The Birth of Today's "Elijah" Ministry, Part 3
David W Palmer
(Luke 1:13, 17 NKJV) But the angel said to him, "... {17} He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah …"
6. The Lord's message and messenger
(Luke 1:11–14 NKJV) Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, … {12} And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. {13} But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard …"
"Your prayer is heard." Zacharias and Elizabeth had been praying for a baby; they wanted to give birth to their assigned destiny. The angel assured them that God was listening. He has also heard every one of your prayers that you prayed in faith, genuinely in his name. Now is the time for their fulfillment (See: Psalm 102:13, Gal. 6:9 on previous page).
"Angel." The Angel was merely God's method of communicating his message. The important point is that God spoke to Zacharias; revelation came. He was operating under the Old Testament covenant so he wasn't born again; he had to hear from God in a more external way. Under the New Testament, we have the Holy Spirit inside us; although God may send an angel to convey his message to you, his normal method of communicating with you would be through the Holy Spirit. But, never doubt the truth that God is speaking to you. Jesus Assures us that we are able to hear his voice, if we are sensitive and honest with the truth:
(John 18:37 NKJV) … "Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
"Fear not!" Fear neither the messenger nor the message. Do not fear that your prayer will go unanswered or that God's promise will not happen. God is love; in him is no fear:
(1 John 4:16, 18 NLT) … God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. ... {18} Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
Today, if you are honest in your heart, and if you open yourself to hear the truth, you will hear from God. He has a message for you. What he says is always motivated by and drenched in love. Do not fear what he may say; it is for your good and the good of others. Remember the still, small voice with which he spoke to Elijah, and be ready to hear good things from God today.
7. Follow up with a Godly confession
(Luke 1:18–22 NKJV) And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." {19} And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. {20} But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time." {21} And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. {22} But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
God reveals here that it is better to say nothing than to say anything contrary to him. The Greek word translated "confess" in our English Bibles means to "say the same thing." God wants us to say what he says, no matter what. Many Bible verses confirm this:
(John 8:28 EMTV) Therefore Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM, and from Myself I do nothing; but just as My Father taught Me, these things I speak."
(Isaiah 58:13 MKJV) If you turn your foot because of the Sabbath, from doing what you please … nor speaking your own words.
(Isaiah 59:21 MKJV) As for Me, this is My covenant with them, says Jehovah; My Spirit that is on you, and My Words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your seed, nor out of the mouth of your seed's seed, says Jehovah, from now on and forever.
(Matthew 12:36–37 DKJV) And I say to you, that every idle [non-working, unproductive] word (rhema) that men say, they will give account for it in the Day of Judgment. {37} For by your words you will be shown to be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (pronounced guilty)."
Today, I encourage you to learn from the people God chose to be parents for John the Baptist; he selected them to birth a significant ministry—one that would herald and prepare the way for Jesus's miraculous manifestation in glorious power. Now is the time for this Elijah-type ministry to come to birth in our generation; it's time for people to "suddenly" arise in the spirit and power of Elijah today.
If you are the older person who has been labouring for years in faith and prayer for a child or grandchild, expect that now is the time for the ministry you've been carrying in your spiritual womb to be birthed. Expect something amazing to take place around the person/people you have prayed through to God's purpose for their lives. They will prepare the way for Jesus in their generation. Revival now! Expect them suddenly to come alive in God and to run in the spirit and power of Elijah like Jehu and/or Elisha.
So far, we have seen that the Holy Spirit highlights the qualities required for birthing the Elijah ministry:
- A consistent lifestyle of worship
- Righteous before God, holy, and blameless
- Both well advanced in years—invest the time to pray it through
- Serve in humble submission in God's house
- Enter intimacy when God prompts
Always remember what God shows us through Zacharias's ability to speak; meticulously refuse to say anything but God's word—what he has said to you, or that with which he agrees. It's better to say nothing than to contradict God. What has he promised you? What has he said about those for whom you are praying? Only allow words out of your mouth that agree with him.
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