The author also introduces the reader to how prophecies can be enforced; how to tap into prophetic unction; how to provoke and sustain prophetic blessings as well as notable prophetic pillars.
Dr. Oyedepo writes about how God called him into prophetic ministry in 1981 in the city of Jos, Nigeria. “God is always in search of a man to use to reach men, someone to bridge the gap between Him and others. He worked through Elijah, Paul, Peter, James etc. If God could do the work without labourers, He would have come Himself. But the fact still remains God cannot reach man without man (Ezekiel 22: 30).”
In chapters one and two, Dr. Oyedepo explains who a prophet is and their assignment in the prophetic era of the church. Prophets, he said, are God’s eagles instructed to carry the eaglets into their inheritance. A prophet according to him is God’s spokesman, one who speaks on God’s behalf to affect the state of well-being of God’s people. “At the prophet’s word, whatever has been an obstacle is converted by God to a miracle,” he explains.
The author further explains who prophets are:
- Prophets are called (Hebrews 5: 4). Prophets are not chosen on merit but by grace and election
- Prophets are God’s confidants (Amos 3: 7)
- Prophets are agents of release (Hosea 12: 13, Acts 3: 22)
- Prophets are ‘Carpenters’. In Zechariah 1: 18-21, the Carpenters are the prophets God raised to preserve the lives of His own people
- Prophets are agents of abundance (Mathew 17: 27, James 2: 11)
He, however, warns the reader to beware of Fake prophets. Their words, he says, don’t have any divine backing. They live a questionable life style. They are dubious and crooked satanic agents, who have penetrated the church to weary the saints. Despite the infiltration of the church by the fake prophets, there are genuine ones who have significant roles to play in the prophetic era of the church.
Dr. Oyedepo buttresses that the rising of the church, which is the body of Christ is going to be on prophetic wings. He says the church has entered its third day, the time for Christians to command the envy of all creations. “Remember that it had been 2000 years since Jesus came and we have now entered the third one thousand years. Also, scripture say, that a thousand years is a day with God (2Perter 3: 8). So, we are in the third-day era of the church. The day of her rising.
“That is where the prophets come in. They will be greatly used to bring the church upon ‘the top of the mountains.’”
The author in chapter 3 notes that prophetic utterances are heavenly utterances, or divine commandments given expression through mortal lips. He argues that every time the prophet says, “Thus saith the Lord,” it is actually God Himself speaking. He is only using the prophet’s vocal system as a microphone (Psalm 29: 4, 7-9). Prophetic utterances also provoke miracles as in the case of Prophet Ezekiel in the valley of the dry bones (Ezekiel 37) and Elisha in 2Kings chapter 7.
In chapter 4, the author notes that there is no prophecy stronger than the prophecy of scriptures (the Word of God). It is called “the more sure word of prophecy” (2Peter 1: 19-21). “Scriptural prophecies are the most authentic, most profitable, most powerful, most resourceful form of prophecy – nothing compares with them. So you don’t have to wait for anyone to prophesy to you or tell you what next to do. You can go to the Word of God and locate a way out of any predicament.”
When the scripture says, ‘… the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy,’ it means that whatever Jesus has said is a prophetic inheritance for the saints. It is God speaking to your destiny, life, career, ministry, family, children, business and everything that concerns you. You need to highly appreciate this prophetic dimension of the Word. Its nature is invaluable.”
He rounds off the chapter emphasising that the scriptures are sure, they have been proved and they are for ‘whosoever.’
As potent as prophecies are, the author says that they don’t just get fulfilled. “This is where many people miss it. They go to bed the moment they have received a prophetic word – doing nothing but waiting and waiting. But that is wrong! There is no divine intervention without human cooperation,” he writes.
He advises that once prophetic words have gone forth, the readers must find out what to do to experience its performance and fulfilment in their lives.
Dr. Oyedepo therefore lists three keys to activate prophecies, which include:
- The Key of Hearkening
- The Key of Obedience (Job 36: 11) and
- The Key of Preparation (Amos 4: 12)
The author talks about the Faith Factor in chapter six of the book. He emphasises that, “It takes absolute faith to enjoy absolute fulfilment of prophecies” (Luke 1: 45). He cites the example of the woman with the issue of blood in Mathew 9: 20-22 noting that faith is the principal weapon of fulfilment in the school of prophecy.
Dr. Oyedepo advises the reader not to consider the ‘how’ and ‘when’ of prophecy. That is, talking about the processes and the time factor, stressing the need for patience. “Friend, you may not look anything near what has been prophesied concerning you, but if you dare to believe God’s ability to bring to pass what He has said, you are bound to see it become a reality in your life,” he enjoins.
How to enforce prophecies is the focus in chapter seven. The author emphasises that every prophecy places responsibility on the receiver to enforce it through warfare (1Timothy 1:18). “If you are not a warrior, you don’t become a conqueror,” he adds.
To enforce prophecy therefore, there is the need to engage the mouth. “Your mouth is a weapon” (Luke 21: 15); declare the word (Ezekiel 37: 4) and address those situations (Mark 11: 23). “Quite a lot of Christians know how to talk or report problems to God. But only a few know how to address the situations of life. Yet, it takes speaking to those situations for them to bow.”
The author discusses how to provoke and sustain prophetic blessings in chapters 9 and 10 respectively. He says, “Caring for the prophet takes care of your cares.” He cites various examples of those who took care of the prophets in the scriptures and whose cares were taken care of:
- The widow of Zarephath (1Kings 17: 8-14)
- The Shunamite woman (2Kings 4: 8-17)
- Jacob (Genesis 27: 27-28)
- Women in Jesus’ Ministry (Luke 8: 2-3)
- Abraham (Genesis 14: 18-20) and
- The Philippian Church (Philippians 4: 15-19)
He, however, sounded a note of warning that believers should be careful and not to follow the crowd to speak against the prophet of God (2Timothy 3: 5).
Dr. Oyedepo rounds off in chapter 11 with notable prophetic pillars and testimonies in the Winners’ family, advising that, “All you have to do is believe and you shall see.”
In this book, Dr. Oyedepo does not only tell the reader who prophets are, but also communicates deep insights on the ways in which their ministry reaches out to mankind; what is required of a Christian to tap into the unction they carry, and to enjoy the blessings generated by the words they speak.
Riding on Prophetic Wings is therefore highly recommended to all believers, particularly those who have done all in their power and yet nothing seems to be working. It will surely bless you.