By Andrew Williams
Series: The Year of the Prophet- Month 1: The Anatomy of a Prophet
Week 2: Distinction and Definition
Anchor Scripture: “Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone…” — Ephesians 2:20 (NKJV)
The Teaching
In the architecture of the Kingdom, the Prophet is not designed to be the “steeple”—the highest, most visible point of the building. Instead, the Prophet is designed to be part of the Foundation.
Paul reveals a spiritual blueprint in Ephesians: the Church is a living temple, and its stability rests upon the foundation laid by Apostles and Prophets. If you study a physical building, you realize that the foundation is the part that is usually hidden beneath the earth. It is not decorated; it is not seen by the public; and yet, it carries the entire weight of the structure.
To be a “foundational” person means that your primary assignment is to ensure that the Church is built on the right “line.” A builder uses a level and a plumb line to ensure the foundation is straight. If a foundation is off by just one inch, by the time the building reaches the roof, it will be off by several feet and prone to collapse. The Prophet’s role is to stay in the dirt, so to speak—to stay in the place of prayer and revelation—to ensure that the Church remains aligned with the Heart of God. If the Church leans too far toward legalism or too far toward cultural compromise, the Prophet is the one who senses the shift first and calls for a correction of the foundation.
Prophetic Insight
Being foundational requires a specific kind of temperament. You must be comfortable with being “underground.” Many who desire the prophetic office are actually looking for the “platform,” but the office is actually about “placement.” Foundational stones don’t get the applause that the “decorations” get, but they carry the most weight. If you feel “hidden” or “unseen” in this season, do not be discouraged. God may be setting you as a foundation stone. He is testing your strength to see if you can hold the weight of the people He is about to build upon your life.
The Activation
Look at your local church or your own spiritual life today. Ask the Holy Spirit: “Is the foundation straight? Are we building on the traditions of men, or on the revelation of Jesus Christ?“ Pray specifically for the “hidden” prophets in the Body of Christ—those who are interceding in secret and holding the foundation together.
Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are our Chief Cornerstone. I thank You for the privilege of being part of the foundation of Your house. Give me the strength to carry the weight of the assignment You have given me. Help me to value the ‘hidden’ work more than the ‘visible’ work. Keep my heart aligned with Your plumb line, so that everything built upon my life will be straight and true. Amen.
