Overview of "The Prophetic Intercessor" Drawing

Some have requested that I write an explanation of the symbolism in my drawing. So, I have written what each piece of the drawing means to me and why I was inspired to bring all of these symbols into one drawing. Let me point out that although many of the things I write in this explanation can apply to other members in the body of Christ, this piece is about the prophetic intercessor. We all have our part to play and we all have unique characteristics based on where God has placed us in His church. The gift of intercession is merely a part of the whole. This drawing is about that specific "part."

First of all, the focal point is a baby in its mother's womb inspired from Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." God had already established the calling on Jeremiah's life before he was even born and had been molding Jeremiah ever since. Jeremiah is intimidated, but God offers words of security.

Second, there are words written on the right side of the drawing. These represent the words the Lord tells Jeremiah that are in Jeremiah's mouth, "to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant" (Jer. 1:10). Basically, these words are to destroy the works of darkness and to build the kingdom of God. With God's words in Jeremiah's mouth, what is bound in heaven, he is to enforce to be bound on earth; what is loosed in heaven, he is to enforce to be loosed on earth. These words are declarations; they are prayers--prayers that set the captives free; prayers that bring peace and joy to those who have been in turmoil and suffering; prayers that bring deliverance from demonic oppression; prayers that say to those who have been in spiritual prison, "It's time to be free!"; prayers that call out all around the world saying, "Arise! Get in your place within the body of Christ! Awake! Rise up out of spiritual sleep and get to your kingdom position!" These are prayers that bring what God has planned to be done on earth.

The almond branch goes right along with this point. Jeremiah was next given a vision of an almond branch and God answers that He is ready to perform His word (vs. 13). According to the Spirit-Filled Life Bible, "the almond is considered the 'waker' in Hebrew thought, because it, of all trees, blossoms early, watching diligently for the opportunity to bloom." For certain, this is God telling Jeremiah that He is always awake and alert, waiting for Jeremiah to speak out those words that God is placing in his mouth to speak so that God can act on them. From the garden, in the beginning, God has limited His own authority in the earth to mankind; God has chosen to get involved in the earth when He is invited. If Jeremiah will SPEAK, God will ACT. Like the almond tree anticipating the time to blossom, God anticipated His words coming out of Jeremiah's mouth giving Him the right to do exploits in the earth.

I have wondered for years about another meaning for God showing Jeremiah this almond branch. Allegorically, prophetic intercessors (which is what Jeremiah was) are the watchmen standing on the walls surrounding the city. Because they are up high, their perspective to see far off is much better than those who stand by the gate having governing discussions and making decisions. The watchmen also are able to see farther than those who are protected inside the walls of the city. They are supposed to see farther away--it's their job. God allows prophetic intercessors, because of their position, to at times be able to "see" a great distance which represents revelation from the Lord of things that are coming. Therefore, could the almond branch also signify that prophetic intercessors "wake up" early to what God is planning and to what the enemy is planning in order to pray? I believe so.

There are other places in scripture in which almond blossoms and almond branches are mentioned. One is the candlestick in the Old Testament tabernacle. On each branch of the candlestick is a knob and an almond blossom (Ex. 25:31-40). Many believe that Isaiah 11:1-2 shows that each branch represents revelation from the Holy Spirit that Jesus walked in: wisdom, council, might, knowledge, understanding, and the fear of the Lord. These attributes of the Holy Spirit can only come through revelation which is another reason why almond blossoms are included in my drawing. As with any position within the body of Christ, intercessors cannot rely on their own wisdom, knowledge, and strength; they have to rely on the Holy Spirit in order to function where God has placed them.

Also in this drawing, I included the words, "Aaron's Rod" because it represents God-given authority. When you read the story of Aaron's rod budding (which is also an almond branch, by the way), you see that his authority is being questioned by God's people (Num. 17:1-13). So, God decides to reveal to the children of Israel that, like Jeremiah, Aaron did not choose himself--God chose him. One representative from each tribe had a rod that was brought before the Lord in the tabernacle. Whenever they returned the next day, God had answered. Aaron's rod budded proving he was not self-appointed, but God-appointed. As with any gifting or position in the church, there are times people become disgruntled and offended and question the person in the position. Prophetic intercessors are no different. There are times of misunderstanding and times of rejection from even God's people. There are also times of demonic assault then the enemy tries to get you, yourself, to question your position. He taunts over and over, "Who do you think you are? What do you think you are doing?" This is when the calling on your life is being tested. The intercessor can rest assured that God and God alone placed the calling and authority on his or her life. A true intercessor is not self-appointed, but God-ordained.

I used the trumpet at the end of the almond branch because it is a picture of the intercessor's mouth declaring God's word. As the scripture in the drawing states, "what God has spoken, He will bring to pass; what He has purposed, He will also do" (Isa. 46:11). This is God and man working together; it is His words and the intercessor's mouth. This scripture is not only used as a weapon to enforce and establish the will of God, but also as reassurance and peace of mind to the intercessor. It's not the intercessor's "job" to make God's will come to pass in the flesh or with carnal means; he or she is merely to be a mouthpiece, a trumpet, proclaiming what God says and God will do the rest.

I hope that God uses this drawing to encourage and inspire you. I hope that when you see it, there is strong confidence in the things to which God has call you to do. I will be going further in depth about each piece of the drawing in order to deliver what the Lord has placed within me. My hope is to strengthen and equip the body of Christ.