The Lord is calling his apostolic women to rise up to fulfill
God's purpose in their lives and to reach a lost and dying
world.
A small wave washed up on the shore. It lingered a while and
then escaped back to the sea. Wave after wave came ashore.
Each wave was a little higher than the previous one and like
the first wave each lingered for some time before returning
to its source. Suddenly, the largest wave I have ever seen
formed. That colossal wave circled the globe and covered the
nations of the world!
“What am I seeing?” I asked the Lord at the conclusion of
this vision. He told me each wave was a previous move of His
Spirit. Each move carried a measure of revelation that was
higher than the previous move. Then He explained that a move
of His Spirit is coming that would be greater than all the
previous moves, with increasing levels of revelation.
That vision was opened up to me 15 years ago during a time
of worship. But it is as clear today as it was all those
years ago. The recent tsunami that devastated Asia reminded
me of that vision once again. Scientists tell us that a
tsunami occurs when a shift in the plates of the earth cause
an undersea earthquake. Just as those plates shifted under
the sea, a shift is taking place in the Church. Women are
arising – not only in America – but also in other nations to
work alongside men to take the Gospel to the uttermost parts
of the earth.
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In the same way that the tsunami impacted many nations,
women are being called to impact many nations. With a
powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, apostolic women are rising up
and entering into partnership with men to fulfill their
divine mandates. Once-oppressed women are supplying their
joints to the work of the ministry in the framework of the
apostolic reformation and the result is more souls coming
into the Kingdom, more believers launching forth into
ministry, and much more to come.
It all started when several apostles banded together to
launch the Apostolic Women Arising Movement in Jakarta in
January 2005. Indonesia is the fourth largest nation in the
world and the largest Muslim nation. We believe the meeting
date, which was immediately after the tsunami, was a
prophetic action to declare a new season for women to arise.
Think about it. On the heels of a mighty destructive force
the Lord is calling His men and women together in unity to
bring transformation to the nations.
Apostolic-prophetic women are a major part of a reformation
that is taking place in the Church.
It is a restoration of a
cultural mandate to humanity issued by God in the Garden of
Eden: “God created man in His own image, in the image of God
He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed
them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and
fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the
sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living
thing that moves on the earth’” (Genesis 1:27-28).
The human race – both male and female – was created to be
God’s representative in the earth. The enemy has tried to
abort God’s plan since the days of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3).
However, God has not changed His mind concerning the
partnership of men and women. Setting women free to fulfill
their purposes is actually a restoration of God’s original
plan.
Deborah, a female prophetess, counselor, and military
leader, was the judge over the nation of Israel. Barak would
not go against the Canaanites without Deborah. Together they
delivered the nation of Israel. This is but one example of
God’s intent for men and women to work together in the
Kingdom of God to advance His purposes.
Unfortunately, many people have lost the understanding of
authority in the Kingdom of God. True godly authority seeks
to release the gifts and anointings of both men and women.
Traditions and cultures, however, frequently oppress people
instead. But when women are willing to rise up in an
apostolic anointing, then nations can be changed.
The Bible offers example after example of God anointing
women and giving them opportunities and leadership positions
that changed history. Take Esther, for example. Esther lived
in oppression with her people, the nation of Israel. But the
Lord placed her in a position that changed the nation. Then
there are the five daughters of Zelophehad, who actually had
the Law of God changed (Numbers 27:1-9). Let’s not forget
Rahab, who is a direct ancestor of David and Jesus who is in
the Faith Hall of Fame (Hebrews 11).
A Great Host of Apostolic Women
Historically, women in the Bible had powerful personal
revelations and ministries, and in this season the Lord is
raising up a mighty army of women throughout the earth who
have no interest in being spectators only. “The Lord gives
the command; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a
great host” (Psalms 68:11 NASB).
The Church of Jesus Christ needs an Issachar anointing for
this new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The sons (and
daughters) of Issachar understood God’s strategic times and
seasons (1 Chronicles 12:32). They had wisdom to know what
they should do. We, too, need an alert spirit during this
season as women rise up into their callings.
An Issachar anointing will help us recognize that the Lord
is bringing change. This is not a change created by a group
of women, but rather is one that is orchestrated by the
Lord. Traditions often fail to recognize when God is
bringing the Church into a new season. Traditions prefer to
continue in the older more familiar ways of the Church. Many
times those who follow after the old traditional ways
persecute the new move of God. However, God looks for hungry
hearts.
We must pray as Paul prayed, “that the eyes of our hearts
may be enlightened, so that we may know what is the hope of
His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His
inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing
greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Ephesians
1:18-20). The Lord will give us wisdom, revelation and favor
as we press forward in the Kingdom. We will have victory
over the enemy’s plan to keep women oppressed and inactive.
The Lord has given us the birthright to receive our
inheritance.
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The tsunami disaster has provided opportunities for the Good
News of Jesus Christ to go forth in oppressed nations. Now
God has given His women the breaker anointing. “The breaker
goes up before them; They break out, pass through the gate,
and go out by it, so their king goes on before them, and the
Lord at their head” (Micah 2:13). A mighty wind of the Holy
Spirit has enabled us to pass through the gates and reach
out to those who are lost. God stirred up the seas so His
voice can be heard. Now is the time to bring in nations.
“For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea and its
waves roar (the Lord of hosts is His name)” (Isaiah 51:15).
Apostolic women are arising! After spending a week
ministering at the
Apostolic Women Arising Movement in
Jakarta in January 2005 with Indri Gautama from Jakarta,
Naomi Dowdy from Singapore and Prophet Ong Sek Leang from
Malaysia, we witnessed thousands of women as they determined
to enter into their destinies in the Kingdom. Men wept as
they agreed with the Holy Spirit to stand in partnership
with the women. This fresh move of God is not only being
released in Indonesia but also around the world. A moment in
history is happening!
Transformation of cities and nations is occurring as this
mighty army of men and women, side by side, move into every
area of life. Oppression and cruelty toward women and
children is being broken. God is empowering a new generation
of His people to press through to greater levels of victory
and authority than ever before. That new generation includes
apostolic women around the world who are willing to rise up
to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives and take the Gospel
to the nations.
Barbara Wentroble is founding apostle of International
Breakthrough Ministries (IbM), an apostolic network. Barbara
has authored Prophetic Intercession, A People of Destiny,
You Are Anointed, God’s Purpose for Your Life, Praying With
Authority, and is a contributing author of Women’s Destiny
Bible.
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