John’s Wilderness 2: Know your Prophetic Identity

²³ He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias

 The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Jn 1:23.

This account in John’s Gospel is very important because it ties in with the motivation for going away from what society expected of John. The separation is the strategy, the identity is the purpose. Knowing our prophetic identity is key to carrying through a way of life obedient to God. Its important because of the time that John was living.

Gamaliel alludes to this period in Acts, being there were many mavericks, false messiahs abroad. Each had claims which when they were quelled by the Romans their movement died a quick death. It is very telling on the generation when ministry and the minister dies and leaves no lasting impression or legacy. I know a few who I thought would leave lasting fruit but after 10 years there is no sign of their work, how great they spoke of God’s leadings. There was a messianic expectation. And many identified themselves as much. John in contrast does not identify himself this way but is clear with Isaiah’s identification of the forerunner. He knew he had a transitionary task. He knew once the Messiah appeared His task was done. One fact is very clear, the time of preparation far outweighs the time of actual ministry. We can be preparing like Jesus for 30 years for 3.5 years of ministry. The quality of the preparation correlates with the efficacy of the ministry task. Therefore, we must not despise the time of preparation, as Zechariah cites himself, “Do not despise the day of small things.” Especially when the foundation is being laid in Chapter 4 of the book of Zechariah. The key is the relationship between the trees and the lampstand, forever pouring out the oil. “It’s not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” Continual dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit brings us our identity, according to Acts 1:8, “You shall be my witnesses.” John was the greatest witness to the identification of Jesus a key tenet of his preparation. He was to prepare the way for the Messiah, and he knew that God spoke that He would come to John. And God said exactly what he would see and hear that would indicate the identity of the True Messiah. The key for identifying the Messiah is being certain of his own identity.

Many make a shipwreck of their own faith because they presume on who they are and presume on their own authority. It is certain for they who presume so, will not build on the rock but on sands that shift and cause the house to fall. There are storms that are coming, where houses of faith will be tested.

The image above demonstrates the sign for which John is prepared. What John did not know was that it was his own cousin who is the Messiah. However, his wilderness days were fixed upon for what he was called for. He was to as Jesus describes, to be the prophet that would draw to a close a whole line of prophets from the Old Testament.

I have been meditating on this fact of the prophets, as many profess to have this ministry. They mostly are identifiable with the words they supposedly prophesy, and many are in disrepute right now for false words and misconduct, however John as Anna of Luke 2 are considered prophets of their generation. I do not see prophetic words being their modus operandii. It is rather that their prophetic office is not defined by their words but rather what they did. Their task in preparing the way for the Messiah is greater than just mere prophecies. Not to devalue the words of Isaiah in any way, and some of what Isaiah said and did rank him as a major prophet. However, I think what we are seeing is a modernism and a ignorance regarding the true nature of the prophet. We are seeing some reducing the scope of the prophetic expression into the Church to the propagation of words instead of a broader task in question which is preparing for the Return of the Messiah.

Knowing fully his identity and his purpose would enable him to entirely know the season he should be the “voice in the wilderness.” The timing is crucial, as his own “debut” would indicate to the coming of the Messiah to be revealed. There were many who did recognize Jesus by their walk in the Holy Spirit. However, there were many more who simply did not discern and did not recognize. John’s own recognition is predicated upon heavens open, the desccnding Spirit, the Voice of the Father. These are the signs he was to wait for.

The true prophetic role of the Church is to receive the same signs…in these days, heavens open, the descending Spirit, and the Voice of the Father in the river of Faith, Jordan. That way we will see Jesus come to the Church, then come for the Church so that He can come with the Church. Here are 3 separate comings of the Lord. Each coming has a specific purpose. He comes to the Church via His Spirit, to sanctify Her and make her the perfect Bride. He comes for the Church to enter into union with Her, and He comes with the Church to make Judgment. What a beautiful preparation in our own “wilderness”.

Just as John knew his identity and purpose may we know ours so that we fulfil the task put into our hands. Outside this we are in presumption and delusion.

Maranatha!!!