Do you sense this exciting season of change? We're entering a new prophetic time. That's why I want to share prophetic and Biblical insights with you as we continue into the new Hebrew year, 5787.
Let's talk about how this new year can represent a sword and the power of God's word, and how this new season can hold your sword-in-the-stone moment...
God's Mysterious Prophetic Puzzles
"Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture!" (1 Corinthians 13:9 NLT)
I love how God speaks to His Body, His sons and daughters, about what is on His heart. And I often like to think of prophetic insight like a giant, mysterious puzzle. God may give one puzzle piece to one person and another piece to another person.
Some prophetic words are like puzzle pieces that look similar—like when many blue puzzle pieces together form a sky. It is beautiful to me when this happens; it confirms that the Body of Christ is hearing God's voice. At other times, the prophetic is like unique puzzle pieces that fit to complete the bigger picture.
We need the "company" of prophetic voices—His sons and daughters—leaning in to seek God and listen for His voice, bringing their own piece to His mysterious, prophetic puzzle to confirm His word and help form the bigger picture, so the larger Body of Christ can be encouraged, comforted, and built up by what God is saying and doing in this hour.
So, what does God have in store for us as we enter a new prophetic season?
The Year of the Zayin: It's Time to Wield Your Sword
With Rosh Hashanah, we are now in the Hebrew year 5787, the seventh year of the 5780s decade. Hebrew uses a system called "gematria," in which Hebraic letters have numerical values. In Jewish tradition, letters can also carry symbolic and interpretive significance.
Zayin is the seventh letter in the Hebrew alphabet and carries the numerical value of seven. It means "crown," "weapon," and "sustain" (see Chabad.org).
The zayin resembles a sword, with the top of the character looking like a hilt and the base, a blade. Its design can also be interpreted as a crown and a scepter. Thus, the zayin can hold several symbolic interpretations, including power, authority, protection, and warfare. Additionally, throughout Scripture, the number seven is frequently associated with completion, fullness, and rest, particularly in the pattern of creation and the Sabbath.
I believe that God speaks through the numbers He created. So, with this knowledge in mind, what is the Lord speaking over this new year 5787?
As the zayin often symbolizes a weapon or a sword, I want to highlight how this year is a call to wield your double-edged sword.
In Scripture, a sword often represents God's Word. We see examples of this here:
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17 NIV) (Photo via Wikimedia)
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)
In Revelation, we also find this powerful description of Jesus, our King of Kings:
"In His right hand He held seven stars, and coming out of His mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." (Revelation 1:16 NIV)
Twice, we see this imagery of a "double-edged sword" relating to God's Word. This speaks of an offensive and defensive weapon, and symbolically brings discernment, judgment, and justice. (I also love that you can find "word" within the word "sword"!)
The Word of God is our weapon. We must declare it, meditate on it, share it, pray it, and prophesy it.
The Power of Sound
During a class in ministry school, one of my professors shared a presentation about sound waves and the power of the spoken Word of God, prayer, and worship. Because sound waves are invisible, scientists sometimes use materials such as sand to make their effects visible.
In an experiment known as a "Chladni plate demonstration," different sound frequencies cause sand to form different patterns on a vibrating surface. It gives us a compelling picture of an invisible force producing a visible effect. During our class, we watched examples of the intricate patterns in the sand that spoken Hebrew words created.
I'm reminded of this concept when I think about the Hebrew zayin—a character that looks like a weapon, sword, crown, and scepter. As we speak, pray, and declare the Word of God, we can never underestimate the very real impact of our invisible words.
Psalm 91: The Word as a Weapon
"For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent." (Psalm 91:11–13 NIV)
Psalm 91 is a passage of Scripture known as a powerful declaration of God's supernatural intervention and divine protection. In my own life, this Psalm has been a lifeline. In the middle of an unexpected, intense spiritual battle, I witnessed a man heavily oppressed by a demon. Without any ministry experience at the time, I simply asked the Holy Spirit what to do to help him. Immediately, I saw a vision of big, bold letters: "PSALM 91." And I knew exactly what to do—declare the Word of God out loud like a weapon against the enemy. As I spoke the Word of God with authority, tangible peace flooded a difficult situation, and demons fled.
While the zayin does not appear in Psalm 91 in the original Hebrew text, there is something unique about it. Each letter in Psalm 91 is crowned with little crownlet-shaped characters—mini zayins, little weapons. It is a powerful picture of how our words, when aligned with the Word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit, become weapons that tear down strongholds.
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV)
As we step into this new year, do you hear the call to pick up and wield the sword of the Spirit, to pray boldly with authority, to declare the Word of God with faith, to renew your mind with the truth of the written Word, and to prophesy life, truth, and hope to see the power of God break through?
However, many people have felt a war on their voices. Many are tired and weary from the raging spiritual battles of this decade of the 2020s, this decade of the 5780s. Maybe you will resonate with one of these three enemies that have come against our voices. (Photo via Unsplash)
Exposing 3 Enemies That Have Come Against Our Voices
1. Weariness: The Enemy of Watchmen
Weariness and despair have kicked in, as many people (even seasoned leaders, prophetic voices, and intercessors) have grown tired and weary in the place of expectant prayer. Many of you have wondered, "What's the point? Why would I continue to wage war, watch, and pray? There has been delay after delay, and I am still waiting on a fulfillment, waiting on a breakthrough that seems impossible."
To you, I give this sword: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31 NIV). God will renew your strength, not just to "push through" but to soar. He will give you a second fresh wind. He will help you to come up higher, above the swirl of despair, to see as He sees... and to pray from a place of victory and rest again.
2. Intimidation: Jezebel's Strategy
Those called to prophesy have found themselves hiding in caves, just like Elijah, when he fled from Jezebel. Many have felt intimidated into silence, backed into a cave by the enemy's onslaught. The enemy would love to convince you that your voice is too insignificant to matter or too costly to release. But the very fact you've been attacked in this way should be proof that you are a threat to darkness.
To you, I give this sword: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). You don't have to allow fear to silence what God has called you to speak. Your voice belongs to Him.
3. Comparison: The Thief of Joy
Others have been tempted by the enemy to compare their lives, calling, and impact to those around them and to believe their voice doesn't matter. They wonder if there's a place for them at the table. They see others doing similar things and think, "Why even bother? Someone else is already doing it." But God has given you a unique calling for such a time as this, and your part matters.
To you, I give this sword: "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:13–14 NIV). God planned assignments for you to fulfill before you were born. He made you to be an original, and no one can fill your shoes. Whatever God calls you to do will carry your unique expression. Lock your eyes on Jesus and see Him cheering you on.
Your Sword-in-the-Stone Moments
There is a famous legend about King Arthur and the Sword in the Stone. Growing up, my sister and I would play on repeat the VHS of the cartoon that's based on this story. According to the legend, a magical sword called Excalibur was placed in a stone with a prophecy: whoever could remove the sword would be proven the rightful king of England.
Many noble knights tried and failed, but the sword remained unmoved... until young Arthur came along. He was only a boy, yet he pulled the sword from the stone with great ease, and became heir to the throne.
While this is a legendary myth, not a Biblical story, I have often found inspiration in it and sensed God highlighting it to me.
In 5787, I believe God is saying, "It's time for your sword-in-the-stone moment." He has assignments, callings, and purposes uniquely designed for your life that only you can pick up. You have a unique destiny only YOU can fulfill. No one else can pull your sword from the stone, and you can't take anyone else's.
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10 NLT) (Photo via Pexels)
God's plan for you cannot be replicated. The fingerprints He has given you are uniquely yours. And remember, the God who calls you qualifies you. Young Arthur may have seemed like the least likely person to draw the sword from the stone, much like young David, who seemed like the least likely to be chosen for king among his brothers. God may call you before you are fully "ready." He will help you. He will equip you. He will prepare you along the way. You simply have to be willing to step forward and pick up the sword He has placed before you.
Excalibur: The Hard Cleft of the Rock
I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me to look into the meaning of the name "Excalibur," the sword from the Sword in the Stone. It means "hard cleft." It immediately reminded me of the Biblical phrase "cleft of the rock." In Scripture, the cleft of the rock symbolizes a hiding place in God's presence, a safe refuge, and divine protection. The phrase is most famously found in Exodus 33:22, where God places Moses in the cleft of the rock as His glory passes by.
The sword of the Lord, the Word of God, is both a weapon and a place of refuge in His presence. Perhaps, as you seek God in the hidden place—in the cleft of the rock of His presence—you will discover your "sword in the stone," the unique assignment He has placed before you.
He Is Breaking Despair in Prayer
As I prayed about all of these connections, I felt God speak the following to me as I wrote:
"Let Me hear your voice. Let Me hear your voice, for your voice is a sweet sound to Me. When you speak to Me, I lean in to listen. I want to hear your voice lifted in prayer. I am on the edge of My seat, waiting to hear from you, ready to respond, ready to answer you."
"My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely." (Song of Solomon 2:14 NIV)
As I heard and wrote this, I felt the Lord saying that He is breaking despair in prayer. For those who once prayed with passion but have now grown weary, God is breaking the despair of what seemed to be unanswered prayer. He hears you. He is drawing you to the cleft of the rock, the hiding place of intimacy with Him again. He is bringing peace for the questions in your heart that have not yet been answered.
His voice will break through the noise, so position your heart in expectation for the Lord to answer you in unexpected ways. Look for His confirming words and reminders of what He has already said to you (His promises) and about you (your identity in Him).
Prepare for sweet signs and wonders this September into October... gifts from the Father to His children seeking Him with all of their hearts.
Draw Your Sword from the Rock
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." (Psalm 18:2 NIV)
I hear the Lord say, "Draw your sword from ME, the True Stone, the Solid Rock, My sons and daughters." (Photo via Flickr)
For those who have lacked vision and purpose, for those who do not know what to do next, for those who have tried everything in their own strength and it hasn't worked, it's time to draw near to God and draw your sword from Him.
I hear the Lord say, "I have set you apart, and not set you aside. Where the enemy has lied and said you have no purpose and the best days are behind you, I say that the best is yet to come. For the places of deepest pain, I will create a path of purpose that will both heal you and help many others.
"You haven't missed My timing, for I am about to redeem the time and the years the locusts have stolen... In the year of the zayin, I am bringing a completion. Cycles of warfare are expiring even now. My grace is lifting off of old cycles of assignments so the new wine of a new season of purpose can begin to flow. I am bringing you into more of the reason you were born.
"Trust Me in the change, for a lot can happen in just a few months' time. Although it seems like a long delay to step into the new, I use the delay to help you desire the new wine—the new thing I am doing—more than the old.
"So stay with Me in the refuge of My presence, in the cleft of the rock. I will be the unshakable rock of your life and changing times. I am placing My sharpened sword in your mouth. Ask Me what I am saying over your life this season, and begin to declare it out loud. Prophesy it. Pray it with boldness. As you declare the truth of My words over yourself and your situation, new strength and faith will fill you. Your mouth will be like a sharpened sword as you declare MY words. As you speak to your mountains, expect Me to move.
"So it's time, sons and daughters, draw your sword from the Stone."
"He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver." (Isaiah 49:2 BSB)
"'Is not My word like fire,' declares the Lord, 'and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?'" (Jeremiah 23:29 NIV)
"Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says, 'Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.'" (Isaiah 28:16 NLT)
Children's Toy Swords
I will leave you with this final thought. I was falling asleep when I saw a vision of children's toy swords on a store shelf, as if they had gone viral and were almost sold out.
May God's Word go viral in 5787. May all of His children, of every age and every nation, pick up their sword and walk in the power and authority Jesus has paid for.
"May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands..." (Psalm 149:6 NIV; see also vv. 7–9)
I pray this word encourages you today! I pray blessings on this new season for you.
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Mariel Villarreal, Founder
The Embolden Co.
Email:Â Mariel@marielvillarreal.com
Website:Â www.marielvillarreal.com
Mariel Villarreal is a writer, speaker, and prophetic mentor. Her heart is to encourage this generation with right-now prophetic words that reignite hope during the waiting between a prophetic promise and its fulfillment. Through her ministry, the Embolden Co., she holds seasonal prophetic mentorships, training programs, and retreats to empower people around the world to develop their spiritual gifts and hear God for their lives, so that they can bring revival to the nations. You can follow her on social media on Instagram @Mariel_Villarreal_ and Tiktok @Mariel.Villarreal and Facebook @TheEmboldenCompany to get more prophetic encouragement!
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