The Power of Prophecy

Isaiah 42:1-7

42 Behold my [a]Servant, Whom I uphold, My elect in Whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice and right and reveal truth to the nations. 2 He will not cry or shout aloud or cause His voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not quench; He will bring forth justice in truth. 4 He will not fail or become weak or be crushed and discouraged till He has established justice in the earth; and the islands and coastal regions shall wait hopefully for Him and expect His direction and law. 5 Thus says God the Lord—He Who created the heavens and stretched them forth, He Who spread abroad the earth and that which comes out of it, He Who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: 6 I the Lord have called You [the Messiah] for a righteous purpose and in righteousness; I will take You by the hand and will keep You; I will give You for a covenant to the people [Israel], for a light to the nations [Gentiles], 7 To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness from the prison.

God is bringing me into a new season of ministry.  In fact, He is preparing me to be used in a way I've never been used before.  I was caught up in worship at a women's retreat where I was ministering, when I saw a vision:
I was in very, very, deep waters.  I was experiencing God and communing with Jesus in the spirit, when suddenly, I was on the bottom of the ocean and I began to feel afraid.  I could see all kinds of fish of the sea and every creeping thing that co-habitates in the deep.  Then I felt the hand of Jesus grasp mine and we began to walk together.  Nothing seemed to come near me or to harm me even though I saw great and scary things.

Jesus said, "Come with me my daughter. I will use you in the deep things. Do not be afraid.  I am with you and will be with you. You can walk and flow freely with Me in the deep."  I was about to object and ask, "But how can I do this? I am afraid."  Then He said, "I will teach you and lead you and guide you. I will be with you and I will protect you.  Trust me and flow with me.  You will walk with Me and not be afraid."

Although we had moved on in the worship, to the word, I was still there...pondering.  How shall this be?  What will it look like?  Well, I have no specific answers, I just know that I must obey - I'm going to have to DO IT AFRAID! Imagine how my faith increased when almost a month to the day later, God spoke to me through Is. 42:1-7 and Ps. 23!  I knew that I had heard God! God is preparing me for an intense season of prophetic ministry.

Ambassadors for Christ are called to bring justice and righteousness in truth (speaking the truth to the nations); to be a light to the Gentiles.  In the last days, the Prophet, Joel, prophesied that God would pour out His spirit on all flesh; His Sons and Daughters shall prophesy! (Joel 2) He will speak to us in various and diverse ways: by His Word (prophecy), visions, and dreams.  He will speak directly to His people and the nations through His prophets AGAIN!  Worship invokes the supernatural and prepares the way for us to hear God! Hearken unto the Voice of the Lord!

The "Power of Prophecy" is God's method of communication to a lost and dying world and it is the power by which we will fulfill our destiny in end-time affairs.

Prophecy:  the declaration and proclamation of the divine will and purposes of God to His people and the nations, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

In the above text, God, through Jesus Christ, has given us our marching orders!

In the following scriptures, we see a demonstration of the power of prophecy in fulfilling God's plan of redemption and salvation and how He uses even the unsuspecting to facilitate and perpetuate His purposes.

John 11:49-53; This passage of scripture reveals Caiaphas, the high priest, who unwittingly prophesies that Jesus was to die for the nation, and not only that, but also for the purpose of uniting the Children of God into one body who have been scattered far and wide.  Like Caiaphas, we will speak not of our own accord, but by the supernatural unction of the Holy Spirit.  We will declare the divine will and purposes of God in a way that facilitates His plan for the last days.

In this end-time hour, God is also calling those who have scattered who have been wounded or abused by the Church.  Some have fallen away because of severe persecution, and some have backslidden, but God is married to the backslider. God wants to use His Ambassadors to prepare the way for their return to the fold - to be a light and bring hope that heals and restores.

Acts 11:15-18;  Peter prophesies God's divine will and purpose (vs. 16-17) concerning Cornelius and his family's salvation and many others who believed as a result, to the Jews in Jerusalem.  Speaking truth to power opened their eyes, quieted their spirits and removed all objection.  They glorified God by acknowledging that repentance and salvation for the Gentiles was indeed the work of God.

This is "how" Way Makers are called to carry out their end-time assignment.  It is not by shouting, striving or crying out in the street (in public).  There is to be no engagement in vain arguments or meaningless disputes; no casting our pearls before swine.  It is important to remember that for the world, anytime and anyplace is okay; but for those who speak for God, there is an "appointed" time, place and people to receive the message from God.

Earlier in this story, God spoke to Peter in a vision to change his mind so that he would be ready to respond to the men whom Cornelius sent.  He also spoke to Cornelius and instructed him to send for Peter.  Both men heard and recognized the voice of God (the Shepherd of their souls). Their obedience resulted in repentance and salvation to thousands!

Prophecy has the power to "To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness from the prison." (Is. 42:7)



It is important that we hear God and are intentional about making time to listen.  As I yield my voice as an instrument and oracle of God, God will speak to His people.