If 2004 was the “year for more” and 2005 was the “year to thrive” will 2006 be the “year of the fix?” And if so, what role do the prophets play in this fix?
This is the season when prophetic camps across the country begin
publishing the word of the Lord for the New Year. It seems many of
the heavenly revelations rhyme with the date. Let me ask you, then,
if 2004 was the “year for more” and 2005 was the “year to thrive,”
will 2006 be the “year of the fix?” And if so, what role do the
prophets play in this fix?
Last year I witnessed Jezebel’s prophets hosting jam-packed
conferences intent on merchandising God’s people and others
declaring judgment and curses on cities and nations based on the
characteristics of a Hebrew letter. In the midst of all the chaos, I
watched the condition of the American Church continue its decline
into apathy. Still, I find courage in knowing whom I serve.
I pray that 2006 does bring a fix, but a new calendar won’t bring a
new solution to an old problem. It will take an old message with an
old mandate to bring a new perspective. That old message is
“repent.” That old mandate is “believe the Gospel.” That new
perspective is Kingdom establishment.
What role does the prophetic ministry play in establishing the
Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven? Does it involve
prophetic merchandising, spiritual mysticism, and misplaced
celebrity? Jesus said John the Baptist was “greatest among the
prophets,” and he was never the superstar.
Unfortunately, thanks to a handful of prolific renegades running
wild on the ministry circuit, prophesying the idolatry in the hearts
of the sheep, and diverting Kingdom finances, much of the Body of
Christ has a misconception of the prophetic. The prophetic ministry
has, in some cases, been lowered to the status of a traveling
psychic. Let me state emphatically: This is not the ministry of the
prophet.
The prophet’s ministry includes those three familiar characteristics
– edify, comfort and exhort – but it also includes a responsibility
to prophesy into the nations of this world. This is a key difference
between believers with the gift of prophecy and five-fold ascension
gift prophets.
It’s time for the great company of prophets to arise and demonstrate
the Kingdom of God. That means prophetic utterances that bring holy
conviction, heart change, hope, and a challenge to the nations to
turn toward Jesus. It means a willingness to carry spiritual
burdens. It means refusing to compromise for Ben Franklins, George
Washingtons, or admiration of men.
The restoration of apostles and apostolic ministries cannot do this
alone – nor are they called to. Apostles and prophets, working with
evangelists, pastors and teachers, offer a foundational platform for
truth to the Church and the nations. If there is a gaping hole in
the prophetic ministry, then how can Jesus build a glorious Church
without spot or wrinkle? How can He establish His Kingdom on earth
as it is in heaven? I have a two-word answer for that one: He can’t.
The foundation, as it is, can’t bear the weight. It seems the
apostles are in place, and they are building a platform for the
voice of God. It’s time for the prophets to come out of those
wilderness places, plug back into the local church, and, with the
right heart, boldly announce the word of the Lord.
This is not a suggestion. It is a challenge. It’s a clarion call.
It’s a plea for the prophets of Jehovah to rise up and take their
positions on the wall; to be the watchmen (and watchwomen) that
Jesus has given to the Church; to enter into deep intercession and
even travailing prayer in order to break through the apathy, the
religion and the utter deception in the American Church; to refuse
to compromise the word of the Lord for any price.
There’s too much at stake to remain in the desert. There is a war
against religion and secular humanism that requires the one-two
punch of the apostolic-prophetic. Will 2006 be the “year of the
fix?” I pray so. But it will require the prophetic ministry to root
out, tear down and destroy strongholds of religion and merchandising
as we build and plant the Kingdom of God in the nations of the
earth.
We may have traded camel skin raiment for silk shirts, but, like
John the Baptist, we are transitional prophets. We are called to
make a straight path for our Lord. We are called to decrease that He
might increase. We are called to speak to nations. What is our
message? The Holy Spirit will give us prophetic words for the
nations if we dedicate ourselves to prayer and intercession. But one
message never gets old: The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent and
believe the Gospel.
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