From: ZionicThomase@cs.com
<ZionicThomase@cs.com>
To: davids_outcasts@listbot.com
<davids_outcasts@listbot.com>
Date: Sunday, November 07, 1999 9:36 AM
Subject: Re: (888) On Life in the Hereafter
David's Outcasts - http://www.GreaterThings.com/OpenForum/Davids_Outcasts.htm
Brian: No, I don't think you're barking up the wrong tree. I think
that it is perfectly legitimate to seek revelation for yourself, and it is
legitimate to ask others who have a prophetic gift if they have a message or
insight for you. In fact, a year or so ago, Connie and I were at a
conference where there was a noted prophet, and we stood in line for about 15
minutes so he could speak to us and prophesy over us for 30 seconds. And
this is, of course, the entire nature of the patriarchal blessing, to go to
another to receive the word of God for ourselves.
A quick word about prophecy. It works on several different levels, of
course. Bill Gothard teaches that each Christian has a motivational
gift, and he (Gothard) names seven although I would not limit to seven:
prophet, teacher, exhorter, giver, mercy, ministry, and leadership. Now
an email discussion list like this tends to attract the first two or three,
because givers and mercies and ministers and leaders don't want to talk about
the gospel, they want to do the gospel, and thank God for them! But us
prophets and teachers, well this is our job. You can tell the prophets
on the list, they come forth with blunt, black-and-white,
my-way-or-the-highway pronouncements. Teachers tend to take a more
reasoned approach, examining the issue from several sides. [John-i-hah]
was about as classic a prophet (in this sense) as I've seen. Likewise, Lynn Ridenhour is clearly a teacher.
There is another level of prophecy, where one begins to move in revelation
from God. That is, a motivational-gift prophet may only have an absolute
sense of what is right and wrong and what the world and God's people need to
be doing. The one with the gift of prophecy itself begin to hear from
God. He appears to them in dreams, in visions, and in the still small
voice that the prophecy gift person knows beyond question is from God.
Then there's a third level, where one is called into the office of
prophet. This is not necessarily synonymous with being the President of
the High Priesthood, the church officer we often refer to as 'the
Prophet'. There's no doubt that Samuel the Lamanite, for example was a
prophet.
Ideally you should seek out a prophet or someone who has the gift of
prophecy and ask them to seek a word for you. Then, make sure you weigh
it carefully, and not just accept it at face value. Like patriarchal
blessings, many personal prophecies are far from clear, and the work that God
has for us is to wrestle with them until we understand them.
I, personally, have the motivational-gift of teacher, but I do move in the
gift of prophecy from time to time. Therefore, Brian, here is what I
think the Spirit is saying:
My son Brian. I love you. I have given you an inquisitive
spirit, a quick mind, and a pure heart. Be careful to guard all
three! I see your works. You sometimes stray from the
straight path to dabble in the forbidden mysteries. Take care, lest
you get swallowed up in them. I will always be with you, unless you
send me away, but I will not protect you from the consequences of your
willful sin. Therefore, guard your heart, always come running home to
Father, and ask Him to show you the way, and I will. Go not so much as
a seeker as as a spy, seeking out the schemes of the enemy.
The time is coming when I will ask you to lay aside your present calling,
and take up another; to come up higher, if you will. I have a
treasure laid up for you in the Kingdom of the Father that is beyond your
present comprehension, but that is not what I am referring to. No, I
am referring to the treasures of this earth that are laid up for you:
not treasures of gold and rubies, but treasures of love and peace and
relationship. In the name of Jesus Christ you are released from the
silken cords of relationships past that keep you from moving forward.
These ties are broken. You are free. Stand fast in your freedom!
Brian, know me. Know Jesus Christ. Read the Book of
John. Read it over and over. Find a mature Christian man, one
who knows me well, and ask him to disciple you. You will find such a
person among David's Outcasts, and no, it is not Mark the bearer of these
words. Seek peace. Seek peace, and pursue it!
If you heed these words, I promise you peace to your troubled soul,
relationship with men and women who know me, and moreover relationship with
a special woman that I have in store for you if you are faithful.
Trust my words, but try them to see If I will not do all that I say that I
will do. In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
