The deceptions of enemy are being exposed.
He has created culture that runs in stark contrast to the culture of the Lord’s Kingdom.
“Now you are aware of the ruling power so that he may be fully revealed when his time comes. For the mystery of lawlessness is already active, but the one who prevails will do so until he is separated from out of the midst. Then the “outlaw” will be openly revealed, and the Lord will overthrow him by the breath of his mouth and bring him to an end by the dazzling manifestation of his presence.”
2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 TPT
People have put so much faith and pride in human achievements, that they don’t even realize their need for God anymore. Even a step further, they believe that wealth, science, technology or even psychology will give them a solution and that “Not even God can sink this ship.” They have become their own gods, much like the “unsinkable” Titanic ship.
“Don’t set the affections of your heart on this world or in loving the things of the world. The love of the Father and the love of the world are incompatible. For all that the world can offer us—the gratification of our flesh, the allurement of the things of the world, and the obsession with status and importance —none of these things come from the Father but from the world. This world and its desires are in the process of passing away, but those who love to do the will of God live forever.”
1 John 2:15-17 TPT“Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’”
Matthew 22:37 TPT
God’s purpose remains the same. He wants to develop an intimate relationship with man, with whom He imparts His knowledge, love and abundance. Through this relationship, He wants to impart His living way; His culture, to a dying world.
Because of His divine grace throughout the ages, He has appointed enlightened individuals to re-align the Kingdom of God with the people of God. Abel, Noah, Abraham, David, and many others were anointed by God in this way.
The Lord will make His presence known, in a living way, though a chosen people.
This culture will be a complete opposite to the ways of our current Babylonian culture.
“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.”
Psalms 25:3-4
It’s helpful to picture these individuals as part of a relay race. The lead runner starts the race, and when he finishes his first lap, he must hand off the baton to the next runner. The timing is crucial in the passing of the baton. As the lead runner is running, the next runner is waiting for the exchange, so that he can continue the race smoothly. He begins to run so that the lead man hands off the baton in stride. Even though the lead person passes the baton, he/she is still part of the team running because they now encourage and cheer on the other teammates. They may not cross the line, but they are still on the team.
The Bible talks about these previous runners in the relay race as a “cloud of witnesses”.
-Hebrews 12
Harold Attridge explains it well. “The metaphorical use of ‘cloud’ for a mass of people is classical. The fact that they are a “cloud,” singular, and not “clouds,” plural, points to their unity of purpose. There are many of them, but they are focused on one task, watching to see whether we will pick up our feet and finish the race. They are also called “witnesses,” and this conveys the obvious idea that they are now “spectators” to the race. But the Greek noun for “witness” (martus) has two other important meanings. First, it means “those who have borne testimony” or “those who have been attested,” and this is true of these heroes of the faith as well. They kept their feet moving even through hardship and struggle, and there- fore their very lives were shaped by hope and are testimonies to the promise of God.”
Although these apostles were given divine wisdom and authority to impart the culture of God, they were not able to see this work in completion. Why? Because, although the people could clearly see the authority that these patriarchs held, they refused to let go of their own imaginations and motives. The result has been a broken body of Christ, not yet displaying His righteousness and glory.
So, the baton must be passed to the next runners. This is where we come in. We have been called to be a part of this relay race. The path has been paved for us, and we are to continue the race, for our given time.
“And you are heirs of their prophecies and of the covenants God made with your fathers when he promised Abraham, ‘Your descendant will bring blessing to all the people on the earth.’”
Acts 3:25 TPT
EPOCH applies to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking quality, change, or series of events.
With this in mind, we must run our leg of the race(our epoch of time) with an extra focused vision. Where the Holy Spirit leads, we must stay in cadence with His movement.
What is cadence?
It is a rhythm, or a flow of words, music or steps.
If we walk in His divine flow, or cadence, He will supply every thing we need to finish our part of this race strong.
Each step we take will bring proactive, incremental changes. Sometimes these changes will be getting rid of sin that easily gets us off track. Other times, we will not understand the change of pace. These times are to prepare us for future operations, not necessarily in response to any specific issue.
The world responds to the ebb and flow of emotions- like waves tossing in the ocean. But, God’s purpose is unchanging. But, we must keep going with with a kingly mindset. His Kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This is not a personal assignment. But rather one where our actions are only about the greater good of His purposes. In this culture, His righteousness displayed through us, will be a lighthouse in the tossing waves of humanity.
In a recent vision, culture of man is portrayed as a sinking ship. No amount of knowledge, wealth or power can save the Titanic. But, a Cloud of Witnesses is released and a remnant is formed to continue the race that has not yet come to completion.
“Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them. Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.”
Acts 2:42-47 TPT
In the days to come, an apostolic grace will be released in a chosen people. This was also beautifully described in the vision of the Titanic. The man(representing the current apostolic ministries) is united in spirit to a beautiful woman dressed in white. (Representing the bride of Christ)
This is the relationship that finally culminates what the Lord has been waiting for all along. The Bride of Christ to be prepared for her groom.
“I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, descending out of the heavenly realm from the presence of God, like a pleasing bride that had been prepared for her husband, adorned for her wedding.”
Revelation 21:2 TPT
This union changes the tone in the spiritual realm. What was once marked with dissonant sounds is now a beautiful microtone. Let me walk you through that sentence a bit.
“In music, consonance and dissonance are categorizations of simultaneous or successive sounds. Within the Western tradition, some listeners associate consonance with sweetness, pleasantness, and acceptability, and dissonance with harshness, unpleasantness, or unacceptability.”
A whole study could be done on microtonal music, but here are a few things I find worth noting.
In our western system of music, we do not use microtones.
When 2 notes next to each other play together, at first the sound is dissonant (sounds harsh). But, the more you hear the two tones together, the sounds begin to blend together and a new, pleasant sounding microtone is reached.
The “cloud of witnesses” that have gone before us have not had the chance to work in unity with the Bride of Christ made ready.
This can only happen when the culture of His church embodies the glory of God. When this union occurs, a new blended tone is created. No longer is the Church an unstable, harsh sound, but one that fills the air with sweetness.
This is what the Lord says:
“I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place. From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained. Their children will be as in days of old, and their community will be established before me; I will punish all who oppress them. Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise from among them. I will bring him near and he will come close to me— for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?’ declares the Lord.
“ ‘So you will be my people, and I will be your God.’ ”
Jeremiah 30:18-22 NIV
Delight in the unveiling of the new things to come. The time is coming for both the revealing of His judgement and righteousness.
To that end, may we be fully set apart, and sanctified. Spirit of God, see our future and testify to the heavens on our behalf. Make us one with you in heart and purpose.
