But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort...- but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
1 Corinthians 14:3-4 (NIV)
In the Old Testament we find the office of prophet. It is an office to which God calls whomever He pleases to report all that He says to His people. Like Jeremiah, Isaiah and Joel. That's all this person does and he is in this office his whole life. However, the New Testament tells us about the gift of prophecy, which is the ability the Holy Spirit gives a person to speak words of encouragement and comfort to build up God's people.
Hoping to always receive only good news, Christians today prefer to hear a message about God's miracles happening in their lives whenever they hear of a prophecy. Even when, in the midst of their difficulties, you give them a word of comfort and encouragement, they do not consider it a prophecy. Unless you tell them they will get through this because God will do this or that.
The question arises: Can a word of encouragement and comfort be a prophecy? Yes. Because often, when we face difficult times, even without realizing it, we want to hear a word that brings hope, a verse that tells us that God sees our misery and will intervene for us. It is at this moment that the Holy Spirit inspires in the heart of a brother or sister a word to help us. Do not reject words of comfort for they are part of the gift of prophecy that the Holy Spirit gives to the saints.
(If you read the Psalms, you will see that David prophesied much about himself along these lines. He first states his problem and then declares that God will save him from his distress. - read Psalms 55.)
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