Sunday, June 29, 2008

A Recent Word of Prophecy.

In the first week of May, this year, I was pondering on the end of days (imagine that!) and thinking about how many people I know and have talked with who are just as sure as they can be that this coming election will go off without a hitch; that George Bush may be a terrible leader, and a liar, but his rule has no significant impact on the spiritual "big picture" (because he's foolish); and that I would be a much better evangelist if I'd just lay off the politics.

In my prayer, I reminded God that I was following Him, and not "George Bush as the Antichrist". I reminded him of how frustrating it was to be compelled to share a message that very few people receive. And while the prophets of scripture were promised to experience exactly the sort of reception that I've grown familiar with, I couldn't help but feel that it was possible that my perception was misguided.

So I prayed that the Father would give me a sign, one way or another, about George Bush. I didn't want to "wait and see" (as so many that I've talked with seem willing to do). I certainly didn't want to be deceiving people unawares. And though my study of scriptures, and of current events only served to reinforce the conclusion that Bush is the Antichrist, I know that man's reasoning ability is never perfect. And that the enemy is much trickier than people tend to give him credit for.

So I prayed for God to guide me, to reassure and strengthen my spirit, to remove all doubt if it needed to be removed, or to stop me from proclaiming something that was not the truth.
Within the week, on the night of May 10th, I was compelled to write a blog post about cyclone Nagis, and the arrogant foolishness of modern people, who presume that we are more advanced than our ancestors. It was called "How long, Oh Lord?!", and in that post, I wrote the following sentences:

"(W)hat's happened to Myanmar is clearly, above all other things, a great tragedy. Even though this sort of thing is supposed to happen if George Bush is the Antichrist, I'm still stunned when I hear of earthquakes, floods, tornadoes and "mega-disasters" like Cyclone Nagis. The world is experiencing a new degree of suffering at the hand of mother nature."

I was up until about 2AM writing that post, and when I woke up the next morning, the first thing I heard about on the news was about 22 people who were killed by a flurry of Tornadoes from Oklahoma to Georgia the night before. Immediately, I remembered what was just written. But I didn't want just a confirmation of my current beliefs, so I didn't take that as a God-worthy sign. I know that God is capable of signs that are far less coincidental than that. The jury was still out.

Why did I dare to look for a sign in the first place? Because this is serious business.

The strength and power of a disbelieving majority is very great (and reinforces doubt). Likewise, the ability of our own minds to play tricks on us is a serious factor. I was determined to let God show me clearly whatever it was that he had to show. We all have to remind ourselves at times that we aren't forging this spiritual track like Luis and Clark: we aren't in the lead. We are all, instead, like sheep being led through the wilderness by a good Shepherd. This shepherd has a much better idea of where we're going than we will need. And our idea of the right path is only true when it follows the lead of our Shepherd.

I took note of the coincidence, and decided to keep my eyes peeled for earthquakes and floods in the near future. That happened on May 11th. On May 12th, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck China, killing tens of thousands. When I heard about that, I began to tell my house-mates, other friends and my family that America was going to experience serious floods in the near future. Seeing 2 out of the 3 randomly selected natural disasters that I wrote about come to pass within 48 hours of writing gave me boldness to prophecy about coming floods.

Between May 12th and when the current flooding began, I put a lot on the line. People in my life who are cynical of my beliefs about Bush could have used the absence of floods as a confirmation that I don't know what I'm talking about. I knew that, but felt strongly that I needed to take the risk anyway. I've never considered myself to be a prophet, because I have never gotten a "thus saith the Lord" kind of word to share with people. I write and speak about what I believe to be truth, not what a heavenly voice told me to say. But in answer to my prayer I got a word of prophecy. It was an interactive experience with God that has served to fully reinforce my beliefs that these are the last days, and that this weather is the judgment of God.

In the Bible, there are two types of prophets: those whom God sends and gives a message to, and those who deceive people and manipulate them to be at ease when they should be on guard. False prophets say "Peace, peace" when there is no peace. This happened in 2001, when the religious right sighed with relief, having restored the Whitehouse to the hands of a supposed "christian". Their assurance was shown to be as wrong as it gets within that very year.

In Christian tradition, a "word of prophecy" is a spiritual gift that can be manifested by all members of the body of Christ. A believer does not have to be a prophet in order to prophecy, but the way that we can distinguish between real and false prophets is simple: When real prophets warn people, and the people do not respond; the warnings of that prophet always come true.

Conversely, whatever a false prophet says in the name of the Lord will surely not happen.

1 Corinthians 14:1-3

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort."


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

YoungBrother,

Very good post.

I know what you mean and you definately have a gift with the written word and your insight of these "End Times".

Judgement is coming because we have not been good stewards of the earth and our brothers and sisters. Greed and "what is in it for me" has overtaken this country. George Bush capitalized on that. He knew if he kept us in fear and hate this nation was his but he is in for a rude awaking.

Let us be alert and sober as we witness the signs of the times.

God Bless
Sandra

faithful forever said...

Amazing testimony.

I remember your excitement and attention to Myanmar and the quake, and now I understand the reason why. They were your sign given by God to assure you and strengthen you. How amazing is our God. Then gave you a gift of prophecy on top of it.

When I was bold enough to ask for a sign, and after it was given, I promised to never doubt again. The experience is so incredibly overwhelming, humbling and exhilirating there are no words for it. And the best is yet to come. Imagine. There is nothing I desire more.

I am very blessed and touched by your testimony, young brother.

with love.

Joshua said...

When it rains it pours

young brother said...

What is a sign for one part of the body should stand as a sign for the rest. FF, I would like to know what your sign was...I'm sure it would be a great story.

Josh, you said it.

Sharon, your encouragement serves to strengthen and uplift me. You and FF both are very gifted in encouragement. Did you know that Barnabas was called the "Son of Encouragement"? Your words replenish, as water for the thirsty. thank you.

Anonymous said...

Great post Young brother.
Keep up the good work and may the Good Lord bless you according to the desire of your heart.

Annon

faithful forever said...

I didn't know that Barnabas was called that; thank you for that. It is a blessing to watch the Body work in unison for the glory of the One we so dearly love and follow.

Indeed a message for one is a message for all and a blessing for one is a blessing for all.

My sign was a little more subtle than yb's but just as powerful for me. I was struggling like he was - I believed in my spirit that Bush was the AC but the doubts kept creeping in. So I humbly asked for a sign 'just to know if I was on the right track or crazy.'

One day the regular radio station I listened to in my car (that has a very strong signal out of Chicago) kept fuzzing out. I hit the up and down arrows and a Christian radio station came on loud and clear. I started listening to it constantly and loved the worship while driving and soon had about every song memorized.

I was on my way into work one bright beautiful, cloudless day, and this Christian radio station aired a mock conversation between two angels and part of the skit was one angel saying that God has provided enough for all, yet we fight and all that is needed is to look up say 'thank you' once in while. I looked up to the Heavens from my car to say 'thank you Lord' (as I routinely do), and there in the sky was the most beautiful perfect cross with the Sun in the middle of it. I sat back, not really believing my eyes for a minute, and looked back up; it was still there and I had forgotten about asking for a sign, but soon came to realize and believe that it was my sign that I had asked for. I promised Him I would never doubt these days again and this is why, until something else is revealed, I am sticking to George W. Bush as the Son of Perdition.

Thanks for listening.

Love to all.

faithful forever said...

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20210.htm

faithful forever said...

'within days or weeks:'

http://theblogattheendoftheworld.blogspot.com/2008/06/us-meltdown-imminent-says-fortis.html

Anonymous said...

To all,

You all are mighty warriors for the Lord. Your faith sustains me.

From a website:
Exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves the mountains.

When everything seems to go wrong ... just P.U.S.H.!
When the job gets you down ... just P.U.S.H.!
When people don't do as you think they should.... just P.U.S.H.!
When you can't find the right work just P.U.S.H.!
When your money is "gone" and the bills are due... Just P.U.S.H!
When people just don't understand you ... just P.U.S.H.!

P= Pray

U= Until

S= Something

H= Happens

Have a blessed day in spite of the turmoil in the world. We might all become broke but we are rich in the Lord.

Love in Jesus holy name
Sandra

faithful forever said...

Amen, Sandra. I like that - just P.U.S.H. for He is our strength, our might and our hope. He is everything.

One blessing about the coming economic meltdown is we will all be equal and the poor will finally have an advantage. They have been used to living with nothing and it is the rich who will suffer the most for a change. I am reminded of that saying:

We, the little people
have done so much with so little for so long,
that we can now do anything with nothing.

Sandra, my sister, your fire is a joy to behold.

Indeed, in spite of it all, we can rejoice for our redemption draweth nearer and nearer. He suffered for me and I am willing to suffer for Him just so long as I get to Him.

with love.

Anonymous said...

FF,
I like that:
We, the little people
have done so much with so little for so long,
that we can now do anything with nothing.

My husband use to say that. Indian people did ok during the depression because they were already poor and so they lived off the land. It is not going to happen this time. Tribes are caught up in the material world and the American Dream (I call it the American Nightmare) I tried to tell people to start paying off their debts and live a simpler life style because it is not what you own but what owns you. The banks own it all and we are just slaves to corporate America. I was marginalized but with all the events taking place I think they are understanding better that we should never have bought into the American Dream.

There was a song years ago that I remember my mom listening to which said something like:

"Sixteen tons and what do you get another day older and deeper in debt. St Peter don't you call me because I can't go I owe my soul to the company store. That stuck with me and I was never one that wanted to go into debt."

You are right. Jesus suffered for us and we have to be willing to suffer for him. It is not the prosperity gospel that the false teachers are promoting while they get rich off their flock.

You have a blessed day

Your friend
Sandra