On the last night and with in the final hour of 2024. I was asked to bring a prophetic word for 2025. As I spent the day with the Lord in preparation. The Lord gave me an incredible word for 2025. One that if fully received and stepped in to . I believe will bring change not only personally, but also in the church, marketplace, community and the nations !
The word He gave me to pass on, came with an invitation , a warning and also a application !
So what is this word, for this year ahead 2025 !
This year ahead will be
A year of remarkable opportunities !
The biblical meaning of the number 25 symbolizes new beginnings, readiness for spiritual responsibilities, and a period of restoration
Wow ! Are you excited ? I am !
But it also means grace upon grace due to it being composed of the numbers twenty (redemption) and five (grace)
Lastly I believe the last two numbers have, great meaning too. Like something hidden holding something incredible.
2025 2 Plus 5 =7
Biblically the number , 7 symbolizes completion or perfection. It is said that God created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th. Additionally, there are seven churches in the Book of Revelation, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls.
On the Sunday two days before this meeting, as I entered a local church the Lord spoke to me these words.
Ask me to give you, the desires of your heart and I will grant them !
This very question is seen in many scriptures, here are a couple by Jesus and by John.
John 16:23-24 (TPT)
For here is eternal truth: When that time comes you won’t need to ask me for anything, but instead you will go directly to the Father and ask him for anything you desire and he will give it to you, because of your relationship with me. Until now you’ve not been bold enough to ask the Father for a single thing in my name, but now you can ask, and keep on asking him! And you can be sure that you’ll receive what you ask for, and your joy will have no limits!
1 John 5:14-15 (TPT)
Since we have this confidence, we can also have great boldness before him, for if we present any request agreeable to his will, he will hear us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we also know that we have obtained the requests we ask of him.
But my question is this !
If God were to show up right now, in front of you and say
Ask me to give you, the desires of your heart and I will grant them !
Would you know what to ask for ?
Would it be clear and precise ?
Would it be truly what you want or just a random thought, as you know you need to say something or fear missing out ?
You may say But God would not do this !
But He has already done it before and it’s in the scriptures !
2 Chronicles 1:7 (NIV)
That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
Solomon had a direct and clear answer
2 Chronicles 1:8-10 (NIV)
Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
And God granted Solomon’s request, as we see in the following verses 11-12 (NIV)
God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you……
But the Lord does not stop there, He upsizes the blessing why ?
Because Solomon’s request was not for Himself, but for all His people.
Let’s see what else God decides to give him (verse
……And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
Now that truly is a God size Gift ! But this is God’s nature we read this in
Ephesians 3:20 (TPT)
Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.
So have you figured out what you would ask from God ? If God came and asked you the same question as Solomon.
“Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
You may think it’s ok, because if it happens, then God will give me time, to think about it and come back to Him with my answer. But is this God’s nature !
In Mathew 25 we read a story about ten virgins five were prepared with extra oil and five were not !
Let’s read it !
Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV)
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
This verse may be symbolic of the day Jesus returns !
But it also reflects God’s nature. What happens when He gives opportunities ! Yes His will is for everyone to receive and be included. But He also knows that not everyone will be ready . So the ones who a ready will receive and those who are not ready will miss out !
Sadly this is what it will be like, this year, when He releases remarkable opportunities ! (This was God’s warning He passed on to me )
The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9) Committed means ready for His word with a heart to act upon it. Also ready for the opportunities He brings our way ! He is ready, But are you ?
That’s probably enough for today ! As we have covered the invitation and the warning !
Next time with will look at the application, with at the following
1. How do we prepare ourselves for these remarkable opportunities ?
2. How do we know what to ask for ?
3. Lastly some testimonies of the remarkable opportunities that people have already received this year.
Let’s finish today with a corporate and personal prayer of preparation.
Father I pray, help us all in the preparation, for all the remarkable opportunities. You are going to present or bring our way, this year !
I for one, do not want to miss out, on any of them. So would you please, prepare my heart, mind and spirit. So at the end of 2025, I can look back and marvel, Then say Look at what the Lord has done and to think He choose to use me ! We give you all the glory, in Jesus name amen
For those of you, who want to place an offering at the alter or plant a finical seed in the fertile ground of the Lord. Maybe you could contribute in someway towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry, then release His word through them, in a variety of ways.
Below is a link to a secure website, so you can do this safely online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@encounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre & Ministries