WILL THE REAL ELIJAHS PLEASE STAND UP? (April 8, 1998)
MANY JONATHANS ARE ABOUT TO DIE (May 10, 1998):
The Spirit of the Lord said to me--many Jonathans are about to die at the hands of the enemy because they are in the wrong camp. As I recalled the story of Jonathan and David, I realized that Jonathan did not have to die with Saul. Saul represents those who operate by the power of witchcraft (domination, manipulation, intimidation). Saul sought the counsel of the witch of Endor. (1 Samuel 28:6-8)
Jonathan loved David as he did his own soul (1 Samuel 20:17). Even later when Saul sought to kill David, Jonathan went to David in the woods. 1 Sam 23:16-18--Then Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that." So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house.
The fatal mistake which brought about the tragedy of Jonathan's death was staying with Saul after Saul lost his anointing and began to operate under a spirit of divination. Jonathan could have gone to be with David and served the Lord, which was God's will confirmed by a covenant made before the Lord, for Jonathan said by the Spirit of the Lord, "And I shall be next to you." (Next to or with David.)
The key verse is v18 which reveals Jonathan's fatal mistake. David stayed in the woods under God's safety while Jonathan went to his own house (in Saul's camp). Many are about to make this same tragic mistake, which is to allow human alliances and associations keep them out of God's camp. Men-pleasing associations that require a compromise in your Christian walk can at this time be deadly.
The answer is given in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."
In this word from the Lord, David is a type of Jesus; Jonathan is a type of Christians who still remain loyal to Saul (a type of witchcraft whether wordly or Christian). Those who remain loyal to Saul and compromise their relationship with David (Jesus) will die at the hands of the Philistines (Satan's demon powers).
Don't allow Saul to keep you out
of God's position; don't allow lying spirits to seduce you away
from the station that God has for you. Don't compromise your
Christian commitment for any person. Seek ye first your place in
the Kingdom of your Father; seek His perfect will for yourself,
and then rise up and contend for the faith.
THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION (October 28, 1998):
In Matthew 24:15 Jesus said, "Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand). Verse 15 follows verse 14 which is talking about the time of the end (end of the age), and the time of the Lord's coming. (Also see Matthew 24:3)
The abomination of desolation is usually taught to be an image (statue) that the anti-christ places in the end-time temple in Jerusalem, and that may be a correct application of Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14, but I want to offer another understanding of these scriptures for your consideration.
I want to talk about another temple in which the abomination that brings desolation is being established in and how that is taking place. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." In verse 18 he warns us with these words, "Let no one deceive you." In other words don't be deceived as to the importance of keeping the temple undefiled.
Satan's plan is to seduce God's people to establish (set up) graven images (idols) in our own hearts and minds that will bring the abomination (perverse thinking) that causes desolation (defilement which quenches the Holy Spirit and puts him out of the temple of God).
Consider Luke 16:15...and Jesus said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God."
Revelation 17:4 pictures Mystery Babylon (the end-time harlot church) as having a "golden cup full of abominations." I believe this golden cup represents the desires of the heart that are not the desires of God's heart for His people.
Now, we can begin to see that these perverse images of the desires of man's heart that are in opposition to the Word of God will bring a desolation (departure of the Spirit) when we justify ourselves in our perversions of the Word of God.
On October 16, 1998. this word came forth with regard to the graven images:
You are the children of the Lord, the children of Zion. You sing those songs from your heart, and you call Me Messiah; you call Me the Son of God; you call Me Savior; you call Me King. But, I come to you tonight to tell you that many yet have not found Me. Many still do not call to Me out of an intimate relationship. They call Me not by name, but they call me according to the images that they have engraved upon their hearts--graven images to the unknown God. Surely, I say, that they have not yet found Me. I am coming with an anointing to break the yoke that has held all of Mine from Me that they may find Me. I have spoken to you in times past that these are the days in which many walk through the Valley of Decision, but I say to some of you that it is the dark valley of the soul where you cry out wondering where I am, calling My name, but not able to find Me. But, I am just before you, waiting for you to reach unto Me, waiting for you to take hold of My hand, so I can lead you through this hour of the darkness of the shadow of the souls of men to bring you forth into new light and a new dimension.
What are these graven images to the "unknown God?" These are the images of our concepts of God and the wrong image or ideal is established in the holy place (our heart) in a position of idolatry where the true image of God is "unknown" to us. These false ideals (our concepts established because of our desires) bring forth self-justification which is an abomination to God, and desolation (lack of truth) is found in the temple of God.
Now, I will make a startling statement which may offend some who call themselves Christians. It is most likely true that all who call themselves Christians have established some form of abomination (in the temple) which has created a desolation of the true character and will of God, and God is, therefore, unknown to them regarding the abomination established. The abomination can be false doctrine or simply wrong concepts about how one thinks God should interact with them.
For instance, there are those to whom God is only a God of love and mercy and grace. They will not allow their concepts to embrace a God of severity. That thinking creates an image of who they will allow God to be to them, which is false. The desolation produced is their understanding that God will save everyone, or that He will not judge His own children harshly. The desolation (void) is then a lack of godly fear and trembling before a God who will have to tell some of those so-called Christians, "Depart from Me I never knew you." So, God became unknown to them in this aspect of judgment.
Images are very powerful because our image of God is the object of our faith. Selah. Therefore, our faith will function according to our image (idol, ideals) of the God that we have set up in the holy place of our hearts. If you don't believe that God heals by faith (in this present dispensation), then the image of God within the temple isn't able to heal because your faith is based upon God Himself--He is the substance of things hoped for and brings forth the evidence of things unseen.
Idolatry in the Christian camp is the establishment of self-desire and self-will in the temple of God (your body), and the bowing down to self-desire (personal pleasure), which is based upon self-love. Listen to what the Apostle Paul wrote concerning those who have only a form (image) of godliness which is based on self-desire. 2 Timothy 3:1-5, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"
As the Apostle prophesied, these are perilous times (very dangerous times) in which Satan is seducing God's people. 1 Timothy 4:1, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons."
The seduction is to get us to establish the abomination of self-serving attitudes and doctrines in the temple of God that will produce desolation (a lack of power) to live the overcoming Christian life. Let us remember the Apostle's words in 1 Corinthians 3:18, " Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise."
THE SONS OF HIS GLORY(November 13, 1998):
A continued theme of the Holy Spirit (as He has spoken to the Church) in 1998 has been the manifestation of the Sons of Glory, also referred to as the Sons of Thunder. We began to receive prophetic words (last March) that the Sons of Glory (also includes women) would manifest (become visible) in 1998. Then this prophetic word came on October 4, 1998:
"Listen, My people, says the Spirit of the Lord. I shall tell you; I will speak to you about the times and the seasons in which you live. Did I not come on the Feast of Trumpets and proclaim to you that I was bringing forth a victory in the earth? Did I not speak to you and say I was taking back title deed to the earth? Haven't I told you that even in that season I came to celebrate the victory that I was bringing forth in the earth? The beginning (I speak to you today), the beginning of the manifestations of the sons of God, which I have already prophesied and spoken through the mouths of My servants, that would come forth in this the year, 1998, will manifest in this month on the day of victory. You say, what is the day of victory? I say that Satan has seduced you and taken your mind away from the thoughts that I am trying to give you. The celebrations are not over. Is there not another feast before you? Have you forgotten that upon the morrow, I say upon the morrow begins the Feast of Tabernacles, and it was on the eighth day of that feast that I stood up in the assembly of the first born and said, if any man thirst, come unto Me and I will give you the rivers of life. Come unto Me, and I will give you the Spirit of God, and victory shall spring forth as that river flows out of your innermost being. I have come, I say, to bring a people forth. I am not speaking about a weak people. I am speaking about a people who will live in power, a people who will live in strength, a people who have discerned the times and the seasons--the seasons that are upon them, the appointed seasons, the time of God meeting with man. Now, from your mind, because of the circumstances that you are living in, Satan has washed out from you the remembrance of the glorious appointed times of the seven-day celebration where you are to tabernacle with Me. If you will enter this time of feasting, of tabernacling with Me, the manifest presence of the sons of God shall come forth, I say, upon the eighth day of that feast. For it is written within My heart --the seasons and the times are written. This is a time that I have looked forward to from the foundations of this earth when I, Myself, would pour out the living water in a greater dimension, in a new dimension of power, and the living sons of God would manifest themselves in this the season of victory. It must be so because I have prophesied it, and I bring it forth by My strength in this the season of the restoration of all things."
The question then must surely be, "What meaneth this?" Who are these sons and daughters of His glory, and what is it that will be manifest through them?
The prophetic word said that the beginning of the manifestation of the Sons of God would take place on the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Prophetically, the eighth day is symbolic of a new day (new beginning), and the Feast of Tabernacles is symbolic of those who have been dwelling in booths with God--those shut in with Him in fellowship.
This event is most exciting, and
all of creation has waited for this time in which the righteous
will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
Romans 8:19 "For the earnest expectation of the creation
eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God."
I do not believe that most of the
church understands that at the end of the church age, just before
Christ returns for a bride without spot or wrinkle, a glorious
church will manifest in the earth. These sons and daughters of
His glory will demonstrate the fullness of His expressed desire
as revealed in
John 14:12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in
Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than
these he will do, because I go to My Father."
This means that apostolic authority which produces power will be restored to those who have been tabernacling with God. Moses was in the presence of God for 40 days, and when he came down from the mountain, his countenance shone like the sun.
The term "sons of glory" then describes those who have been abiding in His presence and have been infused with His glory. Haggai 2:9 tells us, "The glory of the latter temple (whose temple we are) will be greater than the former." The former meaning the glory poured out on the beginning of the church age.
The meaning of the word "glory" means to be weighty (heavy), honored, to beautify self by the adornment of His light. This is my description of the Sons of Glory: Those who have become honored by God (because of their desire for HIM and because they have sought after Him and been found in His presence), and the Holy Spirit has weighed them down with the mantle of His anointing until they have become adorned (clothed) in the illumination of His glorious splendor. At this point these Sons of Glory have beautified themselves with His likeness (divine nature) and are bringing forth the golden oil, which is allowing the fullness of the Holy Spirit to illuminate the risen Christ, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory!
I believe that the golden oil represents the latter and former rain anointing that will flow forth to the candlestick (seven Spirits of God). Hosea 6:1-3 tells us that after 2,000 years Jesus will revive His people as He comes to us as the latter and former rain. Zechariah chapter 4 presents us with a perfect picture of that occurrence, and verses 12 through 14 give us a picture of the two olive branches (menservants and handmaidens) who stand by the Lord of the whole earth, and the golden oil of the anointed ones drains into the lampstand. Here is a prophetic word that came on November 8, 1998:
"Eye has not seen; ear has not perceived the things that I am about to do among My people. Those that have come forth, those that have walked through the valley of the shadow of death, those that have come by way of Gethsemane, I will now begin to bring forth the golden oil from within, the anointing of My Spirit, and the power thereof that shall become a river of living water. That which I have spoken of in My Word shall now begin to flow. It will flow forth as a mighty rushing river, even as it is spoken of in My Word that on the day of Pentecost there came forth from heaven the sound of a mighty rushing wind. I say, if you listen, you can hear the sound of this mighty rushing river, the river of My anointing that comes forth, the river of My promise, the river of My power, the river of My purposes is about to touch this earth. When it does, watch out! I say, watch out, for you have not understood nor have you been able to perceive the magnitude and the power and the force with which it shall be birthed through the hearts of My obedient ones. It is even now beginning to flow. I say, it is even now beginning to flow. It is coming forth; it is up to your ankles; it is up to your waist. Now, get in the flow of My river and receive all that I have for you. I am pouring forth a fresh anointing today; I am bringing forth the golden oil that will bring light to this world and the hearts of many. You shall see the manifestation of the sons of glory, for I have decreed it, I have spoken it, and now it becomes."
The golden oil is about to flow, and the first manifestation of the Sons of His Glory is going to be candlestick light which is revelation knowledge. Now, it is not a coincidence that Bob Neumann released revelation knowledge regarding the First Thunder (see Revelation 10:4) on the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, just as prophesied.
I have also seen some of that golden oil flowing forth from others since the Feast of Tabernacles. Jim Rinker has been bringing forth revelation on what I believe will be one of the most important issues (graven images) that the Most Holy Spirit is going to deal with as He prepares the bride. Bill Somers has challenged the church to rethink the millennium, and Glenn Jackson has been prophesying that God's greatest provision for His bride is now to be released. Our church has seen that provision already (since the Feast of Trumpets).
I am sure there is more coming forth that I am not even aware of as of this writing. I will prophesy to you, "1999 will be known as the Year of His Justice." His justice will bring both blessings and curses. Blessings will go forth for the obedient and curses for the disobedient in dramatic ways.
There is going to come a mighty impartation of Christ's authority to the Sons of Glory who will demonstrate the power of His kingdom with awesome signs and wonders following. I am already witnessing a new boldness in His servants, but before the fullness of His authority is demonstrated by the Sons of Glory, revelation knowledge will come forth like a mighty rushing river. It was Jesus who said to Peter, "On this rock (Peter's revelation that Jesus was the Christ), I will build My church. Think of this statement and the power of it!
Revelation knowledge becomes the substance of faith which then gives birth to the kingdom authority which produces supernatural power that comes by the Holy Spirit.
The glory of the King will so rest upon His latter days' temple that a visible presence of the shekinah glory of Almighty God will be upon His Sons of Glory, and the world itself will witness the Kingdom of God in manifestation.
Come now, let us return to the Lord; let us be found under His cloud, for it is indeed moving. Arise, you Sons of Glory, for the light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!
Now is the time of the restoration of all things. Now is the hour of His visitation. Even so, come Lord Jesus!
(See 1999 Word on What's Up for continuation.)
A WORD FOR 1999--December 12, 1998:
The Year of God's Justice: Romans11:22 "Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off." The Lord is warning us to be found in safe habitations because Satan is going to launch an intensive attack against the Body of Christ in order to keep us out of the increase of prophetic anointing that is going to be released by the Holy Spirit.
This attack of Satan will be allowed by the Lord for the purpose of sifting (testing) the hearts of those who call themselves Christians. This testing will cause many to fall away in the winter season that is before us. Thus, the warnings to be found in safe habitations.
Those that make their houses secure against the storms will survive and also receive the golden oil anointing of the Sons of Glory that is to be brought forth more fully in the spring.
"As it was unto Peter, it will also be unto My sons and daughters of this golden age of My church. Because Peter was found within the safe habitation of My heart, he survived the sifting and went on to minister under the anointing of My Spirit. Not only did I pray for Peter, but I have prayed for all who are found within My heart, those of you who have continued with Me shall now be called the sons of My glory--the sons of fresh oil, the golden oil."
Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
Peter survived the sifting, and then on the Day of Pentecost there came the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit, and Peter stood up, under the anointing, and preached in power.
This testing or sifting will be
accomplished by three unclean spirits. Revelation 16:13,
"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of
the mouth of the dragon." These spirits will come to
test the loyalty of the hearts of those who call themselves
Christians. Satan's intention is to paralyze the Body of Christ;
to keep them from receiving the fresh outpouring of the Holy
Spirit, that which the Holy Spirit has been referring to as
"the golden oil." Zechariah 4:12 And I further
answered and said to him, "What are these two olive branches
that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which
the golden oil drains?"
This was his plan in Peter's day, and it will be the same at this time. "Do not disqualify yourselves; remain loyal to Me, and do not allow yourselves to accuse Me of wrong doing. These three spirits will try to paralyze My body through division, isolation, and disqualification (through offense and accusation.)
These three spirits are the same
ones that sifted Peter. They are:
1. The spirit of the antichrist which will bring an attack
against the spirit of man, producing an anguish of spirit--heart-felt
pain and condemnation. The scriptures say that Peter wept
bitterly (a heart-felt sorrow of intense pain as a result of
hopelessness, failure and condemnation).
2. The spirit of fear which caused Peter to deny the Lord three times. Fear has torment and brings panic and anxiety which produces unbelief. Whatever is not of faith is sin. A lack of faith can cause you to betray Christ and depend upon some other means of support.
3. The spirit of infirmity which can bring sickness to wear you down, or it may manifest as weakness, inability, or a lack of desire, producing a give-up mentality. Even after the resurrection this spirit caused Peter to return to a worldly place of comfort, and he returned to fishing (John chapter 21). Jesus then came with a rebuke, "Simon, son of Jonah (Peter's worldly name), do you love Me more than these (fish)?"
The power of these three spirits was completely broken on the Day of Pentecost when Peter was baptized in the Holy Ghost.
The Spirit of the Lord says,
"Do not give up, My beloved. If you love Me, then trust Me,
for there is coming yet another outpouring, and the former and
latter rain together will bring forth the golden oil anointing of
authority and power. Remember now My words to Peter--Luke 22:32
"But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail;
and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
My servant, Peter, came through his trial, and so will you. Now
listen to the words of My servant, for he speaks from experience.
1 Peter 1:6-7, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now
for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various
trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more
precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire,
may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of
Jesus Christ."
1 Peter4:12-14, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened to you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of
Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may
also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the
name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of
God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your
part He is glorified."
Last March a prophetic word came saying that the Sons of Glory (illumination/revelation) would manifest in 1998, then around the Feast of Trumpets another word came saying that the beginning of the manifestation would come on the 8th day of the Feast of Trumpets. (See What's Up article, The Sons of Glory for evidence of the manifestation.) This word brings further revelation that another (more complete) release of the golden oil anointing would be brought forth in the spring, after the sifting. I believe that this next release will bring the last generation prophetic anointing that will bring the apostles and prophets forth with signs and wonders following.
The impressions that I had when this message came was that the manifestation of the Sons of Glory that came forth in 1998 was but a foretaste, and that which comes forth in the spring will be more widespread and more visible than that which came in 1998.
The winter sifting that is coming will purge and purify the church and prepare her to contain more of the glory of God that is referred to as the golden oil anointing.
1998-1999 A LOOK BACK AND FORWARD--December 30, 1998:
In looking back upon the prophetic words which the Lord gave us in 1998, I find that they fell into four basic themes:
1. Jubilee was prophesied: Jubilee is basically understood to be a time of debt cancellation producing liberty. Because the word of the Lord came declaring a Jubilee, we at Faith Tabernacle proclaimed a Jubilee for our church according to Leviticus 25:9-10, and we prayed that our debt would be cancelled. As of this fall, the Jubilee prophecies have come to pass for our church. God brought His provision, and the church mortgage was paid off as well as the debts of all of those active in leadership roles and some of those in the congregation.
2. Prophecies came that spoke of the formulation of new associations for God's end-time purposes: He has brought us into covenant relationship with many of His chosen vessels. These relationships have been established via the Internet. We do not yet know exactly what God has in mind for these relationships, but we do know that He has brought them about for His purposes.
3. The Lord spoke that the manifestation of the Sons of Glory would take place in 1998: Glory manifests first as revelation (illumination) and then as God's power. The first manifestation (revelation knowledge) has taken place and has been brought forth by some of the apostles and prophets that we have been brought into relationship with on the Internet, and much of it has been published on Meri Burlingame's AP List (cmjhburl@myhome.net).
4. The cry of the Spirit has been that we be found in safe habitations by the winter, for many will fall away in the winter. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3) The winter months have been foretold to be a time of sifting for the church. 1999 has been spoken of as the Year of His Justice (judgment, vengeance) for those who aren't found in the safe habitation of the Master's heart in submission to His winnowing, as He cleanses His bride. Ephesians 5:26-27, "That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." It will then be in the spring of the year that the power of God will be demonstrated more fully through the sons (and daughters) of His glory--those who have been prepared for such a time as this. Zechariah 13:8-9, "And it shall come to pass in all the land," Says the LORD, "That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one- third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people'; And each one will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"
The Lord has spoken that 1999 would be the year of His justice (vindication and judgment). Vindication to those sanctified through the sifting, and judgment to those who continue to live in rebellion to the work of the Holy Spirit.
In keeping with this theme, the Holy Spirit had me examine the scriptures in the Psalms and Prophets that had a chapter 9 with a verse 9 (representing 99 or 1999). For confirmation to that which He has spoken about 1999 as being the year of His justice. I think you will find the results as amazing as I did.
Luke 24:44-45, Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
The law has been fulfilled by Jesus (on the cross), and the requirements are fulfilled by each of us according to Romans 8:4, "That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
But, His judgment will come upon those who do not submit to the present sifting and put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13).
Amos 9:9 "For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground."
And so, the church (spiritual Israel) is about to be sifted. Also spoken by the prophet Isaiah in these words:
Isaiah 9:9 "All the people will know; Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria; Who say in pride and arrogance of heart:"
The power of the flesh must be broken, and the prophets Hosea and Ezekiel tell us why:
Hosea 9:9 "They are deeply corrupted, As in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity; He will punish their sins."
(Gibeah means height, or we shall say self-exaltation, which is pride.)
Ezekiel 9:9 "Then He said to me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, 'The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see!'"
This sounds like America, doesn't it? A land that has become defiled by abortion, murder, and perversions of all kinds. Jeremiah adds:
Jeremiah 9:9 "Shall I not punish them for these things?" says the LORD. "Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?"
The prophet Daniel offers hope to those who have been rebellious if repentance takes place.
Daniel 9:9 "To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him."
To those who purify themselves through the sifting season that is now before us, the prophet Zechariah says:
Zechariah 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey."
The first time He came to Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The second time He comes to Jerusalem, He will be crowned King of kings and riding on a white stallion. (See Revelation 19:11-21)
But, before He comes as the Savior of Israel, He will come to the church as the latter and former rain together. Hosea tells us about the present process.
Hosea 6:1-3 "Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight. Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth."
And that, my brothers and sisters, gives us cause to praise Him, for He is our safe habitation.
Psalm 9:9 "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble."
Now, if you have found yourself in His camp, His refuge, His heart, then you will want to become a doer of Psalm 99:9.
Psalm 99:9 "Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the LORD our God is holy."
May it be that you will find yourself in Him and allow Him to cleanse you and purify you as He sifts you for His glory.
Matthew 3:12 "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
And then, comes the power of His fire upon the sons of His glory, and the golden oil of anointing will come upon you, for He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire!