The principles of Prophecy: a study for homegroups
Part 2: What issues does prophecy address? (Revelation 11:3-13) published 2/5/2001

The last study looked at the continuity of the prophetic through Old Testament and New, and into the church era in which we live today, looking both at the prophet, and how his/her words should be tested, and at the prophecy itself and how in the church these things should be carefully weighed. This study looks at issues which are on the heart of God and how God may be pleased to allow us to understand his plans, remembering our definition that prophecy is to hear or see what God is doing and pass it on.

Firstly, however, we need to honestly look at our own experience and see whether we can identify any indicators that the gift of prophecy may be there, perhaps unrecognised and undeveloped, but nonetheless something which God by his Spirit has placed there. Discuss these questions in the group. A positive answer to any of them may indicate that there is a prophetic gift lurking!

Q1 Do we get excited when studying the Bible, feeling that God is saying something about present issues and circumstances, and we have an urge to share it with others, that they also may benefit?

Q2 Have you ever shared something of challenge with somebody else and found that people will listen to what you are saying?

Q3 Do we find God speaking to us through the ordinary experiences of life, such that we are beginning to look even at negative situations to see what God has to say through them?

Q4 Have members often noticed a sense of anticipation of how things will turn out, and even what course of action is demanded?

Read Revelation 11:3-13

(skip this next paragraph if the theology contained is outside the scope of the group)
This, like most of the Book of Revelation, is full of picture language and figurative names, labels and quantities (Rev 11:8). A period of 3½ years is in view (Rev 11:3 and Rev 11:9,11 where a 'day' is a figurative term for a year, some would call a prophetic year; the same principal applies to weeks consisting of seven years each in Dan 9:20-27, where translaters now tend to record 'sevens' rather than 'weeks'). For more than 100 years, but not throughout the last 2000, there has been a scheme of interpretation which sees this 3½ years as a period of great persecution at the end of time after the return of Christ, while another view will see in these verses the principles of persection, prophecy and witness throughout the church age, from the ascension to Christ's return. Either way, for our purposes, there are important statements here releveant to prophecy today.

A persecuting environment This figurative (Rev 11:8) passage restates much of an Old Testament prophecy (Zech 4) with the difference that there are now two (Rev 11:4) rather than one (Zech 4:2,11) lamps. A period of 3½ years is symbolic of persecution (Dan 9:27), and this passage in Revelation shows God's provision for witness in a rejecting generation.

The two lamps refer to Moses and Elijah, the witnesses of the transfiguration (Matt 17:2-3), prophets both of the 'word' and of the 'Spirit' but in Moses case overwhelmingly of the 'word' and in Elijah's case overwhelmingly of the 'Spirit'. The two aspects of prophecy have straddled the years from then to now. That two are mentioned is also symbolic of corporate activity, and in the church that is how prophecy is meant to operate … as a body. Those who prophesy regularly and prominently come to be regarded as prophets (Eph 4:11) but all can prophesy (Acts 2:17). This is an important distinction. All have the responsibility to evangelise but all are not evangelists and all are called to heal but all are not healers.

The two olive trees symbolise Joshua (not the son of Nun!) and Zerubbabel (Zech 4:6-7; 3:1-8). They were prophets after the return from captivity, Joshua the man overwhelmingly of the 'word' and Zerubbabel overwhelmingly of the 'Spirit'. Joshua was the civil leader of the people and Zerubbabel the religious leader. Each area was, and is today, an important area for impact by the prophetic word. But there was also a corporate prophetic activity in each supporting the other.

The building of the church relies upon the prophetic (Eph 2:20) often bringing that Spirit-prompted word to show direction and give motivation.

Q5 Someone has said "Evangelism which is not preceded by the prophetic act of pointing to God's thoughts about the situation or person, is a waste of time and money". Do members of the group agree with this?

Society today similarly and desperately needs the impact of the word of God and the prophetic voice to deliver it. Today's Joshuas. God is concerned about national wickedness, social injustices, family breakdown, greed and lack of care and concern for the underprivileged. In all of these areas the voice of the prophet must be heard. National church leaders must bring this word to society's attention. Many of us however can contribute to the corporate prophetic voice of the people of God. We can also act to start to put the prophecy to work.

Q6 What social issues does our church address? Are these making prophetic statements to an unbelieving world?