Joseph of Arimathea

Arimathea is synonymous with Ramah. It speaks of:

1. an elevated place 
2. proper doctrine
3. accuracy of times

Titus 2:1
But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

John 4:23 - NKJV

²³ But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

Matthew 27:56-58
⁵⁷ Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸ This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.

Evening has come, the Day is spent and we must now focus on the Body of Christ.

Sound doctrine, delivered at the right time, and practiced faithfully brings transformation in the life of the believer.  

Movement from knowledge and belief to actual implementation of the Word of God is the demand for this season.

Joseph II

• Parents must raise children in the ways of God (Deut.6)
• Once you build what God has told you to build, it gives  you dominion.

Joseph

1. Joseph s/o Jacob,
2. Joseph the father of Jesus,
3. Joseph of Arimathea.

The church going forward is a unique church with attributes that enable it fulfill the purposes of God. 

1. Growth. Joseph means growth. Luke 2:52. Grow in spirit, soul and body.
2.  Joseph represents authentic prophetic capacity. Be able to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh, the baker and the pall bearer.
3. Joseph represents apostolic competence. The ability to bring the prophetic word into fulfillment. Joseph had a strategy to implement the Word in Egypt.
4. Joseph represents administration and governance. Formulation of relevant directives for smooth operations. 1 Corinthians 14:40
5. Joseph represents posterity and propagation of life. 
6. Joseph represents the heart of Christ. He represents purity, righteousness and holiness. This is the heart of Christ. It is a heart of forgiveness.

The Miracle of Divine Provision

^{2 Corinthians 9
6} Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”^[a]

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³ Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

See giving as Seed. .

¹¹ Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. ¹² The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. ¹³ And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

• Purpose in  your heart what to give. If your heart is under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, it will give  you the prompting.
• God loves a cheerful giver. 

Impartation

Convey. Transfer. Transmit.

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Ephesians 4:7 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/eph.4.7.NKJV

He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
Matthew 10:41 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.10.41.NKJV

Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
John 13:20 NIV
https://john.bible/john-13-20

Impartation is not automatic. It's underlied by core values including.
1. Recognition.
2. Acceptance.
3. Receptivity.

Deliberate effort to counter discouraging facts is necessary to lay hold of the promises given.

 A right heart posture is a prerequisite to receiving anything of worth from God.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8 NIV
https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-8

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
Titus 1:15‭-‬16 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/tit.1.15-16.NIV

Always keep your heart pure, you will receive treasure in God.

A sincere desire to grow is important.

But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
I Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1th.2.4.NKJV

God's Mouthpiece

Therefore this is what the Lord says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.
Jeremiah 15:19 NIV
https://jeremiah.bible/jeremiah-15-19

Therefore thus says the Lord : “If you return, Then I will bring you back; You shall stand before Me; If you take out the precious from the vile, You shall be as My mouth. Let them return to you, But you must not return to them.
Jeremiah 15:19 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jer.15.19.NKJV


A prophet moves in the fear of the Lord.

Empowerment
A prophet embraces empowerment, distribution and equipping of the saints. It is an edifying grace.

A prophet creates an environment. He provides safety and justice. #Ramah

Prophet

Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”
Genesis 20:7 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.20.7.NKJV

You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord , when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”
Exodus 7:2‭-‬5 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/exo.7.2-5.NKJV

The end towards which a prophet points is not himself but unto the Lord.

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them: “Sing to the Lord , For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!”
Exodus 15:20‭-‬21 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/exo.15.20-21.NKJV

1. A prophet is a normal/ordinary human inspired by God.
2. A prophet faces normal life challenges.
3. A prophet is named by God.
4. Prophet is a status given by God.
5. A prophet is inspired by God. Genesis 12.
6. A prophet is not a title. It is a function.
7. A prophet is a worshipper. Wherever he went, Abraham built God altars.
8. A prophet hears God and obeys.
9. A prophet has a sacred relationship with God.
10. A prophet believes and walks with God.
11. A prophet contends and deals with relationships.
12. A prophet gets insights into the future. He does not necessarily disclose everything.
13. A prophet has family.
14. A prophet works.
15. A prophet makes intercession.
16. A prophet is prosperous.
17. A prophet has an army.
18. A prophet can make mistakes.

We can all be prophets.