Revelation and prophecy
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? (1 Corinthians 14:6)
Revelation, knowledge, and prophecy concern the lives of the saints and their ministry in the church. Spiritual gifts must necessarily be in accordance with the word of God, and serve first to the exhortation, edification, and consolation of the faithful, and then also to convince and judge the unlearned or unbelievers. (1 Corinthians 14:3, 24)
A prophecy (speaking with wisdom) brings light into the hearts and reveals their secret thoughts. Prophecies enlighten unknown areas of thoughts and intentions, and show where life does not yet correspond to the perfect advice of God; they exhort not to get tired to work out to salvation, and teach how to grow to the full measure of the fullness of Christ.
Revelations are not given to publicly disclose individual’s wrongdoing, to tell them “the truth”. One can not force people to be holy, without blemish; for this, God gives us his word. We must listen and read it ourselves, and judge ourselves voluntarily. Certainly, if we hear God's word from shepherds and teachers who live it out, it is a special help to follow their faith.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrew 4:12)
Whoever announces God's word must not penetrate the hearts of the hearers with his personal ideas, for he often does not understand what is right or wrong in the circumstances. It is God's business to enlighten, exhort, and judge with his word the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Those who can then humble themselves and keep faith also get the grace to overcome all that is imperfect, the works of the body.
Since much of what is said in the assemblies is not always acted upon by the Holy Spirit, it is up to the hearer to verify the prophecies, tongues, and interpretation with God's Word. Often, they express human ideas and desires that do not agree with the Word of God and resist the Holy Spirit. Such talk must be rejected.
In many places, bold preachers, who claim to be evangelists and prophets, try to intervene in the lives of believers through prophecy, tongues and interpretations. Tongue talks are then interpreted as follows: thus says the Lord..., God reveals..., thus says the Spirit..., obedience has a great reward... Mostly it is about earthly things like: behaviour, clothing, liberality, collections, and domestic services. But gullible listeners do not understand that such talking and proceeding are not biblical. Credulity is dangerous. It would be better to laugh or even cry at such “speeches in spirit” than to admire the speakers.
To give space to human opinions and thoughts and threatening those who do not comply is diabolical. Even if prophecies are well meant, it remains that what is not in accordance with the word of God is a seduction.
True revelation, knowledge, prophecy and teaching bring light into hearts searching the truth, thus, whoever believes can judge and improve himself voluntarily. One recognizes true servants of God, in their wise way to give the church a sound understanding how to distinguish, good from evil.
Even if we understand what true revelation and prophecy is, we can still do many mistakes. What is well intentioned, does not always work well.
If, for example, bold preachers, evangelists and prophets are given freedom, instead of forbidding them to speak, then one show no love but pathetic weakness. Love is always useful. It is therefore right to reject servants who are neither useful nor edifying. Since this is usually omitted, even people who live in manifest sins, such as fornicators, adulterers, thieves, slanderers, and the like, are tolerated in many communities. Not in the hope that they will convert, but because they are especially generous. That's a shame.
The hope that impertinent bold preachers can also convert does not mean they have should take root in a church.
Whenever the believers, saints and faithful gather together, it should serve for exhortation, edification and sanctification. If unbelievers then join, they will be by the action of the spirit and the brothers and sisters disclosed and judged.
The secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. (1 Corinthians 14:25)
The Scriptures do not give any special revelations about the last times. What they reveal and illuminate are things that help us move forward on the narrow path of life. It is a great comfort to know that we can not see ourselves as we are at once: it is the task of the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about ourselves by gradually guiding us into all the truth. (John 16:13).