Prophet Musician: As I Have Called You

By Stephen Bennett

The prophetic nature and spirit of this book has been a journey over 30 years. The first 'seed' paperback of Prophet Musician, was published in 1995, released in the UK and Australia.  This version Prophet Musician - As I have Called You, for 2020 and beyond has been refined and meticulously re-written since 2018 for this generation. It has been endorsed by various leaders in the UK, USA, South Africa and Australia, including Les Moir the A&R Ambassador of Integrity Music Europe, Uk producer, musician and author. Praise and worship in the Church has skyrocketed unlike any time in history. It is imperative to know the scriptures in who you are as a singer and musician in the house of God, and the ways you are to impact the world in these end-times. 

There are 4 sections to the book: Section 1: Foundations. The beginnings of music created by God. Heaven's encounters through music on earth. Who you are as a singer, musician, artist, and the importance of character. Section 2: The Anointing and Worship. What the anointing is, how it develops, and what true worship is. Section 3: Spiritual Warfare. The importance of understanding it, and who you are as a spiritual warrior. Battle examples from the history of the Bible. Section 4: Musicians and Singers. Knowing the prophetic sound, and how to function in the House of God in the band and as a singer. Developing the ability to hear the sounds of heaven and articulate them on earth.

Prophet Musician - As I have Called You, can be read and studied as a workbook in colleges, groups, or on your own. There are many questions and challenges throughout the text, and Bible references for research. At the end of each chapter there is a note page for your thoughts and ideas. Enjoy your journey as you learn and grow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781543995541

Stephen Bennett

Author, Stephen Bennett, born in Sydney, Australia. He lives with his wife Somjeen Bennett. They are married and reside in Sydney, Australia. After finishing High school, he studied Fine Arts, but now he is an Author of nonfiction and Permanent Carer for his Son Jonathon Bennett. He has also been blessed with his first son Harrison. He took up writing two years ago, because he wanted to share his experiences of God with others, so that they can benefit as well. His first book, The Return: When the Impossible happens, is a memoir turned into story form. The Return, will be followed by 4 more books, which are all in the works. You can visit my website The Return. https://www.stephenjbennett-thereturn.com

Book preview

An Awesome City Music Ministries Publication

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are from the New King James Bible version © Copyright 1982 Thomas Nelson Inc U.S.A. Hebrew and Greek references from Strongs Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, MacDonald Publishing Company Virginia U.S.A. Dictionary use from the Concise Oxford Dictionary - eighth edition for the 1990’s, Clarendon Press Oxford England. Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

First printed in Australia 1995. Printed in the USA by Book Baby 2019-2020. All rights reserved under international copyright law. Except for use in review, no portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher. This also applies to all Awesome City Publishing, and Stephen Bennett ebooks / audiobooks.

Print Edition 1 - 1995

Cover Art Design ‘Samson’ for First Print - Stephen ‘Scribbles’ Elliott, Sydney

Substantial Editing First Print - Kerry Boyne, Sydney

Design and Typesetting First Print - Janet Robertson, Sydney

First Printed by McPherson’s Printing Group, Victoria Australia

First Print managed by Rick Rutherford

Original online digital book 2005 - Harry Llufrio, Hong Kong (LinkedIn)

First printed 1995. Second Digital Version 2005, Awesome City Music Pty Ltd

First Published by Awesome City Music Publishing 1995 / 2005

PO Box 1312 Dee Why NSW Australia 2099

Print Edition 2 - Prophet Musician - As I Have Called You, 2018-2020

Cover Art - Excerpt of Original art ‘Samson’ - Stephen ‘Scribbles’ Elliott, Sydney

Cover Design Concept - Harry Llufrio Hong Kong. Layout - Book Baby USA

Cover Photo re-design - Stephen Bennett

Back Cover Photography - Jesikah Faith Bennett

Completed Edition 2018-2020 - Awesome City Music Publishing

First Edition 1995. Second Edition 2018-2020 (print, ebook By Book Baby), audiobook.

© Copyright 1994 / 2005 / 2018-2020 Stephen Bennett, Awesome City Music Pty Ltd.

Print 2018 ISBN: 978-1-54399-553-4

eBook 2018 ISBN: 978-1-54399-554-1

The Book

This new version of ‘Prophet Musician - As I Have Called You,’ can be read and studied as a workbook in colleges, groups, or on your own. There are many questions throughout the text, and Bible references for study. Take notes, scribble anywhere and enjoy your adventure as you learn and grow!

The Record

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Thoughts

The Journey

Preamble 1995-2020

Part 1

Foundations

Chapter 1

Roots and Beginnings

Chapter 2

Heaven’s Encounters

Chapter 3

Who am I?

Chapter 4

Character

Part 2

The Anointing and Worship

Chapter 5

The Anointing

Chapter 6

Made in the Oil

Chapter 7

True Worship

Part 3

Spiritual Warfare

Chapter 8

Spiritual Warfare

Chapter 9

Spiritual Warriors

Chapter 10

Battle One

Chapter 11

Battle Two

Part 4

Musicians and Singers

Chapter 12

The Prophetic Sound

Chapter 13

On the Wall Musicians

Chapter 14

The Band

Chapter 15

The Singers

About the Author

References

Acknowledgements

The creative and prophetic inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Teacher, who opens our eyes, to comprehend the truth of the magnificent, never-ending story of the word of God. Our awesome Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the Son, who shows me that the pioneering seeds we sowed in yesteryears, are still to grow and bear fruit today.

1994-1995 My parents, Ronald Charles and Faith Mary Bennett (now home with the Lord), for their generosity and giving me the ‘floppy disc’ computer for the original book. Duncan and Debbie Millar, the IBM laptop in New Zealand. Rick Rutherford, your friendship, managing the first production, and the original editors. Peter and Emma McIntyre, your support. Marion Lockyer - Prayer and Intercession for my family, and the original ‘Prayer Rockettes.’ All things are possible as we believe. Harry and Mina Llufrio in Hong Kong, your continued love, support, and design over the years.

2018-2020 My eagle-eyed son Jamin Lee Bennett, thank you for your insightful edits in the fiction, your giving heart, diligence, skill and hard work in the full book edit read; you are a gift. David Holmes, the decades of friendship, and valuable input; may you find your sound in these days to impact the nations. Steve Cocking, your friendship, belief, passion, and unique perspectives in your edits. Here’s to your great adventure with Joanne in setup2worship; tabernacle builders, Levitical Luthiers to the world. Dr Mark Chironna, your friendship, encouragement, scholarly insights, and your wonderful teaching from The Dead Prophets Society.

Thankful for the music chats with friends, and to all those who have shared my Christian journey, and the many others who have helped shape my life over the years. I pray the rest of it is good, and full of the Lord’s future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

To things that ‘die,’ but come alive again by the will of God, for a time such as this!

The worship album, Moments: Mighty Sound (Live) 2018 by Bethel Music. I played it many times during the long rewrite, and edit period. Your sound wars, shifts the atmosphere, brings heaven to earth, and clears the head! Your God laden voices got me through some tough writing moments. The global anointing on Bethel Church is a gift to the Body of Christ. Bless you guys!

To musicians, singers and artists around the world, we need more of the sound!

Dedication

Prophet Musician spans over a quarter century, since its inception with the raw seed of the original version in the early 1990s. The book did its job back then, but from its pilgrimage in those days, and the continued price of that journey, I now dedicate this new version to you the reader. I encourage you to go deep in your hunger and thirst for biblical truth. In these times, we are in a global worship culture needing greater understanding of the purposes and restorative paradigms of music in scripture.

The Church is now on the cusp of a new move of God, into the Davidic order of music that reflects heaven and releases God’s glory to cover the earth. King David cast this sound into the world 3000 years ago, when he brought God’s new 24/7 order of worship through the tabernacle. More psalms were born, prophesied, and cast into the spirit realm. Heaven’s sound on earth is now being restored with millions more songs, ‘so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,’ Acts 15:17a.

The music of heaven is massive, grand and continuous, and when articulated on the earth it will help shift cities and nations to God. The changes we need to make will take much work, and those called will rise, having been faithful. They understand the sacrifices and cost in their intimate fellowship with God to have His power and anointing at this time. I dedicate this book to all of you who have kept going over the decades, and in the battles, trials and tests, have never given up on the call of God!

No matter how long you are in Christ, the Holy Spirit continually works on your life and He requires change. Even after all these years, in the rewrite of this book, there has been unexpected warfare, and the increased writing demands of the spiritual weight in the subject matter. Challenges arose for me to grow even more in my own discipleship and relationship with the Lord, as He deals with the self we cannot see. The Spirit also whispers, you are not finished, write this… The journey of writing has been slow and meticulous in the stewardship of this message. In obedience, you adjust to His timing in what you write, as the Holy Spirit works through you. Writing has always been that, as He moves on me, not penned in my own strength.

You can’t follow Jesus and experience His fullness, without being yielded in the emptying of ourselves, and living in a continuum of developing Christ’s character. It’s tough, but you live it out daily by faith, through emphatic trust, with thanksgiving and gratitude to the Lord. You realize again, to have any spiritual acumen in your life that is transformative for this world, it requires your consecration, and to understand you are ‘poor in spirit’ without Him (Matthew 5:3). Blessed are they who see! ‘But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.’ James 3:17.

Carrying the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 19:10b), and following Him in any measure of strength, means to ‘die’ to yourself. You surrender! You live in the resurrection life of God’s power, not your own. It’s then your music sound can be full of God’s Spirit, with a reformative power and presence that affects the atmosphere, helping to change our cities and nations desperate for the true and living God.

I dedicate this new version of ‘Prophet Musician - As I Have Called You’ (Acts 2:39), to help you on your journey. Our life and time in the world is short, please become all God’s called you to be. The road can be hard, but keep going, these are the greatest days to live on earth. The future is amazing Church, now is the time to get ready!

In Jesus, my love to you all - Stephen Bennett

Thoughts

Thoughts UK

Stephen’s original book Prophet Musician, came at a time in the early 1990s when God was stirring the music Levites of Great Britain to take their place at the front of the army; to be prophetic & do mighty exploits in Jesus’ name - it inspired & helped propel these activities. One of those exploits was taking Wembley Stadium in June 1997 and gathering the Church in London to declare Jesus as Champion of the World (Stephen directed and produced the film). This was a historic day, and became a catalyst in seeing the worship songs of the UK leave the island and blessing the global Church. May this new version inspire, and propel a new generation to see and do even greater things!

Les Moir - A&R Ambassador Integrity Music Europe, UK Producer, Musician. Author of ‘Missing Jewel - The Worship Movement that Impacted the Nations.’

FB Les Moir

We have known Stephen for many years, and have experienced his passionate encouragement for those involved in the arts, and music particularly. His enthusiasm comes across in his writing, carrying you on a roller-coaster ride of inspiration. This new version of the original book Prophet Musician, calls us all as musicians, singers, and songwriters, to explore the potential of our gifting, with renewed energy and purpose for this time!

Noel & Tricia Richards - Singers, Songwriters, Recording Artists.

noelandtricia.com

In this current church age, it is vital for the Church to listen to the prophets. Since King David’s time many of our prophets have been prophet musicians like Stephen Bennett, and we need to weigh carefully what they are telling us. 

Tony Cummings - Music Editor, Cross Rhythms UK. crossrhythms.co.uk

"Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement." 1 Kings 22:13b.

These days are tough! Lots going on in the world which we wanted to see, but also much resistance and spiritual warfare, however, we must all try and remember the call we have; to be prophetic warriors in the army of God. Many have given up, because it can be very hard, sometimes even putting us at odds with our companions and friends. Yet, we must all stick to our calling in what the Lord showed us in the beginning, so you don’t fall by the wayside. This leadership journey is impossible without the Lord! Saints, keep going for God’s sake! Stephen’s new version of Prophet Musician, will help you to understand and be strong, to keep going in your call as an artist and musician pleasing the Lord - keep going!

Pastors Dave and Ze Markee - Folly’s End Church Croydon UK. David is a Bass Player, Session Musician, Author, Songwriter, Recording Artist. With his wife Ze, they pioneered Art’s and Christian Schools. (In memory of Ze, now with the Lord August 2018).

Thoughts USA

When Stephen Bennett first released the book Prophet Musician in the early ‘90s, the climate and awareness within those of us who were radically saved during the Jesus People Movement that began in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, and sustained us into the ‘80s and ‘90s, were rediscovering truths rooted in Davidic worship and prophetic musicianship. Those of us who were teaching on Davidic worship, the psalms, and the ‘bringing of the Ark up to Zion,’ were passionately pursuing God’s prophetic intent as musicians and worshippers. In the late ‘80s, early ‘90s, Stephen was engaging the life-giving sacred texts from the days of David, by the Spirit, and plumbing their gold for our contemporary contexts in which God was again moving in our generation - as God did in the days when David set apart the Levites on Mount Zion to play, to praise, and to prophesy. Stephen’s insights were timely back then, and are equally timely now in this updated version of Prophet Musician. To all our fellow musicians and psalmists, mine the prophetic gold from this volume, drink deeply from Stephen’s well, you won’t be disappointed!

Dr. Mark J. Chironna - Bishop, Pianist, Vocalist, Composer, Author. Church on the Living Edge Orlando USA. Mark Chironna Ministries Longwood, Florida USA. markchironna.com

‘And Hezekiah gave encouragement to all the Levites who taught the good knowledge of the Lord;’ 2 Chronicles 30:22a.

Music making is a historical and universal phenomenon. It existed in the highest heaven even before God gave the gift of music to humanity. We marvel at its capacities to stir and move the deepest parts of our being. We are witnesses to its ability to etch new and lasting neural pathways in our minds. Through this new book Prophet Musician, Stephen Bennett helps us understand the greatest ‘why’ of music and ‘how’. When music is animated by the Holy Spirit’s grace within the noble heart of a true musician, heaven comes to earth and changes it for good. By this quality of music, we can more easily hear, remember, declare and embody the enduring Word of the Lord. Thank-you, Stephen!

Michael Sullivant - Radius Ministries USA, Pastor, Author, Speaker.

radiusministries.org

Thoughts South Africa

Stephen Bennett has been a prophetic pioneer for many decades. His revelation and insight into God’s purposes in the prophetic and the arts have made a significant impact in my life, ministry, and my understanding of God’s mission for the artist and the Body of Christ. God is restoring the arts to its rightful place in the Body of Christ. More than ever, the artist needs to understand his or her prophetic call and the power of their medium to reveal the heart of God. I believe that Stephen is a significant voice on this road of restoration. His revelation and understanding about the artist’s position in God and the Church, will help many to discover their place in God’s advancing kingdom here on earth.

André Coetzee - Artist, Musician, Teacher, WIP Initiative South Africa.

FB groups/wipapostolic

‘And he set the priests in their duties and

encouraged them for the service of the house of

the Lord.’ 2 Chronicles 35:2.

Stephen has loved God, and His people in the Church for many years. He taught me to embrace the passion in my life for the prophetic and the arts. Stephen still yearns for the nations to be invaded by the Spirit of God, and to see all of them shift toward Jesus, as he believes strongly in this legacy and pursues it with integrity. Stephen is one of the pioneers of the prophetic and the arts years before many others; understanding the power of sound, and the frequencies that will shift the nations. He is a grace gift to the Body of Christ, and so impacted my life with his original book Prophet Musician with its many revelations, opening up worlds of the power of the arts, dance, music, and its creative relevance for eternity. Stephen’s gift, portrays the Fathers heart for His creation to be revealed and established. This new version of the book will certainly inspire you!

Anita Roux - Prophetic Voice, Prayer Warrior, Lover of God, South Africa.

@Anita Roux FB

Thoughts Australia

When the book Prophet Musician first appeared on my must-read list, it was at a time in the early 1990s when a new generation of musicians and songwriters were pursuing a hunger for the sound of heaven. Stephen’s musings in the original book were significant, ahead of its time, and certainly prophetic in articulating what we were attempting to chase down. As contemporary worship music and faith based arts has exploded across the globe now, it is crucial to explore and understand why this move continues to grow. Stephen’s new reboot of this book, continues to provide insight and inspiration in this desire to know more of the reasons and character behind the divine communication of music. The glory and purposes of our amazing God continue to be revealed to all who seek Him, and the called artist of every generation has a significant role in sharing these wonders in song, dance, worship, music, and all forms of creativity.

David Holmes - Musician, Guitarist, Teacher, Music Director, Producer, Arranger, Music Educator. [e-mail]

‘That I may be encouraged together with

you by the mutual faith both of you and me.’

Romans 1:12b.

Steve’s original Prophet Musician book 25 years ago, was a young man’s balance between revelation and rhyme. He took his usual animated style of writing and laced it with great theology in the ministry of art and music. This new version written from a true heart of worship, will now add his father’s heart, leaving a rich inheritance in a new generation of emerging prophet musicians.

Martyn Webb - Lead Pastor, Artist, C3 Spectrum Church Port Stephens, NSW Australia. @martynwebb, martynwebbart.org

My friendship with Stephen spans more than three decades, and to this day I am constantly inspired by his drive, devotion, and continued passion for the creative ministries. The book Prophet Musician was, and is now, a must-have cornerstone for any musician seeking to move deeper into the prophetic nature of music ministry. This new version is inspiring, enlightening, uplifting, and engaging the heart at a new level. It encourages us to move beyond merely playing in time and tune, to a place of heart in our playing, where we might hear the Spirit of God Himself prophesy through our musicianship, so we can bring forth melodies from the very throne room of heaven. ‘When the minstrel (instrumentalist) played, the hand and power of the Lord came upon Elisha and he prophesied’ 2 Kings 3:15b.

Kevin Rankin - Musician, Photographer, Music Producer, and fellow ‘Son of Thunder.’ @kevinrankinphotography

Many years ago, the first time I opened the pages of Prophet Musician by author Stephen Bennett, all of the artistic DNA that had laid dormant for so long within me, came alive. I began to hear a new sound live streaming from the realms of heaven; songs, music, poetry, a book, even a few movie scripts bouncing off the pages too I’m sure! Now is the time when we ramp up the flow of expression in all of the arts. I call it, ‘The Big Reveal’, when we the Church, carry the power of heaven into the earth revealing the very nature of our heavenly Father, so cities and nations can come to Christ.

Marion Lockyer - Prayer Leader, Intercessor. @marionlockyer

‘When they had read it, they rejoiced over its

encouragement.’ Acts 15:31.

As a fellow artist, I have known Stephen for over 30 years. In that time, I have seen him write countless messages of hope, inspiring many to action. I have seen him write, perform, record, and deliver over a hundred songs on many albums in the concerted hope that others would be even more prolific than he. I have seen him weather storms that few would encounter in two lifetimes, and yet he sees his, and other’s futures as even more alive than ever before. Stephen uncommonly lives on the front edge of hope and encouragement. His friendship and inspired guidance is manifold, treasured, and openly available through his works. Read, listen, and imbibe of this current version of Prophet Musician, with self-evident benefit, in the comfort of ancient orthodoxy and ever-unfolding new directions.

RJ Fowler - CEO & Founder, The Arts Refinery. theartsrefinery.com

‘That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit

together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full

assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of

the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom

and knowledge.’ Colossians 2:2-3.

The Journey

The deepest roots of Prophet Musician, go back to the early 1980s, I call it my journey book. I began my Christian life in a conservative charismatic church, where regular prophesying was encouraged. It was stirred in me through music as a young believer, but there were no local role models to emulate. In those early days, the passionate music of prophet musician Keith Green from the USA inspired me immensely, as he did many people around the world. The prophetic was being restored in the 1980s, and we learned week to week to flow in the song of the Lord and prophesy during worship when we could, back then it was more regular and normal in church life. Today, despite the phenomenal global progress in worship music, you rarely see the prophetic flow of music with the authority of heaven.

In those early days, I wrote a few warring songs; We Are His Army was one of the first. I remember playing my acoustic guitar in church with full warring vigor, on the front foot, to stir and encourage the congregation. The song’s key was A minor, but in those days some ministers in the Body of Christ taught us that minor keys were demonic. Hey, I didn’t know! How ridiculous, I thought! After singing my song, one of the conservative elders advised me to calm down with the ‘aggressive’ war stuff. Hard to figure out, the pushback left me bewildered and confused. What had I done wrong? We were growing in a prophetic church atmosphere and these songs were rising in us with the heart of God. Lies and discouragement from dark forces hammered my mind after being on stage; it gave me a taste of the future battles for prophetic music. I realized later, my young warring spirit and the fullness of the prophetic themes I wrote, were for years ahead. I was being trained for war in the spirit.

The mid-late 1980s didn’t have laptops, but I started to write a few music articles and teaching messages on an old ribbon typewriter. Clack, clack, clack… the seeds of an author were born, as I continued to grow as a Christian singer, musician, and songwriter. I completed a creative arts bible college year in 1988, and the Spirit began accelerating my life. By 1992, I had several years of ministry serving on a big church staff in the TV and music departments. I love the Church and would have stayed there forever, but God called me to expand and travel the world, ministering in churches, conferences and concerts. It was a season of Him educating me, seeing and experiencing more of the Body of Christ. I wrote new messages, thoughts, songs of prophetic decree for nations, and I would perceive the global Church getting ready for tremendous changes in the future.

The seed writings of this book, are now over 25 years old. I’d only written songs, poems, and my thoughts, that grew into teaching, preaching and short articles, but never a book. The original Prophet Musician was written in 1993-94 from the experiences of my life journey. I didn’t choose to write a book, but the Holy Spirit moved on me at an appointed time, as He led me forward and taught me. It was six weeks of initial writing, and a year editing in the labor of learning. The smell of a new first printed book is a wonderful moment I had by mid-1995; what a ride with all its challenges! The terminology and content of Prophet Musician few understood or used, as it was still new, but now I recognize after all these years, God’s timing for the book is more for this generation, 2020 onward!

Kingsway Music, a Christian company in the UK, first distributed Prophet Musician in 1995. A&R Les Moir, understood and believed in it, and our enduring friendship developed at this time. (Les is now A&R Ambassador for Integrity Music Europe). The Lord called me to live in England soon after the book release, and two years later in 1997, I directed and produced the Wembley Stadium Champion of the World prayer and worship event film, working with Les and Kingsway.

The team was a large group of creative visionaries, brought together by God as a catalyst, to herald and prophesy to the world the tremendous future developments of big worship gatherings and the call to reach cities and nations. It was a privilege to work with my friend and the founder of the vision, musician and worship leader Noel Richards, along with Les Moir and Pastor Gerald Coates. They involved many other worship leaders, including the emerging Martin Smith with his band Delirious? and Matt Redman.

We didn’t know at the time, but the Wembley event and the film, inspired many believers around the world toward a new destiny in worship, taking the praises of God further than ever before. Today, huge gatherings for worship have become normal for this current generation.

In 2006, Noel and his team went on and gathered thousands to worship at the Calling all Nations event at Berlin Olympic Stadium. Viktor Laszlo saw the Hungarian flag in the Wembley film, and was inspired by God for stadium worship in Eastern Europe. Noel and Les worked with Viktor and his team over the years. The vision is to see the new Puskas football stadium in Budapest Hungary, filled with a great gathering of worshippers. These future dreams will be realized, despite the world being in tumultuous times in 2020.

God has connected people in global worship for many years. It will lead to a future when all the world will eventually worship God (Psalm 22:27). There is an amazing ease and synergy, when God brings together those who are called for His purposes, and in the last two decades it has been remarkable for many people. The original book Prophet Musician, spoke into the dream of prophetic worship and brought me to the UK at the right time in the ‘90s. The journey and purpose of globally influential worship, is continuing to grow and expand, toward an end-time shift when the nation’s will turn back to God before Jesus returns. We are now in this time!

Shortly after the Wembley event, the UK worship scene significantly influenced the tone of worship in the USA. It was called ‘The British Invasion,’ a term coined over 30 years before, when the Beatles toured America in 1965-66. They played a history making concert at Shea Stadium in Queens New York, where over 55,000 people came to see them and scream! The precedent of stadiums used for future big gatherings and concerts was heralded on that day in the USA.

Several thousand copies of Prophet Musician were originally sold as I traveled, but many were given free as seed into people’s lives. Giving away product was inspired by Keith Green’s life. In his day, he freely sent LP vinyl albums and writings to whoever asked: amazing, generous, and radical at the time. In 2005, ten years after the first release of the paperback book, I was finding a new hunger in people. The desire for knowledge of the prophetic and governing apostolic nature of music was growing, relating to the end-time call of musicians, singers, and artists. Book requests for the original Prophet Musician were greater than in 1995. ‘Posting online’ was new back then, and thousands of books were downloaded free on the internet around the world. More future seed - thank you Keith!

Addicted to Mediocrity is an art book I read in the early 1980s, by Christian filmmaker Franky Schaefer Jnr (1981 Cornerstone Books). It greatly inspired me. The seeds of his book were undoubtedly sown years before its time. The book’s prophetic message to the Church, is to rise in excellence against the tide of restrictive religious attitudes and mediocrity towards the arts. It states that film and the arts are part of God’s creation and they are to be fully embraced.

Franky’s writing is a prophetic voice to artists in the future, and now years later, speaks even louder. Singers, musicians, and artists found the same with Prophet Musician over the years. But I know now, it’s vital today, to understand the dimension of the prophetic sound in music. Its impact on the world in this era will be great, helping the Church to build and for people in whole cities and nations to know Christ. (See my prophetic message book, Singers Musicians Artists - Prepare and Arise - It’s Time for the Nations!). Church music will change dramatically over the next ten years, we must be ready.

Musicians and singers who carry the prophet musician’s call, have paid a high price over the last two or three decades. It has been a time of incredible, accelerated change in this new millennium, unlike any other period in history. Artists in this generation need fathers and mothers who are ready to help them into the fullness of God’s purposes - there are many instructors in Christ but few fathers and mothers (1Corinthians 4:15). The weight of their call is not so much because of great talent and craft, even though important, but in their yielded and surrendered hearts to Christ. Staying faithful in their journey they have become more like Jesus, and with experience and honed gifts, can now carry the Lord’s governmental weight of glory, releasing a new sound for a new time such as this.

In a recent conference Q&A, listening to my friend Martin Smith from the UK, he was asked. How do you write the songs that touch the world? and How do you bring the presence of God when you play? His reply was humble, I don’t know, it just comes, it’s a gift. He recognizes the sound comes from the Lord through him, articulated by his dedicated talent, craft, and gift. Martin without a doubt has been a key prophet musician in the world over the last 25 years, bringing a sound to earth through his band Delirious? that helped to shift the culture and tone of modern worship. Today, he is fathering a new current sound, breathing life into dry bones, and inspiring this generation to bring God’s glory into the cities and nations of the world. He is a modern David, a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22).

God seeds prophets over many years getting them ready. The battles of preparation and the high price on the long road, I’m sure you the reader would know only too well - everyone deserves a medal! The Lord seeded me years ago before its time to write this book, and there have been many more books since. Completing its original purpose, I had let Prophet Musician go as a seed into the ground. It was dead; I thought it’s journey was finished. But the Lord waited many years to bring it forth again in obedience to Him. My heart to you from that quest with Him, is now in this new version of the book.

In this era, the Levitical artists of sound and creativity will arise with new music! As I have called you, the Lord declares: to war, proclaim, decree, open the heavens, and see the fullness of your purpose in the nations as prophet musicians. Selah.

"In this era God’s artists will

arise with a new sound"

Preamble 1995-2020

Discovering the incredible character and personality of God, is a great privilege we have as believers. In this adventure with Him, we learn to understand ourselves and who we are in Christ, finding strength and freedom to fulfill His call on our lives.

The Father’s desire for us, is to live free. "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36 (NKJV). The free indeed, is our discovery to effectively live with His power in this present world. The shall be, develops with understanding and knowledge in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. The scriptures guide us, to live and mature in this truth every day over many years.

‘Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." ’ John 8:31-32.

Knowing about truth is one thing, but what makes you free is the actual truth you know, when living His way and is revelatory in our understanding.

Generation Now, must be encouraged in the scriptures as a top priority! Years of traveling, speaking in conferences, teaching, preaching and touring, I have observed the same deficit in singers, musicians, and artists around the world. Issues in skill, craft and technology, is not the usual problem.

Knowing who they are, and understanding the proper function of their gifts in the Lord and for the Church, is where knowledge and revelation is needed.

"Generation Now must know

the scriptures as top priority!" 

The ‘rocket fuel’ of the words in the Bible, ignited my spirit as a young Christian in the early 1980s. Completing a night college Bible course, I would also study for hours and days sometimes; my faith grew and I became strong.

My youthful hunger for the scriptures was ravenous. God accelerated me, knowing I needed revelation in His word to be sustained in life’s future battles.

Love for the study of the word has been a constant for me, like a fathomless ocean of discovery. It set me up for life. I have turned to the scriptures despite trials, challenges, and tribulation. It is the best way to stay close to the Lord. Trust me!

‘Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.’ St Jerome AD 370-420.

God with Us

‘In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak. The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." ’ Zephaniah 3:16-17.

The Lord of heaven makes us free. He is with us and wants you strong! Yes you! The One and only mighty God, is capable of doing anything. Leaving you is never in His mind. He is with you all the time! "The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear…" Luke 12:7a.

God’s warmth and sensitivity toward you is constant, the ‘… God of all comfort.’ 2 Corinthians 1:3b. His pleasure in our lives is incredible, overflowing with feelings of complete joy and happiness in the uniqueness of who you are and your talents. The Lord is a singer, musician and artist - never forget that! Right now, He bursts forth in wild songs about you! ‘... He will rejoice over you with singing.’ Zephaniah 3:17b. The closeness we have with Him is more than you realize.

‘For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Romans 8:38-39.

God’s Voice

‘I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, … Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.’ Revelation 1:10,12a.

The Lord’s voice is like a trumpet sound, it can