Prophetic outlook for the year 2016 - The year of the Word and a year of many new opportunities for God's people

As I was seeking the Lord for the prophetic words for the year 2016, I heard these words:

"The year 2016 is the year of the Word! Stay strong therefore in My Word. Take My Word and keep My Word! Be a good ground for My Word! For My Word is the 'seed' that grows in your ground, that yields and brings forth a great harvest and many new opportunities for you!"

Then, I heard further:
"It is a year that I will catapult many of My people into newer, greater heights. It is a year of setting free from your past disappointments. For those who have gone through trials and testing in the past year, watch Me open many new opportunities for you this year! For you will be like Daniel, and you will be like his three friends."

Note: The definition of 'opportunities' here is 'favorable time, or favorable occasion', and the definition of 'catapult' here is 'to shoot or launch something' (in this context, with the 'force' that comes from God).

The key Bible chapters as you begin the year 2016 are Daniel chapters 1, 2, and 3.

Daniel initially went through the disappointments of seeing his city Jerusalem besieged and his people being taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. However, he was later promoted over the whole province of Babylon and became chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. Here's an account of what happened that led to his promotion (new opportunities).

Daniel 1:8-13 (NKJV) says, 'But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king." So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel and his three friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah), "Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants."'

'The portion of the king's delicacies' here speaks of 'the ways of the world, or the ways of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon'. By the way, the word 'Babylon' here comes from the word 'Babel', meaning 'confusion (of the world's ways)'. But Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the 'food' of the world (or the 'ways' of the world), and chose 'vegetables to eat and water to drink'. In King James Version, this word 'vegetables' is translated 'pulse', and in Hebrew, it is 'zeroa', meaning 'something sown, or seed', from the root word 'zara', which means 'to sow, to plant, to conceive'. Therefore, the word 'zeroa' here is symbolic of the Word of God planted in God's people that yields and brings forth a great harvest and many new opportunities (see Matthew 13:8, Matthew 13:23).

You see? Not the way of the world, but the way of the Word!

Daniel 1:15 then says, 'And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies'. Daniel 1:17-20 continues, 'As for these four young men (Daniel and his three friends), God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams... Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm'.

Daniel later went on to reveal the dream that the king had and then interpreted it, when no one else in the land could (see Daniel chapter 2), and he was promoted by the king (Daniel 2:46-49).

People of God, as you are being planted with the 'seed' of the Word of God this year, like Daniel, you will also begin to 'see' and 'understand' many things that the world cannot 'see' and 'understand' (see 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 1 Corinthians 2:9-10). This applies in all that you put your hands on, whether in ministry, in business, or in your vocation.

Proverbs 4:20-22 says, 'My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh'.

People of God, whatever happened in the past year, and if the past year has been a time of 'trials' and 'testing' for you, there's every reason for you to look forward to this year! You'll begin to see many new opportunities unfold for you, just as Daniel did. And if you've been merely 'surviving' in the past year, see yourself 'thriving' this year, as you allow the 'seed' of the Word to grow in your 'good grounds'.

The name 'Daniel' is prophetic of our times, looking at the many uncertainties and danger around the world at the moment. In Hebrew, it is 'Dani El', literally meaning 'judge of God', from the word 'Dan' and 'El' (the Almighty God, the Lord God).

The Hebrew word 'Dan' here is 'diyn', which means 'to rule, to execute (judgement), to minister (judgement), or to judge a situation (or circumstance) from God's point of view'. And 'to judge' in this context here is not 'against one another', but instead to judge (or pronounce a sentence) on a situation (or circumstance) around you with the Word of God. People of God, this is a year to look to what the Word says, and not what the world says.

Note: From king Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel chapter 2 (seen and interpreted by Daniel), there are four kingdoms, namely Babylon, Persian, Greek and Roman, and after that comes the kingdom of God that knows no end (Isaiah 9:6-7). You (the believers) belong to this kingdom, ruling and reigning in Him (Romans 5:17, Ephesians 2:4-7, 2 Timothy 2:12-13, Revelation 20:6), and 'no weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and your righteousness is from Him' (Isaiah 54:17).

My prayer for you today is you'll continue to grow from faith to faith, grace to grace, and glory to glory in the Lord, even as He begins to launch you into newer and greater heights this year. Amen! Have a blessed year 2016!

The 'seed' must die before it bears much fruit

John 12:24 (NKJV): "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain."

There are two Greek words for 'grain' in the above verse, the first is 'kokkos' and the other is 'karpus'. Therefore, I can put it this way: "Most assuredly, I (Jesus) say to you, unless a grain ('kokkos') of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain ('karpus')."

'Kokkos' in Greek literally means 'kernel of seed', and 'kernel' speaks of 'the central, essential part of something'. On the other hand, 'karpus' in Greek means 'fruit, or something that is to be plucked or harvested'. As you can see, Jesus was actually saying, "Unless a kernel of seed falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit!" He was in effect speaking about Himself and what was to come (i.e. His death and His resurrection).

Jesus is that 'seed' who died on the cross for you some 2,000 years ago! Not only did He die for you, He has also taken away all your sins, curse and shame! In short, He died to give you life!

In the natural realm, a seed has to 'die' (i.e. be 'buried') before it germinates and a new plant sprouts out (i.e. emerges, comes forth, grows). In other words, death leads to the sprouting of new life! And this one seed would eventually bear many fruits and thus, produce many more new seeds.

Jesus was buried on a Friday, and resurrected on a Sunday - one is 'kokkos', and the other is 'karpus'. As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, or the Feast of Firstfruits, we are also celebrating the sprouting of new life and fruits, hence the producing of many more new seeds! 'Resurrection' therefore speaks of 'the one seed that bears many fruits'. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says, 'But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (died). For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming'.

One may ask, "Was it necessary for Jesus to die?"

Yes! He had to die and go down to the grave in order to conquer the grave (i.e. death) for us! 

Matthew 27:50-52 says, 'And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep (died) were raised'.

This 'seed' is also the seed of greatness that draws all men to Himself. In John 12:32, Jesus said, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." The expression 'lifted up' here means 'being elevated, exalted', which speaks of Him being crucified on the cross for all to see. And notice the words 'all peoples' here? This speaks of 'every nation, tribe, tongue, and people on this earth'.

Acts 4:12 says, '... for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which one can be saved (i.e. receive salvation), but by this name Jesus Christ'. Jesus Christ is God (the Father) revealed. One cannot know the Father without knowing Jesus. It is the same in the natural realm: “How can you see the (physical) sun if you don’t see its light?” Jesus is the Light (John 1:7-9), the Father manifested. 'Father' here refers to the 'Originator', the one God who is the Creator of heaven and earth, the Great I AM (see Exodus 3:14). In John 14:6-7, Jesus says, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me... If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." One of the disciples then said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." (John 14:8) Jesus then answered, "... He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" (John 14:9)

In John 14:12, Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do..." Right now, many more people on earth are being preached (or made known) with the good news of Jesus Christ ('Yeshuwah', meaning 'Salvation') than in any other era in the history of mankind, even during Jesus' days on earth! In short, more people are getting to know the gospel (good news) than ever before! And yes, even in the most remote and impenetrable part of this earth! Thanks to tools like the internet and multimedia technology, and with bigger stadiums and more state-of-the-art facilities like those in auditoriums, bigger crusades can be held as well - to reach more lives, save more lives, and deliver more lives!

When Jesus' side was pierced, blood and water came out (John 19:34). This marked the beginning of the Church Age being ushered in (and fully manifested by the time of Acts 2:1-4 when the Holy Spirit fell upon the people). 'Blood' here speaks of 'the forgiveness of sins', whereas 'water' speaks of 'the ministry of the Word and Spirit', and it's only in the Church (the Body of Christ) that these can be found! By the way, the word 'side' here is 'pleura' in Greek, which literally means 'rib'! Just as Eve (Adam’s wife) came forth from Adam’s rib, the Church (Jesus’ bride) came forth from Jesus’ side! (see also Genesis 2:21-22, Romans 5:14-15, Ephesians 5:23-27)

After Jesus had risen, John 20:25 says, 'The other disciples said to Thomas, "We have seen the Lord." But he said, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hands into His side, I will not believe."' The Bible says some eight days later, Jesus came again and stood in the midst of His disciples, and this time, Thomas was among them. He then said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." (John 20:26-27) And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). Notice the words 'My hands' and 'My side' here? What happened on that day was actually prophetic of what was to come, and we are now living in that time - the end-time. 

'His hands' here speaks of 'His works' of advancing His kingdom; and

'His side' here speaks of 'His Church', i.e. the Body of Christ, or His people (His bride).

In other words, His works and His Church will always be seen and be evident in this world till His coming again! And no matter what the 'enemy' does, or how the 'enemy' wants to destroy and kill off this move of God, they are doing it in vain and they are bound to fail. Glory be to God!

Many ideologies and empires may come and go, but this great work of our Lord will still remain and continue ever stronger, even till the very end of age. There's no stopping Him whatsoever - not even persecution or oppression by any earthly government or authority, because in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus has promised, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of age."

People of God, you and I are very much part of this great move and work of our Lord on earth today. Let's join our hands and faith together as one Body (of Christ) for this great wide move of God. This is the time to look out and reach out! This is the time to go and preach the good news wherever you are! This is the time to 'proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day, declare His glory among the nations, and His wonders among all peoples'! (Psalm 96:2-3) We are all in this together, and by the grace of God, we'll live to see this prophecy in Habakkuk 2:14 coming to pass in our time, that 'the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, just like the waters cover the sea'. Amen.

Prepare for a change of 'soil' and for His 'seed' to be planted!

2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV): Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

The Bible says 'to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God in your life. 'The knowledge of God' in this context can mean 'the knowledge of God's Word, God's will, God's plan, and God's vision for your life'.

The word 'imaginations' here is translated in New King James Version as 'arguments'. An imagination is like a 'seed', and if a wrong (and ungodly) imagination is not dealt with, it will eventually grow to become a 'big tree'. So, you see, imagination is a very powerful thing. As a matter of fact, whatever man can conceive in his imagination, it can become a reality, whether to the good or to the bad.

'Every high thing' here in this verse speaks of 'the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of ungodly riches, and the desires for the ungodly things that choke God's Word, God's will, God's plan, and God's vision that God has planted in your life'.

Recently, the Lord said, "This is the time to throw away the old soil, the thorny ground; and replace it with the new soil, the good ground, because I am in the midst of planting seeds in many of My people's soil."

'Soil' here speaks of 'your heart and mind', and a change of 'soil' speaks of a change of heart and mind, so that whatever 'seed' God is planting (in your 'soil') will yield a crop and bear fruit - some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred. On the contrary, the 'soil' that is infested with thorns cannot yield a crop and becomes unfruitful, because the thorns would grow up and choke the 'seed' that is being planted. 'Seed' here speaks of 'God's Word, God's will, God's plan, and God's vision for your life'.

Mark 4:14 says, 'the sower sows the word'.

Mark 4:7 says, 'And some seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop'. Mark 4:19 explains it, 'and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful'.

Mark 4:8 says, 'But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced; some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred'. Mark 4:20 explains it, 'But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit; some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred'.

As you prepare for a change of 'soil' and for His 'seed' to be planted:

1. Consciously come under the blood of Jesus, and allow His blood to wash and cleanse you from any wrong imagination or thought. 

2. Be focused on (be engrossed with) God's goodness in your life, God's good work in your life, God's plan for your life, God's vision for your life, and God's love for you. As you focus on (be engrossed with) the right things from God, all the strangleholds of sin (or addiction) will eventually have to be loosed from your life.

3. Take authority over your thought life, and cast down every wrong imagination and high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God in your life.

4. Submit and surrender your imagination, mind, and thought to God, His Word, and His will.

Here are some of the verses you can meditate (speak/declare aloud over and over again) till you have the mind of Christ again:

1. I cast down arguments, imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

2. I think only of those things which are true, noble, just, pure, lovely and of good report. I think of those things which have virtue and are praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

3. God keeps me in perfect peace because my mind is stayed on Him and I trust Him (Isaiah 26:3).

4. I set my mind on the things above and not on the things on this earth. I set my mind on the things of God (Colossians 3:2).

5. I live according to the Spirit and mind the things of the Spirit. I am spiritually-minded and have life and peace (Romans 8:5-6).