The Spirit of Prophecy

by Pastor Robert Miller

Happy New Year! 2005 looks like it will be an interesting year. The words of prophecy that have been given describe this year as the year of overflow. Overflow refers to the harvest we are to reap. That harvest can either be good or not so good depending on the kind of seed sown in your life. If you as a believer have been astute during 2004 and prepared yourself for 2005 as was suggested, then there is no reason to be concerned. If you have not prepared, it is not too late. Repent and turn to Him. He will cleanse you of all unrighteousness and get you going in the right direction.

During the teachings that I have been doing about the Birth of Jesus recently, the Holy Spirit prompted me to highlight the Spirit of Prophecy and the role it played in the Incarnation of Jesus. After looking closely at the scriptures about this spiritual principle known as the Spirit of Prophecy, a pattern emerged revealing how God works in the earth today. By understanding how to apply the Spirit of Prophecy to our own lives, we can more fully cooperate with the Holy Spirit making a way for God to work to the fullest extent in our lives. This is very important for 2005, the year of overflow. We need God working to the fullest extent that He can in order to take our place in God’s plan and enjoy the blessings He has given us.

In Rev 19:10 the Apostle John writes, “And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, see that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” John wrote in John 21:25, “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” All the events surrounding Jesus birth, His life and His resurrection describe the working of the Spirit of Prophecy in the earth.

God the Father anointed the prophets of old to speak under His direction about the plans that were to unfold on the earth. In my Bible there is a chart that lists 45 specific prophecies about Jesus and His life. It can be concluded that God, the Father used men anointed to speak in unity with His plan first and then there was a manifestation of those spoken words. For example, in Isaiah 7:14, the prophet spoke and said God would give a sign to the world: a virgin would conceive, and bear a son and call His Name Immanuel. These spoken words came to pass some 750 years later. Here we see the essence of the Spirit of Prophecy. Men under the anointing of God spoke words prompted by God first and then what was spoken manifested in the earth. Therefore, the Spirit of Prophecy became the bridge connecting the will of God in heaven and the manifestation of His will on the earth. This pattern is consistently revealed in the scriptures.

Notice that the Spirit of Prophecy precedes the manifestation of the prophecy. We need to remember this as we learn to cooperate with this spiritual principle. There are many statements God has made through the Apostles about how God’s power will manifest in the lives of believers. In order for God’s power to work in your life, you must do your part so God can fulfill His part. Your part is to voice these prophecies first and then you will see the manifestation of them. This is what Jesus was saying in Matthew 12:37, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." In this same chapter Jesus says a tree is known by its fruit. He then went on to say the scripture quoted above. You are the tree and your words bring forth either good or bad fruit depending on what you are saying about yourself or your life. Words become the bridge between the will of God in heaven and the manifested will of God on the earth.

The harvest that is reaped in your life is determined by the operation of the Spirit of Prophecy. Are you speaking by man’s wisdom or God’s wisdom? If you are speaking by man’s wisdom, then you are opening a way for the devil to take advantage of you. God needs you to speak His wisdom first. As you speak God’s wisdom, then you are preparing the way for Him to work in your life. Once again your words prepare a way for God to move on your behalf. It is critical to do this. In scripture, God’s best never manifested for those who spoke against it coming to pass. So we see the connection between the Spirit of Prophecy and the year of overflow.

As we enter into a new year, it is a natural time to make necessary changes. Get purposed and disciplined about operating in the Spirit of Prophecy concerning your life. The harvest, or overflow, is determined by how you cooperate with the Spirit of Prophecy. Make your words the bridge that allows God to manifest the good things He has prepared for you this year. Change the negative into the positive and become an explosive force that reveals God’s will and His power. Happy New Year!