Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

The Transition from Old to New

(verse 76) and would go before Him as herald. Words of the angel that had previously fallen on him like a wet blanket of unbelief were now trans formed into blazing, transforming truth-words of fire issuing from the Spirit-baptized lips of God's newest prophet. Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-38). Mary bore her baby in a stable of Bethlehem, after which the parents found a dwelling where they appar ently stayed for several years. Wise men from the East later visited, bring ing about Herod's anger and the annihilation of the town's small children. Jesus was circumcised after eight days in accordance with Jewish law; then, when the 41 days for Mary's purification (Leviticus 12:1-8) had been completed, Joseph and Mary brought the baby to the Temple for the mother's purification and the baby's dedication. Little did the parents know that two elderly people, a prophet and a prophetess, would abruptly appear and prophesy over the child. Simeon lived in watchful expectancy for the coming Messiah. He was a true man of the Spirit: The Spirit was upon him, the Spirit spoke to him and the Spirit now led him to the Temple. Taking baby Jesus in his arms, Simeon praised and thanked God for the Salvation and Light cradled in his bosom. Joseph and Mary "were speechless with surprise" (Luke 2:33, Message). Simeon blessed them as well, specifically foretelling the dark time of the death of Jesus when deep sorrow would pierce Mary's own soul. A second witness suddenly appeared-an ancient woman known by many as a godly woman of prayer and fasting, and a prophetess! Anna broke forth in praise over the child, and when she departed, "continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" (verse 38). John the Baptist. John grew up living in the deserts "until he began his public ministry" (Luke 1:80, NLT). Such wilderness areas are made for those who pray and reflect. We know nothing of how his parents influ enced him, but surely they explained the spiritual significance of his name and the highlights of his father's powerful prophecy. We can assume that Zacharias made clear the meaning of "the prophet of the Most High" and that John would herald the advent of the Messiah. Zacharias would also have explained John's call to the life of an ascetic Nazirite. As the son of a Levite, John would have been expected to follow in his father's priestly profession. At some point, however, he apparently slipped this course and embraced the solitude of the wilderness life. I have always thrilled at the dramatic account of John's call. After men tioning seven of the great people of that day, whom God passed up, Luke says "the word of God came to John" (Luke 3:2). Thirty years of patient waiting found fulfillment. Now guided by the inner urgings of the Spirit, ■ 134