The Voice of the Lord as a Trumpet
There are many ways that the Lord uses His voice. One of these ways is as a trumpet, to alert His people to action and to prayer. The voice of the Lord gathers God’s people together because God is a gatherer of people. The Lord summoned His people through Moses, to come near to the foot of Mount Sinai, to hear the commandments of the Lord, saying,
“When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain.”
Exodus 19:13
Take Courage! – The voice of the Lord alerts His people for war; just as Ehud alerted Israel to war against Moab – And they defeated them!
“And it happened, when he arrived, that he blew the trumpet in the mountains of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mountains; and he led them. Then he said to them, “Follow me, for the Lord has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.”
Judges 3: 27 & 28
The voice of the Lord lifts up the soul, bringing encouragement and strength for battle; just as Gideon encouraged Israel against the Midianites and the Amalekites – Having great success!
“When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets on every side of the whole camp, and say, ‘The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!’”
Judges 7:18
Be Prepared to Respond to the Call
The voice of the Lord summons others to help, just as the sound of the trumpet did in the days of Nehemiah, as the people were rebuilding the wall – And they were protected!
“Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
Nehemiah 4:20
The voice of the Lord can warn of God’s judgement.
“Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”
Isaiah 58:1
“Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.”
Hosea 8:1
For this reason, the voice of the Lord brings warnings from the prophets of God.
“Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’”
Jeremiah 6:17
The Importance of Waiting on God
Many years ago, the Lord warned me about the sin of presumption, saying to me, “Presumption kills!” It may have been for this very same reason that King David prayed,
“Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.”
Psalm 19:13
When the Israelites defeated Jericho, it was because the Lord had given them the battle plan. But when the people of the Lord went up against Ai, they thought that they knew best. Instead, the men who went to spy out the land advised Joshua,
“Do not let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for the people of Ai are few.”
Joshua 7:3
It was because they did not seek the voice of the Lord first, before they chose to act, that it caused them to meet with defeat.
“So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore the hearts of the people melted and became like water.”
Joshua 7:4 & 5
Be Prepared to Wait on the Lord
Had Joshua and the people enquired of the Lord, the Lord may have revealed to them that someone had taken of the accursed things forbidden by God; the things that should have been destroyed and devoted to destruction. Had they dealt with these first, they would not have been defeated in battle. For the Lord had instructed the people through Joshua concerning their previous battle at Jericho,
“And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.”
Joshua 6:18
It was after their loss, that the Lord then instructed them,
“Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the Lord God of Israel: there is an accursed thing in your midst, o Israel, you cannot stand before your enemies, until you take away the accursed thing from among you.”
Joshua 7:13
God Appoints His Prophets for a Purpose
How many times have we foolishly proceeded without first waiting to hear the leading of the voice of the Lord? There is both a set time and a set purpose for the release of prophecy. As we do not know the set times and set purposes that God has prepared in advance until He reveals them, we must trust Him in this: that God will speak exactly the right thing at exactly the right time, to enable the fulfilling of His purposes to come to pass, just as they should.
- It is a dangerous thing for anyone to presume to know what the Lord is doing and how He will do it, before He reveals it.
King Saul was instructed to wait for Samuel the prophet, the anointed of the Lord. But when Samuel did not arrive at the time that Saul thought that he would, he followed the compulsion of his own heart, taking it upon himself to try and fulfil the call of the prophet.
“Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, ‘Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.’ And he offered the burnt offering. Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. And Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.’”
1 Samuel 13: 8-12
Because of the pride and presumption of Saul’s own heart, the kingdom that would have been established forever as his, was then handed over to another.
“And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. ‘But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.’”
1 Samuel 13: 13-14
God has Set Times and Set Purposes for His Will to be Fulfilled
For His purposes, God has set the members of His Body; the Church; each one in its place. The Apostle Paul says,
“But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.”
1 Corinthians 12:18
“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”
1 Corinthians 12:28
We must remember that God’s timing is perfect and that He makes everything beautiful in His time – See Ecclesiastes 3:11. His appointments are given by grace, from God, and not from another. These appointments are set by God, to fulfil the purposes of God in His timing, and not to fit the timing or purposes of ourselves or any other. If man interferes with the appointments of God or the timing of God, the people of God may not follow the voice of the Lord, but may follow the voice of another. Make sure what you are hearing is coming from God and then step out in faith and do it.
The Origin of Prophecy
What, then, is the origin of prophecy? Or, from where does the word of the Lord come? Does it come from without, or does it come from within? The Apostle John tells us, that each one of us has an anointing from God that enables us to ‘know all things.’
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.”
1 John 2:20
The word ‘know’ above, is translated ‘eidō‘ in the Greek – meaning ‘properly’ to see (literally or figuratively) to know: — be aware; behold; consider; have knowledge; look on; perceive; see; be sure; tell; understand; wish; compare’ – See Strong’s concordance. The Apostle John also tells us, that this anointing abides – dwells or resides, within us.
“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you.”
1 John 2:27
God Speaks to us Spirit to Spirit
This unction or anointing from God is the voice of the Holy Spirit communicating directly to our spirit within us. It is an understanding deep within our spirits of what God is revealing to us from His Holy Spirit to our spirit. The Apostle Paul tells us that this is something our carnal minds will be at war with or fight against because our minds do not have the ability to understand or receive it, and that these things must be spiritually discerned.
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
1 Corinthians 2:14
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Romans 8:6 – 8
The Apostle Paul previously tells us, that one of the reasons God gave us His Holy Spirit, is so that we may understand.
“What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit Who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
1 Corinthians 2:12, NIV
- Spiritual things from the Spirit of God can only be discerned or understood with our spirit through the Holy Spirit’s anointing and help.
- One of the reasons God has given us His Spirit is to help us to understand.
The Role of the Anointing in Prophecy
Therefore, what is the role of the anointing in prophecy? Again, the Apostle Peter tells us,
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man.”
2 Peter 1:20 & 21a
Peter says ‘know this first’ because the foundational principle we must come to understand, is that for man to proclaim something as ‘the word of the Lord’ it must be the word of the Lord – not the word of man.
- All prophecy must originate from the mouth of God and not from the will of man.
- The unction or anointing of the Holy Spirit is the key.
The Unction of the Holy One Precedes the Voice of God
The Apostle Peter, again, explains,
“But holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
2 Peter 1:21b
The word ‘moved’ used here, is translated ‘Pherō‘ in the Greek, meaning ‘be”; bear; bring (forth); carry; come; let her drive; be driven; endure; go on; lay; lead; move; reach; rushing; uphold.’ When a word of prophecy comes to a person, there is a stirring in our spirit, or an anointing from God that accompanies it.
- The anointing is the force of the Holy Spirit rushing forth to drive, carry, or move the prophetic forward.
- If we try to prophesy or speak without the anointing, it becomes man’s voice speaking to man.
- But when we prophesy or speak with the anointing, it is the Spirit of God speaking to man’s spirit, so that all may understand.
The presence of the anointing, also helps us to know, whether the word we have received is for us, or is to be shared with the Body of Christ. But we cannot have one without the other. There will always be a portion of the word that is for us, because we are also a part of the Body of Christ.
Keep Learning to Flow in the Spirit
The anointing of God is something we all must learn to recognize. And like everything else in life, we can only learn that through practice and experience – and by stepping out in faith and obedience. Everyone learns at a different pace, and mistakes are a part of our learning. Whether a word or a prophecy is given by mouth or written in pen, we need to learn to flow with the Holy Spirit and be guided by His hand. This is so that we know, that what we are speaking or sharing is coming from Him. The application for each individual who receives it, as to how it applies to their lives, is then left up to God.
In one of the following Scriptures, Paul speaks of the need for tongues to be interpreted when spoken publicly, but the principle he is addressing when applied to all prophecy remains the same. It is the Holy Spirit that gives us utterance. And it is the same Holy spirit that brings the application or interpretation.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 2:4
“Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.”
1 Corinthians 14: 7-9
“Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.”
1 Corinthians 14:12 & 13
- The anointing of the Holy Spirit within us, enables us to hear from God and to release the word or words that God has given us.
- The Holy Spirit enables us to release His word so that it is clearly understood.
- The word of God is ‘borne; brought forth; carried; or driven forward by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- The interpretation or application must come from God.
God’s Word will Always Reveal God’s Heart
Just like hearing the voice of our natural father, hearing the voice of our Heavenly Father should be the most natural thing for us to experience as followers of Jesus Christ. God has not made it hard! Jesus Himself said,
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
John 10:27
Sometimes we do not hear well, because we fear what our Heavenly Father might say; Perhaps we may fear His rebuke. But don’t forget the Father’s heart! Jesus said,
“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28 – 30
Just as at times, many of our natural fathers corrected us out of love for our good and we respected them for it, every time God speaks to us He is loving us, as His children, as true sons and daughters of God. The writer of Hebrews says,
“And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son’. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness.”
Hebrews 12: 5-10, NIV
The Convicting Nature of Prophecy Heals us
The Apostle Paul teaches us,
“But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.”
1 Corinthians 14:3
The word ‘exhortation’ above is translated ‘paráklēsis’ in the Greek. Its Biblical usage includes, ‘exhortation, admonition and encouragement.’ The word ‘admonish’ is translated ‘nouthetéō’ in the Greek, meaning, ‘to put in mind, i.e. (by implication) to caution or reprove gently: —admonish, warn, exhort.— See 2 Thessalonians 3:15. It is also translated ‘sōphronízō’ in the Greek, meaning, ”to make of sound mind, i.e. (figuratively) to discipline or correct: —teach to be sober.’ See Titus 2:4. – See Strong’s Concordance.
So, we see, that admonition (or, the ability to admonish; caution; warn; reprove gently; make of sound mind; discipline; correct; or to teach to be sober), is a very necessary part of exhortation and is much needed in the Body of Christ. Prophecy is the Holy Spirit’s opportunity to do this, as it takes place privately, and safely, in each person’s heart. It is not a scary thing at all! God is loving us as His children!
There are times when a word is spoken, that the Holy Spirit brings much necessary conviction of sin. But this is so that all can be healed. The convicting nature of prophecy is never without trust. The person delivering the word won’t know what the Lord is speaking to each person’s heart, but must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him – See Hebrews 11:6. For this reason we must pray before we begin. The Apostle Paul says,
“But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”
1 Corinthians 14:24 & 25
- Conviction of sin must come before healing.
- God always speaks to us for our benefit and in love!
- Our Heavenly Father’s voice will never be separated from His love.
- Therefore, we have nothing to fear!
Perfect Love Casts out all Fear
The Apostle John says,
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18
When both giving and receiving prophecy, we must learn to recognize and flow with the Holy Spirit and His anointing. Our focus should always be, “What is the Father’s heart of love?” Then let His word of encouragement flow!
When God reveals His words to us through prophecy, it will always contain the heart of the Father for His people. It will never distort God’s character or go against the principles found in His word.
Because God’s word says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,” His words will uplift, not condemn – See Romans 8:1. And because God’s word says, “God does not show favouritism,” His words will be inclusive of all. – See Acts 10:34 (NIV).
- Prophecy reveals the truth of God about a matter.
- Prophecy reveals the Father Heart of God.
Prophecy both exposes and reveals, because it comes by revelation from God. It reveals the insights God wants us to be able to understand. Through prophecy, God may expose individual inadequacies in some, so that they may be healed; while revealing different aspects of His heart of love to all.
- To understand the heart of a matter, we must understand God’s heart on the matter!
The Value of the Prophetic in Worship
King David explains, that we enter God’s gates (this is the place of His presence through prayer) with thanksgiving, and into His courts with (the sacrifice of) praise.
“Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
Psalm 100:3 & 4
In Old Testament times, the court in a palace represented the area where people were formally received by the king – See Esther 5:1 & 2. There was also an outer court in the Holy Tabernacle where atoning sacrifice was made for all sin. In the same way that these courts served a purpose to bring people closer to God or their king; the courts in Psalm 100 above; prophetically reveal our free access to our Heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ today. It is only because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ’s blood shed on the cross for our sins, that we are able to unconditionally enter God’s presence today. The writer of Hebrews says,
“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
Hebrews 9:11 & 12
Having been given such free access to the holy of holies; to the mercy seat of Christ; to His Shekinah Glory; and the presence of the King of kings; how can we not praise Him today?! King David declares,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world.”
Psalm 19: 1-4
If God’s creation in the firmament, or sky above, can utter such speech and reveal knowledge to men, so that “there is not speech or language where their voice is not heard,” how much more so should the lips of men? So, of what value is prophecy to our worship? Or, of what value is prophecy to the induction of praise? The answer is – everything!
- Prophecy is the entrance to praise. It is the catalyst from which praise flows!
Come with Hearts Ready to Receive From the Lord
As we enter His courts with thanksgiving and praise, we expectantly await His arrival. We come with hearts that are open and ready to receive from His word. We come with the expectation that God already knows our need and is ready to answer on our behalf.
“For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
Matthew 6:8
When we enter the gates with thanksgiving, in faith, we are thanking God in advance for His answer to our need! When we gather together as one, as a people, we do not know the needs of all the people around us, but we have a God who does! The Lord said to the prophet Jeremiah,
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3
In the same way, God has gifted every person to be His merciful servant; to respond in love in order to meet His people’s needs; so that when we prophesy, we speak mysteries, in love, to men.
“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:2
The Apostle Paul said, we only know in part. Therefore, we cannot presume to know all that God is doing. When we prophesy, we have to trust God with that part that we do not know or understand, without jumping to conclusions that could harm another’s heart.
“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.”
1 Corinthians 13:9
Do not Limit God with Your own Understanding
When Jesus spoke, not all listened. When Jesus spoke, not all could understand. Yet Jesus continued to speak just the same! It is exactly the same with prophecy today. We cannot be worried about who might be receiving and who might not, or by the outward appearance of man. Many, may make no outward response, but will be like Mary, of whom it was said, “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19. Or like Jacob, who “worshipped, leaning on top of his staff.” – Hebrews 11:21.
When God speaks, expect Him to use a language that all can understand, as the Holy Spirit brings the interpretation. I may come with one need, and my brother may come with another, but it is the Lord who knows them both. Whilst writing this article, the Lord clearly said to me,
“As in times past there has been a meeting of the nations; all is not lost in translation, the essence remains the same. For one may interpret in one way, and one may interpret in another, but it is the Lord who guides them both.”
This means, that though only one general word of prophecy may be written or spoken, God’s principles in that word remain the same. It is God who then applies the truth of those words to each person or nation, as He alone knows the individual needs of men. Again, while writing, the Lord said to me,
“Let My people speak, though they do not understand. Let one speak and then another, and I will confirm My word through the inner witness of a man. Accuracy is not in knowing the specifics of a man, but in hearing the word of the Lord and revealing that which is shown.”
- Though a person may speak a word they do not understand, the inner witness in the heart of the person who receives it will confirm it.
- Though one person may speak it, it is the Lord who will interpret, for each one who hears, according to their needs.
As God reveals His heart to us as individuals, then our praise towards God will naturally flow. We begin to rejoice and worship as we receive what He speaks to us, and the enemy’s power is overthrown. God reveals His heart – Man expresses it – It results in the praises of men!
Continue to Sow the Word
Do not fear the opposition of others but continue to sow the word in whichever way you can. One may reap a hundred-fold, another may reap ten. When speaking of the seed that was sown on good ground, the writer of the Gospel of Mark, says,
“But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
Mark 4:20
Whether in private or in public, continue to sow His word.
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
2 Corinthians 9:6
Take joy in your experience! To him who is trustworthy much more will be given. Amen, Amen and Amen!
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”
Matthew 25:23
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