When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we greeted the believers and stayed with them for one day. The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy. While we were staying there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. He came to us and took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands with it, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is the way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, “The Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21:7-14

The Holy Spirit gift of prophecy gives the four daughters the ability to talk with Paul and the disciples about what God has for them in the future. Prophecy is an awesome gift of Spirit so Paul and others can expect God’s care during the trials ahead. Prophecy goes alongside the gift of speaking in tongues– where the Holy Spirit gives us a new language to speak to God in Spirit’s Words most Holy and powerful.

Then Spirit brings Agabus down from Judea and by Spirit to Agabus comforts and assures Paul what will happen to him. God is speaking to Paul on these instances of prophecy so Paul knows the future of God’s plan and Paul does not have fear. .the absence of fear is faith in Lord Jesus Christ. Agabus takes Paul’s belt and binds his own feet and hands with the belt then says, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is the way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.””

So Paul has time to think ahead, plan, and anticipate. Prophecy is called ‘gift’ because when we receive prophecy meant for us then we can think it though before it happens and respond without fear because God has us. For Paul this is his opportunity to think about writing letters to the Churches, his citizenship at Rome because that is where he will eventually be sent, and it is an opportunity to receive Holy help and support from other believers.

Even though the believers are saddened to expect Paul’s death, Paul is still in need of their faith’s support and friendship. Even though we’ve receive prophecy from Spirit we can still anticipate God’s best, and prophecy is the assurance of Spirit’s guiding peace and love. We are totally in God’s care, within His Kingdom,