End Times Church Count Down: Apostles & Seers, Read Acts 20!

Today’s message is for high level prophets, seers and Apostles. The watchman started to intercede for the senior intercessors (seer-prophets/apostles level) and to his surprise he was led to read some very disturbing passages in the Bible: Job 4:3-6, 12-19; 1 Cor.15; Acts 20.

His reading was right after he finished praying for them. during the prayers he was led to using words like “consolidate”, “circuit”, “strengthen”, “share visions and missions afresh”, “give end times preparation directions (practical stratgies). In his spirit he saw Samuel going round the major cities (bases) minstering to his people, Paul and John going to churches planted or helped built up by them, encouraging, exhorting, sharing visions and goals, entrusting to the elders to carry on what they had initiated.

After he finished praying he asked the Lord to give confirmation to what he had just prayed. He was led to read Jobs, then 1 Cor.15, and finally Acts 20. When he read Jobs he was disturbed because he hardly knew the national leaders and he hardly knew what to pray for them. But it was clear that they did not visit them except for yearly rally (which had been stopped) and some ‘daughter’ churches had gone through tumultuous situations in recent years.

Job 4:3-6 3 “In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak.
4 Your words have supported those who were falling; you encouraged those with shaky knees.
5 But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart. You are terrified when it touches you.
6 Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?

Acts 20 confirmed the urgent and even dire needs of ‘daughter’ churches further by the example of Paul visiting his churches before he left finally for Jerusalem to face an arrest and imprisonment in Rome later.

There is a spiritual authority issue here. The daughter churches are covered by a mother church and the most senior intercessor leader (the spiritual leader of the mother church, representing the spiritual strongman of the house). The churches were built upon the vision of the initial ’leader’. Although some blievers in the daughter churches see visions, dream dreams and hear from the Lord (Holy Spirit), they see in parts. The overall big picture is revealed to the ‘leader’. The ‘leader’ has the responsibility of standing in the gap and provides coverings for all her ‘daughters’.

When the watchman sees this spiritual implication, he understands why Paul and Samuel spent all their working life going round their ‘churches’ in addition to interceding for them. After Paul was martyred John continued to stay in Ephesian church and mentor the younger disciples until he too left this world.

There was a touching parting scene in Acts 20 describing the Ephesian elders meeting with Paul at a place called Miletus. Paul shared with them his visions ahead, affrmed and entrusted them to God and their corporate reponsibility. Paul’s brief statement contained the following important facts:

1. His vision & mission: “I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. Jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.”

2. His prophecy on their future together: “I know none of you will ever see me again.”

3. His exhortation: “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock -His church, purchased with His own blood.”

4. His affirmation of their spiritual authority: “Over which (the church) the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.”

5. His warning about the future: “I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.”

6. His instruction to follow his personal example: “Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.”

7. His encouragement: “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.”

Why read 1 Cor.15? It is all about resurrection and transformation of the mortal bodies into immortal bodies. It also brings out the uncompromising fact: all human die one day. This ties with Jobs 4:17-19 as follows:

17 ‘Can a mortal be innocent before God? Can anyone be pure before the Creator?’ 18 “If God does not trust his own angels and has charged his messengers with foolishness, 19 how much less will he trust people made of clay! They are made of dust, crushed as easily as a moth.

All apostolic leaders must accept the fact like Paul did that one day they have to depart from this world or they could lose their physical freedom by imprisonment. The message today is to strenghten your ‘daughters’ (some of whom are mere spiritual babies!). Remember how Paul kept reinforcing his churches spiritually and using his spiritual authority to cover (protect) them.

Paul’s churches were Spirit-filled and led by the Spirit in many ways. But he remained watchful, prayerful and in constant communication with them as intercessor and as the spiritual strongman prviding overall cover against the evil spiritual power until he considered his assignment completed and left this world.

The watchman only sees in parts and thus speaks in parts. He prays that the spiritual strongmen for most houses of God see a bigger picture and know more accurately what the Lord has required them to do at the time. He also prays that those who still do not see or know now wake from their slumber (or cast off the distraction spirit) and ask the Lord for the direction of the time and obey.

End Times Witnessing: Rebuilding the Sheep Gate -keep proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes!

The watchman took the class to continue with the faith in action project in emulating Nehemiah 3: Rebuilding the Wall. The first gate group is Sheep Gate Group. Why Sheep Gate is recorded as the first group to build? This is very important to know and remember.

Revelation One: It is definitely a crucial and powerful prophetic act to keep proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes!

Every Christian knows and acknowledges that there is no way one can reach God except through the blood of Yeshua (Jesus) on the cross. Not preaching the cross (and the blood of the Lamb of God), even not taking the Holy Communion often, have placed church members at a very vulnerable position. Not knowing the spiritual implication means they have no defense against the attack of the enemy. Yeshua commanded His followers to partake the Holy Communion as often as they did. In addition, the Holy Spirit (through Apostle Paul) further explained in 1 Cor.11:26 ” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” Not discerning the Lord’s body (and His complete salvation) resulted that many were weak, sick and many even died.

Revelation Two: Another revelation on Sheep Gate is that God has two flocks of sheep in mind, the Israelite and the gentiles. Both are to be saved and redeemed and led back to His fold. No one is to be left out. These are confirmed in the following verses.

Revelation Three: Yeshua is the Sheep (Lamb) which had provided the atonement for all our sins. He is also the Shepherd and the Gate through which all His sheep are to enter.

Revelation Four: After Yeshua resurrected and ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit has made some of His followers overseers of the flocks. They are to serve faithfully and selflessly. They will be rewarded when the Chief Shepherd Himself, our Lord Yeshua returns.
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¹ Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred,^[a]and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel.
Isaiah 53:6-7
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
Jeremiah 50:17  “Israel is like scattered sheep; The lions have driven him away. First the king of Assyria devoured him; Now at last this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones.” Ezekiel 34:6 “My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.” Ezekiel 34:12 “As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.”
Matthew 9:36 But when He (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 15:24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
John 10:7 [ Jesus the Good Shepherd ] Then Jesus said to them And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:16
Hebrews 13:20 [ Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell ] Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 1 Peter 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 1 Peter 5:4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
Revelation 7:17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
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Nehemiah 3: 1-2 Sheep Gate Re-builder Group: The watchman uses Rust color cloth for this group to rebuild their section of the wall (signifies the blood of the Lamb; sacrifices; salvation)
Note the meanings of their names: High Priest Eliashib (whom God restored), the priests , Jericho men (place of fragrance; the city was originally destroyed by Joshua’s conquest, set free from curse), Zaccur (mindful; he builds even as one man).

DAY 97-98: DO NOT QUENCH THE SPIRIT

These past few days were like a dream. A little angel (my eldest sister’s six years old grand child) joined us and sang spiritual songs with us. Prior to starting this quest to know God, I did not know how to really praise and adore God in my heart. So I had skipped the part when others professed their love for God during worships in the church. I did not want to be a hypocrite. Ever since I started this quest, I have been led by the Spirit to sing some old hymns. Then worshipping on my own, I have found out that I could sing a bit in the spirit. But I had not thought much of it.
During the last three days I discovered that I had progressed to singing a lot in the spirit, even when driving or not worshipping. We have spent last two mornings worshipping God (myself, a Spirit-filled niece and the little grand niece) and I began to sing more. This morning I woke up early on my own and had no particular agenda. I worshipped as usual and sang an old hymn, “In my heart there rings a melody”. I found that after that I was led to sing a spirit song. I realized what I was singing and that I could put words in it. I was singing “my utmost for Your highest” (writing the song in the spirit). After singing for sometime I wrote it down.
Thinking that I could have taken the tune from some old hymns I searched the hymn book. I could not find any tune similar to it. However, I was drawn to sing another old hymn, “How firm a foundation”. It was as if God was speaking to me, telling me that all that He has to say to me He has already said in the Bible. He gave me his assurance that I need not fear the danger and trials of this world. He said, “I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.” (He knows how timid I am in spiritual matters) It was a wonderful hymn!
After that I sang another spirit song while worshipping Jesus. I wrote that down too. The worship was wonderful and I saw the steps leading to the throne as before. I thought today was just for worship and I had nothing to pray for. However I asked the Spirit whether there is anything to intercede for. Immediately I saw a face.
The face belonged to a deacon of a church I attended nearly ten years ago. I had not seen him since he got married. He was in panic and carrying his two little children. His wife was hanging on to him at the back. He was running, fleeing. Close at his heel was something that I could not describe here.
That church has had a series of tragedies during the past ten years, with strife between the former senior pastor (until near breakdown) and someone in the church resulting the pastor opting to leave the church ( the church was subsequently led by a junior pastor). At least three male members (including a deacon) died of cancer/other sudden acute illness, wives of all the three elders suffered from cancer (and one had died), a number of mothers suffered from depression, autistic and hyper active children were born to deacons and active serving leaders etc.
Previously I could not understand the meaning of the frequency and way above proportion level of tragedies in this church. It cannot be explained as the church is small with about three hundred members. The members are ordinary people with stable income and ordinary living (not excessively indulgent). The elders are faithful people serving God diligently and doing all the religious activities as faithful Christian churches do.
The only thing that made the church stand out is its leaders not willing to understand matters of the reality and power of the Holy Spirit. They are afraid that spiritual teaching may not be from the Holy Spirit. They are satisfied with mere head knowledge. Some members (including my family) have left that church and fled to a Spirit-filled church. We tried to share with the junior pastor and the three elders once. They agreed that the Holy Spirit is important but said that their members were not ready to understand. So they advised us not to share with their members further.
Looking back now, the ignorance of the power of the Holy Spirit appeared to have led to spiritual weakness and resulting members (including the religious leaders themselves) become easy preys to spiritual enemies- the thief, (of whom Jesus has already warned His sheep in John 10) to steal, kill and destroy.
When I interceded for the deacon (whose wife is now suffering from anxiety and depression) and his family and seeing them being pursued by something (which I could not describe here) in my vision, I was close to tears. I knew this good man when he was a youth leader. He is kind-hearted and willingly serves others. He serves God diligently.
After the intercession, I read Hosea as this was the first book in the Bible that I was led in a dream to read. I read what I feared in Chapter four. I quote below what I read. (Excerpts from 4:1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14)
“There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land.”
“Therefore the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away.”
“For your people are like those who contend with the priest. Therefore you will stumble in the day. Your prophet also shall stumble at night; and I will destroy your mother.”
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you as priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”
“For the men themselves go apart with harlots, and offer sacrifices with a ritual harlot. Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled.”
AAA Jack

DAY 92: HE WILL FEED HIS FLOCK LIKE A SHEPHERD

In this era of lean and hungry years, what an average man worries most is whether there will be a next meal when the savings run out in the budgeted time frame (assuming inflation remains unchanged). Will there be food or not? Reading “The Road”, a 2006 novel by American writer Cormac McCarthy, a post-apocalyptic tale of a journey taken by a father and his young son over a period of several months, across a landscape blasted by an unnamed cataclysm that destroyed all civilization and, apparently, most life on earth, makes one realize how important food is.

Sometimes I think of how I should best prepare myself for contingency. When a global food shortage occurs, those who are used to fasting and praying will come out as winners. I know of a Bible school requires the students to fast three days before they are awarded the certificate of graduation. Students often think of all sorts of excuses but the alternative is to quit the Bible school. The amazing thing is no one quits and all go through with flying colors! All the sicknesses and weaknesses they had earlier feared did not occur. A more amazing thing is that after they personally experience the benefits of fasting, they volunteer to do more of it and in their own time. Some have acquired this as a life long habit.

I have not yet acquired this wonderful habit. My dream is that one day I could overcome the psychological and spiritual hindrance and make my faith leap.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
“He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them to His bosom,, and gently lead those who are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)

Jesus knows our fear. He gave the above assurance. Prior to deliberate living Biblically, I had lived a simple life. During my quest to live Biblically, I have learned even simpler living. Yet I live without any lack. I live on the lifestyle equivalent to that of an ordinary office clerk and I live comfortably.

When my fortune is restored fully (i.e. all my larger debtors pay up), I shall continue to live the same simple life. I have no desire for a wasteful and abusive life, binging on food and drink and luxury stuff. What do I want my original fortune restored for? I believe when the Lord restores, He will show me His purpose as well.

The Bible is full of clues left behind by those who really knew the Lord as their shepherd. The rich and famous King David is one who has left a lot of such clues. As a king he needed not worry about where his next meal would come from, yet he continued to look to God as his provider and focus on God day and night as his ultimate source of security. Read psalms and know what I mean.

I pray you too find you need not want or lack by making the Lord (Jesus) as your Shepherd. Be secure as His sheep.

AAA Jack (a sheep of Jesus Christ)
June 4, 2009

day 87: sheep and tortoise

I have been interceding for someone close and whom I love dearly, a little child. I asked God to reveal to me wisdom so I know how to advise her mother. It was not easy as sometimes I ran out of words and I stayed silent before God, who seemed silent too. Then last night the breakthrough came in a strange way.

I went to bed early and had a dream. When I woke around 3am, I told myself that perhaps I need to look up those verses as they may be the answer God gives me. However, I immediately heard a shout from next to me, the wife is dreaming too and she shouted in a language which she does not use unless necessary. She uttered a full sentence but I managed to catch two words, “sheep” and “negotiate”. I immediately thought of John Chapter 10 (all about sheep) as I thought she was reading this before she slept. So I told myself the next morning I would look up the verses from my dream and hers. I went back to sleep and had another dream.

I dreamed that I cycled to a stationary shop and bought one small inexpensive item. I was asked to pay a great sum. I paid. Then I realized and asked why I had to pay so much. The shop lady showed me a long list of items for which she had billed me. I was puzzled and said I came on a bicycle and could not possible have bought such a lot of stuff. The shop lady explained, “It is because of ‘Yuan-Yuan’ which means ‘round-round’ in Chinese, in your elder sister’s car”.

I woke. This time I did not delay. I went downstairs. I worshipped and sang hymns. Then I prayed and waited for guidance from the Holy Spirit. I saw some pictures.

I had forgotten the verses from my first dream but I remembered the rest. So I read John Chapter 10 about Jesus being the shepherd and He laid down His life for His sheep. Indeed, He had paid a great price for His sheep. He said He has the absolute authority over life (to take and give). Then I was led to read Chapter 11, wherein Jesus said about Lazarus, “This illness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (11:4)

Jesus then resurrected Lazarus saying four key commands:

He commanded the people there “Take away the stone.” (11:39) (Note: The stone is put there by men, to prevent the stench from coming out.)

He told Martha (sister of Lazarus), “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (11:40) (Note: Two conditions are needed, believe, and wanting to see the glory of God!)

He commanded Lazarus, “Lazarus, come forth!” (11:43) (Note: you need to come close to Jesus! Jesus is Life!)

After Lazarus came out he was still wrapped in grave clothes and Jesus commanded, “Loose him, and let him go!” (11:44) (Note: Loose him from all bondages that tie him down. Cut off those hindrances and he shall live as a free man in Christ!)

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I record below the pictures I saw before I read the Bible verses:

1. Jesus carries a little lamb (fat) on his shoulder, walking towards me.

2. Jesus carries a tortoise on his back, walking up a hill.

3. Jesus way in front, followed by a weather beaten tortoise (whom I believe, is me), and a long line of tortoises, climbing a mountain.

When the wife came downstairs I asked her whether she was reading John Chapter 10 before she slept. She said, no, she was reading Chapter 15. So it was the Holy Spirit that prompted me to read Chapter 10 after all which confirmed the second dream I had and also the two words the wife uttered.

What a strange but meaningful encounter. God answers prayers!

AAA Jack

May 28, 2009