12/7/01

While in intercession several days ago, God brought a distinct picture in front of me. I saw a man standing in front of a mirror. It was apparent that the man was intrigued by his own beauty and splendor, as he surveyed himself from every angle, looking and observing himself. He gazed upon the reflection of his own beauty and admired his facial features. He said, "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" Suddenly, as the man was intent on gazing at himself, there appeared in the mirror an image of a witch.

The Lord would speak through this to all who walk with a measure of authority in the prophetic. The Lord has impressed upon my heart that we must repent. There is idolatry and witchcraft present within those who walk with a prophetic mantle, gifting, calling or any degree of this gifting from God operating within their lives. Let us search our hearts and the Lord will reveal the particulars to each one intent on walking in a purity and holiness before Him in the coming days.

I was impressed strongly from our Lord that the prophetic has built a platform of gazing upon itself, talking about itself, admiring itself, preaching and prophesying to itself, and holding conferences to idolize itself. Just as the man looked intently at himself in the mirror, so do we. Yet the Lord would ask "Where is the face of My Son illuminating the lives of those who profess to speak for me?"

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy according to Revelation 19:10. Can we honestly say that the testimony of Jesus is apparent in what we say or proclaim?

Idolatry has arisen within the ranks when we idolize ourselves or our gifts! Idolatry places the messenger and the message on a platform before the people proving to be an obstacle in seeing the face of Christ or hearing a pure prophetic word which comes from the testimony of Jesus.

The witch in the mirror indicates that there is control and manipulation present within many words that come forth. We must check our hearts and repent to rid ourselves of impure motives, unholy agendas, and such. Manipulation and control result from wounds within an individual. The prophetic must be healed so that the oracles of God can come forth from His heart once again.

We must look closely at ourselves in the mirror, allowing God to search us and purge us so that we can be a true reflection of His glory, transformed into His image to bring forth the testimony of Jesus. We must go before our God and repent so that God can heal and restore us once again. There should arise a strong prophetic voice from a broken spirit and a contrite heart, as we look upon His face, not ours. For when we measure ourselves by ourselves, and compare ourselves by ourselves, we shall always fall short, walking in idolatry. Yet, when we gaze upon Him we realize that in and of ourselves we are nothing but in Him we are everything. Our Lord must empower us again, refreshed and renewed with His words.

We can no longer deceive ourselves by elevating ourselves onto prophetic platforms that proclaim our agenda, our particular bent, or persuasion. Realizing that we speak forth only what we hear, we must be purged of any mixture or compromise that has arisen within the ranks of those who profess to speak for God. Our words are being weighed carefully by our Lord as He longs to establish prophetic forerunners that will sound forth with a strong voice of unity, restoration, and healing within the Body of Christ. Yes, even confrontation will arise as the prophetic picks up the mantle to passionately pursue the heart of the Father. Yet, every word that is spoken will be purified by God's holy fire before we profess to sound forth His heart. Each word will be formed on a foundation of love and compassion even in the midst of confrontation for that is the testimony of Jesus. Our lives, when purged, will be the message through which we will sound forth His heart.

Rivers of Eden http://www.riversofeden.com d.westbrook@att.net