom culture – if we don’t establish Kingdom culture we will establish some other culture; we cannot help but do that. Culture has a profound effect on people and transforms people and societies.

• Establish and build trust – a leader must know that you are trustworthy. Trust is earned, it cannot be demanded! Having a gift does not equate to being trustworthy!

• Test and prove our character and integrity. They show our maturity or lack of it, our knowledge of our gift and how it functions, and more.

• When practised become good ministry habits; that in turn helps prophetic ministers grow in favour and open doorways for effective service.

• Create a structure that makes it safe to give feedback and to lovingly ask challenging questions of one another.

If you would like a deeper understanding of what sort of protocols may be needed personally for your ministry, and as a church, you can access my full article “Establishing Wise Prophetic Protocols” here https://www.nzpropheticnetwork.com/establishing-wise-prophetic-protocols-by-lyn-packer

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