Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

Mission: What Was a Prophet?

are not opposing books with Church history simply tacked on. The Tes taments are, rather, two parts of the same book, speaking the same lan guage and dynamically linked to the Church today through the agency of the blessed Holy Spirit. An unprejudiced approach to biblical prophetism and Church history only confirms the importance of prophecy for today's Church. That opening story of Elijah the Tishbite seems astounding, but allow me to conclude this chapter with a thought-provoking incident from the life of a modern-day prophet.

The Words of a Prophet

The door burst open and there stood the impeccably dressed Smith Wigglesworth, British evangelist, with a stern expression on his face. It was only about 6:30 A.M. on a beautiful morning in 1936 in Johannes burg. David du Plessis, the 31-year old general secretary of the Apostolic Faith Mission, looked up from his work in surprise and apprehension. His house guest had not even knocked, interrupting David's hurried efforts to clean up his desk so that his day would be free. David described the encounter like this: He wore a fierce expression and offered no greeting.Instead he raised his right hand and pointed the forefinger at me."Come out here!" his voice boomed.... He put his hands on my shoulders and pushed me against the wall-not roughly,but certainly firmly-and he held me there....I was more than a bit uneasy at that moment. He looked straight into my eyes...."I have been sent by the Lord to tell you what He has shown me this morning," he began."Through the old-line denominations will come a revival that will eclipse anything we have known throughout history.No such things have happened in times past as will happen when this begins....It will eclipse the present-day, twentieth-century Pentecostal revival that already is a marvel to the world, with its strong opposition from the established church.But this same bless ing will become acceptable to the churches and they will go on with this message and this experience beyond what the Pentecostals have achieved. You will live to see this work grow to such dimensions that the Pentecostal movement itself will be a light thing in comparison with what God will do through the old churches.There will be tremendous gatherings of people, unlike anything we've seen,and great leaders will change their attitude and accept not only the message but also the blessing." Again,a slight hesitation."One final word,the last w:ord the Lord gave me for you: All He requires of you is that you be humble and faithful under 49 ■