THE FOUR MAIN GIFTS OF PROPHECY

THE REVELATORY GIFTS

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 KJV

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. [8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; [9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; [10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: [11] But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

The Revelation Gifts 

“Revelation” means “the making known of information.”

THE FOUR MAIN PROPHETIC GIFTS

1. The word of knowledge 

2. Word of wisdom 

3. Discernment of Spirit 

4. Gift of prophecy 

The Gift of the Word of Knowledge

Notice that this gift is called "the word of knowledge." It is not "the gift of knowledge." 

*There is no such thing as a spiritual gift of knowledge. There is, however, a spiritual gift, called the word of knowledge. 

WHAT IS THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE? 

*The word of knowledge is the supernatural revelation by the Holy Ghost of certain facts in the mind of God.

It communicates past or present facts or events that cannot

be known through our natural senses. They are revealed by the Holy Ghost 

THEIR PURPOSES ARE :

edification, instruction, or correction.

God is all-knowing. He knows everything. But He doesn't reveal everything He knows to man. He just gives him a word or a part of what He knows. 

A word is a part of a sentence, so a word of knowledge would simply be a  part of the entire knowledge or counsel of God. God is all-knowing. 

He has all knowledge. But He doesn't impart all of His knowledge to us; He imparts a word of knowledge to us—just what He wants us to know at a given time.

THE PRINCIPLE OF PROPHETIC LIMITATION STATES THAT: Prophets don't know everything,  they only know what God reveals to them. The revelatory knowledge of  prophets are limited to what God makes available to them. The Lord intentional hide somethings from Prophets so they will know they are human. 

2 Kings 4:27 KJV

And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

We know in part and we prophesy in part 

The words of prophet is determined by God 

*Prophets are repeaters of the oracles of God.  They just copy  and paste what God hath said 

*That is why when a prophet move and God is not moving He makes a mistake 

An example of it was when Samuel went to anoint David. He moved when God was not moving  so he thought Eliab was the anointed one when he saw his countenance.

Anytime you meet any man of God who behaves as if He knows everything he is lying to you. Because immediately we enter the realm of knowing anything we cease to be man, we become God. 

But it's only God who is all knowing. 

Biblical Examples of the Word of Knowledge

Let's look at some biblical examples of the gift of the word of knowledge in operation in the New Testament.

The Word of Knowledge to John

For instance, on the Isle of Patmos, John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day and Jesus appeared to him in a vision (Rev. 1:10-20). Here we will learn something about how this word of knowledge will come.

As in this particular instance with John the apostle, the word of knowledge might come through a vision. Jesus revealed to John in a vision the condition of the seven churches in Asia Minor, as recorded in the Book of Revelation.

Although there is a prophetic message for us today in this revelation, these seven churches actually existed at that time in Asia Minor. John, exiled to the Isle of Patmos, couldn't possibly have known what was going on in these cities or churches, but Jesus revealed to him their spiritual condition. That was a word of knowledge.

Word of Knowledge to Ananias

Another example of this gift in operation is found in Acts chapter 9. "And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision . . ." (Acts 9:10). Here the word of knowledge came to a layman through a vision.

Ananias wasn't an apostle, as was John. He wasn't a pastor or evangelist or teacher. The Bible calls him a disciple. He was just a member of the church at Damascus. If the Lord wills, laymen as well as ministers can have a manifestation of the word of knowledge or any of the gifts of the Spirit.

Arise, and go into the street which is called straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision [Saul also had a like vision] a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 

(Acts 9:11-12)

In a vision the Lord told Ananias what to do: ". . . Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth" (v. 11).

Ananias couldn't have known in the natural that in a certain house on a certain street a man named Saul was praying at that minute. Ananias couldn't have known that Saul had had a vision in which he had seen a man called Ananias coming in and putting his hands on him that he might receive his sight. Ananias couldn't have known this any other way than by supernatural revelation. He knew it by the word of knowledge.

Of course, God knew about everyone who was praying everywhere at that time, but He didn't give Ananias knowledge of everyone who was praying; He just gave Ananias knowledge about one man who was praying—Saul of Tarsus. That was a supernatural revelation of a certain fact in the mind of God. It was the word of knowledge which came to Ananias in a vision.

*After Elisha cleansed Naaman the Syrian of leprosy, Naaman offered Elisha a very large sum of money in gratitude for his healing. Elisha refused the gift, lest anyone think Naaman's healing was purchased rather than graciously granted by God. Elisha's servant, Gehazi, however, saw an opportunity to gain personal riches, and he secretively received some of Naaman's intended payment. After Gehazi had hidden his deceitfully acquired silver, he appeared before Elisha. We then read,

And Elisha said to him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" And he said, "Your servant went nowhere." Then he said to him, "Did not my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you?" (2 Kin. 5:25b-26a).

God, who knew full well Gehazi's dirty deed, revealed it supernaturally to Elisha. This story makes it obvious, however, that Elisha didn't "possess" the gift of the word of knowledge; that is, he didn't know everything about everyone all the time. If that had been the case, Gehazi would never have dreamt he could conceal his sin. Elisha only knew things supernaturally when God occasionally revealed those things to him. The gift operated as the Spirit willed.

Peter was used in this gift when he supernaturally knew that Ananias and Saphira were lying to the congregation about giving the church the full price they had received for their recently-sold land (see Acts 5:1-11).

THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE VS . THE WORD OF WISDOM 

I said that the word of knowledge is a supernatural revelation by the Spirit of God concerning certain facts in the mind of God— facts about people, places, or things in the past or present.

THE WORD OF WISDOM 

The word of wisdom is a supernatural revelation by the Spirit of God concerning the divine PURPOSE and PLAN in the mind and will of God. 

The word of wisdom is a revelation concerning the plans and the purposes in the mind of God.

THE DIFFERENCE 

The difference between the two gifts—the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom—is that the revelation the word of knowledge brings is always present tense or concerning something that has happened in the past. On the other hand, the word of wisdom always speaks of the future.

Note : The Word of Knowledge and the Word of Wisdom normally Operates Together 

We see these two gifts of the Holy Spirit —the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom—in operation throughout the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. 

In particular, we can see how the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge flowed together as the prophets prophesied. The Old Testament prophets often operated in these gifts along with the gift of prophecy. 

The Old Testament prophets not only prophesied about the present, which is the word of knowledge in operation, but they also prophesied about things in the future, which is the word of wisdom in operation. And their prophecies foretold of events in the near future as well as events in the distant future, including the New Covenant and the coming Messiah.

JOHN OPERATING IN BOTH GIFTS :

When the Lord spoke to the Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos, it was in the form of a vision. Jesus appeared to him in this vision and told him about the present condition of the seven churches in Asia Minor. The condition of those seven churches was a manifestation of the word of knowledge.

The present condition of these churches was revealed to John through a word of knowledge in a vision. Then the Lord went on to give John a word of wisdom. The Lord told each one of the churches what to do in the future, according to His plans and purposes for them.

DISCERNING OF SPIRITS 

Matthew 24:24 KJV

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

WHAT IS THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS? 

This is the supernatural recognition of the presence or activity

of spiritual forces, either good or evil.

The discerning of spirits gives supernatural insight into the spirit world. 

"To discern" means to perceive by seeing or hearing. Therefore, discerning of spirits is the same as seeing or hearing in the realm of spirits.

*The discerning of spirits actually has a more limited range of operation than the other two revelation gifts, the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge. That is because its revelation is limited to a single class of objects—spirits.

The revelation that the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge bring is broader and applies to people, places, and things. The discerning of spirits gives us supernatural insight only into the realm of spirits. Remember, the discerning of spirits is seeing or hearing into the spirit world. It also reveals the kind of spirit that is in operation behind a supernatural manifestation.

WHAT THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS IS NOT :

1. The discerning of spirits is not a kind of spiritual mind reading.

2. And the discerning of spirits is not psychological insight, nor is it mental "penetration."

 3. It is not the power to discern the faults of others.

You will find that the power to discern faults in others is possessed not only by believers but by unbelievers as well. You don't even have to be a Christian to have that "gift"! As a matter of fact, the power to discover or discern the faults in others is absolutely forbidden in the Scriptures. 

"Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt. 7:1).

The gift of discerning of spirits is not faultfinding. If those who think they have the "gift" of faultfinding would just turn that "gift" on themselves for about fifteen seconds, they would never use it again.

Therefore, the discerning of spirits is not a spiritual gift to uncover human failures. Christians should walk in love, and the Bible says :

love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

Note: the discerning of spirits is not discerning of character or faults; it is not even the discerning of people. It is called the discerning of spirits, and it deals with spirits that exist in the spirit realm, whether they are divine, satanic, or human.

The realm of the spirit is very real, although we cannot perceive it with our natural senses. God has provided the gift of discerning of spirits to give the Church supernatural insight into this spiritual realm, as His Spirit wills.

IF A GIFT IS FROM GOD YOU WILL SENSE;

1.The presence of God

2.The presence of the Holy Spirit    

3. Sometimes the presence of angels

IF A GIFT IS  NOT FROM GOD YOU WILL SENSE;

1.The nature of a human spirit

2. The presence of evil spirits

3.The presence of Satan

b)  The purpose of the gift

i.  To detect false revelation

ii. To keep sin away

iii. To discern the plans of Satan

iv. Deliver a person from evil spirits by casting them out (Mark 16:17 and

       Luke 10:19-20)

v. To recognize the spirits of deception (1 Timothy 4:1-2 and 2 Timothy 3:13)

vi.

To test the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (Acts 16:16-18)

GOD BLESS YOU!

WATCH THE VIDEO ON THE ANOINTING 

HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD: THREE WAYS YOU CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD BY JOHN ...

HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD: THREE WAYS YOU CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD BY JOHN ...: How does God speak to us (Hearing the Voice of God)    Is hearing the voice of God sort of like tuning in to a certain radio frequ...

THREE WAYS YOU CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD BY JOHN BROWN

How does God speak to us (Hearing the Voice of God)

   Is hearing the voice of God sort of like tuning in to a certain radio frequency so you can listen to your favourite program? Or is it just a shot in the dark, a hit-and-miss thing?  

 People have always been fascinated by the idea of hearing the voice of God. And many people have heard God's voice.  

 Abraham heard the voice of God telling him to leave his own country and go to a place that God would show him (Genesis 12:1). 

  Joshua heard the voice of God telling him to lead His people into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:2, 3).

    Gideon heard the voice of God through an angel, calling him a mighty man of valour (Judges 6:11, 12).

    Samuel heard the voice of God, when he was a child, calling his name (I Samuel 3:10).   

Mary, the mother of Jesus, heard the voice of God through an angel, telling her that she was going to give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1:31). 

  John heard the voice of God through the sound of a trumpet, saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last (Revelation 1:10, 11).  

 Many people have heard the voice of God in many different ways—through the sound of a trumpet, through angels, through His still small voice and once He even spoke to a man named Balaam through a donkey! (Numbers 22:28-31). 

  God is not limited in how He can speak to us. And if He spoke to the people that I've just told you about, then He's still speaking to men and women today. Why do I say that? Because Hebrews 13:8 says He's the same yesterday, today, and forever!

   Let me give you some examples of the ways God can speak to us.  

 Three ways you can hear the voice of God.  

1.    You can hear the still, small voice of God speaking in your spirit.   

In I Kings 19 Elijah was being hunted down by Queen Jezebel, the wicked queen of Israel. She had put a bounty on his head, and she was going to have him executed. Elijah desperately needed to hear the voice of God, telling him how to get out of that mess.    Now Elijah was expecting to hear from God in some big, dramatic way, and God gave him some pretty dramatic special effects, all right. First, a tornado came roaring by, but the Lord wasn't in the wind. Then an earthquake shook the ground under his feet, but God wasn't in the earthquake. Next there was a roaring fire, but God wasn't in the fire either.    Then Elijah heard a little, quiet voice speaking in his spirit. It was God speaking to him, telling him which way to go. It didn't happen exactly the way Elijah thought it would, but he heard the voice of God.  

 How I heard the still, small voice of God.    

I remember some years ago when I heard the still, small voice of God speaking to me in the midst of my confusion. I was a Muslim at that time and I followed some Christians to a field where they were going to have a prayer meeting and in the midst of their meeting the Holy Ghost fell on me mightily and I began to speak in tongues. I was not born again at that time. I went home in a state of confusion not knowing what had happened to me, so I decided to visit them again for them to explain to me why am speaking in this  funny language i don’t understand. And in that meeting I heard the still, small voice of God saying to me "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. And all of a sudden, the confusion was settled within me, and that was the turning point of my life.

And I have learnt an important lesson from the Lord. I learnt that you can hear the voice of God speaking quietly in your spirit, even when everything around you seems to be shaking to pieces!   

2.    You can hear the voice of God through a dream or a vision.   

And your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.    —Acts 2:17 KJV   

In Genesis 37 God spoke to a teenager named Joseph through a dream. Actually, the Lord gave him two dreams, and both of them revealed God's plan for his future.    In the dreams God used symbols to tell Joseph that someday his brothers, and also his mother and father, were going to bow down to him. Then Joseph learned the hard way that sometimes it's better to keep your mouth shut than it is to tell everybody else what God has said to you!  

 When his brothers heard about his dreams, they were furious. They sold him into slavery in Egypt, and it began to look like Joseph's dreams were really just hallucinations.  

 But if Joseph hadn't told his brothers about his dreams, he might not have wound up in Egypt at all. And that's where he needed to be so his dreams could be fulfilled.   

That tells me that. God can even use our mistakes to get us into the position He needs us to be in so our dreams can be fulfilled. So don't grieve over you r mistakes. Trust God to turn them into miracles. And remember, God can still speak to you and me today through dreams and visions!   

3.    You can hear the voice of God through His Word

I believe the most important way we can hear God's voice is through His Word. And if you're asking yourself, how can I know if this is really God speaking to me? You can pick up your Bible and begin to read His Word. You see, God speaks like He writes and He writes like He speaks. His voice and His written Word will always line up.

    The disciples heard the voice of God speaking through the words of Jesus. One day they were getting ready to take a little boat ride, and Jesus told them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake] (Mark 4:35 amp). But apparently they didn't hear Him, or they forgot what He said, or they didn't really believe Him in the first place.    Why do I say that? When the disciples got into a little turbulence out in the middle of the lake— when they got into a holding pattern due to the weather—they panicked! 

  It was just a storm. It was just an attack of the devil. Didn't they know that Satan likes to send storms and obstacles and roadblocks when we set out on a journey for Jesus?  

 As soon as the trouble struck, they forgot all about what God had said to them through the words of Jesus. They forgot that the Lord had told them, "We're going over to the other side."

   And isn't that the way it happens to us? Trouble strikes and we forget what God said to us in His Word. We've heard the voice of God saying to us, "You're not going under. You're going over!" 

  But the trouble looks so bad. The news is so awful. We're still in a state of shock from it.  

 Thank God, we don't have to wait for a voice to thunder out from heaven to tell us what to do. We don't have to wait for a still, small voice to speak in our spirits. We don't have to wait for God to give us a dream or a vision.    Those are wonderful things, and God may speak to us that way. But we always have His Word, and His Word never fails.

Blessings

 John Brown