How to Handle Prophetic Words, Dreams & Visions

God designed apostles to work with prophets.  You see them teamed up all through the New Testament.  Both gifts have a gift of revelation which means they tend to hear and see things God is saying and doing more frequently than others.  The apostolic gift has also been given a gift of wisdom to understand how to bring prophetic words into reality (timing, teamwork, big picture, resources etc). 

This can create a tension or friction between apostles and prophets sometimes. It is important to be aware of this.  It is also important to recognize that in the New Testament God also gave the Church gifts of prophecy, tongues, interpretation, words of knowledge and words of wisdom.  This adds a lot more people to the mix and really highlights the need for us to have a view of the "big picture."

Here's a few more things I've learned over the years.  Apostles love to work with prophets.  God designed it that way.  As the apostolic gift in my life became more prevelant I began to see more and more prophets function.  It is not uncommon for me to have people approach me telling me how that their gift was dormant in their church.  However, when they got around me they began to sense their prophetic gift stir.  I believe it is partially because I covet to hear what God is saying and I'm struck by the following scriptures. 

• 1 Cor 13:9 - For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
• 1 Cor 14:29 -  Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
• Amos 3:7 - Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. NKJV

So its important to realize:

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• No one has it all
• The words will be judged.  Is this a word, dream, vision from the Lord?  Yes or no?  If so, how does it fit in the big picture?  Does this word refer to the past, present or future?  
• When God is speaking more than one will hear.  The closer the prophetic word gets to coming into reality more and more prophetic people will see and hear similar messages.

Report What You See and Hear
I have observed over time that sometimes prophetic people become discouraged if they receive a word from the Lord and later discover that it is not a new revelation or that someone else has already delivered a similar word.  I strongly urge people to please share what they see and hear.  Why?

It is because God gave each of us a different perspective or a different facet.  Diamonds are valuable and beautiful.  But the beauty is not seen unless you look at the whole with each facet reflecting the light.  

I've also discovered that sometimes I discourage prophetic people from sharing what God gave them.  I don't do that on purpose.  Part of the way I am wired is that I'm looking to bring the prophetic into manifestation.  I'm constantly seeking the bigger picture as well as seeking to put faith into action.  There are words and visions I received 25 years ago that more and more are seeing.

This is to be expected (that more see, more dreams, visions) as time draws near and should encourage us.  It does me.  But sometimes when I share that I or others have seen a similar word and that we are working to put our faith into action based upon that word I find that I can inarbitrarily discourage some.  My intent is to encourage by saying yes and amen!  In fact, we not only see it but are putting faith into action based upon that word.  But, I am not always successful in communicating well.  Pray for me that I improve my communication.

But know this, I covet your prophetic insight.  I want to know, see and hear what God is saying.  It is like building a house.  The foundation and framing requires a lot of work.  But, the trim and details require a lot of time and effort to.  It's the trim and details that create the beauty as each facet is added.

So have you received a dream, word or vision and you are part of the KLI team, then I encourage you to give it.  We covet God's word.