What do you think?
Rate this book
The Anointing: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Anointing. While the word has several meanings in the Bible, it always revolves around the idea of the Holy Spirit and His power to change human lives. Each of us has an anointing or a special gift from God. Using it properly is the key to creating what is good, blessing and encouraging others, edifying ourselves, and pleasing the Lord.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 1997
59 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 11, 2012
“If the Holy Spirit was removed from the church, 90% of the work would carry on as if nothing happened. “
Vic Pentz says, 'Nothing fails so totally, as success without God.' In this book, RT Kendall Highlights the importance of accepting the anointing God has given us, and the dangers of stepping outside that anointing. That to be tomorrows man or woman means that today, we may be living with the anointing without the platform. But that God won’t let us have the platform until HE decides we are ready. But the glorious prize for patience and seeking intimacy with God will be worth the wait. To draw close to Him while He tests us, builds us up, and equips us for the task He has in plan for our lives. To do anything else, is to leave ourselves in danger of becoming like Saul – yesterdays man!
Todays man must step outside their comfort zone. We can’t become complacent with what God has already given us. If we do this, we may miss out on the bigger picture! “No camping allowed”
RT Kendalls hope is to see Gods Glory restored to the church today. He uses David to examine how we can all seek Gods perfect will in our lives. David was a man after Gods own Heart, and to have a heart after God means the coming together of The Word and The Spirit in our lives all in equal measure.
Jesus was the word made flesh, but He still received the Holy Spirit. That to receive the word and believe is to have the spirit deliver it, and therefore indirectly, through the word we receive the Spirit. But there is more!!!!!!
Through the Anointing he challenges us to examine our openness to both, and drawing on personal experience offers his advice on such topics as the sensitivity of the Spirit, how He is easily grieved, and how we can strive to be God centered thinking people. Like David, a people after His own heart!
Vic Pentz says, 'Nothing fails so totally, as success without God.' In this book, RT Kendall Highlights the importance of accepting the anointing God has given us, and the dangers of stepping outside that anointing. That to be tomorrows man or woman means that today, we may be living with the anointing without the platform. But that God won’t let us have the platform until HE decides we are ready. But the glorious prize for patience and seeking intimacy with God will be worth the wait. To draw close to Him while He tests us, builds us up, and equips us for the task He has in plan for our lives. To do anything else, is to leave ourselves in danger of becoming like Saul – yesterdays man!
Todays man must step outside their comfort zone. We can’t become complacent with what God has already given us. If we do this, we may miss out on the bigger picture! “No camping allowed”
RT Kendalls hope is to see Gods Glory restored to the church today. He uses David to examine how we can all seek Gods perfect will in our lives. David was a man after Gods own Heart, and to have a heart after God means the coming together of The Word and The Spirit in our lives all in equal measure.
Jesus was the word made flesh, but He still received the Holy Spirit. That to receive the word and believe is to have the spirit deliver it, and therefore indirectly, through the word we receive the Spirit. But there is more!!!!!!
Through the Anointing he challenges us to examine our openness to both, and drawing on personal experience offers his advice on such topics as the sensitivity of the Spirit, how He is easily grieved, and how we can strive to be God centered thinking people. Like David, a people after His own heart!
June 21, 2023
Dr. Kendall's message in his latter years is found in this book: the world needs the Christian today and the church today to marry the Word and the Spirit. According to Kendall, Christians emphasize one or the other. Dr. Kendall takes the characters of Saul, Samuel, and David to describe the anointing. Saul was yesterday's anointed; he lost the anointing due to his disobedience. Samuel was today's anointed, having to break from yesterday's man (Saul) and anoint tomorrow's man, David. David was tomorrow's man; he was anointed but wasn't given a platform until years later. Dr. Kendall explains how painful all three experiences can be. The key regardless of where one might locate themselves (as yesterday, today or tomorrow's man) is to stay obedient to the Word and sensitive to the Spirit.
My two major critiques are: 1) I thought the book would be more of a study of the anointing found throughout Scripture rather than focusing primarily on the lives of Saul, Samuel, and David. 2) This book felt very similar to Holy Fire, also by Kendall. The last few chapters of this book felt like almost the same teaching he gives in Holy Fire.
All in all, you have to love Kendall's balance. He can speak to both cessationists and charismatics because he's been both in his Christian journey and has married an emphasis on the Word AND the Spirit unlike anyone else I've read.
My two major critiques are: 1) I thought the book would be more of a study of the anointing found throughout Scripture rather than focusing primarily on the lives of Saul, Samuel, and David. 2) This book felt very similar to Holy Fire, also by Kendall. The last few chapters of this book felt like almost the same teaching he gives in Holy Fire.
All in all, you have to love Kendall's balance. He can speak to both cessationists and charismatics because he's been both in his Christian journey and has married an emphasis on the Word AND the Spirit unlike anyone else I've read.
September 26, 2024
This book moved me on many levels. The strong biblical framework, the pastoral tone and the biographical material that probe the depths of living under the anointing form a powerful message.
Kendall is an outlier in many ways. He is a self-profess Reformed Charismatic. He is an American who pastored the famed West Minister Chapel. His experiences in over 60 years of ministry have provided a wisdom that is only more accentuated by his humble approach to the moving of the Spirit. He is frank about his challenges and firm in his convictions - gracious to the brokenness of others yet insistent on holy surrender.
I will reread this work. My yearning to be available to the Spirit draws me to works such as this.
Kendall is an outlier in many ways. He is a self-profess Reformed Charismatic. He is an American who pastored the famed West Minister Chapel. His experiences in over 60 years of ministry have provided a wisdom that is only more accentuated by his humble approach to the moving of the Spirit. He is frank about his challenges and firm in his convictions - gracious to the brokenness of others yet insistent on holy surrender.
I will reread this work. My yearning to be available to the Spirit draws me to works such as this.
August 17, 2019
Excellent reading
This book is powerful and convicting. Kendall reveals the importance of walking in step with the Holy Spirit and the anointing The Spirit brings. His analogy of the lives of King Saul, Samuel, and King David give clearer reflection of what God is doing and where we are. Two cries emerge from my heart-Lord forgive me for grieving Your Spirit and Father, I want to be in step with the Holy Spirit!
This book is powerful and convicting. Kendall reveals the importance of walking in step with the Holy Spirit and the anointing The Spirit brings. His analogy of the lives of King Saul, Samuel, and King David give clearer reflection of what God is doing and where we are. Two cries emerge from my heart-Lord forgive me for grieving Your Spirit and Father, I want to be in step with the Holy Spirit!
February 8, 2018
Exceptional
What a book. R T knows his Bible and I am so grateful that he has been given the gift to share his views. Like all of his books there has always been a challenge, something for me to say 'gosh yes, that is me.' And sometimes it disturbs me. I hate to feel I have grieved The Spirit etc. Thank you so much for what must have been a lot of hard work.
What a book. R T knows his Bible and I am so grateful that he has been given the gift to share his views. Like all of his books there has always been a challenge, something for me to say 'gosh yes, that is me.' And sometimes it disturbs me. I hate to feel I have grieved The Spirit etc. Thank you so much for what must have been a lot of hard work.
June 18, 2021
Highly recommend for any Christian, especially those in ministry. I learned so much the first time reading this book, and it will be one that I reread time and again. Loved how R.T. Kendall took us through the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David. He writes with great biblical grounding and exposition as well as the warmth of a pastor's heart.
November 7, 2021
a good study on Anointing
R. T. Explains well his thinking an the anointing past present and future, how it works and how to get it if we lose it. He lovingly brings balance between the Word and the Spirit and call for both to operate in our churches. I would recommend all Christians
R. T. Explains well his thinking an the anointing past present and future, how it works and how to get it if we lose it. He lovingly brings balance between the Word and the Spirit and call for both to operate in our churches. I would recommend all Christians
December 17, 2024
Exceptional. Where has this book and RT Kendall been all my life? I will read everything he has written I can. He speaks my heart language like few have. I will read this again and recommend it to many. Especially those who sense a call of God on their life to pastoral or preaching ministry, or who have a hunger for God’s anointing on their life. This goes in the “essential tool kit” for me.
April 24, 2025
This is such a timely word to all Christians but I think it’s a must read for pastors and other spiritual leaders. I would caution folks from a more “word” background not to be put off by the endorsements or the opening pages but to let it stand on its own. It was convicting, inspiring and will undoubtedly be a book I return to.
June 29, 2019
One of the best books I have ever read. Very very good book for everyone. Whether in ministry or not the principle of "the anointed one" is such a relevant one in this day and age of criticism. Definitely recommend this book and this author.
February 25, 2024
This was a re-read for me. Written 26 years ago, it seems as relevant today. The separation of the Word and the Spirit, the traditional and house church are some of the themes. I love RT’s style and depth so five stars from me for this challenging, thought provoking and insightful book.
February 21, 2025
I don’t remember when I read this (other than that it was the spring of 2024) and I don’t remember much about it except that it put the fear of the Lord in me of missing my calling/anointing during a specific season! I think about it often!
October 17, 2021
Fantastic book. Recommend for Christian leaders.
December 13, 2022
Good book.
June 21, 2025
Helpful
A needed book to correct the western christian view of how to represent the Lord in modern times. Very indightful.
A needed book to correct the western christian view of how to represent the Lord in modern times. Very indightful.
Read
July 11, 2025Excellent read, very thorough.
August 19, 2013
An insightful read full of life's hidden gems. A read that may is more thought provoking and will more than likely take some time to read. I am glad that it jumped off the shelf to me and stirred a plan of action in my life.
January 1, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. Todd enjoyed it even more. One of his favorites.
August 12, 2011
Key to understanding RT's insistence on the combination of Word and Spirit, and to recognise why some start well but fail to finish well
September 14, 2015
Outstanding regarding instruction on powers and gifts!
November 20, 2020
I wanna read the aointed book.i love Benny hinn
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews