Chapter 9 – The Voice over the Echo by Pastor Roddie Nelson
“The spiritual eyesight improves as the physical insight declines” - Plato
There are many voices in the cosmos and the prophetic must be able to know who is speaking and what is being said. So how does God Speak? Here are a few ways.
Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword; piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart.” God’s word always speaks. Divine revelation and power come to the person who passionately pursues the Lord through His word. Jesus is the word (John 1:1,14). If we want to know him and flow in this great prophetic power, we must first meditate on His word. (Joshua 1:8).
There are three ways to hear his voice.
1. Still- small voice (I Kings 19:11-12) – Most of the communication we receive from the Lord comes this way. It is a subtle knowing that seems to come from our conscience, but it is really the Holy Spirit revealing the mind of God.
2. Internal voice (John 16:13, Matt. 10:20) –This is very closely related to the still small voice. The difference is that the internal voice is so strong inside of us that we have to let it out or we will seemingly explode. It is overwhelming because we know that we have received something straight from the Holy Spirit and it must come forth.
3. Audible voice (Gen. 3:8) – Most Christians have never heard the voice of God in an audible way. It is unique and does not happen very often. I do believe that God wants to speak this way to us at times, but when he speaks this way it is in a greater level of His glory. Most cannot handle it.
Vision - The ability to perceive or foresee something, as through mental acuteness.
There are different types of visions.
1. Glimpses- These are quick pictures that come and go very fast. They are singular meaning that they don’t have storyline or a scene of multiple images. Usually symbolic. Prayer usually brings the interpretation.
2. Internal Visions – Usually more than just a picture, because they include a story line. These are stronger than glimpses because they contain more than one image. They are internal so you have to pray for revelation in order to understand the meaning to convey the message. This is like a daydream that comes from your own mind.
3. Open Visions – These visions happen when your eyes are opened and you see and are not stopped by distractions. These visions can take place when operating a car or doing a job. These are external and cannot be controlled by your mind. These visions can actually be seen by more than one person at a time.
(Job 33:15) – Dreams were given to Kings and interpreted by men such as Joseph and Daniel. The dreams were the intended plans of the Lord. Although not all dreams are prophetic, many do give direction, warnings, and insight into the purposes of God. There are different categories of dreams.
1. Literal – These dreams contain things that have a figurative meaning. This dream gives exact people places and events that will take place in the natural. There is no interpretation because everything is factual.
2. Symbolic- These dreams are full of symbolism. The colors, people, vehicles, etc.. all are symbolic of something else. These dreams take discernment and a great understanding of bible symbols to interpret.
3. Angelic – The bible is full of stories where angels showed up in dreams to reveal the heart of God. Joseph received a series of four angelic dreams to reveal that Mary was going to conceive Jesus. Angel dreams usually give purpose and instruction.
(II Cor. 12:2-3) Paul was caught up in the third heaven. These are high realm visitations to the throne room of heaven. They reveal the glory of God. John wrote the entire book of Revelation by being caught up in the spirit. (Rev. 4). Isaiah saw it and it changed his life. Prophetically speaking it reveals the glory of God and the plan of God.
Impressions come that give us perception into what will happen or has happened. They come through our mind or spirit (Acts 27:10), through our body (Luke 8:45-46, and through our emotions. (Heb. 4:12). Most people ignore impressions but prophetic people use them to hear what the Lord is saying. Through impressions lives can be saved, purposes fulfilled, and things can be restored.
Isaiah 55:8: For my thoughts are not your thoughts and your ways are not my ways declares the Lord.
God will use all of our senses to speak to us. Sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste are all important to see what He sees. The most accurate prophetic anointing comes when a person uses all of his/her natural senses to receive spiritual discernment. This can be very powerful. Pay attention to what you sense that in the natural you know is not real. This will indicate that the Lord is revealing something in an unusual way.
