The Baptism And Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

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< > Chapter Seven The reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit The reception of the gifts of revelation and inspiration People often ask, how does the Holy Spirit communicate His gifts to us? How can we tell that the revelation we have received is from the Holy Spirit? The following thoughts will help to give an answer to these questions. There are “diversities of operations,” that is, there are various ways by which the Holy Spirit communicates His gifts to us. BY A VOICE. This can be communicated in two ways. By a voice in our spirit and mind. This is what happened to Philip in Acts.8v26,29., and to Peter in Acts.10v19,20.. This is also a way that we can receive a prophecy, or an interpretation of a tongue, and it is a common means of revelation from God. It can be spoken to the ear, 1Sam.9v15., at other times it may steal into the mind bit by bit. Obviously, not every thought that comes into our mind is from God, they can arise from our own intellect, or even from Satan. However, mature Christians have senses that are exercised to discern whether a revelation is from a good or evil source. Heb.5v10-14. The anointing of the Holy Spirit and the witness of the other members of the body of Christ will confirm the truth, or otherwise, of a revelation. We read in the Scriptures that the Spirit of God came upon people and they prophesied, and we need to have the same authority. 2Chron.15v1,2. 20v14-19. By an audible voice. On rare occasions a person may hear an audible voice speak to them. God spoke to young Samuel and gave him a message of tremendous importance. 1Sam.3v4-21. Jesus spoke to Paul with an audible voice. Acts.9v4-7. Peter Marshall's life was saved by a warning voice calling to him just as he was about to walk over the edge of a deep quarry at night. THROUGH THE BURDEN OF THE LORD. Is.13v1. 15v1. Jer.23v33. etc.. God can place a burden upon our hearts as we wait upon Him, which grips the mind and weighs upon the spirit. The power and presence of God confirm that this is His word. On other occasions the burden can come through a vision and revelation. However, no matter how the burden comes, it is something that we can't escape, and the prophecy, or prayer burden, is always solemn and serious and of deep importance, and weighs heavily upon us. Those who experience the burden of the Lord, share a very small part of the incredible pain and burden that God experiences every day in His care of His creation, and his great concern over people's needs and problems. The burden of the Lord is not given to the unspiritual; indeed, all profitable revelation will come out of a close relationship with God, and will have a depth, meaning and anointing that is satisfying to the minds and spirits of the hearers. Jeremiah criticised the lightness in the false prophets of his day. Jer.23v31. A revelation from God says something that is worth saying, and it is powerful; “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jer.23v29-40. This was God's prophetic word to Israel, and God's prophetic word to us will also have the same heavenly unction, power and blessing, even when it is so sad that we hesitate to give the message. 1Sam.3v15. Rev.3v15-22. etc. BY VISION. A vision is an accepted New Testament experience. “Horasis,” speaks of the sense of sight, is used of visions in Acts.2v17. and Rev.9v17.. “Horama,” that which is seen, (“horao), is used to speak of visions, in Mt.17v9. Acts.7v31. 9v10,12. 10v3,17,19. 11v5. 12v9. 16v9,10. and 18v9.. “Optasia,” speaks of the act of seeing, from “optano,” to see, is used to speak of a vision in Lk.1v22. 24v23. Acts.26v19. and 2Cor.12v1.. Supernatural sight is a reality. During some of the more important visions, God can cause Christians to become oblivious to their surroundings; this is the thought in Acts.10v10. 11v5. and 22v17.; where the Authorised Version states that both Peter and Paul experienced a “trance;” an “ekstasis.” “Ekstasis,” literally means, “a standing out,” and so it means a transportation out of a person's normal condition or state of mind. It is used of people being carried out of themselves with extreme astonishment and amazement in Mk.5v42. 16v8. Lk.5v26. and Acts.3v10.. God even spoke to the sorcerer Balaam in a trance. Numb.24v4,16. “Ekstasis,” speaks of an elevated consciousness during which God suspends ordinary perceptions and the awareness of natural surroundings, and the person is only conscious of the vision imparted by God. On rare occasions children of God have become quite unconscious to their surroundings, and have been transported out of the natural world to behold the supernatural and spiritual. Paul said that on one occasion, when he was having visions of heaven, he did not know if he was in or out of the body. 2Cor.12v1-4. This does not mean, of course, that the intellectual powers of Paul were suspended, they were enlightened and carried to the greater heights of spiritual revelation. This is in direct contrast to the experience of mediums, who completely lose consciousness when they go into a trance. Raphael Gasson, in his book, “The Challenging Counterfeit;” tells us from his own pre-Christian experience as medium, that he lost consciousness when he went into a trance, and had to be told what had taken place during a seance. The great majority of Old Testament prophets received their revelations by vision. Is.1v1. Jer.1v11. Ezek.1v1. Dan.1v17. Amos.1v1. Zech.1v8. etc. The prophets were called “seers,” Hebrew “chozeh,” and “roeh,” because God taught them by visions. 1Sam.9v9,15-20. Vision was the highest form of revelation in both the Old Testament and New Testament; however, visions can vary a great deal in importance in both their method of communication and their content. Let us now consider the various ways in which we can receive a vision from God; we will begin with the more common and simple vision revelations, and consider the sublime beatific vision last. Visions in dreams. Gen.46v2. Acts.2v17,18. Dan.7v1. 2v19. Visions can be given in dreams, and angels as well as the Holy Spirit can take part in this ministry. Mt.1v20. 2v12,13,19,20,22. God can reveal future events, warn of people's attitudes, or give guidance through this means. These God-given dreams can never be confused with cheese-supper nightmares. There is a vividness and anointing with dreams from God, that has to be experienced to be appreciated; even Nebuchadnezzar knew that he had received a mighty revelation from God in a dream, and he was desperate to know the correct interpretation of it. Dan.2.. It seems from Acts.16v9,10., that Paul was directed by a vision in a dream to go to Macedonia. God can reveal needs for prayer in this way, as well as things of vital significance. Gen.41v1-6,25. Dan.7v1. If we have a spiritual dream more than once, we should take particular note of it, for “it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.” Gen.41v32. We need to remember that the dreams of Joseph recorded in Gen.37v4-11., took about twenty years to come to pass, and Pharaoh's dream took at least fourteen years to be fulfilled. Gen.41v1-8. Don't expect revelations to come to pass immediately. Some of Daniel's visions in dreams have not even yet come to pass; the vision of Dan.7v1-28., is surely one of the greatest revelations that any servant of God has ever had, and it appears to have been revealed in a dream. Pictorial Visions. These visions can be of two kinds. Pictorial visions as real as life. Some visions can be indistinguishable from real life. Peter was used to having this kind of vision, for when the angel came to deliver him from prison; he thought he saw a vision. It was only when the angel was gone, and he found himself outside of the prison that he knew that it was not a vision. Acts.12v7-11. This shows how real this kind of vision can be. The child of God is taken by the Holy Spirit into a living vision, that conveys to them what He desires them to know. Jer.1v11-13. Zech.1v18-21. 2v1,2. 3v1-7. 4v1-7. 5v1,2. 6v1-8. Acts.10v9-16. Mental visions that are pictorial. This is a mental vision that can be given to us even when we are actively engaged in normal life; however, it usually takes place when we are seeking God. The Lord will give these revelations as we, or others, need them; if we are in the right place with God. Suddenly, sometimes unasked and unsought, a mental picture appears revealing various things that we need to know, this revelation can take the form of a quite simple prophecy, or even an extended revelation of actual events in the past, present and future. We may not immediately understand what the revelation given to us may mean; sometimes circumstances may need to change, and considerable prayer and earnest seeking of God for His illumination, before we can understand some revelations from God. Dan.7v15,28. 8v27. Acts.10v17-22. 1Pet.1v10-12. 2Pet.1v19-21. The anointing of the Holy Spirit will confirm a revelation that is from Himself, and very often His revelations may surprise us, for they can reveal a situation that is the very opposite to what we think or desire. Ezek.8v1-18. Until we have grown in grace and got used to the movings of the Holy Spirit, we are not in a position to manifest the greater revelations of the Holy Spirit. It is one thing to have a simple prophetic vision, but quite another thing to have detailed and extended revelations of people's lives and God's purposes, covering the past, present and future. The Scriptures state that some false prophets prophesied visions out of their own mind and imaginations. They decided that they were going to see something, and they saw what they desired to see; we should not make the same mistake. Jer.14v14. 23v16. It is absolute nonsense to say that Ps.81v10., “Open your mouth wide and the Lord will fill it,” means that we should prophesy in faith and start speaking before we receive a revelation, and God will give us a revelation. The word of the Lord “came” from God to the prophets BEFORE they started speaking. To flog an empty mind into a false carnal imitation of true inspiration, is nothing but folly. We should never allow a good desire for spiritual gifts to degenerate into something that is false and unreal. A lusting after signs and wonders for reasons of self-exaltation like Simon the sorcerer in Acts.8v17-24., can get us into real trouble. If we seek spiritual gifts out of love for God and people, we will have an authentic manifestation of spiritual gifts. God will never fail the honest and loving heart that waits for His word. “Prophesy according to your faith,” Rom.12v6., does not mean, “prophesy what you hope God will do,” it means that we prophesy the revelation that God has given us and we don't go beyond it. Some of the things that God reveals to us take real faith to accept, believe, and see through; so our faith and spiritual authority will decide the depth of revelation that we can receive. There is a real difference between hope and faith. Some revelations the prophets received needed great faith and mature spiritual authority to believe and see through; even though they came through a mighty revelation and vision. When God promised Elijah that fire would come down from heaven and bring the people to repentance at Carmel, it took real spiritual maturity, great faith, and much prayer and pain until the promise came to pass. It was quite different from sitting in a church of believers and giving simple words of edification, exhortation and comfort. God told one notable prophet, “You can't teach Pentecostal babes supernatural things, you will cause carnal impersonations.” So Christian teachers must be careful who they try to lead into the greater manifestations of spiritual gifts, or they will find themselves plagued with carnal impersonations. Visions of angels. The Scriptures tell of many cases of angelic visitation, but it is not a common experience, and it usually has to do with things of great importance, and to meet very definite needs. Christians continually enjoy the ministry of angels even though we may not always feel their presence, however, on rare occasions we may not only feel their presence, we may also have our eyes opened to see them, and they may have something to say to us. 2Kings.6v13-17. The Bible tells us that the number of angels is innumerable; there are untold millions of them. Dan.7v9-11. Heb.12v22. Rev.5v11,12. These are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Heb.1v13,14. These angels of God can be sent to deliver us as in the case of Peter in Acts.12v5-11.; they can also instruct, warn or inform us as well. Lk.1v11-38. 2v8-15. Acts.10v3-6. 8v26. 27v23,24. Angels can also appear to us for the purpose of ministering spiritual strength and blessing. Mt.4v11. Lk.22v42-44. God can communicate important revelations through angelic ministry. Dan.9v20-27. 10v21. This occurs more often in dreams than in open angelic visitation. Mt.1v20. 2v13,19,20. Most of us are so busy when we are awake, that the only time that God can speak to us, is when we are asleep. Angels have an important place in bringing to pass the purposes of God. Gen.19v1,12-17. 21v17-21. 22v11-18. 31v11-13. Ex.3v2. Numb.22v21-35. Judg.2v1-5. 6v11-24. 13v2-25. 2Kings.19v35. 1Chron.21v1-30. Dan.4v9-37. N.B. v13,17,23. 1Kings.19v5-7. Is.37v36. Mt.13v41,42,49,50. 24v31,36. 25v31. 26v53. 28v2-7. Lk.12v8. 15v10. 16v22. Acts.1v8-11. 7v53. Gal.3v19. Col.1v15-17. Heb.1v4-14. 2v2. Rev.20v1,2. Job.38v4-7. etc. Contrast the activities of wicked angels. Eph.6v10-20. Rev.12v7-12. Visions of God. Ezek.1v1. The prophets and some children of God have had visions of God, and have even spoken face to face with the Lord; this is not a common experience. Exod.24v9-18. 2Chron.18-27. Is.6v1-13. Ezek.1v26-28. Human flesh cannot stand the unveiled glory of God, so He has had to veil His presence and glory. Ex.33v20. 1Tim.6v14-16. We can behold God's glorious character, but not His unveiled glory and power. Jn.14v8-11. 1v14. Ex.34v5-8. 1Jn.1v2. 1Pet.1v16-18. The most overwhelming spiritual experience that we can have reveals to us only a little of the eternal majesty and glory of God's character and power. However, though the human body cannot enter or appreciate the full blinding glory of that kingdom, God has allowed some of His children to enter into heaven in spirit and have had visions of God, that are “not lawful for man to utter.” 2Cor.12v1-4. Paul looks upon this as one of the greatest ministries of the Holy Spirit. The greater ministries of the Church need this kind of vision to sustain them. Moses spoke face to face with the Lord and received His commission, and exceeding great and precious promises from Him. Exod.33v9-11. A disciple named Ananias had a vision of Jesus. Acts.9v10-16. The vision of Jesus on the Damascus Road, saved Paul’s soul; a vision of Jesus at Jerusalem, saved his life and directed his ministry. Acts.22v17,18. Paul’s vision of Jesus at Corinth, strengthened and guided him, the result was a great revival. Acts.18v8-11. 2Cor.12v12. We need this kind of experience, for when there is “no open vision” and the word of the Lord is “rare,” the Church is backslidden. 1Sam.3v1. This is the most important kind of vision, we must have this kind of vision to save people from perishing. Prov.29v18. THE COMMUNICATION OF THE GIFTS OF REVELATION AND INSPIRATION. Our temperament, talents and vocabulary are imprinted on our prophecies. Our spirit is the means by which God conveys a revelation to our minds; our intellect and vocabulary is called into play in conveying that revelation to others. Obviously, a revelation from God has to come into the mind of a Christian, whether it is received by vision, dream, voice or burden; and it is just as obvious that the mind and personality of the Christian have the part to play in the giving of a revelation. The intellectual ability, language and personality of a person are imprinted upon the speaking of a prophetic message. Amos the farmer, Ezekiel the priest, and Isaiah, obviously vary in the delivery of the word that God gave to them. Even though the Holy Spirit can carry a Christian far beyond their normal intellectual ability and limitations, an Oxford Don and an illiterate person will obviously express the same word of God in different language. I have known the same interpretation of a tongue, come to one as a voice in the spirit, and to another as a vision, which they have described, the theme was the same but the vocabulary was different. God can give us a prophecy a long time before He desires us to manifest it in public. A prophecy, vision, or revelation can be received minutes, hours, days or even weeks before it is spoken out. Most prophets received their revelations in private, and pondered them in their minds for a while before they gave them out in public. Jeremiah said, “His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones.” Jer.20v9. See v7-12. Jeremiah just had to speak God's Word out; it was burning in his heart. You can muse upon a prophecy or vision for days, and it can bless you a great deal, the more you think upon it, the more it will burn, and it will have a great impact upon both the prophet and the people, David said, “While I was musing the fire burned.” Ps.39v3. It is quite wrong to think that we have to be in a meeting before we can expect to receive a revelation from God. We can receive them at home or work, while talking, walking, resting, and even sleeping. Jeremiah got one of the most important prophecies for Israel at the potter's house. Jer.18v1. to 19v13. The difference between a brainwave and a prophecy. If we have been thinking about a subject, or something in a meeting has set our mind working, we must not confuse this with a spiritual revelation. If under such circumstances we feel that we have a prophecy, we should make sure that it is from God. If we have preached upon a subject, and God desires to confirm that word by prophecy, He will usually do it through someone else. If we cannot tell the difference between a brainwave and a prophecy, then we are either spiritual babes, or in a poor spiritual condition, and are at the mercy of false prophecy and the guile of men. Eph.4v14-16. Brainwaves occur when you are thinking upon a subject, a revelation comes into the mind unasked and unsought, and as in the case of Jonah and Peter, it can be a complete surprise, and be against our feelings and desires. Jonah.4v1-5. Acts.10v9-16,44-48. A prophecy can contain facts that are new to us as well as truth that we know, which God desires to be repeated for the benefit of others. Our authority is in the anointing, not in our oratory. If we have a visitation from Christ or a holy angel and hold a conversation with them, it will be obvious that it is of God. Paul certainly knew that he had met with God on the Damascus Road. Mighty revelations like these are their own authority. However, if God desires us to give a message to a church through prophecy, the anointing of the Holy Spirit will rest upon us, and this will give us the authority to speak. If a person interprets and prophesies without an anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the listeners feel no anointing, we have the right to question that revelation. If we are not quite sure that God has told us something, we should say, “I feel God may have shown me this, and that it may be profitable,” and then give out our “revelation.” In this way, we will not make any false claims, and yet we can still be a blessing to others. Obviously Divine revelation has to come into the mind before it can be spoken out, it is the content of the revelation and the anointing of the Holy Spirit that enables us to distinguish between natural thoughts and supernatural revelation. The vocabulary and intellectual abilities of a person are not the only things that come through a manifestation of the Spirit, the Christian’s personality, character, and spiritual qualities come through as well. The same message can be shallow or deep, and cold or appealing, according to whether a Christian is shallow or deep, or cold or loving. The writer has heard a message in tongues, which has been given with tremendous anointing, warmth and love; interpreted correctly, but in such a cold and formal way that it left one feeling very disappointed. One longed that the interpreter had the same loving disposition, holy emotion, and spiritual depth and anointing that the person who had spoken in tongues had. Without love, not only the speaker in tongues, but the prophet as well is “as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” 1Cor.13v1-3. We can say, then, that however a Christian receives the gifts of inspiration and revelation, there is one common feature, the Spirit of God will be upon them. This must not be confused with a person getting emotional and full of praise, even though a genuine revelation can be given with great emotion and feeling. See Hosea.11 all. A person who is unfamiliar with the movings of the Holy Spirit, can mistake oratory and emotion for the movings of the Holy Spirit, and their strong desires and feelings as the message of the Lord. We can have strong feelings and emotion in genuine inspiration, but it is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that gives us our authority. Some have described this anointing as warm rain dropping upon them, others have explained it as like electricity, others as fire, and still others as a cool and gentle breeze flowing through their being. The point is that you know that God is anointing and filling you. Acts.4v8. with Mk.13v11. Acts.13v9. Lk.1v67. There will always be an anointing of varying magnitude when the Holy Spirit is manifesting His gifts through us, whether they are gifts of power, revelation, or inspiration. At times this anointing can be so strong as to quite overcome the body, it took Daniel several days to physically recover after his great spiritual revelation in Dan.8v1-27.. Daniel's revelations brought him the burden of the Word of the Lord, and a puzzle to solve. Numb.12v6-8. Dan.7v15,18. 1Pet.1v10-12. The operation of God's power and revelation gifts usually bring spiritual release, rather than a burden. God only gives these burdens to those who have the spiritual maturity and intercessory ability to bear such burdens; and they are usually given in the deep experiences of private prayer. Paul tells us to covet the gift of prophecy, for when we have got used to the workings of the Spirit in the simple gift of prophecy, we shall be able to recognise and receive the other gifts of revelation. < >
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Chapter Seven

The reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit

The reception of the gifts of revelation and inspiration

People often ask, how does the Holy Spirit communicate His gifts to us? How can we tell that the revelation we have received is from the Holy Spirit? The following thoughts will help to give an answer to these questions. There are “diversities of operations,” that is, there are various ways by which the Holy Spirit communicates His gifts to us.

BY A VOICE. This can be communicated in two ways.
By a voice in our spirit and mind.
This is what happened to Philip in Acts.8v26,29., and to Peter in Acts.10v19,20.. This is also a way that we can receive a prophecy, or an interpretation of a tongue, and it is a common means of revelation from God. It can be spoken to the ear, 1Sam.9v15., at other times it may steal into the mind bit by bit. Obviously, not every thought that comes into our mind is from God, they can arise from our own intellect, or even from Satan. However, mature Christians have senses that are exercised to discern whether a revelation is from a good or evil source. Heb.5v10-14. The anointing of the Holy Spirit and the witness of the other members of the body of Christ will confirm the truth, or otherwise, of a revelation. We read in the Scriptures that the Spirit of God came upon people and they prophesied, and we need to have the same authority. 2Chron.15v1,2. 20v14-19.

By an audible voice.
On rare occasions a person may hear an audible voice speak to them. God spoke to young Samuel and gave him a message of tremendous importance. 1Sam.3v4-21. Jesus spoke to Paul with an audible voice. Acts.9v4-7. Peter Marshall's life was saved by a warning voice calling to him just as he was about to walk over the edge of a deep quarry at night.

THROUGH THE BURDEN OF THE LORD. Is.13v1. 15v1. Jer.23v33. etc..
God can place a burden upon our hearts as we wait upon Him, which grips the mind and weighs upon the spirit. The power and presence of God confirm that this is His word. On other occasions the burden can come through a vision and revelation. However, no matter how the burden comes, it is something that we can't escape, and the prophecy, or prayer burden, is always solemn and serious and of deep importance, and weighs heavily upon us. Those who experience the burden of the Lord, share a very small part of the incredible pain and burden that God experiences every day in His care of His creation, and his great concern over people's needs and problems.

The burden of the Lord is not given to the unspiritual; indeed, all profitable revelation will come out of a close relationship with God, and will have a depth, meaning and anointing that is satisfying to the minds and spirits of the hearers. Jeremiah criticised the lightness in the false prophets of his day. Jer.23v31. A revelation from God says something that is worth saying, and it is powerful; “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jer.23v29-40. This was God's prophetic word to Israel, and God's prophetic word to us will also have the same heavenly unction, power and blessing, even when it is so sad that we hesitate to give the message. 1Sam.3v15. Rev.3v15-22. etc.

BY VISION.
A vision is an accepted New Testament experience. “Horasis,” speaks of the sense of sight, is used of visions in Acts.2v17. and Rev.9v17.. “Horama,” that which is seen, (“horao), is used to speak of visions, in Mt.17v9. Acts.7v31. 9v10,12. 10v3,17,19. 11v5. 12v9. 16v9,10. and 18v9.. “Optasia,” speaks of the act of seeing, from “optano,” to see, is used to speak of a vision in Lk.1v22. 24v23. Acts.26v19. and 2Cor.12v1.. Supernatural sight is a reality. During some of the more important visions, God can cause Christians to become oblivious to their surroundings; this is the thought in Acts.10v10. 11v5. and 22v17.; where the Authorised Version states that both Peter and Paul experienced a “trance;” an “ekstasis.” “Ekstasis,” literally means, “a standing out,” and so it means a transportation out of a person's normal condition or state of mind. It is used of people being carried out of themselves with extreme astonishment and amazement in Mk.5v42. 16v8. Lk.5v26. and Acts.3v10.. God even spoke to the sorcerer Balaam in a trance. Numb.24v4,16. “Ekstasis,” speaks of an elevated consciousness during which God suspends ordinary perceptions and the awareness of natural surroundings, and the person is only conscious of the vision imparted by God. On rare occasions children of God have become quite unconscious to their surroundings, and have been transported out of the natural world to behold the supernatural and spiritual. Paul said that on one occasion, when he was having visions of heaven, he did not know if he was in or out of the body. 2Cor.12v1-4. This does not mean, of course, that the intellectual powers of Paul were suspended, they were enlightened and carried to the greater heights of spiritual revelation. This is in direct contrast to the experience of mediums, who completely lose consciousness when they go into a trance. Raphael Gasson, in his book, “The Challenging Counterfeit;” tells us from his own pre-Christian experience as medium, that he lost consciousness when he went into a trance, and had to be told what had taken place during a seance.

The great majority of Old Testament prophets received their revelations by vision. Is.1v1. Jer.1v11. Ezek.1v1. Dan.1v17. Amos.1v1. Zech.1v8. etc. The prophets were called “seers,” Hebrew “chozeh,” and “roeh,” because God taught them by visions. 1Sam.9v9,15-20. Vision was the highest form of revelation in both the Old Testament and New Testament; however, visions can vary a great deal in importance in both their method of communication and their content. Let us now consider the various ways in which we can receive a vision from God; we will begin with the more common and simple vision revelations, and consider the sublime beatific vision last.

Visions in dreams. Gen.46v2. Acts.2v17,18. Dan.7v1. 2v19.
Visions can be given in dreams, and angels as well as the Holy Spirit can take part in this ministry. Mt.1v20. 2v12,13,19,20,22. God can reveal future events, warn of people's attitudes, or give guidance through this means. These God-given dreams can never be confused with cheese-supper nightmares. There is a vividness and anointing with dreams from God, that has to be experienced to be appreciated; even Nebuchadnezzar knew that he had received a mighty revelation from God in a dream, and he was desperate to know the correct interpretation of it. Dan.2..

It seems from Acts.16v9,10., that Paul was directed by a vision in a dream to go to Macedonia. God can reveal needs for prayer in this way, as well as things of vital significance. Gen.41v1-6,25. Dan.7v1. If we have a spiritual dream more than once, we should take particular note of it, for “it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.” Gen.41v32. We need to remember that the dreams of Joseph recorded in Gen.37v4-11., took about twenty years to come to pass, and Pharaoh's dream took at least fourteen years to be fulfilled. Gen.41v1-8. Don't expect revelations to come to pass immediately. Some of Daniel's visions in dreams have not even yet come to pass; the vision of Dan.7v1-28., is surely one of the greatest revelations that any servant of God has ever had, and it appears to have been revealed in a dream.

Pictorial Visions. These visions can be of two kinds.
Pictorial visions as real as life.
Some visions can be indistinguishable from real life. Peter was used to having this kind of vision, for when the angel came to deliver him from prison; he thought he saw a vision. It was only when the angel was gone, and he found himself outside of the prison that he knew that it was not a vision. Acts.12v7-11. This shows how real this kind of vision can be. The child of God is taken by the Holy Spirit into a living vision, that conveys to them what He desires them to know. Jer.1v11-13. Zech.1v18-21. 2v1,2. 3v1-7. 4v1-7. 5v1,2. 6v1-8. Acts.10v9-16.

Mental visions that are pictorial.
This is a mental vision that can be given to us even when we are actively engaged in normal life; however, it usually takes place when we are seeking God. The Lord will give these revelations as we, or others, need them; if we are in the right place with God. Suddenly, sometimes unasked and unsought, a mental picture appears revealing various things that we need to know, this revelation can take the form of a quite simple prophecy, or even an extended revelation of actual events in the past, present and future. We may not immediately understand what the revelation given to us may mean; sometimes circumstances may need to change, and considerable prayer and earnest seeking of God for His illumination, before we can understand some revelations from God. Dan.7v15,28. 8v27. Acts.10v17-22. 1Pet.1v10-12. 2Pet.1v19-21. The anointing of the Holy Spirit will confirm a revelation that is from Himself, and very often His revelations may surprise us, for they can reveal a situation that is the very opposite to what we think or desire. Ezek.8v1-18. Until we have grown in grace and got used to the movings of the Holy Spirit, we are not in a position to manifest the greater revelations of the Holy Spirit. It is one thing to have a simple prophetic vision, but quite another thing to have detailed and extended revelations of people's lives and God's purposes, covering the past, present and future.

The Scriptures state that some false prophets prophesied visions out of their own mind and imaginations. They decided that they were going to see something, and they saw what they desired to see; we should not make the same mistake. Jer.14v14. 23v16. It is absolute nonsense to say that Ps.81v10., “Open your mouth wide and the Lord will fill it,” means that we should prophesy in faith and start speaking before we receive a revelation, and God will give us a revelation. The word of the Lord “came” from God to the prophets BEFORE they started speaking. To flog an empty mind into a false carnal imitation of true inspiration, is nothing but folly. We should never allow a good desire for spiritual gifts to degenerate into something that is false and unreal. A lusting after signs and wonders for reasons of self-exaltation like Simon the sorcerer in Acts.8v17-24., can get us into real trouble. If we seek spiritual gifts out of love for God and people, we will have an authentic manifestation of spiritual gifts. God will never fail the honest and loving heart that waits for His word.

“Prophesy according to your faith,” Rom.12v6., does not mean, “prophesy what you hope God will do,” it means that we prophesy the revelation that God has given us and we don't go beyond it. Some of the things that God reveals to us take real faith to accept, believe, and see through; so our faith and spiritual authority will decide the depth of revelation that we can receive. There is a real difference between hope and faith. Some revelations the prophets received needed great faith and mature spiritual authority to believe and see through; even though they came through a mighty revelation and vision. When God promised Elijah that fire would come down from heaven and bring the people to repentance at Carmel, it took real spiritual maturity, great faith, and much prayer and pain until the promise came to pass. It was quite different from sitting in a church of believers and giving simple words of edification, exhortation and comfort. God told one notable prophet, “You can't teach Pentecostal babes supernatural things, you will cause carnal impersonations.” So Christian teachers must be careful who they try to lead into the greater manifestations of spiritual gifts, or they will find themselves plagued with carnal impersonations.

Visions of angels.
The Scriptures tell of many cases of angelic visitation, but it is not a common experience, and it usually has to do with things of great importance, and to meet very definite needs. Christians continually enjoy the ministry of angels even though we may not always feel their presence, however, on rare occasions we may not only feel their presence, we may also have our eyes opened to see them, and they may have something to say to us. 2Kings.6v13-17. The Bible tells us that the number of angels is innumerable; there are untold millions of them. Dan.7v9-11. Heb.12v22. Rev.5v11,12. These are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Heb.1v13,14. These angels of God can be sent to deliver us as in the case of Peter in Acts.12v5-11.; they can also instruct, warn or inform us as well. Lk.1v11-38. 2v8-15. Acts.10v3-6. 8v26. 27v23,24. Angels can also appear to us for the purpose of ministering spiritual strength and blessing. Mt.4v11. Lk.22v42-44. God can communicate important revelations through angelic ministry. Dan.9v20-27. 10v21. This occurs more often in dreams than in open angelic visitation. Mt.1v20. 2v13,19,20. Most of us are so busy when we are awake, that the only time that God can speak to us, is when we are asleep. Angels have an important place in bringing to pass the purposes of God. Gen.19v1,12-17. 21v17-21. 22v11-18. 31v11-13. Ex.3v2. Numb.22v21-35. Judg.2v1-5. 6v11-24. 13v2-25. 2Kings.19v35. 1Chron.21v1-30. Dan.4v9-37. N.B. v13,17,23. 1Kings.19v5-7. Is.37v36. Mt.13v41,42,49,50. 24v31,36. 25v31. 26v53. 28v2-7. Lk.12v8. 15v10. 16v22. Acts.1v8-11. 7v53. Gal.3v19. Col.1v15-17. Heb.1v4-14. 2v2. Rev.20v1,2. Job.38v4-7. etc. Contrast the activities of wicked angels. Eph.6v10-20. Rev.12v7-12.

Visions of God. Ezek.1v1.
The prophets and some children of God have had visions of God, and have even spoken face to face with the Lord; this is not a common experience. Exod.24v9-18. 2Chron.18-27. Is.6v1-13. Ezek.1v26-28. Human flesh cannot stand the unveiled glory of God, so He has had to veil His presence and glory. Ex.33v20. 1Tim.6v14-16. We can behold God's glorious character, but not His unveiled glory and power. Jn.14v8-11. 1v14. Ex.34v5-8. 1Jn.1v2. 1Pet.1v16-18. The most overwhelming spiritual experience that we can have reveals to us only a little of the eternal majesty and glory of God's character and power. However, though the human body cannot enter or appreciate the full blinding glory of that kingdom, God has allowed some of His children to enter into heaven in spirit and have had visions of God, that are “not lawful for man to utter.” 2Cor.12v1-4. Paul looks upon this as one of the greatest ministries of the Holy Spirit. The greater ministries of the Church need this kind of vision to sustain them. Moses spoke face to face with the Lord and received His commission, and exceeding great and precious promises from Him. Exod.33v9-11. A disciple named Ananias had a vision of Jesus. Acts.9v10-16. The vision of Jesus on the Damascus Road, saved Paul’s soul; a vision of Jesus at Jerusalem, saved his life and directed his ministry. Acts.22v17,18. Paul’s vision of Jesus at Corinth, strengthened and guided him, the result was a great revival. Acts.18v8-11. 2Cor.12v12. We need this kind of experience, for when there is “no open vision” and the word of the Lord is “rare,” the Church is backslidden. 1Sam.3v1. This is the most important kind of vision, we must have this kind of vision to save people from perishing. Prov.29v18.

THE COMMUNICATION OF THE GIFTS OF REVELATION AND INSPIRATION.
Our temperament, talents and vocabulary are imprinted on our prophecies.
Our spirit is the means by which God conveys a revelation to our minds; our intellect and vocabulary is called into play in conveying that revelation to others. Obviously, a revelation from God has to come into the mind of a Christian, whether it is received by vision, dream, voice or burden; and it is just as obvious that the mind and personality of the Christian have the part to play in the giving of a revelation. The intellectual ability, language and personality of a person are imprinted upon the speaking of a prophetic message. Amos the farmer, Ezekiel the priest, and Isaiah, obviously vary in the delivery of the word that God gave to them. Even though the Holy Spirit can carry a Christian far beyond their normal intellectual ability and limitations, an Oxford Don and an illiterate person will obviously express the same word of God in different language. I have known the same interpretation of a tongue, come to one as a voice in the spirit, and to another as a vision, which they have described, the theme was the same but the vocabulary was different.

God can give us a prophecy a long time before He desires us to manifest it in public.
A prophecy, vision, or revelation can be received minutes, hours, days or even weeks before it is spoken out. Most prophets received their revelations in private, and pondered them in their minds for a while before they gave them out in public. Jeremiah said, “His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones.” Jer.20v9. See v7-12. Jeremiah just had to speak God's Word out; it was burning in his heart. You can muse upon a prophecy or vision for days, and it can bless you a great deal, the more you think upon it, the more it will burn, and it will have a great impact upon both the prophet and the people, David said, “While I was musing the fire burned.” Ps.39v3. It is quite wrong to think that we have to be in a meeting before we can expect to receive a revelation from God. We can receive them at home or work, while talking, walking, resting, and even sleeping. Jeremiah got one of the most important prophecies for Israel at the potter's house. Jer.18v1. to 19v13.

The difference between a brainwave and a prophecy.
If we have been thinking about a subject, or something in a meeting has set our mind working, we must not confuse this with a spiritual revelation. If under such circumstances we feel that we have a prophecy, we should make sure that it is from God. If we have preached upon a subject, and God desires to confirm that word by prophecy, He will usually do it through someone else. If we cannot tell the difference between a brainwave and a prophecy, then we are either spiritual babes, or in a poor spiritual condition, and are at the mercy of false prophecy and the guile of men. Eph.4v14-16. Brainwaves occur when you are thinking upon a subject, a revelation comes into the mind unasked and unsought, and as in the case of Jonah and Peter, it can be a complete surprise, and be against our feelings and desires. Jonah.4v1-5. Acts.10v9-16,44-48. A prophecy can contain facts that are new to us as well as truth that we know, which God desires to be repeated for the benefit of others.

Our authority is in the anointing, not in our oratory.
If we have a visitation from Christ or a holy angel and hold a conversation with them, it will be obvious that it is of God. Paul certainly knew that he had met with God on the Damascus Road. Mighty revelations like these are their own authority. However, if God desires us to give a message to a church through prophecy, the anointing of the Holy Spirit will rest upon us, and this will give us the authority to speak. If a person interprets and prophesies without an anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the listeners feel no anointing, we have the right to question that revelation. If we are not quite sure that God has told us something, we should say, “I feel God may have shown me this, and that it may be profitable,” and then give out our “revelation.” In this way, we will not make any false claims, and yet we can still be a blessing to others. Obviously Divine revelation has to come into the mind before it can be spoken out, it is the content of the revelation and the anointing of the Holy Spirit that enables us to distinguish between natural thoughts and supernatural revelation.

The vocabulary and intellectual abilities of a person are not the only things that come through a manifestation of the Spirit, the Christian’s personality, character, and spiritual qualities come through as well. The same message can be shallow or deep, and cold or appealing, according to whether a Christian is shallow or deep, or cold or loving. The writer has heard a message in tongues, which has been given with tremendous anointing, warmth and love; interpreted correctly, but in such a cold and formal way that it left one feeling very disappointed. One longed that the interpreter had the same loving disposition, holy emotion, and spiritual depth and anointing that the person who had spoken in tongues had. Without love, not only the speaker in tongues, but the prophet as well is “as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” 1Cor.13v1-3.

We can say, then, that however a Christian receives the gifts of inspiration and revelation, there is one common feature, the Spirit of God will be upon them. This must not be confused with a person getting emotional and full of praise, even though a genuine revelation can be given with great emotion and feeling. See Hosea.11 all. A person who is unfamiliar with the movings of the Holy Spirit, can mistake oratory and emotion for the movings of the Holy Spirit, and their strong desires and feelings as the message of the Lord. We can have strong feelings and emotion in genuine inspiration, but it is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that gives us our authority. Some have described this anointing as warm rain dropping upon them, others have explained it as like electricity, others as fire, and still others as a cool and gentle breeze flowing through their being. The point is that you know that God is anointing and filling you. Acts.4v8. with Mk.13v11. Acts.13v9. Lk.1v67. There will always be an anointing of varying magnitude when the Holy Spirit is manifesting His gifts through us, whether they are gifts of power, revelation, or inspiration. At times this anointing can be so strong as to quite overcome the body, it took Daniel several days to physically recover after his great spiritual revelation in Dan.8v1-27.. Daniel's revelations brought him the burden of the Word of the Lord, and a puzzle to solve. Numb.12v6-8. Dan.7v15,18. 1Pet.1v10-12. The operation of God's power and revelation gifts usually bring spiritual release, rather than a burden. God only gives these burdens to those who have the spiritual maturity and intercessory ability to bear such burdens; and they are usually given in the deep experiences of private prayer. Paul tells us to covet the gift of prophecy, for when we have got used to the workings of the Spirit in the simple gift of prophecy, we shall be able to recognise and receive the other gifts of revelation.

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