THE STORM IS HERE!

So the storm is here! The present and BEGINNING onset of the storm is now obvious: demonic forces are being unleashed upon the earth in violence and chaos, and leaders are falling and nations being shaken. China and Russia are becoming restless and beginning to show their teeth and power, with both branching out and China threatening one of the world's major shipping lanes. The world economy is a turbulent mess and slowing down rapidly, North Korea is enraged and advancing its military technologically at an alarming rate, and ISIS's reach has gone global and it's attacks becoming more frequent. This year has seen the worst decline in world morality I've ever witnessed in my lifetime; in the media, fashion, social and political spheres. Laws are being rewritten to embrace rebellion against God, with gay marriage being instituted in countries around the world and countless laws being introduced to accommodate a litany of sexualities and sexual preferences. This also comes in the midst of unprecedented divisions and instabilities amongst world leaders and global powers, and the reshaping of European nations and borders as refugees by the millions pour from Syria and other Eastern countries into richer, but increasingly more troubled European nations. All this is the beginning of the ONSET of the storm: it is here - TIME'S UP.

For a long time I've spoken of the certainty of this day, what the Lord showed me in dreams to be A COMING STORM. But the storm is no longer coming, it's now HERE, it's ARRIVED. Take a moment to let that sink in.. Trouble is no longer a topic to do with the horizon of the future, it is now something in plain sight; even right before us. After years of warning, and feeling that my time of warning has come to a close in Australia, the Lord spoke to Mena Lee Grebin in a dream and told her that, "THE STORM IS HERE". I would encourage everyone to read it, because in the vision itself the Lord Himself declares that the storm has begun - see July 12 posting at 'watchmanonthewall33.blogspot.come.au'. Mena was given this revelation literally THE DAY AFTER I posted an article about how I felt that it was now time, at least publicly, to pull back. I now realise this was definitely of the Holy Spirit, because the main part of what the Lord called me to do (at least up until now) has been accomplished in Australia - I've warned as I was told to warn - and I've done this as a light on hill, not hiding under a bushel. I've written my prophetic blog from 2012 till now, and even before 2012 I used Facebook to pass on what the Lord revealed to me about the stormy future, and what people needed to do to prepare. I also went into great detail about why the storm was coming, specifically because of the lukewarmness in the Church and the wickedness in the world. Though I am nothing, and am not even worthy to be placed in the same stratosphere as Elijah, nevertheless, like Elijah once did, I feel that I've spoken the word of the Lord of what is coming, and now that the judgment is arriving, I'm going away from this nation to a different brook, and to minister to the very few who will listen - even if that's just one. This'll include posting to my blog, because it's likely very few will read it from now on. For those few that are continuing to read, TAKE HEART because now is the time when God will begin to move with a might and awe that will make even the most Godly of men's mouths drop wide open in astonishment! Now is the time of the people of His power and the works of His might - He is COMING.. We too, like Elijah, will see fire fall from Heaven, and we too, will see that fire be BOTH a cleansing thing and a thing of great REVIVAL, reformation and restoration. Yes, the storm will mean that this mighty Holy Spirit outpouring will come in the midst of trial, hardship and spiritual battle, but it will be more than worth it! This is an incredibly hard time to be alive, but it will perhaps be one of the GREATEST times in all Christian Church history, and that is saying something! We are moments away from it now!


*The world is also confirming the arrival of the storm - see CNN article at - http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/26/opinions/viral-terror-the-conversation/index.html

DREAM: WHAT'S COMING TO AUSTRALIA

Context: I've been asking the Lord about what's coming in the future. I've specifically been asking about what His people need to be aware about in order for our faith to be prepared for the future, and so that we would know what to pray and intercede about. I've also asked to know so that, when whatever is coming, comes (if it must come), it won't shock or rattle us so much as to make us flee from the Lord. 

Foreword update on possible interpretation of the dream below (updated 17th June 2016):

'I just wanted to say that my first two interpretations of the last dream I posted (the dream below) could've been off. Firstly, the two waves I saw could have nothing to do with the Book of Revelation. Secondly, they may not even be literal tsunami waves. After a few days of thinking about the dream, I believe the most likely interpretation lies in one of the following two explanations:

1. Two waves of sorrow will come to Australia, and the second one will be a lot greater than the first, though both waves will affect most of the nation (the second one could effect all of it). These waves of sorrow could just be two events, or two phases of sorrow. They could have to do with judgment (I think it would be likely: judgment for lukewarmness or judgment upon the unsaved for the evil that is perveting the good in Australia, or for both)

2. The two waves could've symbolised the lukewarmness (current and/or future) that Christians will allow in their lives (mixture of good and bad), and/or wickedness that will sweep over this nation i.e what is about to happen with same-sex marriage laws). I believe it's possible that we may have already experienced the first wave, and we are about to experience the second.

The Lord is revealing these things so that we will spiritually watch, and also pray for our nation. Don't be afraid or anxious about these things. If anything, this kind of revelation is a great reason to shine our light brighter than we ever have before, and serve as fervently as we can.

If anyone else out there has had dreams and/or visions about what is to come, please share them. The Lord uses each piece of the prophetic picture in order to exhort and encourage. He also confirms His voice to His people through two or three witnesses:

2 Corinthians 13v1:

'...“By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”''

Yesterday (13/6/16) I dreamt I was looking at the entire nation of Australia from high above. The nation and surrounding ocean appeared completely grey. Then from right to left came a wave which looked like a tsunami wave. It moved quickly and travelled in a perfectly straight line. The wave hit the entire East Coast of Australia and kept travelling inland till it reached at least half way across the nation. A moment later another wave followed the first one--also hitting the East Coast. However, this wave seemed far more intense and powerful than the first, and travelled at an incredible rate of speed till it covered well over half or the entire continent of Australia.

While it's possible that both waves could've been literal tsunamis, I believe it's likely that they spoke of two waves of sorrow that are coming to Australia. Before I go on--God has told me recently to make sure that I don't hold anything back, and to not mince my words. This is not easy--I'm human like the rest of you. I'd much rather post everything to do with blessings and grace, but that's not what He wants me to do. Besides, ignorance is only bliss till it all hits the fan, then reality sets in anyway. So we need to be prepared for the possibility that all things the Lord reveals will come to pass. With that in mind, and remembering that the following is my opinion and my best attempt to interpret the dream based off of scripture, I believe what the Lord showed me either a type/shadow fulfilment or the actual fulfilment of the scripture below: 

Revelation 6-

7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

I believe the grey appearance of Australia in the dream represented the pale horse (pale=grey). The first wave is 'Death' and the second wave that followed symbolised 'Hades': v8: 'and Hades followed with him'. Another part of the dream showed that the first wave represents the fiery red horse of the second seal of Revelation. In the first wave, peace will be taken from Australia and death will come:

Revelation 6

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.”[b] 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

In the second wave, Hades will follow it, which means that great Satanic and demonic activity will sweep over and cover this nation (the second wave in my dream was much more intense and powerful than the first). 

Although this is just my opinion of the dream, I believe that, at the very least, God is revealing that two waves of great sorrow are going to come upon this nation. War will affect this nation, and likely the consequences of war. The first wave will likely take peace away from this nation, then death and its consequences will follow, along with great Satanic attack (the vultures pounce on the carcass AFTER death has done its work- Matt 24v2).

There is another interpretation though. My opinions on the dream above could be incorrect, and in fact have very little or nothing to do with the fulfilment of the prophecies of Revelation. God could have simply been showing me two great tsunami waves that will hit this nation. Waves that could travel that far inland would have to be massive, but they are possible. They could be caused by two asteroid/comet impacts out to sea, or perhaps a massive earthquake. A while ago the Lord showed me a tsunami in a dream that was around 1000 feet tall (I estimated its height in the dream itself). He showed me that this will happen if we don't intercede in prayer, and if His people that are backslidden and immoral don't turn back to Him. This backslidden state was shown to me to be a mixture of both the good and the bad, and this could've been indicated in the dream by the grey appearance of Australia (grey being a mixture of white/purity and black/evil). The Lord could've been saying that two literal tsunami waves will come to Australia because of those in His Church who are lukewarm (see Revelation 3 scripture below).

These things are a call to spiritually prepare and make sure we are right with the Lord and abiding in Him. It's also a call to pray and intercede for our nation. However, it is my opinion that, from what the Lord has shown me, we cannot (or will not) stop all things to do with the coming storm. God rules with kindness, grace and mercy, but also with justice and judgment, and in righteousness. This never changes, therefore if our world continues on its wicked path, we will not only see grace and a move of the Spirit, but also judgment and the Devil loosed upon this Earth in a dramatic fashion (I was shown this in another dream). This world wants wickedness, so it won't only get what it wants, including the fruit and effects of wickedness, but also God's judgment, the Devil's work and the destruction he brings. The Lord's people must also make sure they are right with Him--God does not allow His people to remain lukewarm for long. God's people cannot mix purity (white) with evil (black) to make a grey lukewarmness, for His judgment will eventually come:

Revelation 3-

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[g] I will vomit you out of My mouth. 

This judgment can be a temporary discipline to get us to turn back to Him, or it can be a complete rejection: v16 ...'I will vomit you out of My mouth'. Either way, lukewarmness isn't worth the risk. The coming judgments will be extremely severe to experience if we are in such a state, and there may not even be time to turn back to Him. If we didn't have time to turn back to Him, we may be in an apostate state when we die, and so go to Hell. 

I know all of this is extremely full on, but I'm just passing on the revelation the Lord has given me. Things of blessing and judgment come upon every generation, and the things of Revelation must eventually come to pass. Remember that the Lord will always be with and keep those that are truly His people. The Lord watches His people to be with them wherever they go, and He Himself is their defender and shield. We may still be able to delay, lessen or stop certain things that are coming, and that's certainly what I'm hoping and praying for. Remember, hope and pray for the best, but also prepare spiritually for the worst. Above all, rest in Christ, being at peace in HIm, for He is Lord over all the wind and waves, and more powerful than anything in this world or any trial or spiritual power: 

Romans 8-

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shalltribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”[c]

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A SERVICE FREE FROM THE FEAR OF LOSS, SUFFERING & MEN

If we want to serve the Lord, we must be willing to continuously crucify our fleshly concern about what others think about us or what others' views may be about our beliefs and service. If we don’t, our service for Him will, at best, be limited, and at worst, non-existent because we’ll always think of a reason not to serve based off of how others may treat us or what present things of this world we may lose. This self-denial and death to self isn't easy (and often involves suffering), but it's vital, otherwise we'll never be as effective or fruitful for God as He desires, or not bear fruit for Him at all.

Even Jesus had times when he went from being accepted to rejected, popular to unpopular (and vice versa, often very quickly), and agreed with, to disagreed with--but that never changed His ministry or service for the Lord. That's because He had a clear understanding and deep conviction, not only about what true Biblical and Holy Spirit-led service was all about, but also what the exact type, manner, and scope of His service was supposed to be. The Father made it very clear to Jesus what He wanted Him to do (think: the Father's work--Jesus only did what He saw His Father do--the work of cross/ the preaching & revealing of the truth/ the work of being a witness for His Father through miracles etc.), and His desire is to do that for us as well because He's given us all gifts and callings--which things the Bible calls 'irrevocable' (i.e. God never recalls them).

It’s true that we need to be discerning in our use of the gifts. Our use of the gifts should be according to love and the fruits of the Spirit. We should also take into consideration the fact that there are often seasons and timings to different types of service. Finally, we should be led by Biblical truth and the Holy Spirit’s leading in whatever we do for God. So discernment and a wise operation of the gifts is very important. Having said all this, we should be careful never to confuse discernment with fleshly fear or fleshy desires (or simply just natural desires). At times, we can all make this mistake. This can happen simply because we’re mistaken, we actually want to avoid a kind of service, or simply because we’re not examining our own heart thoroughly enough. Whatever the reason, this error is easily avoidable. We simply need to ask ourselves the following questions: ‘Is our ‘discernment’ stopping us from serving God? Is it stopping us from operating in our Holy Spirit giftings for the good of His people? Is it stopping us from shining our light before men? (Spiritual light is NEVER meant to be hidden under a bushel). Is our 'discernment' stopping us from doing what the revealed will of God (whether Biblically or by the will, revelation or prompting of the Holy Spirit) has told us we should be doing? Finally, is our ‘spiritual’ discernment just a cover for our fleshly fear of losing something, or a fear of being rejected, ignored, misunderstood, reviled and hurt by others? Our service of God should be willing to lose and sacrifice everything for Jesus’ sake:

Luke 18-

20You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’a ”

21“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

(*Notice that God wants more than a moral obedience—He wants a sacrificial service. We are not following Jesus if we only obey Him but do not serve Him. We are directed by the Lord first to obey, then to serve in our following after Him i.e. ‘Then come, follow me.’)

Fleshly discernment’s (i.e. worldly wisdom) only concern is what will happen to us, or what we will lose if we stand with and for Christ. It’s main desire is also to avoid any kind of suffering:

Luke 18-

31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save their lifeb will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

The very nature of following after Christ and serving Him is that we will be called on to LOSE OUR LIVES. Don’t underestimate just how great this sacrifice is—it’s a sacrifice and willingness to sacrifice which involves and demands everything we are—our whole lives. If we try to keep anything in our lives which is reserved just for ourselves (which we won't allow God to have, touch, or use), we run the very real risk that we will lose our most important life: our spiritual life (v35).

What are other people and their opinions, views, or treatment worth in comparison to our service for Him, and just as importantly, our spiritual lives? God is the one who takes care of us, so He’ll always do just that. No matter what we’re asked to face or give up in His service, He’ll always give us all things necessary for life and Godliness (2 Peter 1v3). This should inspire in us a sense of real freedom and opportunity when we think of serving the Lord. There is no power or influence that affects us unless the Lord allows it, and so all things work together for our good when we serve the Lord. Our highest concern in our service, and one that should cancel all others, is this: what does the Lord want us to do right now in our lives for Him? If this is the highest concern of our lives, all other considerations will fall into their rightful place. The sacrificial service of our lives is the high calling of our lives, and the very purpose of it. Let nothing stifle or stop this great calling, for as the Luke 18 passage above shows us, it’s as important as our spiritual life.

INTERCESSION

Our intercessions about this world, the Church, the future and anything else, should always be tempered with God’s will regarding those things. In the end, it is not 'our will' be done on earth as it is in Heaven, but HIS will. His perspective is perfect 20/20 vision, while ours is through a glass darkly. Our will is also imperfect due to us being fallen beings (i.e sinners saved by grace), people who still suffer under fleshly desires (which is why we are called on to always ‘put to death’ the deeds of the flesh Rom 8v13), and those who are limited in their understanding.

Yes, God has instituted intercession--which shows how much He values our prayers and has chosen to listen to them. But He has not given us His throne, and He has not abdicated rule of the world to us--what a disaster that would be! Therefore we should be aware of what the nature and end result of all intercession should be. Abraham teaches us that while the process of all intercession is an appeal (a ‘standing in the gap’) and a back and forth (i.e. when Abraham interceded over the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah), its end lies with what God wants and knows is best (i.e when there weren’t even 10 righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah, God destroyed it), whether we agree or are even agreeable with his decisions and ruling or not. It also ends with us needing to agree with God in his decision, ruling and subsequent actions, because the Bible tells us that two cannot walk together unless they are agreed (Amos 3v3).

God knows how to rule best, we do not. God knows what's best for a world, whereas our world (and often even the Church--no Church is perfect) shows that we don't. God’s knowing of what is best for His creation and their lives is seen in the perfect rule and life of Heaven. The glories, peace and perfections of the government and all the goings on of Heaven are a result of His perfect will and actions whose substance, fruit, and effect are always life, righteousness, grace, mercy, justice, order, judgment, goodness, kindness, and Holiness (just to name a few).

God is the great Savior and Judge of the world, we are not. Yes, we have been created in His image and given spiritual authority, but this is to be used according to HIS WILL and HIS PURPOSES, and in alignment with BIBLICAL TRUTH. It’s true that God wants to listen to us (and even use that intercession to work His will) in intercession because it is His Spirit which works in us to both will and do for HIS good pleasure, but in the end, it is only His perfect will which must, and will, prevail.

He has instituted intercession because His desire is for all men to come to the truth and be saved. He wants all men everywhere to serve Him, be redeemed back to Him (restore spiritual relationship), and to experience life in Him—not only to enjoy all the good things He gives us (1 Timothy 6v17), but primarily for the good and praise of His name and Kingdom (i.e. ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness..’). Intercession should always be to seek what God delights in:

Jeremiah 9v24:
…let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Notice that the Lord doesn’t only delight in loving-kindness. So he doesn’t only delight in grace and mercy, He also delights in justice and righteousness, and therefore things which work His righteousness and also bring about His justice—His judgment. If we would call ourselves intercessors, and those that God listens to—for He only hears that which is according to His will; 1 John 5v14--then we must realize that intercession involves seeking not only grace and mercy, but also, IF the Spirit wills it, judgment. However, context here is crucial. The Bible tells us that it is mercy which triumphs over judgment. God is longsuffering, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. Therefore, while we should always intercede for grace, mercy and righteousness upon the earth, in contrast, we should only intercede for judgment if that is the revealed (the Bible supports it) and revelatory will of God (we know by the Spirit’s speaking and revealing this to us). This kind of intercession should and will usually only take place as a LAST resort (when all other workings of God have evidently been rejected by men); and even then we should desire any good that exists to be spared (even as Abraham pleaded with God to save Sodom and Gomorrah if there were even just ten righteous people remaining).

Intercession is only effective and even heard by God if it is according to His direct or allowed will. Therefore if we want to intercede, before we begin, we should make sure we know what His will is, both Biblically and, I would also suggest, by revelation (to make sure we are on the surest ground possible). I would describe this as gaining a good foundation for our intercessory requests and pleadings. Abraham’s pleading with God over Sodom and Gomorrah showed his equal understanding both of intercession and HOW to intercede with God. He had a great understanding of what God delighted in, and so was careful to plead for His grace and mercy, but only in light and equal consideration of His righteousness and justice. Abraham didn’t ask God to save Sodom and Gomorrah regardless of whether there were righteous people or not. Abraham knew the importance of righteousness and justice with God:

Genesis 18v23-25:
Then Abraham drew near and said, (C)“Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”

So yes, Abraham’s heart and goal in his intercession was as it should’ve been (as ours should be while we are directed to, or allowed): to seek to save the good that could be saved (the righteous), and to even show mercy to those wicked people that didn’t deserve it, for if Sodom and Gomorrah were saved for the sake of the righteous, by default even the wicked people would’ve been shown the grace to be allowed to continue to live and have more time to repent (think: possibility of revival through repentance and reformation). It is possible and perhaps even very likely that Abraham was also seeking this very thing—to see the wicked repent and reform. However, Abraham also knew that God could not (and never would) go against His very nature, wisdom, Holy desires and purity of rule. Abraham also didn’t want him to. He didn’t go any lower than ’10 righteous’ in his pleading and negotiation with God. Notice also that God did not allow him to, which also showed that intercession always has an end, and that end in the final ruling and decision of God:

Abraham 18v32-33:
Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

In light of Abraham’s example and intercession, in our own intercession, let us always consider the delights and desires of the Lord, and his overarching and specific will. If there is room for his permissible will, then let us stand in the gap as led by the Holy Spirit. But let us do so humbly and reverently, knowing that His will and leadings always have an INTENDED end--HIS intended end:

James 5v11: You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord…

All things serve His desires, will and purposes, so we and our intercessions should too!

THE COMING STORM PREP DOCTRINES PRT4: 'PERPLEXITY AND BLOWN EXPECTATIONS'

John 11-

v2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

You may be a very Godly and spiritually-knowledgeable person, and yet your expectations of the future may be incomplete. John the Baptist was a Godly and knowledgeable man (even of Biblical prophecy i.e. He knew the Messiah was about to arrive), and yet his view of the future was similarly flawed. He expected Christ to come in power, in the fulfillment of promise, to bless His people, and to bring awesome revelatory truth--which He did, but John didn't expect the suffering that came with it. He also did not expect that much more needed to happen before the Lord's Kingdom and rule came in its full blessing and reality (i.e. the prophecies of the sufferings Christ would have to endure), and to set all things aright. From prison, this even made John question if Jesus really was who He said He was. Jesus even had to encourage John not to become offended at him because of this incomplete view of the future:

Matthew 11-

v4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy b are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

John had expected the GLORY and presence of Jesus, along with a mighty move of His Spirit (which, in the scripture above, Jesus told him was indeed happening), but He had not expected a STORM of suffering. A full, Biblical and Holy Spirit led view of the future is VITAL, for it is an issue which directly relates to our faith in Christ and our trust of Him. You may be expecting blessing, glory, fulfillment, promises, revival, and Christ's presence and power--but while these things are PART of the future, they are not the whole of it. These things will come in a landscape of suffering--in the landscape of the COMING STORM. The Bible says that in this world we will have tribulation, and the Holy Spirit has also been revealing the tribulation which is coming soon, and what types of tribulations we WILL and MAY (without intercession) face.

If you don't have a Biblical and HOLY SPIRIT led view of what's coming, at the very least you'll be extremely shocked and perplexed at what comes, and at the most be OFFENDED at Him. This shows us just how important it is to have a full-rounded view of the future. John, it seems, was tempted to become offended at Christ because of the suffering he hadn't expected the future to hold--and this was a faithful, fruitful, Biblically-knowledgeable, and Godly man! John had expected Christ (the SAVIOUR), a great move of the Spirit, and the fulfillment of CERTAIN blessed prophecies (i.e. the Lamb of God who would CLEANSE and FORGIVE), but he had not expected persecution and suffering, and he had not expected the fulfillment of the 'OTHER' harder prophecies (i.e. Old Testament prophecies that predicted Christ's suffering). Jesus did not rebuke John was his incomplete view (the Lord is able to make us all stand as long as we obey Him and continue to follow Him), but he did encourage and warn him to not become offended at Him because what was happening had not fit into his expected picture of the future.

If we were only expecting the future to be filled with blessings, fulfillments (the ones we want), promises, glory, revival, the presence of Christ and His great workings--think again. These things will come, and thank God they will! We should eagerly expect, rejoice in, and pray for such things! But this is not the WHOLE picture of what's coming--great trial, hardship and suffering is also on its way. If we don't have a fully rounded view of what's coming, or don't now accept what the Spirit is revealing, then we will need to make the NECESSARY adjustments in our views and thinking during a time when it won't be as easy or expedient to do so. Like John, we also may not have much time to make the adjustments (i.e. John was killed after a short time in prison)--and this could also be problematic to our faith in, relationship with, and service for the Lord.

Even without revelation, a Biblical view of the future means that we should EXPECT tribulation (John 16v33). This is what the Bible tells us. But Jesus showed us that revelation of the future is very important to our PRESENT faith, lives, and fruitfulness for His Kingdom (He Himself spoke of the future). The purpose of prophecy is not only to encourage, strengthen and comfort us, but PREPARE us. The revelations of the future are specifically designed in order to get us to, right now in this present time, intercede in prayer about those future things for ourselves, friends and family, the Church and the world (that unsaved would be saved and so also guarded by the Lord). Through this praying the Lord also prepares our spirits--our hearts and minds--for what is to come, and furnishes them with grace and power to be able to meet and endure whatever we will need to. Prophecy is also specifically designed to get us to read and learn His Word as much as we can in order to get us to mature and grow in Christ as much as possible. It is designed to encourage us to take up the full armour of God in the PRESENT time so that we'll be able to stand in the FUTURE EVIL DAY (think: part of the sword of the Spirit is REVELATION/ the shield is our FAITH):

Ephesians 6-

13Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.

The Bible talks about PREPARATION as being a key aspect of the Christian walk:

1 Cor 14-

8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

Finally, a fully-rounded view of the future is meant to direct and encourage us to make sure that our lives are right with the Lord in the present, to ensure Christ's KEEPING of us (the kind of 'keeping' He chooses for us) will be as great as both we and He wants it to be. In light of all of this, we see that prophecy is as much about the PRESENT as it is the future--it is certainly not meant to be treated as something which we can just take or leave according to our whims, or choose to pick up and make use of later if (intercessory prayer can stop events of the future if God allows) and when the events come to pass. The Spirit's voice is not to be taken lightly, for if God says something, we should realise just how important it is for us to hear and respond to. In light of what God intends to do in and through us with prophecy before such future realities come to pass, we should recognise the fact that the prophetic has as much to do with faith, fruitfulness and the life of Christ as anything else that is part of the truth or spiritual.

John was about as spiritual, knowledgeable, and Godly as any other believer in the Word, and yet a major element of the future surprised him! Because his view of the future was missing key prophetic elements, he was shocked and perplexed at the suffering and persecution that ensued. It seems that even he was tempted to become offended at Christ--the one Jesus Himself had called the Elijah who was to come! It is safe to say that many Godly, Biblical and knowledgeable people will be surprised at what is coming in the future. This may be for a variety of reasons: they may not believe in prophecy, not believe what the Lord is now revealing, believe only prophecies regarding the good things that are coming, have a narrow Biblical view of the future, trust their own convictions or not recognise the signs that even now are present in the world (or not believe they are signs at all). Whatever reactions are going on, the simple fact of the matter is that the future will prove what is or isn't true. When the Coming Storm actually comes, it will speak for itself. But that isn't what's important here. What is important is this: after hearing much of what the Spirit has revealed about the coming storm (whether you believe it now or not) don't be shocked or perplexed if, in contrary to your person opinion, you were wrong, and much trial does in fact come upon this Earth and into your lives. And certainly don't become offended at Christ or stop believing and trusting in Him. The prophecies that He's given (if they don't speak to you now, certainly will then) will testify that He is still the Christ, still good, in control, and sovereign over everything that takes place. Those prophecies will speak as loud and clearly to you as Christ's voice did to John:

Matthew 11-

6Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

THE COMING STORM PREP DOCTRINES: PRT3: 'PERSECUTION & PROTECTION'

A reality

If you are a Christian, the Bible tells us that it’s a certainty we’ll face persecution in the future:

‘In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…’ (2 Timothy 3v12)

God has shown me that, as part of the coming storm, persecution is coming to Christians. In some parts of the world, many Christians are already experiencing great persecution; however, the persecution that’s coming will affect the entire globe. God has shown me what I personally believe will be the beginning of this trial that will come to His people. In a dream I saw that law enforcement authorities will begin to plant false evidence against those Christians who believe homosexuality is a sin, in order to convict them of a crime they haven’t committed. The seeds of the reality of this coming persecution can already been seen in how many nations around the world are legalising same-sex marriage. In light of all this, we must be spiritually ready to suffer what we’ll need to suffer, even if it comes via great injustice. We must therefore understand the doctrines which concern persecution and protection.

The good news: comforts through persecution

The good news is that while God has a purpose for us to serve Him, He will physically deliver us from any and every type of persecution. The Apostle Paul revealed this truth in the Word:

‘You, however, know all about… the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.’ (2 Timothy 3, parts of v10-11)

While God wanted to use Paul, he was kept through any and every type of persecution, no matter how long it went for, and no matter how painful it was. God will do the same with us, as He will not take them through more than they can endure:

1 Corinthians 10v13:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

God will bring as much fruit out of us that He possibly can before we die, because Christ gave everything that we might not only be redeemed, but be lights who have great influence and effect in the world. God will not take His salt out of this world lightly, or allow it to be taken lightly, for we are the centre of His work in Christ, being His hands and feet. Only when we have fulfilled the complete purpose of our lives for Him, will He take us, and not one moment sooner.

God will also provide comfort while going through the persecutions, whether this be via the upholding power and encouragement of the Spirit to our spirit’s (our hearts and minds), or in more practical forms. Paul experienced this himself. Spiritually speaking, the Apostle received great encouragement and strength from the Spirit as he worshipped with Silas whilst in prison. On another occasion, the Lord Himself stood by Paul and encouraged him. And he always received comfort through his daily practice of being ‘instant in prayer’. Practically, he received comfort through friends and fellow ministers who visited him while he was in prison (and supported him with practical items), through the work of writing scripture he often did while detained, and through his thinking about all the Churches needs and how they were progressing in Christ.

Spiritual comfort in the Bible usually involved hearing the voice of the Lord through the Word, the Spirit to our hearts and minds, via the audible voice of the Lord, or angel visits. It also came via revelations and dreams and visions (think: what the Apostle John received on the island of Patmos during a time when he received persecution via hard labour). Our spiritual encouragement and strengthening may be similar to Paul’s, but whatever the spiritual comfort may be, it will definitely follow the Biblical pattern of how God has always comforted his servants through persecutions (and involve at least one form of spiritual comfort).

The other side of the coin: the need to endure

The Bible teaches us that while spiritual comfort is guaranteed, practical comfort is not. While practical comforts may be provided for us in tribulation, they also may not be. If we were practically comforted through every persecution, it wouldn’t really be persecution, but instead just mistreatment. This brings us to the reality of the need to endure pain and suffering when persecuted.

God will always watch over us, and is sovereign over every act of the enemy and evil man; however, that doesn’t mean His Kingdom people will not suffer violence, even unto death at times:

Matthew 11v12:

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.

There are too many Biblical examples of this to include here. Hebrews 11, known in Christendom today as the ‘Hall of Faith’, includes many examples of Christians who suffered at the hands of evil men, and even some who died for their faith. Most of the Apostles of the New Testament also suffered various persecutions, and most were called on to give their very life for God. Such men didn’t always receive practical comforts, but nevertheless endured till the end, and so not only confirmed the true source of their salvation, but also stored up for themselves a better resurrection (a more rich reward).

The reasons to endure

a. For the necessity of confirming & evidencing our salvation

We must endure persecutions for a number of reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, we must endure to confirm the reality of our salvation—specifically, of what source it really is from (whether it is just something of ourselves or truly a gift of grace from Christ). True faith and salvation survives anything (and by its very natures proves itself/evidences itself- i.e. fruit tells the type of tree it comes from) and if it is true, it will be proved even though fire gets put to it. Fire is something the Lord has chosen to test this:

1 Peter 1v6-7:

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

b. To ensure we do not reject or disown Christ

We must also endure so that we do not become in danger of choosing to reject or disown Christ. The Bible calls rejecting Christ apostasy from the faith. Disowning Jesus is just as bad, for scripture tells us that if we deny Him, He’ll deny us:

2 Timothy 2v12:

If we endure,
 We shall also reign with Him. 
If we deny Him,
 He also will deny us.

If we do not endure, there is a very real chance that, even if we don’t outright reject Jesus and renounce our faith in Him, we’ll disown Him. While the Lord may be gracious with us if we actually do this (i.e. like He was with the Apostle Peter), it’s an extremely big risk to take (i.e. Judas wasn’t so lucky).

c. To ensure our salvation/life brings glory to God, and we do not suffer eternal loss of rewards

Thirdly, we must endure so as to ensure that this salvation of ours glorifies the Lord. It is possible to be saved, and yet not have the salvation itself/our salvation (by extension our lives) glorify Him. The Bible explains that this kind of life can actually exist, and also the consequences of it in regards to the rewards Christ will one day give:

1 Corinthians 3v10-15:

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

So while we may still retain our salvation if we shy away from persecution, we will suffer heavy loss of our eternal reward. This takes away from the glory that our lives will one day bring Christ in eternity. We are the hands and feet of Jesus, and we shine the light of His life, gospel and truth to the world, so if we hide that light under a bushel, it cannot bring Christ glory. We are the people of God and His Kingdom, and God chose to let His glory rest on us by giving us His Spirit and redeeming us. This is equivalent to the talents Jesus has given us and also the fact that we are supposed to be reflectors of His person to the world. If we bury those talents, and do not reflect Him, He won’t be glorified.

d. So that we do not bring Jesus’ name and the Christian faith into disrepute

If we shy away from persecution, we will not only not bring Jesus glory, but also risk bringing His name into great disrepute. If the world sees that we are willing to turn from Jesus when persecuted, they will question the very truth and life we represent. They would not only question Christianity because of an evident lack of power, but also due to the missing love we profess to have for Christ (for if Christ has great love, so should His people for the God they say they love/ relationship is evidenced and proven by its actions and connection). If we bring Christ’s name into disrepute, this is also a kind of anti-evangelism. By refusing persecution or doing everything to avoid it, we ourselves scream out to others that there is no Christ (for if there was, would we not go through anything for our Lord, God, and Saviour? and go through anything to ensure we reach the Heaven we believe is real?). The Bible regards this kind of anti-evangelism as something which causes Jesus’ name to be blasphemed:

Hebrews 6v4-6:

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

Romans 2v24:

As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

e. Because we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses

The Bible tells us that a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us. We do not want to one day, when we reach Heaven, be ashamed in their presence. We want to be able to say that we emulated their example, and that we too endured as they did.

Those that have gone before us also paved the way for us to know how we can get through persecutions and even be effective to serve Him through them. All this came at great cost both to themselves and many of the people of God. We need to be of the mind to want to honour their lives and their sacrifices, by learning and copying their example. In this way we also ensure that they, and those that followed their example down the ages, did not die, or sacrifice what they sacrificed, in vain. We know that no Christian sacrifices anything, including their lives, in vain, but we also (to a certain extent), determine just how much fruit comes as a result of their endurance. Enduring persecution always brings about incredible fruit for the Kingdom of God. By the disciples’ sacrifice of their lives (those that were killed), we have much of New Testament scripture. It was also through the suffering of persecution which the disciples endured that the Lord was able to bring about such powerful, profound, relatable/relevant, and pure scripture. It is through death to self that the life of Christ most powerful shines. Persecution brings about the very height of death to self, and so brings about the greatest opportunity to witness for the Lord and to be fruitful for Him.

f. Because God will give us the grace and power to endure any type of persecution

No person can endure persecution without God enabling them to. No matter what God allows or calls us to endure, though it will be difficult, He will give us the ability to do it:

2 Corinthians 12v8-10:

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

This does not mean that suffering won’t be involved with persecution—it most definitely will be, because that’s the very nature of the experience. But it does mean that God will not give us more than we can bear—in other words, it WILL be possible to get through it, no matter how hard it gets. No matter the level of the pain, sacrifice or trial, God will give us the needed grace to get through it.

g. God will deliver us from persecution

God delivers His people from persecution. This happens whether DURING life or by its END. Though we must go THROUGH the persecution by experiencing it, the Lord will bring it to an end (no matter whether after a short time, or long). There are many examples of people in the Bible being delivered from persecution. Paul was delivered from many persecutions before his end:

2 Timothy 3v10-11:

You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

Paul suffered greatly with persecutions, but God was faithful to deliver him from all of them, and none of them overcame him. Hebrews 11 talks about many in the Word who were also delivered from persecutions:

There is also a kind of deliverance which is not an Earthly and present life deliverance. This is a deliverance from persecution that comes through our death. God allows His Kingdom to suffer violence at times, and this has seen many Christians through the ages die because of persecution. However, even if we are called to give our lives, the Lord will be with us in great sustaining Holy Spirit power and strength. God knows that no man can give their life in their own strength, and so He will always be faithful to give us what we need in order to lay down our very lives if we’re called to. Not all are called to do this, but if we are, we have nothing to fear. This is especially true when we think about the Heaven that awaits us! We know that all men die eventually, so there’s nothing that persecution can do to us that won’t come to us eventually one day anyway.

h. God will warn us about the persecution beforehand, in order to prepare us

The book of Revelation shows us that God warns His people when they’re about to be persecuted:

Revelation 2v10-11:

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

God warns us of persecution beforehand in order to strengthen our faith and give us the encouragement and comfort we’ll need (and hope- see last part of scripture above). He also does it so the shock of persecution won’t jolt us out of faith in Him, or at least jolt us out it at the most crucial moment (when it first hits us). Jesus warned his disciples that persecution was coming before the cross, but because they never properly listened, understood the warning, or took it to heart, they let the shock of it make them flee the Lord (this also revealed their not properly understanding scripture they should’ve understood about the soon coming death of the Lord).

i. So that we do not value this life more than the one to come

Our salvation, the glory, work and testimony of Christ, trumps any other human consideration that we may be tempted to battle with in the coming time in regards to persecution. It doesn’t matter whether the consideration is in regards to family, friends, work, or even our health or wellbeing. Our sufferings in this life are temporary, but the eternal life and rewards are just that: eternal. We should not risk any eternal setback for present gain or safety.   

The Lord has shown me that coming storm will blanket everything and everyone; no one will escape its reach or effect. This will be a storm of great ferocity and great darkness, and only by the Lord will anyone make it through it, whether through it in regards to this life, or through it so we’ll make it to the next life- the Heavenly one. Part of this storm will involve persecution for Christians. God is completely sovereign over this, and will use it for our GOOD. For the true Christian, this experience will mean BOTH protection and pain. We mustn’t see the future as all dark, as the Lord will be with us, and there will still be blessings in it. But we must be realistic, believe what the Lord has revealed, and so also except that pain and persecution will be coming too. The Lord will keep us through all of this, but we must also be ready to face it. This means walking with the Lord in our lives in the present, praying about what is coming, and arming ourselves with the Word of God and the doctrines necessary for preparation. The whole armour of God is based on the Bible and IS the very substance and power of the Word itself: so every Christian solider out there must make sure they are diligent to arm themselves spiritually, in order to fight the good fight of faith that is about to confront us.

The Lord willing, Prt 4 of the coming storm doctrines will be on its way soon.