By Andrew Williams
Series: The Year of the Prophet- Month 1: The Anatomy of a Prophet.
Anchor Scripture: “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers…” — Ephesians 4:11 (NKJV)
The Teaching
We often begin our study of the prophetic by looking at the gift of prophecy—the ability to speak words of edification, exhortation, and comfort. While that gift is vital and available to all believers, there is a distinct difference between the gift of prophecy and the Office of the Prophet.
In Ephesians 4:11, we see a divine hand-off. When Jesus ascended to heaven, He did not leave the Church empty-handed. He gave “gifts” to men. However, these gifts weren’t just spiritual abilities; the gifts were people.
The Prophet is a “mortal gift” from the Immortal God to the Church.
To understand the Year of the Prophet, you must first understand that the Prophet does not just have a message; the Prophet is the message. Their life, their character, their suffering, and their perspective are all part of the gift Jesus wrapped in human flesh and set within the foundation of the Church.
We often make the mistake of treating the Prophet like a vending machine—we want the “word,” but we ignore the person. But God is restoring the honor of the office. He wants us to see that the Prophet is a person chosen by God to embody His heartbeat, to see what He sees, and to feel what He feels. This year is not about learning a “skill”; it is about understanding a “calling” that is woven into the very DNA of a person.
Prophetic Insight
A prophecy is a stream, but the Prophet is a well. You can catch a stream of water in a cup and be refreshed for a moment, but if you understand the well, you understand the source and the season. God did not just want words spoken into the earth; He wanted lives lived out as signs and wonders. The Prophet is Christ’s prophetic voice personified.
The Activation
Take a moment today to repent for any time you have valued a “prophetic word” more than the “prophetic office.” Ask the Holy Spirit to shift your perspective over the next 365 days. Don’t just look for information; look for the transformation that comes when we receive the men and women Jesus gave as gifts to His Body.
Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank You for the gifts You gave to the Church. I thank You for the Office of the Prophet. I open my heart today to receive not just a word, but an understanding of the people You have called and set apart for Your glory. Teach me this year what it means to be a gift to the Church. Open my eyes to see the Prophet as You see them. Amen.
