God’s Power Through Spiritual Gifts (part 3):

The Revelation Gifts

7.27.2022

Review

God wants to use believers in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:12-14 (NKJV)

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (13) And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

We have covered:

*Spiritual Gifts are as a result of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

*Jesus was used in the gifts of the Holy Spirit during His ministry.

*Jesus wants us to be used by the Holy Spirit the way He was used by Him!

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NKJV)

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

There are three major classifications of spiritual gifts…

Revelation Gifts – Reveal Something

Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Discerning of Spirits

Power Gifts – Do Something

Gift of Faith

Working of Miracles

Gifts of Healings

Utterance Gifts– Say something

Gift of Prophecy

Different Kinds of Tongues

Interpretation of Tongues

All are supernatural. They have no human or natural ability in them.

Tonight, we will cover the Revelation Gifts – the gifts that reveal something.

The Word of Knowledge

Definition

The Word of Knowledge is the supernatural giving by the Holy Spirit of facts from God to man about people, places, or things in the past or present.

God knows everything about everybody all at once. He knows every person, place or thing in existence, and He is conscious of them all at the same time.

God is omniscient – all-knowing.

From everlasting to everlasting you are God.

God sees everything; past, present, and future as NOW.

 

Roy Hicks…He who Laughs…Lasts, and Lasts…Chapter 9 – God is light.

The Word of Knowledge is a fragment of God’s knowledge given to you without the aid of the physical senses.

It’s not the gift of knowledge – it’s the gift of the Word of Knowledge. It is a portion of God’s all knowledge.

It has nothing at all to do with natural knowledge that comes through observation or study.

The Word of Knowledge is supernaturally imparted by the Holy Spirit, independent of natural senses, mental faculties, education, study, observation, or years of experience.

The Word of Knowledge is a revelation of past happenings or of things existing or events taking place in the present. It is a fragment of God’s knowledge given supernaturally to men.

It never reveals the future, only the past or present.

How Manifested

Through tongues and interpretation, the gift of prophecy, through an angel, or by an inward revelation.

It often works together with other spiritual gifts. (Acts 9 – Ananias)

Examples

Saul’s conversion

Acts 9:8-19 (NLT)

Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.
10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied.
11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. 20 Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days.

Used to help a discouraged man

1 Kings 19:1-4 (NKJV)

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

1 Kings 19:14 (NKJV)

And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

1 Kings 19:18 (NKJV)

“Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Used to reveal a hypocrite

Gehazi lied to Elisha, and the Word of Knowledge revealed it.

2 Kings 5:25-27 (NKJV)

Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.” 26 Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.

Used to warn a king of his enemy’s plans

2 Kings 6:8-12 (NKJV)

Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” 9 And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.” 10 Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice. 11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

Used to show a sinner the need of a savior

*John 4:16-19 (NKJV)

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” 19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.”

Used to reveal church corruption.

Acts 5:1-5 (NKJV)

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.

Through this gift, all that God knows is at the disposal of the believer when God wants it to be revealed.

The Word of Wisdom

Definition:

The Word of Wisdom is the supernatural giving to people by the Holy Spirit the Divine purpose in the mind of God concerning future events.

The Word of Wisdom is not only expressed in foretelling future events, but also in the commands and instructions which God gives man which rise out of His knowledge of those future events.

The Word of Knowledge is always revelation concerning the past or present. The Word of Wisdom always speaks of the future.

What it is not:

It is not the natural wisdom of man, which is the ability to apply knowledge.

It is not the gift of wisdom. It’s the Word of Wisdom. It’s a brief glimpse into the future. It’s a glance into the realm of God’s future plans and purposes.

How it is manifested:

It may be manifested by angelic visitation, the audible voice of God, through a vision, a dream, by the gift of prophecy, or through tongues and interpretation.

It often works together with the Word of Knowledge. (Acts 9:10-16)

Examples:

Used to guide people concerning coming judgment or harm.

Genesis 6:13-7:22 – God gave Noah instructions about the coming flood.

An angel told Lot of impending destruction.

Genesis 19:12-13 (NKJV)

Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city — take them out of this place! 13 For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”

Ananias sent to minister to Saul: verses 15-16

Acts 9: 10-16 (NKJV)

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Agabus told the church about a future drought.

Acts 11:28-30 – NKJV

Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. (29) Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. (30) This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Paul was warned of future danger:

Acts 27:21-26 (NKJV)

But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”

Me – 1993 – Already-existing Church – after praying in the spirit for a while.

Moses receiving the Law is the Word of Wisdom.

Joseph’s dream is God giving Joseph, through the Word of Wisdom, a glimpse into his future life.

The Discerning of Spirits

Harold Horton – Concerning Spiritual Gifts – p. 69

Everything within the realm of knowing – facts, events, purposes, motive, origin, destiny, human, divine, or devilish, natural or supernatural, past, present, or future comes within the focal range of one or the other of the three gifts: the Word of Wisdom, the Word of Knowledge, or the Discerning of Spirits.

Definition:

The Discerning of Spirits is the supernatural ability to see into the spirit realm as the Holy Spirit wills.

Discerning of Spirits gives insight into the spirit world. It has a more limited range than do the Word of Knowledge or the Word of Wisdom.

By the Discerning of Spirits, a person can discern the similitude of God, or of the risen Christ, or the Holy Spirit, or cherubim, or seraphim, archangels, or the hosts of angels, or Satan and his legions.

It is seeing into the spirit realm.

Manifestations in Old Testament:

Exodus 33:18-23 – Moses saw God.

Isaiah 6:1-6 – Isaiah saw God and the angels around His throne.

*2 Kings 6: 15-17 – Elisha saw surrounding angels.

And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Daniel 10: 5 – Daniel saw angel

Manifestations in New Testament:

Acts 12:7-10 – Peter delivered from prison by angel

Luke 1:11-20 – Angel appears to Zacharias

Luke 1:28 – Angel appears to Mary

Revelation 1:12-16 – John saw Jesus

What Discerning of Spirits is not:

It is not just discerning of devils or evil spirits. It has to do with spirits, both good and bad.

It is not the “gift of discernment.” Many times people who know things supernaturally will call it the discerning of spirits, when actually it is the word of knowledge in operation.

It is not a kind of spiritual thought reading, nor is it the ability to discern faults in others.

It is not fault-finding, nor discerning a person’s character. It is the discerning (seeing) into the realm of spirits.

Matthew 7:1 – We’re not to judge others…

1 Peter 4:8 – We have the love of God to overlook the faults of others.

By the discerning of spirits we see beyond the natural world. The discerning of spirits is only by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and by it we can perceive things that live in the spirit world.

1985 – Kenneth Hagin

1975 – my mother

The more you pray in the spirit, the more these gifts will manifest.