Helen Calder: "11 Types of Prophetic Ministries: Which Do You Relate To?"

From the desk of Steve Shultz:

This is a most insightful teaching about different types of prophetic ministries from Helen Calder of Australia. I've been around the prophetic for many years and we will never outlearn it, as we are always increasing in wisdom and understanding and moving from glory to glory.

It is our hope that we can bring you valuable teachings about the prophetic and the supernatural in the days to come. We've been hearing more and more that people are hungry for learning about the prophetic and learning about the supernatural ways of God. AND we intend to bring some more insightful teachings to you!

In Helen's article, you will learn about 11 types of prophetic ministries and how you can relate to them, and most likely you will identify with more than one.

Enjoy this word by Helen and be encouraged in your prophetic gifts! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

Do you remember the richly ornamented robe Jacob made for his favorite son Joseph (Gen. 37)? That coat set Joseph apart and caused him to stand out from the crowd. Everywhere Joseph went, he wore the mantle that represented his father's favor. In God's Kingdom, each of us is the Father's favored son or daughter (Gal. 3:26-29). The unique mix of spiritual gifts He has given to us individually is like Joseph's richly ornamented robe. "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." (Rom. 12:6)

11 Types of Prophetic Ministries

Here are some different types of prophetic ministries in the Bible. This is a starting point only, for every prophet in Scripture was unique. The first two are broad categories, within which the other types of prophetic ministries operate. You may notice you relate to some of these more than others.

1. The Realm of Mysteries

The Holy Spirit often communicates in mysteries such as dreams, visions, prophetic parables and symbolic pictures. For some, this is a primary way they receive and minister prophetic insights. A mystery requires interpretation and its meaning is not always immediately discernible. God is inviting us to go on a journey with Him—we discover Him as "the revealer of mysteries" (Dan. 2:28).

The prophet Ezekiel received and conveyed prophecy in the realm of mystery. Some visions, such as the valley of dry bones (Ezek. 37) were symbolic. Other mysteries were Heavenly realities—visions of the cherubim and throne of God—that could not be comprehended by the natural mind (Ezek. 1, 10-11).

2. The Realm of Knowledge

Some prophetic ministry operates in the sphere of knowledge. Knowledge can relate to actual events in the past, present or future—knowledge of the future being "foretelling". In his list of gifts of the Spirit, Paul refers to a "word of knowledge" (1 Cor. 12:8).

Samuel was a prophet who operated in the realm of knowledge. In 1 Samuel 9, he tells Saul the donkeys he lost three days earlier are found (knowledge of past). He tells Saul he will shortly meet a party who will inform Saul his father is now worried about him (present and future knowledge). He then goes on to instruct Saul concerning his kingship (1 Sam. 10).

Before I share the other types, let's note that a mystery is not a less significant way that God communicates (than knowledge). It is just different. The Holy Spirit uses both mysteries and knowledge to speak to us prophetically. (Photo via Unsplash)

3. Prophetic Writing

Many prophets in the Bible were writing prophets. We know this, because some prophets were used of God to write Scripture. Of these, some, such as Habakkuk, were poets. But not all prophets recorded their words in writing. The Prophetess Huldah gave verbal prophetic counsel in 2 Kings 22:14-20.

4. Prophetic Arts and Creative

The Holy Spirit used the Prophet Ezekiel in prophetic acts that were creative and dramatic in nature. In Ezekiel 4 and 5, he uses prophetic sculpture and art, along with drama, to portray the coming judgment on Jerusalem.

5. Prophetic Worship and Music

Some of the Psalms are prophecies that were originally set to music. King David was a prophetic Psalmist and musician. We read, "David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals" (1 Chron. 25:1, NIV).

The prophetess Deborah wrote a song (recorded in Judges 5). In Exodus 15:20 we read, "Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances" (Ex. 15:20, NKJV).

6. Prophetic Speaking (Utterance)

The Prophet Jeremiah was called to be a prophetic voice: "...Behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them" (Jer. 5:14, NKJV). The prophetic utterances of Haggai and Zechariah were timely exhortations that encouraged the Jewish leaders to rebuild the temple (Ezra 5:1-2).

7. Prophetic Prayer and Intercession

Some prophets majored in prayer. Daniel is one whose life was characterized by prayer, fasting and intercession (Dan 6:10, Chapter 9). In the New Testament we meet Anna, a prophetic intercessor, who meets the answer to her prayer in the young child Jesus (Luke 2:36-38).

8. Prophetic Dreams and Interpretation

Daniel was gifted by God to understand and interpret dreams and visions.

"...Daniel...was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems." (Dan. 5:12, NIV, see also Dan. 1:17)

Daniel not only interpreted the dreams of others; he personally received dreams and visions from God concerning the future. Daniel chapter 7 is one example of a dream given to Daniel.

9. Signs and Wonders Prophets

Elijah and Elisha were prophets who were used by God in signs and wonders, as was Moses. Healing and miracles occurred through their ministries and the laws of nature were overcome.

10. Prophetic Visionaries / Seers

Jeremiah's early prophetic insights (chapter 1) consisted of simple pictures—an almond tree branch, a boiling pot. His ongoing prophetic ministry was very pictorial in nature. The book of Revelation is a book of prophetic vision given to the Apostle John. The ministry of Ezekiel is also characterized by vision.

11. Prophetic Teaching and Preaching

Moses was both a prophet and a teacher. He wrote, "Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; And hear, O earth, the words of My mouth. Let My teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew..." (Deut. 32:1-2, NKJV).

Silas in the New Testament was a prophet who, along with Judas, strengthened and encouraged the Church "...with many words" (Acts 15:32). He later preached alongside Paul on his missionary trips (Acts 15:40, 17:14).

The above observations are a starting point only, to help us explore and identify the unique gifts we have been given. Which do you relate to? You will probably relate to more than one.

Understand There are Seasons Where Different Gifts are Being Highlighted

There are times when one type of prophetic ministry becomes prominent in the Body of Christ. For a season, it seems as though the spotlight is on that particular expression of ministry. (Photo via Unsplash)

Right now, the realm of prophetic knowledge (word of knowledge) is gaining a lot of attention. I remember a time in the 1990's when prophetic intercession was being highlighted.

God allows these seasons of emphasis for a reason. He is growing us in these areas, so that we can be inspired and reach for more of what is available in the prophetic ministry of the Holy Spirit. But there is also an element of testing. We can be tempted to elevate one expression of the gift beyond what the Scripture does.

See Your Gift and Ministry from Heaven's Viewpoint

Your gift may be hidden from public view, but that does not mean it is insignificant. Some ministries, by their very nature, are hidden. Prophetic intercession can be a private ministry. God may call you to minister to one or a few, and your gift may be unseen by people.

Just as invisible light, such as infrared, x-ray and ultraviolet can have extraordinary power when focused, a hidden but focused ministry is powerful. Remember, Heaven's viewpoint is vastly different to our perception on earth. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

Helen Calder
Enliven Ministries
Email: helen@enlivenpublishing.com
Website: www.enlivenministries.net

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries, a part of the David McCracken Ministries family. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in the areas of hearing God's voice, prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog, an online prophetic training and mentoring resource that reaches thousands of people globally. Helen and Malcolm have been married for 34 years.

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