Fall 2001
The Value of Being Anointed
Nancy Warner

“And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, See
that you do not do that. I am your fellow servant, and of your
brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For
the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Rev 19:10 NKJV.

This verse had not opened to me, but I had a desire to understand what it meant, so I sat with my harp and sang it over and over, as I worshipped the Lord, saying, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Then I began to understand, as the Holy Spirit will teach us all truth.

This is not speaking of the “gift” of prophecy. Gifts are given to each of us, severally, as the Lord wills. It is not the “office” of our being called as a prophet. Rather, it speaks of the “spirit” of prophecy. It was made known to me that this is an abiding anointing that resides within me, and relates to my relationship and communion with the Lord, whereby I “become” prophetic.

This “spirit of prophecy” is formed within us, through our submission to the workings of the Holy Spirit in order to bring us into this deep personal relationship with the Lord, in which we come to know His heart thoughts, and feelings, and are enabled to give expression to them. The “gift” and “office” of prophecy are given, but the “spirit of prophecy” flows out from our identity with the Lord in relationship, in which we become so close to Him that we become the expression of His voice.

This “spirit of prophecy” relates to the “fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil 3:10) and comes only through a progression of experiences that identify us with the life of our Lord. The anointing oil, as described in the Old Testament, also was the result of a costly process.

“Moreover the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Also take for
yourself quality spices - five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh,
half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty
shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane,
five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the
sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil.”

“And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment
compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a
holy anointing oil.” Exodus 30:22-25 NKJV.

This anointing oil was not put together by chance, nor haphazardly. There were specific ingredients which were mixed together in exact proportions, and used only for a specific purpose. Moses was told how to make this anointing oil, and it was never to be changed. As we consider the ingredients that are necessary in compounding this anointing oil, it will help the sweet fragrance of His presence to come forth from within our lives.

Along with olive oil, there are four principle ingredients.

The first is myrrh, which smells good, but tastes bitter. This word comes from a Hebrew word which means to be bitter. It also has the meaning “to drop down as from a container above.” This speaks of the grace that we receive from the Holy Spirit so that, as we come through circumstances which are difficult or bitter, we can better yield ourselves to the Lord and allow the beauty and fragrance of Christ to flow out from our lives.

The difference between bitter and better is simply the “I.” Our motive in life should enable us to trust the Lord in the night seasons, as well as during times of blessing, and then walk through each and every circumstance with a desire to please the Lord.

Myrrh has medical value, as it is used in costly ointments to produce healing. There was a healing work accomplished on the Cross of Calvary in our behalf, in which the Lord carefully measures into our lives a new nature, which is formed for our health and betterment.

There was no more bitter experience in all of history than that which Jesus endured on the cross. But there is no sweeter fragrance that has ever been released, than that which has been made available to us through the redemption that was wrought upon the cross in our behalf. The motive of Jesus was to always please His Father.

The second ingredient is cinnamon. It both smells and tastes good. But fire is required to refine the oil of cinnamon. Cinnamon comes from a fine layer, which is under the bark of the tree. It must be boiled to separate this inner rind from the coarseness of the outer bark. Once this inner rind is separated, it takes still more fire to bring forth and refine the oil.

This speaks of the many purgings that take place within us, in order to produce a pure reflection of the heart and mind of the Lord - “the spirit of prophecy.” Wherever there is true grace, there is always fire. We can better understand this as we consider the words of John the Baptist when he said that we would be “Baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire.”

The third ingredient is calamus. This has an unusually sweet fragrance, but the more it is bruised and broken, the sweeter it becomes. Only the Holy Spirit can do this, as this process brings us into “the fellowship of His sufferings.” (Phil 3:10). Jesus was “wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities.” He demonstrated the nature of a lamb, as there was no retaliation or reaction. His heart was set on revealing His Father and making Him known.

The fourth ingredient in compounding this anointing oil is cassia. This means “to be shriveled up.” It has the connotation of contracting, or bowing in giving reverence. There is a worship that flows out to the Lord, as we make Him first in every thing. Only then will all else fall into its proper place. This also expresses the attitude we should have toward others.

These four principle ingredients were then mixed with olive oil, in order to produce this anointing oil. May this anointing, as the “spirit of prophecy, ever flow out from each of our lives, and bring spiritual life and healing to those in need.