Within the overall realm of the prophet lies the particular and distinctive realm of the Seer. The word “seer” describes a particular type of prophet who receives a particular type of prophetic revelation or impartation.
The Old Testament uses two words primarily to refer to a seer: ra’ah and chozeh. Ra’ah literally means “to see,” particularly in the sense of seeing visions. Other meanings include to “gaze,” to “look upon,” and to “perceive.” Chozeh literally means “a beholder in vision” and can also be translated as “gazer” or “stargazer.”
With these definitions now in place, the distinction between a prophet (nabiy’) and a seer (ra’ah or chozeh) becomes a little clearer. When it comes to prophetic revelation, a prophet is primarily an inspired hearer and then speaker, while a seer is primarily visual. In other words, the prophet is the communicative dimension and the seer is the receptive dimension. Whereas nabiy emphasizes the active work of the prophet in speaking forth a message from God, ra’ah and chozeh focus on the experience or means by which the prophet “sees or perceives” that message.
The first lays emphasis on a prophet’s relationship with the people; the other, on their revelatory relationship with God.
The Power of the Seer Anointing
Everyone needs a vision to sustain them in life.
“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.” This verse in the New International Version reads: “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.”
Philippians 3:13-15a
“13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude.”
Like Paul, we need to be a people of vision. Let us set our sights on the Lord and aim at His goals. The seer will move your heart and stir up your hunger for intimacy with God, because “the seer’s goal is to reveal the man Christ Jesus!”
A Change in Seasons – Here Come The Seers!
What is the purpose of the Seer? Like all true seers of old, we must reach high. We must look heavenward. We must think otherly. We must passionately pursue the God of visitation. For years, the Church at large has struggled just to believe and teach that God speaks today. But now, the Church is beginning to grasp the many ways God speaks, including how he speaks to the SEER.
Formerly considered “strange,” the SEER anointing is becoming known as much more mainstream in the Church today. And that’s good news for you. I can hear many of you saying, “Finally, they’ll know I’m not crazy…in fact, I’ll know I’m not crazy!”
Times are changing! The seers are being restored to their place of insight, counsel, and the word of the Lord! Here come the Seers!
If there are true seers today, and there surely are, then we must have our aim and focus clear. We must see Jesus! In all our seeing – let’s be like John the beloved. Let’s get in the Spirit and release the true prophetic spirit by revealing a testimony of Jesus (Revelation 19:10). He is the one I long to see. He is the one for whom my heart yearns and pants. He is the goal and prize of my life.
In all our seeing – let us see and reveal the man Christ Jesus!