Why I’m on the lookout

Why? In short: I was told to watch – plus a spectacular event made it personal. Yet why do that? To answer this, and other questions, take a quick trip with me back in time.

Like scrolling page to page on pc, tablet or smartphone brings different images to your own virtual or cyber realm, use your mind’s eye to imagine yourself getting into a ‘time machine’. Are you sitting down? Then let’s go for a spin’…

Off Beyond The Med…

Set your watches (or digital calendars) back by -1,975 years. We head beyond the Eastern Mediterranean’s shore towards the Dead Sea’s deep valley well below sea level. A hill-top city quickly appears wherein we zoom into a large closed room. Here, we find ourselves in the midst of about 120 men and women – Jesus Christ’s original disciples.

We learn that Jesus had commissioned twelve of these men as apostles, or ‘ones sent forth’. He not only authorised but also empowered them to continue His teaching – with miracles – and to establish groups of believers. [See opening chapter of ‘The Acts of the Apostles’ in the Bible’s New Testament.]

Peter had been charged with leading these followers in spreading the ‘good news of Jesus Christ’; i.e. the kingdom of God’s love, as fully demonstrated by Jesus’ life and ministry to the ‘lost’. Their remarkable ‘rabbi’ had told them,

“…You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”. (Acts 1:8 NIV).unt of Jesus’ public ministry.  This will be known as ‘The Gospel According To Mark’.  His account is the earliest of four to be recognised as authentic, inspired by God’s Holy Spirit and, thus, authoritative or canonical.

“But what’s all that to do with this blog?”, you may ask. Let me explain:

Mark, also known as ‘the interpreter of Peter’, wrote what Jesus had privately confided to his very first followers, James and John plus Peter and Andrew, about God’s plans for the near and far future. Jesus gave them the startling promise that He would return in the flesh to reign as ruler of God’s fully established kingdom!

To help you get a handle on this;

If those disciples were our contemporaries and Peter’s eye-witness account were to be published for the first time TODAY, then his story would cover events of less than 40 years ago – that is, since the Falklands War. Now, back to the point:

Jesus told both pairs of brothers that certain events would clearly indicate His return is imminent. Future followers would know, therefore, what to look out for just prior to the bodily return of Messiah (anointed redeemer) Yeshua onto the world stage.  This future event is known as The Second Advent; the First Advent being when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in the Roman province of Judea (see map).

Hence, the four weeks preceding Christmas are designated within the western church calendar as Advent, from Latin ‘adventus’, meaning ‘arrival, approach’, also ‘coming’.  (Read here to learn about the personal relevance of both Advents.)  This year it began on Sunday 28 November 2011.

What’s That To Do With Us?

Apparently, for every prophecy in the Old Testament about Jesus’ birth and life during the Ancient Roman Empire, there are 7 to 8 times as many about His Second Advent – what’s more, it’s increasingly likely to occur in our lifetime!  (I’ll explain elsewhere why this is so.)  Jesus stressed the great importance of that future event. For example, in His instruction to the four who’d been with him from the beginning, as recorded at Mark 13:33-37:

“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.

“Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest, coming suddenly, he finds you sleeping! And what I say to you, I say to all, ‘Watch!’.”

That’s why I’m on the lookout – and, believer or not, you’re included in the action!  So, if you don’t know Him yet, I trust that something you may read herein will enable you to recognise, and want to get to know personally, the author of your and my salvation, the Lord of Lords – Jesus Christ.  It’s all about Him!  I wonder, do you know Him yet?

If not, this stirring 3 minute video clip describes so well who Jesus is.:

Preacher Sam has a terrific way with words in describing where God came from.:

We may meet the Lord of Time later…but first, here’s his key to prophecy!

Welcome

Hello, I’m Richard Barker.

Welcome to my musings about what’s going on in the world and I trust this blog may help you gain some insights. Indeed, what on earth is going to happen next?

You may find some of my ideas challenging, even outlandish!  For instance, come along on an imaginary trip in a ‘time machine’ and, later, receive unusual instructions on how to tell the time!

Some pertinent points from my past are given in my Bio Info, where you’ll learn some facts about a seminal work that was to serve as a fascinating foundation for a my appreciation of Bible prophecy.

Reading The Invisible Hand in the mid-1980s made me very aware of Middle Eastern and related events, all indicative of things not being as they may seem. I was amazed to learn they’re of major Biblical significance!  (More on the book in ‘Bio Info’.) Bemused, therefore, I began to watch…:

A Supernatural Rescue

A couple of years later, I was alarmed to be unexpectedly faced with my own immediate demise – but I was blessed that a real, invisible hand saved me. The Living God made me an offer I simply couldn’t refuse. I gladly accepted His free gift of everlasting life, ie. Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection was for my personal benefit. Incredible!

As the Living God graciously and gently dealt with me I was completely turned around (ie. repentance) and cleansed of my involvement in yoga and the occult.  Some years later, I received training in and practised full gospel prayer ministry, as well as secular person-centred counselling.

Inner Eyes Descaled

As I got to grips with my new life in him, learned his ways and was introduced to his Best Instructions Before Leaving Earth – scales fell from my eyes!  Scriptures about what’s happening to the world became particularly clear.  For the last few years I’ve updated Christian friends upon possible connections between holy writ and current events.

You, dear reader, may be unaware of the exceptional relevance of a great chunk of the Old and New Testaments to today’s events.  Regrettably, many others are not only woefully uninformed but may also be quite biased against Christianity.  Therefore, I ask you to adopt an open mind as you mull over the themes and ideas expressed in this blog.

As not many people know of this, let’s seek expert advice next…(click on this ‘next’)

Revival: 1 – glory stories

COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’):

“Holy, Holy, Holy are you Lord,
Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory,
Holy Holy, Holy is Your Name,
Exalted upon the praise of Your people.”

So runs the chorus of Lydia Stanley’s song Holy Are You Lordlisten here – it’s one of several inspired by Holy Spirit since last July (2010) for her to lead hours of fire-filled worship at The Bay Revival, Alabama.

Psalm 22 v 3 proclaims, ‘You are holy, enthroned upon the praises of Israel…’ and thus, the Lord’s Presence can be sensed, even becomes tangible, and people hear Him more easily, are saved, healed and delivered – in such a sacred atmosphere, with anointed leading and prophetic preaching, miracles often occur.

You may recall my reference to evangelist Nathan Morris having a word from Alabama for revival in the UK? So a few ‘glory stories’ may inspire and encourage you:

First, on a personal note, I’ve been in a fascinating flow from the Lord since an ‘inter-stream’ conference in Winchester in March. During opening worship I sensed the Lord wanted me to focus upon the eventual new earth and new heavens, especially the appearance from heaven of The New Jerusalem and I had a flash picture of a lion’s head.

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband…(Rev 21:2 NKJV)

Then one of the seven angels…talked with me, saying, “Come I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife”. And he carried me away to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone…(Rev 21:9-11 NKJV)

Over the last year or so a couple of scriptures had come whilst in Bath, but now the context became clear. Also, the Lord’s saying He’s let me see a couple of childhood desires He implanted have been fulfilled: to see miracles of healing and receive Jesus close teaching, and to be in and understand the times of His return – but now focus upon His ultimate aim (Revelation 21-22), and beyond the Bible’s cover!

Then in the first session Stuart of Catch The Fire, Wembley mentioned,

“There is so much happening in the Kingdom of God at the moment…we’re seeing Him move again and again and again…We’ve just seen a massive increase in the supernatural – not because of ministry but because God is moving – ‘Aslan’ is on the move!”

He went on to describe seeing the breath of God blow away demons that had attached themselves to someone they were praying for. This one didn’t need in-depth ministry sessions, valid as that is, but God simply blew – like the mighty protective and possessive roar of a lion over its young! Stuart said, “It’s like the Lion of Judah puts His paw on you and says, ‘Mine, Mine – you are Mine!’ and roars at anything that would threaten you.” With Chloe, his wife, teaching followed upon their theme: full meaning of Sonship in the Kingdom

Also that month, Bill of Blandford wrote me as follows:

God is awesome! Only last evening I was testifying to standing in awe as again Abba God brought deliverance to His beloved children. I was sharing ministry to bring freedom to some people with ancestral masonry. We saw His mighty deliverance set them free from chains of deception. What He desires and delivers to the one or two, He will do for the many. I stand in awe right now as day after day we see and hear prophecy unfolding… (Thank you Bill)

Here’s another – Over dinner in Zizzi’s, Russ of Farnham said he was at The Potter’s House, Stoke-on-Trent and heard intriguing accounts of unbelieving youngsters turning up because God had come to them in the night and told them to get there!

Winchester flowed into Bath >

There, the first thing I put my hands on at a partners’ day was a book featuring chapters on the new earth and new heaven! >>

Then Liz, leader of prophetic ministry, followed straight on from and augmented what Stuart and Chloe had taught >>>

Also, Richard mentioned about a recent Secret Place conference in Dudley and I knew to get the downloads quickly >>>>

So, in those recordings I heard Paul Keith Davies delve deeply into teaching upon the Sonship-Bridal paradigm….(more here)

>>>>>>>>>>> keep flowing Holy Spirit…in and through ……More please Lord.

Ask for the Nations – Psalm 2 v 8

COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’):

This is a more personal letter to you as I believe it’s time to tell about a revelation that amazed me, for it came only a couple or so years after my re-birth. (And only now am I glimpsing how it may connect with an open vision of fire shooting up E Africa to Egypt.) So I’d be interested if this may strike a chord, or you get a word from the Lord – or even a check in your spirit. Kindly bear with me as this needs be a bit lengthy.

As what I saw is directly relevant to the past month’s (Jan 2011) momentously historic events (which could affect our Western nations’ economies) I’ve been hesitant to relate this without the Lord’s go-ahead. Thus, early yesterday I sought the verses about His word not returning to Him void (Isa 55.11) but my eyes fell first on Isaiah 44.24-26, as though confirming the validity of the revelation and giving clearance to write:

“I am the LORD who has made all things, Who alone stretched out the heavens, Who spread out the earth by Myself, Who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, Who overturns the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, Who carries out the words of His servants and fulfils the predictions of His messengers….”  (NIV)

First, some background. At the time I received this staggering ‘download’ my Baptist pastor and elders were unable to help, possibly because it came in a dream, and I was a ‘young’ Christian…It was, however, an excellent church for solid Biblical tuition and discipleship – thank you Lord.

W Mediterranean

Nonetheless, what I received proved helpful to a young missionary in France as well as to an evangelist off to Egypt. I’d put the full account in a letter, which he put on top of clothes in his suitcase. Thus, when Egyptian customs questioned him and checked inside his case he was reminded and encouraged in his mission. Here’s what I’d written:

The BBC late evening news on 6th January 1992 announced that leaders in the Muslim community wanted to establish a Muslim parliament in Britain…:

In a dream that night I saw Western Europe, mainly France and the Mediterranean, as if from the space shuttle and heard the popular worship chorus ‘All Hail The Lamb’ being sung, as if in the atmosphere!  This praise was repeated many times most melodiously, as though by angelic choir ,and seemed to spiral upwards. Then I heard a very loud, authoritative voice declare, “As Communism fell, so too will Islam fall”.

I understood this as the Almighty’s declaration that Islam’s demise would come when Muslims themselves want to be free and rise up en-masse. Clearly, by referring to the events that had rippled across the Eastern Bloc to end the Soviet empire, we could expect a similar, unanticipated wave to sweep across Africa, the Middle East and Asia to the Pacific. It, too, would be like dominoes falling. In fact, some commentators are likening what’s happening now to that effect – Telegraph and Foreign Policy reports.

As a prophetical impression the dream awaited proper weighing and confirmation by my leaders. Only a few years ago I read an article by the prophet Marc Dupont in which he referred to a very similar word at about the same period. EVEN SO, if you’re with me thus far, please do weigh and check all this. [Months after this email I discovered that Lance Lambert had later that year brought the same message about God shaking the nations.]

Later yesterday I got an email from leading analyst on Middle-East affairs, Daniel Pipes, supporting that concept of change, viz:

“Something remarkable, unpredictable and unprecedented took place in recent weeks on Egyptian streets. A leaderless mass movement galvanized large numbers of ordinary citizens, as in Tunisia days earlier. It did not rage against foreigners, scapegoat minority Egyptians, nor endorse a radical ideology; instead, it demanded accountability, liberty, and prosperity. Reports reaching me from Cairo suggest a historic turn toward patriotism, inclusion, secularism, and personal responsibility.” – Washington Post

Let’s remember the Lord’s ultimate redemptive plan for Egypt, as stated in Isaiah 19 especially verses 19-25.

19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border…24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance”.

Pertinent to these verses is this closing statement of an email just in: “..the Egyptian identity needs to be resurrected, thereby allowing all of the nation’s sons and daughters to work together for a better future—without the dead weight of foreign encumberments, namely Arabism or, worse, Islamism.” [Assoc. Dir ME Forum: Egypt’s Identity Crisis.]

Did you read in my email 10 Feb of Dutch Sheets’ word given 13 Jan about the Lord supernaturally visiting the Middle-East? Well, on Monday I bought his classic book Intercessory Prayer but didn’t dig in until last night. On fanning through I was drawn to a prophetic word about nations falling rapidly before Him (see large red asterisk in attached). I think the Lord is trying to get our serious attention, don’t you?

THEREFORE, I believe it’s a pivotal prayer-time to ask the Lord for those nations that are closed to Him to become fully open to the Gospel. The harvest fields are ripening.

For example, many Iranians realise that 30 years’ Islamic rule has utterly failed. They’re desperate for the real truth of God. Previously it took one missionary a life time to bring 10 to Christ. Yet last year just one phone call served to bring 30 to salvation! Multitudes are responding to dramatic personal visitations and miracles direct from the Lord, as well as through satellite/phone evangelism. (Dr Hormoz Shariat, Iran Alive Ministries.)

“…By Myself I have sworn, My mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before Me every knee will bow; by Me every tongue will swear (allegiance). They will say of Me, ‘In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength’.” All who have raged against Him will come to Him and be put to shame. But in the LORD the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult.

[Isa 45.23-24 NIV’s ‘raged’ seems more appropriate than ‘incensed’ in NKJV & Amp]

I close as All Hail The Lamb starts playing on pc – WOW, what a coincidence, or rather God-incidence!!

“He’s the Lamb upon the throne…He IS the Lord”

UPDATES:

An EXTRAORDINARY linkage

COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’) entitled Intercession Request  – to read it better click upon and enlarge image. The main points covered therein are.:

> introducing to Dr Mike Evans, confidante to many Israeli leaders

> ‘the wrath of abandonment’ and White House celebrates the sins of the days of Lot

> unprecendented disasters whilst US discusses dividing up Jerusalem!!