In the fall of 2019, I was seeking the Lord, asking what He was saying for 2020 and for this season of the church. One of the words that God gave me was that this season will be a time for the “restoration of the company of prophets.”
Prophets are so special to the Lord. Psalm 105:15 says, “Do not touch my anointed ones, and do no harm to my prophets.” And Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Lord God does nothing without revealing His purpose to His servants the prophets.”
While looking through both the Old and New Testaments, I saw that prophets carry the burden of the Lord for individuals, cities and nations. As I looked in today’s church world, I saw most prophets operating as individuals.
Let me first say that each prophet has individual assignments and callings from the Lord that they need to fulfill. But the more I study Scripture, the more I see that the highest calling of a prophet is to be part of a company of prophets
The Lord spoke to me saying He has assignments for the company of prophets that only He can give. Certain assignments are for individuals, and some are specific for the company of prophets.
What assignments have we missed out on because the enemy and our internal warfare have kept us prophets from becoming one with each other? There always seems to be weird warfare, especially a covenant-breaking spirit, that comes against prophets from gathering together and loving each other well. But it is crucial we come together as a company of prophets.
I am so encouraged by some of the “next-gen prophets” God is raising up. They are wanting to see unity in the church and in the prophetic movement. Part of this restoration of the company of prophets that will happen is fulfilling Malachi 4:5-6. It says, “See, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreaded day of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
This was one of the Bible verses God placed over my life. Years ago, I began imagining what this would look like. And when God asked me to start International Young Prophets, my passion became to see older seasoned and younger emerging prophets “run together.” What does that even look like, and how does it work together with the restoration of the company of prophets?
Generations running together in heart and purpose is extremely important to the Lord and to me. In our ministry, we have different streams and generations of the prophetic who are part of our leadership team. We are modeling the restoration of the company of prophets. But there will be attacks in the areas of our lives God has called us to serve and build.
However, we are to continue running in God’s calling and mandate. I remember when I was younger that I would have older women jealous of me and speaking against me. It was an assignment of the enemy to make me bitter against the older generation. But I decided to still turn my heart toward them in love and honor.
Two people have impacted my life tremendously in recent years who understand my calling, who are willing to walk with me and truly live generationally. They are Patricia King and Bishop Bill Hamon.
I have intentionally watched their lives and how they interact with others, particularly the things that I share with them about the vision that God has given me to be a pioneer for “the company of prophets.” Patricia King is the most Christlike person I know. She has the biggest mother’s heart that nurtures anyone under her care.
I sometimes get busy building the vision God has given me and then get stuck. But I can call Patricia, and often within five minutes, she will give me God-inspired encouragement and insight to help me move forward. She is a true apostle and mother who turned her heart to the next generation.
Dr. Bill Hamon is an amazing bishop and wonderful example of a father in the church. I remember sitting down with Bishop Hamon one day and sharing my heart about building what God was speaking to me. I was asking Bishop Hamon questions about the company of prophets because if anyone knew about prophets, he would. He has been in ministry for 66 years, weathering many storms while building the prophetic movement. Bishop Hamon is known as the father of the modern-day prophetic movement.
As I sat and shared my heart that day, it was as though he were finishing my sentences. I can’t explain it as anything except supernatural. It was as if he had been where I was going. I found someone who “got me” and shared the same passion for the “company of prophets.”
Also, I discovered that Bishop Hamon had received the same vision and commission for God’s company of prophets in 1983 and in 1986, which he wrote about in his book, Prophets and Personal Prophecy.
Even more, Bishop Hamon is so loving and kind that he won me over with the Christlike spirit he carries. He is a true father in the prophetic movement for so many of us.
Malachi 4:5-6 and fulfilling the “restoration of the company of prophets” go hand in hand. There has to be honor and a turning of hearts to each other. Without that, it is impossible to come into the fullness and intentions of the company of prophets Jesus has set up for the church.
My prayer is that prophets in this season be intentional with each other, loving and honoring one another. May our hearts be turned toward each other. And may we use our voice as blessings and not curses to others in different streams of Christ’s body
May we fulfill what is on Jesus’ heart in coming together to build “companies of prophets” all over the world. {eoa}
Elizabeth Tiam-Fook is the founder of International Young Prophets, an apostolic ministry called to serve the “office of the next-generation prophet.” She believes that God is raising up a company of young prophets to impact the nations of the world with the Voice of God. She currently resides in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
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