In December, I ran into my local department store to purchase a gift card for my Mom to add to her Christmas gifts. As soon as I walked through the doors, I heard the Holy Spirit say, with clarity, “This is the year of the Ox- My apostles are being set into place.”
They were many beautiful items, and as I began to look at them, I heard the exact words from the Lord with great authority, “This is the year of the Ox!” At that moment, the Lord directed me to a coffee mug on the display table in front of me— this one was the only one of its kind. On this coffee mug was a painting of an Ox with hits horns adorned in natural Christmas garland.
In that moment, the Holy Spirit’s glory came heavily upon me. I could not help but praise God aloud, yet I managed not to bring attention to myself. I was in awe of the Lord’s words and how He kindly directed me to that table to confirm them. All I could say was, “How beautiful and gracious You are, oh Lord!”
I began researching on my cell phone to gain a more in-depth understanding of what an Ox does. I was humbled to receive a prophetic message to share.
Here is what I heard, “My apostles are being raised up. They will serve with diligence and great love. They will build My kingdom and have no fear of man’s rules and regulations that would desire to crush nor negate Mine. I did not look to be served or recognized and made myself of no reputation. And they will be the same. I lived to serve and obey the purpose of My Father in Heaven and obeyed Him even unto death as will these. They will equip My church. They will do great miracles, signs, and wonders in My name for My namesake. They will be like Oxen, using strength, resilience, perseverance, and patience to plow the fields. They will resist their flesh to accomplish what I set in their hearts.
The well-trained Ox will train the younger ones and build together in joy even amidst suffering. They will not seek recognition or care that man refuses to honor or recognize them because they will seek only My face and My attention will be their satisfaction. These will work tirelessly and be cared for well by Me and My body as they will equip and care for the body of Christ.
They will bring salvation to the lost. Those appointed by man, or the self-appointed, will fall away, and you will hear no more of them. Holy fear will come upon My church once again. They will train the young, and less experienced as Oxen yoked together in the field and break up the fallow ground so the seeds that were sown would be brought to harvest. My church will become well-equipped, and though persecution will increase, these will not shrink back even in the face of death. The attempts of the wicked to prevent the work of My apostles will not prosper. My church will prevail, for I am preparing My bride for My return.”
Hallelujah!!! Thank You, Lord! Glory to Your Name on High. When I heard what the Lord spoke to me, I received this message for the body of Christ. “Lord, have Your way in us as we prepare the way for you here on. Earth, as it is written in heaven.”
Here is what the ox symbolizes biblically-
According to What the Bible says about Jesus Christ, He is the symbol of an Ox:
“The imagery of the bullock is of patient, untiring, and successful labor in service to others, confirms this, “Where no oxen are, the trough is clean, but much increase comes by the strength of an ox.” History shows that oxen will work themselves to death. Likewise, we have seen Jesus’ devotion to death in fulfilling God’s will for Him, and II Corinthians 11 provides a long list of Paul’s labors under frequent duress in fulfilling his calling.”
In the gospel of Luke, Christ is compared to the Ox.
According to Google: A symbol of strength, service, and sacrifice:
Strength: The Hebrew word coach, power, and might represent the ox’s strength. In Proverbs 14:4, the proverb, “Where no oxen are, the trough is clean, but increase comes by the strength of an Ox” emphasizes the need for strength and effort to achieve success.
Service: In Mark’s Gospel, the Ox symbolizes Jesus’s coming to earth to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.
Sacrifice: In Isaiah 34:7, the re them, or wild ox, may have been used in sacrifice. Luke the Evangelist: The winged ox or bull symbolizes Luke the Evangelist, the author of the third gospel account and the Acts of the Apostles.
Deuteronomy 5:14: This verse prohibits work on the Sabbath, including for oxen.
1 Kings 7:29: This verse describes panels with lions, oxen, and cherubim.
These are the scriptures regarding this prophetic word:
In the Book of Ezekiel, Jesus is symbolized as one of the four living creatures. The face of an Ox or bull in the nation is an ancient Christian symbol of redemption and life through sacrifice.
Ezekiel 1:10: “As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an Ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.”
Revelation 4:7
….” the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.”
Proverbs 14:4
“Where no oxen are, the trough is clean, but increase comes by the strength of an ox.”
Luke 14:5
And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?
1 Timothy 5:18
For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE IT IS TREADING OUT THE GRAIN [to keep it from eating],” and “The worker is worthy of his wages [he deserves fair compensation].”
Numbers 24:8
God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows. “God brought them out of Egypt; they possess the strength of a wild ox.”
Philippians 2:6-11
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on The Keys to Kingdom
