Five-Fold Today - The Spirit of AntiChrist - Overcome the Strategies of The Enemy - A "holy" War? - The Temple Mount - Gideon's Army - Days of My Power - Times and the Season - Let my People Go - The Next 60 Days - The Runners and the Race - Co-workers, Not Competitors
THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST
by Jim Rinker
The job of Jezebel or the religious spirit is to introduce her god baal
into the land as a substitute provider or husband for our Lord and
husband Jesus Christ. Jezebel "builds" the platform upon which
antichrist will sit. In this world there is a movement toward making
government God.
The main topic of discussion in the debates is how will the president use
government to protect (military), provide (social programs), enlighten
(education), and heal (healthcare) those who submit to it and entrust in
it. We know the ultimate "fulfillment" of this will be when you must
commit yourself unequivocally to "baal" by taking a mark in your right
hand or forehead to reap the blessings of antichrist as husband or
provider.
This is a "foreshadow" of what is rising up in the body of Christ for
it's a picture in the natural of what is happening in the spiritual
within the church. I will be as blunt as possible. The religious spirit is
introducing her god (baal) into the land. That god is "government" and is
manifesting itself in the form of "apostolic government". It is coming to
be your "mediary" between God and man and "substitute" itself for the Lord
Jesus Christ making itself supreme authority or God's "delegated
authority" on earth.
Sounds like the pope. Well the pope is only a "type" of this greater
manifestation which is already upon us. This government is demanding
submission to it and in return it is promising provision (blessings) for
for your "obedience" by submission.
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and
shall deceive many.
Many are claiming to be "Christ" or "anointed ones" and promise "peace
and prosperity" if only you will submit to their authority (Daniel
11:21). The promise of provision for you comes in exchange for loyalty
or submission from you as your trust shifts from Jesus as provider to a
governmental system in which blessings flow from submission to
authority. All this sounds "biblical" and "spiritual" but Jesus clearly
said:
Matthew 20: 25 But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that
the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are
great exercise authority upon them.
Thus the "definition" of government that is being spewed forth by those
demanding your "allegiance" is not the same as that spoken of by Jesus for
Jesus "government" will not demand allegiance but will serve you to make
sure that your salvation is sure. They will serve you and not you them. As
Paul said "the children do not lay up inheritance for the parents but the
parents for the children".
In Ephesians 4 is says:
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
So the purpose is to see the bride raised to maturity. Then we as a body
will then begin to "feed" one another BY THE SPIRIT that the whole body
would EDIFY ITSELF.
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, [even] Christ:
The flow is NEVER top down as in from "anointed ones" to the "masses
below". The flow is from the LORD HIMSELF to whom the WHOLE BODY is
joined. It's thus a direct connection. Those who are called to serve
"plant and water" but it is the Lord who gives the increase. Their focus
is simply on doing those things that will mature the body so it is capable
of EDIFYING ITSELF which simply put is being able to recognize the Spirit
of Christ and manifest gifts in one another and draw from them to be
edified by the Lord Himself.
When we are ministered to by another it is the Spirit of Christ or Lord
Himself ministering to us and when we minister to "one of the least" of
our brothers and sisters in Christ we are ministering to the Lord Himself.
Hold and consider these things for the time of trouble is upon us when
all those things written shall be fulfilled. Praise to the Lord that He is
able to preserve us through this hour of trouble and temptation.
In His Love.
Jim Rinker
Overcome the Strategies of The Enemy
Teresa Seputis
This may not sound like good news, but I believe the Lord wants to alert us
to what the enemy is up to lately. Then we can press in and get God's
strategy to thwart the enemy's plans.
The Lord has been showing me that recently the enemy has begun to release a
spirit of contention and division on the Body Of Christ. The enemy is
causing miscommunications, and offense is being taken where none should be.
And the goal of this season is to destroy the unity that the Holy Spirit
has been buiding in the body. Just about every church and ministry I am
personally incontact with of has been seeing a higher level of offenses,
striffs and miscommunications this past month than at any the the whole
year preceeding it. This is because the enemy has released a strategic
plan against the Body Of Christ.
But God is showing us the enemy's stratgy so we can defeat him, and so that
God's plan will prevail instead of Satan's. Satan is not nearly as powerful
as God and he less resources than God does. Satan was counting on a sneak
attack where we don't know what hit us when the stuff comes at us and we get
overwhelmed and don't think to fight back (against Satan's strategy). But
God is showing us Satan's strategy to diffuse his plans.
So now we need to each individually seek the Lord and ask Him for our
personal strategy and marching plans to keep the enemy from gaining any
ground in this "all out attack". We need to guard our marriages, our
families, our relationships at work and at church. God will show us how
to do this because He wants to really embarass and frustrate the enemy.
And God's strategy is to empower us to walk even closer to Him and each
other than before. His strategy is for us to walk in the POWER of His
love.. the love by which all men know we are Jesus' disciples. God's
strategy is to see His glory come forth in His church and His kingdom
advance. And He wants to accomplish this strategy through us, His people.
So put on your marching boots. Get ready to do some foot stomping and
trampling on the plans of the enemy. But be sure to go to God, hear Him,
and get your directions from Him. Assume that any offenses that come you
way are not personal, but are the general strategy of the enemy. So defeat
him by refusing to become offended or angry at the person. Instead, rebuke
the demonic attack. If we do this, Satan's strategy of contention and
division will not stand. If we look to the Lord and walk in His power and
in His love, God's strategy will prevail and our enemy will be once again
defeated.
So, rise up as VICTORIOUS, because God has already given you all you need
to be an overcomer. RISE UP, O mightly man and woman of God. This is your
time to take some ground for God's kingdom. You have already been given the
victory and the strategy. Now go out and appropriate it!
teresa@godspeak.org
A "holy" War?
by Mary (Koons) Wattenford
Psalm 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy
right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.
Have I not said I would come to you in the early hours of the morning My
Child - when you sought My face? Truly I AM a GOD that "KEEPS!" His word.
My WORD is the same yesterday, today and forever!
You question My leading, but I say unto you I "HAVE!" gone before you and
prepared a way for you. Though the world erupts in turmoil, keep your
heart and your mind STAYED ON ME! I prepare those who you will meet along
the way - and tell them of your coming; for you come not in your name -
but IN MY NAME! I AM that I AM is sending you. I AM that I AM is bringing
you forth.
Truly the enemy is roaming about seeking "WHOM" he may devour, but if you
keep your eyes on ME, you have nothing to fear. FEAR NOT! I SAY.. FEAR
NOT!
For I will bring you through all of the struggles, all of the trials, all
of the tests that lie ahead. Though a thousand may fall at your side and
ten thousand at your right hand - NONE will come nigh thee! Bring your
focus unto MY PERFECTED WORK.. Bring your mind and your thoughts in line
with MY WORD and you will move ahead on the "prepared path" quickly.
Bend your will.. subject YOUR WILL to MY WILL! Lean not upon your own
understanding in this day - for I AM is doing a "new thing!" A wonder to
all who will STOP! gazing upon world events but LOOK at
what I AM is doing in the midst of them. For though many have fallen and
will fall - they are not lost to Me.
Are not even the hairs upon your head numbered? Do I not know when a
sparrow falls? Those who have fallen are not lost.. Nor forgotten by your
God. Their families grieve but those who have been "lost to them" ARE
with Me in paradise. If those who grieve will look unto Me - I will
surround them and comfort and walk with them THROUGH the "Valley of the
Shadow of Death."
I will apply the Balm of Gilead to their hearts---I will uphold them and
sustain them - bring them the OIL OF GLADNESS to replace what the enemy
has taken from them. He is defeated - but they SHALL ARISE VICTORIOUS!
They ask and wonder - "HOW could GOD allow this to happen?" So many
questions, so many fears, so many looking at the problem, instead of
looking to "THE SOLUTION!"
Where sin reigns, death reigns. Loss happens when the enemy has found a
foothold and entered in. Those who commit such atrocities
have "sin" residing within them, and love not their enemies.. But seek to
bring death and destruction in the name of a "cause," for reasons they,
themselves, do not even understand.
But "sin" brought forth Ishmael! Unbelief was at the "root" of his
conception. Yet, I "blessed" him and made of him a great nation - a great
people, but a people who today claim to know ME, yet deny who I AM! How
can ANY understand ME unless they are willing to come before Me and sup
with me, REST in My Presence? How can they DENY MY SON-SHIP, but
acknowledge that the power of MY NAME is such that they refuse to allow MY
TRUE WORD entrance within their borders?
How?? Because deep within themselves they RECOGNIZE that I AM that I AM,
but they - as the Pharisees, would have to turn from their own
self-righteousness and become humble before Me. They are a people whose
greatness has been lost by their own willful disobedience to "MY ways.."
The enemy has so blinded my latter-day Ishmael's that they have "holy
wars," and claim it is of ME!
There will be wars, and rumors of war - but does it say that "I" have
initiated them? NO! For I said: THOSE WHO PICK UP THE SWORD - WILL DIE
BY THE SWORD. My ways are gentle and humble. I say unto you that "BLESSED
ARE THE PEACEMAKERS! For "THEY" shall be called the "SONS OF GOD!"
WOE!! WOE!! Unto those who "pick up their swords" and claim it is of ME!
Woe!! Woe!! To those who blindly follow the promptings of others and
refuse to acknowledge the conscious that I AM PLACED WITHIN THEM that
speaks of "doing good" and NOT "doing evil!"
Follow your heart - listen to your conscious! Don't be blinded by others
into thinking that the war you call for - is holy unto the LIVING "HOLY"
GOD! Sin begets sin. Violence begets violence! Let he who would breaks
the peace KNOW that I watch over "MY CHOSEN PEOPLE" - the apples of My Eye
and he who would "touch or harm" my little ones will answer to "THE GOD OF
ABRAHAM, ISSAC AND JACOB!"
Truly many have hearts blackened with malice and envy, greed and covet
what their neighbor has. Truly, many call forth "FIRE FROM HEAVEN" but the
"FIRE" they bring forth is a fire of rhetoric that besmirches the GOD -
they "SAY" they serve! NONE who do such things have "ANY!" part of ME,
nor do I recognize them, nor do I overlook their evil deeds.
They follow one who was full of pride in "his" accomplishments, "full of
deceit and malice" towards those who refused to follow him. He sought to
build an empire - with himself at its "head." BUT I AM THE HEAD!
Nimrod would build a tower - a tower that reached to the very heavens. He
failed - for he failed to take into account that "I AM" the "GOD OF THE
HEAVENS." And so will others fail who presume to "REACH UNTO THE HEAVENS"
and build their own "towers!"
I AM YOUR HIGH TOWER. None other. You can ONLY come to the Father -
"THROUGH ME!" There is NO OTHER NAME that will save. There is NO OTHER
WAY to "REACH" into the Heavens!
mkoons15@hotmail.com
The Temple Mount
Vern Kuenzi
Isn't it interesting that the focus of world news is now on the
Middle East, most specifically on Jerusalem --- and even more specifically
--- on the Temple Mount. Peace negotiations seem unavoidably drawn to
that location. One wonders if this is the beginning of what God meant
when He said that He would make Jerusalem a stumbling stone for the
nations, and that all nations would one day come against Jerusalem. Many
have set dates for certain end-time events --- particularly the rapture
--- and a bad taste has been left in the mouths of many who are aware of
such failed predictions. All of us, who have attempted to set dates for
specific end-time events prior to 10/23/2000, have been wrong. I don't
think people who make such predictions are heretics, as some say, but it
does throw a pall over what may be legitimate --- and not entirely
speculative --- considerations of the timing of end-time events. Did God
give us sign posts that we should be looking for?
Many Bible students believe the references to the "temple" and the
"altar" and the "outer court" in Revelation Chapter 11 are referring to a
spiritual things, and have nothing to do with an actual physical rebuilt
temple on the Temple Mount. That may be true. But perhaps both the
spiritual and natural interpretations are valid. There may be one day
soon a new Jewish temple being built on the Temple Mount, and if that
should be the case, it will be almost certainly a bench-mark in the time
scale of end-time events. Why would I say that and risk adding yet
another "false prophetic" voice to the clamor of those already predicting
specific dates? Because I am not predicting a specific date. But the
Bible gives us specific
times --- not specific dates as a day or month of a particular year ---
but specific intervals of days relative to certain events. When these
events will start in terms of a specific day, month, or year is unknown.
But when certain of these events do start, things will progress like
clockwork, and that clockwork countdown is very clearly given to us in the
Bible. We must neither add to --- nor subtract --- from what God has
given us. We should not ignore the detailed information He has provided
just because of the poor testimony of prior failed date-settings. He has
given us specific time intervals in terms of days, months, and years
regarding the unfolding of events, particularly during the last three and
one-half years of the
age. More is written in the Book of Revelation about the last three and
one-half years of the age than all the rest of the prior two-thousand year
history of the Church age. I believe He has given us specific times so
that we could understand what is happening. But we must pay attention.
We must WATCH.
God is concentrating much of His plan for His Church into the last
three and one-half years of the age. Those will be days of incredible
darkness and incredible light. Those will be the days of the final battle
between Satan and the fully empowered Church of Jesus
Christ. And the Church will win --- by the Blood of the Lamb, the word of
her testimony, and by loving not her life unto death. The very wisdom of
God in the form of the cross will be demonstrated through a Church brought
to full stature in Jesus Christ. And there is a specific event that
starts off this final three and one-half years of the age that everyone
should be aware of. It is revealed in Daniel Chapters 11 and 12 for all
to read about. And the book of Daniel says that the wise will understand
what is written and what will happen.
Daniel 11:31 describes an event which is described as taking place in
Jerusalem on the Temple Mount and seemingly in a physical Jewish temple.
In the middle of the final seven years of the age, someone sets up an
"abomination of desolation" in a "holy place" and
from that day until the "end" there are 1290 days . . . not 1291 days, not
1289 days, but 1290 specific days. What are we to think of this? Is all
this reference to "temples" and "holy places" to be understood as
reference entirely to spiritual matters, and not physical items which we
could see or touch? I think we should be flexible in our thinking, and be
prepared for either or both possibilities.
Jesus said to His disciples that when they would see the abomination
of desolation standing in the holy place, as described in the book of
Daniel the prophet, then those in Jerusalem should flee because then would
begin a time of great tribulation. Was Jesus
referring to a spiritual temple, as He had been known to do, or was He
referring to something His disciples could physically see? I tend to take
the simplest interpretation, and that to me is "when they would see" means
"when they would SEE."
If a physical temple is erected on the Temple Mount and if this
abomination of desolation is something we can physically see, then we will
be on a finite and specific countdown to the exact day of the end of the
age. Since things won't go really bad until that time when the antichrist
is revealed and the great tribulation starts, we should be fully warned
and aware of what is happening. Why do I think that these things are
physical as well as spiritual?
Partly it's because of reference to the outer court in Revelation 11
being measured with a measuring rod and given over to the nations.
Spiritual things are not usually measured with
a "tape measure." Partly it's because the Bible says Jerusalem will be
trampled upon by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are complete
(that includes the outer court). Partly it's because I had opportunity
several years ago to stand beside the Dome of the Spirits north of the
Dome of the Rock and observe a large flat stone forming the floor of that
cupola that looked like it could have been a threshing floor. It had been
worn and polished to the extent that it was a smooth as . . . a mill
stone. The surface resembled the well-worn surface of a flat river stone.
It was almost perfectly flat. It took a lot of hours of "polishing" to
make it look like that. I don't think it was an art project. As I
remember, it was about ten
or twelve feet across. If indeed this is the original threshing floor
that David purchased, and the site of the original Holy of Holies, the
construction of a new temple would not necessarily interfere with the
existing structures on the Temple Mount. Some
archaeologists believe this is the case. There is an interesting website
at http://www.excel.net/~hoy/temple.html that presents this possibility as
a key to peace negotiations which could provide for construction of such a
new temple. The following quote is taken from a BAR write-up on that
website:
"Dr. Asher S. Kaufman concluded that the original site of the Temple
was at the northwest corner of the Temple Mount; north of the Dome of the
Rock. He has determined that the east-west line aligning the Mount of
Olives with the Eastern Gate and the Temple bisect on a small shrine
called the Dome of the Spirits. The Holy of Holies is thought to have been
located on the bedrock covered by this small cupola. He noted that the
bedrock inside this little domed area is the only such bedrock appearing
on the Temple Mount --it sticks up from the surface. The rest of the area
around the Dome of the Rock has been paved. This is the "Eben Shetiyyah"
(Foundation stone) that was the floor in the ancient Holy of Holies." end
of quote
Of course, we realize that any such peace will be a false peace that
will fall apart at the middle of the final seven years of the age. I
think we should keep these things in our back pockets for a rainy day when
suddenly a peacemaker may appear on the scene, and part of the provision
of the treaty he proposes is that the Jews can rebuild their new temple
--- which they are standing in the wings this very day, prepared in a
moments notice --- to begin.
And if this is the scenario, then we won't have to wait until the
middle of the final seven years to start the countdown. The book of
Daniel says "he" will confirm a covenant with the many for seven years.
In the middle of the seven, "he" will set up the abomination of desolation
and stop the regular sacrifice. The "he" that does this is defined in
Daniel 11:31 as none other than the "antichrist" we hear that is coming.
I believe the reference to 2300 days in Daniel 8:14 is particularly
suggestive, because it is a period of time which includes not only the
time from the abomination of desolation to the restoration of the "holy
place", but also the time of the regular sacrifice. This time interval
then would include the time that the regular sacrifice is in effect, the
time of the abomination of desolation that stops the regular sacrifice,
and the time interval to restore the holy place. Including the time of
the
regular sacrifice extends this period of time from three and one-half
years to 220 days short of seven years. That 220 days is what the Temple
Mount Faithful folks said in 1994 that it would approximately take to
erect a new temple and restore sacrifices. The man I asked the question
of said, "about six months." Keep this in your back pocket for that rainy
day --- just in case.
God gave us these specific time intervals for a purpose. These
intervals begin with specific events. If these events are spiritualized,
it will be more difficult to define their start.
But if they are physical events which everyone can see and mark on their
calendars, then they will be definite bench-marks in the sequence of the
end-time countdown.
When will it begin? Only God knows. And He isn't telling. At
least He isn't telling me --- or anyone else so far that has claimed they
knew. But the signs of the times are there for us to observe, and we are
counseled to know and understand them. When these events begin to unfold,
they will unfold very quickly, right on schedule with the precise
prophesied time intervals --- to the day. If we have these possibilities
thought out, even though they be hypothetical, we will be better able to
pick up on the understanding of these events when they begin to take
place. We will be in better position to counsel others, as do those of
Daniel 12:3, who are called wise and will shine like stars forever.
Restoring the Vision
Gideon's army
By Robert I Holmes
There is a gathering Gideon Force on the face of the earth. We must today
sound the trumpet to those who are supposed to be a part of the army about
to make war. The information I share today has been published twice
already - once in 1996 and once in 1998, but I feel it is coming to
fulfillment this year and next (2001)
In 1996 I had a vision of Joels Army and Gideons Army. At the end of that
vision I observed a battalion off to one side of the 'beaten track',
hidden in dense undergrowth. This group stood quietly, waiting in the
jungle. They were assembled in a square, and they were awaiting
instructions. At the head of this smaller group was a banner which read
"Gideon's army".
I should say at the outset that the 'end time' army of God, the militant
church making war on the enemies of the kingdom and taking ground for
Christ will be made of many companies. Just one of these companies is
Gideon's. Others have seen and labelled them the Isaiah 57 company, the
Elijah force and the warriors of Gilead. To more deeply understand what it
means to be a part of Gideon's Army we should read right through the
account in Judges 6&7.
Background
"Israel was greatly impoverished because of Midian; and the Israelites
cried out to the LORD for help" (Jud 6:6). Picture the scene in your
mind's eye. Smoke drifts across much of the countryside - as it has in
recent times across all of Indonesia. The scene is one of terror - the
land overrun by Bedouin warriors.
These fearless warriors have destroyed the crops with fire, trampled the
vineyards underfoot with their camels, and razed buildings to the ground.
The flocks are scattered, and the land lies desolate.
It is in this environment that we find Gideon cowering under the sacred
Terebinth tree crushing wheat in the winepress. One can only guess as to
why Gideon would do this - perhaps to hide it from the invaders? We know
that an angel of the Lord visits him and after some discussion, Gideon
brings before the angel of the Lord a meat offering. This is the first
point I wish to look at - Gideon's offering. Whilst God required an
offering from the meagre left overs of the Sidonian widow at Zarepath,
Gideon chose to give this offering unto the Lord.
Think of the abundance of Gideon's generosity. It may not seem much, but
consider that winepresses do not hold much grain and Gideon made
unleavened bread for the angel. His flocks were scattered, yet Gideon slew
a goat calf, and prepared a broth - what he had he gave! The church today
is also greatly impoverished - she has been raped and cast aside by the
enemy. Can we also give, even if we are vulnerable, if we have meagre left
overs? Offer to God from that which you have right now and He will receive
it.
Preparing the army
In the vision noted above, I saw a battalion. A battalion in military
terms is 10,000 men. Now in the story of Gideon, 32,000 responded to the
call of Gideon. Note that they came as a result of the cry of God. We are
told that, "The Spirit of God took possession of Gideon and he sounded the
trumpet - and those called out followed him."
We know that after the first wave of testing only 10,000 remained. After
the second round of testing only 300 men remained. I think that by 1996
the Lord had taken this present day Gideon force through this first
purging to get to a spiritual (not numerical) 10,000.
The first purging was to remove those who feared battle. These ones who
left had 'the fear of man'. Note that this refinement was not to create an
'elite force'. Any normal man fears death in battle! And those who left
joined him later to rout the army. God kept the crazy ones!
These men were mad enough to fear God alone and not the intensity of
battle. The 10,000 men in my vision stood waiting in silence for the Lords
command to move. This is where Gideon's army has been for the last few
years - waiting for the next purging.
The second purging
The second round of purging reduced the army from 10,000 to 300. Once
again for us today this is spiritual (not numerical). When you turn up
the constraints, increase the pressure, raise the stakes, of course the
numbers are going to reduce. Note that the first purging was by the
choice and will of men. Gideon asked "Who wants to leave and return to
your family?"
The second purging however was of God's choosing. God said "The troops
are still too many; take them down to the water and I will sift them out
for you there. When I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go with
you; and when I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go."
(Jud 7:4). This passage betrays a deeper choosing than just the 'lap at
the water' test we find described later.
The Lord is choosing, hand picking his people. In the days of Gideon he
chose the ones who lapped 'like dogs'. I have heard all sorts of
interpretations applied to this test. One which is missed frequently
however is the fact that these soldiers were hand picked, and those God
chose were like dogs.
This is a tell tale sign. Dog was a derogatory word; it meant one who is
weak, the lowest of the chain, one of poorest position. David, humbling
himself before Saul went about it this way: "He did obeisance and said,
"What is your servant, that you should look upon a dead dog such as I?" (2
Sam 9:8). And you remember the woman who begged Christ for a morsel of His
attention? She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that
fall from their masters' table." (Matt 15:27).
Those who remain in this army are 'dogs of war'. Those who remain are not
'God's best' but rather they are 'God's chosen'. You need not be an elite
fighter, honed warrior, battle scarred cavalier or be the most amazing
strong man to apply! On the contrary, God told Gideon that he would chose
a team Israel could NOT blame! He chose a team in such a way that He would
get all the glory. That's why it was so small.
The qualified
Those who qualified were those who did not fear men or war, those who were
like dogs, and knew their position before God. Many are called, but few
are chosen (Matt 22:14). 32,000 called, 300 chosen. This is a very
Scriptural basis for selection. We are told that in these last days a very
similar thing will occur - "The Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of
lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and
faithful." (Rev 17:14). Note that those who come with the Lamb in battle
are called, chosen and faithful. They are not 'anointed, appointed and
gifted' people.
We see now a picture of the kind of cohort gathered with Gideon - of one
accord in they way they viewed themselves - utterly disqualified in the
world's eyes, but according to God, useful! It reminds me of Paul talking
to the Corinthians about what qualified them for service in God's work. He
said, "Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were
wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble
birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God
chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low
and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing
things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God." (1
Cor 1:26ff). That is your qualification for Gideon's army!
Note the difference between the kind of person God sees Gideon as, and the
kind of person Gideon sees himself as. God addresses him as a "mighty man
of valour" who was to "go in this might of yours" Gideon confessed his
honest appraisal of himself (much the same way David later did) - "How can
I deliver Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least
in my family." (Jud 6:15).
The coming days of battle
"Look at me, and do the same; when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do
as I do." (Jud 7:17). We see in the story of Gideon: great valour from a
man of insignificance and absolute obedience from Gideon's men. We must in
these days follow the commands of the Lord exactly and do as the Lord has
made clear to them. If they are hearing correctly from God, we should not
hesitate in our obedience to the command.
The men did exactly as Gideon did, except for one interesting point.
Gideon instructed them to cry, "For the LORD and for Gideon!" (vs 18) but
in fact they cried "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" (vs 20). This is
interesting because they marched without drawing their swords! Their hands
were full. They went into battle with a shofar in one hand (trumpet) and
fire in jars in the other! (7:19).
Gideon's army won the battle without weapons being drawn. We are even told
that the enemy "feared the sword of Gideon"(vs 13). I believe that the
'deception' at hand was God instituted, as the warriors blew their
trumpets instead of drawing swords.
The shofar [trumpet] symbolises the prophetic clarion of the watchmen,
used to sound the alarm and awaken the city. This will be prophetic music.
Music will be integral to victory on the streets in the coming days. God
has used music to win war before! The walls of Jericho fell to the blast
of the trumpet and the shout (Josh 6:16).
This is the way it shall be in these days - "Those who were to sing to the
LORD and praise him in holy splendour, as they went before the army... As
they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against them [the
enemies of Israel] so that they were routed.... For the Ammonites and Moab
attacked the inhabitants of Mount Seir, destroying them utterly; and when
they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to
destroy one another.... no one escaped." (2 Chr 20:21).
In the other hand they held fire in clay jars. The fire in jars may well
speak of that light we have within us, "we have this treasure in clay
jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs
to God and does not come from us." (2 Cor 4:7).
People NOT to be involved with
After winning an amazing victory in their first battle, Gideon's army
pressed the defeated enemy far into the Northern region. They passed
through into the land of Ephraim, toward Penuel. The inhabitants of this
region- the sons of Ephraim, were accomplished soldiers. Over the years
they had managed successive enlargements of their territory and were
furious that Gideon had left them out of the battle (Jug 8:1)
Gideon must have considered taking such fine fighting men along with him
to rout the enemy, yet we read that he proceeded on without them (vs 4).
Whilst Gideon acknowledged their superior strength in battle, (vs 2) he
diplomatically declined their offer of help. He proceeded with out the
prestigious fighters. It would have been tempting to take them along in
the next battle. Who are these sons of Ephraim, and what might they
represent to us today?
Might it be that the true, fighting church will have to refuse the help of
the mighty? Might we have to refuse admission to the large churches and
great Christian structures which straddle the globe? There are many good
reasons to bring along people who seem to have a fruitful ministry
(Ephraim means "fruitful place"). They may have prestige, they may have
power, they may be experienced in battle and spiritual warfare, they may
have ruled in the previous moves of God, yet we must deny their aide. They
may indeed have a special place in God's heart and plan, but not in His
plan for those moving in the might of Gideon.
Expect persecution not wide acceptance
They had routed the enemy and run them to the ground. In hot pursuit they
were weary and asked each town they came upon for help. But they could get
no help - not in Succoth [meaning the dwelling of Jacob], nor in Penuel
[meaning face of God]. Expect persecution! Don't expect help from those
who dwell in the 'booths' of their fathers [religious types] nor from
those who have 'seen the face of God' [the leaders of past moves]. In fact
expect to run weary and tired, ragged and hungry. This was the lot of
Gideon, yet he still went on to rout the enemy! (Jud 8:10,11).
Robert I Holmes
Days of My Power
Bill Burns:
These are the days of My power that I
have spoken of. Indeed the prophets of old have spoken of
these days, but I speak to you today of spiritual reality.
My desire today is that My word becomes alive in you, that
it becomes a beacon of light that shines through any
darkness that may abide in you, that it may disburse that
light and bring you forth as a son of glory. Is it not
written that the whole earth travails waiting for the
manifestation of the sons of glory? If I were to come to
you today and say to you that these are those days, would
you believe? For indeed this is the hour of the
transformation of My people. For, you have seen Christ
high and lifted up, and you have watched Him (in the Word)
even walk to the top of the Mount of Transfiguration, but
I say unto you that in these days even those of you who
are like Peter and John shall be transformed with Him as
you the servants of the Lord rise up into that place, says
the Lord, I will shine My light upon you, and you shall
live in a new dimension of time--the time of the
empowerment of My people. This is that day that has been
written about. This is a day of equipping.
Times and the Season
Marsha Burns
Stop! Look! Listen! See if you can
discern the times and the season that is upon you. For
behold, you are in a time of progression and a season of
positioning in My kingdom. Push through the gray dawn of
shadows where your path is uncertain, and come into the
full light of My plans and purposes for you. I have called
you out of obscurity into clarity. No longer will you
wander through life with your mind filled with questions
and doubt about where you belong. I tell you the truth, I
will move you with precision and accuracy. But, in order
for you to be perceptive to My leading, you must rise
above your own reasoning and your own soul desires to live
in the Spirit. I urge you to break out of the limitations
of the flesh like a butterfly breaks out of its cocoon. It
is time for you to walk by faith and no longer be
restrained by what you know by your senses. This is a new
day and a new time, and it is imperative that you discern
the moving of My Spirit.
Faith Tabernacle
Let my people go
David Howe
Dream.
I was wearing a clerical collar like the ones that the vicars have in the traditional churches.
This clerical collar was making it hard for me to breath, In fact it was choking the life out of me and was I sweating a lot because of this, I could
not move my head properly.
Others looked at this collar and it did not look right
As I was walking down the road I suddenly got hold of this clerical collar and ripped it off.
I said as I did this - This is killing me as I ripped it off.
I threw the collar away, I felt free as I did this, I could now breath properly, Breath move my head and walk properly.
Can you all who have the meaning of this contact me. This is a personal dream.
I have nothing against vicars by the way, Many do a good job in difficult circumstances.
End.
Vision.
I was in my Sunday night meeting when I saw a vision of the people wearing strait jackets, They could not move their arms and legs, They were
totally bound up and wanted to be free but did not know how to be free.
I felt the Lord say that he wanted to set his people free, That he wanted to undo that strait jacket if they would let him.
This is a picture of what most of the church is in at the moment.
Set my people free - Let my people go I say unto you o pharaoh, For I have come to set my people from the yoke of bondage.
For you have placed more and more work upon my people o pharaoh, Placed that heavy load religion upon them.
Let my people go says the Lord.
For my burden is light and my way easy for those that live in me.
For whom the son sets free will be really free.
End.
Dave howe
davehowe@fdn.co.uk
THE NEXT 60 DAYS
As we come to the completion of the yearly Feast of Tabernacles
for 2000, the Lord is impressing upon me that we are in an important
KAIROS time for the next 60 days. We can expect increased warfare
and spiritual attacks, but the wise warrior will seize this as
an opportunity for an aggressive offensive. I sense that this
is something that will be felt primarily in the spiritual realm,
not as much in the natural realm (at least for now).
The Father is allowing this increased attack to:
This is no time to be 'drunk in the Spirit' or consumed in the
busyness of the holidays... it is a time to be sober and vigilant
and on the offensive. December 21st will be a pivotal breakthrough
day for many. For those who will take initiative in strategic
proclamation (at the Lord's leading) there will be great grace
and favor upon their words and result in much fruit.
I sense that this is an important time to evaluate relationships
also... a time to break any unhealthy soul-ties, as the Lord
needs us unencumbered from emotional bondages, to devote ourselves
unhindered, to His purpose and strategic plans. (If you are in
an unsatisfactory marriage, do NOT misconstrue my words as saying
it is God's will for you to leave, that is the lie of the enemy!)
Let us look at our relationships... are they edifying, producing
life, equipping and mutually building Christ in each other?...
if not, break that tie and move forward in purpose.
The next 60 days will have great impact on the next 2 years;
in retrospect, this will be clearly recognizable. Lay aside any
encumbrance, for the encumbrance that you choose to cling to
will be exposed and removed within the next 2 years anyway.
Don't allow the current focus on the middle-East to distract
you from the real battle at hand, rather let it serve as a reminder
to be sober, be vigilant, and be on the offensive!
info@DougFortune.org
The Runners and the Race - A Parable
by Leonard Hjalmarson
The runners came from around the world to run the race. Most of them had trained for years, some as many
as forty years, to be on the team.
These were the best in the world. They had been trained by the Master, who had a record time that would
never be beaten. He knew all there was to know about the race; it was even said that he designed the track and
knew the Master Builder.
The runners had trained in the mountains, and trained on the plains. They training by swimming and they
trained by walking. They gave up food and sleep to train; they trained in season and out of season, in summer
and in winter. Some even trained while sick and in personal need. Many left families and jobs and lands. They
were ready to stake everything on the race.
Picture it - when the day for the race arrived, the camera panned down across the start line.
The runners stretched almost a thousand meters, each spaced into a lane exactly one meter wide. A
thousand runners had their eyes focused on the goal, far off down the lane, their muscles taught, waiting for the
sound of the gun that would send them on their way.
An hour passed.. two hours... the runners were drenched in sweat at the tension. This was the moment they
had prepared for.
Another hour passed.. a day passed. The coaches walked along the back of the race line, encouraging them.
"Any moment now... " "You were born for this day."
Night came and went. Another day passed. Some of the runners fainted with exhaustion, having never left the
start line. The coaches meanwhile flew off across the country to help train other racers, and to watch other
races.
A week has passed. Picture it. The camera pans across the start line. Half the runners have gone home.
They no longer believe the race will ever start. Maybe only the coaches are supposed to run? Maybe the
runners didn't understand the rules?
A few of the runners gave up waiting for the gun and ran off without it. They face the anger of the ones still at
the line, and anger from the coaches. Why won't they play by the rules? They are accused of being rebels.
A few coaches who had left later returned to bring encouragement. Some of them chatted with the runners,
others chatted with other coaches. Some coaches worried that the gun hadn't fired, while others didn't notice. A few were angry. Had someone stolen the gun? A few were seeking ways to appeal to the Master.
More runners dropped from exhaustion. Some wandered away from the start line.
Another week passed. A few runners are still on the line, but they are no longer focused on the goal. Now they
are just talking about the race they might run one day, or arguing about the rules. Many have left the start line
never to return. They don't understand.
A month passed. The race is all but forgotten. The only runners left are asleep near the start line, huddled in
blankets to keep warm...
*****
That is my attempt at a parable of life in the institutional church. It doesn't matter whether this church is large
or small, charismatic or traditional. It could be the story of a hundred thousand churches in north American and
Europe. Few have understood or grasped their real purpose. Fewer still are really doing the job of getting the
runners into the race.
Yet, "hope deferred makes the heart sick." Unless we get the runners in the race now, most will give up all
hope that they are even called to run it. Many already believe that only pastors and teachers should race.
And what does the Master think? What would he say to the coaches who still walk up and down the line, not
knowing how to fire the gun, or afraid to do so, who teach about the race, but don't release others to enter it?
Maybe he would say, "It's not you and your church, it's about Me and My Kingdom." Involve and equip my
people to serve.
"Woe to you who have been so concerned about your church that you forgot it was mine. "Woe to you who have
been so concerned to build your ministry that you neglected mine. "Woe to you who have been so concerned
about your reputation that you used my name to build your kingdom. "Woe to you who used my authority to
strengthen your position. "When the Master returns, will he find you faithful?"
Submitted by the Diggers
southland@greatsouthland.org
Co-workers, Not Competitors
A.W. Tozer
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the
preeminence.
It is too bad that anything so obvious should need to be said at this
late date, but from all appearances, we Christians have about
forgotten the lesson so carefully taught by Paul: God's servants are
not to be competitors, but co-workers....
A local church, as long as it is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, cannot
entertain the psychology of competition. When it begins to compete
with another church, it is a true church of God no longer; it has
voided its character and gone down onto a lower level. The Spirit
that indwells it is no longer divine; it is human merely, and its
activities are pitched on the plane of the natural....
The Holy Spirit always cooperates with Himself in His members. The
Spirit-directed body does not tear itself apart by competition. The
ambitions of the various members are submerged in the glory of the
Head, and whatever brings honor to the Head meets with the most eager
approval of the members.
We should cultivate the idea that we are co-workers rather than
competitors. We should ask God to give us the psychology of
cooperation. We should learn to think of ourselves as being members
in particular of one and the same body, and we should reject with
indignation every suggestion of the enemy designed to divide our
efforts. The Next Chapter After the Last, 56-57.
"Lord, forgive us for the sin of comparison and competition. Replace
it in our hearts with a spirit of cooperation as co-workers. May the
glory all go to the Head. Amen."
Read "Insight for Leaders" online at:
October 24, 2000
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among
you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that
which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of
itself in love.
rinker@3dp.com
Website: http://landru.myhome.net/cmjhburl/rinker.html
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/vkuenzi/Titlesheet.htm
Vkuenzi@compuserve.com
shm@storm-harvest.asn.au
http://ft111.com
ft111@qwest.net
Doug Fortune
--Colossians 1:18
http://www.litmin.org/tozer.php3Five-Fold Today Archives
The Lord has given us the grace to reconcile the children to their Fathers
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