I was confused by this verse for a very long time. Me? Prophesize? Like Elijah or Elisha or Jeremiah or Jonah? Going around telling people when war will come, when the world will end, when this and that will happen? No way!
Later, I learnt that there are 2 meanings to 'prophesy' (or prophecy). 2 types of prophets:
Prophet Type A: Predicts the future based on divine revelation or inspiration. That was what Elijah and Elisha and Isaiah and Jeremiah did. They told the Israelites "If you continue with your wicked ways, you will be destroyed. The Assyrians or Babylonians would attack you. You would become slaves, etc.
Prophet Type B: 1 Cor 14:1 Today's English Version is clearer: "It is love, then, that you should strive for. Set your hearts on spiritual gifts, especially the gift of proclaiming God's message."
Now I understand. I was told to desire the spiritual gift of prophesy Type B, which is gift of proclaiming God's message. Not predicting future events. Not going around telling people when Rapture or the Third World War will take place, or when Christ will return.
Simply proclaim God's message. That was what Abraham did, what Moses did, what Aaron and his sister Mariam did. No wonder they were also called 'prophets'. (Genesis 20:7, Exodus 7:1, Exodus 15:20)
We all can do a bit of Prophet Type B. Simple proclaim God's message of Jesus Christ.
(Photo: My favorite mountain, Mt Fuji. Majestic and standalone)
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