Seers, Prophets, and the Gift of Prophecy

Much of the Church has ignored those who operate in the gift of prophecy, the gifts of seeing (“seers”), and the actions of those that are called prophets. The lack of information on this subject has caused confusion and misunderstanding. We need to discover the truth so that the Body of Christ can operate as He intended. What is the difference between these vital members of the body?

“All true seers are prophets but not all prophets are seers.”

Perhaps you have heard this and taken it as a quote from the Bible. This is actually a quote from a well-known prophet of this generation. Unfortunately, the Word of God does not support this conclusion. To fully understand why, we must look at three of the most misunderstood members of the body of Christ often linked together in their application and mistaken for one another. Perhaps this is because individually these can be hard to understand without knowing about the others.

There are two Hebrew words, ro’eh and chozeh. Both mean “seer.” Two Bible verses will fully explain the difference in these two words:

Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was before time called a Seer. (1 Samuel 9:9 AKJV)

This “seer” is ro’eh and was used at this point in the Word of God to refer to both seers and prophets. The word nabiy’ has just one meaning—"prophet” and can refer to either a false or true prophet.

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers... (2 Kings 17:13 AKJV)

In this verse we see that there are two kinds of people mentioned: a prophet (nabiy’) and a seer (chozeh). Ro’eh is no longer used after this. It is clear that not ALL seers are prophets, because they are mentioned as two separate groups. If all seers were prophets, it wouldn’t have been necessary to mention seers at all.

Seers

The gift of seeing into the spirit realm often causes individuals to be labelled as prophets when they are really operating in the gift of the word of wisdom or word of knowledge. We also refer to them as “seers.” This title is misleading, for information received from the spiritual realm isn’t simply limited to seeing.

This gift, often given at birth, allows someone to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel things that are happening in the spirit realm. For them, the veil between this world and heaven is very thin and they can peer into it. This shouldn’t be confused with those referred to as “seers” in the Old Testament before there were prophets. Those were men and women called by God as prophets before there was a nation of Israel and distinct titles given to different jobs.

Psychics, witch doctors, shamans, and mystics are often born with this gift. It is from whom they receive their gifts that makes the difference. Without Jesus in the picture, providing them with a bridge to Him, seers are hearing from demons instead of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, it is imperative to know how to “test the spirits.”

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. (1 John 4:1-3)

While having a conversation with someone you can see or not see, you should always ask, “Do you admit that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh?” If it is the Holy Spirit or another one sent from God, they will excitedly agree. Spirits sent from the enemy will ignore the question, hedge around it, or flee because if they admit this, then they are admitting that He has authority over them.

Seeing and hearing aren’t the only ways God communicates with seers, but all seers will be able to view things in the spirit realm. If you receive information in other ways, most likely it is a gift of discernment from the Holy Spirit. It takes time to become a mature seer because all five senses are involved. You will have to learn how to discern your feelings, because there will be times when feelings come to you as you operate as a seer and they’re not your feelings. If you take them personally it can cause you much trouble.

The one thing the Church has taught against is relying on feelings, and for good reason. Even if you are a Christian, you can pick up signals from the enemy rather than the Holy Spirit. You should be watchful and take foreign feelings as a “head’s up,” but not as gospel. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for more information. In some cases, you may know which spirit is motivating a person; the Holy Spirit, a demonic spirit, or their wounded human spirit. This is a gift any Christian may have: the “discerning of spirits.”

At times you may sense how other people are feeling and know exactly how to minister to them. What emotions are at the root of their issue: depression, self-rejection, joy, anger, happiness? You can feel where they’re coming from and know exactly what to ask for as you pray for them. You’ll know where there is self-rejection, because of what you feel. If you’re ministering to somebody who has self-rejection, you’ll feel it coming at yourself, and you must never take any of these things personally.

A seer may be able to feel the strongholds of any given town. If you enter a town and feel a sense of lust, lust owns that town. If you feel depression, it’s a depressed place. As you come to a particular place, you’ll take on the feelings of that town, country, or even a person, whether they are good or bad. One of the hardest things to minister to is the spirits of self-rejection. Suicidal thoughts come through these spirits. A seer will feel these things. If you think they are coming from yourself, you will be totally unproductive. You need to have all these senses attuned to the Holy Spirit and be able to recognize and say, “This is not me. I am not in self-rejection. I love myself. I can taste and see that He is good.”

You can also smell what’s happening. You can discern what’s wrong with a person, church, city, or even a nation, because you can smell it. You can smell sin, corruption, and holiness. That’s what 2 Corinthians 2:14 says: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” So, you can smell the sweet incense of the Lord. You can smell His presence when He “comes out of” people, for the kingdom is inside us. You can actually smell when a person really yields to God. You may also smell rotten eggs, ammonia, or other odors that reveal demonic activity.

Seers are often not welcomed because they are in possession of the least understood of all the gifts. You may feel like you don’t fit in any place except with other seers, so you move from church to church. Sharing your revelation and dreams and the way God communicates with you might cause people to think you’re a bit odd. Most dreams and visions are metaphorical and need to be interpreted. Not all seers have the gift of interpretation so it is important to find someone who does if you are a seer. If you give a literal interpretation of a dream or a vision that is metaphorical, it will not come to pass, and then your reputation will be tarnished.

Whenever you receive information, you should always put it to the test of scripture. If it doesn’t line up with the Word of God, don’t accept it. Many are being led astray by following signs and revelations that are not biblical in any way. (See examples of this in the free book, “Roadmap to Heaven.”)

It’s time for the seer to come forth. The Church needs you. It is time for the seer to mature and be used.

What is the difference between a seer and a prophet? Being able to discern things in the spirit realm, even things of the future, does not make you a prophet. Prophets are a part of the five-fold ministry.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up… (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Prophets are on the list of people called by Jesus to edify the body, yet most Christians know nothing about this office. Many times those who frequently use the “gift of prophecy” are incorrectly labelled as a prophet. It is mentioned in the list of gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12) and Paul tells us that we should all seek this gift (1 Corinthians 14:5) and it should be used to edify the body of Christ. Perhaps because there is a gift of prophecy, many believers think there is no need for prophets. There are some important differences in the two:

The Gift of Prophecy

The gift of prophecy takes place as the Holy Spirit moves upon a believer. It is a declaration about an event or person that God reveals. It is to edify and build up the body of Christ. Anyone who is born again can operate in this gift of the Holy Spirit, who resides inside of us. Someone operating in this gift should always be uplifting. The Holy Spirit brings hope and not despair.

Prophets

Prophets are called by God in a clear and specific event. They hear God’s voice and are referred to as the mouthpiece of God, which means their words are filled with God and His power. Prophets are sent with revelations, corrections, and information about future events and sometimes about people. Often, they operate as teachers concerning the words they are given from God.

What’s the harm in labelling the prophetic gift as the ministry of prophet? When we confuse the two, we may forget that there are blessings for supporting a prophet, and these are seen throughout the Bible. For example:

 I Kings 17:8-24 tells the story of the widow woman who met the prophet Elijah who was sent by God to her so she could support him. To summarize the history of events, the prophet Elijah gives the widow woman an instruction. It is through her act of obeying and supporting God’s prophet that she is blessed miraculously, enabling her to sustain her life and the lives of Elijah and her household.

Blessing: Provision

We can be sustained even if there is a famine with ongoing, life-sustaining provision because of our obedience and acceptance of a prophet’s message through the prophet’s close relationship and connection to God.

In verse 22, this same woman’s son dies, but because she had supported God’s prophet, he brings the son back to life. Here we see that Elijah was being supported by the widow. This allowed him time to pray and concentrate, and to continue to cultivate a relationship with the Almighty God Jehovah from whom all blessings flow. He did not have to worry about a place to stay or about food to eat. Instead, this allowed him to do what prophets do: stay close to God and receive instructions from God for His people so that they could be encouraged, comforted, and strengthened.

Blessing: Healing, even from death.

2 Kings 4 tells the story of a Shunammite woman who provides for the prophet Elisha, first with food then with a room dedicated for his use. After some time, Elisha asks her what she wants. She asks for a son since she is barren. Not only is her wish fulfilled, but when her son becomes sick and dies, Elisha prays for  him and brings him back to life.

Blessing: Answered prayers

When joined with a prophet, supporting his physical needs, God honors this contribution by responding quickly to requests made.

Despite all these benefits, most Christians have never heard about modern-day prophets, perhaps because most churches are hesitant in acknowledging them. There is a good reason that this calling has been pushed aside by our leaders. Back in the “Jesus Movement” of the 1970s, many who had a prophetic gift and offered words of wisdom or words of knowledge, would automatically proclaim themselves as prophets.

Some would then share things (often by listening to familiar spirits) in order to convince Christians that they were hearing from God by revealing things that only that person would know. Then these unscrupulous men would demand monetary support. This is not how God’s system works. Nor should anyone ever suggest, hint, or tell you what to give. That is the job of the Holy Spirit.

Is it any wonder that when these actions started taking place, prophets were pushed out of churches? Satan took some valuable ground, but it is time to take it back! Seers and prophets need to come forward and use their gifts to help guide the body of Christ.

SEERS IN THE COH

The Courts of Heaven is the highest place of authority on Heaven and Earth. Would you go into an earthly court without being able to hear what the judge is saying or hearing your lawyer’s instructions? It is the job of a seer in the CoH to receive information from God who is the Judge and Jesus who is our lead Advocate.

God is Judge

A stream of fire came forth from before Him; a thousand thousands ministered to Him and ten thousand times ten thousand rose up and stood before Him; the Judge was seated [the court was in session] and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:10 AMPC)

…and to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to God, who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect [bringing them to their final glory]. (Hebrews 12:23 AMPC)

It is God who rules as Judge over Heaven and Earth. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that He has stepped down as Judge. In fact, the Word tells us He is always the same.

Jesus is our Advocate

The Greek word paraklētos is defined as one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, counsel for the defense.

…and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant [uniting God and man], ,,,,        (Hebrews 12:24 AMP)

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (1 John 2:1 NIV)

Jesus is our Head Advocate. He is the one who decides how or when to bring a defense and remove charges. If you enter the Courts, you will need to be able to hear from Him.

...The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also does the Son likewise. For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that himself does: and he will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises up the dead, and vivifies them; even so the Son vivifies whom he will. For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son... (John 5:19-22 AKJV)

I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of Him who sent me. (John 5:30 ESV)

While Jesus was on the Earth, He was listening to what God was releasing as Judge, then He did what He saw His Father doing. We should strive to do as Jesus did when He operated as a Son of Man on the Earth: we need to hear and see what the Father says so that we can come into agreement with it. This is the main job of a seer in the Courts and why you should have one with you when you go.

Satan is the Adversary

Lucifer is the name of the archangel that has rebelled against God. The Hebrew word Satan literally means adversary, accuser, in a courtroom setting: prosecuting attorney. It can refer to Lucifer when he is opposing God.

Then I heard a strong (loud) voice in heaven, saying, now it has come—the salvation and the power and the kingdom (the dominion, the reign) of our God, and the power (the sovereignty, the authority) of His Christ (the Messiah); for the accuser of our brethren, he who keeps bringing before our God charges against them day and night... (Revelation 12:9 AMPC)

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8 KJV) 

We should be able to hear the accusations against us. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor who brings revelation. What we hear should be discerned and interpreted. 

The Bible also tells us that we have been justified and saved from God’s wrath by the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:9). However, just as we are saved by the blood, we have to accept it, claim it, and submit to His authority: it isn’t automatic. We don’t get to go to Heaven because we know Jesus is the Son of God. Even the demons know this and they tremble at His name (James 2:19). We have to take Jesus as Lord – the word “lord” means owner. Likewise, we have to appropriate our justice by the blood of Jesus.

COURT PRIVILEGES

When explaining the basic functions of the court, I have heard many people say, “I’ll just let the Lord take care of all that.” This shocks me.

If a defense attorney asked us to take the stand to defend ourselves in a trial we wouldn’t presume to say, “Oh, you just take care of all that for me.” We would do as they advised us. Yet many Christians presume to tell God and Jesus what they will and will not do. The Bible reveals the Courts of Heaven, shouldn’t we know how they operate in case the Lord asks us to appear before the Judge?

So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God… (Mark 16:19 AMPC)

Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. (Hebrews 4:14 AMPC)

Jesus is at the right hand of God, a place of ruling power.

But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment). And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-6 AMPC) 

…we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8 ASV)

When we take Jesus as Lord, our spiritual bodies now have access to where He is in Heaven. Other passages show that we, indeed, have the right to appear in the Courts of Heaven.

Access to the Courts

The Father has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love… (Colossians 1:13 AMPC)

 And to the church (assembly) of the Firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in Heaven, and to the God Who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in Heaven) who have been made perfect… (Hebrews 12:23 AMPC)

A citizen has a right to go before the king to be heard. These are two of the verses which state that we are citizens of Heaven once Jesus is our Lord.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26 KJV)

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14 KJV)

But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name… (John 1:12 KJV)

Citizens have a right to be before a king, but as a child of a king, you are heard because of a place of special privilege. How much more so with our heavenly Father and our King, Jesus. This is what gives us access to the courtroom of Heaven to come before the Judge of Heaven and Earth.

Court Access Revoked

Our access to Heaven is based on our relationship with God through Jesus. It is a privilege that the King has the right to revoke. To understand this, we need a little background on the gifts of God. For our purposes let us narrow the discussion to two specific passages in scripture:

To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey. (Matthew 25:15 NASB)

Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in Heaven and on Earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… (Matthew 28:18-19 AMPC)

Jesus used the word dynamis in conjunction with gifts bestowed upon individuals to do the work of the master. This Greek word means “power;” it is the root of the word dynamite or dynamic. This reaffirms that power is given as a gift from God, as seen in conjunction with the gifts of the Spirit.

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:29 ESV)

When God gives gifts, He doesn’t take them back. If we continue in disobedience, our spiritual eyes may be clouded over – one of the aspects of a curse, but we still retain the original gift God gave us. This explains how the following is possible:

Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV)

In this verse, the Greek word basileia translates as “the kingdom.” The full definition according to the “Strong’s Concordance” is “of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.” The King James Version simplified this to read: “will get into the kingdom of Heaven.” However, the indication of royal power and dignity of the kingdom of Heaven makes more sense. Dignity means a state of being worthy of respect. In essence, the first part of this passage is saying that you will lose your place of respect in the Courts of Heaven where the royal power is located and being released.

The people mentioned in this passage were casting out demons and doing miracles in the name of Jesus, so obviously they knew something about the Word of God. They were not just charlatans peddling snake oil (fake elixirs or miracles), they were actually operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Two of the gifts of the Spirit are performing miracles and prophesying.

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call]. (Romans 11:29 AMPC)

This means gifts can be used for self-gain. During the spiritual awakening of the 1970s, gifts of the Spirit were greatly abused, which caused the Body of Christ to shy away from these manifestations of God’s power facilitated by the Holy Spirit. Stories of “prophets” who would give a prophecy then demand payment for the words they spoke were commonplace. The beginning of the quoted parable speaks of them:

Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. (Matthew 7:15-16 AMPC)  

Demanding payment is not God’s way. They were abusing the gift given to them. However, even with this abuse, they retained some of the power God gave them. The name of Jesus is given to everyone who believes. It seems that even the disobedient retain a measure of authority through the name of Jesus to cast out some demons, though they are not allowed into His presence, which would include the Courts of Heaven.

Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?” And then I will declare to them publicly, “I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].”  (Matthew 7:21-23 AMP)

Notice that the people in this passage refer to Jesus as Lord. This makes them Christians. “On that day” is the same phrase referred to earlier. It is translated from the Greek word hēmera, which means “a civil day, or a day in your life.” So when some Christians call out “Lord, Lord,” they will be unable to enter the Kingdom of Heaven where the courts are, even if they are doing miracles in His name. 

There is a penalty for those who disregard the commands of Jesus: they aren’t allowed in His presence. Many people take this to mean that they are kicked out of Heaven and thus lose their salvation. However, the Bible does not support this: 

Whenever the Bible mentions being kicked out of Heaven and assigned to Hell, it usually uses language like, “into utter darkness” or where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” There is no mention of either of these in conjunction with banning these people from His presence. Even so, being cast out of his presence is a heavy penalty. The Courts of Heaven is where our underutilized authority lies, and if we cannot get into the throne room, we cannot go before God.

And then I will declare to them publicly, “I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].” (Matthew 7:23 AMPC)

According to Rabbi Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the grandson of the man who brought the Hebrew language back to life when the country was re-established, this verse should translate in this way:

…you working without Torah (Teaching) must continually depart from Me.

These are people who are working without knowledge of what the Bible says. The phrase, “Lord, Lord!” is a cry for help to the Lord whom they trust. The verses that follow in Matthew speak of those who hear the words of God and do as the Lord says. 

He will be like a house built on a rock. Storms will come but the house (our life) will stand. But a man who doesn’t build his house on the rock (Jesus) when the storms come, his house will be destroyed (Matthew 7:24-25). 

This is because they are banned from His presence in the Courts of Heaven and cannot get the cases against them dismissed. This is confirmed in the Old Testament:

Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in My ways and keep My charge, then also you shall rule My house and have charge of My courts, and I will give you access [to My presence] and places to walk among these who stand here. (Zechariah 3:7 AMPC)

Access is granted through our obedience to God’s ways. We must be willing to continue learning and apply what we learn if we want the privilege of entering into the Courts of Heaven. Until we can enter into the Courts and see and hear what is happening, our Counselor, the Holy Spirit will often guide us to confess and repent, pleading the blood to remove charges.

Going into the Courts with others, we must have a seer with us which will allow us to hear what is being used against us so that we can apply the blood of Jesus and receive freedom from attacks of the enemy. Appearing in the CoH is a BIG deal. You will need to learn more about operating in the Courts to decide when it is right for you to go before the Judge.

 

If you are interested in using your gifts of sight, words of wisdom, or words of knowledge, visit Agape Christian Fellowship at https://www.agape-cf.org

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