WE NEED PROPHETS WITH "APOSTOLIC LENSES"

…if we want to impact our nation beyond prophesying the same thing over and over again, but not seeing fruit.

As the Church enters a new season of maturity and function, we are seeing what I call a “hybrid” model of prophet or prophetic voice, able to function prophetically — but with “apostolic lenses.”

MULTI-GIFTED FIVE-FOLD LEADERS

When it comes to five-fold ministry, also known as the ascension gifts (or as some call offices), people with these gifts usually carry a dominant dimension (or grace) with another secondary gift (Ephesians 4:11).

It may be dominantly apostle, dominantly prophet, dominantly evangelist, dominantly teacher, or dominantly pastor. But then they may also have a SECONDARY gift in operation through their lives.

For example, a pastor (dominant gift) may also function in a gift of evangelism even though evangelism might not be their dominant gift. It could be a secondary gift. If they pastor a local church, this pastor may even set up their church programs to include a greater evangelistic emphasis than other churches. He or she will pastor yes, but through an evangelistic lens.

This is what I mean by “apostolic lenses.” A person with the ascension gift of prophet, along with a grace in the apostolic, will obviously see things prophetically, but also from an apostolic perspective.

WHERE IT GETS EXCITING

Such a minister could quite literally prophesy revelation from the very heart of God and also see the apostolic strategy in response to the inspiration they received. You can probably see how much someone like this could edify the body of Christ.

PROPHECY + STRATEGY = CHANGE

Imagine a prophet giving the word of the Lord to a congregation, and then having insight and even language, to offer wisdom in building with internal structural adjustments in response to the word.

Today’s New Testament Prophet Must View Ministry through Apostolic Lenses for the Mobilization of the Church

God is raising up the next generation of New Testament prophets who recognize their responsibility is much more than just “declaring a word.”

Today’s prophetic leader must also recognize the need for mobilization, activation, and equipping, as they see the Church through apostolic

lenses.

More than just “I delivered a word – and that’s my sole responsibility.”

One would think the measurement of a prophet involves the accuracy of the words they release. However, since we find ourselves in the last days when “all can prophesy,” the gift of prophet takes on an equipping and mobilizing dimension.

Yes, they will continue functioning in the dimension of inspiration, revelation and voice, but they will also see beyond themselves and their word with apostolic lenses, and a motivation to build the whole.