Part 4 - Prophetic Purpose

Stephen Bennett

In Church services you may be familiar with the Song of the Lord, or prophetic spontaneous song, that is instantly inspired on the day. This is another form of prophetic music, often nurtured in the anointing and atmosphere of local church by those who are faithful and called to it. The song of the Lord can literally be just that; Jesus singing in the first person through a believer, to exhort, encourage or just even reveal more of Himself or His plans and purposes. The prophetic song can often be a word in season to the Church or individuals, or proclaiming what is coming or about to come. Sometimes this can be just the sound of the Lord spoken through instrumental playing. Sadly a lot of contemporary churches are becoming more devoid of this.

Prophetic music can be crafted over time, or within a band, expressed in a powerful contemporary way that anyone would get into. The Christian band Sixpence None the Richer, had a catchy worldwide hit with Kiss Me. An undeniably prophetic song whether intended or not, that had something that caught your attention, apart from being a well-crafted and produced song! The spiritual duality of that song is God speaking to the world of His desire for intimacy with it, and the world to worship Him, which is what worship means - to kiss (proskuneo in New Testament Greek).

Members of the band U2 from Ireland have a Christian believing background and without doubt helped revitalize the flagging rock music industry in the late seventies and early eighties with a new sound and incredible passion! Even the world recognized it and U2 used to always finish their concerts with Psalm 40, which proclaims prophetically, 'He has put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God, many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord'. The truth is that this band have influenced and indirectly mentored the sounds of untold Christian bands around the world today, particularly Delirious who are one of the most popular. God is still doing something and we could add a long list that includes the Beatles and Elvis. Bono the lead singer of U2 recently did a pilgrimage to the Pope to discuss world debt cancellation - a singer musician, not a banker, although he's probably got more money than some banks! This is something the Old Testament prophet Nehemiah did to release the people of bondage in a time of powerful musical restoration, this is prophetic purpose in action.

The ancient prophets prophesied and it was also echoed in the New Testament about these last days we live in. 'After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord who does all these things' Acts 15:16-17. This speaks loudly of massive global influence! David's Tabernacle speaks of divine order and restoration, particularly of music, and if anyone was prophetic it was David. What is the ultimate purpose for prophetic music, our sounds, and God's heavenly desire with it?

That humanity finds him! The devil won't rest up on that one, which I am sure many of you have found out. There will be intense heavenly warfare, but be encouraged, you are being set-up by God for a prophetic purpose and He will do it!