(A Prophetic Perspective by Al Thomas)

The prophetic movement that was started some years ago by the Holy Spirit ignited the church and still impacts millions. We are in a time of prophetic grace. This prophetic grace will not end until Jesus comes, because at that time we will see Him as He is and (finally) be like Him (1 John 3: 1-3). All prophecy is designed to make us like Him or draw us closer to Him. An unknown servant of God tells us that, ".the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy" Rev. 19:10. (I like the idea that this important truth was given by an unknown servant.this speaks of the importance of humility in prophecy.) Every testimony not only has the flavor of the prophetic, but provides the potential for all people to experience the prophetic. Every believer is a product of the prophetic promise of Jesus when He said that "if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me" (John 12:32). If you have been drawn to Jesus you are a fulfillment of His prophetic word two thousand years ago. Don't misunderstand or be a cynic, I do not (and no one that I know) worships the prophetic or any gifting. We worship Jesus. At the same time, to deny what He is doing in this day and hour is to deny Jesus. You can't follow Jesus and deny what He is doing. What He is doing is what He is, and what He is, is what He is doing. I am not a prophetic junkie. I distain charismatic slush. I wouldn't give you one plug dime for people who chase after supernatural dramatics. Yet, I do not quench the Spirit. No, I seek all that He has for me. You see.
THE PROPHETIC IS TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR POTENTIAL IN CHRIST.
The prophetic is not designed to bring ooo's and aaaah's. The prophetic is not designed to entertain people. It amazes me that God gives the Church the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12) knowing the potential for abuse. This simply tells us that we (the Church) are capable of spiritual excellence more so than we now realize. We are His representatives on this earth. (2 Cor. 5:20). Jesus came so we would know what God was like. This we can easily accept. But, Jesus went on to say, "Even as the Father has sent Me, so I send you." (John 20:21) The Father was full of confidence that the Son would fulfill His mission successfully, that He would obey in every area and rely upon the Holy Spirit to preach, teach, heal and deliver. The Father has sent you and I to do the same thing and is confident that even as Jesus was successful, so will we be. That is God's view of you and me! When God choose you He equipped you for His service. It's not a 'maybe I'll make it' or 'oh no, what if I fail.' no, a thousand times no. God has full assurance that you will not only make it, but fulfill your destiny completely. He believes it. You must believe it also.
THE PROPHETIC GIVES HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
God is a God of the now, in the sense that He never changes, (MAL. 3:6). We, His children, are not only people of the moment (now), but of the future, because we are being changed into His image (Romans 8:29). You don't want to forever be like you are now. If all we had was the now, we would have little. Paul said, if this it, we are of all men most miserable (1 Cor. 15:19). We need to press forward to the high calling of God which is in Christ Jesus. This high calling is prophetic, in the sense that we are going to be like Him one day (1 John 3:2). My own calling and conversion was a massive invasion of Jesus bursting into my life and Him prophesying to me. During this experience He prophesied that I would be changed into another person. And I was. Now, I had hope, and knew I had purpose here on this earth. This is what the genuine prophetic does to someone. It gives purpose, hope and vision for the now and future. When we have purpose we have joy. God didn't just make you like a lump of clay and throw you on this earth in a corner somewhere and say, "Try to make it on your own some how, it'll all be over soon." No, you have a divine purpose. Seek it. He's waiting.
THE PROPHETIC WORD GIVES DELIVERANCE I was saved December 25, 1971, as Jesus quietly, but majestically burst into my living room. When Jesus spoke to me it was so powerful that I immediately experienced deliverance from the enemy. I did not know what deliverance was at the time, but I got it. I learned that we don't always have to understand what is happening when God is dealing with us to enjoy the benefit of His work. He'll fill in the details later. I was delivered from evil spirits before I knew what an evil spirit was. I had no clue what a demon was at that time. I just knew that something very, very good was happening to me. And, I knew I was now free (John 8:36). God's word spoken through His servants break bondages. The Bible, the written Word, is preeminent over any spoken prophetic word, but don't resist the spoken prophetic word (1 Cor. 14:39). The prophetic is not only (as some might surmise) a weekly tongue and interpretation. This has its place and is often valid. But, the prophetic is much more. One day Jesus will rule the nations. He spoke (prophesied) this before it takes place (Read Matthew 24 & 25). He has a consistent habit of telling before things take place (Amos 3:7). As you pray, ask God if He just might want to use you as His mouth piece. You might be surprised. I was