The Gift of Prophecy Part 2 of 4

                                                             The Gift of Prophecy
                                                         Integrity and the Anointing

Definition of integrity: Honesty, morality, righteousness, upright in conduct.

References: Job Persecuted, an Arabian patriarch who resided in the land of Uz (q.v.). While living in the midst of great prosperity, he was suddenly overwhelmed by a series of sore trials that fell upon him. Amid all his sufferings he maintained his integrity. Once more God visited him with the rich tokens of his goodness and even greater prosperity than he had enjoyed before. He survived the period of trial for one hundred and forty years, and died in a good old age, an example to succeeding generations of integrity (Eze_14:14, Eze_14:20) and of submissive patience under the sorest calamities (Jam_5:11). His history, so far as it is known, is recorded in his book.

Joseph Gen 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 
Gen 39:8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 
Gen 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 
Gen 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 
Gen 39:11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 
Gen 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. 

Samuel 1Sa 12:1 And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. 
1Sa 12:2 And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day. 
1Sa 12:3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. 
1Sa 12:4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand. 
1Sa 12:5 And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness. 

In Christian ministry, there is much talk of the importance of the “anointing”. What is anointing?
In it’s simplest terms, it is the presence of God.

Without the presence of God, anything we try to do is futile, has no meaning, and a waste of time. Jesus tells us:

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If you are called to serve in the prophetic realm, He will expect you to learn to discern His voice, to study His Word in order to grow and; The level of anointing on anyone called by God in any kind of service will be determined by the degree of integrity they walk in. The two are synonymous; and cannot be separated. 

A true prophetic servant will walk in tested integrity. He/she will be totally consecrated to the Living Christ. There will be no desire to exalt themselves, and their ministry and the content of their messages will reflect that.

Anyone who attempts to speak “the word of the Lord” without God’s anointing and His direction is in the same league as Elymas the sorcerer and false prophet, who Paul rebuked and cursed. If God lays a message on our hearts to speak out, He will make it very clear it is from Him. With consistent study, and “abiding in Christ”, thru prayer and fellowship with Him; your spirit will learn to hear His voice clearly, be able to discern the attacks of the enemy, or his attempts to “corrupt” the message given by the Holy Spirit, and will quicken our spirits when we may be getting out of balance in our walk, and our service to God.

People who misuse the gifts and are not corrected do much damage to the body of Christ, and cause much confusion and can shut down the gifts being used in a church altogether.

When prophetic people use the gift of prophecy to lead disciples away from the pastor and church they are attending, with the intention of getting them to follow after themselves; it is wrong, no matter what manifestation is going on. Stay away from this kind of situation.

We need to be willing to be corrected, and judge ourselves at times when we are wrong. It is not a disgrace to be wrong; it is a disgrace to stay wrong. As soon as we get back in balance with God, and correct ourselves; then we are once again fit for service in the gifts He's given us.

                                               Questions We Should Ask Ourselves

In order to walk in integrity; and honestly judge ourselves, we should regularly ask ourselves these questions; and examine our hearts before God with them:

1. Do I have a clear conscience? Am I allowing myself to become prideful, misusing the gift?

2. Am I being influenced by the leadership or members of the church, tempted to become a "soothsayer" for those who want a "word from the Lord"?

Important Note: The servant of God does not have the right to pick and choose to whom, when, or the content of the message. Those today who are going about claiming prophetic anointing and calling people up to stand in line in church services for a “word from the Lord”, are in gross error. There is no authority for this in the bible. It is up to God alone to give the direction to the servant when to speak, to whom to speak, and what is to be said. We are simply messengers; working under His commands.

3. Have I been too quick to speak? Have I waited long enough to get the clear "mind of Christ" on this message?

4. Do I have a heart that cannot be bought or bribed? Am I hoping this gift will promote me in the church, or am I single-minded on Christ?

5. Am I willing to allow the leaders of the church to discern and judge the message? Am I easily offended if the message is questioned?

6. Must I give this message now, or wait and listen to get a clearer flow from the Holy Spirit? Should I ask the Lord if this message could be given in a different way? 

Example: perhaps the message could be given in sermon form by the pastor; if this comes to my mind; I should pray and ask the Lord to speak to the pastor's heart about it; and wait and see what happens. If a few weeks goes by; and he has not given the message out to the people in a sermon; and I'm still getting it in my spirit, then ask God for the right timing to give it.

7. Does this message confirm the flow of the service? Does it harmonize with the worship, testimonies, and the sermon?

8. Am I depending on a feeling, or speaking my own "pet peeve"? A true prophetic message will have the "unction" of the Holy Spirit within it. A message in the flesh sounds cold and dead.

9. Am I sensitive to only give the message as it's given to me; or do I go on longer than I should; going on in the flesh?

10. Am I willing to suffer rejection and persecution? Not everyone is going to be thrilled with a person used in this gift-even in the company of other gifted people. Jealousy, envy, resentment, is going to come up. Immaturity, pride, misunderstanding, even hatred is an unfortunate cost to be paid with this "gift".

There is no substitute for regular prayer, time alone with God, and study of His Word. If someone is called into a prophetic ministry; it is absolutely necessary in order for our spirits to be keen in discernment against these errors coming into our walk, getting us out of balance; blinded, and corrupted in the gifts given to us.

Consistent, solid study of the Word and prayer strengthen the spirit, increases discernment, and clears the channel and flow of the Holy Spirit to our own spirits; it helps us to recognize and quickly know if the voice we are hearing is truly the voice of the Holy Spirit; or not.

                                                                     Anointings

Text references: David 1Sa_16:3; 1Sa_16:12-13; 2Sa_2:4; 2Sa_5:3; 2Sa_12:7; 2Sa_19:21; 1Ch_11:3
Solomon 1Ki_1:39; 1Ch_29:22 Jehu 1Ki_19:16; 2Ki_9:1-3; 2Ki_9:6; 2Ki_9:12 Hazael1Ki_19:15
Joash 2Ki_11:12; 2Ch_23:11 Jehoahaz 2Ki_23:30 Cyrus Isa_45:1 Of prophets 1Ki_19:16

1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 
1Co 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 
1Co 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 
1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 

As was said previously; there is a difference between someone who operates in the simple gift of prophecy; and a prophet. The anointings are different also.

There is anointing given and inspired by the Holy Spirit to prophesy; for edification, exhortation, and comfort.

There is also another anointing or ministry gift to stand in the office of a prophet; it is a different anointing. It's deeper, and multiplied many times. The responsibility is also much greater.

Luk 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. 

These anointings can be developed, strengthened and become beautiful in their manifestations; it depends on how close the servant stays with the Master; and how much they study the Word.

The servant of God operates in these gifts “as the Spirit wills”, not as we choose. Great damage is done, and Christ is dishonored when people get in the flesh, and try to perform when the anointing is not there; or the time is not right. There are some who go around trying to give out prophecies whenever they are asked to. This is treading on dangerous ground.

The anointing is there potentially, but it is not in manifestation constantly. As you prepare, study, and yield to the Spirit of God, the anointing will grow, deepen, and function purer in the servant; but not all the time. Again; it is as the Spirit wills, not our choosing.

Jesus was a prophet; but he spent much more time teaching than he did prophesying.

We do not control the anointing. We must learn to flow with the Spirit, and minister under the anointing, and learn when to stop.

                                                    Music Enhances the Anointing

Music plays a role in affecting the prophet’s ministry. In Old Testament times, only the prophet, priest, and king were anointed by the Spirit to stand in those three offices. 

2Ki 3:11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah. 
2Ki 3:12 And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. 
2Ki 3:13 And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab. 
2Ki 3:14 And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee. 
2Ki 3:15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. 
2Ki 3:16 And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. 

Today, the Spirit-filled believer is called “a royal priesthood, a holy nation”. Worship and music brings us into the presence of God, and if our hearts are right with Him; anointing for service will envelope us. 

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

Music comes under the ministry of helps (1Cor. 12:28). The bible has much to say about music in connection with worship. When you play the right kind of music in your home when you’re praying or studying, it makes a great difference. When David sang and played his harp for Saul, the evil spirit that troubled him would depart.

Music affects all of the ministries; it has something to do with the anointing in all of the offices; it enhances the flow of the Holy Spirit in every area of ministry. Many times the musicians don’t realize their responsibility. The anointing for the entire service, and the pastor’s message is influenced by the music in worship.

                                                         What Kills the Anointing

No matter how much someone is gifted, no matter how strong the calling from God; if we walk in the flesh, are consistently disobedient, refuse to grow in our walk with the Lord, and continue in conduct and behavior that is sinful; the anointing on us will diminish; and sometimes the Holy Spirit will lift from us entirely; and He will place that anointing on someone who will listen and obey Him.

God will deal with us concerning these things; and speak to us about growing up, and putting these things out of our lives, but He leaves it up to us what we decide to do.

1. Fellowship with the world; Keeping bad company.

1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 

Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 
Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 
1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

2. Making promises, and not keeping them. Being habitually late in our business, and daily life.

Pro 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. 
Pro 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 
Rom 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 
Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 
Job 22:27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. 
Psa 22:25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
Heb 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 
Mat 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 
Jas 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

3. Exaggerating, gossip, slander. Foolish jesting, boasting, consistent sarcasm.

Pro 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 
Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 
Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 
Pro 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. 
Pro 10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. 
Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

4. Partial obedience is not obedience. The Lord will trust those who know the will of God and do it. 

1Sa 15:1 Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. 
1Sa 15:2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. 
1Sa 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. 
1Sa 15:4 And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. 
1Sa 15:5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. 
1Sa 15:6 And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. 
1Sa 15:7 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. 
1Sa 15:8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 
1Sa 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. 
1Sa 15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, 
1Sa 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. 

Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 
1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 
1Sa 15:24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. 
1Sa 15:25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. 
1Sa 15:26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. 

1Sa 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 

5. Trying to usurp someone else’s authority, pushing ourselves forward on our own.

Mat 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 
Mat 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 
Mat 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 
Luk 14:7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 
Luk 14:8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 
Luk 14:9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 
Luk 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 
Luk 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 

6. Strife; either by other’s who have created it, or by my involvement in it.

Pro 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 
1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 

Jas 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 
Jas 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 
Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 
Jas 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 
Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 
Jas 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 
Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 

7. Sowing discord among people; Intentionally trying to cause harm to someone else; or discredit them with no valid reason. People who do this are actively working for satan.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 

                                                          The Hand of the Lord

If the call of God is upon us; the ministry is there potentially, but the manifestation of it does not happen until the “hand of the Lord” falls upon us.

Eze 8:1 And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me. 
Eze 33:22 Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb. 
Notice: Here in Ez. 33, we see how the Holy Spirit restrained Ezekiel, and kept him silent, untill the hand of the Lord came upon him in the evening, until then; he was mute. This reflects the importance of obedience.

Eze 37:1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 
Eze 40:1 In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither. 
Eze 40:2 In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south.

In Acts 10:44, it speaks of Peter as he preached in Cornelius’ house, and the Spirit falling on those in the house: 

Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

                                                The Hand of the Lord in Judgment

There are times when “the hand of the Lord” comes upon someone in judgment because of disobedience or unbelief. We should take this very seriously.

Luk 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 
Luk 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 
Luk 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 
Luk 1:21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 
Luk 1:22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 

Act 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. 

Elymas wasn’t struck with disease, he was struck by the power of God that came upon him because of his disobedience.

                                                                The Ministry of the Seer

The prophet is also a “seer”. They will see and know things by the Spirit. In this realm, the ministry of the gifts of the word of knowledge, and the word of wisdom are involved.

1Sa 9:8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. 
1Sa 9:9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) 
1Sa 9:19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart. 

2Sa 24:11 For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying, 
2Sa 24:12 Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. 

Amo 7:12 Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: 
Amo 7:13 But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court. 

Sometimes we will be shown something in order to pray for the thing to change; but sometimes only to prepare those going thru the ordeal, and give guidance if told to by the Lord, otherwise we are to remain silent, and pray.

There's also times to use whats given to assist us in knowing how to minister in an area, or a situation.

                                                        New Testament Examples

Peter:
Act 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 
Act 10:10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 
Act 10:11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 

John:
Rev 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 
Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 
Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 
Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 
Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 
Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 
Rev 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 
Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 

Summary:

Anyone who is called and anointed in the prophetic realm would do well to take the time to do an in-depth study of those in the bible who were likewise called, and how God dealt with them. God does not change (Mal. 3:5-6); he will deal with us the same way.
Lorna Couillard
1998