The Accomplishments of the Spirit and Power of Elijah Revealed in a Prophetic Word

David W Palmer

(Luke 1:15–17 MKJV) “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord … {16} And he shall turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. {17} And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Here, we read what the angel Gabriel said about John’s ministry in the spirit and power of Elijah. From his prophetic statement directly from God, we learn how this type of ministry operates. Two vital keys empower this ministry and harmonise to produce its fruit: the prophetic, living word from God, and the spirit and power under which this ministry operates. Let’s look at the specifics of the prophetic word from God, which was given through the Angel.

First, he said John the Baptist would be “great in the sight of the Lord.” That is, who he is and what he does will be of great significance in God’s eyes. This is something we should all aspire to:

(Galatians 1:10 NLT) “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”

(Acts 5:29 NLT) But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

(2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT) “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.”

Another way to say this is that John and the Elijah-type ministry may not be great in the eyes of men or be popular with them, but God thinks that what John accomplishes will be immensely important. We must remember that this also applies to us. Not everyone will understand or appreciate what God calls you to do; but to God, it is extremely important. That’s why our primary motivation must be to do it unto him, to please him:

(Colossians 3:23 NKJV) And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.

Next, we see that Gabriel said John would “turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.” This is the grace of the spirit and power of Elijah working through him. It seems the people cannot turn themselves to the Lord; this is accomplished by the spirit and power of Elijah. This power is clearly needed today, as the return of Jesus is imminent; and again “people” seem unable to turn themselves to the Lord.

We also see that “he” (God manifesting through the spirit and power of Elijah) will “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.” Again, it is not the willpower of the “fathers” or of the “disobedient” that turns them to God’s way. On the contrary, the Holy Spirit prophesied that it is the spirit and power of Elijah that does this. Our role is to believe this prophetic word and to focus on releasing that spirit and power, not on trying to talk people into changing by their own willpower.

Finally, the angel said that the re-emergence of Elijah’s ministry would, “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” This was necessary, and through John it was successful for Jesus’s first phase of ministry, and it will be again through us before his return.

In Summary, what will God accomplish through the spirit and power of Elijah that man’s own ability and willpower cannot?

Make the wearer of Elijah’s mantle great in the sight of the Lord

Turn God’s people fully to him

Turn the hearts of the fathers to the children

Turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the just

Go before Jesus

Make ready a people prepared for the Lord now and for his return

Today, I encourage you to put your trust in God’s supernatural ability in Elijah’s spirit and power coming on you. And believe actively in the prophetic word that both describes its outcomes and empowers them.

(Matthew 28:18 NKJV) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

(Revelation 19:11–15 NKJV) Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. {12} His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. {13} He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. {14} And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. {15} Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Believed in the heart and released under the anointing of God’s infinite Holy Spirit, the living word is the highest authority, the greatest power, the Saviour, Lord, and Judge. He is ready and wanting to operate through you today.

Remember, the living word of God is the ultimate authority; he has the name above every name, and that he, Jesus, adds people to his church:

(Acts 2:47 NKJV) … And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

In other words, the prophetic word—as written about John the Baptist, and as spoken to you by the Holy Spirit—believed and brought to life in your heart, working along with the Holy Spirit in his anointing, is the supernatural power that brings the fruit. Your part is to be obedient before God, to worship him, to believe his word about what he can achieve through you, and to stay fully devoted to him in the process—no diversion, no loss of focus, and no looking at the storm; keep your eyes on Jesus, the anointed living word of God, only. He will make you great in the sight of the Lord, turn people to God, restore fathers and children, turn people to wisdom and prepare the way of the Lord; and he will do all of this through you.