You have heard [these things foretold], now you see this fulfillment. And will you not bear witness to it? I show you specified new things from this time forth, even hidden things [kept in reserve] which you have not known. They are created now [called into being by the prophetic word], and not long ago; and before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, Behold, I knew them! Isaiah 48:6-7 [Amplified Bible]
Many have a sense of anticipation today. In the US and Israel we have new leaders. The world is watching, wondering, anticipating change. There is a churning of anxiety welling in an undercurrent for those who are familiar with God's Word and look for His glorious appearing. The world, and even some believers, have the following perspective. They look forward to "change", with hope and expectation that the difficulties of today will melt away soon. They trust that the system that has brought them to comfort and a semblance of prosperity will continue to do just that, once we get beyond the present bumps in the road.
Those who have been tuning their ears to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying do not hold any hope in the world system that has brought us to this point in time. Everyday we hear of yet another piece of evidence that points to the end of this world system. It will not be the ushering in of a "New World Order", but the Kingdom of God is about to be manifested beyond anything we have dreamed or thought. This will not be a smooth transition as some thought, but a violent take over as in a clash of civilizations.
There are those who are confident that the masses will ignorantly follow the lead of corrupt leaders. The world is poised for this. The elections are proof. Back in 2006, Palestinians in Gaza elected a brutal terrorist organization to govern them. Governments around the world are led today by men and women that would have been considered insane just a few decades ago. Iran's leader has a goal of ushering the twelvth imam--basically facilitating the end of the world as we know it. The West is also full of leaders with bizarre ideas. America is quickly changing from being a benevelent leader in the world to a world facilitator for peace. It's not likely she will survive long by laying down all her weapons before unrepentant nations known for their conquering by the sword. She will be relinquished to a role of submissive fool strutting around in her filthy, tattered old robes of previous prosperity, while she starves because both hands are still holding on to what once was.
A remnant of the Church are fervently praying for God's will. Yet rather than seeing honesty, integrity, righteous, justice, and truth arise we see a spiraling downward result. Isn't God listening? Are we beyond repentance? No, God is listening and He is responding with His will and purposes. We are watching the unfolding of the end times everyday. In spite of some religious leaders opinions that the Church will not go through the trials of the last days, the Lord will take us through faithfully as He has promised, without leaving or forsaking us. Jesus himself said, "When you see all these things begin to happen, LOOK UP! Be Encouraged! For your redemption draws nigh!" (Luke 21:28 paraphrased)
Our focus and priorities need to radically shift. There is little time left to bring in the harvest of souls that have been designated and reserved. Not one will be lost because the Father holds the times and the seasons in His hand--the enemy cannot change them, or shorten them so that men will not have the opportunity to be saved. The more we pray for God's will and His mercy, the less suffering will need to take place. In Luke 21, Jesus also stated that men's hearts would fail them. We need to build up our faith reading the Bible and praying, digging the old wells of faithful warriors that have gone before us knowing that it is the word of our testimony--that of the Church as overcomers--that will untimately defeat every foe and make us overcomers as well.
The battle in the heavenlies has already begun. If for a brief moment our eyes would be open, we would begin to understand the illogical actions of our leaders--national, spiritual, and educational. Many of them, some "good men and women", are already puppets in the hand of the enemy. But God's mercy does not remove that veil so that we would not fear, rather trust Him as His Word clearly directs us.
I pray that many will respond in their spirits to the Lord and begin to remove the hinderances of living in this crumbling world and seek Him and His Kingdom first--thereby walking in the Spirit and being led by the Spirit, in continual communion with the Father. It is not some lofty, unattainable goal reserved for monks--certainly not mothers with young children or even pastors tending to the needs of large flocks! We will soon find that spending time with the Lord in His Word, worship and communication will be the sustanence of our life--like bread and water, eating, sleeping, and breathing sustains us at our base level. Jesus claimed to be the Bread of Life (John 6), He is the Living Water (John 4), and in Him is Life and the Light of men (John 1:4). We will eventually be forced to unstand this, or choose now to embrace the intimacy the Lord longs for with us.
We will soon begin to experience Peace that can only come from the Father. Peace in the midst of the storm, Peace that is unshakable. Our goal is not so much to seek peace, rather to see God's glory revealed as His Kingdom comes and His will is accomplished in this earth and most importantly in each of our lives. Look up! (In joyful anticipation!) For the King, the Lord, draws nigh--first to an established place in our hearts and then to bring true peace, through mercy and justice, to this world.
Father God, hear our prayer echoed from the words of Your Son, Jesus. Open our eyes, ears and our hearts to hear Your voice wooing us to that place of anticipation in seeing Your glory cover the earth. Lord, have mercy on man, that all who would be saved will indeed quickly come to a saving knowledge of their Lord Jesus. Send your peace to hearts determined to be fixed on You and Your purposes. Have mercy on your chosen people Israel as they walk out the details of their redemption according to Your plans in Your perfect timing, Lord. We expect to see surpernatural manifestations of Your love, compassion and mercy as we become totally dependent on You. You alone are God and worthy of all glory, honor and praise. In You alone we trust and place our hope. Thank you Father, for Your everlasting Mercy...
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. ROMANS 8:18 - 25 (KJV)
