BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

1 2 : B V O V If you are a Partner with Kenneth Copeland Ministries, you have access to the same covenant partnership with the ministry of the prophet that Kenneth Copeland has operated in since 1977. When you attend or watch the convention this year, you will receive powerful teaching. But if you desire to make a total withdrawal from the deposit God gives you, it is critical to understand the ministry of the prophet. The Role of the Prophet Also known as seers, prophets serve as the eyes of the Body of Christ. They perceive deep spiritual revelation, and see far out in the distance, with a view best likened to that of an eagle. As beholders of visions, prophets have the ability to see the future through a tunnel of time, meaning that what seems impossible or unlikely to those around them is easy for prophets to envision. Imagine what those around them must have thought when the prophets from Genesis to Malachi declared, "The Anointed One is coming! The Anointed One is coming!" There was no sign to back up their claims, and it certainly didn't seem likely. Yet, these prophets were looking beyond what made sense and seeing ahead to what God had revealed to them. But beyond simply seeing ahead to the future plans and purposes of God, prophets also serve as the mouth of the Lord. The Hebrew word for prophet, Nabi, is also translated as spokesman. Prophets today say whatever God tells them to say, just as the prophets in the Old Testament obeyed Him when He told them, "You must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you" (Jeremiah 1:7, New Living Translation). In the Old Testament, the prophets were mouthpieces for the Lord—delivering His Word into the earth. God revealed this to Jeremiah, saying, "Look, I have put my words in your mouth!" (verse 9, NLT). The message of God, delivered by way of many prophets, announced the coming of Jesus—the foretold King—hundreds of years before the event took place. Why would God leave a roadmap to Jesus through prophets? The Bible tells us it is a prerequisite, as "surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7, New King James Version). In other words, without the prophets, Jesus could not have come. In the book of Matthew alone, there are at least 16 references to Jesus where attention was turned back to the fact, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet." The role of a prophet is to see what is revealed by God, then speak it, declaring God's plans on the earth. Revelation delivered via prophets will come in the form of a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom or the discerning of spirits. In addition, prophecy, as defined in 1 Corinthians 14:3, edifies, exhorts and comforts—it is speaking inspired by God. Prophets Warn Make no mistake—prophetic words are not all edification and comfort. Old Testament prophets—just as modern-day prophets— declared judgment. The heart behind such warnings did not come from a heart of condemnation, but from the love of the Father giving opportunity to those in jeopardy to repent, turn around and change their ways. In Ezekiel 3:17, He said to His prophet, "I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me" (NKJV). There was a reason that God constantly endeavored to teach His people to obey Him: He wanted them to live in victory. So all through the Bible, you'll find Him talking to His people, sending them prophets as witnesses of Himself and revealing His good plan for them. God always did His best to cause Israel to hear what He was saying so they could obey and live free from bondage. God sent prophets to Israel to tell them how to avoid defeat, year after year after year. It's amazing to see how much God cared for Israel. And He still cares that much for us today! The book of Jeremiah provides another clear and accurate picture of God's history with His people. The Scripture says He continually sent prophets to tell His people what they should do for their own good (Jeremiah 7:25, 35:15). Yet, again and again, the people refused to listen to what God said through those He sent. God still warns through His prophets today. It can be a word of correction, judgment or warning to an individual, the Church or even a nation. No matter the recipient, when a word What is your part? You must simply receive the prophet— believe that his words are from God and act on them."

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