ANNA, SIMEON AND JESUS
(week 37/13)
OLUBI JOHNSON
All the stories and characters in the Bible can be interpreted as prophetic shadows of realities we are experiencing in Christ today.
Hebrews 10:1 AMP: FOR SINCE the Law has merely a rude outline (foreshadowing) of the good things to come–instead of fully expressing those things–it can never by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year make perfect those who approach [its altars].
Colossians 2:16-17 AMP: Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath. (17) Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ.
Romans 15:4 NKJV: For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
In particular, Anna, Simeon and Jesus fore shadow a 3-stage prophetic panorama that symbolizes our growth into the perfection and fulness of Christ.
Anna symbolizes the first stage of getting revelation by prayer that now ushers us into a life of prophetic intercessory prayer in the Spirit for the Christ to be formed (Gal. 4:19) in our souls: will, mind, emotions and bodies.
Luke 2:36-38 MKJV: And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in many days, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity. (37) And she was a widow of eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, serving God with fastings and prayers night and day. (38) And she coming in at that instant gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those in Jerusalem eagerly expecting redemption.
Simeon symbolizes the 2nd stage of adding apostolic wisdom to the revelation (Eph. 1:17-18) obtained during the ‘Anna’ stage so as to live long enough to experience the perfection and fulness of Christ:
Luke 2:25-35 MKJV: And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. (26) And it happened to him, being instructed by the Holy Spirit, he was not to see death before he would see the Christ of the Lord. (27) And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And as the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do according to the custom of the Law concerning Him, (28) even he received Him in his arms and blessed God, and said, (29) Lord, now You will let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word. (30) For my eyes have seen Your Salvation (31) which You have prepared before the face of all the peoples, (32) a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of Your people Israel. (33) And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things, which were spoken by him. (34) And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this One is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against (35) (yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
The Lord Jesus symbolizes the 3rd stage in which we now experience the perfection and fulness of Christ manifesting the power of the Spirit without measure: doing the works the Lord Jesus did and greater (Jn. 14:12).
So Anna, Simeon and Jesus symbolize a present truth 3-stage prophetic revelation that can be fulfilled by any Christian in this 3rd day that wants to grow into the perfection and fulness of Christ!
