FIVE SMOOTH STONES - The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherds Bag

FIVE SMOOTH STONES — The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherd’s Bag

it does not say he was a false prophet, came and found him. It appears he just wanted fellowship with this young man because he had heard of the manifestation of the power of God. The story ends as the young man of God lost his life because he submitted himself to illegitimate authority with poor fruit. This caused him to disobey the instructions which the Lord had given him, and took him off the path of safety that the Lord had instructed to him to follow. The young man was called a man of God, signifying his character. He was never called a prophet until the old prophet wanted to flatter him and manipulate him, which the young man of God fell prey to. If he had stayed on course with the instruction the Lord had given him, had he waited for the title “prophet” to be granted by the proper authority, he would not have died prematurely and Israel would have had a great prophetic ministry through him in time. Instead he was called “ The man of God who disobeyed .” (I Kings 13:26). The young man’s disobedience was not a willful disobedience, such as Adam, who willingly sinned, but such as Eve who was deceived. In the end he received honor because of his true ministry and true prophecy (2 Kings 23:17,18) but had he judged the other prophet by his fruit and remained on course for the training that the Lord had for him he would not have died prematurely. This young man of God had powerful gifting and a great calling. Had he discerned the bad fruit of the old prophet and continued on in obedience, it is probable that he would have been known as one of the sons of the prophet and eventually a prophet. The sons of the prophets were those who were called to prophetic ministry, who submitted themselves to a proven prophetic leader for instruction and equipping. This began with Samuel with his school of the prophets, and continued on through the years through other prophetic ministries such as Elijah and Elisha. When the people heard of Saul prophesying with the company of prophets they asked, " But who is their father ?" (1 Samuel 10:12), wanting to know if they were legitimately recognized and in relationship as prophets. The sons of the prophets were used in many ways to bring the word of the Lord to the people of God, to kings and those in authority. In a time when not all of God’s people had the spirit of God upon them

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