Throwback Sermon: Prophetic Encounter 2024 with Pastor JT Bakare
Introduction
We are reminded that God raises prophets not for spectacle, but for service — to reveal His counsel and transform seasons according to His divine purpose. True prophetic ministry flows from a life of prayer, worship, and obedience, not from self-promotion or the pursuit of signs. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10), and every prophetic utterance should magnify Him, not man. We understand that when we intercede and declare God’s will, we participate in shifting atmospheres — from drought to fruitfulness, from bondage to liberty. Just as Elijah prayed earnestly and rain returned to Israel (James 5:17–18), we too are called to stand before God and speak forth His word with boldness, knowing that heaven responds to those who are aligned with His purpose.
We have come to see that God governs the earth through divine order — the priest, the prophet, and the king. The priest sacrifices and builds a bridge between heaven and earth; the prophet listens and interprets the mind of God; and the king declares and establishes His will in power. When these three dimensions work in harmony, God’s authority is made visible among us. As believers, we are called to embody all three: to live sacrificially, to seek divine revelation, and to decree the Word with faith and confidence. Our God is the Almighty, the One before whom all flesh will bow (Psalm 65:2). We pray for divine enlightenment to walk in this fullness — that we may be vessels through which heaven touches earth, fulfilling our destinies and manifesting His kingdom wherever we go.
What are the earmarks of a true prophetic ministry according to the text?
We have learned that a true prophetic ministry flows from intimacy with God, marked by prayer, the laying on of hands, the preaching of His Word, and psalmistry that ascends as incense before the Lord. Through worship and intercession, we create an atmosphere where heaven touches earth and the voice of God becomes clear. As we stand before Him, we become oracles of His counsel, vessels through whom He releases direction and power for new seasons.
It is through such prophetic alignment that God reveals His mind and establishes His purposes among men. When we lift our voices in pure devotion, the fragrance of our worship rises before the throne, just as in Revelation 8:4, where “the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God.” We are reminded that true prophetic ministry is not a performance but a sacred calling to declare God’s heart in truth and humility.
How does the text describe the role of prophets in changing seasons?
We understand that spiritual seasons do not shift until a prophet speaks. God partners with His prophets to open and close times and seasons, just as Elijah declared that it would not rain, and heaven obeyed his voice (James 5:17). When we walk in alignment with heaven’s rhythm, our words become instruments of divine transition — ending droughts, calling forth rain, and ushering people into new beginnings.
As we seek God in prayer and consecration, we realise that our declarations shape spiritual climates. Through divine utterance, we break the grip of stagnation and release life into dry places. God still uses prophetic voices to birth new chapters in families, nations, and ministries. When we speak under His authority, seasons shift because heaven responds to the voice of His Word spoken through His servants.
What is the meaning of the scripture ‘the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’ in the text?
We recognise that the heartbeat of all prophecy is Jesus Christ Himself. The scripture declares, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). This means that every time we lift up the name of Jesus and testify of His works, the spirit of prophecy is activated. The prophetic flows not from chasing after signs but from beholding the beauty and majesty of Christ.
When we testify about Jesus — His love, His power, and His victory — heaven responds. The prophetic realm opens because our focus is fixed on the Son of God. As we witness to who He is, revelation flows, and the supernatural becomes natural. We don’t pursue prophecy for its own sake; we pursue Jesus, and prophecy follows.
What warning does the text give about prophetic words that focus on the prophet rather than Jesus?
We are reminded that any prophetic voice that glorifies itself rather than Christ loses its purity. When prophecy becomes about the prophet’s fame or gifting, it violates its divine purpose. True prophecy must reveal Jesus, not the vessel, for He alone is worthy of glory. The moment we draw attention to ourselves, we step out of divine alignment and risk misleading others.
Jesus is the centre of every prophetic revelation. As written in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Every prophetic word must serve a kingdom purpose that brings glory to God and benefit to His people. When we anchor prophecy in Christ, the Spirit of truth confirms it and brings it to pass with divine power.
How can one turn prophecy into fulfillment according to the teaching?
We have learned that prophecy manifests when we attach it to a divine purpose. Every prophetic word carries the potential for fulfillment, but it must be connected to what brings God joy and glory. When we align our prophetic promises with kingdom interests, we commit God’s integrity to their performance. He watches over His Word to fulfill it (Jeremiah 1:12).
It is not enough to receive a prophetic word; we must also partner with God through faith, prayer, and obedience. As we serve His kingdom and walk in righteousness, heaven releases resources to make the vision real. The moment God finds pleasure in our pursuit, the Spirit of prophecy brings our words from revelation into manifestation.
What are the three spiritual offices through which God governs and moves power according to the text?
We understand that God moves through three divine offices — the priest, the prophet, and the king. The priest ministers through sacrifice, opening access between heaven and earth. The prophet interprets the will of God and declares His counsel. The king enforces divine decrees upon the earth with authority. Together, these offices reflect the fullness of God’s governance among His people.
In Revelation 1:6, we are reminded that Christ has made us “kings and priests unto God.” This means we are called to intercede, hear, and decree. When we function in these roles, heaven’s power flows through us, and we become channels of divine government — establishing order, justice, and blessing wherever we go.