Dmitriy Leo, senior pastor of Father’s Blessing Church, shared Lesson 6: “He Reveals the Future.” The “Knowing the Holy Spirit” School
We have already touched on this topic, but now we will study this aspect a little more—the work of the Holy Spirit—so that we can understand how to interact with Him specifically in this area.
And I used the word “interact” because we need to interact with the Holy Spirit. He is a gentleman; He is not one who pounces on someone and forces them to do something. Notice that this is not God’s nature at all.
Take Cain. The Bible says that Satan was a murderer from the beginning. So who killed Abel? Satan, through Cain. And God, foreseeing that this would happen, spoke to Cain: “Watch your heart. Watch your heart; sin is crouching at the door. Watch yourself; do not allow it—rule over it (I am expanding on this, you understand). I created you to rule. Rule over sin; rule over this desire.” But God did not grab Satan by the collar and pull him away from Cain—notice that. Instead, He helped Cain make the right decision. Cain still did not accept it.
That is, God is not one who forces people. The Holy Spirit is not one who pounces on people and says, “You will do this!” No, it is Satan who pounces on people, makes them subject to him, and makes them slaves. The Holy Spirit is exactly the same in this regard; He is a gentleman. If this word applies to Him, I think it is not entirely accurate. He either interacts with you or He does not. And He interacts with you when you interact with Him.
And when we say that He will reveal the future, be prepared: if you cooperate with Him in learning about the future, He will reveal the future to you. If you do not cooperate, you will learn about the future much less often and to a far lesser extent. He will tell you only when He considers it absolutely essential for you to know immediately. So, if we want to know more about the future, there must be interaction with the Holy Spirit.
That is why we are considering this topic today. By the way, it is very short. But hear what you need to hear. John 16:13: “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth”—and, by the way, there are two translations of the phrase “He will guide you into all truth,” and both the first and the second are correct. Literally, as it is in Greek: “He will lead you into all truth; He will be your Guide into all truth. Being Truth Himself, He will be your Guide—the One who leads you.” That is one translation, and it is the correct literal translation. Likewise, the Synodal translation, “He will guide you into all truth,” is also correct; such a translation is acceptable. In such cases, it is important to consider both.
So: “…He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak”—let us stop here. He will speak! And the Greek word for “speak” means to converse, talk, and tell. It is used specifically of persons and conversation between two people. Be ready, and let none of you regard the Holy Spirit merely as a force or energy. This speaks of conversation: He will talk and converse with you.
It is normal for a Christian to converse with the Holy Spirit. I have heard criticism of statements like these—that we should communicate only with the Father. Here is another proof for you: “He will speak”—and the Greek word for “speak” means to converse and talk with you. He will not merely plant thoughts or give desires; He will talk with you. Just as I am speaking and you are hearing me now. Therefore, it is very important to develop a conversational relationship with the Holy Spirit.
You can develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit remotely, virtually, as is fashionable nowadays, over Skype. Conversational relationship with the Holy Spirit is important. Quite recently, when I asked Him, “What is the best way for me to communicate with You?”, the Holy Spirit said to me: “Just come and talk.” He wants you to come, set your stool down, sit on it, and say, “I want to talk with You, Holy Spirit. I just want to communicate with You.” And this is very difficult. Because when you sit down and say, “And I ask You… And the Word says…,” you begin confessing and asking, using your old system again. You have a whole bunch of problems and Someone who is supposed to solve them. Therefore, it is very difficult to sit on a stool and say, “I just want to talk with You.”
And you talk while looking at an empty wall, speaking as if to yourself, and you look so foolish. Because He does not say much, does not speak often or constantly, and you communicate with yourself more often. But He greatly values this. Over time, you hear more and more often, and you learn to understand. If He is silent, there is a reason: either the questions were asked incorrectly, the motives were wrong, or He will simply tell you about it next time. And you continue communicating, continue talking, as if to yourself, as if to a wall. But this is what builds a conversational relationship with the Holy Spirit.
If you want Him to speak to you, speak with Him! And speak more! Then this ability to talk with Him about anything will develop in you. And seeing that this is a valuable language for you, He will answer you not through revelations and dreams, but verbally. That is why, in this passage of Scripture, we have emphasized that “He will speak, and He will tell you what is to come.”
The Greek word for “future” here is also an interesting word. There are different words that can describe the future. This is a word that means both the distant future and the future that is coming, which is right at the doorstep. This is also very important, because if you do not understand it, when He speaks about the future, it will mean this to you: “So, when the mark appears, what will it be? Which of the current kings will be the Antichrist?” In other words, you are waiting for something far off. But if you understand what this word means, it means that He will literally tell you what is coming in the very near future—from evening to morning, from morning to the following evening.
The Greek word is translated as coming, forthcoming, beginning—something that has just begun. And this is important. I will explain why. When we have this understanding, we listen to the Holy Spirit with a different mindset. Then we understand that He can reveal to us not only what will happen during the Millennium, but also what will happen three hours from now. And if you know that He will reveal what will happen three hours from now, you will turn to Him more often to know what is coming, to act correctly, and to respond properly to everything.
Then your ability to communicate, your communication with the Holy Spirit, develops. You do not simply say once in the morning, “Holy Spirit, tell me something”; you get into the habit of saying while doing something, “Holy Spirit, how should I put this? Please show me—is this better? All right, praise God.” In other words, at every opportunity you say, “Holy Spirit, I know I can do this myself, but please show me how to do it correctly.”
I heard one of the first elders of the Brazilian Maranatha Church, and he told how they communicated with the Holy Spirit, how they learned, what steps they took, and where they arrived. I liked what this elder shared.
He says that at first it was completely unproductive. Like many other people, they would say, “Holy Spirit…,” and nothing would happen. But they developed, developed, and developed this ability to listen to Him and speak with Him. Then the pastor who was with them in Manaimah says that they led him around and told him about it.
Here is what the conversation was like: “We put these tables here because the Holy Spirit prompted us,” “We painted this area this color and painted birch trees because the Holy Spirit prompted that brother,” “And we did this because the Holy Spirit gave us tiles exactly like these.” As I listened to him speaking, I thought, “This is nonsense. Does the Holy Spirit have nothing else to do? Deal with tiles, painting walls, and other things?” I thought they were simply making it up.
Then he understood that this was what relationship with the Holy Spirit looked like. So our topic today is: “the future, or things to come, things that are about to happen—He will declare them to you.” And this is so important for us! Because if you know what is coming, you will act differently now. If you know what is approaching, you will make completely different decisions now.
Most people get into trouble and difficult situations, and then ask, “What should we do?” But this is precisely why He was given to us: to tell us about things to come—the near and distant future—so that we do not end up where many others do. So, who among you has read this passage from the Gospel of Luke about all these calamities, where it says, “pray and watch” or, literally, “watch in prayer,” “so that this day does not catch you,” and “you may be counted worthy to escape all these calamities”? The Holy Spirit—we already studied this in the previous lesson—His mission is to speak to us. The Holy Spirit Himself.
And if you want to know how to avoid all these calamities, the Holy Spirit will reveal it—not television. On television, they will tell you, on the contrary, how to get into trouble. The Holy Spirit Himself will reveal to you how to avoid these calamities. Therefore, the point is not merely to pray “ta-ra-ba-ra-ba” for hours and then avoid calamity. The point is to remain in contact with God, so that the Holy Spirit can speak to you without any limitations, and you can hear Him, ask Him again, and do what is necessary.
Therefore, if you know the future, you will act correctly now, so that you can enter that future without harm or loss. Starting today, each of us must do this: we must ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what is coming and to reveal the near future.
Ask about the next day; ask questions—this is very important. Do not think that you will tire Him with your questions. Do not think that anything is too difficult for Him. Do not think that everyday matters are something you cannot talk to Him about. Speak with Him; develop your ability to communicate with the Holy Spirit. Then you will see whether He answers you or not.
Acts 20:23: “only the Holy Spirit”—the Apostle Paul says—“in every city testifies, saying that chains and tribulations await me.” So, the Holy Spirit revealed to the Apostle Paul what was coming. Look: in every city he came to, “the Holy Spirit testifies in every city” (He Himself said it), “saying that chains and tribulations await me.” He comes to every city, and the Holy Spirit speaks. He comes to every city—the Holy Spirit speaks. He spoke to Paul personally and through people, through the disciples. And here is the benefit; the next verse, verse 24:
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.” He could joyfully accept that future because the Holy Spirit had already revealed it to him.
Friends, I want to tell you something very important: if today you understand what will happen to you in the near future, you will take the right actions today and will not be afraid of what lies ahead. The Holy Spirit has already revealed it to you. And you will joyfully do what you need to do and serve, because He has already told you and shown you what will happen.
You know, the Holy Spirit showed me something about the future. And it prompted me to change various things in my life. Because He showed me the future, I took certain steps that are inconvenient and uncomfortable for me, and even challenging. But when I faced these uncomfortable challenges and various circumstances, I rejoiced and celebrated. This discomfort and these different things were not a problem for me because I know the future. And in the present, I rejoice in what I am doing now. I am doing it for the future.
I don’t know whether you understand what I am talking about or not. But let me tell you, some things may seem very difficult for you today. But if you know the future, you will rejoice over why this is happening today. Therefore, it is very good for the Holy Spirit to tell you personally about your future—to tell you what will happen in the place where you live and what will happen in the country where you live. What will happen?! And you will rejoice in what you do today, even if it seems difficult to you. Because you know what awaits you in the future, and what is happening in the present is simply a piece of cake for you, just a blessing.
I want to pray now that we will move from words to action. I know that when we teach about the Holy Spirit, many people desire to change something. Hold on to that desire. Hold on to it so that it becomes part of your daily life. And what I wanted to teach today is such a simple thing: we literally read one verse, but putting it into practice requires a lot of work. A small verse, a simple thing—just communicate—but it requires so much work and such a sacrifice. I believe that we will pay this price if we know the benefit it brings.
I want to turn to the Holy Spirit and ask that the gap between the Holy Spirit and us may grow smaller. This gap may not be very deep, but let it become smaller so that we may be united. And God wants this!
Father, I thank You for giving us such a gift. We have been talking through so many lessons and seeing one aspect, then another. How many times have we told ourselves how important it is—how important it is—to have a dynamic, developing relationship with the Holy Spirit. How important it is! Some are doing something, while others are not yet, but I ask You. I ask You now, Holy Spirit, to reach out Your hand to us. Especially to those who have tried and become disappointed. I ask You to give them another chance, to begin speaking, to begin answering. As You said, You can be grieved, but You do not remain grieved for long; You forgive very quickly.
Therefore, Holy Spirit, I ask You for the brothers and sisters, and I ask personally for myself, that our relationship may continue to develop—not month by month, but day by day. And even what I said today, may it happen from hour to hour! May we grow accustomed to communicating with the One who wants to communicate with us, talking with the One who wants to speak with us, and obeying the One who knows all the depths of God, who knows everything, and who will declare the future—even the near future.
Holy Spirit, we have no excuse when we say that we are busy. Forgive us. We need to free ourselves from this busyness for You. And I pray for the brothers and sisters who are very busy: help them make room for You. In the name of Jesus. And I am sure that the time given to You will be compensated for in such a way that even more will be accomplished, and it will bring even greater benefit. Because what You can do is greater than what we can do. What You can reveal is more valuable than walking blindly, making mistakes, facing difficulties, and then bravely overcoming them. No. Holy Spirit, we read today that You will reveal the future.
And let us ask in the first person:
“Holy Spirit, I really want to know the future. Not only the distant future—I need to know it for each day. I know that I need to know the future for each day. And again and again I ask You to lead me through it as my Guide.”
And I pray, brothers and sisters, that this desire will arise in you. I have said more than once that this comes at a cost. Only someone who has no relationship with the Holy Spirit would laugh at this and say that everything is simple. In reality, anyone who has a living, dynamically developing relationship with the Holy Spirit will say that it comes at a COST. For some, it will be costly. And the busier you are, the greater this cost will seem: setting aside an hour or two not merely to pray, but to fellowship with the Holy Spirit. He does not take your time; He demands nothing at all. Everything is yours—this is our sacrifice.
But I pray that you will not be afraid to pay this price, not be afraid to make this sacrifice, not be afraid to give up sleep—He will restore your strength. Do not be afraid to sacrifice some of your business time; He will compensate you with increased income. Do not be afraid to give up watching pointless videos. Some say, “I relax by simply watching something”—relax with the Holy Spirit! Believe me, you will definitely not regret it; it truly will bring refreshment, fulfillment, and relaxation. It is the water that leaves you no longer thirsty, the water that truly satisfies.
And I pray that something will happen in your thinking. I pray for some of you, because this is a choice—no one can make it for us. Remember, God did not take Cain by the hand and simply stop him, but God told him, “Listen, rule over it, because wrong thoughts are coming.” The choice still belonged to Cain, and God gives each of us the right to choose whatever we want. May a change in our thinking take place, in Jesus’ name. May our thinking change so that we make the right choice. In Jesus’ name.
And in conclusion, I will repeat what I have repeated in almost every lesson. This is what motivates me. I always think about this: people who were with the Holy Spirit were always different—always—from everyone else; they were always noticed. It is enough to read the Book of Acts. My desire is for people to say about us that we are people who have living fellowship with the Holy Spirit. We will not need to say, “I have fellowship with Him; I spend two hours alone”—you will not be able to hide it, because His peace, His love, and His joy will be manifested through you. Righteousness will be manifested through you, gifts will be manifested through you, and Jesus will be manifested through you. You will shine! And you will not be able to hide it. People will say, “This person definitely fellowships with the Holy Spirit.”
That is what was present in Kathryn Kuhlman’s ministry; she did not strain at all. She did not shout, “Out!” She did not say, “Be free!” She had fellowship—a deep fellowship—with the Holy Spirit. And she simply observed what was happening in the audience. Have you seen her meetings on video?! She simply observed what was happening in the meeting. The Holy Spirit did everything Himself, while she stood on the platform and only received testimonies. Do you hear me?! She did not walk around the hall.
I am not saying that it is bad for us to walk around the hall. It is simply impossible to attain the level at which this woman operated by just jumping in and saying, “I am already here.” Because the One who is to do all the work must do it. And first, you need to become His friend. Then you can truly come onto the platform in a long dress, sing, and tell some stories, while He heals people and you only receive testimonies. Then, yes. Until this happens, we do all the work. Praise the Lord. Reflect on this.
