PHINN

Rev. Dr. Phillip Phinn, Contributor

"As it is written, eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God." (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

It is God by His Spirit who reveals details to His prophets and to any other of His children who are readily available to listen and act, and does so through 'inspirations' (inward revelations), dreams and visions. He gives the supernatural ability as well to the prophet, to "see and hear" issues pertaining to an individual at point of contact, be it when the person is being ministered to or about to be ministered to, and in rare instances, may speak to the prophet through an audible voice. As it was for Prophet Samuel it can still happen today, as God being Jehovah Shammah never changes, remaining the same yesterday, today and forever and as such, whatever He did in biblical times, we can count on Him to be likewise, towards this generation.

Experienced by prophets

Orthodox Coptic Christians greet Pope Shenouda III, head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox church, upon his return to Cairo from medical treatment in Cleveland, Ohio, yesterday. Pope Shenouda refused to comment on a recent Vatican document which described Christian Orthodox churches as 'wounded' for not recognising the primacy of the Roman Catholic Pope. - Reuters

'Inspirations' are experienced by prophets when they are in the process of praying for an individual. This 'switch' from prayer to prophecy takes place within the mid-flow and far supersedes natural man's ability, as the prophetic insight comes with so much of a strong conviction, that the Word welling up in the bowels of the prophet has to be released in that "here and now." Inspirations may be used with dreams and visions but it is the Lord who determines the mix. He points out in Numbers 12 v 6, "If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream." God spoke to Abraham, Jacob and Daniel, all bearing different backgrounds, yet all prophets.

God tries to grab our attention daily but our waking hours may not leave room for us to hear clearly and as such he gives us sleep, to allow for visitations via dreams, whether for comfort, warning, encouragement or provision of information required, to allow for greater vision and prosperity. Joseph needed comfort and direction and so it was when Mary was found with child, the Bible says the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."

King Herod

To fulfill God's plan, God warned the wise men bearing treasures for King Jesus, to return not to King Herod and so they obeyed, worshipped the Baby Jesus when they had found him, and presented their gifts. They then departed "into their own country another way." Immediately thereafter, the Lord appeared to Joseph in another dream saying, "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."

Joseph's concern touched God's heart so He met with him to give comfort and direction. Joseph's next visitation took place after obedience was displayed by the wise men. In the second dream God gave a promise to Joseph: "I will bring thee word". Not only was God ensuring the divine safety of his precious son but he was building Joseph's faith and dependence upon Him.

God's vision reigns for us to escape evil every time as he did for His Son Jesus who fulfilled His destiny.