Signs of the Times: Who We Are & Hints of the Coming Glory

Very shortly after the March 11 earthquake in Japan and its resulting tsunami I woke in the morning (I believe it was the 13^th) with a very clear understanding that an orderly release of pressure was progressing clockwise around the Pacific Rim, that most of it had been relieved, but that there remained a great deal of pressure to be released at the northeastern edge of it, along the northwest coast of the United States.

I woke with the realization the first earthquake of the process had been at Concepcion, Chile in February 2010. That was followed by the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011, and finally the Japanese quake March 11, a few days before I experienced this insight.

I don’t remember dreaming the night before. The conviction that this understanding was true was so strong that I believe that it came from being shown the night before in a dream. I don’t recall the dream, but the conviction that this pressure was built up was so certain, that I believe it was a result of being told to me while I slept. (See Job 33:14-18).

I asked God for understanding concerning these earthquakes, and this is what I learned:

The earthquake at Concepcion speaks of a beginning. Conception is an event that begins a process that results in a birth, and at the moment of conception things are written into the genetic code of the new life formed. Some of what is written is inevitable, but much of it will only manifest in certain conditions.

If one is able to read what is written there, he might find hints of what is to follow. At the time of the Conception earthquake, there was not much damage outside of the region where it occurred. However, the tsunami it generated caused minor damage on the west coast of the U. S. at San Diego, and greater damage in the Tōhoku region of Japan, where damage to the fisheries business was estimated at ¥6.26 billion ($66.7 million).

The next earthquake occurred at midday February 27 2011 at Christchurch, New Zealand. Let any who doubt the prophetic significance of this island nation take note that this country’s anthem cannot be sung without a cry for revival and the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven being heard before the Throne of God.

The earthquake in Christchurch destroyed much of the existing structure in the city. The buildings destroyed must be rebuilt, and when they are will undoubtedly employ much newer earthquake technology, being built in such a way that the structures better serve their intended purpose to provide shelter that does not fall or fail.

I believe this quake is the first hint of birth pangs, not unlike the false labor that often occurs in the period between conception and birth.

I believe that we are in a time when many of the old structures in Christ’s Church are being taken down, much as the earthquake leveled building in Christchurch city, to be rebuilt in new ways that better facilitate the church standing as a place of refuge that does not fall or fail to protect and set free those who are oppressed by the adversary. Many will not put away old ways that are not effective, and if they do not, they will be shaken down. I believe this speaks of tearing down and putting away a paradigm that build churches rather than the Kingdom of God, one which is not adequate to stand when the shaking comes being replaced by a building which is immovable.

March 11, 2011 Tōhoku region of Japan bears the brunt of a 9.0 earthquake and resultant tsunami wreaking havoc along the whole east coast of Japan, and destroys nuclear power plants, moves the island about 10 feet, and causes a 1 meter subduction (drop in elevation) along much of the coast. The planet shifts about 4 degrees on its axis.

There is such a great breaking of waters off of the coast of Japan that a 10 meter wave hits the Japanese coast. The wave that spreads throughout the Pacific basin causes only minor damage elsewhere. The only casualty on the North American continent results from a person not listening to the warnings about staying away from the wave as it approaches, but running to it to take photos.

Birth begins with a breaking of water. The things we have seen are the beginning of birth pangs. Birthing is very messy, it is painful, and accompanied by some loss of blood bit is usually not fatal.

Those that hear and are obedient to the voice of authority (that is, those who hear and obey what God tells them to do) will not come to harm. But those who ignore His voice are subject to harm from the very thing He is warning about. An example of this would be those household of Israel who failed make the Passover sacrifice and mark their doors with its blood, and so perished suffered loss of their firstborn just as the Egyptians did.

There remains a great deal of pressure to be released at the place where the Pacific plate pushes against North America.

Like many, I was at first deeply concerned regarding the earthquake that pressure might potentially cause. Some have allowed healthy concern to be displaced by fear. Our old adversary seized the occasion to try to incite fear by taking advantage of prophetic words by Bob Jones as well a recent one by Randy Demain which mentioned the date 20 April. As I write this on the 19^th some of those are still fearful.

I am not.

After learning what these men had prophesied, and after receiving the prophetic insight I’ve shared, I began praying for the safety of the region, my family and my friends in the region. I prayed a gradual release of pressure by many small earthquakes instead of one big one. I prayed for peace to displace fear, and for the body of Christ to wake up and realize who they truly are, and change history.

I continued my praying until I felt the burden lift and was confident that my part in praying for the well being of the west coast, and particularly the Northwest was finished and that there would be no catastrophic earthquake in the next days and weeks. I believe that this is the appropriate response in events like these: Pray, hear God, do as He directs, and when you have, be at peace.

When warnings like this occur, it is our part to go directly to Papa God, and hear for ourselves what we are to do, and then trust Him. It is also our part in prayer to bring our petitions before Him, to stand in defense of our homes and families, and those who do not know how to defend themselves. While God does not change, Scripture has many examples of believers’ prayers changing His course of action from what had He intended to give us confidence that we can change outcomes. The Ninevite response to the prophetic warning by Jonah, and Abraham’s intercession when God was about to judge Sodom and Gommorah are examples of this that have been mentioned in recent online discussions.

An excellent article on what to do in response to disaster prophecies can be found here.

It remains true, however, that these things are the early beginnings of birth pangs. The most glorious time in the history of the Body of Christ to date is just around the corner. It will also be the most terrifying time for those who do not know and trust God. The most important lesson to take away from all of this is that there is no more time to be complacent.

This is a time to exercise one’s faith, and develop its strength. It is a time to learn to trust God, nurture friendship and intimacy with Him, and to learn to quickly and reliably hear Him for oneself. In the parable of the ten virgins, we see a clear illustration of those who learn to access the oil (Holy Spirit) directly versus those who must go to another to hear or interact with Him.

Prophets are not and were never intended to be a replacement for one’s ability to hear God for oneself on one’s own. More and more, those who neglect relationship with Papa God and instead continually go to the prophet asking him to hear God ‘for a word’ will get the same one: “Hear God.”

If we develop our faith, seize opportunities to heal or do attempt other miracles, and learn to hear God the when things are impossible, we will see impossible things happen. The people that know their God are strong and do great exploits!

We are the children of God. Creation is waiting for us to realize it and begin to walk in our heritage. Jesus said we would do greater things than he did, and that the last would be first.

Be encouraged.

You bear a strong family resemblance to your Father!

TURNING THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS

What I have to share here may be hard for many to hear. Man's doctrines have defined what a "spiritual father" is to a generation of people that have become spiritually stunted (seeking signs and wonders) and looking to and depending upon men rather then fruitful and mature; able to become as father's to others themselves.  

TAKING CARE OF THE BABY
I had a vivid dream the night after a life changing gathering in Hinesville, GA. In this dream was a baby (representing what Father has birthed in His people)that I had seen in a previous dream, It was sitting in a car seat all by itself in the middle of the room and no one was caring for it. I approached the unattended baby and tried to get it's attention and make eye contact. I realized I was responsible to raise this baby, and it needed my love and care as a father in order to grow up. The dream changed and I received a phone call from a group of young people from a "Methodist" church who were asking for my help to understand what was happening spiritually to them. In the dream I became distracted from the call and was not paying attention to these as I should.

The baby and the young group of believers were one in the same. The Methodist church speaks of those trapped in religion or "methodical systems" of Christianity asking for help. There are many within the system of religion that are beginning to experience a transformation and yet do not understand or know what it is happening to them. Father has birthed a new thing in people and He is seeking for and establishing those who will be TRUE spiritual fathers to care for, train, and love them into maturity. This dream was not just direction and correction for myself; but for those Father has raised up for such a time as this. It is part of the call of restoration of all things that the hearts of the Fathers should be turned to the children. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers...

A FATHER PLANTS SEEDS
Being a father to others is a spiritual endeavor that is not limited to only men. A spiritual father is one who intimately knows Father God, and plants the seeds of the kingdom in the hearts of others. A spiritual father is one who plants seeds of truth, love, and wisdom within the life of another from the fruit of their own life's victories. A father does not just speak truth, but is a living testimony of the truth to others.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children... True spiritual fathers produce blessings both spiritual and natural for those they care for. A father's source is their heavenly Father, and their motivation is blessing their children and guiding them to find their source in heavenly Father as well. While our Father uses others to provide each other's needs, a true father in the kingdom produces for others, and expends himself on behalf of others in both natural and spiritual treasure.

No loving spiritual father consumes the spiritual and natural resources of those they claim to father. You are either a consumer or producer. A self serving person hoards wealth and people to use for their own purposes or ministry. A father produces wealth for others needs and releases people as a blessing. Many have built their ministry, network, or church empires on the backs of those they should be releasing as arrows of fire into the world. No more will the self pleasing flesh of men be allowed to bring division and broken relationships in the family of God. The spirit of incest (fathers pleasing themselves at the expense of the children) shall have no more right to bring offense in the body of believers. Everything that offends is being rooted out from the house of God.

TRUE FATHERS GIVE ALL
I know a true father that has had an everlasting impact on me. He stands as a clear testimony of one who has expended all of the earthly wealth from his successful business to further the kingdom of God. I cherish the seed of his testimony and know the fruit from it has begun and will continue to bring a harvest. His testimony as a spiritual father has given me clarity as to the nature of the kingdom in many ways. Some I have not even begun to recognize.

This is my testimony to you. I have fallen short in many ways, but I desire to be a father like that man who poured out his life to plant the seeds of the kingdom in others. I desire to plant the seeds of the kingdom in truth, wisdom, and love in the lives of spiritual children needing guidance and the love of the Father.

In His Love
Kriston Couchey

A Kingdom Response To Calamity

My wife and I were reviewing our dream journals, when I ran across this entry:

I had two dreams tonight; in the first dream I saw a computer screen. People were scared and looking for answers on the internet. They were frustrated, but their frustration was borne out of fear. I knew that we must be the ones with the answers to calm their fears. In the second dream, I was in a dark house with my brothers; Peter and Paul. We were lighting explosives and throwing them at each other, trying to blow one another up.

As economic instability, civil unrest and natural disasters grab the headlines, fear is increasing in the world. And the world is anxiously looking for answers.

Do we have the answers they need?

The body of Christ believes it does. Facing foreclosure, we tell our friends that God is able to make them prosper. Spending our paycheck on medications, we insist Jesus will set them free. And we marvel at their unbelief.

We argue over doctrine and slander our brothers and sisters over their ‘unbiblical’ behavior then try to convince the unsaved of how loving the body of Christ is. How dark indeed is the house in which the apostles dwell.

The church leans heavily on salvation as its main message and rightly so. But the reality of the kingdom of God is more than just salvation. To a nation on the verge of starvation, a church that can’t put bread on the table may not have a relevant message. To a village crippled with thousands of sick and injured people, a Jesus who can’t heal is of little value. To a state in bankruptcy, living under martial law, Jehova Jireh is the God who must be demonstrated.

The gospel of salvation must be demonstrated with signs of power, even more so in times of crisis. The power of God reveals His goodness toward man. Is it not the goodness of God that brings men to repentance?

For a season, the children of the kingdom have been learning to walk in the authority given to them at the cross. We’re seeing greater healing miracles, multiplication of food, financial miracles and more people are venturing into spiritual transportation. These things are supposed to be the normal kingdom lifestyle. The problem is consistency. Except in a few places like Zimbabwe and Redding, these things aren’t widely or consistently being demonstrated. That has to change and it needs to happen quickly.

The kingdoms of the world are crumbling before our eyes. But we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Our response to the destruction of the kingdoms of the world is to demonstrate the reality and superiority of God’s kingdom. As the world grows darker, the intensity of our light must increase.

What does that look like?

If our health care system fails and the sick and injured plead for their lives, we must be able to heal them.

As mobs empty store shelves, we must be able to take the few loaves of bread left and feed a multitude.

As gas stations close because gas is no longer being delivered, we must be able to fill gas tanks by faith.

As volcanic ash clouds shut down air travel for months, we must be able to transport supernaturally to conduct kingdom business.

All the miraculous things that are being done sporadically today must become normal, daily activities for us in the future. We must be trained and ready to function in whatever way needed when the day of calamity arrives.

Time is short. Prophetic information is revealing difficult days ahead. It’s imperative that we resist the spirit of fear. If we are prepared, there is nothing for us to fear. Our greatest opportunities to advance God’s kingdom may lie before us, if we take advantage of them.