Misconceptions About The Prophetic
Julian Adams • November 16, 2017
– TRANSCRIPT
So, some of the common misconceptions around the prophetic that have often stopped people from engaging with the prophetic I find often begins with a misunderstanding of how the prophetic gifts work and often people equate prophecies, subjective revelation, to the same authority as scripture. The reality is that the highest form of prophecy is scripture. God moves upon people prophetically to write these words. They trump any other kind of revelation that is subjective. God’s word is objective and we have to filter whatever we hear through that context. It is not equal. It is submitted, the prophetic is submitted to scripture.
Some of the other things I find is often the packaging of the person bringing the prophetic is slightly weird, eccentric, slightly odd, sometimes a little bit disconnected from society. I want to say that the prophetic is meant to engage our hearts and our intellect. It’s not meant to leave us hanging. Some of the prophets in the Old Testament were very intelligent people. Some of the prophetic writers of the New Testament were highly educated people. And we need to understand that the prophetic needs to be communicated in a clear and concise way, otherwise people won’t understand it, otherwise people won’t know what to do with it, the only gift that needs interpretation, the Bible says is the gift of tongues. Prophecy does not need interpretation. So, it’s really important that it is very clear, it is very authentic, it’s very real. You don’t have to use a different accent. You don’t have to try and be super spiritual. You just need to be yourself and communicate from that place because that’s how the prophetic is most well received.
I think lastly, one of the things that I find is a misconception around the prophetic is that the prophetic is somehow fatalistic. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, the Bible says in Paul’s letter to Timothy that some people can shipwreck their faith because they’ve not navigated the prophetic word well. In other words, prophecy doesn’t have a guaranteed end. The prophet Agabus in the Bible prophesied over Paul about a particular thing that would happen and it didn’t quite happen that way. Jonah had a prophetic revelation that God would destroy Nineveh and because it was a clear prophetic word, because Nineveh repented, God relented from destroying Nineveh. The reality is prophecy is like a window that opens us up to God’s intended and preferred future for us but we call to partner with Him. He invites us into a partnership with Him, and as we partner with Him, the prophetic begins to unfold. It’s not fatalistic and it’s not fortunetelling. It is a partnership and an invitation into a relationship with God.
Why is the prophetic so misunderstood? There are so many misconceptions that keep people from engaging with the prophetic in a healthy way. The prophetic is not fatalistic, and it is not fortune telling. Let’s represent it well. This post was originally published on JulianAdams.me
If you want to grow in the prophetic, it doesn’t begin with what you say. It begins with what you see. The prophetic is rooted in perception. Not just natural insight, but spiritual awareness—what Scripture calls “the eyes of your heart.” Paul prayed that the church in Ephesus would have their hearts enlightened so they could truly see what God was doing. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you…” (Ephesians 1:18) God isn’t distant or withholding. But if we’re going to hear Him clearly, we have to see differently. We need Heaven’s perspective. And that means learning to quiet the noise, tune into His voice, and let Him train our inner vision. You don’t need to wait for a dramatic vision or audible voice. Often, God speaks through a nudge. A mental picture. A scripture that lingers. A sense of burden or joy that feels holy. These are the first signs that your spiritual eyesight is awakening. But it takes time. It takes attention. It takes trust. Just like physical muscles grow with use, your spiritual senses grow as you spend time with Him—not just talking, but listening. Not just asking for answers, but asking for His perspective. You were never meant to live according to what the world says is true. You were meant to live by every word that flows from the mouth of God. A Prayer for This Week: “Lord, open the eyes of my heart. Teach me to see what You see—not just in others, but in myself, in my circumstances, in the world around me. Give me clarity and confidence to trust Your perspective more than my own. Amen.” This week, pay attention to what you notice. The way you see is often the way He speaks.
In this live session, Sean Smith and Julian Adams share their prophetic perspectives on 2025, offering honest reflections on what they sense God is doing across the earth. With hope and expectancy, they discuss the spiritual landscape ahead and how we can prepare for what’s to come.
We are living in a world of dramatic change. The relentless pace of development often leaves us breathless and exhausted. The demand for innovative ways of communicating, inventing, and staying ahead of cultural trends can feel daunting and demoralizing. It can push us into a space where we find ourselves trying to copy rather than be authentic, to imitate rather than create. This pressure can lead us to believe that we need to be more creative, and that our individual stories do not matter. But nothing could be further from the truth. Your story, no matter how small, matters and is powerful. One of the remarkable aspects of ancient manuscripts, like the Bible, is that they tell the stories of individuals whose lives may seem small and insignificant. Yet, God chose to make their lives a memorial of what He could do with a life that the world deems insignificant. The incredible power of the gospel is that it changes lives one at a time. God is as interested in the individual story as He is in redeeming the cosmos. The aim of the gospel is not just dealing with personal sin; it is about restoring individuals to a relationship with a kind Father. In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis beautifully said, "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God." Justification addresses our standing before God, but our adoption invites us into a relationship with the Father. It allows us to partake of who He is and to live in a place of deep joy from who He is. Romans 3:23 reminds us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Many of us forget that the work of salvation has turned this verse around. Through Jesus, we have been restored to the glory of God. One description of the word "glory" refers to the divine quality, the unspoken manifestation of God, and splendor. It is the revelation of God's intrinsic worth and beauty. Do you see that? We have been restored to His divine quality, splendor, and beauty. In a world where it can be easy to feel like just another face in the crowd, remember that your story is significant. Your experiences, your journey, and your voice matter. Embrace the unique narrative God has given you and let it shine. You are not just a spectator; you are a vital participant in God's grand story. Your authenticity, creativity, and individuality are valuable. As you navigate the rapid changes of our world, hold on to the truth that your story has power and purpose. God sees you, knows you, and has a plan for your life that is uniquely yours. Let us celebrate the beauty and significance of each individual story, knowing that together, we contribute to a tapestry of divine splendor and glory.