Develop Your Prophetic Voice through Art - Part 1

As one of God’s creative ones, you have been called to show forth the greatness and majesty of His name, just like the anointed Biblical artisans who have gone before us. Bezalel and Oholiab were chosen among all the craftsmen in Israel to make the finest furnishings for the Tabernacle of Moses. The sons of Asaph, poets and all the musicians associated with the Tabernacle of David revealed His Glory through song and spoken word. There were even thousands of craftsmen called upon by Solomon the build the Temple where the Glory of the Lord came down in a cloud and overwhelmed all the people. Throughout history, artisans have been the ones called upon to reveal the story of the Gospel, the imagery of the Church, the power of the promise of salvation.

As you embrace your own calling as artisan in the Kingdom today, you must realize that it’s more than just one who reflects what has happened – retelling the stories of history. There is indeed great value in recounting the deeds of the Lord and telling the stories of what God has done. However, as a reflector of the Glory of God, He calls you to show forth not only what has happened, but what is happening and what will happen! As one who is called to be ‘in-tune’ with Holy Spirit and the voice of the Lord, you’ve been uniquely equipped to prophesy to the world the purposes of God in your generation.

Transmitting the Power of God
It’s important to understand that prophecy is not just the communication of mere information. Prophetic utterance is literally the transmission of the power of God through revelation by the Holy Spirit. The word prophecy comes from the root word for light or illumination and we must understand that Jesus is the one providing the illumination. Prophecy is a supernatural way of communicating given to you by the Father to be a light in the earth and to be witness to the lost so they will come to know Jesus. Just as the 2 witnesses in Revelation were called Lampstands, so are you called to burn with the fire of God and bring illumination to a dark world!

Mark Nysewander a spiritual giant in my life said recently in a message at Riverstone Church “We are a lampstand that holds the fire of God, the fire of His message and the fire of His presence. And at the end of the age, when things are very dark and the anti-Christ is moving and judgments are falling - in that darkness, against that dark background will be the brilliance of the prophetic witness of the church! Because in that moment we will display the Light of His Message and the Light of His Presence.”

Your creative expression has no choice but to be prophetic when it’s Infused with the power and unction of the Holy Spirit. Speaking the “now word” (rhema) of God into the earth at an appointed (kairos) time, confirmed by signs and wonders following comes naturally as you take time to explore intimacy with the Father through worship, His Word, the Spirit and community with other believers. It’s only then that the creativity of your hands and heart will reflect the fullness of God’s Glory.

Hearing the Voice of the Lord
The first step in developing your prophetic voice as an artist is getting in touch with your ability to hear the voice of the Lord. In my own journey and in the lives of the countless artists I’ve worked with over the years, this happens as a result of focused, ‘on-purpose’ times with the Father in worship and soaking in His presence. As you sit at His feet, read His Word and gaze at His beauty, the voice of the Lord becomes stronger and stronger.

In 1 Corinthians 12, the Bible talks about the Gifts of God. What we call the “revelatory” gifts include personal or corporate prophecy (a word of encouragement, exhortation or edification) for an individual or group; the word of knowledge – this is someone knowing a specific fact about someone else which they would have no way of knowing in the natural. God has revealed this to the individual to build faith in the receiver or to bring healing, deliverance, or encouragement that God is handling it!) The last one is Word of Wisdom. This is when an individual is able to give you the exact counsel needed in a situation which is birthed from the heart of God.

While these are three scriptural gifts the Lord has given to speak to us, He also uses other important devices. You may see mental images or pictures, sometimes called visions. Most are in the mind’s eye, although some see actual scenes before them. (Think of Peter seeing the image of the clean and unclean animals in an open vision) You might see mental images of words written above a person or hear them in your spirit. (Think of Daniel interpreting the words Nebuchadnezzar had seen on the wall in his dream-Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin (Dan.5:25)

You may be journaling and realize your notes have changed into God speaking a specific thing to you. Others may be speaking to you in general conversation, and then you again realize they are speaking directly to your heart and God has set this up to give you a message or some specific inspiration.

God also speaks through dreams. Both believers and non-believers may experience this. (There are many throughout the Bible). God will also use many things which may seem odd- a billboard, a license plate, the wording on the side of a truck.

The most important thing is that you desire to hear from God and expect that you will. It’s ok to desire to prophesy and to grow in that gift! In fact, in 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul says “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” Ask God to attune your senses and your spirit so that you will not miss what He is saying. Feast on His Word (Revelation 10) so you give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to illuminate His voice inside of you! (In a setting where you are devoting time alone to hearing Him, praying in the Spirit, listening to good worship music, and prolonged periods of silence help create an atmosphere where He can best be heard.)