Rise: For Such A Time As This?

Covid-19’s impact on our world has been both crippling and devastating for many. It is our new global enemy and everyone, everywhere, is battling this invisible giant. Covid-19 has affected world leaders, governments, and our churches. It has brought fear to the bravest of men.

The UK is losing £3.6 billion in revenue daily. Whilst we will keep praying for things to return to normal, reality is far from it. But with God all things are possible! This is a season of testing. We were placed on the earth for such a time as this.

For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, NKJV)

The church globally will be shaken, but it’s ultimately for good, as Haggai tells us:

For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2:6-7, NKJV)

It’s time for us to stop playing at church and be the church. Stop relying on the traditions of man, on culture, and on our emotions and get back to relying on Scripture. Jesus said, ‘The fields are white for harvest’ so pray for harvesters. The harvesters have been distracted for too long.

James 4 reveals that the church has been distracted by selfishness and lifestyles that go against God’s Word. There are too many carnal Christians, those who treat God like a hashtag or a tagline on their social media page. They talk about following God, yet their lifestyles reveal something very different. A generation that refused to be corrected has been brought to its knees. God is doing something that is bigger that us. This is the season for a great harvest!

God is allowing the hearts of men to be sifted, just like we see in the Gospel (Luke 22:31). He’s looking for those whose hearts are pure and whose motives are genuine.

I believe that during this time we will see the love of many grow cold (Matthew 24:12), but in this there will be a move of the Spirit of the Lord the likes of which we’ve not seen before. He’s going to pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Look at these two prophetic words from the Old Testament:

‘Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.’ (Joel 2:28, NLT)

In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. People from many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-3, NLT)

We see two truths revealed here in the text. Firstly, the Spirit of the Lord will be poured out globally, regardless of race or gender. A great wind of God’s Spirit will move across the world. As you examine this text within the context of the whole of Scripture it simply means there is going to be a great awakening of God’s Spirit in the hearts of humankind.

Souls will be saved and lives will be transformed by the power of God; not like we see in Acts 2, but in even greater measure. Can we dare to believe, or even dream? God will do it!

During this pandemic, various countries have called for a national day of prayer. I’ve seen governments stop meetings and call on God. What a glorious thing!

The second truth is the mountain of the Lord’s house. This speaks of the church, the Bride of Christ, His body and instrument of change that will bring about His purpose. The church will become the most important place on earth. Sadly, the church lost this seat to carnality and rebellion a long time ago — but it’s coming back!

God is going to raise His bride to be the greatest and highest place on earth. Scripture goes on to say that the Lord’s teaching will go out and His Word will be exalted above every other word. There is a coming realignment of Scripture and godly living, and a sense of the fear of the Lord that has never before been seen in our generation.

Continue to work as to the Lord, believing for a global, supernatural move of God. It’s time for us to be about ‘our Fathers’ business’. It’s time for the church to reach the lost. 1 John 3 reveals Christ’s purpose is to destroy the work of the evil one and, in turn, bring all men back to Him through the power of the cross. The church must rise!

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2, NIV)

Churches will be stronger as God moves us away from a born-again-religion back to the foot of the cross. It’s simply about Christ and Him crucified. It’s time be Christ on earth, and nothing less.

    Comments are closed.