Summer 2000
Becoming Prophetic
Wade E. Taylor

“He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah
said.” John 1:23.

Today, there is an urgent need for those who hear from the Lord and then speak only that which they have heard. Thus, each one of us who sincerely desires to be used of the Lord should earnestly seek to become prophetic.

Our being prophetic is more than being able to prophesy. Rather, it has to do with an abiding prophetic anointing. This relates to our being able to hear and then respond to the revelatory word, as the Lord directs.

The Word tells us that “we may all prophesy."(I Cor 14:31). This is the gift of prophecy. We should both desire and diligently seek this gift. Some say that we should not seek the gifts, but rather the Giver." But the Word says differently,

"But covet earnestly the best gifts, and yet show
I unto you a more excellent way." I Cor 12:31.

The Old Testament tells us, “thou shalt not covet," but concerning gifts, the New Testament instructs us to “earnestly covet” the gifts. Thus, with intense desire and zeal, we are to seek to be used in the gifts.

The more excellent “way” that Paul speaks of is not that there is something better than the gifts. That would be a more excellent “thing.” Rather, the “more excellent way” is the manner in which we use the gifts. They are to be used in love, not seeking any personal recognition or gain.

Along with our coveting to becoming prophetic, we also should make ourselves available to the Lord as an intercessor. We are living in the time of the closing out of the Church age and the birthing of the Kingdom age. At this present time, there is an urgent need for intercessors.

There are intercessors today who are becoming “pregnant” with the burden of the Lord to birth the visitation that will lead into the closing out of the Church age, the coming judgments upon the nations, and the birthing of the Kingdom age.

In each of these areas of ministry, we must be anointed in order to be effective. The “anointing” is the ability to communicate and be productive concerning the realm of the Spirit. If we are anointed, then whatever we do, we will do it better. But for us to be anointed does not just happen. Rather, it also must be earnestly coveted, as it is a gifting from the Lord.

The anointing relates to the talents that the Lord gives, which vary, as we differ in our natural makeup and abilities. Whether we have five, two, or one (Matt 25:14-30), these talents are the spiritual “tools” that are given to help us accomplish the purpose of the Lord. These gifts will increase in quality and effectiveness as we “spend,” or use them. This includes the anointing that we have been given for the operation of these gifts.

Those who spent, or use these giftings (talents) that they had received from the Lord were rewarded. Only the one who withheld through fear was judged. There is an active warfare against all those who are prophetic, and those who function in intercession, because of their effectiveness.

The enemy is quick to tell us that it is selfish to seek for ourselves, and that instead, we should be busy doing for others. But we must consider that we cannot give what we do not have. Thus, we must withstand the enemy, and also spend quality time in the presence of the Lord.

There were ten virgins who received “giftings” from the Lord. Each of these took their lamp (their gifting) and went forth. But only five sought to maintain and increase this gifting (oil - anointing).

We have a part in the quality of that which we share. We are “His workmanship, created unto good works.” Eph 2:10. These “good works” are those things which will equip us to properly function in all that the Lord seeks to accomplish through us.

Because the Lord delayed His coming, the foolish did not maintain their supply of oil and were found wanting. When the time came to be lifted into the place of spiritual authority, the foolish were not ready.

But the Word tells us that we are to “covet earnestly" the gifts. That is, we are to “go after more.” To do this, we must set apart time to wait upon the Lord. As we spend quality time in His presence, the level of our oil (anointing and gifting) will substantially increase.

Many are called, but few will pay the price of spending quality time in His presence, in order to be chosen. Therefore, we must guard our spirits in order to maintain an openness, or a sensitivity to the Lord’s voice and presence.

We must seek after, and greatly value, our being in the place where we are available to be used by the Lord as He desires, and be properly equipped to be effective in the outworking of His purposes.