“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, andcomfort,” 1 Corinthians 14:1-3 KJV, (Emphasis added).
There is much confusion with this topic and I see and hear those who do not understand the role of prophecy in the church.
In the King James Bible Dictionary:
Edification: To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit. To encourage.
i.e. To encourage or encouragement, the act of giving courage, or confidence of success; Incitement to action or to practice; incentive.
“But charge Joshua, and encourage him….,” Deuteronomy 3:28.
Comfort: To strengthen; to invigorate; to cheer or enliven.
“Comfort ye your hearts….,” Genesis 18:5.
To strengthen the mind when depressed or enfeebled; to console; to give new vigor to the spirits; to cheer, or relieve from depression, or trouble.
“His friends came to mourn with him and to comfort him….” Job 2:11.
Exhort: To incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments to a good deed or to any laudable conduct or course of action. To advise; to warn; to caution. To incite or stimulate to exertion.
“I exhort you to be of good cheer…..,” Acts 27:22.
“Exhort servants to be obedient to their masters…..,” Titus 2:9.
Exhortation: To deliver exhortation; to use words, warnings, caution to incite to good deeds, (Acts 2:40).
I find that many believer’s refuse to believe in prophecy or prophets, due to misuse and false prophets. There is misuse through immaturity, ignorance and pride also. There needs to be teaching on this subject.
To only know the kindness of God and not the severity of God is to deceive ourselves. You are obligated to study the Word of God so you can know for yourselves.
It is dangerous to believe in all ministers and not find out the truth for yourself. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:12, “to know those that labor among yourselves.” Also we are to study to show ourselves approved, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the LORD, and admonish you; and be at peace among yourselves. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake,” 1 Thessalonians 5:9-13 KJV.
Why is exhortation, warning?
The Holy Spirit is warning his Church and the world of Jesus imminent return.
The Kingdom of God is among us and like salt, when salt has lost it’s savor it is good for nothing. Would you rather not be advised, cautioned or warned?
When the LORD comes and open His door to the marriage supper of the Lamb and HE closes the door, It will not be opened again.
“And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in,” Genesis 7:16 KJV.
Just like it was when Noah built the ark. People were not paying any attention to the signs of the times; Yes, the LORD closed the ark. HE will close the door once again when He has gathered all his wise virgins.
Don’t stay at the end of the lines; quit having a divided heart with one foot in and one foot out. The chasm will widen and there will be nothing left to stand on in the middle ground. You will either be in or out.
This dispensation is coming to a close and once the doors are shut, the Holy Spirit of Grace will be taken out of the earth with HIS beloved remnant. People will face the full brunt of this earth in tribulation when the anti Christ takes over. BUT GOD!
“And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them nor follow them, for as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all,” Luke 17:23-27 KJV.
Beloved of God, we are in birth pains, but things are coming quickly to a close. Those that remain bound to this earth, who rejected Jesus and his word, will find they were left. There will be two in bed, one taken, the other left. Two working in a field, one taken the other left. There will be much confusion.
In those days there will be those that rejected and never committed to Christ. And those that are backslider’s or ministers who were not right in relationship with Christ. These will be shocked. These who taught partial truths, will repent and turn to truth during these days and begin to teach and preach the truth during the tribulation.
During this time, there will be many martyrs for the name of Christ and they will willingly die for the truth that they can no longer reject. They will die for their faith. The Jews and those left will be saved but through much tribulation.
No man knows the day or hour of HIS return but we will know the season as we remain abiding in HIM. It will be when they hear, Peace and Safety then sudden destruction will come.
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the LORD so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober,” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 KJV.
Is this a hard message?
Would it be better if God didn’t tell his prophets; warning of the times we are in?
Do you realize they are held accountable for those souls they are to exhort, to advise, warn and caution?
God is sounding his alarm and you can watch the news and see the pages of the Bible happening before our eyes. The sand in the hour glass is moving quickly and the time to play church is over. Fake and fluff won’t be able to stand anymore. There will be a clearer distinction between the true beloved church of the living God, and those who are dry, dead, fake, deceitful religion.
God exhorts us to hear what HIS Spirit is saying to the churches. The ministry fields are white ready for harvest.
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved, in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him,” Ephesians 1:4-10.
In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey
New Beginning Christian Ministries International 