Someone once asked me, “How does a Spirit-filled believer function in the inexplicable realm of the spirit? How does a man or woman effectively administrate what’s being revealed to them by God?”
That question isn’t easy to answer, but I believe some truly valuable direction can be gained from the following passage:
“As they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, ‘Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead'” (Matthew 17:9).
Three things were transpiring in this remarkable passage:
1). There’s the encounter the disciples had on the mount of transfiguration (Revelation).
2). Then, there’s clarity that would only come after the resurrection (Interpretation).
3). Finally, there’s the actual declaration (Application).
In this instance, Jesus didn’t want the disciples to convey their “raw” insights outside of the right interpretive framework. Interpretation is always vital to processing revelation. Believers must interpret what’s heard and apply it effectively.
Prophetic expressions are often composed of three elements—revelation, interpretation and application.
It’s not too difficult to obtain genuine revelation and then malign the interpretation and application. A revelation must be accurately interpreted and practically applied for it to genuinely impact the lives of others.
Both Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2) and Pharaoh (Genesis 41) received revelation from heaven but weren’t in a position to do anything with it. They needed someone like Daniel and Joseph to provide interpretation. We are equally immobilized if we don’t understanding what’s going on.
As we walk in the Spirit, there will be a continual process of hearing, hearing and understanding, and then hearing, understanding, and walking things out.
J.D. King, director of the World Revival Network and co-pastor at World Revival Church, is writing Regeneration: Healing in the History of Christianity. King is a sought-after speaker, writer and author.
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