Prophetic Vision and Purpose

Prophetic Vision and Purpose

Prophetic Vision and Purpose

“And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.”
1 Kings 20:22

The living Word of God arouses His people to action and purpose. Too many preachers speak words that require no response, no impress, and burden of the Spirit; it leaves the hearers with information rather than the Life and fire of God.

“Go strengthen thyself…”

His Word is given to strengthen the “inner man”, to touch the vibrancy of the Word which brings faith unto obedience, endurance, and the fear of the Lord. It is by the fear of the Lord that we hold ourselves accountable knowing that He will provide the strength to walk in His will. The slothful hear but turn away unchanged, unaffected, void of the burning wonder of His Word (James 1:22-27).

“But His word was in mine heart
as a burning fire shut up in my bones…”
Jeremiah 20:9

It is impossible to hold His Word within and not be affected by its fervency and power. He brings His Word (to those who have ears to hear) to strengthen others so that they also might arise and go forth to accomplish His Will.

“…mark, and see what thou doest”

The Word will cause us to “mark” our daily lives with the understanding that we walk in the now with the awareness that He is watching us. There is a growing sense of His presence that prevents our inherent foolishness, and guards our words, our walk, and our intentions.

“…for the LORD is a God of knowledge,
and by Him, actions are weighed”
1 Samuel 2:3

Ananias and Sapphira seemingly did a noble thing, even praiseworthy in the eyes of those without discernment. But the King of kings saw this action as contaminating and perverse. The Apostle Peter, in the heart of God, declared their “lie” and brought judgment upon them.

“…mark, and see what thou doest”

May we daily “mark” our way and watch diligently our actions and intentions as we live and move in this world. Unforgiveness, bitterness, envy, lust, and countless other things will mar and invalidate our relationship with Him.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly”

Can we hear the loving call of God desiring that we develop a new sensitivity to His fire and His presence? Those who are faithful ministers of Christ bring Words of exhortation, reproof, and admonishment, first to themselves and then to others.

Love is the motivation for such lives. The deeper our relationship with Him the greater will be our awareness of Him in our daily conduct. The Love OF God causes us to so interact with His people so that we would become a joy to the Father’s heart. Every other motive is impure and tarnished with our own selfishness.

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ”
2 Corinthians 11:2

The Love of God in Paul produced a singular desire to so interact with God’s people they are drawn into their own accountability in the fear of the Lord. Purity of motive is the only means to a pure ministration of Him.

The Prophetic Word

Here we read the last of the prophet’s words to the king:

“…for at the return of the year
the king of Syria will come up against thee”
1 Kings 20:22

Those who have ears to hear intuitively know there is a great and terrible storm about to break in our land and it is critical that we prepare our hearts. The prophetic Word brings direction for today so that we may be able to stand in THE EVIL DAY, having DONE ALL.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”
Ephesians 6:13

There are many today who do not understand the peril that is coming. They are confident in their current walk and a faith that is grounded in words, teachings, and the wisdom of men. I tremble within at the enormity of the darkness about to engulf our land. Our only hope of standing is in His armor, and our having done all He required of us!

With that in mind, I share the following warning given to me the other morning…

HE IS COMING as a refiner’s fire to purify HIS CHURCH and to take back that which is His. Too many declare “their church”, “my people”, my congregation” and assume ownership of that which is HIS inheritance on the earth. Too many refuse to be reconciled to their brother; too many fellowship with those who have a “form of godliness” but DENY the power of it! The mixture of the profane and the holy weakens His presence in our midst! Too many are walking in the ways of the world, carelessly unaware of His watchful eye. May the Lord bring forth WORDS that move us and inspire us to righteousness and godly living!

The Blind Watchman
Who fails to sound the Alarm…

“His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.”
Isaiah 56:10-11

There is a ministry in our land that does not “bark“ out the alarm of this day. They are silent, slumbering dogs with no knowledge of approaching danger. They speak soft and comforting things to fill the pews or gather people unto themselves. Their real attachment is to “their church”, their ministry, or their followers. When someone leaves, they no longer feel the responsibility of the love of God. The heart of the Great Shepherd who leaves the 99 is a foreign concept unto such.

“An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?”
Zephaniah 3:1-5

God’s question to us… “what will you do when the end comes”? If the faith of many is failing to overcome the things of today, in a time of peace what will it be when the fury of the storm strikes?

It is an appalling thing when God declares of His people: “my people love to have it so”. The result of this is sobering.

“And it will be, Like people, like priest.
And I will visit their ways on them
and repay them for their deeds”
Hosea 4:9

Woe to the ministers who minister His word according to the desires of the people, rather than the Words that proceed from the heart of God!

“In periods of unsettled faith, skepticism, and mere curious speculation in matters of religion, teachers of all kinds swarm like the flies in Egypt. The demand creates the supply. The hearers invite and shape their own preachers. If the people desire a calf to worship, a ministerial calf-maker is readily found”
Francis Bacon

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There is, however, a voice that still cries out to us today for those who have ears to hear:

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
Make His paths straight!

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Brian Troxel