The Lord’s been showing me that the upcoming year of 2020, among other things, will become known as the year of the prophet. We are about to see a whole new level of prophets’ ministering to nations, peoples and kings. He’s still very much in the heart of the prophets today… It is the prophets who will prepare the way for this great harvest to be brought into the kingdom of light.
The Pioneering Office Of The Prophet
In fulfillment of a requirement for a course I took on the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus) in studying for a M.T.S. (Master of Theological Studies), I recently had the privilege of interviewing Cindy Jacobs—the well-known and respected co-founder of Generals International. I was supposed to discuss an essay I’d written with her on several general over-arching themes contained in these books—I chose the role of women in ministry, and the qualifications/role of the church pastor as defined by this course.
Concerning the first overarching theme, I had written that as a woman currently active in ministry I subscribe to a form of what’s called the egalitarian viewpoint. (You can read more about the two opposing evangelical views on women in ministry, as well as my own view here.) Concerning the second theme, I had said that I found it very odd that the instructor barely mentioned the pastor as shepherd as one of the five-fold gifts from Ephesians 4:11. Instead, his view of the role of the pastor was derived solely from the description in 1 Timothy 3 of the bishop, and Titus 1 of the elder. My personal view is that the church is best served when all of the five-fold gifts are operating—as I have written about before, such as in this article titled, “Do You Know Why Five-Fold Ministry Is Essential?”
Cindy had some interesting comments regarding the role of women in ministry and the general perception within Christian and Pentecostal/Charismatic circles concerning the role of the five-fold ministry. Regarding women in ministry, she commented that in considering Galatians 3:28 she finds it fascinating that huge strides have been made in the areas of equality between Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) and slave and free. Yet for many—if not most—women in ministry there remains a lot of “glass ceilings” in place. She referenced a statistic that 33% of pulpits in America will not allow a woman to preach, so although the attitude and acceptance regarding women in ministry is better than it once was, there still remains a lot of work to be done in this area.
Next, she began to specifically discuss the office of the prophet as one of the five-fold ministry gifts, in response to the theme I had introduced regarding the role of pastor relative to the five-fold ministry. She stated that her mentor, C.P. Wagner, once told her that the (she named a major Pentecostal/Charismatic denomination) official position paper states that while they do believe the gift of prophecy is for today, they do not believe the five-fold ministry office of the prophet is for today. While there are certain churches within this denomination and some Charismatic circles that do embrace the office of the prophet for today, as a general rule classical Pentecostals do not. In other words, this is still very much a pioneering area, especially when the office of prophet is in combination with being a woman in ministry! She concluded by saying that more and more she has come to realize how the office of the prophet is such a “pioneer area,” and in many cases she has actually been shocked by how many denominations don’t believe in the five-fold ministry gifts/offices at all.
Things Are About To Change
Shortly after concluding this interview, the Lord began to speak to me specifically about the office of the prophet today. I heard Him say, “The prophet has been very much swept under the rug, but that’s about to change. They’re a rebel anyway (meaning the prophet)—not in the sense of what might typically be thought of as rebellious—but that it can be difficult to fit in.” Of course, upon hearing this I immediately thought of John the Baptist, who was clothed in camel’s hair, lived in the wilderness and ate locusts and wild honey. I imagine he indeed stood out—more than just a little bit—and most definitely had difficulty fitting in!
Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord’s first coming, a company of prophets has been raised up to prepare the way for Christ’s second coming. In the manner that one prophet (John the Baptist) prepared the way for Jesus to come and usher in the Church Age, this company of prophets will prepare the way for Jesus to come and usher in the Kingdom Age.
About fifteen years ago, in one of the most profound supernatural occurrences I’ve ever experienced, an angel awakened me one night, gave me Matthew 3:3 and the Lord spoke to me about being one in this company He was raising up. Over time I’ve had this word confirmed numerous times, yet—as I’m sure with many prophets—fitting into the body of Christ doesn’t seem to get any easier. I’ve heard Bishop Bill Hamon of Christian International say that that’s why Jesus spoke in Matthew 11:11 concerning John the Baptist as He did. This verse says: “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist…” (NKJV).
Because the call of the prophet is not an easy one. There are more visible, more glamorous, and certainly more popular calls. It is a call often misunderstood. From my perspective many prophets—myself included—have recently been encountering one of the most difficult and intense periods of spiritual warfare in their entire ministry lives. If that’s you, I feel the Lord is offering you a choice… Would you like to play it safe, or would you like to continue to pioneer new ground?
That choice is mine to make, as it is yours. As for me and my house—we will continue to pioneer!
I Saw Satan Fall Like Lightening
There’s a principle to remember in the midst of this period of intense spiritual warfare, one I call “Satan’s fire always burns brightest right before it goes out.” In Luke 10:18 (NKJV) Jesus said concerning Satan, “I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven,” in reference to how he was cast out after determining to become like God (see Isa. 14:12-15). Satan’s big plan backfired, and he’s repeated this cycle ever since. Take for example, his temptation of Adam and Eve. While he temporarily won that round, it set the stage for the promise of a Messiah to come. And just when he thought he’d won by crucifying this promised Messiah, Jesus was raised from the dead in complete victory and destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil (Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14).
I see the same principle at work concerning the prophets. Satan is trying to take them out because God is about to elevate and use them in ways never before seen. I feel like the Lord’s been showing me that the upcoming year of 2020, among other things, will become known as the year of the prophet. We are about to see a whole new level of prophets’ ministering to nations, peoples and kings. Just as John ate the little book and was commissioned into new levels, the Lord is about to take His prophets even higher (Rev. 10:8-11).
He’s still very much in the heart of the prophets today, as they take His word and eat, and then go prophesy. The days are short, the enemy is fierce, but the people in darkness are about to see a great light. It is the prophets who will prepare the way for this great harvest to be brought into the kingdom of light (Jer. 1:7b, 10; Rev. 12:12; Isa. 9:2).
Diane is a writer, speaker and minister ordained with both Christian International and Generals International. Her articles are regularly featured on The Elijah List, as well as platforms like Charisma Magazine, Charisma News, Intercessors For America and others. She and her husband, Allen, co-founded Starfire Ministries with a vision to see the kingdom established beyond the four walls of the traditional church. They host a podcast with Charisma Podcast Network, and serve as Church Mountain, Regional, and Montana Coordinators for the Reformation Prayer Network, and as Media Mountain Leader/Facilitators for C.I.’s Culture Influencers.
