When God inspires a presiding minister to declare a word for the New Year, that declaration of what the year is about is actually a prophecy.
It is a prophecy that is time-bound and that SHOULD be fulfilled before the expiration of the New Year.
Now, as touching prophecies, they may be spoken by man under the influence of the Spirit but they many times require the consent and partnership of men.
So a prophecy is not what must happen but what should happen.
In other words, the release of Prophetic words is up to God but the fulfillment of the same rests on the will and participation of men.
This was why the angel had to stay and keep speaking with Mary until she believed the word.
Luk 1:38 KJV “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”
The fulfillment of that prophecy relied on her faith and acceptance of the same.
Until she agreed and accepted that word, the angel didn’t leave.
Secondly, it’s important to note that the prophecy for the new year is not for the entire world but for the church of Jesus Christ.
Prophecy in the New Testament is for the edification of the body of Christ.
Hence, it is unwise for some to think the words spoken in local assemblies are binding on everyone – the saved and unsaved alike.
The Holy Spirit is the governor and administrator of the church of Jesus Christ and not the affairs of the world.
Lastly, the word spoken by prophecy at the end of every year in anticipation of the new year is not for the entire body of Christ.
When Jesus spoke to seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3, he spoke to them individually.
The word for an assembly is different from the word for another assembly because the dealings of God are unique.
The dealings of God are different in specificity but are all united in the advancement of the gospel.
This is a crucial reason why every believer should be part of the local church.
Jesus spoke to churches in Asia as a body rather than to individuals – so we cannot be wiser than him to want one word for everyone.
In all, we must maintain an open heart and receive that which God speaks to us in our local churches as we approach a new season.
God speaks. And his speaking is a revelation of that which he wants to accomplish so that we may partner with him.
He had ordained that certain messages and instructions come only in our local assemblies and that we run with it.
This is the order of Christ for his Church as we see in the scriptures.
