The Forerunner's Anointing

This blog post marks the 100th entry for the blog. It also marks the change of the name "The Prophetic Youth Movement" after seven years into "The Forerunners Movement" which is birthed to my desire to equip young and old alike in the Forerunner's anointing God has given me.

The entries through the years speaks of different topics about the prophetic but deep down in my heart is the desire to see young people use their spiritual gifts, equip them for service and walk in the destiny God has for them. This is I think my calling for this season.

Like any calling,the character and vision of a Forerunner is sometimes hard to understand. Sometimes we even don't understand why we do things or why the Lord leads us to do something hard. But like what we've learned from the previous post, God gives us faith to believe of what is not yet seen, He places a desire in us and will always confirm his words and promises and eventually the signs and wonders follows when we abide in his instructions.

Signs and wonders.

Such big words to claim from someone like little me. 

Looking at Hebrews 11 once again reminded me of so many things God was teaching me through the years. The times in high school wherein I just read my study bible was beneficial on all the insights God has placed in me. It was part of a bigger preparation of what He is setting in me to do.

Can you just imagine how our heroes of faith did so many things, sometimes unconventional but with lasting impact? Try to consider these exploits from Hebrews 11 itself:

v. 32-38

–who through faith conquered kingdoms

–administered justice and gained what was promised

–who shut the mouths of lions

–quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword

–whose weakness was turned to strength

–and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

–Women received back their dead, raised to life again.

–There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 

–Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.

–They were put to death by stoning;

–they were sawed in two;

–they were killed by the sword. 

–They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated the world was not worthy of them.

–They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

These are testimonies of what God can do when we walk in his ways. Their obedience led to conquering kingdoms, administering justice and honor, wherein miracles happens from left to right and yet some of them were killed because of what they believe in, this was their calling, they were all commended for their faith. 

Indeed, they bring in them a strong anointing.

According to Kenneth Copeland Ministries:

Anointing, as described in the Bible, can be defined as "God on flesh doing those things that flesh cannot do." It is God doing those things only He can do, and doing them through a flesh-and-blood, earthly vessel (see II Corinthians 4:7)...

If you're "in Christ," there's an anointing for everything you're called to do, no matter how small or how great the task. That's what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, "I can do all things through Christ (the Anointed and His Anointing) which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

Notice that he didn't say "who strengtheneth me" but "which strengtheneth me." He was talking about the anointing. The same anointing that enabled you to be born again will heal your body, help you succeed in business, and empower you to prosper spirit, soul, body and in every aspect of your life. (See Luke 5:20-24.) 

I believe that every believer has been given an anointing but the capacity, strength and influence is measured depending on our growth, maturity and grace given by the Father in Heaven. I saw this article that speaks about the anointing this way (by Joy Ministries):

Dimensions of the Anointing

1. Weight

The myrrh in the anointing oil, though it was a liquid, was measured by weight which speaks of the Glory of God, the weightiness of His presence influence and power (2 Cor. 3:18).

It is the will of God and the destiny of every believer to be conformed into the image of Jesus (Rom. 8:29). His image and likeness is being brought forth on the inside of every believer. His likeness is full of Glory, the very weightiness of the substance of His presence (2 Cor. 4:16-18). As each Spirit-filled individual submits to the working of the Spirit of God, Christ is increases the weight of His glory on the inside of that person.

Figuratively, weight means abundance and authority. An increase in strength produces and increase in weight (glory), and an increase in glory (weight) produces an increase in strength (1 Pet. 5:8-10).

2. Length

Another ingredient in the anointing oil was sweet cane. While sweet cane was also measured by weight, it was used as a measuring rod to measure length. This speaks of territory, sphere and boundaries.

Although much prayer is offered for territory to be enlarged, the only key to seeing an increase and enlarging is the anointing (2 Cor. 10:13).

Each believer has been apportioned a sphere of activity by God. Just as each has received gifts to function in within His Body, so have they also been measured an area, or sphere of influence in which they are to be effective, such as the local church, community, city, nation or nations. God’s people do not boast of things according to their own measure, but to the measure of the rule God has distributed to them (2 Cor. 10:13).

The anointing that each believer has been given is for their our measure of rule, for their sphere of activity to which they have been assigned. But it will be applicable if they do not stretch themselves beyond that measure (2 Cor 10:14). However, Paul also knew the key to extending his measure of rule (2 Cor 10:15, 16).

3. Capacity

Olive oil as measured the normal way liquids were measured - capacity. This speaks of volume, magnitude, ability and use.

Whatever gifts and abilities the Lord has given to his anointed, should be given back to His Body. The gifts are for the edification of the Church (Lu. 6:38). The measure that is used is measured back (Ma. 4:24, 25 ).

God is wise and does not waste resources where they are not stewarded properly (Matt. 25:14-28). This this context, capacity refers to the volume and magnitude of the ability of God working in and through believers according to use.

As God is raising up forerunners in this season, the depth and wide of their work will differ. Some of them will be in the front lines opposing the enemies tactics, others are placed in the towers to bring warning or instruction to what lies ahead and others are placed in the inner room diligently praying and interceding for the rest of us. Everyone will play an important role, everyone has a place to accomplish God's purposes and plans and it's only because of the anointing of God working through us.

And like what happened to Saul, the anointing of God can be taken away when we disobey him and yet, it also protects us from the enemies of the Kingdom of God.

But more importantly, it allows us for the Holy Spirit to work through us and minister to people. This what makes us different from the counterfeits of this world. The works and results of our ministry comes from an anointing not from us but through the Spirit of God. 

Looking back on the list earlier in Hebrews 11:32-38 ends with verse 39 with a strong indication that what they've done is not the end of God's super-manifested anointing but just the start of something good for us:

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

God's anointing is still real today and He can still use us for his greater glory. The completion of the great commission is not played by skillful tactics or doing it with our own strength, it is downplayed by the power of the anointing of Christ's work on the cross that compels us to do more, do better and expand our territories for the gospel of Christ.

The list in Hebrews doesn't stop with the last person but continues in the history of the church. There are still Forerunners out there doing their thing with the anointing that comes from the Holy Spirit, creating impact and bringing change in a torn world with sin and disgrace.