There is a ministry among us which has been receiving a bad press because of inaccurate and false prophesies in modern history of the church. That's the ministry of the prophets. If only these prophets have the fear of the LORD, such things will not happen. It's a heavy responsibility because in the O.T, false prophets are to be stoned by death. Always be careful to when someone say "Thus saith the LORD". Test every spirit of prophecy through prayer and agreement. In the OT, prophets work alone. But in the NT, prophets work in groups. "And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch."
1 John 4:1 "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
However, we do not discredit just because of bad press this special gift that God has given to the church. Because it is the apostles and prophets that lay the foundation of the church. It was so in the first days, it will also be so in the last days.
Ephesians 2:19-21 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord."
In the last days of the church, just like in the first days, the Body of Christ need true prophets who will stand up and prophesy the things of God. In the first days, God's true prophets saw far and deep into the future and protected the infant church from the economic famine throughout the world. Likewise, in the last days, there will be true prophets who will stand up and protect the church by looking far and deep into the future. Prophets are like watchtowers. Soldiers on watchtowers set on the frontier can see further than soldiers on the ground. They can predict enemy movements and warn soldiers on the ground what threat is coming. They are the frontier protector of the land.
Isaiah 21:7-9 "And he saw a chariot with a pair of horsemen, A chariot of donkeys, and a chariot of camels, And he listened earnestly with great care. Then he cried, “A lion, my Lord! I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime; I have sat at my post every night. And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!”
Isaiah saw an army coming. But an army could be friendly or foe. Hence, a true prophet will see first and he doesn't speak immediately. He will listen earnestly and carefully. Who does he listened to confirm what he saw? The LORD. Then the true prophet will speak of what he saw and heard.
"Dear Lord, thank You for the wonderful gift you have given to the Body of Christ. Truly, prophets are given to build the kingdom and protect the flocks. And every believer in You has the ability to operate in the gift of prophecy because the testimony of Jesus in us is the spirit of prophecy. Help us to become sharper and help us to hear your voice clearer each time. We thank you and we love you. Anoint us Lord even more. Amen."