Discerning Prophetic Instruction

So the king, the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them got up, and when they had left they talked with each other and said, “This man is doing nothing that deserves death or chains.”

Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
(Acts 26:30-32 HCSB ©®)

I have become convinced that prophetic ministry is usually presented with three parts: the revelation, the interpretation, and the application.

The revelation is the picture, thought, or Scripture.
The interpretation is the explanation of the revelation: who it speaks to, how to understand the imagery or the implications.
The application is instruction that the revelation was given to bring about as change: That bank is going to go out of business, so tell the president of it; a person will be given two options for their ministry – choose the second one; you are going to meet someone – here’s what to say to them…

Paul was warned by Agabus that he would be handed over to the gentiles by the Jews if he went to Jerusalem (Acts 21:10-14). Paul was receiving that revelation already, so Agabus was confirming it. Agabus offered the imagery of tying Paul up with his own belt. He interpreted it to mean that the Jews would bind Paul and hand him over to the Gentiles.

His interpretation was not correct. In Acts 21:30-36, Luke described the actual event that Paul and Agabus had seen prophetically. Paul was in the process of being murdered by the Jews when the Romans saved his life and then bound him in prison to protect him from the Jews.

I wonder if Paul’s application thoughts were not correct, also. I don’t see anywhere in the narrative that the Spirit of Jesus told Paul to appeal to Caesar. I see that the revelation was that Paul would face chains and afflictions. I see that previously the Spirit had informed him that he would speak to kings. When he was in front of Agrippa, he was before a king. Jesus told him (Acts 23:11) that he would testify in Rome.

Agrippa told Festus that if Paul had not appealed to Caesar, he could have been released. Maybe he did what he should have.

Lord, lead us to understand Your instructions and advice so that we always do what You desire. Lead us into righteousness and abundance of life. Thank You!