Luke 2:21-35
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
21 When eight days had passed and the Child was circumcised, He was named JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22 When the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Led by the Spirit, he came into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he received Him in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace,
according to Your word;
30 for my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 Joseph and His mother were amazed at those things which were spoken about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen, this Child is destined to cause the fall and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign which will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And a sword will pierce through your own soul also.”
Prophetic Anointing and Warfare
Those who operate in the prophetic anointing seem to find themselves being thrown into warfare frequently and being in direct conflict with the powers of darkness. The prophetic anointing is often confrontational. An example of this confrontational anointing is Elijah, who challenged and confronted the powers of idolatry on Mount Carmel. Because of the prophet’s office, he was able to pull down the stronghold of Baal that ruled Israel. As a result of Elijah’s ministry, eventual judgment came upon the house of Ahab. Through the utterances of prophets, evil spirits are rooted out of their dwelling places. Those who have the office of the prophet speak with more authority than believers who prophesy by the spirit of prophecy or by the simple gift of prophecy. The words of the prophets are like an ax laid at the root of the trees (Luke 3:9). By their divinely inspired words, every tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. In the midst of true prophetic ministry, only what is fruitful and productive to the kingdom will stand. {eoa}
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