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Pursue Prophesying

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may PROPHESY.2. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.3. But he who PROPHESIES speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.4. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who PROPHESIES edifies the church.5. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you PROPHESIED; for he who PROPHESIES is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to PROPHESY, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.40. Let all things be done decently and in order.
1 Corinthians 14:39-40

God always prophesies!

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy

The testimony of Jesus is the spiritual essence of prophecy. From the fall to the last book in the Bible God prophesies. The prophesies of God are always the testimony of Jesus Christ.

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 19:10

God reveals what He does to the prophets

Surely the Lord God does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
A lion has roared!
Who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken!
Who can but prophesy?
Amos 3:7-8

God’s Prophecy at the fall

¹⁰So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” ¹¹And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” ¹²Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” ¹³And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” ¹⁴So the Lord God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
¹⁵ And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”

The prophets prophecy, but often do not themselves understand what God is saying through them

Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,11. searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.12. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
1 Peter 1:10-12

Tongues as a starting point

Paul says he desires all men to speak in tongues and it does appear that the base gift in 1 Corinthians 12-14 is to speak in tongues. There are at least four kinds of different tongues mentioned in the Bible.

human languages that are unknown to the speaker (Acts 2:4-11),
a spiritual language that should be interpreted by the gift of interpretation of tongues (1 Cor 14:27-28) ,
spiritual mysteries that are edification of the prayer (1 Cor 14:2, Jude 20),
and intercessory groanings that cannot be uttered (Rom 8:26)

Tongues that are interpreted are seen a prophecy, which clearly is the greatest gift, that we should all aspire to.

Speaking in tongues is often synonymous with praying in the Spirit

Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.14. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.15. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
1 Corinthians 14:13-15

Human Understanding is not the source of prophesy

Prophecy is not necessarily premeditated or pre-understood by the prophet. The prophets in the Old Testament did not have a concept or clue of the coming Messiah and yet all their prophesies were the testimony of Jesus Christ.

11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” ” (Luke 12:11–12, NKJV)

Some prophesies may very well be quotations of portions the Bible, and it is undoubtedly critical that people who desire to prophesy read, study and dwell on the scripture. Prophecy is however not preaching or teaching. It is often the Spirit speaking though a person; things that that person does not even know or understand. Along with diligent study of scripture praying in the Spirit as much and as intensely as possible is critical.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, NKJV)

Judge Prophesies

Prophesy will never contradict scripture, and it is the function of ALL the Christians to judge prophesies by the Spirit themselves.

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.30. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.31. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.32. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1 Corinthians 14:29-32