500th post: brief review and ‘blood moons’ cont’d

500th blogA very special ‘Thank you’ to all my several friends who kindly put up with my first reports and thoughts in early 2009 along with subsequent emails, and then subscribed to my blog after its launch in November 2011.

RJBAs those who’ve read Why I’m Writing will know, a book was inside me – it wanted out! And I found that blogging was like watching a book develop and grow. So email updates on Biblically related  events in the Middle East got translated from the domain of a few dozen friends and contacts into the realm of cyber-space and a  larger circle of public readers.

Also, blogging has the advantage over a book in being able to target topics at liberty rather than being constrained by a books’ title and themes. And blogs are published and ready for worldwide reading right away!

So, my thanks also go to every single visitor as well as to regular subscribers.

Brief Personal Review

In the 2nd anniversary post I recalled the reason for being driven to write regularly. In February 2009 I checked the parable of the wheat and tares but, upon opening my Bible, an excitement exploded within as I heard, “This is ALL about to be fulfilled!” 

So I circulated a two-part email The End-Game is now in play, and followed up with occasional brief reports on current events seemingly connected to Biblical prophecies. 

Some unusual dreams in Autumn 2011 proved to be ‘game-changers’. The first plugged directly into what I was later to learn of Bill Johnson’s prophetical sensing, on the same date, of a Kingdom change in the UK. So I circulated an email about the Acceleration in Kingdom activity.  It was becoming clear such news and related developments needed to be circulated more widely, and that I was being directed towards blogging.

By then, contemporary prophecies were being regularly included. Although the Biblical kind is canonical and sacrosanct, and words brought by today’s prophets secondary to and to be weighed with Holy Writ, both forms of prophecy do seem related – as though they are ‘two witnesses’ to what the Lord is doing today.

The increasing coverage of current prophetic words generated a larger readership and was complied into a Library. This resource now holds over 100 prophetic words and is regularly viewed by visitors.

The blog was launched with brief reasons for watching events and with my personal testimony, the timing of which was soon confirmed. Thus, I was assured that moving from private to public writing was right. In considering those changes from old into new year I introduced readers to the predictive aspect of time cycles, as outlined by William Koenig.

Very soon, and unexpectedly, I challenged politically motivated action against praying in public, as undertaken by Healing On The Streets. Thus another collection was created as a hub of healing testimonials and augmented by regular posts on The Bay Revival. Also in 2012, a long trail of ‘God-incidences’ brought me to focus upon the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations as well as many prophetic words about a ‘New Season’, or new era for the Church, all enhanced the blog’s content.

Also over these past 5 years we’ve seen significant development proving the relevance of the Bible today in the establishment of the Middle-Eastern coalition, as foreseen by Ezekiel. The term I first used for this was ‘Ezekiel 38 Alliance’ but it’s now taken its Biblical description of ‘Gog-Magog’. Events on this are now proceeding so rapidly there’s no time for me to keep up with them!  Readers who are particularly interested, however, can keep up to date with the sources quoted in most articles or by using links listed down the Home Page, which has expanded upon their introduction in Not on The 10 o’clock News.

My focus so far this year has been on prophecy and time, as may be evident in timings of inspiration and the immense vista beyond the ‘Open Door’ – can we see the invisible becoming tangible?

It’s fascinating that, 5 years later, the original name for the blog of Invisible Jigsaw is coming into play and how, along with this 500th post, it’s coinciding with the back-to-back sequence of blood moons.

Blood Moons and Israel

lunar_eclipse_3-3-2007‘Blood moon’ is a recently coined term for a prophetic description made over 2,800 years ago. Only when the moon is totally eclipsed by the cone of the earth’s shadow  (umbra) does it become red. This is because any light arriving has been refracted through the earth’s atmosphere, rather like why sunsets are red.

[EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd provides a graphic explanation here and reports upon the new terminology of ‘tetrad’ and ‘blood moon’ here. Image credit Joshua Valcarcel, Wikimedia Commons.]

In Passover and blood-red moons I considered a couple of objections to citing previous tetrads of blood moons on Jewish major feast days. We need to be clear about what we’re talking about, the facts and their statistical implications.  In view of the huge frequency of lunar eclipses as shown on NASA’s data their occurrence on festivals specifically set on dates of, or close to, full moons is not surprising. Therefore, we should expect them on several Passovers.

But the importance of a tetrad is upon this happening upon two consecutive Passovers and the associated Sukkot (Tabernacles); ie, on one year’s first and last feast and then the same in the next year – and not occurring on any in-between dates.  Total eclipses on four sequential occasions have been termed ‘a tetrad’.  Bill Koenig let his friend Mark Biltz see his investigations done in 2007 and reported as follows (my emphases):

‘Mark said he had found my blood-red moon work and website postings in 2007 interesting and began looking into possible connection to past and future Jewish Feasts at which time he found very significant connections. I provided blood-red moon information, and information on the coming total solar eclipses of 2008, 2009 and 2010—which all fall on the 1st of Av.

‘Seven back-to-back, blood-red moons have fallen on the first day of Passover and Sukkot, with the eighth time coming in 2014 and 2015

‘Mark found that we have had blood-red moons on the first day of Passover and the first day of Sukkot on back-to-back years seven times since 1 A.D. Three of these occurrences were connected to 1492 (the final year of the Spanish Inquisition), 1948 (statehood for Israel and the War of Independence), and 1967 (the Six-Day War) — some of the most significant days in Jewish history.

‘The others were in 162/163 A.D., 795/796 A.D., 842/843 A.D. and 860/861 A.D. We don’t have any historical connections for these years at this time, but we do know of significant Jewish persecution during the eighth and ninth centuries.

‘In all eight examples, the eclipses have fallen or will fall on the first day of Passover and Sukkot.  The eighth occurrence of back-to-back, blood-red moons will be in 2014–2015. So what does the period of time from 2013 to 2015 portend for Israel and the world?’

Oh that a mathematician would calculate the odds for such events happening. But do we need one to comprehend that, although eclipses may happen variably, this ‘tetrad’ sequence cannot possibly be by chance? For two eclipses to fall on consecutive feast dates, if astro-dynamically possible, there would be reasonable odds – but for dates at each end of a 5-6 month period, and not on any other feast date between them, there’d be a very much smaller chance. Yet for that to happen again in the next year then the odds are astronomical – no/yes?

It’s as though the Maker of heaven and earth is pointing His finger and saying, “LOOK!”

Do the Tetrads Point to Jerusalem?

In Passover and blood-red moons I questioned a critic’s assumption that tetrads did not relate to the Spanish Inquisition or to the birth of the state of Israel and its immediate War of Independence. His claim was that the ominous warning attributed to the blood moons came after those facts – I answered with other facts, “It ain’t necessarily so”.

Also, Koenig and Biltz were not contriving to twist the facts but simply stating there were events that seem directly related to the Talmudic teaching about blood moons. Yet one could argue that all pre-20th Century blood moon tetrads may actually be irrelevant!

That is, any meaning attributable to earlier tetrads may not be applicable because the Jewish state of Israel had not been created. And when it was, the Jews were fighting for their survival against all surrounding nations. Hence the notion of these tetrads applying only after 1948. We can check this out with three lots of tetrads:

1. The first point of the 1949-50 tetrad (Passover 13 April 1949) occurred during the 15 month War of Independence, AND its was only 10 days after the signing of the Israel-Jordan Armistice affecting Jerusalem. Thus, that tetrad may indicate a warning that the Lord is specifically watching out for Jerusalem, on the grounds of Zecharia 2:8.:

‘…he who touches you (Zion) touches the apple of His eye.’

2. Also why does that critic ignore the existence of the tetrad covering the Six-Day War of June 1967!  (Click for Background & Overview.)  Then, Jerusalem was liberated and came fully into Israeli hands, supporting my contention about the city being relevant to the theory of blood moon prophecy.

3. The present tetrad is well-timed about Jerusalem.  Months of useless, protracted US-led ‘peace talks’ between Israel and the Palestinians collapsed last week. One of the last days’ issues was over dividing Jerusalem, as though both future states could share the same city as capital. Also, preparations continue for setting up the Third Temple in Jerusalem. So a great deal continues to happen of significance in Israel…

Therefore, perhaps the four lunar eclipses schedule for Passover and Sukkot 15 April and 8 October 2014, and next year’s Passover and Sukkot on 4 April and 28 September 2015 will cover some extremely critical developments on Jerusalem?

After all, the principal unfulfilled Biblical prophecies are about ‘the apple of G-d’s eye’!

UPDATES:

kilpatrickmoonskilpatrickmoonsClick images to parts 1 (L) and 2 (R) of John Kilpatrick’s teaching on Blood Moons  (ignoring brief introductory blurb).

Passover and blood-red moons

140413_bloodmoon

Credit Fred Espenak; click image for Mr Eclipse website

Today is Passover 5774, which commenced at sundown yesterday. This is a rare occasion when Hebrew and Gregorian calendars coincide for this feast on 15th day of Nissan and 15th April. Their general lack of synchronisation arises from being based upon lunar and solar cycles respectively, as well as their different ways of accounting for cyclic gaps, or leap years in our solar calendar.

I want to give an overview to this topic in view of many references to the ‘tetrad’ of four consecutive lunar eclipses happening on the major Jewish feast days. I’ll also close with some personal observations. Also, out of respect for this holy week I will abbreviate references to G-d in the Hebrew fashion.

Not unlike the secular world, Jews use two kinds of calendars. The civil New Year is counted from Rosh Hashanah in Sept-Oct. The sacred year, from which festivals are computed, starts this month with the slim sliver of a new moon. Their seasonal festivals were started when the Hebrew slaves were set free to leave Egypt and were celebrated annually according to the Lord’s detailed instructions given to Moses. This is given in part below with emphases added to show these are not to be regarded as being Jewish alone but were ordained because they belong to the Lord Himself.:

“Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts…which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.

On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the LORD’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD ; seven days you must eat unleavened bread…” (Leviticus 23:2 & 5,6 NKJV per BibleGateway)

The Hebrew of ‘appointed time’ is mo ‘ed, the root of which ya’ad, means to ‘set’ or ‘fix’. The first occurrence is in Genesis 1:14 where the stars and heavenly bodies are created to serve as ‘seasons’ (mo’adim) and as ‘signs’ – hence the significance to a consideration of Passover and last night’s lunar eclipse, and upcoming ones.

Passover commemorates the freedom gained by the ancient Israelites when they were saved from death by having daubed lamb’s blood upon the door-posts of their homes. As a result of Pharaoh’s steadfast refusal to release them to go with Moses to worship G-d, the ‘angel of death’ visited all Egypt’s first-born of man and beast but ‘passed over’ homes where the blood appeared. It was the culminating plague that befell the major power in the Middle East as a result of a clash between its god, Pharoah, and the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who had revealed Himself to Moses (Exodus 1-11 refers).

The book of Exodus continues with very specific instructions Moses and his brother Aaron were given as to what to do that dreadful night, and that the people were to commemorate it as a feast of observation throughout all generations. Thus, it’s an everlasting occasion instituted and recognised by G-d and is the first of several annual festivals.

The Lord’s Feasts (Leviticus 23)

  1. Feast of Passover
  2. Feast of Unleavened Bread
  3. Feast of First Fruits
  4. Feast of Weeks (Shavu’ot or Pentecost)
  5. Feast of Trumpets (at Rosh Hashanah)
  6. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
  7. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

In the 1970s Rev John Kilpatrick, pastor of Church of His Presence, recognised the importance and value of these festivals for Christians. The first three occur over eight consecutive days and, with the fourth, occur in the Spring. Their main focus is upon entering G-d’s rest. The others occur in the Autumn/Fall and focus upon entering G-d’s protection.

The first four feasts were also foundational in establishing the Church, or Ecclesia, the body of believers in Messiah Jesus. The next three will relate to the resurrection of the dead ‘at the last trump’ and return of Christ in person to reign and rule.

Despite the flexibility of the Hebrew calendar in adjusting for ‘leap years’, the period between first and last major annual festivals, Passover and Tabernacles, remains constant.

Jesus and the first and a future Passover

Jesus’ ‘last supper’ was a private celebration with His apostles within hours of Him giving up His own life.  The bread and wine they shared were those of the Passover Seder, or meal, as recorded by that diligent commentator Luke:

“With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:15-16 NKJV)

And similarly for an associated cup of wine which, with the bread, Jesus said are to be regarded as His body and blood: thus specifically identifying Him as the Passover Lamb.

Jesus was not only keen to celebrate Passover – He will do so once again! This will presumably be upon His return – or am I misreading that straightforward text?

Luke also recorded that, after His resurrection from the dead, Jesus taught the disciples in depth about the kingdom and promised their baptism in the Holy Spirit. So they logically asked Him how soon it will be before the kingdom is set up and restored to Israel.

However, He told them (not upbraided them, as some think!) it’s not for them to know because that’s all in the Father’s hands but there’s a far more important mission for them – being empowered as witnesses of His Good News in taking it to the ends of the earth. Anyway, Jesus already knew His prophecy about Jerusalem being surrounded, the holy Temple demolished and the city trampled upon by Gentile armies was less than four decades away. Therefore, His Kingdom wouldn’t be based in Jerusalem.

Blood-red lunar eclipses

First, it’s important to note that the fact the first Jewish month of the agricultural and sacred calendar starts at new moon and the Passover follows 14 days later, means a full moon always features at Passover. Yet lunar eclipses are infrequent because the moon’s orbit is slightly tilted to the plane of the earth’s orbit around the sun – the ecliptic.

Only total eclipses are red because the only light has been refracted through the earth’s atmosphere, rather like why sunsets are red. (See images at link 3 below.)

As noted in Why I’m Watching, Jesus instructed all believers to watch for signs that would indicate His return is getting very close. Luke noted Jesus’ words, (shown in part only):

“…For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken…” (Luke 21 NKJV)

This reiterated and thereby endorsed what OT prophet Joel had written 9 centuries earlier about the Day of the Lord. And it was repeated to astonished witnesses of the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the Lord’s following feast of Pentecost, as stated by Apostle Peter,

…The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord… (Joel 2:31)

Therefore, we can understand why many are excited about such signs not only happening on a dedicated Jewish feast day but also when a tetrad of lunar eclipses, together with a solar eclipse, occur in sequence one after the other – it’s astonishing!

FURTHERMORE, somehow the oscillating plane of the moon’s orbit around us just so happens to wobble into the same plane as the earth and the sun (the ecliptic), thereby enabling the moon to enter the earth’s shadow on a few selected and special days. That implies an intelligent designer has synchronised those movements to occur on specific and exceptionally rare days only!

But if the hand of G-d is involved then we do need to take serious note. William Koenig comments and provides a timeline of events:

There has been a tremendous amount of discussion about this phenomenon by Pastor Mark Biltz (and others)…The fact that these events have occurred on the first day of Passover and Sukkoth in back-to-back years only seven previous times combined with the challenges the Jewish people were facing during those times is noteworthy and significant.

  • April 15, 2014 Blood-red moon – First day of Passover (visible: Australia, Pacific, Americas).
  • Sept. 25, 2014 — The sabbatical year in the seven-year cycle (2008 to 2015) begins on Rosh Hashanah, and ends on Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 13-14, 2015 — the day of a partial solar eclipse.
  • Oct. 8, 2014 Blood-red moon – First day of Sukkot (visible: Asia, Australia, Pacific, Americas).
  • April 4, 2015 Blood-red moon – First day of Passover (visible: Asia, Australia, Pacific, Americas)
  • Sept. 13-14, 2015 — A seven-year cycle that began on Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 30, 2008, ends on Rosh Hashanah. The sabbatical year from 2014 ends here, too.
  • Sept. 13, 2015 (Elul 29, 5776) – Rosh Hashanah starts with partial solar eclipse.
  • Sept. 23, 2015 (Tishrei 10, 5777) – Year of Jubilee proclaimed on Yom Kippur.
  • Sept. 28, 2015 – Blood-red moon – First Day of Sukkot (visible: Eastern Pacific, Americas, Europe, Africa, Western Asia). This moon will be a super “blood-red” moon. It will look enormous and will shine over Jerusalem. My wife and I were driving into Jerusalem last June during a similar super-moon. It was enormous, breathtaking and appeared over half of Jerusalem. I can only imagine what an enormous super blood-red moon will look like over the city.

[In that newsletter William also refers to the historically significant ‘days of infamy’ for the USA of 19-20 April, as well as globally. See Further Reading #7 below. Jewish dates updated 6 Aug 2015 per Aish.com]

For a good, concise summary of John Kilpatrick’s and John Hagee’s claims check out Aimee Herd’s summary Watching God’s Heavens – what is He saying through blood moon tetrads and solar eclipses?  As a regular listener to the first, I noted that pastor Kilpatrick doesn’t claim any prophetical mandate for teaching upon this matter but stresses, “I’m just a watcher, which is what Jesus told us to do” – like me!

Objections

One may easily object that only one of these eclipses will be visible from Israel and so the notion of a tetrad of influentially significant ‘blood moons’ is nonsense.

But that fact may mean only the last eclipse is applicable to Israel, and the others may be relevant to whichever countries will see them. Remember, these feasts aren’t just for Israel but for everyone because they are G-d’s own feast days.

As regards the past tetrads, some suppose there’s ‘confirmation bias’ in picking them. Or else, were ‘prophecies after the fact’ and not warnings because of a time lapse between lunar eclipse and supposedly associated calamitous event in Jewish history. Let’s look, for example, at what William Koenig wrote after discussion with his friend Mark Biltz:

‘Three previous back-to-back “blood-red” total lunar eclipses occurred on the first day of Passover and Sukkot right after the 1492 Spanish Inquisition (ie. in 1493-1494), the 1948 War of independence (ie. in 1949-1950), and the 1967 Six-Day War (in 1967-1968). This pattern points to a very challenging time for Israel and possible war.

‘The Jewish Talmud says, “When the moon is in eclipse, it is a bad omen for Israel   … If its face is as red as blood, [it is a sign that] the sword is coming to the world  …”  The sages in the Talmud understood that a red lunar eclipse means that God will be bringing judgment to His people, Israel.’ 

Observations

1. The Spanish Expulsion was the most infamous in Jewish history. Catholic Inquisitor Torquemada’s anti-Semitic project became official policy in July 1492 after the defeat of Muslims at Grenada and thus enabling Spain to return to Catholicism. It would have taken many months to arrest and forcibly convert tens of thousands of Jews. So blood moons of 1493’s first and last feasts were truly ominous in attesting to what was happening and not just retrospective as ‘prophecies after the fact’.

2. It is incorrect to consider the 1949-50 tetrad as applying only to the previous year’s War of Independence. It could indicate decades of strife and wars were to follow. In fact that 15 month War lasted until August 1949 and in my opinion it could be applied specifically to Jerusalem. On 3rd April 1949 the Israel-Jordan Armistice was signed which affected Jews’ access to Jerusalem and their holy places such as the Wailing Wall, which was the only proximity permitted to the Temple Mount.

3. Today’s blood moon on Passover may apply to those Jews who are not in Israel but where it was actually seen – the USA. Let me quote perspicacious Caroline Glick’s analysis of her fellow Jews:

In Israel, where our freedom is physically threatened, most Jews understand and live by the lessons of Passover. But something is happening to the Jews in America. More and more, every day we see American Jews embracing intellectual bondage…

When the leaders of the Jewish American community – like their fellow leftists – side with forces of intolerance and discrimination and against Israel’s stalwart defenders and opponents of the oppression endemic in Islamic societies, it does not bode well for the future.

The red planet

LovellTelescope_640x480

The 76-m Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Credit: M. Peel, University of Manchester

Last Tuesday provided a ‘rare cosmic event’ when Mars formed a straight line with earth and the sun (ie. ‘in opposition’). But last night, the same night as the total lunar eclipse, the red planet was at its closest since Jan 2008.

In the UK we couldn’t observe the eclipse but I did notice Mars a few degrees above the bright moon but, as it was so bright, thought it was the brightest star, Sirius. Yet upon checking link 12 below I confirmed it was indeed Mars.

So, in effect we could be having a ‘double-red’ alarm being given from our satellite and nearby planet – exciting times, in a week holy to both Jews and Christians!

Carry on reading in 500th post: blood moons cont’d >>

Further Reading:

  1. Jewish Calendar is very helpful with Current Calendar of comparative dates.
  2. Restoring the Revelation of Passover, video message by Rev John Kilpatrick
  3. Why total lunar eclipses are red, diagrammatic explanation at EarthSky
  4. What is a Blood Moon? by sky watcher Bruce McClure at EarthSky
  5. What is the Ecliptic? by astronomer Christopher Crockett at EarthSky
  6. Koenig’s notes on Mark Biltz’s analysis of 4 Blood-Red Total Lunar Eclipses
  7. America’s ‘Date of Infamy’ repeated – once again! by Richard’s Watch
  8. Blood moons and prophetic confusion by Avner Bosky at David’s Tent
  9. Modern Jewish History: The Spanish Expulsion 1492
  10. Israel War of Independence: Israel-Jordan Armistice Agreement 1949
  11. Forgetting Freedom on Passover by Caroline Glick
  12. The Night Sky, Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics

The Babylonian aspect of the Church’s ‘New Era’

This title is ‘puzzle’ theme number ‘8’, which I challenged readers to ascertain from an ‘invisible jigsaw’.

It refers to the dichotomy between the old and new elements within the full spectrum of the Church’s traditional, evangelical and charismatic styles. This ‘Babylonian aspect’ also means many churches and believers may not desire to move into the new era, or new season, prophesied in recent years – which is already happening. Note that ‘new’ is not what many secularists may surmise!

I trust all will become plain as I explain.

Also, we’ll find that a weekday conjecture was to become weekend confirmation!

‘Theme 8’ is inherent in the data, or stylised ‘jigsaw pieces’, of detailed prophetic words that were separately brought on opposite ‘sides of the pond’ by Dr Sharon Stone and Revd John Kilpatrick. Although I’d sensed it whilst musing upon An Invitation to the Threshing Floor it’s fitting for this theme to be logged with Paws 4 Thought because that’s when it opened up.  Also, as stated, those were very brief first thoughts for I was getting a sense of timing, a ‘kairos’ moment, from what Sharon brought. And that’s only to be expected with the gift of prophecy.

The ‘pause for thought’ gave some background about the priest Ezra because Sharon had opened by referring to the 4th chapter of his Old Testament book. On that Tuesday I’d read about Ezra in a primer on Hebrew and decided to share some information. In fact, upon reflecting upon the Threshing Floor Invitation, I had a sense of how what had happened in those days, over 2,500 years ago, is also applicable today!

It’s as though a gigantic cycle has gone around, not in a repetitive way but like a spiral. This allows for advancement through lessons learned and what’s to be achieved as well as the differences between the ancient Hebrews and modern Christians. I’m of the opinion time proceeds not in a linear fashion but like a slowly turning corkscrew that opens and closes events.

It all needed mulling over with the Lord. So I wrote a brief bit, intending to write more fully later. I nearly did so a couple of days later, the Thursday, but instead drafted thoughts on the perceived threads linking several topics I’d just blogged about.

Double Aspect to Ezra

Writing about Ezra’s major contribution in producing the early Bible, I was struck by his double relevance to today’s ‘new era’ for the Church. It seems directly related to the historic return of the people of God from captivity in Babylon to Jerusalem. Here’s Sharon’s opening words:

“In Ezra 4 we see a resistance to the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.  We have been in that “season of hindrance”. Thank God we are now coming out!

“There is a New Generation that is now leaving captivity into ruling with the manifestation of the power of God (signs and wonders).  Abraham, Issac and Jacob are the generations leaving captivity.  This is not just one age group…”

These words cover both aspects of ‘hindrance’ connected with the Exile. That of being deported and held in captivity, and that of being prevented from building when released home. Let’s take a brief historical detour.:

Towards the close of the Jews’ 70 years exile the Persian king Cyrus, conqueror of the Babylonian empire, was directly inspired by God to issue an edict. This permitted the exiles to return in 538 BC and rebuild the destroyed city and temple of Jerusalem.

The first returning group under Zerubbabel began work but, although started, rebuilding the Temple was delayed because of local opposition. It got under way when God raised up the prophetic ministries of Zecharia and Haggai to inspire and direct the work. NB: Ezra 5 clearly indicates the importance the Lord attaches to the prophetic office, and thus implies its fundamental necessity in this new era of the Church.

Almost 60 years after the first group, Ezra himself returned with the next lot to bring more funds and valuables from King Artaxerxes to enhance the Temple worship. Commissioned by the king, Ezra appointed leaders and he began a reforming spiritual leadership to re-establish the place of the Books and the Law, now written in a new alphabet.

So, Sharon opens our Invitation to the Threshing Floor for the anticipated harvest of souls by referring to believers having come out of a ‘season of hindrance’. This is corroborated by John Kilpatrick’s ‘video word’ on Redefinement, the first part of which is about believers being released from bondage! [This word came to him upon waking in mid-February and was published the Friday after my own musings.]

The Invitation continues, not with reference to the rebuilt Temple, but to its foundation over 400 years earlier!  This is to connect spiritually with the original site of the location of the altar for the first Temple built by David and Solomon.

Therefore, I submit there are two significant and gigantic spiritual ‘opposites’ in our invitation, both of which relate to Ezra’s foundational activity.

JERUSALEM: Ezra’s compiling existing books and writing them in a new alphabet signifies today’s necessity of a better appreciation of and deeper revelations into the canon of both Testaments (and perhaps even the Apocrypha?).

That is, we may expect a revelatory empowerment of Spirit and Word to manifest and not only re-invigorate the Church but also empower us to do what Jesus did, especially the ‘greater works’ He promised (John 14:12). This will be obvious to the ‘New Generation’ of believers, and necessarily so,

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.   [Hebrews 4:12]

This is clearly implicit to The Invitation because it doesn’t just dwell upon the rebuilding and renewing our belief at a much higher level.  It brings our focus right back to when the Lord instructed where the ‘Holy of Holies’ should be located – the threshing floor of the Jebusite Ornan on Mount Moriah, reputed to be where Abraham offered up Isaac. This is where king David was required to establish a house for His Presence.

Therefore, as the Jews went back to the centre of their belief and life, so too are Christians now required to go back to the very centre of ours – to Jesus and His Words. But more than that, in re-turning to Him in person it needs be devoid of Churchianity!  It also means we will have access to heavenly realms and see our Father as Jesus did.

It is a getting back to base: scripture and Saviour. Also, to preparing for when the Bride will be full of the Holy Spirit so the New Jerusalem will manifest on earth (Rev 21 and 22).

BABYLON: Many Jews remained in Babylonian territory because of their accustomed prosperity and the uncertain prospects in a poorer land, of which they probably had only dim memories. They weren’t slaves but had favour with the king and influence in the land. Is that not like too many modern church institutions and ministries?

They’re not fully focused upon the author and perfector of our faith, much less open to Holy Spirit’s presence. Some are even in bed with false doctrine and reprobate worldly values!

Consequently, I disagree with Bible scholars who interpret ‘Babylon the Great’ as meaning the Roman Catholic Church alone.

‘Babylon’ is synonymous with ‘confusion’ especially of a spiritual nature. Jane Hamon in The Cyrus Decree writes,

Every idolatrous system of this earth, every spirit of false religion, every occult form of power had its beginnings in Babylon. The city of Babylon was built upon the foundations of rebellion against God: pride, independence and humanism (the belief that man is God).

Therefore, the Babylonian aspect of the ‘new era’ in the Church’s history represents the world’s influence upon those parts of the wider church that have deserted their ‘first love’, Jesus Christ, and taken on board the non-values of a decadent and immoral society.

Consequently, the prophetic invitation to God’s Threshing Floor indicates a distinct winnowing, a sifting, a separating out of the ‘Babylonian’ church married as a spiritual adulteress to the world, and the Bridal ‘remnant’ who’s focussed upon Jesus.

Previous Prophecies

As recounted in 5 years Ago Today: the End-game is Now in Play, my first writing upon End-times referred to,

“my previous remarks about a sifting of the Church – in preparation for a rapid ‘sHifting’?”

So I had that in mind during my first reflections upon the Threshing Floor Invitation, as well as chapters 18 and 19 of The Apocalypse of John (Book of Revelation) foretelling the downfall of ‘Babylon the Great’, which is described as a ‘harlot’.

Also, I recalled that after launching the Prophecies hub of this blog I found a prophetic word from 1992 about that entity’s existence within the Church, as recounted by Colin Winfield in The Separation of the Bride and the Harlot.

Concluding Confirmation

The above musings were confirmed within days on the Sunday with what John Kilpatrick brought under a strong anointing. Teaching upon ‘Season of suddenlies’, he prophesied that God’s redefining of churches involves “a shifting“. This will result in a radical difference between the two kinds of believers and churches – in my terms, those in worldly ‘Babylon’ and the ‘New Era’ Spirit-led ‘remnant’.

That separation and shifting is happening NOW!

Theme 9

Details of this theme will follow soon. The blog listing shows it in parenthesis because it’s a very personal connection. Together with its proceeding blogs, I was amazed that it’s even more astonishing than the weird mix-up over the blog’s second anniversary.

Reading that Nov ’13 post and it’s follow up will prepare you for theme 9, but let me tease you to just wait a while…

There’s much to ponder deeply my friends.

Postscript:

Revisiting Colin Winfield’s website I noticed the latest; 2014 Consecration with an accompanying file Thoughts at the Beginning of 2014. The last is supportive of my contention above, as in the following which bear my emphases, but please read the whole piece for yourself:

‘As we look at that which goes by the name of ʻChurchʼ we cannot see many who are hearing the Lord, or if they are, they so often wrongly interpret what is being said, or apply to others what really is Godʼs word to themselves. Most are still following their traditions and what they have known in the past. Men still consider men to be their leaders when Jesus said that only Christ was to be their Leader. Man is following ʻmanʼ and not the Lord. The true sons, those who are led by the Spirit, are hard to find….

‘What is necessary is to move to higher ground and gain the life of Christ. It is not only that direct relationship with Jesus we need but also that close fellowship with our Heavenly Father….

‘The call is to come unto the Lord Jesus Christ and be separated unto Him, and Him alone. Let us flee to the mountain, that secure place of being hid in the very life and nature of the Lord Jesus Christ. The time has come for judgement to begin with the household of God. We are the temple of God (1Cor.3:16 and 2Cor. 6:16) and the Lord is already cleansing His temple

‘The warnings have been sounding for many years as Pentecost was coming to its end. But let us recognise the door has closed on that period of church history and let us look towards the soon coming Feast of Tabernacles, that place of fulness the whole Church must enter…’

PPS: If references to Jewish Feasts surprise you then I recommend learning about their relevance to the Church on Colin’s website or in John Kilpatrick’s four in-depth sessions on The Feasts of The Lord – Recognising God’s Appointed Times.

[Puzzle in Sky by Idea Go is by courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net]

Parts of an ‘invisible jigsaw’ point to a bigger picture

In Enjoy puzzles?… I challenged readers to discover an eighth theme hidden within recent postings on this blog. The aim was to imagine these main themes as pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and to try to fit them together.

It was intellectual rather than a physical puzzle. Also, there was no design by which pieces could be matched and fitted together. Furthermore, they wouldn’t form into a complete mental picture because there’d probably be some gaps.

The idea was to develop discernment in considering the data within each piece’s ‘design’ as well as to appreciate the timing of their appearance – like perceiving and mentally handling chunks of information within an invisible matrix.

So, it was a trifle tricky but my intention was to convey a sensing of invisible links between those several blogs in order to get insights into the much bigger picture.

Anyway, here’s my own interpretation of how the puzzle could be started:

Blog Jigsaw

For information, jigsaw pieces as individual blogs are listed below with shorter titles and main themes underlined. Numbering assists seeing which is which (especially if the title isn’t obvious) and the connecting ‘lugs’ of each piece.:

My question is; to what could numbers 8 and 9 refer? The answer to the first follows in the next post.

Prophecy can involve teamwork

Now and again I’ve mused upon fulfillment of Biblical prophecy being similar to completing an immense ‘invisible jigsaw’, as may be read on the Jigsaw tag.

The Holy Bible is the design’s template and global events form the pieces which can be ‘seen’ falling into place. This concept in its finality is ably conveyed in Thanunkhorn’s image ‘Puzzle Globe and Book’, copied by courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.com

A knowledge of scripture and personal revelation from the Holy Spirit helps born-again believers gain insights into how, when and where the pieces fall into place.

We also have the advantage of being able to have insights weighed, tested and confirmed by leaders who are not only blessed by Holy Spirit’s gift of prophecy but also have access to those recognised as authentic prophetical voices.

In view of the scriptural fact that even accurate prophets prophesy only in part (1 Cor13:9), their words are augmented by prophetic fellowship under the headship of Jesus Christ, whose ‘testimony is the spirit of prophecy’ (Rev 19:10).

So, prophetic data shared and insights gained through the above postings have all come through sanctified yet separate teamwork; in this instance they are William Smith, Paul Keith Davis, John Kilpatrick, Bob Jones, Arthur Burt, Jane Hamon, Sharon Stone and Emma Stark (as with the 8 pieces below! God-incidence?).

Teamwork Solving a Puzzle by Franky242; courtesy Freedigitalphotos.com

Thank you Lord and praise your holy name.

ANOTHER PIECE ADDED: see Confirmations of latest prophetic words on the UK

An angel attended Steve Hill’s memorial service

Pastor John Kilpatrick officiated at the memorial service for his very close friend and evangelist in the Brownsville Revival.  It was intriguing to hear what John said back at church yesterday morning about a young man who went to Steve’s funeral with one of the CHP congregation.

1622747_10153898534210532_566145841_nThe man was trying to take a photo from the balcony but couldn’t understand why he was unable to see the feet of people on-stage.  Even so, he tried shooting it without any adjustment or extra lens. When he saw the photo the reason for the blur became clear because it shows an unseen guest near Steve’s dear widow, Jeri Hill.

(Click to enlarge photo – with many thanks to the unknown photographer for releasing this awe-inspiring image.)

John’s brief account begins at 1:08:00 of this video and I recommend listening for the next 10 minutes as he recounts what the Lord gave him prior to Steve’s passing. I believe there is a great deal more significance to what he relates than meets the eye.

The next post considers a possible motive of the Lord in facilitating this amazing photo.

See also brief uplifting report on this photo at BelieversWorld and In Loving Memory of Steve Hill, as well as articles on Steve Hill Ministries website.

Enjoy puzzles? Then try this ‘invisible jigsaw’!

Stretch your intellect and imagination to complete this jigsaw. Although invisible it’s not imaginary, because its material content really exists.

Divine data downloads as gently as snowflakes. As insights, or revelatory notions that drop into mind, they seem independent until sticking together like flakes. In fact, they get plugged in, a switch is thrown, the connection made and my inner light bulb starts flashing!

Then I perceive they’re really like jigsaw pieces.  Each fits somehow, somewhere, into an invisible jigsaw puzzle, the overall design of which is beyond my ‘ken’.  Last week’s  downloads do fit snuggly together!  Someone looking over my shoulder whispers what sequence I’m to slot them together. Only as I do that, like moving in faith, does a new, unseen design start to appear. I could almost handle it and discover its intricacies…

The challenge

Would you like to try this puzzle? It’s not as complicated as may seem at first. As in a ‘whodunnit’, clues need to be assessed to identify actors, locations, sequences of activities and inks before a crime mystery can be solved.

We’re avid fans of the tv series Death in Paradise set in the Caribbean. The climax always features Detective Inspector Goodman puzzling over the many clues garnered from investigations, as shown on the team’s whiteboard. Each episode, he stares for ages until getting a flash of inspiration on how the invisible threads link every piece together and solves the puzzle. He tests his theory by confronting suspects and the unequivocal solution enables the criminal’s arrest.

Shall we tackle our ‘invisible jigsaw’?

The Jigsaw Pieces

Our novel jigsaw is like a tapestry but we can’t see the design from our perspective underneath the fabric. We can see differently coloured threads and sewing according to instructions we grasp only that part of the tapestry in our hands. Yet it’s not impossible to guess the eventual design that’s being created.

In our jigsaw each piece displays information upon one or more obvious themes. These pieces are recent posts on this blog, as listed below with shorter titles and main themes underlined. Numbering helps us to see them (especially if the title isn’t obvious) and the connecting ‘lugs’ of the pieces.:

Like any pictorial jigsaw, we can fit most matching pieces together. First, we select the single numbers and put them down. Next, pieces with two numbers, or two lots of data and, where possible, we can connect one cluster with another and leave them on the ‘board’. As with a real jigsaw puzzle we see pieces that have bits of an image, fit them together and then connect with other images. It may help by drawing your own Venn, or ‘bubble’, diagram showing logical relationships.

Please note, we won’t get a completed jigsaw in this exercise, just joined pieces. Were we to look at previous posts we’d get more clusters joining up.

Can you see how we can fit them together? For example 2’s are about Bob Jones, 3’s and 4’s about Jesus and His Bride, 5’s about the recent flooding, etc..

But what does ‘8’ represent?  Can you solve that from the puzzle? If so, then please comment below. (Regret no prize other than that of satisfaction.)

The answer is hinted at in Paws 4 Thought and links what downloaded last week, like the pieces dropping out of the sky as illustrated above. In my opinion, it’s to do with the link between Dr Stone’s words about the threshing floor and an aspect of the new season the Church is moving into. But what, or who, is it?

See Parts of an ‘Invisible Jigsaw’ Point to a Bigger Picture for my illustrated solution to the above ‘puzzle’

Some may say it’s contrived to claim connections, or I’ve published selected material in a way that lends itself to being linked!  Let me assure you that, much as I prefer to write posts in an orderly manner, what’s in the pipeline often gets delayed because topical events are more relevant for publication, as on this occasion. I couldn’t get this item out in time for close-down last weekend. Nevertheless, what happened over that weekend was also to prove a piece of this ‘invisible jigsaw’!

It’s all like an open door, or rather a time-tunnel connecting a Biblical template with what’s soon to happen.  But just what is that template? More about that soon…and hope it’s not too big a tease?

Also, I will reveal how the unknown theme ‘9’ relates to the invisible hand behind our invisible jigsaw.

I trust that ‘grasping’ this puzzle’s pieces will develope a discernment of likely, hidden links between events.

Thank you

James Hughes knew nothing of my week-old plans on this puzzle but I’m grateful to him for unwittingly confirming that intention. I gave him a draft hardcopy of John Kilpatrick’s prophetic words and he said it’s all “like a jigsaw”. I laughed and confided my attempt at describing an invisible jigsaw in another item, to which he responded with 1 Corinthians 13 verse 9:

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away…13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. [NKJV per BibleGateway]

[Image of Flying puzzles by Nokhoog Buchachons: credit Freedigitalphotos.net]

“A Season of Suddenlies” – AND a shifting!

This is exciting – yet a tad frustrating!!

Frustrating because what I’d drafted for this week needed postponing in view of other material for immediate publication. Yet exciting because what I was going to write on a dimension behind what Dr Stone said on the Lord’s invitation to the threshing floor links into what we heard on Sunday!  And it was delivered as a clearly prophetic statement!

In addition, there’s indirect support for a supposition made when I started writing.

So, it’s extremely exciting yet frustrating because things are happening so rapidly. As John stressed, the Lord is working very fast – we can so easily miss what He’s doing. 

It’s hard to keep up and to write in the available time slots. In fact, my intention to share quick notes on John Kilpatrick’s teaching upon the ‘Redefinement’ word got held up for I needed to check some bits against the archived Sunday service. CHP are quick do that but it seems news of Steve Hill’s passing took precedence. The the video came online a little later in the day but there was a technical hitch that needed my referral to a friend on staff there.

I trust that you may have grasped there’s a significance to what follows and take time not only to read but also to watch the pastor’s exceptional teaching. First and if you’re still with me, and even disagree, here’s what I wrote awaiting the archived video:

UK & US Sunday services

JohnK 214_logoIn Sunday morning’s service at Church of His Presence pastor John Kilpatrick reported how, whilst awakening from sleep in Texas last month, the Lord gave notice of what He will be doing during the next three months.  In ‘100 days of Redefinement’ this seems to be specifically for CHP and cities, but it is definitely applicable to ALL churches.

With reference to that word’s mention of Jesus’ disciple Simon being renamed as Peter, John emphasised he wasn’t the only one whose identity was re-moulded and became renewed. Ordinarily, we refer to many in the New Testament as being healed by Jesus or the apostles, as though that defined their lives. But, in fact, the effect of God’s direct work upon them completely ‘re-defined’ and transformed them from that moment on. So Peter could accomplish what God intended, which he wouldn’t have been able to as ‘Simon’, so too for Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Paul.

In this respect, pastor was re-iterating what we’d heard that same morning in church in UK – seems it’s the ‘Bridge Over The Pond’ effect once again!  Our minister taught in depth on ‘Transformation’ and being merged IN Christ, and included some words of wisdom from Paul Keith Davis. Our aim should be to be holy and become like Him.

Paul Keith is of the opinion that the Lord comes to bless and anoint what’s like Him. So, His power and presence finds a platform in people who focus upon Him and His holy character to the exclusion of all else and “He anoints His nature”.

Therefore, in assessing John’s gift of bringing words from the Living God it’s helpful to be aware that the Lord has used him to host two major moves of revival in repentance and in healing.

[Next, with the video available to check and expand my jottings on John’s explanation of ‘Redefinement’ I found it more important to transcribe these prophetic words. In fact, the pastor wants to go on the record for what he’s conveyed, as below.]

Under the Holy Spirit’s unction

With this in mind we need to note Pastor John Kilpatrick’s summary to his detailed discourse upon ‘Redefinement’, its ‘Season of Suddenlies’ and what God is now about to do in the earth. Pointing to Isaiah 28:21 on-screen (is shown below) he states:

“The Holy Spirit says that we are entering into a season where God is going to resort to strange works and strange acts to show the nations of the world He’s still in charge…He’s still in charge.

“And trust me on this, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Holy Spirit told me back in 2009, you remember – He gave me the word ‘R.e.s.u.r.r.e.c.t.i.o.n.’ and one of the words (within that) was that there’s going to be signs in the heavens and there’s been many of them; you can go to the internet and check them out and see what’s happening in the heavens – much of it hasn’t been reported..

“We’re entering into a season right now…where these ‘strange works’ and ‘strange acts’ have to do with the planetary system and to do with the universe.

“The time is going to come when Israel’s going to be assailed from all sides. You know as well as I do that the Bible clearly predicts in Ezekiel 38 and 39 that Russia is going to come against Israel and invade Israel…and in the very week that we’re talking about cutting our army and armed forces down to the smallest army since before WWII…

“And what God is about to do in regard to Israel, I can’t tell you everything because I don’t have the full picture…but I do know the other day the Holy Spirit said to me:

“Don’t minimise that scripture about My strange acts and my strange works!”

“Don’t minimise that because God said,

“I will pull out all stops to show that I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I will pull out all stops to let the world know that I swore to Abraham this land, and anybody that fools with what I swore to by Myself will have to pay the consequences.”

“So let me just speak this out. I speak that in the near future the nations on earth will see on television, and by other means, God’s strange works and His strange acts. Trust me on this. It’s coming and there’s nothing a soul in the world can do about it.

“It’s past men’s ability to touch it and to do anything about it, but God is going to be glorified. There will come a day when people entering their churches, [of whatever denomination], when people walk across the threshold…they’ll be shaking and trembling knowing what God is about to do, and what He’s already done on the earth. They’ll know there’s a real God and there’s going to come a holy fear upon people like they’ve never seen before!

“There’ll be a brand new respect – hear me! – there’ll be a brand new respect for God and for the Holy Spirit unlike anything the Church has ever seen…

“I’m not going to say this or that’s going to happen in the next 100 days but God is getting ready to redefine His Church and He’s getting ready for us to get ready to see what we’ve never seen in our lifetime…”

John returns to the examples of Biblical leaders whom God had redefined in order to serve His purposes fully, and then prophesies how this applies to churches.:

“It’s going to happen, going to work both ways with churches – listen…

“There are churches that are really ‘a remnant’, and they’re really God-fearing. They really love Jesus and really are focused upon the End-Times and the coming of Christ, and they really want to serve God…God’s going to redefine those churches so they’re going to become more powerful than they’ve ever become –

“BUT there’s also going to be other churches that have ‘left their first love’ and they’ve gone the way of the world – and they’re going to have their ‘candlestick’ removed. They’re going to be redefined and the way they’re going to be redefined is: they’re NOT anywhere going to be ready for the soon coming of Jesus Christ!

“There is a SHIFTING going on RIGHT NOW. There is a TRUE SHIFTING going on right now, where God is going to redefine ‘the remnant’ into another thing and He’s going to take the wordly, compromising, so-called church and He’s going to redefine them and they won’t be able to come into what God’s got for them! It will be like, and as real as, removing a candlestick from a candlebra.

“So that’s the word that the Lord sent me here to give today…”

That final point is very interesting confirmation of what I suggested in an email 5 years ago about the End-game coming into play with ‘a sifting of the Church’ turning into ‘a sHifting’!  Thank you Lord.

Scripture

For  scriptural authority for the concept of God’s surprise action, John quoted Acts 2:2 and 1 Corinthians 15 where the Church was founded suddenly and where it will be ‘taken’ suddenly. Also Romans 9:28

For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because  a short work the Lord will make upon the earth,

as well as Isaiah 10:26 and especially 28:21, where God speaks of doing things very quickly:

For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. [From KJV. The  NKJV renders the last as ‘His awesome work…His unusual act’ and notes ‘unusual’ literally means ‘foreign’!]

Recommendation

These meagre notes cannot do justice to exceptional teaching under a strong unction of the Holy Spirit.  There were at least a couple of times other than quoted above when John spoke very prophetically. For example:

In the season that we’re entering into the Lord says, “I’m going to cut things short”. The Bible says He’s going to cut the days short. I don’t think that you and I here today can comprehend what I’m really saying, because I can’t… Just listen carefully – we don’t realise how fast God’s going to speed things up and expedite things!  It will happen so fast you won’t even have time to praise Him!

Therefore, this teaching is well worth attentive study, starting at 1:32:25 of this video, Season of Suddenlies. From the offset he stresses the importance of this being a ‘kairos’ moment or ‘now’ word.

Also, note that 5 years ago the Lord told my fellow watcher to be aware of what Russia  gets up to, as well as other matters.  Read those very brief details from CHP downloads link by selecting ‘R.E.S.U.R.R.E.C.T.I.O.N. – a prophetic insight for the future’.

May you be mightily blessed…

Considered further in Parts of an ‘Invisible Jigsaw’ point to a bigger picture and in The Babylonian aspect of the Church’s ‘New Era’.

[Image Endless Bridge by Evgeni Dinev courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.com]

Revd John Kilpatrick: God is re-defining His people


The next post will have notes taken from the pastor’s teaching upon this important yet brief prophetic word.

The first remark about believers “being bound” harmonises with Dr Sharon Stone’s first words upon an Invitation to the Threshing Floor referring to “a season of hindrance”, from which “a new generation is leaving captivity to rule with manifestation of the power of God”.

“I am Gabriel, who stands in the Presence of God…”

The angelic being’s introduction of himself is familiar from Christmas scriptures. Yet I propose to connect his messages with the concept of prophesying into Time, especially regarding the Holy Spirit – and with an intriguing prophecy for Jewish people today.

Angelic Announcements

This post’s title is from Gabriel’s response to an elderly priest’s disbelief, to which I refer below. Several months later Gabriel was sent to a betrothed teenager, as depicted in 1898 by Henry Ossawa Tanner in Annunciation (click image for gallery). Her visitor greeted her,

“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

It wasn’t so much the surprise of an invisible spirit becoming visible that troubled her, as what he’d said and how it was said. But this messenger then reassured her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Although not disbelieving what he’d said, the young lady posed a logical question because she was a virgin, “How can this be since I know not any man?” So Gabriel explained,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

At this Mary responded laudably, “Behold the maid-servant of the Lord. Let it be according to your word”.

How different was the young maid’s acceptance of this decree about her own future to that of Zacharias when Gabriel had visited him a few months earlier. Apparently, Mary hadn’t heard about what had happened. Otherwise, there would have been no need for Gabriel to have confided the news of that first miraculous conception.

So what went wrong for her cousin’s husband?

Zacharias had the once-in-a-lifetime privilege of burning incense in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. In view of its performance being in the Holiest of Holies, this duty was done by drawing lots rather than by a rota from many teams of priests.

Whilst Zacharias was officiating, an invisible, supra-natural spirit subtly scintillated at the side of the altar. It proved to be a holy messenger – an archangel, so some believe. He brought news of the future mission of a mightily powerful man of God – the priest’s own son!  But Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were childless for she was well past child-bearing age!

However, their prayers for a baby were to be answered and the angel prophesied this special one would be filled with God’s Holy Spirit from before his birth!  It isn’t any wonder the priest was in disbelief! When he asked, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years” , the angel’s response was most emphatic,

“I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” (emphasis added) 

If you’re unfamiliar with physician Luke’s investigation into those encounters with Gabriel and what happened when the two cousins met, and to Zacharias too, I’d recommend reading his full account here, by courtesy of BibleGateway.com.

[Perhaps confirmation of my having drafted the above came at yesterday’s house group? We studied Romans 7 and the cousins were mentioned as examples of those who adhere to righteousness rather than living enslaved to sin and death. Thank you Mieke!]

Points to Ponder

Those accounts are particularly interesting in connection with speaking into the future, as summarised in Prophesy TO 2014 and Talking to Time seems to work!

Prophesying is speaking forth the mind and counsel of the Lord God, as communicated to an individual. Therefore, it’s a declaration that cannot be known by natural means – a direct revelation from God. [For more see An Introduction to Prophecy.]

Now let’s examine Gabriel’s announcements in the light of John Kilpatrick’s message, as outlined in my recent posts:

1.  In that last quotation, Gabriel issued a decree that happened immediately but which had a limited duration. That is, he spoke into Time by prophesying, did he not? Right away the priest became dumb until he was released from the decree’s power when the baby came to be named months later.

My underscoring of “my words…will be fulfilled in their own time” indicates New Testament support for ‘talking into Time’. Gabriel’s words brought from God were not only welcome news but also, and far more importantly, announcements on earth of declarations that had been issued in heaven. They’re excellent examples of oral statements of God’s will and are thus prophetic and creative, in we can understand from the Word of the Lord given to prophet Isaiah (Isa 55:11 – emphasis mine):

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Thus, what God speaks not only through His holy prophets but also through His angelic spirits who minister to His people, as well as through His Son, is sure to happen sooner or later.

2. From the principles of Genesis 1 the power of divine and human speech is creative, . The presence of Holy Spirit is necessary to bring about a divinely created manifestation. A Hebrew understanding of ‘over’, or ‘hovering’, in Genesis 1:2 is that Holy Spirit was next to or immediately adjoining what was about to be acted upon – all that was required to start the process was a spoken word.

Therefore, when Gabriel spoke to Zacharias the combined action of his words and the Holy Spirit fully rejuvenated his wife’s body. She was no longer barren but could carry and bring a child to birth normally. And even in her womb Holy Spirit was present to make baby John respond to the sound of Jesus’ mother’s voice!! (Luke 1:39-41)

The same happened when Gabriel spoke to Mary. The ‘overshadowing’ power of the Most High that he referred to carries the same meaning as that of ‘hovering’ in Genesis. Being of the Holy Spirit, the same creative power that was ‘In the Beginning’ brought about an ‘immaculate’ conception after the angel’s prophetic announcement. That is, it would not happen until a decree, a spoken announcement, had been delivered and received. Once again Gabriel had spoken into Time – into the next nine months!

3. The creative application of Gabriel’s prophetic description of Jesus’ kingship and its relevance to a possible prophecy given to the late rabbi Kaduri warrants consideration in another post. Read about him meanwhile in Who are the Jewish people expecting?

Continued in > The rabbi’s note, the PM’s death and the angel’s word – Part 1

Further Reading:

  1. Prophesy TO 2014
  2. Talking to Time seems to work
  3. Is the ‘Hand of God’ a Sign for these times?
  4. I am Gabriel, who stands in the Presence of God (this post)
  5. Thoughts on ‘Rethinking Genesis’ (with discussion).
  6. Surprise! New things! The invisible world is the pattern for the visible

Talking to Time seems to work!

Only upon watching You Are Not a Victim of Fate again with a ‘young’ believer and talking about how that could be applied to her situation, did we realise what we had already addressed for this month has changed for the better!  (One item was the time-critical juxta-positioning of a house/business move which had halted, or was about to fall apart, and an arranged major surgery that would greatly restrict physical ability for moving. So it’s increasingly dicey with passage of time.)

I want to consider the previous post Prophesy TO 2014 further – especially for scriptural stalwarts who may object to Pastor Kilpatrick’s supposition that we can speak into and affect time. As in my reply to Tony’s comment upon that post, the central – even pivotal – point in this claim, as in all prophecy is submission to the Lord’s will and holiness and our speaking with clean lips, not a deceitful tongue, for…

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. [Psalm 24: NKJV]

The pastoral letters of Apostles Peter and Paul, especially Jesus’ brother James, warn us to avoid all ungodly speech.

Some objections

Let me answer some possible, albeit valid, objections that critics may raise;

  1. Hebrews 2 doesn’t mean ordinary people for it’s about the ‘Son of Man’ (ie Jesus)
  2. Where’s the scriptural authority for Christians to talk to nature?

1st – Yes, the whole passage is about Jesus but it quotes one of King David’s psalms and as that is recognised as inspired by Holy Spirit then Revd Kilpatrick is quite correct in referring to Psalm 8 alone as the premise of his thesis. Critics may respond that the author of Hebrews makes the meaning of its closing verse quite conditional and, thus, it has not only been omitted but also taken out of context in by the pastor. It reads:

Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” [Hebrews 2 NLT – emphasis mine]

But the second chapter of Hebrews goes on to say,

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying…

This is from New King James Version, which draws attention to these benefits of being one with Christ with a sub-header ‘Bringing many sons to glory’. After several splendid chapters about the identity and mission of the Jewish Messiah, or King of The Jews, we read this explanation in the culminating truths of chapter 10:

11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before….

Therefore, the full passage actually endorses and augments John Kilpatrick’s teaching because, although using the psalm as referring to the ‘Son of Man’ or Messiah, the letter to Jewish believers focuses upon how Jesus has brought them to the fullness of their faith; ‘perfected forever’. In his account of the Good News Jesus’ closest disciple, John writes about believers’ right to become Sons (children) of God’!  (John 1:12)

That must surely mean Christians should be able to do what Jesus did in the power of the Holy Spirit, does it not?

Talking to nature and time

As an ordained minister, John Kilpatrick cited the following examples in support of what he’d heard from the Holy Spirit about speaking to the year:

  • Jesus speaking to the storm at sea and its subsequent calm
  • Elijah’s blessing to conceive and bear through full-term to proper birth upon his Shulamite ‘landlady’ and her husband
  • Ezekiel’s commands to masses of bones to come together as skeletons and to gain all necessary muscles, organs and flesh and to the air for them to breathe.

He prefaced these with,

“Holy Spirit told me to speak into the year. He said sow into the year, not just with finances, but sow into the year with words of faith…and I’ve learned one thing it’s if you don’t speak to things then things will treat you as a victim of fate…Sow what you desire to bring it forth!”

Therefore, he spoke about all these matters from the viewpoint of our needing to know and apply these principles because we are called to be a kings and priests of God. And let us not forget that this pastor has the exceptional privilege of being used by God to host two long visitations of His Presence since 1995.  Consequently, we would be well advised to consider this teaching carefully.

The prime practical passage John used was Genesis 1 which states how God created by means of the combined action of the Holy Spirit and His spoken word. Therefore, we should do likewise and this means we need to be walking with the Holy Spirit in close relationship with our heavenly Father in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. It was this sound and detailed teaching which led into the closing implementation of these principles. Hence, my recommendation of this exceptional video to my brother and sisters in the Lord. (John’s message starts at 1:37:45 into the service.)

Some evidence

In addition to the above, our local fellowship has already been practising commanding weather and on several occasions recently observed changes, especially in the down-grading of last weekend’s approaching storm systems.  I recall hearing Heidi Baker at the 2012 Revival Alliance conference speak of having diverted a monsoon heading for Mozambique, and this was confirmed by our pastor who had been in Durban at the time. She reported the meteorologists as being unable to explain why their predicted path for the monsoon had not materialised!  Praise the Lord!

So it certainly appears in our experience that there’s empirical support for a Biblical  approach to speaking to nature – including time.

ALSO, see this blog’s On Engaging Time and John Kilpatrick Ministries’ Voice Activated.

Further Reading:

  1. Prophesy TO 2014
  2. Talking to Time seems to work (this post)
  3. Is the ‘Hand of God’ a Sign for these times?
  4. I am Gabriel, who stands in the Presence of God
  5. Thoughts on ‘Rethinking Genesis’ (with discussion).
  6. Surprise! New things! The invisible world is the pattern for the visible

[Scripture quotations are courtesy of BibleGateway.com]

Prophesy TO 2014

Far over ‘the pond’ from Britain and deep in ‘Dixie’, close to the Gulf of Mexico, a man of native American stock lay awake in the early hours of New Year’s Eve. Lying eyes open, hands behind head, he wondered “What’s 2014 gonna bring?” and pondered its possibilities. But the Holy Spirit was tracking this pastor’s  mental meanderings and interrupted them to command:

“You are not a victim of fate. You don’t wonder what the year will bring, you tell it what to bring!”

When the pastor told his large congregation about this last Sunday, 5th January, they erupted enthusiastically. Before going on to implement his teaching on this at the close of service, Holy Spirit summarised it as, “Set your year with your mouth!”.

After reading Bridge over ‘The Pond’ and Prophecies for 2014 you may realise how the entire session amazed us as we watched it ‘live’ on the first Sunday of 2014. My report cannot do justice to this exceptional teaching, which may be an example, or fulfilment, of one part of a bullet-point prophecy heard only 6 hours earlier at our UK church, viz:

  • A new understanding about how to receive and give prophetic understanding.

TJohnK 214_logohis preacher was conveying a new instruction from a revelation he’d received from the Lord about applying prophecy. That is, not the usual way of delivering what’s on His Mind by speaking prophetically straight into the heart of a matter, or revealing truths about a person and thus edifying them, or about the Lord’s action plans.

Pastor had heard from the Lord about how to use prophecy as specific creative words.

To my mind, it’s a logical extension of the power of the spoken word when God created everything, as told at the start of the Bible; And God said. “Let there be light”  (Genesis 1) and amplified in the simplicity of the Gospel according to John; In the beginning was the Word... (John 1). Also, men and women are creative because we’re made in God’s image.

Pastor had opened his teaching not upon either of those scriptures but on one where the psalmist was inspired that mankind was created ‘a little lower than the angels’.:

“What is man that You are mindful of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?
You have made him a little lower than the angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor,
And set him over the works of Your hands.
You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”

In quoting this from the Letter to the Hebrews the pastor stressed that ‘all’ means ALL, which implies it must include time. As better phrased in the Living Bible translation, it means ‘Nothing is left out’, as here:

…And you have put him in complete charge of everything there is. Nothing is left out.”

In view of my interest in time’s non-linear, cyclic nature (more here and cycles tag) I was wrapt in attention.  John’s later explanation of how we can transcend time and cover past, present and future by means of faith brought yet another link with our local church’s morning service!  (Ie. where our minister had spoken about a ‘Year of faith’.)

Pastor John repeated our pastor Lindi’s oft-repeated remarks about acceleration, that everything’s happening so quickly. He believes, “Holy Spirit has took (sic) the knob of time and turned it up!”

He spoke about ordinary matters and events now moving at an increasing pace and that in the Bible there’s still so much to be fulfilled that the sand is running so quickly out of the hourglass. On this he said the Lord’s saying,

“I’m going to do a ‘hurried-up’ work!”

This is similar in intent, if not exactly in meaning, as another point in our bullet-point prophecies:

  • Also since last August, the heavens are opening up faster.

This teaching is so significant for every Christian to grasp about what the Lord is doing at this time that I cannot recommend it highly enough for your study. And you can join in with a practical activation where the audience (local and worldwide) speaks as led by the Holy Spirit into personal situations for 2014.

To follow this exceptionally encouraging session click on above image of John Kilpatrick or on http://churchofhispresence.org/media/player/media/you-are-not-a-victim-of-fate/video/. His message starts at 1:37:45, which may be found by clicking half way along the progress bar and clicking the pause/play button.

After listening to Pastor Kilpatrick for over 3 years this must be his best ever!  For more on this please read:

  1. Talking to Time seems to work
  2. Is the ‘Hand of God’ a Sign for these times?
  3. I am Gabriel, who stands in the Presence of God
  4. Thoughts on ‘Rethinking Genesis’ (with discussion)
  5. Surprise! New things! The invisible world is the pattern for the visible

Be mightily blessed in Jesus’ name, my friend.

[Image credit: Endless Bridge by Evgeni Denev, Freedigitalphotos.net]

Bridge over ‘The Pond’

Once or twice in 2013 I blogged that a theme or principle taught on a Sunday morning in our fellowship in Surrey, England, was also covered in depth, or referred to, during  that afternoon’s viewing of the morning service live from Church Of His Presence in Mobile, Alabama. Being 6 hours ahead of US Central Time we ‘attend’ CHP as online members.  Sometimes, the reference in CHP would be the next Sunday but even so, this has happened more times than I can recall. (They too had a failed heating system in the rented hall and thus had to meet in very chilly conditions on the same day.)

These churches are not officially associated and the only connection is ours as ordinary members. (Apostolic cover of our local Well Church International is from South Africa’s  Christ Of The Nations, and we’re also linked with fellowships in Norway and Germany. Our local leaders are well aware, however, of pastor John Kilpatrick’s ministry in the Brownsville aka Pensacola and The Bay Revivals.)

A cynic would consider both pastors to be in ‘cahoots’; ie, colluding over material. But that’s nonsensical because the content of their preaching is always individualistic. Of course the principles and scriptural comprehension are in accord, but the way they’re taught clearly demonstrates integrity and independence of thought. As the pastors in question are 1/4 of the earth away from one another on opposite sides of the Atlantic, and as their notes are confidential, there’s little chance of a very busy leader of a big American church knowing that morning’s unrecorded sermon at a small fellowship in a Surrey school. Unless, that is, they’re hearing the same thing from the Lord!

Therefore, references to a day’s specific teaching topic or principle is more than merely coincidental. Surely it must be Holy Spirit’s leading, connecting believers as though by an invisible bridge spanning the ocean, or ‘pond’!

When I was a new Christian I discovered one way our heavenly Father would often get important points across to me was through reading or hearing a scripture repeated. As this would be in close sequence, often on three consecutive days, it would ‘sink in’.  On the first repeat I’d think, “I read that only a short time ago”.  And when repeated again I’d react, “Hey, that’s funny! What’s going on?” and take note.

After a few such synchronous events I started to learn the Lord’s putting His finger on something for me – like the proverbial hammer hitting a mule’s head to get its attention! In fact, I humbly submit to you that it’s become a kind of spiritual gifting.

Last Sunday, the first of 2014, was one such occasion. Pastor Lindi Masters brought a few prophetic words from various ministries for our edification. Soon, 6 hours later from Alabama, pastor Kilpatrick repeated Lindi’s main point and then proceeded to fulfil one of those words. Intriguing, is it not?

The next couple of posts will reveal details of Sunday’s sessions, starting with Prophecies for 2014

[Image credit: Endless Bridge by Evgeni Denev, Freedigitalphotos.net]

Revd John Kilpatrick: a new revelatory word from the Lord

JohnK 214_logoHere’s the confirmatory information mentioned at the close of my life-changing dream-vision. On hearing the first words I was astounded that it connects directly into my event. It came last Saturday morning to Revd John Kilpatrick, senior pastor Church of His Presence in Mobile, Alabama, and which he shared as follows:

THE LORD OF HOSTS’ REVELATORY WORD

“My angels ride upon the circuits of the heavens. They do My bidding. Have you forgotten that they are mighty in power? They do not relent; they prevail! Be reminded that they are engaged and enter conflicts as a result of the salvation I have bought for you. It is a perfect salvation and a complete one. Do not fear or allow your heart to be troubled, for even now, they are defending your interests and concerns while you sleep.

“Have you forgotten that My name is “The Lord of Hosts?” I have given the word, and it is the word of deliverance. You will prevail! Every evil plot will be foiled, and every evil enemy shall fall before the sword of the Lord of Hosts. My Kingdom is sure. My will is determined. My name is your guarantee.

“Do not be double minded, and do not doubt this confirming word; for these are the days that men’s hearts will fail them as they see coming upon the earth the things that I revealed would come to pass while I walked among men. But did I not also caution, “Do not allow your faith to fail.” Lift up your head, for your redemption–your victory–draws nigh. I say that victory is drawing nigh even as you quietly sleep. Can you see it drawing nigh? I ask you again, can you see it drawing nigh?

“Fix your eyes upon My prevailing army. It is My provision for My people, My heirs. You are not alone! I have told you it is not a few, but many, that ride the circuits of the heavens.

“Your salvation is sure; it was bought with a price. The battle is not yours, but it is the Lord’s. See the salvation of the Lord. Rest in it, and rejoice in it. The greatest and most notable victories are even at the door.

“These are the days that you must learn to release the high praises of God. I say discipline your lips to release new, thought-out and thought-through praises – worthy of the Lord’s works that He is working. Let the common, usual praises that you used yesterday remain there, for this is a new day; and the Lord is releasing new things – exploits not previously seen or experienced by you before. It is a day of long awaited breakthroughs that are being won by the Armies of Heaven.

“Adjust your praise accordingly. Train your lips to begin to express the depths of your worship. Be creative. New expressions of the soul will bring new depths of glory not previously known.

“These are not the days of the faint of heart, but these are indeed the days of the Prophet Elijah.

Tend your heart. Awaken your heart. Quiet your spirit, and rest in the Lord your God; for your salvation is closer than you suppose.”

John comments, “I received this word on September 28, 2013 at 2:22 AM and concluded writing it at 3:10 AM sharp. As I went back to bed and attempted to return to sleep, the Lord evidently wasn’t through. In conclusion, He gave me these powerful words that stirred my soul.:

My people know little of My chariots, and they do not comprehend My chariot drivers. It has not fully come into the minds of My people that all power and might has been given into My hands.

The heavens are even now declaring My glory and revealing My great power. Watch the heavens and understand that My great power shall shake the heavens, and all shall know that I am the God of Heaven and Earth. My armies are riding in their chariots, and they are prevailing. They shall shake the heavens above and the earth beneath.

Your redemption is drawing near very rapidly. Be sure that you draw near to your redemption. My word to you this night is, “Look up! Look up!” The heavens are already declaring, “Look up!”

The closing scripture from Luke 21:28, also directly links this word into my dream, and which will become clear in a later instalment of my journey into freedom.

After delivering this word Pastor Kilpatrick told how he was instructed to share it with His people and we are to use it, especially with high praise. in my opinion, ALL of it is profoundly inspirational and exciting for every born-again Christian.

To weigh this word for yourself during and after its delivery, watch John tell Church of His Presence how it came to him in the night. He goes on to teach from the scriptures about the angelic host and their chariots of fire. (A pdf copy of the above message can downloaded here.)

To appreciate how this message applies not only to the content but also to the timing of publishing my personal journey into freedom, read The last night of my life came like ‘a thief in the night‘. Or, resume reading at Rescued from Satan by the Lord of Hosts.

May my brethren in the Lord be mightily blessed .

Revd John Kilpatrick: a season change

The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,  until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (Thus opens Luke’s account of Holy Spirit’s activity through the Apostles: Acts 1)

I wonder, could ‘God-incidence’ be one way of learning about the Kingdom?  After all, we’re now in the church calendar’s post-Resurrection period.

Cynics and atheist’s would claim there’s no such thing as God-incidence – it’s fanciful imagination or, at best, only the coincidence of chance. Or it’s simply serendipity: the happy, beneficial occurrence of random, chance events. To believers in Jesus Christ, however, ‘God-incidence’ is just one of many blessings of being in a relationship with Him – especially when it’s instructive about Him and His ways. For example,

JohnK 214_logoThe day immediately after my hearing about God bringing a new season, as related by Dr Sharon Stone and associates here in UK, we heard pastor John Kilpatrick over the ‘pond’ in Alabama tell his congregation what he’d heard the Lord say. John introduced his message as follows.:

I got a message I couldn’t wait to preach this morning because every-thing that I’ve talked about so far is relevant. Man! Are y’all ready for this?….I studied all of Friday night at home…I went to bed…I woke about two in the morning and was awake ’til about six…as I lay there awake on the bed, Holy Spirit was just talking to  me….

Man, I saw something…I should have seen it…I didn’t even think about it…I’d been busy with other things…but Holy Spirit brought it to my memory right there in the stillness of my bedroom…and the Lord said,

“Tell My people I have brought about a season change.”

John then considered the stresses of life and difficult issues where folk wonder why prayer isn’t doing anything to help and question the lack of response from God. Sound pastoral teaching edifies and encourages everyone. So we unreservedly recommend   this for readers who need a strong uplift in their spirit.

It’s interesting that John taught from the prophet Daniel’s vision of the war against the saints by the ‘little horn’ – it prevails until the Ancient of Days comes and pronounces judgement in favour of the people of the Most High:

21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favour of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.  (Daniel 7 NIV)

To learn more, click to watch a briefer, edited version or better still, the full session. If you choose the latter then scroll to 45 minutes for the introduction. At the end John delivers several prophetical words followed by brief, closing worship. At 1hr 46m pastor briefly teaches everyone how to best receive his message and those words.  Now this is astounding because what he instructs matches precisely what had been given to me only 6 hours earlier!!!  Surely, this serendipity can only have been of God!

(At that morning’s service here, our minister taught about the prophetic gifting and we then practised prophesying over one another. One person had a picture for me that connects directly into and enhances an important one from 1996! Then, 6 hours later, the pastor over in the States used the same concept for everyone…WOW.)

So, dear reader, should you be in need of encouragement for whatever reason then do take time to watch, take in the teaching and wait on Holy Spirit’s words of wisdom. Be interactive!  And He’s going to bring more next Sunday…

May you be mightily blessed by our Lord Jesus.

Note for new readers:
A string of over a dozen ‘coincidences’ last year connected to Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Bells was crowned by a God-incident validating that trail’s blessed origin. I learned serendipity is one of four Biblical laws for advancing the Kingdom of God. Next, upon first hearing New Zealander Ian Clayton I noted his describing serendipity in my own terms as being like an orchestra – I doubt he’d read my blog!  He considers serendipity to be an activity of God’s Spirit of Wisdom (as in Isaiah 11:2).]

Prophecies on ‘a new era for the Church’ – part 2

Courtesy of James Mark Long, www.propheticartists.comContinued from Part 1, wherein I wrote Gillan Scott’s remark of God’s outsiders pointing to a new era in the church’ may possibly be connected to relatively recent prophetic words that God is about do something very new. I humbly submit for consideration a review of prophetic words published on this blog and which would support that claim.: [Updated Aug 2013]

1. “What God has in mind for His people this year is beyond anything we can even imagine. We serve an Epic God…What God has in mind for the nations of the world is epic in every sense of the world.” (Nathan Morris, 6 Jan 2011)

2. “For I would know that My people would hear My voice, that I am setting the stage for that which I have foretold in My Word and it will quickly and swiftly come to pass…For the day is coming, it is even at the door, when I shall begin to judge My church. I will begin to touch My people in a way they have never known before for I will show them My glory”, says the Lord.” (Nathan Morris, 19 Jan 2012)

3. This word has two thrusts: ‘A Ripening Season’ and ‘Divine Intervention to Receive a Kingdom Which Cannot Be Shaken’ and speaks of an increased global shaking during which ”God’s hand will be upon his people in a new way”. (Dr Stone, 25 Jan 2012)

4. “I’ve been here many, many times and you can sense something beginning to change. You’re entering a new day, a new eraand a new Kingdom era. So it’s really awesome to be with you.”(Chuck Pierce, 26 Jan 2012)

5. “We can get stuck in old familiar ways and find we don’t know how to handle the new. We set our size according to our ‘container’ but God wants us to move into the FAR bigger – but we don’t have a long time to adapt! Ask God to help us do it. Revelation 10:5-6 applies: “No more delay” (Dr Sharon Stone, 18 Jun 2012)

6. “He’s making His plans…His eyes are on Europe – He’s going to set the captives free…And it’s going to start in Britain…” (Julie Meyer, 17-20 October 2012)

7. “I saw aspects of this in vision form. I saw how God was going to move across your nation and it was wave after wave after wave.It will be sustained and the fire will never go out. Revivals have come and gone but this is not revival, this is reformation and it is a different thing.” (Neville Johnson, 31 October 2012)

8. An awesome word Dr Sharon Stone received about the meaning of Hurricane Sandy, as delivered on 3 November 2012. Note especially the reference to rewriting history(!) :

“And the Lord kept saying that this hurricane and these winds are ‘a punctuation’ – not  just in the US but a punctuation in the world. Now a type of punctuation means that it draws the line, and it brings a separation and there is an alteration after that, and this is what the Lord said; He says,what the Lord said; He says,

“These are re-arranging winds and they’re changing the course of nations.”

“…This is a “re-arranging winds and a changing of the course of nations” and the Lord spoke this, and forgive me as I’m going to read some of this because I want to get the words right. The Lord said:

“The Old World’s time has cycled around again to become a New World to rewrite history; no longer a Constantine conversion that advances religion without Christ. Hidden winds of change have been developing on the inside of My people and they are now blowing change into the world. The western New World, particularly the USA, will enter accelerated crisis-shaking to hasten their journey to learn that I am their true resource and I am their defender. The USA has been a champion of freedom for much of the oppressed world, but you cannot represent freedom without representing Me, Jesus, Who is the provider and Who can bring sustainable protection to the nation.

“The Lord says,

“Parts of these winds that are blowing, part of these winds that are bringing a re-arranging, are blowing away what has confused nations of their identity.

“We’re not the only nation that has been in an identity crisis. I believe that many of our nations have had skewed identity and the Lord is saying this; He says,

“I will bring you out of what you have designed by your own thinking and by your own hands that I may redesign it by My thoughts and My plans.”

Amen!

9. “The coming days will bring greater dimensions of darkness in the world; yet our hope is for the appearing of God’s weighty Presence…” opens A New Day Dawning, the title of Paul Keith Davis’ E-Newsletter for December 2012.

10. “God is planning something so BIG even the devil can’t stop it!” (Revd John Kilpatrick, 6 January 2013)

11. 2013 is going to be a glorious year for the true Church – see the Kingdom of God in greater measure and glory – release into reformation and restoration – moving into a historic season to be known as ‘Days of Wonder’ (UK Prophetic Council, 7 Jan 2013)

12. “We’re at a new level of time…this season is when the world and Church will see what it means to be a Christian as our faith goes on trial – God is watching to see how we respond and stand – This is the season for the Church to be demonstrated in the world like it’s never been seen before!” (Dr Sharon Stone, 2 Feb 2013)

13. The Lord told me in a vision, “I am about to visit your generation, but what is going to precede the ark of the covenant are those three anointings: Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.” (Paul Keith Davis, February 2013)

14. “Behold I do a new thing” in email of 14th March that started this topical thread.

UPDATES

15. “The ACPE felt this coming year would be one of great contrasts and polarity.  In a sense, we are entering a new era. Things cannot be done in the same way they have in the past season. The new era – a ‘But now’ season…” (Word of the Lord for 2013, via Cindy Jacobs of Generals International January  2013)

16.  “Glory can come when we spend time in the manifest presence of Jesus. But we are in a season unlike anything I’ve ever lived in before, one where His glory is more readily available to us than at any time I’ve ever seen. And we’re seeing more of His glory being poured out, we’re hearing of more encounters with the Presence of the Lord …” (Dr Sharon Stone 6 April 2013)

17. “…Holy Spirit brought it to my memory right there in the stillness of my bedroom…and the Lord said, “Tell My people I have brought about a season change.” (Rev John Kilpatrick 7 April 2013)

18. “The Lord has been speaking to me for some time about a ‘new season’ and a ‘new message’. I’ve been growing in excitement but I’ve not dared to say anything to anyone in case it’s just been my imagination…” (Dr Clifford Hill; posted 25 April 2013)

NB: many more words subsequently logged at A New Era for the Church.

“London’s burning…”

Nathan 2Thus, proclaimed Nathan Morris on Sunday night as he ministered to the congregation gathered in packed Kensington Temple, the renowned Elim Pentecostal church located in Notting Hill Gate, London.

It could be taken as a prophetic declaration in keeping with Julie Meyer’s visionary song and Bobby Conner’s prophetic reference to a UK ‘Firestorm’. We knew of this only through being on opposite sides of the ‘pond’.

And what a way to travel…no planes, queues, passport control – no delays, no jet-lag!!  We were online in Mobile, Alabama and then z o o m e d  to London within a minute!

That’s how we got 1/4 way around the world without going outside our lounge. For three hours we ‘attended’ Church of His Presence, where pastor John Kilpatrick taught on the realisation of believers’ potential (along with 22 prophetic words). He spoke of unseen connections God is bringing about and opening doors -where’d we heard that before? (here) – doors that have been locked for 20 years! Pastor specifically included on-line members but my wife was unable to hear this because she’d been ‘zapped’. What he’d already said had ‘plugged’ her into Holy Spirit’s power socket – thank you Lord.

Rev John KilpatrickJohn’s homily was God Is Planning Something SO BIG, Even The Devil Can’t Stop It!  His excellent exposition on how the Lord will do this complements Sharon Stone’s prophetic words on ‘perspective’ and God’s provision, as well as those she’s just released this week for 2013 from the UK’s Prophetic Council. (See also, summary with introduction to prophecy.)

In announcing that their English evangelist was away on a home visit, and as a guest speaker at Reinhard Bonnke’s School of Evangelism, John’s assistant pastor said that Nathan had been invited at the last minute to address the evening service prior to the event. And because of the time difference, that service would be happening at about the same time as their own there in Alabama, USA.

So Nina wondered if there may be a live webcast for that London service. As soon as John had finished, I searched for Christ For All Nations’ site but its UK page just refused to load! (Overloaded?)  A quick ‘google’ soon located the hosting church’s website.

So from a 10.30 morning service to a 19.00 evening service was simple as pie, thanks to technology. With laptop hooked up to TV we took part in both services from our own armchairs. YET, a shock was in store for us…

Along with hundreds of online members we like being with the enthusiastic Americans but, ‘arriving’ at 7.30pm in London just after close of worship we landed with a thud!  Here, we found an ordinary, subdued English service even though it was composed mainly of youngsters and many nationalities!

Or, as Nathan had just started speaking, maybe they were surprised at how passionate he is? Definitely not the usual sort of speaker. Being fire-filled he cannot be anything but excited about his Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Nathan gave a brief outline of his past life of deep sin and how the Lord unexpectedly burst into his life, turned him around and set him ablaze. Then followed a couple of videos outlining his remarkable ministry in Africa and India and showing the revival and miracles at the Bay of The Holy Spirit in Mobile.

AN HOUR LATER, ALL CHANGED!  The congregation packing hall and balconies was  mightily encouraged and keen for more. Nathan always preaches the blood and cross of Jesus without compromise and after which signs and wonders follow. Tonight, therefore, the Holy Spirit’s fire fell.  Everyone was up on their feet on fire for and with Him and wanting more when Nathan ministered to almost everyone. Hence, his declaration in view of what was happening, “London’s burning”, as well as the fact that  people have come from all over London and the home counties.

What’s it like being touched by the Holy Spirit?  He affects us in different personal ways. For me it’s like a warmth and glow upon the face and often makes me feel I’m surfing. For those very sensitive to the Spirit the power may make us twitch and/or cry out. And it can happen ‘remotely’, as above whilst watching a live broadcast, or by the laying on of hands, as when Nina felt as though a thunderbolt had hit her when Nathan touched her as he passed by at Hull (account here).

A sample of the morning worship of Phil Wickham’s ‘Cielo’ with Martin Smith’s chorus My Heart Burns For You will help you to soar and appreciate that afternoon-evening. This clip of the same recorded in July features Lydia Stanley-Morrow, who too was in London .:

Click here for video of this morning’s worship led by Rebecca van Dijk and where Rev. Kilpatrick’s message starts at 1hr35min. (Rebecca starts those two songs at 19 min.)

Finally, an interesting start to the day happened in our morning service here in UK, but that’s for another time…(continued here)

Ditch my sermon, let’s celebrate!

Today is the second anniversary of that astonishing day when the living God visited a   two-day conference at a church in Daphne, near Mobile, Alabama, USA. This meeting, called Open The Heavens, was convened by the Rev. John Kilpatrick, to whom in ’95 God had entrusted a revival of repentance in Brownsville, Florida. On Thursday, a few miles from Washington DC, he described what happened on July 23rd 2010:

“(on) the second night miracles broke out and…I’m not a critic…but a sceptical person, and whenever the miracles broke out I saw miracles that were undeniable and I said, “This is God”…But the thing that made it so real for me was when the miracles began to break out – I was sitting in the audience  – I heard coming from behind me that familiar sound of revival…

I heard that roar of the presence of the glory of God come in and I said, “Oh my God – He’s back!” and whenever I heard that I knew beyond any doubt right then, I said, “We’re in for it!”

You may ask, “Is that scriptural, where’s that in the Bible?”  It’s here at Psalm 29:3-4; “The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the glory of God thunders…”

The pastor’s guest was a young English evangelist, Nathan Morris, whose huge Gospel campaigns in India had brought a hundred thousand Muslims and Hindus into salvation with a similar number of miraculous healings, salvations and deliverances in Africa (see Shake the Nations).

Nathan wondered why that doesn’t happen in America and the Western world…but then healings started happening in Mobile too! The first to receive sight to blind eyes was a man who’d had 8 operations to restore his sight, but all failed. Many others received healing for deafness.

Thus began a long, remarkable series of preaching with signs and wonders following. It became known as The Bay of The Holy Spirit Revival, named after the original Spanish name for that bay in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

For a short summary of a selection of notable miracles during The Bay Revival that I’ve summarised in this blog click on video clips of testimonies, or visit the main website for  a  collection of testimonies.

Yesterday, several hundreds were assembled in the convention centre for the usual Sunday morning meeting – but that ‘usual’ is not the same usual as in your average church service.  The regulars at Church of His Presence really know how to worship and praise the Lord.  No ‘hymn sandwiches’ here!  Opening worship by musicians and vocalists lasts about 40 minutes; but yesterday after the band stopped, everyone simply couldn’t stop praising God in their individual ways!

This carried on for 10 minutes and the pastor sensed the Lord was doing something different and he realised that it was to encourage a festive time of celebration for the anniversary the next day of the start of the Revival. As one of very few to honour the  presence of the Holy Spirit and make space for Him to have His way, Pastor Kilpatrick announced he’s putting aside his prepared sermon. (In fact, he’d been away for a few weeks and had some fresh teaching.)

John then encouraged all to continue and even brought all teens-and-twenties to the front to worship – then they were replaced by a few dozen adults – who in turn were replaced by the over 60s!  Next, he invited all the black folk to come and show how to worship. What a fantastic time, and live on-line too – now that’s church!

So seventy five minutes into the service the formal business of taking the offering and blessing the congregation happened later than usual – then the celebratory worship just  continued – wow!

Thank you Lord for being so good – Oh, what our eyes have seen!

Why not join in the festivities of 22nd July yourself by clicking here?

For the first short report soon after the start of the Revival play this video:

GET READY…!

Please consider an interesting instance of similar prophetic words given recently in the UK and in the USA.  Surely it’s not coincidental that they happened a week apart, or that I should be slap bang between them?  220px-Paul_Revere's_rideBoth ‘words’ reminded me of Monday 5th September last when I read Tim Eldridge’s remarks at the Inception Meeting for the Revival Alliance Gathering. Therein, Tim referred to Paul Revere’s preparations for his historically famous ride at the outbreak of the War of Independence. (See Father, let your Kingdom Come and paragraph about Tim in the Gathering’s Report. Picture courtesy of Wikipedia.) Therefore, consider this..:

During Holy Week (this year, the first week in April) I ‘stumbled’ upon a relatively short website UK Prophetic Words that’s been online for just under a year. On Palm Sunday (1st April), Geoff Pick reported upon a series of ten visions some of which struck chords within me, especially the one about a coming change in national anti-Christian culture. Also, I particularly noted that it closed with:

The final picture – A horseman riding towards us I see a horseman riding furiously towards us. He is bringing a proclamation as in Matthew 25. “Get ready the bridegroom is coming.”   Be filled with the oil of heaven, be ready for His return.

Rev John KilpatrickOn Good Friday afternoon we watched the morning’s service live from The Bay Revival, which was on tour in Missouri. Warming up to teach, Rev. John Kilpatrick spoke about  previous talks, one of which was on the glory of God. As he began to speak on this – and only in passing – he sensed the Holy Spirit start to kick in: “You talk about the presence of God and He will come come! – Hohh!”  (he jumped – he usually gives a quick ‘whoop’ and does a little skip when the Holy Spirit gets him fired up).  The congregation got to its feet to praise the Lord for a few minutes, then Pastor John’s tone took on a gravity as though he heard direct from the Lord:

“Can I tell you, right now in heaven…there is a man seated right next to the Supernal God on High? (applause)…and He bears in His body the scars from His earth-walk…and He is alive at this very second as I speak (cheers continue), He is alive – I said, as I speak He is alive (more louder applause). “And if you only knew…what’s going on in the ‘family activities building’ in heaven right now! “The table cloths are being spread, the china’s being set, the horses are being given their oats – the stable doors, the hinges are being greased…(pause) “That man…is about to come back and get His people. I said…He’s about to come back and get His saints – it ain’t long!”

To check this and watch for yourself, click on video below and advance to 1hr3min by clicking on gray buffer bar when it’s about half-loaded.:

My, what words to weigh…the Lord bless you in this. NOW, whatever your thoughts on this you need to get to know for sure who Jesus really is. Time is running short and you owe it to Him (for what He’s done for you), and owe it to yourself (especially for your post-mortem existence – see here), to decide quite quickly. To find out how to become a Christian click on that highlit link and browse the site – thank you Jonathan at Spirit Soul Body for this excellent tip. Or, should you prefer a graphical outline, click here for a short video. (See here for more.) Continued here and then here, (in three linked parts). 

News roundup on healings

Thank you Jonathan for alerting me to the Lord’s recent activities in North Kent, and to NK Community Church’s pastor Pete Carter for permission to publish his remarks that:

Amazing things are happening in these days. In the last two weeks we have seen more healings at NKCC: a badly sprained hand healed and returned to full function, … Also someone’s car miraculously repaired, regular sightings of angels,

Also, these are additional to his posting on healings last December.

Ashton Parker Update – earlier post refers.

On Sunday we heard an update on Ashton Parker’s eyesight from John Kilpatrick at that morning’s service in Alabama. The boy’s astonished doctor reports that his right eye can now see as far as 20 feet instead of only 3 inches. The left eye had such bad glaucoma that he couldn’t go outside without thick, wrap-around goggles and sun-glasses to protect him from the daylight. But the day after prayer he could watch an outdoor game without them. His doctor confirms the glaucoma has completely gone.   [Update is at 1hr38 of video: click to run/load, then advance by clicking in gray bar.]

Dutch Sheets – Sunday, March 25, 2012 from Church of His Presence on Vimeo.

Another Remarkable Healing – watch clip here

As a drunken driver David had a bad crash, ending up with a broken neck and completely paralysed from the accident. Doctors hoped that by extensive surgery there’d be a chance he would regain feeling and movement to his upper body. That worked but they said, “There was absolutely no hope that he would ever walk again”. They told him to stop worrying about his leges and even refused to authorise  physiotherapy because it would be medically impossible for him to ever walk again,or to move or have feeling in his lower body; ie. he would be paralysed for life and limited to a wheelchair.

David heard about Delia Knox’s miraculous healing but he said it was all faked!  His wife believed he would be saved and healed and, eventually, he decided he had nothing to lose by going to the revival. Around midnight last Friday night the Lord gave him back the use of his legs and then on Sunday morning David managed to climb the stairs onto the stage. A fantastic weekend – thank you Lord!  (See via above video link at 52 minutes onwards).

At 1hr 15 Nathan Morris explains that in such cases of atrophied limbs we need to help those being healed to walk into their full healing, as with Delia and Erin. (Although the wife of a doctor, she was beyond a medical cure. She freely admitted, as a Baptist, to not believing God heals today; but then she saw the clip about Delia – click here for Erin’s own astounding story of what God can do today).

“Doctors may say David’s never going to walk – but guess what, guess what, guess what – WITH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE…”  (Nathan Morris, at 1hr16min of video)

Dutch Sheets’ observations, and very instructive teaching upon the significance of this outpouring and on the various occurrences of the miraculous, follow on at 1hr40mins.  He’s of the opinion there’s evidence that this is now going up a phase, to a new level of signs and wonders.

Be mightily blessed as you watch and listen…