Prophets are incapable of revealing the big picture on their own. Each prophecy is part and parcel of generations of prophetic words that the Holy Spirit has enabled prophets to speak, whether through the spirit of prophecy, or through the office of the prophet. Nevertheless, prophets tell stories in layers.

Students of prophecy often ask whether a prophet is speaking about an event that has been fulfilled or one that is yet to come to pass. The prophets in the Bible would declare their messages in multiple layers, in which the earlier fulfillment is itself prophetic of the later fulfillment. The entire story finds its ultimate conclusion only in the end. For example, Joel’s prediction that someday God’s spirit would powerfully move His people to prophesy and that the earth, moon, and heavens would be violently disturbed (Joel 2:28-32) was realized at Pentecost (Acts 2), but not completely. Pentecost is just a taste of the mighty stirring of the Spirit at the coming of the day of the Lord (Joel 2:31).

Experience the Power of Prophecy as a gift to open your mind to receive the Mind of Christ.

How does knowing that you are only receiving prophecy in layers upon layers help you understand your prophetic word