Prophetic Storm Arising!!

APOSTOLIC PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE PANDEMIC, PRINCIPALITY, & PREPARATIONS

The calls, text messages, and emails poured in from many different avenues asking the all-important question: “What does all this mean?”  Like most of you I am trying to hear and decipher the clarity of God’s activity during this global pandemic.  If the church does not catch this PAUSE and EVALUATE God’s purpose, then our future priorities will be misaligned.  Creating more delays and a lack of fulfillment for a generation in search of heaven’s reality. 

Reflecting back the Holy Spirit reminded me of three specific encounters leading up to this time.  I would like to submit the following for your consideration while we are all at this time of PAUSE. 

SCENE #1

In January I was conducting a series of meetings, my spiritual eyes were opened to a SPIRITUAL VORTEX happening in our midst.  I saw the seven spirits of God (Rev. 1: 4; 4:5; 5:6; Isaiah 11: 2) converging into a tornadic type of whirl.  As it hovered over us the Holy Spirit said, “What spirit do you need to be released at this time?”  I wanted to shout like Braveheart: “FREEDOM!!”   But I understood the Holy Spirit was wanting me to be more specific.  Not real sure what to ask, I left the choices to the needs of the people.  From that night forward, people began to have divine encounters with the Spirit of God.  Dreams, visions, trances, physical manifestations as they were being released from many areas of bondage.  I realized this vortex is hovering over this chaotic, empty void and in search of spiritual intelligence.  This vacuum was allowed by God’s people through neglect of fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit.  Opening the door for powers of darkness to assume positions of promoters of fear, sickness, disease, emotional torment, possession, and unknown attacks. 

SCENE # 2

During my first week of self-quarantine during a time of morning prayer, I heard the expression, “My pattern for outpouring.”  God reminded me of patterns throughout the Bible times and historically.  Such as:

Noah’s Day.  Wickedness of the people – Preparation of the Ark – Rains came.

Children of Israel in Egypt:  They were in Slavery – God prepares their deliverance – Signs, Wonders, and Miracles sets them free.

King Saul & King David:  Suppressed by the Philistines & Amalekites – God prepares Israel for King David’s leadership – David follows God’s Spirit for Victory.

 Israel Rejects God:  Babylonian Captivity – {Curses of Deuteronomy 28} – Cyrus sends Jews to Rebuild & Restore Temple – Jews return.

Roman Empire & Jesus:  Corruption of Civil and Religious System {Herod build the Temple but no Spirit of God} – Day of Pentecost comes with outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 

American Earlier Wars & Great Awakenings:  Major national wars of USA – Led to three Great Awakenings.  These Awakenings impacted every fiber of the nation and world.

World War 1 & Azusa Street Revival:  The ‘Great War’ was fought over misunderstanding and divisiveness. While in a little mission station in Southern California came a restoration of the ministry about the Holy Spirit.  This awareness was manifested by speaking in tongues. 

World War 2 & the Latter Rain & Healing Movements:  This global socialistic experiment led to oppression, murder, genocide, and dictatorial rule.  Creating a path for the Latter Rain movement, which introduces again to the church the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.  This time was also the seed bed for the Healing movements of the late 1940s & 50s. 

Vietnam & Charismatic/Faith:  The Southeast Asia conflict was a struggle against the superpower’s ideology.  Following this conflict was an introduction of the presence and gifts that God has distributed to the church which was ill-equipped to combat the forces of darkness. 

Today, we have a combination of all these patterns trying to silence the voice of God through the church. This plan has created a Laodicean, lukewarm type church.  While humanity is in search of identity, relevance, authority, and leadership, the church has shied away from answering and meeting these spiritual, mental, and physical needs. 

Through neglect and ignorance of the Holy Spirit, multitudes doubt the actuality of God speaking to their personal, community or international issues.  Expanding an already growing spiritual vacuum.  The church has tried to fill this emptiness with worldly programs, entertainment, impressive services, and worldly communications.

This has opened the door for the remnant to prepare for another awakening and dislodging of these spiritual forces that have infiltrated into the house of God. 

MY QUESTIONS:  Are we willing to count the cost for awakening?  Are we willing to pay the price?  Will we allow God to build His church, HIS WAY?

SCENE # 3

Finally, I was awakened with the phrase: “Faith is the mission, NOT the power. The power is in the STRATEGY.  People do not need more faith, they need clarity of STRATEGY.”  Simply put:  Faith is releasing strategy and strategy releases the power.   For example: Jehoshaphat:  He receives the prophetic word. {Faith} Then he lines up the singers and sends them out first.  {Strategy}

Jesus to Blind Man: “Go” {Faith} to the POOL and Wash {Strategy}

On another occasion:  Jesus to disciples – Let us go to the OTHERSIDE… {Faith} They got into the boat… {Strategy}

President Trump:  Gets Word on CV-19 {Faith} Implements Wartime Acts. {Strategy} Ships for hospital, factories for medical equipment, stimulus for economy….

Apostolic Pastors: “Comfort My People” {Faith} FB Live services, Drive In services, texting, etc. Creative strategies released.  This results in peace, minimal fear, care for one another, and strengthening the community. 

MY QUESTIONS:

 What are the Prophets hearing during this time?  What is our Word and Strategy after the crisis is over and gone?  Do we go back to normal like we did after 9/11?   What Apostolic Strategies are needed to come forth from the church?” 

Prophets need to pull FAITH from the council of God into the earthly dimensions.  Until this happens our intercession has nothing to distribute to the region. 

The Apostles need to ask and prepare the church for strategies to implement.  This will give us a foundation for the present mission of God.  Allowing delegated authority to activate the necessary visions for regional rule. 

It is time for the church to move from a training field to the battlefield.  We have preached, taught, sang, and acted out the virtual battle’s scenes, but now is the time to stop looking at the videos and enter this engagement. 

Those who have NOT prepared properly will perish in the initial assault. Like the storming troops on the beaches of Normandy during the D Day invasion of World War 2.

It is a season of weaning the soul from yesterday’s verbiage to the present language of the Holy Spirit in this era.  Much of our vocabulary will be expanded but without definition.  When you speak, the definitions will begin to emerge.  For definition is the new weapon against the false concepts, old ideas, faithless attempts, waste of wealth, religious doctrines of man, and mindset of convenience.  However, the clarity of new definitions will release positioning, power, prosperity, punctuality (timing), progress (advancement), propensity (intuition), piloting (guidance). 

This is the wave I revealed to the Western World.  It is not a particular people group.  Place where my coverings and principles have been rejected and abused.  They have been used to prop up man’s own desires and wants at the neglect of My purposes in the earth.  The cry of the neglected at the expense of man’s privileges has ascended to ME.   Now I am continuing to prepare their deliverance from the Valley of Decision. 

The NATIONS are seeing the severity of its departure from My purpose by this unseen enemy.  It has exported a gospel that is neither liberating nor fulfilling.  Nations have suffered needlessly because of a gospel that should not be preached or defended.  It has left My people thinking that influence, popularity, and the world’s ways are Spiritual Authority.  To which the enemy laughs and releases his oppressive spirits across the lands, homes, and churches. 

But My remnant’s appeal has rendered a verdict of judicial action.  This action is one of revealing the true condition of present spiritual leadership.  Leaders who did run so well in the beginning but were bewitched by the desire to be accepted by a system that is antagonistic to MY design, patterns, and laws of My Kingdom.  Causing needless suffering and pain to innocent and ignorant people.  Leading them into deeper bondage and causing them to believe they are FREE.

I am calling this period: 

PAUSE & RESET 

Some are so absorbed in the shadows, for them to return is ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.  However, many will understand something clearly at last and follow it to freedom again.  When this happens the multitude in the Valley of Decision will discover the lighted path laid out for them.  Causing the equilibrium of the cosmos to return to an unchanging system to reveal MY GLORY. 

Like the Egyptian release, My people sat under the blood covering eating their meals. All around them was the sound of lamentable cries as the destroyer visited their place.  Death precedes life.

Today we hear the unseen destroyer lurking at our doors.  Reminding us that we also are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.  As they heard the sound on that fatal night they were instructed to PREPARE for departure from the place of bondage.  The dawn of the next day they gathered their families together for the deliverance of the NATION. 

Are we ready for a new day to dawn?  I am not talking about escapism but advancement for God to reveal Himself to the next generation that know NOT God.  This generation has done what is right in their own eyes, but now we will do WHAT IS RIGHT IN HIS EYES!

WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO PREPARE?

1.  Instruction of Deliverance:   With all the forces of darkness unleashed in the nations we are not equipped to confront these enemies.  Find the proper Biblical teaching and instruction on the ministry of deliverance. 

2.  Release the Apostolic Teachers:     The Body of Christ lacks a solid foundation.  Teachers are needed  

to cover the depths of a SURE foundation.

Revisit and familiarize the church with the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  When we know the Holy Spirit, we will know Jesus.

When we know Jesus, we will know the Father. Then we will have:   Eternal Life {John 17: 3}

Explain the Monarchial Rule of Jesus Christ:  teaching the many aspects of what it means to be a person of Royalty: How to live and function in His Kingdom.

Establishment of the New Testament Church:  What are the Governmental Offices?How to transition from Power to Reigning?   {Eph. 3:10}

Finally, it is a time of PRUNING.  It is time to cut off all the sap draining branches that are sucking the life from the other branches.  Let GO of anyone or anything that you feel owes you.  Allowing the LAW of RELEASE in our life’s situation to bring you into another dimension that has not been presently known to you. 

Don’t be afraid to dig around the roots or allow someone to dig around the roots in your own life.  Roots determine our fruit.   What do you want to see grown in your life?   What fruit needs to be developed in your life? 

I respectfully submit this perspective for your consideration and prayer.  Opportunity comes to those that prepare. 

Confirmation to this word:

Text to me from a co-laborer: ”What followed Cyrus was the movement of God’s people as a remnant.  It was Zerubbabel who responded to Cyrus’s decree, but then the reformation stalled.

Why?  Because the saints got discouraged.  That same thing is happening again and now the reformation is stalling.  In Haggai, the prophet goes to Zerubbabel and prophesies a correction to the remnant.

What happened next is, the Lord stirred up Zerubbabel, He stirred up the spirit of Joshua, and the spirit of the remnant.  The remnant today needs stirring up.”

 Critical Mass

Are we on the verge of a Great Awakening in the world?  Has the church lost its potency?  Will righteousness reign in these days of uncertainty?  Are prophetic words of surety?  The answer is a resounding, “YES.”  As the church has gradually drifted further away from its God-given purpose, the nation suffers from the so-called proclaimers of truth & righteousness.

History records that sustained moves of God normally last from five to ten years, then humanity will begin to institutionalize that movement.  We build memorials and gather around certain truths that released the revival.  Resulting in truths that were meant to set us free, become the seed bed for division in our midst, leading to confusion, frustration and even heresy.  When the church is seeking to be accepted by society, it no longer is a voice to that society, drifting further and further away from Christ.  (Col. 3: 11)  Bill Johnson explains in his book, When Heaven Invades Earth, “…people repent enough to get forgiven, but not enough to see the Kingdom of God.”  As the church drifts away from its mission, the society the church is called to loses the scales of morality, purity, and value.  The society then grants permission for the church to touch the nation, but does not allow it to occupy that nation, leaving that society in search of some sort of purpose and meaning, yet not seeking the presence of God.  Seeking God’s purpose without seeking His presence leaves man defining his own definition of God, causing a moral spiraling effect on the culture.  The present church has been in this spiral for quite some time, bringing us to the point of “Critical Mass.”

Have you ever heard the word “Critical Mass”?  (CM) CM is when they take tiny amounts of uranium and plutonium and fissure them together to start a chain reaction to release nuclear power.  The power is in the nucleus of the atom.  That power is trapped within the atom until the proper principle is used to release it.

           The nucleus of the atom is surrounded by a NEGATIVE cloud, and something must penetrate that cloud and agitate the nucleus.  What does this is a neutron beam.  That beam bombards the atom until the nucleus starts to respond.  The physical characteristics of the nucleus completely CHANGE. It is now at critical mass.  The key is the PENETRATION of the negative electron cloud by the neutron beam.  This uses an incredible amount of ENERGY because the cloud around the nucleus is a powerful shield. 

Bear this in mind because that cloud is the greatest obstacle to fission, just as its spiritual counterpart is the greatest barrier to a move of God in our midst. What we seek is nuclear power, in the sense that there is something in us that must be released.  God will remove whatever is in the cloud that stops us from releasing His power in us.   Even Jesus refers to the fission-like impact of His coming to earth.  "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!  But I have a baptism to undergo and how distressed I am until it is completed!  Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?  No, I tell you, but division (fission)."  (Lk 12:51)

           Another key similarity between a move of God and nuclear fission is a strange phenomenon that occurs RIGHT BEFORE the atom splits.  The nucleus actually depresses.  Scientists observe that the neutron

Bombardment, which was changing the nucleus, now shows NO SIGN of reaching critical mass.  NOTHING SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING. 

This is also what happens right before a move of God's glory.  A sense of expectancy and rising of power, confusion, frustration, misunderstandings, His presence is lifted, and despair surrounds us.  At no other time does God express His love more than when He allows this time of total emptiness.  He risks being misunderstood, faces the possibility of His children walking away frustrated and confused, but He believes the good it will produce is well worth the risk.

           What do we do when this cloud of DARKNESS settles on you?  Scientists respond to a depressed nucleus by INTENSIFYING the neutron beam and resolve to do so until fission occurs.  They commit to keep moving, not relying on any PHYSICAL SIGNS.  That is exactly what we must do to see the end of this night.

           Critical Mass has been expressed all throughout history.  In the Old Testament we see ‘eight’ outstanding moves of God in addition to the one under Jonah for Nineveh.  They include the one in Jacob’s household (Genesis 35: 1-15),  Asa  (II Chronicles 15: 1-15),  Jehoash (II Kings 11; 12; II Chronicles 23; 24),  Hezekiah (II Kings 18: 4-7; II Chronicles 29: 31), Josiah (II Kings 22; 23: II Chronicles 34:35), two moves under Zerubbabel (Ezra 5; 6),  Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:9; 12: 44-47)

           Study these moves may give us some tremendous insight to where we are in the present dealings of God.  Let us look at these characteristics:

They occurred in a day of deep moral darkness and national depression.  Darkness is rampant at every level of society.  From campus shootings to board room corruption.  

They began in the heart of one consecrated servant of God who became the energizing power behind it, the agent used of God to quicken and lead the nation back to faith in and obedience to Him. There is a new breed of servants emerging in this hour that have the heartbeat of God for the world.  They are coming forth not for social change, but power expressions of the hand of God.  These servants are bold and ready to demonstrate the power of God through signs, wonders, and miracles. 

 Each move rested on the Word of God, and most were the result of preaching and proclaiming God’s law and power.   There is a revival of God’s word in our pulpits.  No, you will not see it on Christian TV, but in rural, steadfast fellowships of non-compromisers.  Joe Bogue said at the ‘Emmaus Road’ Conference in November, that our young people live in the Age of Information.  They are not interested in social activism but want to know what Jesus’ thoughts are for life situations.  Then channel their life around His word.   All resulted in a return to true biblical worship.   Today’s Sunday morning entertainment is quite different from biblical worship.   Twenty minutes of music hardly suffices for a true encounter with God.  As true worship returns to the church, we will see divine encounters producing changes of heart and activities. 

 Each move witnessed the destruction of idols where they exited.  The days of hero worship in our churches are ending.  The transition from the one-man leader to a true apostolic team brings the focus back to Jesus the head of the church. 

 Each move recorded a separation from sin.  Today we no longer talk about sin.  It is about our PROBLEMS.  With a focus on PROBLEMS, it gives us a mentality of choice.  But when we identify sin, then we have an advocate who can cleanse us from that sin.  Where is the message about, “SIN”?

 Each move resulted in offering of the blood sacrifices.    The apostolic church will begin to focus on the finished work of the cross and the power of His resurrection.  He paid for it all with His own blood.  We need to release the songs of Jesus, the preaching of Jesus, the ministry of Jesus, the name of Jesus.  How often do you hear that name mentioned in our gatherings?   If demons tremble at that name, shouldn’t we declare it a little more often?

 Each move showed a restoration of extraordinary joy and gladness.   I recall the beginning of the Charismatic movement, expressive dancing by individuals was an excepted activity in our gatherings.  Then we specialized in our dance teams and forgot to train people to kick up their heels for Jesus.  This is coming back into the church.  Just like Miriam, (Moses’ sister) “…after the horse and rider are throw into the sea,” All you want to do is celebrate before the Lord for His great victory. 

 Each move was followed by a period of national prosperity.   Because the church is to lead in ruling the nations, when it is renewed, it will impact the culture surrounding it.  We shift our focus from trying to be “a Church to being what we truly are, that is the representatives of the Kingdom of God on the earth in every fiber of society. 

The New Testament uses the Greek word ‘anazao’ for restoration, revival, resurrection, etc.  It is only

used five times in the New Testament.  One may ask, “Why is it not used more in the New Testament?”  Simply put, the New Testament church is revived Christianity!  Once again Bill Johnson states, “The nature of God is the nature of the Kingdom, which is the nature of revival.”   The more we take on the nature of God in this hour; we will continually experience a fresh move of God in our midst. 

           This is what is needed in the Body of Christ today.  We have reached the Critical Mass stage.   The atom has separated (cannot use the word SPLIT, not a good church word) Now is the time that God wants to release His nuclear power in the world.  We are the ones He has chosen to do this. Now is the time to step forward into the future and not look back.  Paul said, “Putting those things behind and pressing on to High Calling of

Christ Jesus."  Today is a day of new beginnings; do not let the accusation of the enemy deter you from the purposes of God. 

           Before there can be a Great Awakening, there must first be a RUDE Awakening.  Hopefully, this has been a wakeup call for everyone involved. Let us move forward. 

The Apostolic Church Engaging the Culture

In 1970, Francis Schaeffer saw the present church situation coming.  He said, “The church today should be getting ready and talking about the issues of tomorrow and not issues of 20 to 30 years ago, because the church is going to be squeezed through a wringer.  If we found it tough in these last few years, what are we going to do when we are faced with the real changes that are ahead?  One of the greatest injustices we do to our young people is to ask them to be conservative.  Christianity is not conservative, but revolutionary.  To be conservative today is to miss the whole point, for conservation means standing in the flow of the status quo and the status quo no longer belongs to us…”             Today there are thousands in our mega-churches, soaking up the warm Christian entertainment offered to them every week. Christian books are now found everywhere and on all subject, and Christian artists are now ‘crossover’ mainstream entertainers, and our Christian mega-stores and CD's and DVD's and Study-Bibles are readily available to the public for consumption, despite this deluge of information Christianity is in serious trouble in the world.              Despite our lavish Cathedrals ('Charismatic or not) with their high-tech projector screens, comfortable settings, and $100,000 sound systems, I am telling you that Christianity is in trouble around the world.            Somewhere in our comfortable suburban streetscape with its manicured lawns we lost real Christianity. Somehow in our concern for "property values" and a better 'dental plan' we left true Christianity behind. But that is not the worst part of it. The worst part is that we do not know how to get it back again. Or perhaps we do not really WANT to get it back again. The cost simply does not bear thinking about, does it? And so, as we drive around in our nice shiny cars with our groovy plastic toys, and attend "church" as we know it twice a week for 2 hours; as we live a life that is about as unlike Jesus as you can get, a life of comfort and coddling’ the fact is that we don't really CARE that we have lost original Christianity, do we?            As we listen to the Fox News prophets today, they are reminding us of a nation and world that is in serious peril and dangerously borderline chaos.  Things are spinning out of control, and no one has an answer.  The church has not advanced enough to address the postmodern world of today.  In the United States, 80% do not attend church.  The ones that do attend our mega-churches remain shallow and connected more to the world’s principles than to the principles of Scripture.  If we were to examine the depth of Bible knowledge for pastors, leaders, and workers in the church, we would find a great famine for the word of God.  Why?  A good place to start might be with the people in the pulpit and their concept of a “Biblical” worldview.  What constitutes a "biblical" worldview?  Christian researcher George Barna says, “ it includes a belief in absolute moral truth as defined by scripture, as well as acceptance of six core biblical beliefs: the accuracy of biblical teaching, the sinless nature of Jesus, the literal existence of Satan, the omnipotence and omniscience of God, salvation by grace alone, and the personal responsibility to evangelize”.           In a recent survey of Protestant pastors conducted by the Barna Research Group, only half (51%) passed the test on whether they possess a biblical worldview.  Of the pastors surveyed, Southern Baptists scored the highest with 71% while United Methodists finished at the bottom with just 27%.  In between were 57% of pastors of Baptist churches (other than Southern Baptist), 51% of pastors of non-denominational Protestant churches, 44% of pastors of charismatic or Pentecostal churches, 35% of pastors of black churches, and 28% of pastors of leading mainline denominations.           What has caused the church leaders to have such a low percentage of a worldview?  Someone once said, “If we do not learn from history, we are bound to repeat it.”  The problem with the church is we are not changing history, just repackaging the problems which cause us to remain ineffective. 

           Since 1830 the following ten characteristics have permeated and dominated almost every Christian church, denomination, school, and organization on the planet, even though most of them still believed in the Bible and orthodox Christianity and still loved Jesus personally in all sincerity. From around 1830 almost every church and denomination became:

Man-centered rather than God-centered.  

Defeatist and pessimistic, rather than optimistic, about Christianizing society in this age.  

Accommodative, rather than confrontative, toward falsehood and unrighteousness if there were a cost to be otherwise.  

Fearful, rather than courageous and self-sacrificing.  

Escapist and Rapture-oriented, rather than eager to have “God’s will done on earth” now.  

Irrelevant, rather than willing to offer answers to the world’s problems in law, government, education, business, financial, etc.  

Piecemeal in its thinking, rather than comprehensive in its biblical world view.  

Institutional, rather than relational, and sensational, rather than theologically thoughtful.  

Oriented toward a “peace-time” mentality, rather than a “war-time” mentality.  

Inclined to consider the Kingdom of God as primarily “spiritual” during this age, rather than a real, active, Kingdom on earth now, which God intends to have permeate, influence, and overcome all other societies, “kings,” states and continents for His glory."

The following Prophetic Word was given to me.

I am bringing My church out of the chaotic mess that it has mired itself into.  I will release a fresh anointing on those who remained faithful during this period of whore-mongering by my bride.  The world will not change from chaos until I have fully realigned and revised the present mindset in My church.  She has lifted her hands, mind, and committed fornication with the world systems.  Now is the time for it to end for My name’s sake.  Prepare her through cleansing, purifying, adjusting, and ordering.

Those who resist will remain in the quagmire and will diminish in their fancy palaces, which are tombs of people that are empty, because they remain full of themselves. 

It is the hour for intercession of governmental proportion.  The decrees of the Kingdom are being released to My apostles and prophets.  They must be free of man’s faces and know Me with all their heart.  I am coming to strip My bride for the covenantal ceremony.  I am drawing her back to the palace of authority and power that the world may fear and know that I am actively directing the affairs of all mankind. 

You will hear a fresh sound arising from the East.  It is a sound of clarity for those who have ears to hear.  But many will scoff, laugh, deny, and doubt the validity of this sound.  Rest assured to those it is unclear and unbelievable to my servants it will be a refreshing, releasing, and positioning.  What you have done in secret, I am rewarding you openly.  It is now I am calling My apostles and prophets out of the prayer closets into the churches, highways, small meetings, and other places for this sound to go forth.  Know that you will hear a voice behind you confirming the sound of this new era. 

I am laying the foundation for this new era and am releasing spiritual demonstrations to confirm this sound.  The old ways of war will not work for the new battles ahead.  Arm yourself with the present weapons of warfare.  Train My people with a completely new armor.

The cultural system today must be engaged by a church that is relevant and knows the mindset of God for this season.  The Corporation style, Evangelical church of today has become impotent in its mandate to establish the Kingdom of God in the Earth.  The church has lost its position in culture.  Most churches no longer hold a place of prominence or influence in the community.  Their contribution beyond themselves is no longer seen as viable or significant by the culture.  The church has been marginalized, not just by the devil, but mostly by its own fornication with a world system that is antichrist in nature. 

The church must rediscover its calling, authority, and find a new place in the culture.  The church will probably never be the center of the culture again, but it can exert great authority and influence from the fringes of the culture.  Just like Daniel, Joseph, and the early church.  To do this we will have to examine our present ministries and be willing to deconstruct and reconstruct our work. 

Alan Roxbourgh suggests a five-stage process for church changing to engage the culture:

Stage 1:  Stability - where life is working fine to…

Stage 2:  Discontinuity - when the old way is working less and less, to…

Stage 3:  Disembedding – when we feel the current system is unsupportable, to…

Stage 4:  Transition - when we have not yet left the old or quite entered the new, to…

Stage 5:  Reformation – When we decide to go for it in the new world. 

When I was a young pastor, I had all the same ambitions as my peers.  I wanted my church to grow and have plenty of money.  This was the goal in the ministry.  The problem with this mindset was that it determined whether the church was doing well or bad.  It also decided my attitude toward the work God had called me to do.  If attendance and money were up, I had a good attitude; if it was down, I had a bad one.  Realizing the vanity of this mindset I needed to change. 

One day while reading the scriptures, I was enlightened to Matthew 7: 24-27.  It states: 

“Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine (Jesus Christ) and does them, I will liken him to wise man who built his house on the rock.  25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.  26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:  27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell.  And great was its fall.”

I realized that what I was building was built on tradition of 1830 and not on Jesus Christ.  So, I began the transition from a Corporation blessing model concept to an apostolic model.

The traditional view of leadership places a strong individual at the top, with a few loyal personnel underneath to carry out the wishes and demands of the leader.  This Corporation Style structure produces the, ‘us and them syndrome.’  You will hear things in the church community like: ‘church staff,’ ‘annual business meeting,’ ‘budgets,’ ‘church office,’ ‘a record of your giving,’ etc.   While we need personnel, meetings, offices, accounting, these have a higher priority than the church’s actual purpose. 

This pyramid style is reflection of building on ‘shifting sand.’  Pyramids are the sign of Egypt in our midst.  Pyramids were built for death and not life.  They do exactly what they are designed to do.  KILL!

This style will keep any potential leaders from being developed.  Instead of seeing them as young Timothy’s or Titus,’ they become suspicious of insubordination, danger, power hungry, and deceitfulness.   This style leads to church splits and constant division.  Instead of building on the ROCK (Jesus Christ), they begin to strike the Rock, who called them.  Just like Moses struck the Rock. This was the spiritual rock that provided in the wilderness, parted the Red Sea, and brought victory over the enemy.  Where had the bitterness come from?  What caused the flood of anger?  It was the pyramid style leadership.  The results Moses received much from God.  Had a close relationship with Him, but NEVER made it into the Promised Land.

In the Apostolic Style we must transition our leadership from being ‘OVER’ to ‘WITHIN’ or ‘IN THE MIDST OF.’  Study of the scriptures reveals this as ‘covenant language.’  The apostolic style is based on covenant.  It is more pragmatic than ideological, relational than fragmented, trustful than fearful and cooperative than competitive.  This style provides a clear blueprint of building churches as God designed them.

Genesis 13: 2-4, “…and he (Abraham) went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place when his tent had been at the beginning between Bethel and Ai…” Abram built his altar at Bethel and dwelt there.  The choice between, ‘BETHEL,’ meaning “an assembled house of God” and ‘AI,’ meaning “a heap of stones or ruin,” is significant.  Bethel was the gateway to heaven for future generations. 

(Genesis 28: 10-22) This is apostolic style.  This style produces lively stones that are assembled in their proper place.  (Ephesians 4:16)   When God’s people gather together in ‘heaps of stones,’ we do not see the reality of the house of God, normally resulting in RUIN.  Or as Matthew teaches: “Great is the fall…”

Transitioning from a Corporation Style leadership to an Apostolic Style takes careful, prayerful, and hopefully delightful strategizing.  To do this, we must look at a change of mindsets.  Let us examine some of these mindsets.

We must move from people and their needs to a focus on God’s call and purpose for their lives.

People become accustomed to someone always running to their every need.  Needs are met indirectly by encouraging people to pursue God’s call and purpose in their lives. This creates within the individual a great confidence and faith in God.

Change from Spiritual Obesity to Training people to be Spiritually Fit.

The average American Christian hears approximately twenty-six sermons a week.  (i.e.  church services, radio, TV. podcasts, etc.)  This steady diet of hearing and NOT doing is creating an obese church.  Hebrews 5 exhorts us to have our sense EXERCISED by discerning…  These exercising challenges the people to live out their full potential and realize God’s will for their lives.

Change from a ‘Bless Me’ society to ‘I want to be a Blessing.’

Individuals need to take responsibility for their own lives and needs.   The BLAME started in the garden and continues until this day.  It is someone else’s fault that ‘I am the way I am.’  GET OVER IT and grow up.  Begin to do things for yourself and others.

Change from the hired staff doing everything to the work of the ministry.

Grace gifts have been granted to every believer for their skills, talents, and abilities.  Apostolic style teaches and trains individuals how to discover their gifting and how to move in them.  We are accustomed to finding a hired gun and expecting them to perform.  We can disobey the hired staff, but when the Holy Spirit is speaking to us, we must learn to obey.

Change from a maintenance program to a focus on maturity.

The Apostle Paul travailed for the Galatian church so that Christ would be formed on the inside of each of them.  He desired to present a mature and complete Bride to Christ. 

Change from a Slave mentality to an established and experimental reality in Christ.

The apostolic style works on moving us out from under governors and tutors to the reality that we are sons/daughters in Christ.

Change from meeting EXTERNAL needs to meeting INTERNAL needs.

The business world’s formula for success is, “Find a need and fill it.”  The church has adapted this slogan.  While this is acceptable it only goes part of the way.  Apostolic style moves beyond felt needs and stirs the spirit of man to greater identity and discovery. 

Change the behavioral system to the belief system.

There is much teaching on applying God’s word for believer’s behavior to match God’s standards.  The apostolic style lays the proper foundation for minds to be renewed and lives to be transformed.  Lives are transformed when our minds are renewed through revelation knowledge.

This will not happen overnight.  It is a SLOW process.  You will be asking individuals to move out of areas that have been their comfort zone for a long time. 

We are indeed caught in a world of cultural change, church change, and different leadership changes.  For us to engage the culture we must engage the church first.  The church must understand its mandate and begin to equip and empower new leadership for today’s challenges.  With the present attack on the church and its worldview, we must stand sure of God’s design from the foundation of the world. 

 Prophetic Storm Arising!

During a time of reflective prayer, I felt the Lord’s hand upon me saying, “There is a Prophetic Storm Arising!”

In today’s world we have become experts at the art of complaining.  This attitude has brought more confusion with little solutions.  I heard the Lord say, “It is time to confront this unqualified enemy by changing the conversation.” 

The prophetic is the weapon of choice for the earth-bound citizens of the King of Kings.  God has already put in our manual of life all that we need to achieve His purpose.  It is our responsibility to bring it into the natural realms as prophecy is spoken outside of time to be manifested in our sphere.  John 14:13 states, “Whatever you ask (demand, command) in My name I will do.”  The phrase “will do” is the Greek word, poieo.  This word means He will prepare, construct, acquire, fashion, and author it at OUR word, according to faith. 

As I peered into the Spirit the Holy Spirit directed me to the life of Samuel.  Samuel was one who changed the conversation of Israel.  He introduced the prophetic lifestyle of God’s community by instituting a JUDGESHIP System.  In this system he established:

           Governmental Decrees

           Broke Occult Ties

           Established himself and his order.

           Reeducated Israel

Directed the War Efforts of the Nation

           Standardized the Prophetic

           Structured Future Prophetic Protocols

           Positioned the Nation for Royalty and Nobility

Every year Samuel traveled the nation to implement this system of God.  Despite much opposition he was able to bring respect and acceptance during this Prophetic Storm.

I Samuel 7:16 gives the primary centers of impartation, revelation, and direction. 

His circuit consisted of BETHEL – representing the house of God and the place God speaks. (Gen. 35:13-19) 

GILGAL – known as the place for staging & strategizing for war, a place for returning and rolling away the reproaches. 

MIZPEH – not much is known about this area, but the definition gives us some clues.  It means to peer into the distance, watchtower for military purposes, observatory, lean forward, to observe or await. 

He chooses those who live without the need to possess, who do not seek prestige, who do not need to be recognized or acknowledged. The guileless and the childlike manifest the wisdom that defeats the powers. A Christianity that becomes prestigious, dignified, acceptable and respectable is no longer apostolic.

As long as we are a people who are fearful for our security, who tremble over the issue of our own finances, who model ourselves after the world, and use their techniques for obtaining funds, then we constitute no threat to these powers. We need ourselves to live joyfully free from the powers, free from fear, from anxiety, from seduction and manipulation. Wherever we calculate things to produce a certain result or response, we are guilty of manipulation. As long as we are moving in the very wisdom of the powers themselves, we constitute no witness against them.

KATZ, ART. APOSTOLIC FOUNDATIONS (Kindle Locations 1683-1686). REAL TRUTH PUBLICATIONS. Kindle Edition.

I Samuel 7: 5-15 gives us the scene of the prophetic storm the nation was facing.  The presence of God had been marginalized for 20 years by the capturing of the Ark by the Philistines. (I Sam. 4:21-22; 7:1-3) From the first Hebrew, Abraham, until the deportation of Judah to Babylon, the Philistines were a constant enemy of Israel. The conflict was over more than land; it involved divergent worldviews. Unlike the Israelites, the Philistines served human-made deities and were known as a violent, warlike people.  They were very materialistic and craftsmen in iron.  Their ‘drinking feast’ was a characteristic of drunkenness, addictions, and debauchery.  They were known as the nation of mourners.  Sorrow was the dominate attitude of these enemies of Israel. 

Does this sound like what is happening in your midst?  Sorrow, drunkenness, conflicts, worldview debates, violence, materialism, etc.  These all become our focus and miss the true purpose of these storms.  What the enemy has unlawfully taken will not be surrendered easily. 

God is gathering His prophetics to Mizpeh.  (I Sam. 7:5-6a)

This place of observation is where the prophets will rise to hear the new strategies from the Holy Spirit.  Colossian admonishes us to put our thoughts on things above and not on this earth.  God’s prophetics will rise above the distractions of this present situation to peer into the spirit realm for present instruction.  They will hear the voice of God with clarity and confirmation.  It will have the sound of a trumpet with distinction and certainty.  Listen to it.  Mizpeh was where the prophetics will release judgment upon the nation.       (v. 7-10) Judgment has begun at the house of the Lord.  God is calling all 5-fold ‘want to BE’s’ to cleanse their hands and purify their hearts.  Identifiable disobedience must be confronted and confessed.  Curses will be lifted when the blood of Jesus is declared over the acts of neglect and ancestral sins. Then a supernatural prophetic sound will resonate from the heavenlies.  The thunderous volume will bring a separation, arising in faith, and restoration of God-given action.  Taking proper steps will send confusion, inner conflict in the enemy’s camp and ultimate defeat.  I see an innovative approach to the communion table during this season.  Remember Paul revealed what happens when we neglect the communion table, some are WEAK, some SICK, and some EXPIRE. (1Cor. 11: 23-33) The proper approach will release a season of healing in your midst.

 The Prophetic Storm reveals those who have prayed the price for divine order.  These prophetics have made a priority for not what is popular or cultural compatible but what produces maturity.  Mizpeh is more than a place of relief or release but a watchtower for military purposes.  Neglect in this area has created much division, destruction, defeat, and despair.  Through biblical restoration and recovery His divine order in the House of God will produce:

Subduing of our enemies        v.   11,13

Restoration of our cities        v. 14a

Region marked by PEACE   v.14b.

Judicial system governed by the Prophetic  v. 15.

Ebenezer.  This name means: “stone of THE help.”  When God sees Adam all by himself, He fashions (Mizpeh) a helper. (Gen. 2: 8) Without the Help, the person who needs this help would either die or fade away.  Scripture tells us God will help the fatherless (Ps. 10:14), the afflicted, infirmed, sick, and diseased (Ps. 28:7), those who suffer great spiritual neglect, discomfort, and depravity (Ps.54:4), and those spiritual, soulish, and physical impoverished (Ps. 72:12). 

Mat. 7 describes two distinct kinds of men building a house.  One built on sand and the other built his house on a ROCK.  This year will reveal what kind of house we have built.  Sand built house talk about God and feel they are helping God.  Rock built house is lifting the name of Jesus knowing their help comes from the Lord.  This Prophetic Storm is going to reveal our foundational work. 

With God’s help we will face this Prophetic Storm and change the conversation in the nation. 

 The Wineskin is Ripping

           Did you hear it?  There it is again!  What is it?  Sounds like something is being torn up or ripped apart.  In fact, something is being ripped open, it is the old wineskin that has been trying to contain the new wine. 

           This became very evident to me on a recent missionary trip.  I sat in a leadership meeting to help give some input to a serious situation.  As I listened to these long-time leaders of the church grapple with some crucial decisions pertaining to the direction of the church, I realized that the wineskin they were accustomed to was ripping before their eyes.  They were trying everything to patch it back up and hoping it would hold together.  But the rip was too great, and they were faced with preparing a new wineskin.  I could hear the concern, fear, and indecisiveness in the discussion.

This is nothing new to what is happening in the church today.  Churches are under severe attack.  Leaders and their spouses are hit in every way.  If you have ever prayed for leaders, now is the time.  They need your encouragement, support, and love. 

Chuck Pierce stated in his book, The Future War on the Church, “The Church is going through one of the most historic seasons we have ever seen in the earth realm. The heavens are declaring the glory of God, and God's people on earth are making a shift to respond to what is being declared in the heavens.

I believe this historical shift began in October 1996 and is maturing today.   I see the next few years as defining the role of the identity of the Church of the future in the earth realm.  The Church is shifting its paradigm, or way of thinking.  The Church is shifting its government into God's apostolic prophetic order.  The Church is in a major shift of methods from one methodology to another so we can prepare for the Harvest of the future. The Church is shifting relationally between generations.”

The past several years of prophetic declaration and apostolic challenge produced a church that was inspired, but not changed.  One man said, “Inspiration not acted upon produces entertainment.”  The Apostles and Prophets have declared the direction and intent of God.  Did we make preparation for this direction?  I think not.  The results.  Today we have religious entertainment centers that have left the people empty, confused, frustrated, and longing for the truth.  The decline of the American church is evidence that we have not listened to the distinct sound given to the Body of Christ by the Apostles and Prophets.    We have much activity with little creative progress.  Image is valued higher than true biblical substance.  The church has words without fruit and talk, but no walk. 

Jesus was constantly trying to shake the religious leaders of His day out of the blindness of their perception of things, due to their "traditional" mind-sets.  In His parable of "new wineskins" our Lord pointed to the importance of not getting stuck in the ruts of tradition; of having approaches, methodologies -- and mindsets that are up-to-date and adequate for the tasks of the times:

"No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." (Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37)

The wisdom outlined in this parable is foundational to what we are referring to as new wineskin thinking.  The times are changing.  There are old mindsets - or old wineskin thinking -- that may have been appropriate for their time and purpose -- but not for the time we are entering. Old mindsets will serve as constraints in the era we are transitioning into.

There is an acceleration of these changes underway around the globe.  Changes in politics and power structures.  Economic changes. Technological changes.  Ethnic and sociological changes.  Changes requiring innovative approaches and new mindsets.

There is a distinct need to begin praying for the Body to have the eyes of their understanding opened to new wineskin thinking appropriate to the era we are transitioning into.  We need to simultaneously ask the Lord to enable us to recognize the old patterns -- so we might identify the mind-sets that are the stumbling blocks; while opening ourselves to the Holy Spirit to receive the revelation of what is going to be needed by way of new patterns and approaches -- as well as new ways of perceiving the issues that are the issues of significance; issues that are going to make a difference.

We are amid unusual changes in the standards and infrastructures that guide the course of world events.  Yet, we find ourselves increasingly stuck in the old wineskin thinking.  There are too many instances in which we are tripping over the very things that were once the appropriate standards -- in terms of the nature and order of doing things.  It relates to our priorities.  How we prepare for the future.  How we manage and focus our time.  How we relate to those of the world around us.  On the one hand, we are to touch the things of this world lightly. Yet on the other, we are being brought into a new level of stewardship – that bears on the things of the world we are being increasingly entrusted with.  We need to pray that we individually, as well as corporately within the Body, will shift from an "ownership" mindset to one of "stewardship."  A level of stewardship that necessitates a fresh understanding of the times and an appropriate understanding of what to do.   

We need to intercede for new wineskin thinking related to the way we do the work of the ministry. Today's models are built largely upon the successes of past pioneering efforts -- significant efforts -- efforts related to individuals and ministries that have paid the cost and paved the way in establishing the work of the ministry we know today. But we need to pray for new wineskin thinking that recognizes the mindsets that are no longer adequate, and at times are not even appropriate for the tasks before us.  Leonard Ravenhill gives some much-needed insight for adjusting to the development of this new wineskin.  He states, “Prophets, as I have said and written so often, are God's emergency men in crisis hours. They thrive on perplexity, override adversity, defeat calamity, bring the new wine of the Kingdom to burst the withered wineskins of orthodoxy, and birth REVIVAL. Let no Christian's heart fall him because the enemy has come in like a flood, that the voice of the prophet is not heard in the land. God has His men hidden. They will come forth without price tags; with nothing to sell, nothing to propagate but "holiness unto the Lord."

           We need to call forth the Prophets in this hour with a clear distinct voice, not just to individuals, but to the entire Body of Christ.  Because of that, there is a growing urgency to pray for a special awakening within the Body.  An awakening to recognizing and dispensing with the old mind-sets.  An awakening that receives and embraces the new wineskin thinking our Lord spoke of. 

We cannot assume.  This is not a time to be riding past successes.  We need to be on the alert.  Major adjustments are in order within the Body.  And as we enter this new era, with all its change; we need to pray to stay increasingly closer to our Lord as we make Him the priority and seek His wisdom at each juncture.  We need to perceive things through His eyes.

We need to pray that the Body will have their eyes opened to not only understanding the times; but to knowing what to do; and how to do it.  And with that, we need to ask the Lord to help us within the Body, especially those in leadership; to identify where our thinking reflects that of old-wineskins -- and that we might have the spiritual vision to recognize the new wineskin thinking; and to have the wisdom to make the appropriate "mind-set" adjustments.

 Blacksmith’s

In the early days of King Saul the Philistines removed all the blacksmiths from the nation, effectively disabling them from providing for themselves agriculturally and defending themselves militarily. This is a

prophetic picture of the church in our nation in the area of equipping the saints for ministry.   (1 Samuel 13:19-22)

Weaponless in the Day of Battle:

Israel was defenseless. The only weapons in the nation were in the hands of the leaders, King Saul and his son, Jonathan.

Armed leaders, disarmed saints:

In today's church we have a comparable situation: the leaders are armed while many of the saints are not. (Eph.4:12)

'One Man Show' Mentality:

One plan the enemy uses to disarm the people of God is to convince them that the ministry is the job of professional religious leaders. (Eph. 4:15-16) The early church was built upon the effective labor of apostles and prophets, plural, with Christ Jesus being the chief cornerstone: (Eph.2:19-22)

The I never missed church syndrome: (attendance only)

The highest goal many Christians have is for perfect church attendance, to listen to the preacher, and partake of his ministry. Perfect attendance is not God's highest plan for the church because being there is not enough.

The Deep Teaching Syndrome:

Retaining the information, we are taught does not make us a threat to the enemy's work. We must be able to apply what we are taught.

Do not be ensnared with an unrighteous quest for more knowledge without considering the functional outworking of what you learn.

Both To Do and Teach: (Acts 1:1-3) The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 

Act 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 

Act 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 

Calling the Blacksmiths:

Many have very little understanding of that which God has placed within them. The spiritual blacksmith is one who can help individuals identify gifts and callings that presently lie dormant within them and then train them in their use.

 Thinking Backwards:

We must think backwards from end to beginning to determine what needs to be done to accomplish our goals.

1) What works of service (ministries) are needed in our area?

2) What training do our people need to prepare them to do this work?

3) How do we change our church process to accomplish this training?

4) How do we release into ministry those we have trained?

5) How do we pastor those who are ministering?

Our Calling:

God is calling all of us to be spiritual blacksmiths. The enemy has disarmed the family of God for too long.

You’ve Come Full Circle

In a recent meeting with Christian leaders, I made the comment that we are entering into the Era of Apostleship, as the Evangelical Era is concluding.  As we say down in Texas, “They looked at me like a calf looking at a new gate.”   What do you mean?  Aren’t we supposed to evangelize?  What are we to do?  The Bible tells us, “There is nothing new under the sun…”   we are coming to the place of discovering what God had in mind all along.  You see, we westerners think linearly, while the eastern mind thinks circularly.  The eastern mind sees things in cycles, while we just see them in a straight line.  God does move in cycles, and we are coming to the end of a prophetic cycle.  I Cor. 13: 8 states, "...but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail..."  The word 'fail' means: to become inactive, complete its cycle, or is finished.  

A close friend of mine declared to me that in God's Kingdom nothing is wasted, things that we missed in the past, God is going to give us a second chance to redeem that area of our life.  The example he used was great.  He took the life of Moses and showed how he knew that he was to deliver the children of Israel but did it by killing an Egyptian. (We can all relate to that, if we have done any ministry at all) But God had bigger plans and Moses had to go FULL CIRCLE and got a second chance to deliver the children of Israel, God's way. 

I do not know about you, but I have taken stock in some of the areas that I have blown it BIG TIME.  What I thought was vision at the time, I now see that it was part of my preparation for what God wants me to do.  So, I encourage all of us to take heart and remain true to our calling, vision, and destiny.  When He brings us full circle, He will bring us back to where we made covenant with Him.  I remember a spiritual leader that would gather us young, vivacious, handsome, and energetic preachers together and say to us, "Review YOUR call often."  Those words are ringing loud and clear to me right now.  I believe God is going to reiterate what He has spoken to us to do and reveal to us an open heaven.  Under that open heaven will be a season of refreshment and revelation.  (God knows that we need it)

Another word coming forth is about the ‘SHIFT’ that is happening in the spirit realm.  The cause of a tsunami is due to an underwater earthquake, the shifting of the plates on a fault line.  This seems to parallel the SHIFT happening right now in the church.  Many churches have been in a holding pattern for quite some time, waiting for the next emphasis of the Holy Spirit.  Tsunamis are catastrophic because of two reasons: (1) the people are not ready, and (2) they do not have any type of warning system.  I am concerned that some of our churches today may experience the same kind of Spiritual catastrophe.  They are NOT ready for this new era of God and do not see the warning signs.  I am not proclaiming a GLOOM and DOOM message, but the reality of history.  Many will reject this next era and declare that it is NOT from God and remain in their present outdated system. 

I recall how many churches rejected the Charismatic movement as fanaticism, unholy, not spiritual, and shallow.  Churches split over this move of God, as has happened down through history. They did not split over the message of God, but the Move of God in their midst.  The reason was quite simple; it did NOT fit into their system.  Many had to leave and go to other fellowships to remain in the flow of God. 

Can that happen again?  I am afraid there is nothing new under the sun and many will reject this new era as: “NOT FROM GOD.”  This will expose their religiosity.  Dutch Sheets stated, “this will be God’s doing.  To help them stay in their present position.  How?  By hiding the new move from them.”  WOW!!!!!

If we are going to participate in this New Era, then we need to prepare ourselves.  I submit the following for consideration.

1.        Revelatory Intercession for the next cycle.  Intercession means ‘to go or pass between; to act between parties with a view to reconcile those who differ or contend; to interpose; to mediate or make intercession; mediation.  Using the same source, mediate means between two extremes; to interpose between parties as the equal friend of each; to negotiate between persons at variance with a view to reconciliation; to mediate a peace; intercession.” 

The concept of intercession can be summarized as mediating, going between, pleading for another, representing one party to another for, mediation.   It carries the idea of representation or to present again. 

Revelatory intercession is coming upon the body of Christ to reveal to us the next era of God.  This is beyond the focused areas of intercession, such as intercession for government, or families, or other targeted areas.  But Revelatory intercession will be a distinct trumpet sound from the throne room of God.  Those hearing this distinct sound will begin to pull this next era out of the heavenly realm into the earth.  This sound may have many expressions, but it will have a distinction of familiarity to all those that are tuned in to the Spirit of God. 

An example of this was John the Revelator on the Island of Patmos.  Revelations 1: 10 states, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.”   John began to declare what he saw in the Spirit realm.  i.e., revelatory intercession.   Without this action by John, the book of Revelations may not have made it to us. 

There is coming into the Church of Jesus Christ seasons of spiritual momentum.  There will be an increase of prophetic expression, operation of the manifestation gifts, along with dreams and visions, there will be times when the Spirit of Intercession will come upon whole groups.  Prayer meetings could last for days, if not weeks.  Many will quench the Spirit as He tries to invade our meetings, but those who are given to revelatory intercession will recognize this sound and give warning not to miss this time of visitation. 

I would encourage leaders to teach on Intercessory Prayer (I recommend Dutch Sheets book “Intercessory Prayer”), the moving of the Holy Spirit, how to flow in the manifestation gifts, and how to hear the voice of God.

2.       Revelatory Prophetic Confirmation.   God does nothing accept first He reveals it to the prophets.  (Amos 3: 7 “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”)  Many of the prophets have been in Elijah’s cave, waiting for the next instructions from God.  Soon they will come out with fresh anointing.  They will be anointed to prepare the next generation of prophets, leaders, and kings.  What God is doing will be followed by a strong prophetic confirmation.  The prophets are preparing and waiting for their time of release. 

The prophets in the last cycle will once again give a strong declaration.  The difference between then and now is before they were prophesying to close out the last cycle.  Letting people know that the last era has ended.  Soon, they will be released to confirm what the intercessors are hearing.  Unusual signs, wonders, and miracles will mark these times.  The need for this confirmation will be crucial, as God confirms His word out of the mouth of two or three witnesses. 

Leaders must begin to embrace the PROPHETS again.  Some leaders began to reject the PROPHETS due to the fact they were closing out the last cycle.  This meant leaders had to give up their comfortable lifestyle.  I agree there are many self-proclaimed PROPHETS across the land.  This only validates the genuine of true PROPHETS.  Ask God to connect you with a New Testament Prophet. 

3.       Revelatory Apostolic Establishing.   The greatest obstacle to this next era of God will be a leader trying to put this new era into an old system.  Systems are designed to give us familiarity, comfort, and preparation.  It seems easy to teach and prepare with a system that is already in place, but with this next move it will stretch the Apostolical mandate beyond comfortable hierarchical systems to true and genuine servant hood.  Servant hood will produce a consistency in the lives of the people that will have lifelong effect on the community and churches. 

There will be an increase of the mentoring model, not just the lecturing concept.  The sons and daughters in the Lord will embrace spiritual Fathers.  The heart of the Fathers will be turned back to the children and the children will be turned back to the Fathers. 

The Apostolic Establishing will be part of this SHIFT.  Through Revelatory Apostolic Establishing the church will move from methods to the voice of God.  From Pastoral foundations to Apostolic foundations, from a Greek mindset to a Biblical model of church life, from the One-Man Hero Leader to the Five-Fold model of Leadership.  

Leaders must explain and demonstrate the five-fold model.  The Apostle must be a part of the local assembly.  Not in words only, but in an active co-laboring role.   Churches may not have a resident Apostle, but they must be Apostolic in nature.  Begin to learn, teach, and pray for impartation for apostleship in the life of your work. 

Yes, there is a great SHIFT happening on the earth.  The results will be a GREAT WAVE of God’s Spirit.  Are you ready to complete this cycle and begin the next one?  I AM.