‘God-incidents’ validate cycles and point to the near future – 1

Posted on Thursday, 16 April, 2015 by Richard Barker

THE ‘INVISIBLE JIGSAW’ RE-APPEARS! It never vanishes. It rolls around and releases fresh, visible pieces for us to fit into place. The emerging picture ‘connects the dots’ of not only Kingdom influences but also a new chain of ‘coincidences’.

Including early and modern, ‘cutting-edge’ Church issues, these pieces could be more noticeable to those of mature years. Younger folk don’t yet have the advantage of seeing history unfold before their eyes. But they’ll doubtless grasp the following:

What’s the best way to depict what we sense supra-naturally through our spirit?

Pictures try capturing a 3-dimensional (3-D) world – no, it’s a 4-D one because they’re also a snapshot in time. Thus, to draw or paint something we’re taking from the tangible, or the imagination, our perception of whatever it is, but we only succeed in imprisoning it in a 2-D area on paper or canvas. The same applies also to photo or video, because they confine an instant or sequence in time into a slice of captured, confined time.

So, the illustrations used to refer to an ‘invisible jigsaw’ hamper communicating its supra-natural existence!

In fact, concepts and mechanisms of the digital world and of cyber space convey much better our sensing and processing, as well as receiving and communication of knowledge and revelations, because they portray the linkage between seemingly disparate things or minds – or dimensions!

(Readers unfamiliar with the concept of synchronous events, a.k.a. ‘God-incidence’, may wish to read Rev Dr Sharon Stone on serendipity as one of ‘four biblical laws for advancing the Kingdom’, as outlined under that sub-head in this post. A brief overview of ‘invisible jigsaw’ and cycles is given in this post.)

In sharing these personal ‘pieces’, one of which is highly unusual, and a few fascinating snippets of what Charlie Shamp brought, you may like to check if Biblically relevant time periods appear in your own life. I’m certain the Lord recently told me to take notice of them. For example:

40-Years Period

In telling about an open vision last Autumn of “a river running through this nation”, Dale Mast interrupted unwrapping its meaning to relay a related prophetic word direct to me. It referred to Joshua and Caleb’s faith outlasting 40 years of doubt whilst wandering in the wilderness to see what they’d believed come to pass. Dale said this relates to a dream that God’s delayed but which will come to pass for me. (Interesting that Mike Parsons refers to them too in his latest post.)

I was puzzled yet intrigued because, back in ’74, another 15 years were to pass before I became a believer – 40 years ago my ‘dream’ was to find the Truth. Yet much older was a childhood fancy of how marvelous it must have been to see and hear Jesus teach, heal and perform miracles.

I’d concluded this word may refer to my sincerely searching for a supreme being, as recounted here. Although I’d done this through Eastern religions and esoteric teachings arising out of Gnosticism, the Lord personally confronted and rescued me from Satan’s camp. So this prophetic word may mean I was about to go ‘full circle’ but in a sanctified life rather than an ungodly, unsaved life this time around – like going around and up a spiral staircase to the next level, as mused herein.

Note on Cycles

williamkoenig-web[1] In one of my earliest blogs I introduced readers to cycles of time by referring to White House correspondent William Koenig’s investigation of the work of Eric Hadik, a leading financial markets technical analyst. A great deal of Hadik’s knowledge comes from W.D. Gann’s work on market cycle theories based upon his discoveries in the Bible, and which could be applied to mathematical and geometrical principles! (Read Who is Eric Hadik?)

After four years of closely following Hadik’s application of theories of cycles to natural and human events, Bill attested to having “found his calculations extremely accurate”.

Anyone wishing to check out this fascinating topic should read Inside Track for a host of informative articles on many types of cycles. In his bulletin of financial analysis Eric predicts and checks ‘cycle predictions’, eg. geological (earthquakes and volcanoes), scientific (including nuclear), financial markets, political, diplomatic or military matters!

Occasionally I’m sent a copy of Inside Track and have only now got around to reading January’s. Entitled 40-Year Cycle: Euro 2015, it reprints a 40-year cycle analysis and checks the accuracy of predictions made mid-2011. He reminds subscribers it’s about an expected crisis in the Euro, with this year being one of ‘Acceleration’!!

At the beginning of this year he wrote (emphases added):

If I was pressed to use one word to describe expectations for 2015, it might be acceleration. 2013-2014 was projected to provide or reveal the initial phases on an expected ‘Shift’ of epic proportion.

2018-2021 is expected to see many (initial) results or consequences of this ‘Shift’ reach fruition (including ‘Cycles of Unification’ in both the Middle East and Europe…)

Eric also refers to 60-year European Unity Cycle and a 70-year cycle and its effects in the next few years, which I’ll refer to later in connection with Charlie Shamp’s visit.

55-Years Period

Occasionally, our minister refers to teachings by a Nigerian “Dr O”. So, three weeks ago I asked for a link and was given one to YouTube. As there’s a listing I dipped into the top one but found it was 3 hours long. So I scrolled to where ‘Dr O’ was standing at the front of the meeting and played from there – what he said at that point exactly hit the ‘bull’s eye’ for me!

He announced he wanted to teach on something, but then said something that took me back 50-55 years. He repeated what had dropped into my mind about church during a Catholic Mass when I was about 12 years old, or mid-teens: “They’ve lost what Jesus taught!” Now, ‘Dr O’ conveyed the same notion almost word for word – no-one else has ever said that!

‘Dr O’ explained the early Church is like a tree with lots of branches but no roots. When he made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire in the early 4th Century, Constantine discouraged all contact with Jews and the Church severed itself from its Jewish roots – from even the descendants of Jesus’ kith and kin, or Desposyni. In doing so, the Church lost a fuller and deeper understanding of the Old Testament.

As a teenager that brief idea startled yet motivated me a few years later to set me off on a quest – one which took me into enemy territory of Gnostic and New Age doctrine. Had I heard ‘Dr O’ in those days I’d have had a far better response to that uninvited remark and sought elsewhere for the truth – possibly becoming a believer much sooner.

Before going on to teach about how Jewish fathers recognised their sons upon reaching maturity and thus giving an insight upon ‘Sons of God’, he said the Biblical meaning of number 5 is “multiplication”. Again, this plugs into those early years of searching! That is, 10 or 11 times 5 (50 or 55 years) – and echoes my initial reaction.

The next morning I wanted to replay it to check exactly what he’d said BUT could not find the video! I’d seen it only just in time before it was deleted or archived!

That was Thursday 26th March, when I was completing the 2nd part of a trilogy on the possibility of Satan pre-empting the Lord’s End-time schedule. Also, that day had been fraught with technical glitches! (Respective posts here and here refer.)

BUT, I didn’t know about another way in which that Thursday’s events connected into the Wednesday. It would be revealed the next day, Friday. That is, on three consecutive days the very same theme cropped up for my personal attention – it was like being hit between the eyes. I just couldn’t miss it! This trio of instructive ‘coincidences’ couldn’t simply be serendipity (ie. fortuitous happen-chance) but what I call ‘God-incidence’; or as Einstein described coincidence: “God’s way of remaining anonymous” (see here).

So, someone must have urged and directed my actions in discovering not only a direct relevance between what I’d been doing that day and 16 months ago, and 55 months ago, and 40 years ago, and 55 years ago. AND have directed what else was about to come within 24 hours…

Click to continue reading…

Images credit

Freedigitaliphotos.net kindly supplied the following courtesy of

Nokhoog Buchachon for ‘Flying Puzzles’
Cooldesign for ‘Digital Globe’
Franky242 for ‘Spiral Stairs’.

Bible’s prophetic vision of Daniel being fulfilled today

Posted on Tuesday, 31 March, 2015 by Richard Barker

Astonished! And doubly so! LOL! Not by events, actions or words – but by a map on Friday.

And astonished today too! First thing, I got an email from the designer of a map that I’d started writing about yesterday – he too was working on the same map yesterday!

Christians have no excuse for not knowing End-times prophecies began coming to fruition a hundred years ago in the Holy Land. After learning about them 30 years ago and then being born-again, I noticed the pace of prophecy picking up around the Millennium. In launching this blog I referred to the importance of eschatology and the acceleration in End-times – and others more qualified than me were saying so (Not many people know this). Now, we’re witnessing the modern manifestation of the battles foreseen in Daniel chapter 8, not between ancient empires but their descendants.

But now, in 2015, the manifestation of yet-to-be fulfilled Biblical prophecies is rapid!

At morning coffee last Friday we quickly scanned our newspaper’s front page. Nina tore out the crossword and I went straight for Con Coughlin’s op-ed buried in the middle pages. This expert with 25 years experience on international terrorism and Middle-East, writing in Saudi airstrikes add fuel to bitter rivalries about Yemen, asks “Whose wars are we fighting in the Middle East?”

Courtesy of DebkaFile

It was a welcome rest after a busy day getting a long post published as I’d worked on it for three weeks. But within an hour incoming news needed to be inserted. It was about Sunni Arab leaders taking military action but without any reference to Washington; and my post of August 2010 had referred to the diplomatic unease. As I like maps I’d noted the associated map shown here – click thereon for link to Special Report.

So that was at the back of my mind on Friday. But now I saw, slap-bang in the middle of Con Coughlin’s piece, this huge map taking up half the width of the Telegraph broadsheet page. It depicts countries following different forms of Islam:

In connection with that Thursday post’s reference to ‘squabbles over succession’ upon Muhammad’s death, Con explains how this brought a rift in Islam,

The split between Sunnis and Shias begins with the death of the prophet Mohammed in 632 AD, and the battle to succeed him as the first Muslim caliph. Sunnis say his brother-in-law Abu Bakr was the rightful heir; Shias say it should have been his cousin and son-in-law, Ali. It came to a head at the Battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq in 680 AD with the death of Ali’s son Hussein at the hands of the Sunni army – an event which is still commemorated today.

Prophetical maps

However, my immediate first impression was of this map’s similarity not to the Debka map but to two others shown in Daniel Revisited. Mark Davidson illustrates how Old Testament prophet Daniel’s visions of far-future battles between powerful nations, as symbolised by a ‘ram’ and a ‘goat’ in Daniel 8, may relate to ones yet to come between Shiite Iran and Sunni Egypt, Turkey and Arabia. Upon checking this, I was again astonished to note the emphasis of Iranian action towards Yemen, as below:

From Daniel Revisited: COPYRIGHT Mark Davidson 2012, used with permission.

Furthermore, the latest news was of Saudi Arabia AND Egypt attacking Yemen to break Iranian influence, particularly to protect shipping – especially oil tankers! – to/from the Suez Canal via the Red Sea:

Courtesy of Mark Davidson, from Daniel Revisited.

From Daniel Revisited: COPYRIGHT Mark Davidson 2012, used with permission.

For an introduction to Mark’s important thesis read Four Signposts of the Books of Daniel and the Apocalypse (highly recommended overview). His latest sound analysis on Iran is at Daniel 8 and the First Signpost.

Another article in Friday paper’s business section about a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran raising anxiety over oil prices reminded me of what I’d suggested in July 2014. On this I concluded Middle-East events and fulfillment of Bible prophecy as follows:

In my opinion, we may be about to witness major upheavals that will affect not only the ancient world’s centers of civilisation but also the modern world’s global petro-economy.

I had in mind that hostile disputes could lead to Iran closing the Straits of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf, thereby stopping international shipping of oil. Now, if Yemen falls to Iran then its proxy forces can overlook the Bab el-Mandeb straits and control the entrance to the Red Sea. Thus, Iran could control both corners of the Arabian peninsula and threaten the global economy. This would turn existing economic sanctions against Iran on their head!.

That post was followed a couple of months later with Mark’s The Petrodollar’s creator: Iran greater threat than ISIS. He quoted Henry Kissinger as saying,

“There has come into being a kind of a Shia belt from Tehran through Baghdad to Beirut…This gives Iran the opportunity to reconstruct the ancient Persian Empire — this time under the Shia label — in the rebuilding of the Middle East that will inevitably have to take place when the new international borders [are] drawn. The borders of the settlement of 1919-’20 are essentially collapsing.”

The latest from respected financial commentator Ambrose Evans-Pritchard is that Saudi oil infrastructure is at risk as Mid-East conflagration spreads!

What is certainly happening is the strengthening of the Arab League under the direction of Saudi Arabia. David Goldman, a Senior Fellow at The London Centre for Policy Research explains in The Middle-East Metternichs of Riyadh that the 10-nation coalition that Riyadh assembled to counter Iranian intervention in Yemen has a broad mandate to contain Iran throughout the region. Most surprisingly this includes Sudan and Quatar. And Pakistan is now sending its troops, as reported here yesterday.

More emphatically, Goldman concludes that Riyadh acted without the help of the US and in direct contravention of American policy of bringing Iran into Mid-East regional security architecture as an important player. Readers who like in-depth background will find his article highly informative. (Austrian Chancellor Klemens von Metternich introduced the Congress System of diplomacy to balance imperial power after the Napoleonic wars.)

What’s weird about writing about Iran

Posted on Thursday, 26 March, 2015 by Richard Barker

Subscribers quick off the mark to read the previous post (2 of 3) upon publication may recall having read its second paragraph, which is now relocated here:

“Note it’s taken all morning to polish this in minor ways because of online problems! (Internet Explorer kept failing to connect and load tabs, and when it did I couldn’t get into WordPress. So I used Google, which is faster but has its limitations and, on both, a WP formatting issue needed sorting.) I wonder, could aggravation indicate this post may be of some significance?”

There was a distinct sense of having been in that same scenario before – ‘deja vu’.

And it’s not a coincidence – probably not of the Godly variety, or God-incidence, either.

And previously, a lot of synchronous stuff on today’s topic was happening around the blog’s second anniversary – as in A Weird Mix-up! (Likewise, in recent weeks!)

007 author Ian Fleming’s comment on such repetitive events fits the bill. He’s quoted as saying,

“Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action!” (Courtesy of Brainyquote.com)

How highly appropriate for this blog – Iran is the common denominator on FOUR such synchronous occasions!!!!

The last time, November 2013, was also one of unusual, annoying technical connection problems, and today it involved my PC’s operation as well as internet drop-outs.

Then, it was the third time! So I blogged, Did my triple warning about Iran affect my WordPress connections? which begins,

“Publishing this and the previous post proved arduous. In telling why, it may cross your mind I could be getting a tad paranoid – but actually it’s funny; yet perhaps there’s a grain of truth buried away here…

“Was what I was trying to write about so revelatory that another ‘invisible hand’ came in causing chaos to connections?? Perhaps it’s not such a daft idea, you know.

“Guess what I was writing about the previous time this happened! The very same topic – Iran, and its leaders’ policy to bring about their notion of End-Times!! Oh, that’s just a coincidence. Well, what are the odds of such a cross-connection between two lots of technical trouble; in addition to the other oddities that occurred recently?”

Then I gave details of the components of the synchronous events:

“For the record these are the previous posts: Joel Rosenberg’s Iran leader: We must prepare for the ‘End-Times’, my Iranian leader’s End-Times declaration which appeared after Sharanelle Clark’s Getting ready for His return. (For anyone wishing to check my claims see my original support request and covering mammoth one of 373 posts.)”

Technically savvy folk may like to check out the detail – if so, continue reading here.

Now it gets even more interesting in what I didn’t dwell on above, for it involves that previous post’s report “on something so weird it’s beyond coincidental”. The upcoming post ‘3 of 3’ will plug right into that previous post – The Invisible Hand re-appears!

So why not take a peek? And hold onto your seats…

Amazing ‘coincidences’ – cycles and Shemitah-Jubilee years

Posted on Thursday, 12 March, 2015 by Richard Barker

You possibly won’t believe this! Carry on reading only if you have an open mind for, as I’ve blogged before, “truth is stranger than fiction”. The above title could easily read:

‘God-smacked’ by TWO sets of ‘God-incidents’!

Blogging time is currently at a premium. For the past fortnight I’ve wanted to explain why re-scheduling my wife’s spinal surgery was significant. Last week began with a couple of ‘quick’ items, and I settled into blogging on this as and when possible. Re-gathering my thoughts the first draft was too long, but I was inspired afresh mid-week.

I was ‘nudged’ to tackle it differently – overkill, so it seemed! Was I going overboard on a personal matter? Nudged yet again, “An introduction would help”. But hadn’t I done enough with musing further upon Paws 4 thought ?? I don’t want to bore readers!

But there was something in the air! Something deep was stirring. I couldn’t put a handle on it – maybe it was the mix of controversial headlines and others’ incisive blogs? However, I tried putting into words a strong sense of history repeating itself. To bring some sort of clarity into this – and I am not one for blowing my own trumpet – it’s necessary to refer to my early email. (Have entered 7th year of writing.)

That is, I began taking a different tack which should help you grasp what I was ‘sensing’. Thus, the first of a trilogy referred to a cyclic nature of historical events.

So Wed-Thurs last week I was busy getting this ‘off my chest’ before our usual long-weekend – and a week ago today I got up early to input editorial changes…but…

Little did I suspect this would ignite a series of coincidences on this subject!

Here’s what happened, like pieces of an invisible jigsaw falling ‘out of the blue’:

1. Thursday: on waking I heard, “Jonathan Cahn!”, and knew to refer to him to give those familiar with his book a hook and time-frame for my posts. [See ‘A’ below]

2. Moved original post’s mention of ‘Bells’ to new post’s opening paragraph; thought it may relate to blog’s long-standing contributor TP [B].

3. After updating draft, checked emails only to find one of TP’s friends had just emailed me direct about “timing…just right” and that “something is changing spiritually”!

4. Completed/published ‘1of 3’, logged out and noticed number of followers is ‘360’ [C].

5. Friday: on waking heard “360 degrees in a circle!” – precisely what I’m blogging about but as cycles! Therefore, writing about these specific cycles is confirmed!

6. Saturday: caught up with a dvd of Cahn’s session ‘The Shemitah Year’ at January’s Prophecy Summit in Alabama. Fascinating teaching and it refers to 2014-15.

7. Sunday: phoned D&SB in Devon (who’d recommended Cahn’s The Harbinger), only to be told that C&RP of their home group will be leading review of his book this week!!

8. Monday: at church prayer group told host MC about 1 & 7, but we were both amazed because that morning, without any pre-decision, she’d picked out that teaching to listen to next from her collection of recordings!!!

Notes:

A. In the UK it was months before Messianic rabbi Cahn’s book came to my attention. It received poor reviews here as a sensationalist Christian novel. But I now find it was, in fact, published on 3rd January 2012 – when I was drafting a brief overview (as here) of financial analyst Eric Hadik’s work on economic cycles! Very interesting synchronicity, or ‘God-incidence!!

But for our friends’ insistent recommendation I wouldn’t have read The Harbinger. I got around to reading it as a birthday present last September! Until then I hadn’t known it was based upon the Levitical instruction to let land lie fallow every seventh year, which was practised for centuries in England until modern times.

I’m now sure there’s far more, a great deal more, to Cahn’s thesis than meets the eye!

B. Musing upon what I’d blogged since mid-February got me buzzing. Late afternoon a week ago yesterday, Wednesday 4th March, I split the original post and found myself writing about Middle-East news saying bells had started to ring! My mind was racing and I found some moments before bed to work on a hardcopy to reshape it. First thing in the morning ‘the bells’ got moved to the new first part’s opening paragraph.

There was a distinct feeling like when a series of almost two dozen coincidences struck me in 2012 in respect of Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee bells. (The ‘God-incidents’ could be drawn like a series of logic-trees.) Now, I recalled Tony Puccio, a new reader at that time, had got in touch to refer to a dream about his doorbell being rung – see GET READY… (He’s now re-visited it, as here.)

C. Although TP’s friend decided to follow this blog on Thursday I didn’t know the total number of followers because that data’s not shown in WordPress’ admin screen. I could check on a linked screen but the figure’s based upon fellow WordPress bloggers’ only and excludes email-only readers. Therefore, I don’t note these different totals.

Logging-off for the day, however, I decided for once to check total number of ‘follows’ on the browser screen. There, the pop-up invitation window is easily read and includes all subscribers.

It said, “Join 360 other followers” – I thought no more about it; that is, until waking up the next day!

I can’t escape the conclusion that the Lord is stressing these cycles are important.

The Shemitah and Jubilee

In his book’s chapter 17, ‘The Mystery of the Shemitah’, and before explaining how it’s timing is directly connected to major international financial crashes, Cahn writes:

The Shemitah revolves around the number seven – it’s the seventh year. It begins and ends in the seventh month of the biblical year.

It originates in the opening verses of Leviticus 25, which describes it as a sabbatical rest for not only the land but also for labour and debts and associated matters. Seven such Sabbath years, that is 49 years, are especially significant and the 50th is a consecrated holy year – a Jubilee. (Visit BibleGateway to read chapter 25 in full and consider this interesting rabbinical post, The Fiftieth Year.)

Rabbi Cahn’s in-depth teaching explores how he found these 7 and 49/50 year periods are demonstrated in dramatic historic events since the founding of the USA, as well as those of modern Israel. His exposition deserves careful attention:

Some take issue with his relating the Lord’s instruction for Jewish observance to any modern gentile nation. For his thesis Jonathan goes back to events at the founding of the United States as a nation specifically based upon Judeo-Christian principles. Some would also comment with good reason about the large freemasonic influence in those days, which leads into speculative conspiracy theories of which I’m well aware.

Let me add my ‘tuppenny worth’ in pointing to grounds for Jonathan’s historical claims:

Jewish immigrants played an important part in British colonial and independent states of New England, none more so than Haym Salomon from Poland. Fluent in several languages and expert international financier he arrived in 1772, joining the Sons of Liberty in New York City. It was one of the colony’s most radical revolutionary groups.

Five years after rebellion against Britain’s king George the colonials were bankrupt. The American currency collapsed in 1781 with its treasury empty and no means of paying for the war or its debts. Saloman’s skill, knowledge, honesty and generosity kept America solvent during its first economic crisis with his personal credit backing the US finances. He died penniless in 1785 from a sickness contracted whilst imprisoned (twice for spying against the British).

According to John McTernan, he never received recognition during his lifetime but an official commemorative stamp was issued in 1975 in his honour. Its reverse stated:

Financial hero-businessman and broker Haym Salomon was responsible for raising most of the money needed to finance the American revolution and later saved the nation from collapse.

Therefore, had it not been for a self-sacrificing Jewish financier, America wouldn’t exist as we know it today.

For details of John McTernan’s As America Has Done To Israel, click on image.

Conclusion

Scripture suggests the above ‘God-incidental’ events may be explained as follows:

‘The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]’. Psalm 37:23, Amplified Bible

Therefore, it certainly appears that the Lord is unequivocally telling us to take heed and learn about this Shemitah-Jubilee Year – and why!

May He bless you on your voyage of discovery…

More on cycles

Images

‘Hand Holding Puzzle Pieces’ by Anusorn P Nachol
‘Teamwork’ by Franky242
both appear courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net

Incredible timing of ‘unsealing’ and ‘keys’ re. Daniel’s visions

Posted on Monday, 2 February, 2015 by Richard Barker

Extraordinary!

“By the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established”. (Deut 19:15 NKJV)

This must rank as one of the most amazing examples of ‘God-incidence’ I’ve ever come across. And it’s Invisible Jigsaw and Bridge over the ‘Pond’ tags all rolled into one! (Not to mention anything to do with ‘Time’, as blogged a year ago.)

Just in case readers didn’t notice a brief but significant contribution to the last post, On unsealing Daniel’s prophetic visions, I’m repeating it below. Also, a huge “Thank you” to all who liked that post. My post was published on Saturday morning (31 Jan 2015). Tony Puccio commented later in the day: “It’s amazing you post this Richard. Look at the vision the Lord showed me.”…. Continue reading →

Route to Reality

Posted on Wednesday, 28 January, 2015 by Richard Barker

A most welcome reference to God as a mathematician! When I referred to such a possibility at a Christian Union many years ago I got a horrified reaction! Therefore, this post lends credence to my musing upon the maths of coincidence, and of music (see In the right place at the right time). So thank you doctors Ruth and Jennifer.

Science and Belief

I have blogged a number of times on imagination, but what do working scientists think about this subject? Dr Jennifer Siggers is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London, where she works on medical applications of fluid dynamics. Having met her at a Christians in Scienceconference a couple of years before, I wanted to find out how imagination is relevant to her own life in the lab.

Imagination is highly valued in Western culture but not always recognised as an essential part of science. So Jennifer initially protested that she wasn’t sure she had anything to say about imagination, but eventually was able to speak with me at some length about how important it is in her work. Mental pictures, analogies and thought experiments are all important for a scientist. For a Christian, learning to use imagination can also enhance

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NEWS! Ian Clayton’s FIRST book is out!

Posted on Saturday, 29 November, 2014 by Richard Barker

It was most instructive hearing Ian Clayton for the first time at one of our earliest days in Well Church International, near Goldalming. I kept pace with his novel teaching throughout and realised he’s correct when he used almost identical words that I’d had only weeks before on ‘God-incidents’!! (That is, they’re just like instruments playing in an orchestra – see The spiritual significance of the Queen’s Jubilee Bells.) Ian attributed Godly coincidences to the Lord’s Spirit of Wisdom (see next post). Be blessed as you read…

On becoming like Jesus Christ

Posted on Wednesday, 26 November, 2014 by Richard Barker

This profoundly important message comes from Mike Parsons. It’s reposted in full rather than re-blogged in order to emphasise its associated prophetic word and append a book cover and make some observations on four consecutive days of God-incidences. Regular readers know my opinion of such events. For Mike’s original posted in August, click on his following title:

THE IMAGE OF JESUS

Mike Parsons with Jeremy Westcott

Transformation: embrace the season

We are entering into a season preparing us for holiness; a season of removing stumbling blocks; a season of preparation to cross the threshold into the glory realm; a season for transformation. Not just a minor adjustment of surface appearance, but fundamental, radical change, affecting body, soul and spirit.

Let’s not resist it, but embrace it. Let’s cooperate in being changed from glory to ever-increasing glory. Entering into the process of refining and purifying is entirely voluntary. That said, we know that sometimes God will engineer circumstances around our lives to give us further opportunities to volunteer. We can fall on the Rock, or the Rock can fall on us.

Like you have never known

Here is part of a prophetic word which God gave me before I first taught this series at Freedom in 2012:

“It is time to pray that the lid comes off and to call forth my angels who are waiting to start gathering and removing stumbling blocks both within and without. Holiness fire is coming, the highway of holiness has been prepared. It is time to walk in the river of fire. You have walked over it and felt its heat but now it is time to be baptised in fire. The heat will turn idols back into the dust they came from: to be under your feet, not in your hearts.

“Call forth the gathering angels. The lids are coming off the sewers, the secret and hidden things of the heart are about to be exposed. All I ask is for the willingness to submit to the fire that will refine, purify and prepare you for true holiness.

“I am about to restore your souls like you have never known, and lead you on paths of righteousness like you have never known.

“I am going to prune the church. I am going to cut off the branches that are producing no fruit. I am going to remove the stumbling blocks to true kingdom government. I am going to close the access doors that the enemy has had. Some have already been removed.

“I am looking for those who are willing to be pruned in the unproductive areas of their lives and in their desires and their priorities…”

Metamorphosed, transfigured

We have seen that happen at Freedom Church (kingdom government has been established here, but in the process, lids have certainly come off some sewers and we have experienced some painful pruning, both corporate and personal). What is true for us locally is true for you, wherever you are reading this. God wants His whole church transformed, metamorphosed, transfigured, changed, conformed into the image of Jesus; not patterned, moulded, conformed to the world.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:1-2).

Transformation is a process of change, a renewal, a restoration to original condition; not to what Adam was like before his sin but to what he would have become. How would things be today if Man had not fallen, but had spent the intervening centuries pursuing God’s plan for him and for creation? How would we be?

Our goal in transformation is to become wholly like Jesus; to live like Him; to do as He did, and greater things (John 14:12); to be conformed to His image.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

One degree to another

In our day, the prophetic books (portals) have been opened and we are receiving deeper levels of revelation and understanding. But these also call for deeper levels of transformation. It is like going from pre-school mathematics (recognise a number), through primary school (counting, simple sums, addition, multiplication), to secondary school (algebra, equations, calculus), undergraduate, postgraduate and so on. I suspect many of us are not much beyond pre-school as yet.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).

There are progressive levels of transformation to maturity, progressive levels of responsibility and authority. God wants to take us from servant to bondservant to steward to friend; lord to king to son.

By the mercies of God

Freedom from sin (Rom 6:16-18); the gift of eternal life (Rom 6:23); peace with God (Rom 5:1); the grace of God (Rom 5:2); salvation from wrath (Rom 5:9); the gift of repentance (Rom 2:4-5); the love of Christ (2 Cor 5:14-15): the mercies of God are new every morning, and they motivate us to present ourselves as living sacrifices, ready for transformation.

It is indeed a process, and it may take some time. But we can begin today (and every day) by offering ourselves as a living sacrifice. We can invite Him to do what He needs to do in us.

He will challenge our conscience, imagination, reason, mind, emotions, will, and choice; our motives, desires, attitudes, mind-sets, belief systems, familiar spirits, patterns of sin, trading systems, idols, stumbling blocks, entanglements; hurts, pains, rejections, fears, inadequacies, inferiorities, disappointments and more besides. He will deal with our sin, transgression and iniquity. He will restore our supernatural abilities.

Are we up for that?
If so, let’s pray:

God I thank you for your presence in my life.
I open the gate of first love and invite you into my spirit
I invite you to activate my spiritual senses and flow through me
Jesus I surrender control of my life to your lordship.
You are Lord of my life.

I choose to be a bond servant.
Train me as a good steward
So that I can be your friend.

Renew my mind
Heal my emotions
Restore my conscience
Cleanse my imagination
Direct my will.

Train my senses to hear your voice
To know your heart
See your vision
And be directed by your peace.

Cleanse my bloodline and seed-line
Transform my DNA.

Father I choose to follow my eternal destiny
Into lordship, kingship and sonship.
I choose, as an ambassador of heaven,
To administer the rule of the kingdom of God
On earth as it is in heaven.

Display me as a son of light on the earth.
Manifest your kingdom rule through me to the world around me.

Other resources from Freedom ARC

Transformation audio series (much of the content of this post is taken from session 1).
Ambassadors of Heaven audio series.
DNA Transformation (YouTube playlist of Mike’s ‘Supernatural Mentoring’ videos which touch on this subject).

OBSERVATIONS

The year of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, 2012, saw an abundance of prophecies about a new era for the Church (click for a selection). For me it brought a conviction of seeing things falling into place, especially after an awesome gathering in August at Birmingham, as described in An invisible jigsaw falls into place. It greatly reminded me of having prepared annually for the new school year but going up to a higher class, and Spirit-filled believers have an exceptional schooling (see Back to School-College-Uni).

So I’m most encouraged that Mike refers to 2012, and spells out what was on my mind about increasing in Godly wisdom like when we went through various schools – but I omitted my intention of saying most churchgoers are in, or unwilling to progress beyond, nursery school!

More remarkable are references to ‘stumbling blocks’ and the ‘mercies of God’, because they featured prominently last week, as follows:

Tues 18th: the closing verses to the draft of my last post on Jerusalem (re. faith of traditional church leaders) got augmented. I added what had cropped up in that morning’s quiet time but used the literal wording rather than the standard NKJV text, “It is impossible that no offenses should come…”; ie. I wrote ‘stumbling blocks’, not ‘offenses’.
My study bible notes to Luke 17:1 state ‘offenses’ means ‘stumbling blocks’, and is literally the trigger of a trap or snare. In the verse it designates something that causes one to sin, and Jesus issues a strong warning against apostasy.
Within minutes of publishing that post an Elder called about having an insight into our unexpected month-long recurrence of a major health issue and said he’d seen a ‘stumbling block’! When my wife waited upon the Lord nothing came, she went to watch a TV programme but it suddenly changed to show a long-forgotten but traumatic episode of when she was 9 years old playing out on the TV Screen!!
Wed 19th: our Elder ministered as directed into that ‘video’ stumbling block’.
Thur 20th: Nina awoke to find there were no signs of this daily manifestation! Praise and thank the Lord greatly.
Thur 20th: that morning’s prophetic Lion Bites was exactly on target, as implied in my covering comment to New mercies every morning! Mike refers above to “the mercies of God are new every morning’!
Fri 21st: not normally on-line, but went to adjust that draft only to see email note of Mike’s post being re-blogged on Ecclesia of Burning Ones – thank you so much for bringing this excellent post to my attention.

I can only conclude: NOW’s the time to action Mike’s post!

Note: Paul Keith Davis writes in-depth on ‘angels that gather’ in this book published in 2007. For details click on the book’s cover >>>

Lion Bites: New mercies every morning

Posted on Thursday, 20 November, 2014 by Richard Barker

Thank you Lord for a breakthrough at last on the peculiar health issue to which I referred the last time I re-posted one of the daily prophetical encouragements from Glasgow. In fact, some of the past week’s ‘Bites’ have been timely.

Today’s word is EXACTLY right in describing the situation.

NEW MERCIES EVERY MORNING

Lamentations 3:22
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness, “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him”.

Many have waited in this season, believing for breakthrough. But at times it has felt like that bus which has never arrived at your bus stop. There you sit, looking… waiting… watching. You are the last person left there in the cold of the night… and yet you wait on. The Lord Jesus is your only hope and your only answer left… you wait… and watch still… because you know that God is coming.

Suddenly! The faint rumblings of the bus engine finally reach your ears and you know that your prayers have been heard.

Today is a good day! I hear the Lord saying,

“New mercies, new mercies, new mercies. I am the God of new mercies every morning!

“My compassion does not fail. I am releasing new mercies to My children, to those who wait on My name, to reveal My faithfulness again”.

Will you rejoice that your prayers have been heard today and that you will receive the new mercies God has for you?

YES INDEED!

Bless you David and Emma, and may everyone who reads this be blessed too.

In connection with the poetic ‘rumblings of the bus engine’, there’s a fascinating ‘God-incident’ over the closing scripture of my post on churches in Jerusalem and an Elder’s phone call minutes later – but that ‘glory-story’ must await another time.

46,000 churches called to “extraordinary prayer” for Great Awakening

Posted on Thursday, 13 November, 2014 by Richard Barker

A fascinating follow-on that acts as sequel to the last post can only be of the Lord. In asking whether an emerging corrective trend of a spiritual-political nature could link the USA to Britain, I noted a commonality and mused if it may be related to Charlie Shamp’s remarks about the UK.

“Whether we are discussing the First and Second Great Awakenings…God has always seemed to release the fresh movement of the Holy Spirit on these Islands that has gone on to affect the entire earth.”

We now have reference to a ‘Third Great Awakening’, as follows:

This morning (13th Nov) Joel Rosenberg’s latest email announced “something very exciting happening in the leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention”. In June he’d written about the SBC’s new President, Dr Ronnie Floyd’s, and Anne Graham Lotz’s urgent prayer call for July 4th and beyond.

Joel reminds us that Dr Floyd was making prayer for a Third Great Awakening a top priority inside one of the world’s largest evangelical Christian denominations. He now reports that, true to his word, this pastor has travelled all over the country preaching on the need for deep repentance and revival inside the SBC.

Now, Dr Floyd’s released a free 16-page e-book titled, Pleading With Southern Baptists And Beyond to come together in clear agreement before God and “in extraordinary prayer for the Next Great Awakening and for the world to be reached for Christ”. It is a clarion call for Southern Baptists — and all Christians in the United States — to become deeply focused and committed to pleading with God for revival. [Click to read in full.]

The Third Great Awakening

Joel’s item rang a bell about Dutch Sheets also having similarly called for prayer, about which I wrote in some depth here. It’s the most motivational call for prayer I’ve heard because of its foundation upon a supra-natural lesson: the existing effect of generations’ intercession since the American War of Independence.

Also, I was reminded of having encouraged friends in early 2011 to watch his inspiring account at The Bay Revival of the Lord speaking since 1991 about a new awakening (this email refers).

Recounting his experience this September at the grave of the great revivalist Charles Finney, Dutch reminded Holy Spirit about the First and Second Great Awakenings and appealed to Heaven for another,

As we prayed, God chose this time and place to meet with me in a powerful way. I was overcome, as I have been before, with God’s heart and love for America. I wept, as we all cried out for revival in our land. Why did God meet me there in such a strong way? Perhaps it was to honor the memory of Finney, a faithful son; or, since awakening and harvest is what Finney so powerfully represents, maybe it was a confirmation that God is, indeed, going to give us another great awakening; and it could have been to remind us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves – that the great cloud of witnesses is watching and cheering us on, knowing fully that we’re the continuation of their efforts (Hebrews 11:39-12:2). Whatever His reason for choosing this time and place, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon me. I was re-mantled and re-anointed.

After explaining about mantles and anointing, Dutch concludes,

God is not finished with America. Don’t be moved by the naysayers, don’t give in to hope deferred. There is a third Great Awakening coming to our land. There is another broad and passionate “appeal to Heaven” occurring in our land, which will be honored, just as it was when our nation was born. There is a re-connecting to the covenants, promises and sacrifices of our forefathers. And there will be an answer from Heaven in the form of the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit the earth has ever experienced – in America, and around the world. You are part of this! Keep crying out for revival – and cry out for revivalists like Finney to be raised up in our day.

Be blessed as you read his full account here.

[Endless Bridge by Evgeni Denev, courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net]

What have Paul Keith’s video and Mary Magdalene got in common?

Posted on Tuesday, 4 November, 2014 by Richard Barker

To God alone be the glory for this true story…

Join me as I meander along my musings and, as we wend our way, watch out for.:

a modern movie and its location
a medieval English abbey
a lost Renaissance painting
a legendary epic voyage
the earliest Christian letter
a new appreciation of prayer.

Except for the first, the rest took me by surprise the weekend before last. As pieces of an ‘invisible jigsaw’ they’d fallen into view like fresh snow.

Our long weekends off from weekday busy-ness start on Fridays, and a couple of Fridays ago we enjoyed strolling around Chichester city centre in warm sunshine. Eventide, we relaxed by catching up on an iPlayer movie recommended by our eldest daughter…

‘THE WAY’

This movie written and directed by Emilio Estevez is most engrossing and stars Martin Sheen (aka ‘West Wing’s US President Bartlett) as an irascible American doctor, Tom. He goes to southern France after losing his son (Emilio Estevez) who had an accidental death after having set out on “The Way of St. James” (see map).

Rather than returning to the States, Tom wants to honour his son by completing the journey on his behalf. But he doesn’t expect the profound impact this trip has on him. The Way tells the story of his near-500 miles hike to Santiago de Compostela in north-western Spain.

The route is one of many to one of the oldest of pilgrimages sites in Europe. I recalled learning about its connection with Reading Abbey upon researching the abbey’s history Founded in 1121 by king Henry I, this English abbey was also one starting place for the Camino de Santiago, and is reputed to have the remains of St James’ hand as a relic. (My researches began in my office overlooking the ruins of the abbey’s mill, and are as copied here.)

So this movie had a personal, albeit indirect, relevance – but more was to come on the ‘morrow…

LOST PAINTING FOUND

The very next morning I found buried inside Saturday’s paper some interesting facts about a ‘centuries-old art history mystery’ –

Caravaggio’s original ‘Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy’ has been discovered in a private European collection, the world’s leading expert on the Renaissance master has claimed.

The Telegraph: photo credit La Repubblica

Although the 1606 painting has been copied several times, historian Mina Gregori says the original has finally been found. The Telegraph’s Andrea Vogt says this expert won’t reveal which country it is in but can confirm that when she first saw the 100 by 90cm oil on canvas in the owners’ home, she had no doubt. Andrea reports, Gregori called the find a “marvellous addition” to the art world. The 80-year-old scholar and authenticator said seeing the original with her own eyes was a career highlight: “I think after all these years, I deserved it”.

This article rang a bell deep in long-forgotten memories of my pre-Christian interests because:

The painting refers to the legend in which Mary, living as a hermit in a cave in southern France near Aix-en-Provence after Christ’s death, was overcome seven times a day by “the delightful harmonies of the celestial choirs”.

That reference, especially about an ecstatic trance, would connect with remarks I was yet to hear on the third day, and thus start seeing a part of this ‘invisible puzzle’. But we should first consider the importance of this biblical person.

Mary Magdalene was the first to see Jesus alive after his burial in the garden tomb and so many, including Pope Benedict, regard her as an “Apostle to the Apostles”. She was the sister of Martha and Lazarus, whom Jesus brought back from the dead and was to later become Bishop of Cyprus. This family are reputed to have been of royal blood and owned estates in and around Jerusalem as well as at Magdala near the Sea of Galilee, where the younger sister Mary lived and is said to have fallen into a sinful life. Jesus is thought to have frequented one or other of their premises whilst travelling with dozens of disciples.

This blessed woman became deeply devoted to Jesus after deliverance – no wonder she later sat wrapt in His teaching instead of helping her sister. On that need Jesus remarked, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42 emphasis added).

Hence, Mary Magdalene is patron of contemplatives and Caravaggio’s painting reflects an outcome of her desire and her Master’s promise.

(Thank you to ‘Joe Catholic’ for also pointing out Mary is a model for penitent sinners. Also see this informative rebuttal of modern Catholic biblical scholarship.)

Next, I dived into my library and dug out a book bought in 1971 during my investigations into early Church history.:

THE COMING OF THE SAINTS

This book by John Taylor, first published in 1906, is replete with source references and combines history and legend to portray the earliest Christian missions into western Europe (Spain, France and Britain). It helped me – a non-believer – learn about the early church’s transmission of Jesus’ original teachings. In my story, I explained my desire to find out why churches were not doing what Jesus had done, as promised in John 14:12, as well as how much of His teaching had been lost.

The editor of this book’s 1967 reprint answers complaints about mixing written records and local legend, saying the book shows they substantiate one another and dovetail together. “Of particular interest are the references culled from churches founded by the saints who were companions of our Lord during His ministry”, maintains Gladys Taylor.

She writes her namesake gathered evidence from a pilgrimage made to the French churches, and other countries, and thus produced impressive proof of their antiquity.

From top: grotto cave of St Mary Magdalene; church of Les Saintes Maries; crypt of St Martha at Tarascon (J Taylor 1901)

One chapter summarises the Life of St Mary Magdalene complied by Rabanus Maurus (776-856 AD) – a manuscript copy of which is lodged in Magdalen College Library, Oxford. In his closing years he was Archbishop of Mayence (Mainz, Germany).

First however, I needed to re-remind myself of the book’s main thesis. Its first chapters examine the known historical events, and those behind the scenes, at the close of and after Jesus’ life. Taylor thus adds detail to scripture’s narrative and he posits a list of disciples additional to the apostles, deacons and the family of Jesus. In addition to considering the ‘home-base’ of Capernaum, he lists names of followers from the house on Mont Zion and the city of Jerusalem, and towns of Bethany, Emmaus and Jericho.

Then Taylor covers some early missionary journeys not covered in Acts of the Apostles, noting Dr Luke’s historic account does not refer to the evangelical mission in Sardinia and Spain of John’s brother James. The only reference to James after Pentecost is his death at the hands of Herod in Jerusalem in 44 AD (Acts 12:2). His remains are said to have ended up centuries later back in Santiago de Compostela. Hence, pilgrimages to his shrine, as mentioned above.

Persecution following Apostle James’ martyrdom led to the dispersal of many disciples from Jerusalem. (This was about 10 years after that led by Saul of Tarsus.) Tradition of Provence, southern France, has a number of them being bundled into a boat without oars or sails somewhere near Mount Carmel and set adrift. They’re reputed to have been Lazarus, Joseph of Aramathea, Maximin (leader of disciples after the apostles, and friend committed to the care of the Magdalene) as well as a favoured four: Martha and Mary, Mary wife of Cleopas and a third Mary (Salome) and others.

However, I was interested in checking John Taylor’s reference to the correct James at Jerusalem. Was it John’s brother, or Jesus’ brother James who later led the Jerusalem church and wrote a brief epistle. It is James’ historic ruling at the first Church council that enabled non-Jews to associate with the Church without having to comply with the Mosaic laws their Jewish brethren had before coming to Christ.

So to clarify, I wasn’t so interested in Mary Magdalene as wanting to check out what Paul wrote to the Galatian churches about his post-conversion history. I recalled mention of church leaders he met when in Jerusalem, as well as Luke’s account of those meetings (Acts 15)

Written circa 50 AD Paul’s letter is the first and therefore the oldest, canonical Christian document and earlier than the Gospels. Therein Paul tells what he did, where he went and how he learned the Gospel of Jesus by direct, personal revelation; that is, not from any original disciple or apostle:

¹³For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it….¹⁵But when it pleased God…¹⁶to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,¹⁷nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. ¹⁸Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. ¹⁹But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰(Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) ²¹Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²²And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. ²³But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴And they glorified God in me.

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. ²And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. (Emphases added)

SUNDAY VIDEO SESSION

The next day, Sunday, we wanted more teaching and chose to watch the Paul Keith Davis and James Levesque video discussion I’d blogged about.

In arguing for the supra-natural abilities and dimension required to bring in the harvest that meets the heart of God, “as it is defined in scripture”, Paul Keith maintains this is for those who walk with God in realms of glory and demonstrate the supra-natural. He defines and explains this relating it to Jesus’ own ability (from 27:00 on video).

Then he tells of his mis-perception of Jesus’ prayer life (at 30:35) and surmising what it had been like after a long day ministering and teaching and travelling on foot – and then go pray and spend hours in prayer…thinking,

“…what a disciplined life!” says Paul Keith.

“No, you totally misunderstood My prayer life!” the Lord said.

“He said, “My prayer life was My reward!”

“The Lord’s been showing me how, at the end of the day, after He did everything He was supposed to do, He went out into the wilderness and He was released into the Presence of the Father!

“Just think about that for a minute…after a hard day could you go pray 5 hours…? No? Think of it as this:

“James, go spend 5 hours standing before the throne of God, go spend 5 hours in the Presence of your Father – let Him download on you, let Him refresh you, restore you.

“That’s why Jesus could pray all night! He lived under an open heaven and when He went to pray – as soon as He quieted His flesh – He was standing in the Presence of His Father, standing before the throne of God, getting refreshed and learning what the Father wanted to reveal.”

An exceptionally instructional and fascinating teaching. At 41:30 he considers this was how apostle Paul spent lengthy periods with the Lord before he ever met any disciples and apostles and moved into any ministry.

Consequently, having considered that the day before I was ready for what he said!

CONCLUSION

This insight on Jesus’ prayer life is the common denominator between the discussion on video and Mary Magdalene, who spent lengthy periods immersed in God, as had Jesus.

Paul Keith’s insight doesn’t detract from but enhances the model prayer Jesus gave his disciples, as recorded in Matthew 6:5-15. And it magnifies Jesus’ personal prayer to our Father in John 17. It’s no wonder this Mary went so deep yet so high in contemplative ecstasy – will we?

(Remember to, “First seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” – Matt 6:33).

Furthermore, from apostle Paul’s explanation this kind of intimacy was the norm in the earliest years of “The Way”, as the fellowship was known before the term “Christian” was coined at Antioch. (See Acts chapters 18-24, especially vv 24:18 and 22.)

Also, Paul Keith later refers to the event on the road to Emmaus, about which and without any prior intention I’d inserted a remark just before publishing the latest blog before that weekend!

Therefore, that weekend is yet another example of ‘God-incidence’ (footnote refers).

By the way!

A couple of days later upon opening up my Bible to find where I’d got to, I found at the second turn the beginning of Luke chapter 8 staring up at me. There from the left-hand column just beside the volume’s spine I just couldn’t miss these words:

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, ²and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities — Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, ³and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.

Later, upon reviewing and adjusting the draft of this piece, I decided to refer to the first name for the group of believers as followers of the way of Jesus Christ; the way of life He taught and demonstrated as “The Way, The Truth and The Life”.

Then when I’d done and re-read the draft I realised I’d gone FULL circle – starting with the movie ‘The Way’ I’d ended up by including scriptures on ‘The Way of Jesus’ !!

Furthermore, an email arrived about that time which opens as follows.:

Truth, we find, is stranger than fiction. Some things that happen to us when in relationship with Christ no writer could make up. And I am amazed continually at what our God does in my life and in this world…(continue here)

Could the Lord be getting our attention to pray the way He does?

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

Footnotes:

Image: Flying puzzles by Nokhoog Buchachon, courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.com

Jesus & Mary fable:

My pre-Christian activities made me well aware of stories around Le Tresor Maudit, the cursed treasure of the Knights Templars, said to have been hidden for centuries but discovered by a parish priest. He spent a fortune on re-decorating a church in Rennes-le-Chateau and building a tower, both of which were dedicated to St Mary Magdalene.

Readers may know of it through bestselling The Da Vinci Code, which is based on serious research published in 1980s as The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail. This source’s authors referred to fables about Jesus and Mary’s relationship, which I’m reliably told were then used as a deliberate advertising ploy for marketing purposes.

Consequently, that earlier book became a bestseller. The businessman who gave me The Invisible Hand (see Welcome) sold mail-order books and he told me his own copywriter had worked with HBHG authors and so he knew about its publisher’s sales slant.

Years later, I learned of another reference work by an expert on royal genealogy who claimed the fables were correct. But his analysis of scripture was unreliable, as I could demonstrate in his misquoting The Secret Gospel of Mark. Therefore, how could his claims hold water? (Details on this blog at The Magdalene Legacy – a Critique.)

God-incidence:

I refer to coincidences that are more than serendipity (happy, fortuitous chance events) as ‘God-incidences’, for they seem to have been arranged with a clear purpose in mind. We may not always know the reason but there’s a distinct thread connecting two or more events that are closely related in time: an “aha” moment

Frequently I’m amazed by those which involve scripture and occur one day after another and sometimes even 3 or 4 consecutive days, and always from different sources. I liken God-incidence to completing a jigsaw puzzle and it seems the Lord is stressing the importance or relevance of something. So they get my full attention, as happened in the above account. (See main menu for fuller exposition.)

Blind and on the wrong path

Posted on Tuesday, 28 October, 2014 by Richard Barker

Wow – a remarkable God-incidence! After reading this on Monday we heard through a contact of something similar happening over the weekend, but there was a serious outcome for ministers who’d unwittingly chosen to be a ‘blindfolded bride’. They hadn’t heeded our contact’s advice to prepare with more than prayer (eg. communion, anointing, donning spiritual armour) before treading where angels wouldn’t tread (psychic fair organised by a coven). So they couldn’t grasp why things went wrong!
It recalled my deliverance ministry training when I realised crucial need for clergy and leaders to be competently trained and gifted in discerning spirits. Sadly, this wasn’t wanted in a church we once attended.

My Dreams and Visions

I had a dream/vision 10/26/2014 . In this dream/vision I saw a bride walking down what looked to be a dirt path. What was strange is that she was blindfolded so obviously she could not see where she was going. I then saw various people with sight trying to take her by the hand to guide her. However, each time anyone tried to guide her, because in this dream/vision I sensed in my spirit that she was heading down the wrong path, she would lash out at them in anger with a knife.

It’s my belief that the bride in this dream/vision represents the church, the bride of Christ. The people sent to guide her back to the right path that had sight are the prophets. In the dream, even though blind, she refused help and lashed out at anyone who tried.
The scriptures that come to mind are:
Matthew…

View original post 151 more words

The 3 dimensions of time

Posted on Monday, 22 September, 2014 by Richard Barker

Thank you Lord for Your timing in Ajibola’s publishing this profound post, and in Tim’s reading it hours before my re-blogging Tony’s in connection with what You gave Neville!! (Comments to previous refer.) Re. Mary’s appointed time, readers may be interested in this post on Gabriel prophesying into Time, of which there’s more yet to blog!

Visions connect with Neville’s ‘Yom Kippur words’

Posted on Saturday, 20 September, 2014 by Richard Barker

Visions received on Wednesday through to yesterday by my fellow blogger Tony Puccio on My Dreams and Visions are relevant to my previous post on the prophetic words and teaching brought by Neville Johnson. Tony blogged as follows:

Faulty Foundations Cannot Support and Will Ultimately Crumble (Thu 18th)

After all, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, and that foundation is Jesus Christ. (1Cor 3:11)

I had a vision start 09/17/2014 and received clarification on it today. In the vision I saw a beautiful white church with a beautiful white steeple. This was odd. but I saw people standing around the church instead of in it like you would normally picture things to be. The people seemed to be admiring the building called church. Whether or not they had built it or not, I do not know. I just got the sense that they were admiring it. Then I saw the building called church begin to crumble beginning with the steeple. The building began to collapse in upon itself until it was destroyed. The word that I heard was faulty foundation. The foundation of any church must be Jesus and Him alone.

Beware of the Seeds You Are Sowing (Fri 19th)

As I was watching a prophetic word today by Neville Johnson that was shared by a fellow blogger, Richard Barker, I saw the following:

I saw people sowing what I will call bad seed into the soil and just as the seeds hit the earth the weeds of what they had sewn sprang up entrapping their feet and ankles so that they could no longer walk. They were stuck in that position. The more they kept sewing bad seed, the more the weeds entangled them. Remember, a Christians highest calling is to walk with God and not to do things for Him. Then there was another group of people who had fruit baskets in their hands. They were giving fruit out of their baskets and people were also reaching into their baskets and taking fruit. What comes to mind is the following;

Fruit of the flesh:

Now the works of the flesh are clearly revealed, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, fightings, jealousies, angers, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revelings, and things like these; of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:19-21)

Fruit of the Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)

Notes to this 600th post:

Tony’s visions connect directly into points #1 and #3 that Neville received from the Lord. Click on their above sub-head titles to read originals and comments threads.

I was astonished to get my email copy of the first vision! Friday was a full blogging day in a week re-shuffled for family reasons. Also, items to blog from last week, especially Neville’s video, had top priority for available slots of time – but they’d been postponed by unexpected turns re. Scotland, plus a delayed debate elsewhere.

So, I’d been wanting to blog about Neville’s video since 3rd Sept but had got waylaid. When I read Tony’s ‘Foundations’ post I thought that, living over in Tucson Arizona, he may have heard about the conference near Los Angeles. There’s lots of prophetic stuff whizzing around ‘over the Pond’. Wanting to check it out, I asked Tony if he knew of it and sent a link. He and I have been in touch since the first months of this blog and I’m confident his dreams and visions are from the Lord.

Tony kindly replied (at the start of his Friday), “No, this is the first I’ve heard of it”! The video must have grabbed him and he took time to watch that very day – then came the second vision, as related above copied from his blog.

Obviously, my delays were all part of the wonderful and mysterious way the Lord has all things under His hand. They simply served to validate what Tony was yet to see!

I’m always awe-struck at ‘God-incidents’ showing God’s the one and only Time Lord.

Thank you Lord for how you connect your people not only by a spiritual ‘bridge over the pond’ but also ‘down under’ and all around the world. For, as You declared through Your seer Hanani to Asa king of Judah.:

The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV)

Selah…

Vision of a lion – the four faces of God

Posted on Monday, 8 September, 2014 by Richard Barker

To continue Paws 4 Thought on Ffald-y-Brenin about the frightening vision of a lion and as promised at the close of ‘Nuggets’.:

To recap briefly, let me set the scene…

Ffald-y-Brenin

In his blogspot of 2011 David Pike writes about the 1,500 year Christian history of the mountain upon a shoulder of which Ffald-y-Brenin nestles.:

“I find it very interesting that the place God chose as the location for the centre is on the side of Carn Ingli – the Hill of the Angels. It was so named because it was where 6th century Celtic saint Brynach who came from Ireland and settled in this area used regularly to ascend the mountain and spend time there communing with God. The people of the local community he served were clearly aware that his times of fellowship with God were special and supernatural times, and so the place got its name.”

“Roy and Daphne [the centre’s managers] are aware of this connection, and draw inspiration from the way the Celtic saints served their communities out of a deep and personal communion with God in which a regular rhythm of prayer is a key feature.

“In the meanwhile, the level of Holy Spirit activity at Ffald-y-Brenin has increased in the last months, especially after a pastor from Africa visited the centre to come and pray for God’s blessing on his nation. After some time alone in the chapel, he came to see Roy, looking somewhat startled and wide-eyed. He wanted to know for how long there had been a lion in the chapel.

“A lion had appeared while he was praying, and had stood on the natural rock that is the centre-piece of the chapel, actually part of the mountain on the side of which the centre is built. It had faced in each of the four directions of the points of the compass, and roared in each direction. The man was shaken to his roots! Since then [2011] there has apparently been an intensification and a deepening of the effect of the power of God in Ffald-y-Brenin.”

Reading that whilst blogging upon return home, I noted his closing reference and used it as my closure to my account of the Christian retreat centre:

“There’s a lion’s roar going out of Pembrokeshire right now. I feel it will be heard to the ends of the earth, in all four directions in the coming days.”

In doing so, I noted his reference to ‘all four directions’ also relates to the worship at last month’s ‘Days of Wonder’ gathering in Cardiff.

There, the worship band declared the holy name of the LORD in its original Hebrew and done as practised by the priest in the holy of holies in the Temple. Each consonant of His Name, as revealed to Moses (in King James’ English, “Yehovah” – Exodus 6:3), was declared in turn whilst facing each of the cardinal points of north, east, south and west.

The Four Faces of God

God is One, yet Three in One, and reveals Himself in four main aspects, as John Bickersteth & Timothy Pain write in The Four Faces of God (Kingsway Publications, 1992).

The authors explain why God is represented by four creatures, four colours, four offices and four offerings in the Old Testament; why we celebrate Christmas one way when the Bible presents it in four; why there are four different Gospels, each with their traditional emblem.

They explain that, in the Gospels, “Matthew wants his readers to obey the king; Mark hopes his readers will allow His servant to serve them; Luke asks his readers to follow the perfect man; John writes about life, light, love, truth and glory so that his readers will love and believe in God’s glorious, light-bearing, life-bringing Son.”

The grounds for these scriptural concepts were enthusiastically taught by one of the elders at Tilehurst Free Church (Baptist), where I found the Lord had put me after He saved me. When an anti-Christian I’d vowed, “I wouldn’t touch Baptists with a barge pole, ‘cos they’re such Biblical bigots”. But I didn’t know God has a huge sense of humour and, as related in my story, was stunned to find myself at a Billy Graham event in 1989.

A few weeks later I rejected the Gospel but nearly died that night. After being personally rescued by Jesus himself, I decided to attend the church but couldn’t find out what sort they were. Unbeknown to me they were going through a crisis of whether or not to allow the charismatic gifts. Some went returned to the parent church but the ministers at TFC taught the Bible solidly and learned about and equipped members in using Holy Spirit’s giftings. So, it was as Smith Wigglesworth had foreseen – the proper balance of Word and Spirit in church. I was in the right place at the right time Thank you Lord.

I’m not going into the book in any depth, just providing an overview to reinforce my main point. After considering the Gospel writers different emphases upon Jesus’ mission, the authors look at the four-fold Jesus, the four-fold Gospel, four-fold discipleship, four-fold prayer.

Old Testament ‘fore-shadowings’ are considered in-depth, first by means of the names God gave to describe His person, the main ones being:

Yahweh Sabaoth – ‘LORD of Hosts’

El Elyon – ‘God the Most High’

El Shaddai – ‘The Almighty’

El Qodosh – ‘The Holy One of Israel’.

After elaborating upon his mentor’s work, Pain considers Israel’s four-fold Messiah – “your God, your king, My Servant and the man”. Then, as in Isaiah – “Wonderful Counsellor”, “Mighty God”, “Eternal Father” and “Prince of Peace”.

They then consider Ezekiel’s vision of the four living creatures ‘of human form but the sight of them was like the glory of God’! These were later recorded in the revelation that came to Apostle John, but for 2nd and 3rd century theologians, Ezekiel’s vision is ‘the clinching and most important four-fold fore-shadowing of the four Gospels‘.

Those authors, however, don’t refer to what Ian Clayton elaborates upon the faces of God, eg. as in Genesis 17:1

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. (KJV)

The original Hebrew of Gen 17:1 reads as follows (emphases added):

And he-is-becoming Abram son-of ninety and nine years and he is appearing Yahweh to Abram and he-is-saying to him, I El Who-Suffices walk-you! to faces-of me and become-you! flawless…

Apparently when the high priest declared the name of Yahweh as the ‘Tetragrammaton’ or four Hebrew consonants – ‘Yod’, ‘Heh’, ‘Vav’, ‘Heh’ – they not only turned towards all four cardinal points and sang out each consonant, but also imagined one of those faces of God in turn being before them.

You cannot imagine the effect of this sound during our worship. No wonder we went heaven bound ‘into orbit’ at that gathering in Cardiff…!!!

According to Ezekiel’s vision, the four living creatures each have faces of a man, lion, eagle and bull. It’s thought they’re like that because, being constantly before Him, they reflect all the Lord’s facial characteristics.

Hence, my amazement at learning about the African pastors’ vision at Ffald-y-Brenin of a lion roaring to each cardinal point.

Later, I will write how the Almighty’s personally descriptive name directly reveals Jesus’ fore-ordained sacrifice on the cross.

A closing thought: the cross of Calvary is also four-directional. like compass points!

Footnotes:

See Vision of Glory Firestorm and Four Faces of God, and Why I’m Writing for information on the personal revelance of the eagle.

In notes accompanying his painting Four Living Creatures, renowned prophetic artist James Nesbit states,

We have had the privilege of being in countless worship gatherings where we have joined with the voices of the four living creatures and twenty-four elders for hours on end…

(To read more click image to enlarge, and here to access James Nesbit gallery)

Top/closing images credit: Discerning the Times – the Return of the King is Near – ‘African Lion Roaring’ credit: Best stock pictures – ‘Preparing for the Roar’ credit: At The Father’s Feet

Paws-4-thought: on revival and ‘down under’

Posted on Monday, 8 September, 2014 by Richard Barker

A country at the far side of the world has quietly made its presence known whilst I blogged about our regenerating trip to Wales.

In Prophecy of a roller-coaster ride… I included remarks by Justin Abraham,

“Just back from a ballistic incredible time in OZ and NZ. Things are heating up! We are seeing early signs of the great turning of the tide everywhere.”

Events organised by Justin in Cardiff and by our church outside Guildford both featured New Zealander Ian Clayton.

Then, after finishing my last post on Wales by hinting at a connection between FFald-y-Brenin and ‘Days of Wonder’, a highly pertinent item pops into my mail – The Return of The King! Why pertinent? It refers in-depth to the Lion of Judah!

And where’s that come from? New Zealand.

Are these facts and their timing just coincidental? Has my talent for noticing possible connections made an unwarranted supposition? Or maybe, just maybe, there may be some truth in my surmising:

could New Zealand be the Land of ‘New Zeal‘ ?

It so happens that the above was drafted before going offline for long weekend. Now this morning, the lady who blogged about the roller-coaster writes these fascinating thoughts:

I think the ‘close at hand’ is even closer at hand now. This last month things have been shifting and being set up for an outpouring in several areas. It’s not just one. I see a field planted with several different vegetables. They may not all be harvested at the exact same time but I see growth in various stages. Many areas coming to fruition in succession.

Thank you my brothers and sisters, may you be mightily blessed.

[Image of New Zealand map on flag by Taesmileland, courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net]

The Return of The King – part 1

Posted on Thursday, 4 September, 2014 by Richard Barker

So timely, it must surely be of the King! A week ago today I closed the week’s blogging with a promise at the end of ‘Nuggets…’ to write about a connection with a lion vision. The next time I went on-line this excellent post was waiting in my in-tray as a fitting intro’. Be mightily blessed…

The Kingdom

In my story the Kingdom, I have imagined the King to be like Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings. Aragorn is a King but to the Hobbits he is a ranger called Strider, their guide and protector. If you watched the Return of the King, you saw Strider become who he was born to be; the King of Gondor.

The story reminds me of our own world. Right now, we’ve got our own nightmare version of Mordor with the eye of Sauron (Horus) glaring at us and enemies pouring out the gates, bent on conquest.

The Church has been holding back the darkness for 2,000 years, but the lights are going out in places. The tiny nation of Israel is holding the Jihadists back in the Middle East. They are God’s chosen people and an outpost of freedom, but Christians are persecuted elsewhere.

As I write this ancient churches…

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Paws-4-thought: Ffald-y-Brenin and a prophetic promise

Posted on Wednesday, 20 August, 2014 by Richard Barker

Let’s linger in south-west Wales before continuing on our journey to tell about the Days of Wonder gathering in Cardiff. Would you spend some moments to muse with me over a few things?

Offered a refreshing cup of tea upon arrival at the Newport Links hotel, Nina took it to seats looking down to the beach. There, she met a fellow guest who, it so happened, had returned for dinner from Ffald-y-Brenin. Clearly a ‘divine appointment’, and Jane and Nina chatted away as only those who’ve got an exceptionally special person in common can do.

The clean atmosphere of the Newport area plus its fascinating house of prayer at Ffald-y-Brenin made a deep impact which still affects us two weeks later, even though we were visiting friends and not participating in its daily prayer rhythm. Although my 2013 post on Revival in Wales and the Outpouring in Cwmbran briefly referred to this place, I hadn’t done any background reading whatsoever prior to our trip.

Years ago I wrote a paper for Reading churches on its Abbey’s history and the town’s Viking period and battles in 870s AD with the future king Alfred the Great. So, I was also aware of the history of the ancient British Celtic Church, especially in its Northumbrian king Oswald’s treaties in 630s AD at Dorchester-on-Thames with heathen Mercian king Cynegils and the Roman Catholic missionary Birinus. Earlier studies had taken me into the history of the early British church. (For example, 6th century historian Gildas posits the Gospel’s arrival in the later years of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, circa 40 AD. In AD 177 Eleutherius of Rome wrote to king Lucius in answering how to conduct himself as a Christian in the kingdom of Britain.) However, all that past information was deeply submerged in the recesses of my mind.

I came to South Wales in blissful ignorance to enjoy a refreshing short holiday.

So, what I blogged earlier in the 2nd part of my ‘regenerating week in Wales’ was a very basic personal impression. However, as I completed it I realised some details would help readers who are interested in the retreat. So I copied in extracts from the Trust’s website. Also, just after publishing it I got a nudge to search on Google and immediately noticed a blog I’d quoted previously on Wales in the historically erudite Diebach-welldigger.

Therefore, I scanned David Edward Pike’s personal account of The Grace Outpouring and quoted his closing remarks on a roaring lion – without having read it in full.

Imagine my surprise upon doing so at leisure later. Here are details not only about the origins of Ffald-y-Brenin but also on 6th century Celtic saint Brynach’s time spent on the mountain its built upon. Which is why that place is named ‘The Hill of Angels’.

Over the mountain road from Ffald-y-Brenin to Fishguard we stopped for lunch up on the col and walked up to the tor shown above, from which the top of Carn Ingli may be seen in the distance. It was a good place from which to speak out blessings to family and everyone in the area.

Diebach’s account of the retreat centre refers to a couple of supernatural events I wish to draw your attention to. One is on the solitary cross and its origin.

The other event is the lion that appeared to a pastor from Africa in the beehive chapel and the reference to the four points of the compass. I wish to refer to the significance of that when blogging about the Days of Wonder gathering in Cardiff. Peculiar as it may seem to those who have no grid for the supernatural, I can attest that a huge lion was seen to walk through our local church. Only when a visitor reported having seen it did I know I wasn’t imagining it!

Also for those who wish to know more, I recommend a fellow reader’s travelogue on his St David’s to Leominster Prayer Walk. This is apposite to Pembrokeshire as well as in connection with my remarks in A spiritual slant to the Olympic torch’s route, viz:

I was intrigued to learn from a fellow reader of an encouraging encounter with some Welsh Christians during his hike from Newport, Wales to the Lizard in Cornwall . This group had been in contact with people involved in new age etc and had been told “such groups were aware something was going on in the spiritual realm”!!

Mark’s call to the prayer walk was directly connected to the London 2012 Olympics, which are related to the Queen’s Silver Jubilee about which I wrote several posts on the prophetic significance of the Jubilee Bells.

Yet of particular interest is his reference to his key prayer theme on the walk as being confirmed by the restoration of St David’s shrine in the very year of his walk, AND this is identical to the ‘unexpected hint’ from Matt 19:28 referred to in part 1 of our journey. Also, Mark writes that the statue of David has a dove by his shoulder and his holding a Bible, which signifies the combined foundation of the Word and the Holy Spirit, which is also the message of Smith Wigglesworth’s prophetic vision.

About a prophetic promise

Of all the hundreds of prophetic words I’ve blogged about, only one has resulted in a hostile response and slanderous slur upon my character. It relates to the report from Roger of what happened during one of the prayer times at Ffald-y-Brenin when it was considered that Jesus is “calling the Anglican church out of Lazarus’ cave”.

I had intellectual reservations yet it seemed right in my spirit, and it’s timing fell in with a related vision that had come to an Anglican Ordinand on retreat with several others. So I reported it, but a visitor to this blog challenged it. Now there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that and I respect everyone’s opinion and gave it serious consideration.

Yet my explanation was rejected and the report scorned by that bibliolater; ie. someone who thinks their interpretation and application of scripture is sacrosanct. His reference to what Jesus said at Matthew 24 and assumption it means me, indicates his grasp of scripture is not as sound as it could be. That is, he uses eisegesis not exegesis. That is, there’s an incorrect inference because the plain meaning isn’t taken into context either then or as applied to now. [Thank you The Bishop Dr. for the excellent explanation, What’s with those “Gesis” brothers?]

This critic doesn’t follow Jesus’ instruction about not judging and condemning another. In my opinion it’s wiser to let the Accuser of the brethren do its own dirty work – and if what I reported is actually a work of the Holy Spirit, that soul has possibly committed an unforgiveable sin.

Therefore, I can only conclude satan is very unhappy with this claim about the Anglican Church. Consequently, that prophetic promise on ‘Lazarus cave’ may well be from the Holy Spirit. Having now been to Ffald-y-Brenin and sensed the brooding presence of the Holy Spirit there, I am even more confident of the validity of what Roger shared on revival within England’s established church.

What’s more – this isn’t the first instance of our adversary’s use of heresy hunters over revival in Wales, as noted in this post about Chuck Pierce’s prophetic word on Wales.

A validation?

What may we expect for evidence that the Anglicans are ‘reviving’ or coming out of a tomb, like Lazarus when Jesus called him forth?

Perhaps one noticeable change would be the reversal of centuries of anti-Semitism practised for centuries by the traditional, established churches – and as promulgated by ‘replacement theology’ (the false idea that God no longer has any covenant with the Jews because the new one instituted by Jesus Christ has superseded it).

So let’s take serious note of remarks by leading blogger, His Grace Cranmer. In Welby: “Israel has the same legitimate rights to peace and security as any other state“, he writes,

When did you last hear an Anglican bishop, let alone the Archbishop of Canterbury, support Israel’s historic and legal rights? When did you least hear a bishop of the Church of England advocate militarised self-defence as the only rational path to peace when confronted by murderous Jew-haters who conceal their bombs below hospitals, their rockets in clinics, and their guns and grenades in schools and mosques?

In drawing Anglicans toward a better understanding of His work with the Jews – exactly as Jesus’ friend Lazarus would have well known – then perhaps the Lord really is reviving this part of His body, as not only surmised upon Archbishop Welby’s enthronement (New era for the Church refers) but also as heard recently during the regular prayers at this renowned retreat in South Wales.

Now, come for an awesome time in Cardiff >>

Prophecy of a rollercoaster ride – get ready!

Posted on Friday, 1 August, 2014 by Richard Barker

Wednesday morning’s quick check of emails led to an amusing yet profound prophetic word about a roller-coaster. Back on-line in the afternoon another email arrived hinting at the same! Then I recalled going for a ride on one in, of all places, church!

Alerted to a fellow blogger liking a post, I noticed “Let Go” Prophetic Word 4th July. It’s accompanied with this illustration and, finding a witness in my spirit, I’m re-posting it below:

A vision: I see a roller coaster. I am riding it and the people riding with me are exuberant, filled with joy and excitement, hands up in the air, laughing and screaming. There are a few that are gripping their safety bar with white knuckles, looking pale, faces filled with anguish and fearful anticipation, hoping the ride will soon be over. Not me though; not most of those around me. It dips and turns and soars quickly up to mountainous heights, plummeting down the other side before zipping around a corner and then another.

“Let go if holding on to something too tightly because it is perceived as bringing a measure of safety to what seems like a season of danger. There are things in this season that are coming one after the other with non-stop bombastic force. Do not fear. Do not dread. Put your hands up in the air in praise. Shout for joy. Laugh and love. There is no real danger! Where is your sense of adventure? Embrace the things in your life that make your heart skip a beat because of the unexpected bends and turns; yes, even the unexpected peaks and valleys. This is a season of celebration. It may feel scary but if you will change your perspective you will see that you are completely secure on the track of My choosing. I am using this season to build your courage. Trust Me with all of your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding.”

Many thanks Emily Rose for, as the Lord says, “Let nothing be wasted”. Also, for your interesting later comment.

‘Put your hands up…no real danger…’ Now when and where’ve I done that lately? It’s years since I went on one…but this time I stayed put wherever it was…Aha…’twas when Charlie Shamp was here in May? – Resurrection Sunday! Let’s see if I can find my notes..:

“The joy of the Lord came upon me and it distinctly seemed I headed down a big dipper and went riding an unending roller-coaster whilst sat in my chair – up and down, all around, faster and faster – terrific! An hour or so later I was still riding high when the healings started…”

Also, the American ‘desert rose’ prophetic words rang another bell, which is from the States too. I recalled pastor John Kilpatrick saying on 22 June,

“There’s going to be a roller-coaster coming in the next 90 day, a roller-coaster ride where things are going to be whizzing by you – it’s just going to be going so fast you won’t hardly have chance to assimilate it – things are going to be happening suddenly.”

And this Wednesday afternoon the refrain was repeated in connection with next week’s Days of Wonder in Cardiff. Justin and Rachel Abraham, it’s fired-up organisers, report as follows,

“Just back from a ballistic incredible time in OZ and NZ. Things are heating up! We are seeing early signs of the great turning of the tide everywhere. In light of the timing we are thrilled to have Ian Clayton and Paul Keith Davis, and many friends from around the UK with us this year for DAYS of WONDER…

“It’s already started and isn’t it amazing we get to see days of fulfilment and breakthrough that previous generations imagined. A brand new day. Strap yourselves in for an exciting ride!”

Begin our ride in A regenerating week in Wales, looping into Fflad-y-Brenin and then to Cardiff.

So get ready – let’s go and let go > > >

What’s prophetic about contending for The faith?

Posted on Monday, 28 July, 2014 by Richard Barker

Will you stand and contend with me?

Being contentious may seem un-Christian and contrary to Jesus’ command to love and forgive not only one another but also our enemies, to turn the other cheek when wrongly accused, as well as to avoid judging and condemning others.

However, the opening lines of the letter penned by Jesus’ brother Jude is foundational to Nathan Morris’ message wherein the Lord had told him, “Contend, don’t pretend!”. If any of this is stirring within your spirit then you may like encouragement from watching his fiery message in full on this archive (from 98 mins, starts 107 mins).

Apostle Paul’s letters to his young associate Timothy included instructions for tackling false teaching and he gives the basis for this at 2 Tim 3:16-17. That is, that:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Therefore, what Jude also wrote under inspiration is prophetic in ‘telling forth’ that the Lord is exhorting His people,

…to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. [See full NKJV text at Biblegateway.com]

We note from these words how applicable they are today too. What the Lord is saying through Nathan shows the situation is no different to 2,000 years ago. What he teaches is indeed prophetic, as were the instructive warnings for 2012. This time he outlined the lessons to be gained from the example of the Shunammite lady’s assistance to prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4).

[Note: I added a little about that to my extracts transcript. Also, apologies to anyone who found the links in previous post failed. Sometimes my ISP filtering may drop connection when editing – HA!HA! Now in checking those links whilst drafting this I see the v latest on Nathan’s Facebook is an open Bible quoting 2 Timothy3:16 ! So it would appear that THE LORD IS CONFIRMING this issue! Drafting was done last week.]

A few Biblical examples

Being contentious comes with the territory for Old Covenant prophets in calling God’s people to repentance; that is, it’s a life-style. I need only to cite the lives of the major prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah, plus John the Baptist’s denunciation of Pharisees as a “brood of vipers”. And Jesus was definitely contentious, especially when dealing with Satan; whose minions recognise Jesus’ identity as ‘the Holy One of God’ (Mark 1:24).

Also, this One of ultimate authority said the Jews of His day had failed to change after being warned by Isaiah, whom JHe quoted when explaining why the mysteries of the Kingdom were being given to His disciples only – no-one else was worthy! As Matthew 13:10 goes on to note Isaiah 6 verses 9-10:

“And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”.

^“He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not perceive;
For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.’

“But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. “

SO it is with atheists, whose hearts and minds are firmly encased in concrete and spirits not allowed to function. As demonstrated only today in ‘dialogue’, they have absolutely no grasp of spiritual matters and demonstrate intense bigotry in deriding our knowledge. As ‘walking dead’ they’re most pitiable in refusing the freedom Jesus bought for them! Although denying you Lord, bless them with personal revelatory encounters so they may understand Your kindness, mercy and grace and sincerely repent. You did that for me Lord, so may they be similarly blessed.

A Call to ‘Stand’!

In a shocking open-vision of Britain being ripped apart, because the fabric of society is so rotten, I understood Christians are to stand upon the emerging Rock – for details see remarks accompanying Dr Stone’s Comments upon the collapse of Society.

Hence my appreciation of Gillan Scott’s outstanding work on his leading blog, God and Politics in the UK, as well as that of at least a couple of my readers. I started blogging about the same time as Gillan and have contributed my tu’pence worth many times in comments threads, as has one of your fellow UK subscribers. Another out in the States, has bravely withstood attacks against her own blog by worshippers of atheism. Bravo, my friends!

In online discussions I’ve often stated unbelievers should find out for themselves by seeking an encounter with Jesus. Thus it was good to learn about Justin Welby’s own encounter on Gillan’s blog and, as in mine, that Nathan Morris had also stressed from his experience as an evangelist, “…You can’t persuade people into the Kingdom. They must have an encounter with Jesus!”

Therefore, those who share my concern over the deep religious illiteracy and hostility to Christianity, may like to consider contending actively in online discussions whenever the Lord so leads. If you’re so disposed, and time permitting, you may care to get a feel for this by dipping into some of Gillan’s recent posts and signing up to receive new posts upon his return from Summer break.

As well as loving patience and ‘thick skin’, a good grasp of scripture is required because some brethren write with a distorted doctrine and, although knowledgeable, others can be judgemental of adherents of ‘Sola Scripture’ – scripture alone. As this is in the public domain it is essential to correct with kindness thus avoiding confrontation.

In closing, only this morning I have an email about Franklin Graham’s call to Christians to battle culture; to stand for God and Biblical values despite social opposition.

Time to don our spiritual armour, as instructed by Paul (Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV):

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

JesusIsComing Footnote: The above images were found on the internet and I like to ascribe credit to and thank copyright holders. Please inform me if you know the owners.

	MARY K. DULLFORCE on Jesus’ Burial Face-cloth…
	MARY K. DULLFORCE on Jesus’ Burial Face-cloth…
	MARY K. DULLFORCE on Triple-S prophecy echoed in Ke…
	MARY K. DULLFORCE on Triple-S prophecy echoed in Ke…
	ezraenterprizes@hotm… on Jesus’ Burial Face-cloth…
	Lynne Hodder on What Was Whispered; a ‘c…
	MARY K. DULLFORCE on What Was Whispered; a ‘c…
	Lynne Hodder on What Was Whispered; a ‘c…
	MARY K. DULLFORCE on What Was Whispered; a ‘c…
	MARY K. DULLFORCE on Prophetic signs in the Strait…

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Tag Archives: #God-incidents

‘God-incidents’ validate cycles and point to the near future – 1

Bible’s prophetic vision of Daniel being fulfilled today

What’s weird about writing about Iran

Amazing ‘coincidences’ – cycles and Shemitah-Jubilee years

Incredible timing of ‘unsealing’ and ‘keys’ re. Daniel’s visions

Route to Reality

NEWS! Ian Clayton’s FIRST book is out!

On becoming like Jesus Christ

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Lion Bites: New mercies every morning

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What have Paul Keith’s video and Mary Magdalene got in common?

Footnotes:

Jesus & Mary fable:

God-incidence:

Blind and on the wrong path

The 3 dimensions of time

Visions connect with Neville’s ‘Yom Kippur words’

Vision of a lion – the four faces of God

Paws-4-thought: on revival and ‘down under’

The Return of The King – part 1

Paws-4-thought: Ffald-y-Brenin and a prophetic promise

Prophecy of a rollercoaster ride – get ready!

What’s prophetic about contending for The faith?

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Footnotes:

Jesus & Mary fable:

God-incidence:

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