Five-Fold Today - Caught In the Second Day - On the Gagging of the Prophets - The "Eleventh Hour" Company - Revealing Jesus - The Present Truth Believer - Listening and Speaking Prophets - The House Is The Gate Of Heaven
CAUGHT IN THE SECOND DAY
Debra Westbrook
A new day is indeed upon us! The Third Day Church is arising, walking
forward into a greater dimension of the Kingdom, where greater glory awaits
us. But where have we been? I heard the Spirit of God speak this to me. "My
church has been caught in the 2nd day, in the tomb, somewhere between the
passion of the cross and the power of the Kingdom."
The cross brought us to a place of divine confrontation. That which we had
been proclaiming with our mouths was now being experientially worked out
through each of our lives. The choice was before us. Would we get on the
cross? One will never have a clear eternal perspective while standing at
ground level. No, we had to die upon the cross ordained by the hand of God
for each one of us, while He was corporately preparing us.
A prophetic army must understand this - "The testimony of Jesus is the
spirit of prophecy." (Rev. 19:10) To be able to rightly speak for Him in
power, we must have the cross worked through our lives. His testimony must
become our testimony! His path must be our path! We have been wooed onto the
cross by His love, required to follow in His footsteps.
Over the years, we pursued this path to greater glory, a path of radical
obedience, little realizing that as we desired more of Him, greater glory
would inevitably bring greater suffering. Romans 8:17 says it like this:
"...heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his
sufferings, in order that we may also share in his glory." So suffer we did!
The remnant climbed upon the cross to die to all self-righteousness, hidden
agendas, and all our religious ways. All our flesh must pass through the
cross for the greater glory of a Kingdom Age. No flesh will glory in His
presence!
Death was worked into our being for as a Third Day people, we can truly only
impart that to which we first die to ourselves. We suffered reproach in His
name, endured persecution and rejection for Him, in order to be more fully
conformed to His image. Through it all, it has been revealed to us that
great grace is required to move into this greater glory! Grace, grace, and
more grace! Abounding grace beyond measure to endure and persevere in Christ
Jesus. His testimony is being worked deep within each one of us. Who would
truly choose to die of their own accord? It is only by radical obedience to
know Him in the fullness of His suffering that we will experience the power
of His resurrection. There is no way to become a Third Day church unless we
follow the path Jesus took through His own three days. We must be empowered
by His grace every step along the way. A hunger for radical obedience draws
us to the cross, but only great grace keeps us there until our death!
Moving into the 2nd Day, we have discovered that our next stop was the tomb.
It is here that many of us found ourselves, waiting to be called forth. But
it did not happen as quick as we had hoped for because there was so much
within ourselves yet to die. It is a holy hush, a divine silence that is
upon us as John Moore recently spoke of in a prophetic posting.
Our flesh continued to decay and rot! Just when we thought we were dead, we
realize we are not dead enough. It is as if we have been trapped in the
increasing revelation that within us, each of us, is no good thing. In this
time of divine silence, we have been brought back to the basics again - the
passion of the cross, the power in His blood, and a glorious hunger for
intimacy and worship of our King. This has been as a sweet fragrance unto
Him for it has come in times of suffering. How pleased I believe that He is!
Knowing the end from the beginning, He is well aware of the necessity for
this Third Day people to be brought to this place for such a time as this.
He was and is bringing us to an end of ourselves asking very simple
questions such as:
Can I trust you?
Will you follow me totally abandoned and surrendered to my plans and
purposes?
Will you seek My face and not my hand?
Do you love Me?
The tomb has become a womb, a birthing place, for those who have discerned
accurately. Our prophetic destiny in His divine purpose is being imparted in
the silence. It has been the hand of God that has secured the entrance until
His perfect timing, as God calls us to arise and come forth into the Third
Day. We must not be deceived as we venture forth - we have by no means
arrived. We are still in process, as we go from glory to glory to glory.
Remember, greater glory will always require greater suffering - our flesh
must always be brought to the cross to die. It is nothing in ourselves that
has brought us to this great and glorious time we are about to enter into.
It is His blood and His divine love that has drawn us forth upon this path
for this time. Let us come forth as He calls us, hidden in God in Christ
Jesus. Rise up! A mighty prophetic army with the name of Jesus upon our
lips, a clear revelation of the blood, and the cross seared upon our hearts,
we enter a new day.
Debra Westbrook
On the Gagging of the Prophets
Stephen Hanson.......
Meri,
Now, please understand that my intent is "not" to do anything here except to
expand an understanding of what you mentioned. That is my "only intent,"
and nothing more.
Now I also believe that there are prophetic messages which do instruct and
teach as well also. Truly a teacher will "teach," and a prophet will
prophesy, but I believe that we sometimes place these things in neat little
packages, and expect there to be no "crossing over into other areas."
There are prophetic messages which are "foundational," and speak of biblical
and scriptural doctrine. These I would label as "teaching prophecies," and
maybe are even like akin to apostolic teaching. Only that they come in the
form of a prophecy and not a "direct teaching." God wants to instruct us
so that we are not like the horse who has no sense or direction:
8. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will
counsel you and watch over you.
9. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but
must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Ps. 32
Sometimes prophetic words will say specific things about what we should
expect to come. Here is a portion of a word that says that:
"The locusts are coming, locusts are coming. There are locusts that are
coming into the land. They are being dispersed throughout it. They bring
with them devastation. These are things which I have spoken about, and they
are coming. In the days that follow, you will see these things manifested in
different ways. They come to defile the land, and their seed will follow."
They will manifest themselves in these ways:
This message says some things about the danger of falling into strange and
unusual doctrines:
"So I AM saying that it is so important how you hear...Then you will not be
easily deceived, or misled. It is becoming more and more important how you
"discern" the voices around you. Do not easily believe everything you hear
about. Remember that satan comes as an angel of light. There are already
many of your brothers and sisters who have been misled by his devices. There
are many "strange and unusual" teachings which are abounding. Do not get
"caught-up" in these things. Do not adhere to the teachings of angels.
Worship the Lord your God and Him only. Many have been deceived by
"ministering spirits," and to be true, they are fallen angels. Seek Me and
you will find Me. Surely, this is the time when every "wind of doctrine" can
easily mislead my church."
Lastly, this word from April 15 of this year talks about teaching and
instructing us so that we can then impart or equip that to others as well.
This below is a "portion" of that word:
"I have instructed my servants the prophets, to speak. To give a word which
would "build-up" my body. To replenish the dry land with the rain of my
Spirit. The words I give would be like the manna that was gathered in the
wilderness. I ask you, my servants, to come before Me."
(The Lord showed me a scene in which I saw the profile of himself, like a
giant King, and He was looking down upon His children. There were a few
standing in front of Him, waiting for His orders. As I watched then, the
Lord gathered up a bowl of water and poured it forth upon these men. As I
continued to watch the water, it changed, and there seemed to be many things
going on in the water. It began to boil and rise to the surface, and there
appeared to be various things in the water. Then out of the water, came
other figures, who were garbed in kingly and various robes. I watched these
figures, and as they walked, they moved their hands and motioned and spoke.)
"I have instructed some of you to build-up and edify the body of Christ. I
have placed my words in you. They have been like fire and burning coals. And
some of you have followed my designs in doing this. But I AM calling many of
you to other things. For out of the water of my Spirit are coming others.
These are those who have been waiting for this time. For they have been in
the desert and in caves being prepared for this time. Those of you who have
stood before Me in my council, and have given forth my word in obedience, I
ask you to help those, and train those who are coming forth. Yes, continue
to speak forth my words. Continue to call forth those things and bind them
in my Spirit."
(Again, the Lord began to show me some things and here I saw a huge pair of
hands motioning to me to come over here and sit down. He then said, "Come
and sit down, for many of you have been trained in my Spirit, but it is now
time, to begin training others. For school has begun and it is time to get
into your seats.)
Now, I realize you know what I'm talking about Meri; I just felt that some
clarity sometimes needs to be brought forth with these things sometimes so
that we can ALL then perhaps come to a better understanding. We know that
the "winds will blow," that He wants a "body to be united,"that we need to
stay in the "Center of the hurricane," that there are "different seasons
that we go through," and on and on. These are messages that perhaps warn,
encourage, and enlighten. May He teach us and bring us unto maturity, so
that what is spoken will be articulated in a way that it is clear 'what way
to go,' so that we won't be groping around in the dark.
"I have instructed my servants the prophets, to speak. To give a word which
would "build-up" my body. To replenish the dry land with the rain of my
Spirit. The words I give would be like the manna that was gathered in the
wilderness. I ask you, my servants, to come before Me."
(The Lord showed me a scene in which I saw the profile of himself, like a
giant King, and He was looking down upon His children. There were a few
standing in front of Him, waiting for His orders. As I watched then, the
Lord gathered up a bowl of water and poured it forth upon these men. As I
continued to watch the water, it changed, and there seemed to be many things
going on in the water. It began to boil and rise to the surface, and there
appeared to be various things in the water. Then out of the water, came
other figures, who were garbed in kingly and various robes. I watched these
figures, and as they walked, they moved their hands and motioned and spoke.)
"I have instructed some of you to build-up and edify the body of Christ. I
have placed my words in you. They have been like fire and burning coals. And
some of you have followed my designs in doing this. But I AM calling many of
you to other things. For out of the water of my Spirit are coming others.
These are those who have been waiting for this time. For they have been in
the desert and in caves being prepared for this time. Those of you who have
stood before Me in my council, and have given forth my word in obedience, I
ask you to help those, and train those who are coming forth. Yes, continue
to speak forth my words. Continue to call forth those things and bind them
in my Spirit."
(Again, the Lord began to show me some things and here I saw a huge pair of
hands motioning to me to come over here and sit down. He then said, "Come
and sit down, for many of you have been trained in my Spirit, but it is now
time, to begin training others. For school has begun and it is time to get
into your seats.)
In ending this:
cshanson@tri-lakesonline.net
The "Eleventh Hour" Company
Jim Wies
"So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his
steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the
last to the first.' "And when those came who were hired about the eleventh
hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they
supposed
that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.
And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner.
"But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong.
Did
you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way.
I
wish to give to this last man the same as to you. "So the last will be
first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." Matt
20:1-16.
There is a large company of saints who could be called the "Eleventh Hour"
company, who have not found their place of work in the service of the King.
The Eleventh Hour Company is the company of believers who have been idle
in
the market place until such a time as they find their place in ministry. Of
course, part of the reason is that much of the church over the years has
been more like a "spectator sport" than a "work force" for the Kingdom. The
church has been astutely compared at times to a typical professional
football game (or soccer, for you Europeans
Much of the way Church has been structured has leant to this dilemma,
with certain 'paid professionals' doing the work of the ministry, and most
of the rest just watching or waiting. But this scenario is about to change.
The time of the "eleventh hour" work force is coming into place. Some have
called it the "saints" movement, while others refer to it in terms of the
"nameless, faceless revival" of the saints. Call it what you will, but it
is
a clear event in God's plan for end-times restoration. (note, Acts 3:20-21;
Acts 15:16-18, etc) Of this period of time Psalms 110:3 states: "Your
people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from
the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew."
But this eleventh hour company, as described in the Lords parable, when
asked why they were idle, said that no one had given them a job. While we
are currently seeing an emphasis in many circles on the restoration of the
five-fold ministry in the Body of Christ, it is valuable to see that these
critical ministries are not an end in themselves, as needed as they are;
but
are designed to be "equippers" of the saints. That is, to train, impart,
activate, and deploy the saints in the work of ministry.
It is the time for leaders to make a place, and for the church to arise
into it's place, and give themselves as laborers of the harvest. As we move
into the time of the Eleventh Hour Company, two things need to happen in
the
church; leaders must become equippers, and saints much arise to pursue the
discovery and fulfillment of their destiny, calling and purpose in the
Kingdom of God.
It's not to late to sign up. The pay is out of this world and the benefits
are eternal.
~Jim Wies
Revealing Jesus
Alison Bowling
In John 1:31 it says, "I myself did not know him; but for this I came
baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." The Father
sent John to baptize, in order that Jesus might be revealed. John's role
was to baptize and to call people to repentance, but the purpose of John's
life and ministry was to reveal the Lamb of God. He himself did not know
who this Lamb was that he had been called to reveal. Before He could reveal
the Lamb of God, he needed a revelation himself. I don't know how long John
was baptizing in the wilderness - it may have been many years, but I
imagine that throughout this time, John was always on the lookout for the
Messiah. He was constantly anticipating and expecting Him to be revealed.
Maybe he woke up each morning wondering if this would be the day when he
would see the Spirit descend on Him. But in the meantime, he faithfully
fulfilled the task that God had given him to do. And finally, all the years
of faithful obedience bore fruit as the hearts that had been prepared
through his ministry responded to the Lord when He was revealed.
As I meditated on this scripture, it occurred to me that, like John the
Baptist, God has called each of us to a destiny - that of revealing Jesus.
In addition, God has sent us and gifted us with ministries and
opportunities for service that he expects us to perform faithfully (Luke
12:43). However, our purpose and destiny is not the role or ministry that
He gives us. If we allow our ministry to become the focus of our lives -
whatever it is, whether building a church or leading a prayer team - we
risk making it an idol. Like John, in the midst of our service, we must be
constantly on the lookout for Jesus - expecting and anticipating a fuller
and deeper revelation of Him, so that our lives will reveal Jesus. Only
then will the true destiny of our lives to be fulfilled. Then also we
will see the fruit of the years of faithful service on the backside of a
desert as others receive the revelation, and "leave their nets and follow
Him" (Matt. 4:20).
God bless,
Alison.
a.bowling@utas.edu.au
THE PRESENT TRUTH BELIEVER
by Undrai Fizer
Present Truth is God's current dealing or manifestation to the world and
the church. It is the present (a right now, current) word and desire of
God as He seeks to build His people. It is the thing that God is up to,
right now. His present thoughts and plans. It is the thing that He is
placing a defining emphasis on at the moment.
The present truth believer is locked into God's full purposes in the
earth. That type of believer is in full agreement with the current
stirrings of God in His dealings with the fellowship of believers as a
whole throughout the world. The believer should be positioning themselves
to be in the flow of God has He reforms and reveals the rise of an awesome
company of believers in these times.
God's words are not designed for specific groups, denominations, or sects.
His present stirring is to His church, you and I, and all of those who
seek the passion and purpose of God for our lives. God has a global
hunger and a global word.
In order to be in union with Him, we must desire the same desire He has
for the Body as a whole. We may all have our distinct and unique
ministries, but we should all share in the purpose of God for His Church.
The stirring of God is activating an examination of where we really are,
without hiding in the shadows. It is causing us to see if we are up to
date with the Spirit. Whatever God is presently doing in the earth, that
is where you will see the intensity of His power and anointing. He
channels His anointing, creativity, and revelation, in the areas of His
present need.
That is why positioning is so important. We, as present truth believers,
must align ourselves in the direction of the prophetic Spirit, or flow of
God.
Do you love God's church? Do you want to see it healthy and grow into the
full stature of Christ? Do you pray and seek God's government for the
church at large?
Present truth believers think and pray globally. They are not confined to
their specific four walls, even though they may be committed to a local
expression of God's global kingdom.
There are many prophetic words going forth that confirms God's release and
affirmation of the apostolic and prophetic government in the church.
There are words that are confirming the raising up of networks and the
Reformation of the church. There are words going forth that are bringing
clarity to mainstream teachings we may have received as truth, but was
wrong in application and content.
When your heart is locked into the Presence of God, the transition will be
welcomed, even if it causes a "ripple" between God and mainstream
loyalist. Present truth believers will not only embrace what God is
saying and doing, they will pray for God's will to be expressed in their
local fellowships. They will pray for leadership to receive what God is
doing.
Do not be afraid of the term "present truth believer." It is a person who
does not want to be out of step with the flow of God and has not allowed
themselves to be a victim of the Presence-Less past. They are open to the
moves and habitations of God and His set government of the fivefold
ministry in the earth.
The Essence of Present Truth Living
It is the heartfelt belief and confidence in the administration of God. A
commitment to God's leading of the church and the ministry of His people.
Believers that have discovered the big picture of the kingdom of God
realizes that this is more than a debate to see if there are still
apostles and prophets in effect today (they are still in effect). They
sense the stirring tide of the redefining of church as we know it. They
are open to the season of change in the global church, and in that
openness, they receive without feeling threatened or abused, the apostolic
and prophetic anointings (the
ministries and anointings used to develop, impart, and activate, the
furtherance and wholeness of church government and destiny).
They are not afraid of things constantly changing and being redefined,
because they know that this is the pruning and cleansing of the membership
ministry of the church. The administrations will change when individuals
change. When God does the redefining in His people, the result will be
seen in the global ministry.
Undrai Fizer
"It's time to go places in God"
Listening and Speaking Prophets
Judy Grobelny
I have been reading the recent posts with great interest and praying about them.
I feel the Lord is showing me that as the apostolic matures now the Lord is changing the
prophetic in order to 'tune' the two
together. Some of those who are experiencing quietness now are those prophetic people the Lord
is going to place in close
relationship with the apostolic.
When praying I see a huge ship coming to a stop, and get the impression that it is better to
stop and turn it than to allow it to
swing in the wide circle it would make if it were going 'full steam ahead'.
I feel 'stop and listen' are the instructions that go with this.
What comes to mind is when Moses when to Egypt to free the Israelites things got worse before
they got better because the Lord was
shaking them out of the familiar - it is happening to many in the body right now.
Right now I am personally in a time of silence except for rare occasions like this. The word I
had was from Ez.3:24 "Then the
Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said "Go, shut yourself
inside your house."
From all that I know some things for sure - This is a work of the Holy Spirit
I am sharing this in the hope that it might bring clarity and encouragement to others having a
similar experience in Him right now.
Blessings,
The House Is The Gate Of Heaven
Pastor Francis Frangipane
"In the last days, the mountain of the house of the Lord will be
established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the
hills; and all the nations will stream to it" (Isa. 2:2).
Today, in the very context of our lives and times, the first stages of
this Scripture are being fulfilled. Throughout the body of Christ, leaders
and intercessors are uniting in unprecedented ways. Indeed, the house of
the Lord is being established.
How significant is this? In the history of the church there has never been
a time when Christians from so many backgrounds came together as we do
today. Our pattern has always been to divide and then criticize those with
whom we once associated. Yet, today this trend is being reversed! God is
establishing His house.
Some would argue that this unity is a prelude to the "one world church" of
the Antichrist. Others contend the emergence of the house of the Lord
won't occur until Christ comes. Isaiah plainly says God's house will be
rebuilt "in the last days." This refers to our present dispensation. Since
the book of Acts, the church has been in the period known as "the last
days."
Indeed, in many areas of the third world, the house of the Lord is already
rising above the sociological "mountains" of capitalism and communism.
While this has yet to occur in the western church, the Lord continues to
remove sin and division from the lives of born-again Christians. When He
is done, we too will see the Lord's house rise in cultural ascendancy.
I am amazed by the power in Isaiah's promise. He says "all the nations
will stream" to the mountain of the Lord. Only in God can streams flow up
a mountain! This promise speaks of resurrection life being poured out
upon the nations - drawing people out of the ancestral sins and
generational curses that have, for so long, weighed heavily upon them.
Supernatural power is coming from the house of the Lord to reverse the
"gravity" of life's situations!
Do we not often feel a downward pull, whether from work, school, world
events, or cultural and moral corruption? These all weigh heavily upon us.
Yet, God's word tells us that wherever the house of the Lord is built, the
updraft of eternal life will inspire new beginnings for the nations
streaming toward Christ.
Isaiah continues, "And many peoples will come and say, 'Come, let us go up
to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may
teach us concerning His ways, and that we may walk in His paths' " (Isa.
2:3).
This, too, is happening in our day. While some may be focusing on the
signs of the times, as well as the signs of renewal, still others are
seeking to go deeper: to learn God's ways and to walk in His paths.
"For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from
Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, and will render
decisions for many peoples" (Isa. 2:3-4).
The Lord is rendering "decisions for many peoples" from His house. He
compels us to deal with the conflicts between us. He has decreed: Racism
cannot exist in God's house. As a result, a worldwide reconciliation
movement has begun and is touching scores of nations!
"And they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into
pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never
again will they learn war" (Isa. 2:4).
Repentance is the first sign of revival; reconciliation is the second.
However, the result of being upgraded to God's standards is that He
accompanies us in the great harvest. Swords and spears, instruments once
used against each other, are being hammered into plowshares and pruning
hooks; they are becoming instruments of harvest!
How Awesome is this Place!
Yes, destructive judgments will come upon the world at the end of the
age. Yet, an outpouring of redemptive mercy is also coming from the Lord;
it is streaming through His house into the world. Yes, the antichrist will
arise; but so also will the glory of Jesus Christ be seen in His living
house!
It is significant that Isaiah's prophecy refers to the Lord's house as
"the house of the God of Jacob." It was Jacob to whom the first revelation
of God's house came. We may think God should have chosen one more
spiritual. Jacob was fleeing Esau, whom he defrauded. Yet, there is a
message in this first unveiling of God's house: God chooses, redeems and
transforms whom He wills (see Rom. 9:18). Those He draws into His house,
He absorbs into His craftsmanship.
Let's look at this initial revelation of the house of God, for it speaks
of the essence of what we will always find in this wonderful place. Jacob
had stopped to rest. Putting his head upon a rock, he slept.
"And he had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its
top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and
descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it" (Gen. 28:12-13).
The second characteristic of the Lord's house is this: It is the place
where religion fades and the reality of God appears. This is where the
living God has chosen to manifest Himself.
"Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, 'Surely the Lord is in this
place, and I did not know it.' And he was afraid and said, 'How awesome is
this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate
of heaven' " (Gen. 28:16-17).
The final revelation is that the Lord's house is "the gate of heaven."
There is absolutely no place on earth like the house of the Lord! It is
truly an "awesome" place.
So Jacob called this angelic reality, this spiritual abode where God and
man could dwell together, "Bethel," the house of God (Gen. 28:19). It
speaks of more than the visitation of God; this is God's habitation.
The Highest Priority
Throughout the Old Testament, it was the people's regard for the house of
the Lord that revealed the condition of their hearts toward God Himself.
Whether it was called the "tabernacle," "sanctuary" or "temple," God's
house was the focus of His attention.
Consider: By some counts there are fewer than ten chapters devoted to the
entire creation event, while more than 1,100 references point us to the
Lord's house. The construction and service of the Lord's house clearly
rises above all other themes in the Old Testament!
The house was to be a house of prayer, which would open the "gate of
heaven." It was not only limited to Israel, but intercession that expanded
"for all nations." In this place, sacrifice was brought; it was here that
celebration was offered. Even in Israel's times of exile, the house was to
remain their focused priority. The Lord told them that as they would "pray
toward this place" (see 2 Chron. 6:20, 21, 26), He would bring them back
and "heal their land" (2 Chron. 7:14).
In biblical times revival was never consummated merely by an increase of
miracles or signs. Supernatural wonders may have brought personal or
localized revival, but only after the Lord's house was restored could
national revival be attained.
One may argue that using the example of the Old Testament temple does not
apply to New Testament Christians. Certainly, we are not seeking to
rebuild the Jewish temple - although that would indeed be a revival of
sorts. Our focus is not on a building made with hands, but the spiritual
union created by believers united in Christ. Paul tells us that we are
the temple of God, His living house. Thus, the principles that determined
revival in the Old Testament are perfectly applicable to us in our times.
Today we are praying and working for revival in our land. If we would give
the restoration of the Lord's house a higher priority, if we would repair
our ruined relationships and rebuild our fallen unity, we would find an
ever-increasing power from God to heal our national needs. We will never
have the manifestation of heaven touch earth without the restoration first
of the House of the Lord, for God's house is the gate to heaven.
The River
In recent years, the Holy Spirit has inspired many leaders to turn and
begin rebuilding the Lord's house. This move toward unity has given birth
to praise marches, prayer summits, citywide prayer meetings and prayer
retreats; we have come together in Concerts of Prayer, Promise Keepers and
other powerful gatherings. We are uniting in evangelism and reconciliation
services. Each event has furthered the rebuilding of the house of the
Lord.
Now, as our unity increased, in a number of areas, revival is awakening.
The prophet Ezekiel's words illumined what is about to occur. In chapters
40 through 43, Ezekiel foresaw a time when the house of the Lord would be
rebuilt, returning God's glory to the temple (43:1-6). The following
chapters continue speaking of the restoration, but then in chapter 47
Ezekiel records an amazing event: "From under the threshold of the house .
. . from south of the altar" water was flowing (v. 1).
This water was but a trickle at first. Then it flowed ankle deep, then
knee deep; soon it reached the loins and continued rising until it became
a river that could not be forded. Ezekiel tells us that wherever the river
went, it brought life and healing (vs. 8-9 KJV). It is important to see
that the river did not flow straight from heaven; it came through the
rebuilt house of the Lord!
Today, the house of God is revealed wherever churches are united in
Christ. It is the place where, as disciples, we reap the benefits of
Christ's sacrifice, and we strive toward obedience to His teaching. His
cleansing blood and creative word establish us in His love. We are His
living house. From here, His love compels us to cover one another as we
reach to the lost.
This house is truly the gate to heaven.
Knee Deep and Rising
Today the "river of refreshing" is beginning to flow in many parts of the
world. It is not happening coincidentally, but as a direct result of
Christians coming together as the Lord's house. Now some will say, "Wait.
The church is not completely united. We still are divided in many ways."
True. And others will say the river is still quite shallow. That is also
true. We need to see that the depth of the river is proportional to the
depth of our unity!
Just as the Lord is not done uniting us, so the river is not done rising.
Imagine, therefore, what the river will look like when the Lord is
finished building His house. Remember, in the last days this glorious
house will be "established as the chief of the mountains."
As we continue to unite as the Lord's living house, the river will rise
accordingly. The "sign" of revival is that the house of the Lord is
rebuilt.
The house is the gate of heaven; the river runs through it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
December 16, 2000
westbrook@worldnet.att.net
http://www.riversofeden.com
To the AP List
I looked over Hollie Moody's message called: "The Gagging of the Prophets," [published here June 12th]
and looked to see about some of these things mentioned in it. I remember
when it came out and also inquired of the Lord about it at the time. With
myself, I haven't noticed a "lessening of messages coming forth from Him,"
in light of this message, but have noticed an overall lessening in the body
at large in terms of prophetic words perhaps. Some continue to speak forth
what He gives. Perhaps the "tone" of the messages is changing, in fact I'm
certain that that is true. I know it be true in my walk with Him. As we
well know there have been times and perhaps they continue, when prophetic
messages come forth like a spring of water in the form of comfort,
edification, exhortation, etc, etc. etc....The "tone" as I am mentioning
here is partly a thing of content perhaps. I believe yes, it is true, that
He wants us to "grow up," and with that comes a growing up into what is
spoken from Him. The more difficult prophecies as we know, emanate in the
form of things to do with current events, directional messages, and messages
that speak forth what is "yet to come." These are not more readily received
and ones which perhaps are not as easily given as well.34. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying,
`Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to
the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and
will remember their sins no more." Jer. 31
Stephen HansonFor the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the
morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the
laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went
out about the third hour. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth
hour, . And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing
idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?'
"They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go
into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.'
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints
for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, [that we]
may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- from whom the
whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies,
according
to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth
of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Eph 4:11-16
Edify Ministries International
jimmy@edify-ministries.org
www.edify-ministries.org
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
http://www.psychol.utas.edu.au/alison
www.exploringthevision.org
UFizer@exploringthevision.org
I am STANDING in the Lord
He has spoken to me directly that I have spent much time and prayer in His house, but He wants
me to do some work in mine for a
little while!
Judith Grobelny
jaygee@ihug.co.nz
A service of In Christ's Image. http://www.inchristsimage.org
email: RiverofLifeMailer@inchristsimage.orgFive-Fold Today Archives
The Lord has given us the grace to reconcile the children to their Fathers
As One Body
Issue Oriented Discussion Newsletter
Index | Search This Site | Aristide.Org | The Latter Rain | Babylon the Great | The Kingdom | The Nicolaitans | Jezebel
The Baptism With the Holy Ghost | The Grand Delusion | World Trade Org | Liberation Theology | Jay Atkinson | Alphabetical Index