You Will Prophesy!

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (KJV) 

            Prior to Jesus returning to Heaven, He left specific instructions for His disciples to follow. They were to take the message of Salvation into all the world and baptize new followers. Matthew 28:18-20 ⁽¹⁸⁾Then Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ⁽¹⁹⁾Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ⁽²⁰⁾and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV) This was the Great Commission that was given to them as well as every believer in Christ to teach others, spread the gospel, and help lead others to Christ. Jesus instructed the disciples to not leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

            Not only were the disciples awaiting the Holy Spirit to come down on them, but Jesus’ brothers, and the women who followed Him along with His mother. Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers. (NIV) Women would play an important role in ministry and Jesus did not leave them out when giving the gift of the Holy Spirit to the men. They too were included and waited alongside the men who were present in the upper room. What was described as tongues of fire rested on each of them once the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (NIV)

 

 

            The people around thought that they were all drunk when they began speaking in various languages that should have been unknown to them. However, Peter reminded them of the Prophet Joel’s prophecy. Joel 2:17-21 ⁽¹⁷⁾“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. ⁽¹⁸⁾Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. ⁽¹⁹⁾I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. ⁽²⁰⁾The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. ⁽²¹⁾And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ (NIV) This prophecy lets us know that God intended for both women and men to have an equal role in teaching, preaching and evangelism.

            Rather one has the gift of prophecy or teaches the prophetic word of God, which is already written, this call to prophesy is not gender exclusive. The Holy Spirit gives gifts, so that they can be used for the Kingdom of God through prayer and daily application. It is important to understand that prophetic word from Joel was specific to the times that we are living in. We are living in the last days. There are souls who are lost in the world and are in need of saving. James 5:19-20 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (NIV) We have to be a light to the world regardless of race, gender, financial status, and/or age. God is looking for true warriors for His divine kingdom. Psalm 144:1-2 Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. (NIV)

 

 

            The Apostle Paul lets us know to pray in the Spirit always. Through prayer, we can use the Spiritual gifts that God bestows on all believers to declare His prophetic word to the lost and encourage the saints about His soon return. Prophecy! Tell the world that Jesus is soon to return. Give them the warnings from His Word, so that it may change the lives of the lost, encourage the weak, give life to the spiritually dead, and protect the warriors at war. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. (NIV)