THE NARROW GATE

By Kriston Couchey

THE WROUGHT IRON GATE
As I began to pray suddenly I found myself standing on a narrow path leading off into the distance. As I scanned further I could see the path led into the dark night to an unknown destination.As I walked this path I came upon a long line of people standing in the middle of the path. A man in the front of the line cried out, "You cannot go further unless you enter the narrow gate!" He stood before a narrow wrought iron gate and the people were attempting to go through. The top of the gate was fashioned from wrought iron and formed the words, "The Narrow Gate". This wrought iron banner was fastened so low down upon the gate that anyone desiring to enter had to crawl on their hands and knees fit beneath it, and then they still were required to squeeze between the narrow posts on either side.

I scanned the path beyond the gate and noticed that as far as I could see was what seemed to be a carnival of sorts stretched out along the narrow path into the dark. To my surprise I saw men and women positioned along the road shouting out instructions to the many souls traversing the road as they presided over a series of hurdles, doors, curtains, and obstacle courses blocking the path. At each obstacle someone would give instructions to those making the pilgrimage as to how to pass the obstacle.Finally I asked Father, "What is this gate and path with the obstacles all along the way?" He replied "This is the gate and path of religion. These hindrances on the path in front of people are stumbling blocks placed before them by men. Religion is a stumbling block that places requirements upon men that I never place on them. It attempts to get men to pay or work for what I have already freely given them.”

I turned again to the path and saw that many of the obstacles on the path were created and erected by the very ones giving out “advice” as to how to overcome them. They had figured out how to turn the path of religion into an elaborate extortion scheme. These were receiving in return for their services; money, honor, titles, or position, etc. Something was received of everyone to pass an obstacle. When these received the appropriate payment, the pilgrim would be rewarded with the “secret” to overcoming, the “keys” to unlock doors, the “guidelines” on fasting, the “steps” to spiritual success, and on, and on. All of these purported to get you “closer” to God, become more like God, be pleasing to God and receive His blessing, or help you get to another spiritual level.

THE SUPERHIGHWAY
As I continued to gaze upon this religious charade, to my surprise I noticed that this “narrow path” that at first seemed to be the only path was simply one “lane” of a much bigger super highway that had many lanes on it. This road was very wide with hundreds of lanes being traveled upon by a multitude of people. Each religion had their own lane with their own stumbling blocks for the people that adhered to their ideologies. But, many of the other lanes were filled with people carelessly rushing down the road oblivious as to where they were headed.The lanes of the highway seemed to be divided between two different philosophies of travel. One philosophy of travel was religious engagement that lured people with levels of spiritual attainment and power. The other lured people with the philosophy that there was no absolute truth other than pleasing self. One philosophy was rooted in striving to be like God through requirements and laws. The other philosophy was rooted in believing that man was his own god and no law existed. These two philosophies formed into two distinct streams of humanity flowing in the same direction, to the same destination, and on the same road.

It was then Father spoke "This highway is so wide that those in the religious paths do not see that the lawless are on the same highway headed to the same destination. These two philosophies are manifestations of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Both are of the same tree, yet they manifest differently.Religion manifests as self-effort and self-righteousness. Lawlessness manifests as unchecked and unrestrained self-indulgence and self-expression. But son, I only showed you the highway in order to show you the TRUE Narrow Gate.”

THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE
As He finished speaking a light shone brightly from behind me and cast my shadow alongside the superhighway. Then a voice of as of many waters spoke from behind me saying "Turn around!" I turned to look and there stood Jesus shining in brilliant light.He was standing in the midst of a large fountain of water, and water flowed out from Him. As He spoke the waters rushed out with greater force and spread across the ground. "I AM the narrow gate. I AM the way! He who drinks of Me will never thirst again!”

I immediately hit my knees in worship and began drinking from this fountain of life.Joy overwhelming burst from within me and I lost track of all time as I basked in His goodness and love.I awoke as if from a dream from my state of heavenly bliss and opened my eyes to a bright light like noonday. I found myself standing among a small gathering of people and realized the light was not coming from the sun, but emanating from the people standing with me. Even more shocking was the water flowing from everyone’s belly, including my own. The water flowed in the same manner as the fountain that flowed from Jesus. When people spoke the fountain within them welled up with a greater flow that quenched the thirst of everyone around them and bathed them in light. The water was also the source of light. As it came from within each one it caused the person from which it flowed to and from to emanate light.

I turned around to see the super highway and to my amazement many of those on the road nearest us drawn by the light were on their knees scooping up and drinking the water as it flowed down around the small group gathered there.We began offering water freely to any willing to drink. Many who received the water were weary and downtrodden, but when they drank the water the transformation that came upon them was complete. Sorrow turned to joy, anxiety to peace, and fear to love. As the people were transformed they began to also overflow the water of life from their bellies and freely offer it to other thirsty souls. To as many as received what was offered, the water of life transformed them.

COME AND DRINK
We began walking among those on the highway offering water to all who would receive it. The people began to mob the water bearers for a drink. As a result, the explosion of light on the super highway caused many people to stop their journey to investigate what was happening. The light began to shine so brightly that the darkness shrouding the highway began to lift and it was clear to most that it lead to a precipice; anyone going over it would plummet to a certain death.

Again Father spoke, “Son, the stingy requirements of religion are not the path to life, nor is it found in simply pleasing self. Jesus IS the narrow gate, Jesus IS the path of life, and Jesus IS the light and water of life. The gateway to life is not narrow because it is hard to enter; it is narrow because Jesus is the only way to life. You must cease from your religious labors to enter into Him. His yoke is easy and his burden is light and you will find rest for your souls in His life giving flow.

Only from Him, in Him and through Him can you obtain life. All who will drink of Christ receive abundant life; not someday, not through hard work, but NOW! Men either trust in what is already finished by embracing and receiving abundant life of Christ, or they follow another road which only leads to death. The Spirit and Bride say come and drink that life.”

In His Love
Kriston Couchey
www.openheaven.com

Judging Prophecy

So there I was...trimming my rose bushes the day after Valentine's day when the Lord began asking me questions about judging prophecy. What follows is what I took away from that conversation:

I haven't written a lot of prophetic words. And although I'm hosting a prophetic word thread right now, I don't give or receive many prophetic words. I'm more interested in learning how the process of prophecy works than I am in giving or receiving words.

The bible says that prophecy must be judged or discerned (1 Cor. 14:29).

The question is - how do we judge prophecy?

One of the most common answers is, "Prophecy needs to line up with the word of God."

Although this is one of the most common answers given, it may be the least reliable and the most dangerous way to judge prophecy. That may come as a surprise to some of you, so let me explain why I say this.

There is no place in scripture where we are instructed to judge prophecy by measuring or comparing it with scripture itself. While this might seem like a good idea - it isn't taught anywhere in the bible.

It's true that the Bereans searched the word to see if the things they heard were true - but this passage does not refer to prophetic utterance. It refers to doctrine. It's true that a sound knowledge of the bible can help keep us from error, but when it comes to judging prophecy - there is no instruction telling us to compare prophecy with scripture.

If a prophetic word happens to be about earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest - how exactly is the prophecy supposed to "line up with scripture"?

Does the prophet toss in a few verses from the bible about earthquakes to make his word appear to be more scriptural?

And if he did - would it increase the chances that it was from the Lord and not his own imagination?

There are many people delivering "prophetic words" who are not hearing from God, but Satan. These people know the scriptures well. They have an evil agenda and they know how to couch their agenda in the language of the Christian culture. If their agenda is to bring condemnation on a congregation, all they need to do is deliver prophetic words of condemnation, throwing in scriptural references from the book of Revelation's letters to the Churches of Asia, claiming that the Lord Himself is displeased with their disobedience. The terrified congregation will recognize that these prophetic words, "Line up with scripture" and live under condemnation not from the Lord, but from Satan.

Many true prophets of God have become involved in a kind of 'prophecy for profit' enterprise. There are a number of organizations that engage in a subscription service which delivers regular prophetic words to a reader-base. Prophets write a certain number of words each year and submit them for the reader’s consideration. The subscription service delivers them. And in the process, advertisers pay big bucks to everyone involved. The prophets go on tour, sell books, CDs, DVDs and other goods and services, keeping their itineraries booked and bills paid.

I have no qualms with prophets receiving donations or selling books and other services. But the system they've become a part of is dependent upon them producing prophetic words on a regular basis. If there are no words, there is no income. So the words must be written.

But what kind of words does the system deliver?

I've been enrolled to one of the subscription services for several years. To be honest, about 90% of the prophetic material I've read over the last 4 years appears to be nothing more than the same recycled words year after year with only a few minor changes from the year before.

"New anointings, new assignments, new mantles, a new move of God, a fresh wind of the Sprit blowing, a greater level of God's glory, the bride making herself ready....ad nauseum.

I'm not saying that these things are not coming in the near future. I think many of them are. I am saying that if a prophet wants to, he can throw together a few clichés, a few verses of scripture, and a story about a dream or vision and have their word for the month.

Most of the words being written have become so generic, so repetitive and so cliché, they seem to be of little value. But they're always full of scriptural references, because the prophets know, "Prophecy has to line up with the Word".  So we have a lot of worthless prophetic words that are very scriptural.

Judging prophecy is not a matter of determining whether a prophetic word contains a certain number of biblical references. There is no "Scriptural litmus test" for a prophetic word.

Prophecy is judged by the Spirit.

It is discerned when the Holy Spirit confirms or denies His signature in the prophetic word to our spirit. It is evaluated by whether or not it produces light, life and love in the one who hears it. It is judged by whether is brings comfort, consolation or encouragement. It is accepted as valid when the saints agree that their spirits see the breath of God speaking to His children.

Judging prophecy by such standards may not be easy. We may not always come to an agreement. We may not even be certain that the Holy Spirit is bearing witness to our spirit. But that is what we must do. And if it takes training the saints to learn to hear the Holy Spirit a little better, we ought to get moving in that direction.

Let us learn to discern the voice of God speaking through prophecy in a way that builds up the body of Christ and brings glory to the Father.

Transition

As we leave one season and look forward to the start of another, there is a short time of transition; a bridge if you will, that must be crossed.

There are things from the last season that we should keep and just as many that we should leave behind. Take an inventory. Don't be afraid to leave things behind. You'll be picking up better things, soon.

The assignments of the last season must be forgotten. There are new ones you must learn and be equipped for. Resist the comfortable, familiar flow that would keep you living in the past.

This time can be seen as a bridge.

We are done with the last chapter, but we can't begin the next one. The time has not yet come to enter it. We are now on the bridge between seasons.

The bridge is not really a season itself. It's the time between seasons, when we must move from one, toward another, being 'in' neither of them.

It's a time of having your wounds from the last season healed and a time of preparing for the challenges that lie ahead. The more you allow yourself to be healed from the past, the better you will do in the future.

The challenges and assignments in the next season require you to be re-armed and re-equipped with different weapons, tactics & strategies. What worked in the past will not work in the future. The landscape of the future and and opposition you'll face will be dramatically different. Now is the time to get prepared.

We're on the bridge. Don't set up camp. We're not staying here long. We're just passing through.

What Is This Revival Going to Look Like?

Before I moved to Canada, I was looking for the Third Great Awakening to start at any time in the US. I didn't know what it was going to look like, but I felt that something really big was going to happen. After being in Canada awhile, I started doing a bit of research on revivals and what they looked like. Canada has never had a nationwide revival, although there have been several pockets of a real Move of God. In my research, I found a few prophecies that stated Canada was headed for a great awakening, or Move of God, and that through this (or at the same time), the US and other nations would have a revival.

The following is a list of characteristics of what I believe will happen in this Move of God.

1. This revival will be different from anything that has happened in the past. Do not look for God to do what He did in the US during the Great Awakening or the Second Great Awakening. If you do, you will miss what God has for you. (confirmed by Charlie Robison on 03/22/2011 in Kelowna).

2. The revival will be led by lay people, not pastors, preachers or evangelists. The lay people will be those that are in tune with the Holy Spirit and have a heart for God. Those gifts that were intended for use outside "the church", will be used in a dramatic way. People will be healed, and eyes will be opened with words of wisdom and knowledge from "normal" people. People will suddenly feel the Spirit of God move within them, and they will speak as if God Himself were speaking. The lay people will "naturally" do what is right, being led by the Holy Spirit. This is not to say that pastors, etc. won't have a role, but the main thrust will be through lay people.

3. There will be a God ordained "civil war" within the church. In the same way that Paul had to rebuke Peter for compromising the Gospel through his actions with the Judaizers, there will be a desire to get back to the pure truth of the Gospel: that is, that there is no way to the Father except by a confession of faith in the Lord Jesus. We are not talking about doctrinal differences. Those that get into a fight over doctrinal differences will be left behind in this revival (or may find themselves in a fight with God). Instead, we are talking about any "gospel" that is preached distorts who God (the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit) is and teaches any other way to the Father than through Jesus. (this has already started)

4. Related to the items above, the Lord will use the people who have been rejected by "the church" in the past. These include those that have sinned greatly, but have been miraculously transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Apostle Paul was transformed from a murderer to a warrior for God, so shall these days be. As people are being saved, God will transform them into soldiers for God. God is going to use ex-drug dealers and addicts, ex-gang members, ex-prostitutes, etc.... those people who "many sins have been forgiven," will love much (Luke 7:47).

5. Because some in the current church do not understand what is happening, because some will take offense at the outcasts that are coming to salvation, and because there is a split over the True Gospel, many will leave the church, but many more will be moved into the Body of Christ. Those that take offense and don't repent will start mocking, and then move to persecuting the Body of Christ. This may very well include those the are true children of God, but don't accept what is happening in the church.

6. The Body of Christ will become "spotless and without blemish," i.e., she will move into the Righteousness and Holiness that God intended.

7. Any Move of God also includes a great Move within the youth - the very young through the college age. This will be from the very beginning (and may have already started). This will, of course, include the outcasts, but also include the youth from our mainline churches who just "catch fire." The youth will move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit in a mighty way, so much so that it will astound the older generations.

8. This Move of God will cross all denominational boundaries. This is not about who is right doctrinally, but who God is! Those that deny the Move of God as legitimate because it didn't come from their church or denomination will be left unchanged. Those that claim that the Move of God started with their denomination or church, or lead by their denomination or church, will be left unchanged through this Move because of their hard hearts - they may even open themselves up to the judgment of God. There will be attempts for some to lead this movement, but if they have personal motives, they will crash as an example to others. This movement will truly be lead by the Holy Spirit. He will raise up "leaders" that do not want to be recognized but want the Kingdom to be advanced. Individuals in the Body will just "do" what they are supposed to do.

9. There will be a 24/7 prayer movement in major regions or cities across denominational and church boundaries. (this has already started)

10. There will be a restoration of David's Tabernacle, that is, there will be a movement for 24/7 praise and worship in major cities and regions across denominational and church boundaries.

11. There will be a Move of God to promote justice across all boundaries (socio-economic, racial, etc.). Please note that there is a false "social justice" movement in place at this time that will not get (and will not even try to get) justice. You will recognize the difference in the two by their results.

12. There will be a move by the Body of Christ to secure a place in society for the "fatherless." This includes the UNBORN. Today's trend of abortion on demand will be reversed by the Spirit of God. The Body will make every attempt to empty the orphanages and adopt the fatherless.

13. The Body of Christ will become the New Testament church once more. As the church walks in Holiness and Righteousness, the miracles of Acts will be seen once more. It will be both glorious and terrifying.

14. As the Body of Christ sees what Jesus means to her, individuals will live sacrificially with their finances and their time. Material possessions will become meaningless to the "alive" church. Seeing people added to the Body of Christ will be the church's main focus.

15. The revival will cover all (or most all) nations. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc. (that is, people from all religions) will have their eyes opened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be converted.

16. The Body of Christ will learn to truly "walk in the Spirit" and walk in the authority that God has given her.

17. There will be great conflicts and disasters during this time - but for those of us who are focused on Jesus Christ, it will not matter. These troubling events will only strengthen our resolve to do what God has called us to do.

18. This last revival will remain in place until the Lord's return.

Compiled by Don Deskins, Kelowna, BC, Canada

The 7 Worst (and best) Things I Did in Traditional Church Ministry

by pastor Smith

I recently left a twenty-five year pastorate and the professional ministry. The move came after a two year struggle of conscience where I tried to do what Wolfgang Simpson describes as “trying to cross the river without getting your feet wet.” After a year of reflection I offer to you the seven worst/best things I did as a conventional  church pastor.

1. Took a full-time salary. Until I left the ministry I had no idea how corrupting a compensation package is to the church. It changes the way you think about yourself and changes the way people view you. You become a sort of professional  Christian that floats above the unwashed masses of laity. It affects your decision-making almost every day. The Trinity becomes Father, Son and Holy Cash Flow.

2. Defended tithing as a principle. This is closely related to the first point. By “defended” I mean that I never really believed that tithing was a  New Testament requirement but I kept the clergy conspiracy of silence in order to protect the finances of the church. By “principle” I mean a nicer word for “law.” No one in our congregation had to  tithe but if they wanted to be in any leadership role…well…

3. Preached every Sunday. This was a surprising one for me because like most pastors I had a high degree of (over) confidence in my ability to inspire, entertain, and transform lives from the pulpit. Now, of course, I realize that being the  voice of God week after week creates a group of listeners who have no confidence in their own ability to hear God let alone teach others.

4. Promoted music as worship. Anyone attending our church for very long would come away with the idea that the half-hour music concert at the beginning of every Sunday morning celebration was the high point of praising and worshiping God. Presenting yourself as a living sacrifice each day came in a distant second.

5. Marketed the church. I spent an inordinate amount of time and money through the years keeping the church in the public view of our community. Advertising, signage, and special events, took the place of signs, wonders, and miracles in practice if not in doctrine.

6. Established an equipping track. The equipping part is classic discipleship. It’s the “track” part that crossed the line. Trying to systematize spiritual growth is not only inorganic and unscriptural, it is also impossible. Much time, energy, and emotion blackmail was expended pushing people through artificial, inflexible programs that at the end of the day puffed up more than they built up.

7. Purchased a building. My crowning achievement as pastor was saddling my congregation with 20+ years of debt and maintenance costs.

Life isn’t all bad, however. Here are the seven best things I did as a pastor:

1. Established cell groups. Beginning in 1994 we spent more and more time and emphasis on small groups. Routinely we had more people involved in cells than were attending Sunday mornings.

2. Taught people how to have devotions. I spent two years equipping the congregation how to journal their way through the Bible. People still contact me to tell me how much it has meant to them.

3. Became a police chaplain. In a desire to reach out beyond the congregation and model evangelism, I acted as police chaplain of our city for 16 years.

4. Reached out on campus. The church I pastored is located in a college town. With several others in the church I reached out regularly doing surveys with students. Some of my best ministry memories happened during these outings.

5. Made disciples. The longer I pastored the more time I spent building relationships with people and the less I spent preparing for Sunday. Ironically the less time I spent on “quality control” the better the services became.

6. Never stopped praying or learning. I have always viewed prayer as the R&D department of the church. It was prayer that launched me into the ministry, prayer that sustained me in the ministry, and ultimately it was prayer that led me out of the ministry.

7. Pastored bi-vocationally. The first two years and the last two years I worked part-time outside the church. The first two out of necessity and the last two out of choice. The last two also prepared me to support myself in the simple church ministry role I have now.

I can summarize these two lists this way: Most of the worst things I did as a pastor I did promoting, protecting, maintaining, and leading Sunday morning services. Most of the best things I did as a pastor I did during the course of living life during the week. Hopefully these lists will help equip others to avoid the same mistakes.

Pastor Smith was a conventional church pastor for 25 years in the Northwest. He now lives with his wife in Las Vegas, NV coaching simple churches, reaching out to the lost, and ministering bi-vocationally.

Originally published here:
http://www.story.house2house.com/2011/03/18/the-7-worst-and-best-things-i-did-in-traditional-church-ministry/

Also found here: http://on.fb.me/Uc4Ie7

2013: Sink or Swim . . . Together!

Statistics may tell us many things, but they do not always tell us the truth. God’s redemptive action in history always trumps statistics. The ten spies reported the facts. God had  a higher reality.

However, to deny trends or to deny what statistics indicate is like playing in the band while the Titanic is sinking. Denial of the obvious is a particularly unique form of spiritual blindness. All the false prophets promised Israel that things were not that bad, and that their captivity wouldn’t last long. Their message found willing listeners. They were wrong.

All indicators are that the church in the West is in decline, not only numerically but also in substance and influence. Some might argue that if we are talking about “institutional” forms of “Christendom”–the nineteen or seventeen hundred-year-old counterfeit of Jesus’s kingdom–”good riddance” might be an appropriate response. Alas, the problem is unrelated to the structure of our gatherings, the quality of our theology, or the effectiveness of our practices, but rather the condition of our hearts.
Every time I point out a negative fact or trend, regarding our true state, I am met with: “but our church is not like that,”  “you shouldn’t criticize the church,” “there’s no such thing as a perfect church,” “we are the pure remnant,” “you should come and hear my pastor,” and other canards of denial. Funny, how a collection of wonderful churches, full of wonderful people, doing wonderful things for Jesus, results in overall spiritual and societal decline. Of course, MY church is wonderful,  the “other guy’s” church has problems.

Shiloh was a place of many wonderful interactions between God and Israel. However, it was reduced to a pile of rocks and overgrown vegetation when the substance of the life of God was lost in favor of much talk about God. External conformity to God’s demands without corresponding internal transformation is the DNA of decline.
A fire unattended and unfueled inevitably goes out. There’s a reason Paul exhorted Timothy to “fan the flame” of his faith: it’s prone to going out! An irrelevant pile of ashes of historical glory provides neither heat nor light. Real Christianity is always present. It’s hot. It’s alive. Anyone who actually lives like Jesus is really alive from the dead, will be a threat to people (and the institutions to which they belong) who have a philosophy of resurrection based on the Bible. We can handle a baby in a manger or a dead man on a cross. A baby and a dead man are not threats to how we want to do “our religion.” Let anyone actually live out of His resurrection life, well, that won’t be tolerated.  It’s a bush that doesn’t burn, and a fire that needs no fuel. That will not be allowed. It’s unmanageable.

Occasional, isolated, and cheerful exceptions at a local level, do not negate the overall trend in the West.  As leaders, we need to sound a clear alarm. The Church Universal, the Bride of Christ, is an eternal, unstoppable force. God’s redemptive reach is uniquely effective when impossibility and brokenness produce a cry for deliverance within hearts humbled by unpleasant circumstances. God’s hold on the future, and His determination for His bride, are not in question. Our participation with Him in it, is another matter.

Any local expression, regardless of how “wonderful our pastor” is or how “dynamic our worship team” is or “how relational we are,”  is not guaranteed existence and continuity: Ephesus–gone; Thessalonica–gone; Sardis–gone; churches in North Africa–gone; Europe–secularized, etc. You and I, and our “wonderful assemblies”  are not immune any more than our predecessors. When the talk of God exceeds the life of God, we are on the pathway to extinction, not withstanding our pious rhetoric and prayer for “revival.” God is not interested in reviving Bible philosophy clubs that happen to have a great lecture, great music, and a nice meal once or twice a week.

You can have a lovely private stateroom on a cruise liner, but if there’s a hole in the hull, the pleasantries of your stateroom will not save you from going down with the ship. Any of our local situations might be quite positive. However we will sink or float together in this matter. There is ONE Body. Daniel went into captivity with Israel. Jeremiah was not spared the rigors of Israel’s “divine chastisement” at the hands of a Babylonian invader.

Incarnational living in Christ does not exempt any of us from the travails of the culture we may worship or live in.  Rather, we will be the representative agents of God as we go into captivity together. God will “seed” us among the captives. The first Son was seeded into earth’s darkness and captivity, and all subsequent sons and daughters will be also.

Let each of us, in our assigned spheres of life and ministry, be sober and more resolute than we have ever been. Let’s burn. Let’s be hot. Let’s be light. Let’s remember that the ultimate act of spiritual warfare is not prophetic intercession or a spiritual warfare conference. It is a converted/transformed, soul who lives a transformed vibrant life in right relationship with God, one another, and humanity.
I pray God give each of us divine energy for every day that we have breath, that our lives may count for something other than American creature comforts and perpetuation of a way of life that may be filled with material blessings, but does not reflect Jesus’s kingdom interests.

In it together with you to the end . . .

Copyright 2012,  Dr. Stephen R. Crosby

http://www.swordofthekingdom.com.
Permission is granted to copy, forward, or distribute this article for non-commercial use only, as long as this copyright byline, in totality, is maintained in all duplications, copies, and link references.  For reprint permission for any commercial use, in any form of media, please contact stephcros9@aol.com.

"Last Days" Prophecies - A Different Perspective

With all the ominous prophetic words being released these days, I wanted to reconsider the theology we use to interpret and apply prophetic declarations and suggest that perhaps an alternative view might allow us to see them in a better light.

You don't have to look very far to find prophets declaring a future that looks pretty bleak. There are thousands of prophetic words in circulation that foretell massive earthquakes, tsunamis, wars and famine. With all these declarations of gloom and doom, it's hard to have an optimistic view of the future. It occurred to me that maybe we need to take a fresh look at the process we use to evaluate, interpret and apply prophetic words.

When we look at prophecies, we need to do a few things according to Scripture:

1) We must discern whether or not they're from God.
2) We must discern if they're being interpreted and applied correctly.
(See 1 Cor 14:29)

For some, these prophetic words portray an expansion of the kingdom of darkness. Many hold a view that it is not the kingdom of darkness that will increase as we move forward, but the kingdom of light. Seeing a conflict with a victorious view of eschatology, they dismiss these prophetic words as rubbish.

So let me propose an alternative explanation that supports a victorious eschatology and validates these prophetic words.

The major objection to these prophecies is the idea that through catastrophic events, God is judging a sinful, rebellious world. If you understand that God has removed the sin of the world and it's judgment at the cross, you should understand that there is no more need for judgment. So why would God continue to judge mankind through catastrophic events?

Jason Westerfield's Revelation
Not long ago, I listened to a message from Jason Westerfield where he discussed the revelation he'd received from God concerning the earthquakes in Christ Church, New Zealand, where he lives. The revelation he received was that the earthquakes resulted not from God's judgment on man, but on the removal of powers of darkness that had been reigning over those places. I apologize for my inability to recall the details of exactly how the powers of darkness were defeated, but the short story is - they were defeated (or perhaps judged) and then removed. In the process of being removed from their place of power, they created some earthquakes in that region.

Jason is a well-known and trusted prophetic voice. If his revelation is true, then the catastrophic events that happen in the earth may be attributed to something other than God's wrath. They may instead, be a result of us waging warfare successfully against the kingdom of darkness. And if that is the case, then the prophetic words about catastrophes, need to be re-examined in light of this revelation.

The next thing I'd like to consider is how we might accomplish the task of removing the powers of darkness over a region.

I don't engage in direct warfare against the powers of darkness in the heavens over my region. I've never received revelation from God on how to do that, nor has He told me that it's my responsibility. But I do have friends who engage in such warfare. They've been given protection and revelation on how to do it and not get killed. I think there may be a means to accomplish that objective in a way that doesn't expose us to the kind of danger we'd encounter by visiting the enemy's turf.

Ian Clayton - The Courts of Heaven
If you're familiar with Ian Clayton, you probably know that he has a series of lectures on the courts of heaven. (If you're interested in hearing this teaching, there is a link at the bottom of the note to the podcast) Clayton teaches that we, as believers, have access to the courts of heaven. We can bring a case before the court and ask for a ruling. Clayton has appeared in court and asked that his adversary appear with him, citing the principle found in Zec 3:1-2, where Satan appeared beside Joshua, the high priest.

Clayton says that if we stand in a heavenly court and ask that judgment be delivered, while standing under the covering of God's testimony, (which prevents judgment from falling on us) the judgment falls only on our adversary. He points out that it's dangerous to appear before the court on our own merit, as justice is blind and will fall upon us if we're not standing under the covering of God's testimony. He goes on to say that once our adversary is judged, he is removed from the place he held power over and that seat of power is given to us. This is a key point - the powers of darkness must be removed from their place of power and the seat of power given to a son of God.

This example could be used by anyone who is willing to take the spiritual forces over their region to court. The good news is - the powers of darkness are de-throned. The bad news is - they seldom leave without causing a little damage. In being de-throned, they may stir up a hurricane, for example. Remember that Jesus rebuked a storm at sea, which tells us that storms can be a tool of the enemy. The enemy may also create floods, volcanoes and earthquakes.

Clayton teaches that one of the things we must do is to mitigate the damage done by the powers of darkness as they depart the scene. It's not enough for us to occupy the seat of power. We must also pray for as little damage to occur in the earth as possible.

It wouldn't be hard to imagine the consequences to the earth if hundreds or thousands of these rulers of darkness were removed in a short period of time. There would be wide-spread and potentially devastating destruction around the globe, if we fail to mitigate the damage in the process of having them removed. If the powers of darkness were cast down to the earth - all hell would break loose down here and we might expect an increase in demonic activity and persecution of the saints. Mike Bickle had a dream not long ago, where he saw this exact scenario take place. The dream was recorded on February 13, 2009.

Mike's Bickle's Dream
"I had a long, vivid prophetic dream. I woke up at 2:30 AM with a deep sense of reality.

In this dream I was in an outdoor conference with maybe 40,000 people. The conference venue was in an outdoor baseball stadium in a large fair ground. I was preaching on prayer, power and end-time judgment. I spoke at the two afternoon sessions. Leaders and their people from many different charismatic streams were there. I remember seeing Bill Johnson and his people at the conference. We were enjoying warm fellowship together.

In the break between the sessions, some were debating whether what I was preaching was right or wrong. IHOP people were talking to some from the various charismatic streams in the Body of Christ. They were debating in a friendly way about God’s power and prayer and its relationship to end-time judgment. There was no hostility but sincere debate with most of the people talking with humility and love. It was actually enjoyable.

I finished preaching after the second session about 5 PM, when the events of Rev. 12:7-9 began to occur. Demonic principalities were being cast to the earth. They looked like very large snakes (over 100 yards long and 50 feet thick) with large heads that looked like a dragon. Many of them were descending from the sky down to the earth. No one at the conference had sufficient understanding or faith to respond in power and confidence. All the leaders and the people in the various charismatic streams ran in fear and confusion, including the IHOP people.

These snake-like-principalities were filled with rage against the people. These were angry and even humiliated about being confined to the earth."

(There is more that Mike shares on his dream. If you're interested in reading the entire message, there is a link at the bottom of the note.)

If we put these concepts together, we can see that all of these "prophecies of doom"  could indeed happen, and they would not be the result of God's wrath upon mankind, but the result of His children taking their rightful place of authority over their respective geographic regions.

Now I'd like to consider one last point....

Revival
Along with prophecies of natural disaster, there have been prophecies that speak of a great "last days" revival. Many believe it will be the greatest revival of all time. I can't help but wonder if that revival isn't the reward God has in store for us for the time when we get our act together as a body and storm the gates of hell like Jesus said we would. If there were to be a massive removal of the powers of darkness from the heavens, it may be the thing that ushers in an unprecedented release of God's glory in the earth. Yes, there would probably be some chaos, but the light shines brightest in the darkness.

This scenario is (more or less) what a lot of prophetic folks have seen in terms of a "last days" scenario, albeit from a different perspective. Personally, I think we need to see things from a different perspective. I think there is a way to integrate the present prophetic words that seem to indicate 'doom and gloom' with a victorious eschatology.

The key to developing such a view is to permit ourselves to think outside the box of traditional interpretations and to pull together the pieces of revelation others have so that the picture becomes larger than just the piece we've been given.