Prophesying in the Bible primarily means speaking forth the Word of God, rather than only predicting the future.
Les Feldick shows that the biblical word prophesy can mean either foretelling the future or simply speaking forth the Word (Clip 2). In the early church, gifted men spoke forth the Word before the New Testament existed, and that is what prophecy means in that setting (Clips 1, 5). Scripture also tells believers to desire this ministry, and Les applies it to preaching and teaching the Word today (Clip 4).
Romans 12:6 — Paul lists prophecy as a spiritual gift and says to exercise it according to the proportion of faith, showing prophecy is a Spirit-given ability to speak the Word.
1 Corinthians 14:3 — This verse explicitly defines the result of prophesying: speaking to men for edification, exhortation, and comfort.
In the New Testament, prophecy is listed among the spiritual gifts. Romans 12:6 says, "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith." First Corinthians 14:1 tells believers to "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." The same chapter describes what prophecy does: "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1 Corinthians 14:3). Paul also explains that tongues were for a sign to unbelievers, while "prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe" (1 Corinthians 14:22). He closes with the command, "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:39), and adds, "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). In the Old Testament, Joel 2:28 describes a future time when, after God pours out His Spirit, "your sons and your daughters shall prophesy." In Revelation 11:3, the two witnesses are described as those who "shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."
Les Feldick defines prophecy as simply speaking forth the Word of God. He points out that the same word can mean either telling the future or speaking the Word, and he applies the speaking-forth meaning to the early church gift (Clips 1, 2, 5). According to Les, before the New Testament had been written, God used gifted men to proclaim and preach His Word, and that gift is what Scripture calls prophecy (Clips 1, 5). Les also applies this definition to the two witnesses in Revelation 11, saying they will not necessarily tell the future but will speak the Word (Clip 2). At the same time, he is careful to distinguish Old Testament predictive prophecy, which is always tied to Israel and God's exact timing (Clips 3, 6). Les teaches that the office of prophets has passed because believers now have the printed Word, but the emphasis on speaking forth the Word continues through preaching and teaching (Clips 0, 4). He also stresses that believers should not beg for a particular gift; the Holy Spirit gives gifts as He wills, and every believer can serve God in the capacity He has given (Clips 5, 7).
No. Les Feldick clarifies that the word prophesy in Scripture can mean either telling the future or simply speaking forth the Word. He applies this to the two witnesses of Revelation, saying they are not necessarily telling the future but speaking the Word (Clip 2). He also shows that Old Testament prophecy is predictive, set in an exact time frame, and connected to Israel (Clips 3, 6).
The New Testament was not yet completed when Paul wrote his letters. Les explains that God promoted His Word through gifted men who spoke forth the Word of God, and this is what prophecy meant in the early church (Clip 5). The gift of prophesying was used to proclaim and preach the Word before the church had the printed pages of the New Testament (Clips 1, 5).
Les teaches that the office of prophets is no longer on the scene because believers now have the printed Word (Clip 0). Nevertheless, he does not say believers should stop speaking forth the Word; he points to Paul's command to covet to prophesy and says all things in the congregation should be done decently, in order, and for the glory of God (Clip 4). The continuing role of preaching and teaching the completed Word of God is the focus (Clips 1, 4).
Les says believers are not to beg for a particular gift; the Holy Spirit imparts gifts as He wills, not as we determine (Clip 7). Instead of demanding a gift, believers are to use whatever ability God has already given them and to desire the work of speaking forth the Word (Clips 4, 7).
Prophets Passed with the Printed Word
Les teaches that the offices of apostles and prophets no longer exist because believers now have the printed Word, showing the temporary nature of the early-church gift.
Prophecy as Preaching the Word
Les explains that the gift of prophesying was for proclaiming and preaching the Word before the New Testament was completed, and he says preaching the Word is what people need to hear today.
Two Meanings of Prophesy
Les clarifies that prophesy in Scripture can mean telling the future or simply speaking forth the Word, and he applies this to the two witnesses of Revelation 11.
Old Testament Prophecy and Israel
Les notes that true Old Testament prophecy is foretelling within an exact divinely set time frame and is always associated with the nation of Israel.
Decently and in Order
Les shows that Paul commands believers to covet to speak forth the Word, and he says everything in the local congregation must be done decently, in order, and for the glory of God.
Spiritual Gifts and Speaking Forth the Word
Les connects the gift of prophecy to gifted men speaking forth the Word of God before the New Testament existed, and stresses that God imparts gifts according to His grace.
No Prophecy Directed to the Church
Les teaches that predictive prophecy is directed to Israel, not the church, and quotes Joel to show the future outpouring of the Spirit with prophesying.
Don't Beg for a Gift
Les teaches that believers should not ask for or demand a particular gift, because the Holy Spirit gives gifts as He wills; each believer can serve God faithfully in their own capacity.
Romans 12:6: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Paul names prophecy as a gift and tells believers to exercise it according to faith.
1 Corinthians 14:1: Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Paul instructs believers to follow love and to desire especially the ministry of prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14:3: But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
This is the core definition of what prophecy accomplishes: edification, exhortation, and comfort.
1 Corinthians 14:22: Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Paul shows prophecy serves believers, unlike tongues, which served as a sign to unbelievers.
1 Corinthians 14:39: Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Paul's command to desire to prophesy is central to Les's teaching.
1 Corinthians 14:40: Let all things be done decently and in order.
The order of worship must honor God.
Joel 2:28: And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Old Testament background of the Spirit being poured out and people prophesying.
Revelation 11:3: And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
The two witnesses' prophesying is described without the word 'foretell,' making the speaking-forth meaning significant.
No. Les Feldick explains that the word can mean either telling the future or simply speaking forth the Word. In the early church it referred to proclaiming the Word before the New Testament was written, and he applies that same sense to the two witnesses in Revelation 11 (Clips 2, 5).
Les teaches that the office of prophets has left the church because believers now have the printed Word, but believers are still commanded to covet to speak forth the Word. The emphasis is on preaching and teaching the completed Word of God with all things done decently and in order (Clips 0, 4).
Yes. Paul tells believers to covet to prophesy, and Les describes prophesying as speaking forth the Word. At the same time, believers should not beg for a particular gift; the Holy Spirit distributes gifts as He wills (Clips 4, 7; 1 Corinthians 14:39).
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