Pastor's Blog

“The Need for the Prophetic”
Wade E Taylor

Jesus was about to appear, and the Church of that day needed a “prophetic voice” to announce the incarnation of Jesus in human form, and give direction and purpose to all that would follow.

“Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.” Luke 3:2

This prophetic “voice” should have come from within the church, but the church of that day was not seeking a “present word,” nor were they cultivating the voice of the Lord. Rather, they were concerned with the well being and activities of the religious system of that day. Whenever they were challenged, they referred back to Moses, rather than to the present purpose and working of the Lord in their midst.

Therefore, the Lord separated to Himself, John, the son of a priest. He was called apart into a separated place where he could personally meet the Lord, and come to know His voice.

“Then said they to him, Who are you… He said: I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness….” John 1:22-23

When Jesus appeared, John spoke words that had never been expressed before, which contradicted the expectation of Israel concerning the coming of the Messiah.

“The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. This is He of whom I said, After me comes a Man which is preferred before me: for He was before me. And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.”

“And John bore record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and It abode upon Him.” John 1:29-32

The Lord is again about to appear, as we are in a time of transition - the closing out of the Church Age and the birthing of the Millennial Kingdom Age. Therefore, there is a need for the “voice” of a present day John the Baptist.

Many in the church of our day are not listening for a present word, but rather, are resting in the doctrinal positions which they have been taught. Therefore, the Lord is beginning to call apart those, who as John the Baptist, will hear a “present word,” and who will recognize and respond to the presence of the Lord, when He begins to reveal Himself.