Blessings and shalom, everyone.
It has been a concentrated period of prayer, and on a personal level, the busyness of work and ministry has occupied my thoughts, too. On other levels, some things need changing, and some things need renewing. It has been a challenging time, to say the least,
Hence, refrain from sending the usual monthly messages. It is pertinent in our busy schedules to take time out and view the landscape now that some dust is settling.
However, Father is aware of all our needs and situations. He is constantly at work.
The last couple of months have been intense. Travelling through the last three feasts of the Lord has focused me, our ministry and our family in Christ, on repentance and preparing for the days that are to be released following the days of Sukkot.
What has been unique about this time is the level of urgency and heaviness in the spirit — that something unique and awesome is happening in the spiritual realms. Fasting and prayer have been our occupation these last few weeks. Through them, the Lord has revealed the unhealthy condition of His church and the levels of apathy and paralysis that prevail because of the condition of the heart within the body. Thus the message of repentance has been sent out to all points of the compass.
Are you waiting for things to happen? The Lord has shown the spirit of procrastination is the spirit of delay. We need to respond to His voice. We constantly speak, in our ministry about the 'Shema' of the Lord. The Shema is first mentioned in Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13–21, and Numbers 15:37–41. It means to 'hear or listen'. It also demands that an actioned response must take place by those who hear God's spoken word. We must respond appropriately, but alas, many hearers of the word remain hearers.
Some fellowships continue to pursue the normal activity of the Church, and without negating the wonderful deeds that glorify God, and magnify His work, there are still many who are oblivious to what God is doing in the body, and how it is affecting the world.
If we confess that we love our Lord, we must obey His commands. Jesus, taught us this principle (John 14:14). But still, in the life of the Church and in ourselves, there is blatant disobedience.
If you have been a regular reader of our posts, you will have grasped that God is calling His people to stand up and be counted. The message of repentance demands to be heard. The conviction of idleness and fear, and dare I say, cowardly behaviour, has meant that many are not fulfilling their calling. Positions have been occupied by others who should not be there. Many are standing in positions of leadership who should not be there. Thus, the church is not fulfilling her true potential.
This message has also been placed heavily in the laps of men, who simply are not coming to the front. Thus, leadership is poor and immature. As this is the case, we see it reflected within the government of our nation.
We don’t need to look far to see how our politicians react in the chambers and corridors of parliament.
As a result of our behaviour, in that we have gone further away from God’s word and His moral compass, we are seeing the invasion in our streets by those who wish to undermine our Christian values and heritage, and those who wish to influence the education of our children with wicked and nefarious agendas which clearly go against good social norms. We must be aware that the enemy within our walls has no concern for the Christian way and have no respect for the God of Israel. There is no doubt, then, that a lawless breed is being propagated to undermine our society.
God’s people have to continue to push forward by becoming radical and righteously reactive. We cannot continue to go along with ungodly schemes and believe that all is well and that God is consenting to our actions.
However, despite the prevailing conditions, God has, because of His grace, still allowed us time to repent, reconcile and repair the breach. But we don’t have much time. Judgment is coming and we are seeing the pressure wave before the storm.
When we understand the prophetic meaning of the Lord's feasts, we see before us a timeline of events. The final three feasts of YHVH are placed within the fall months of September and October.
Rosh Hashanah reveals to us our King's return with the trumpet call sounding. Yom Kippur reveals to us the time of self-auditing, personal and national repentance and finally, the feast of Sukkot reveals the time of judgement in the courtroom when the sin of every man and nation is placed in the balance before the Sovereign God and Judge of heaven and earth. This last feast also points to the outpouring of the sentence and the ending of judgement upon the earth as Ha'Satan and his spiritual principalities, by a cataclysmic war. It will release events which will draw in the final destruction of the earth and the coming down of the new Jerusalem and the dwelling of God with His people.
Friends, we all call and pray for the return of the Lord. But that great and awesome day will not be a pleasant time. Psalm 91 tells us that tribulation and terror will come upon the earth. We have to get used to the fact that those who are still alive on that day will see those things. However, we are assured that such terrible event swill not come near us if we make God our holy habitation.
It must be the constant walk of all believers to pursue the discipline and guidance of the Lord through discipleship. Through this course, we become equipped for kingdom business, which includes spiritual warfare and prayer through a reptant and worshipping life. On this, I am called to remind you that the death of the soulish spirit is required if one is to walk in the new birth.
God seeks for His children, the life of the Spirit. In this Spirit, we are transformed with resurrection power. Unfortunately, many believers, have not considered the conditions, which Jesus taught us, to live a holy life. We are to die daily if we are to trample upon the head of the serpent and subdue the old nature.
One thing that has risen throughout this season is the reminder that we must fear the Lord, and yes, we should tremble at the One God who will bring the hammer of judgment down upon those who mock Him and refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord of all. Eternity, damnation, Life and death are in His hands. All who in Christ, however, should not fear His wrath, but magnify and exalt His kindnesses and great love that came down from heaven in the incarnate Christ to forgive us of our sin and guarantee a place for our eternal dwelling with Him.
For those who disregard His sovereign authority and those who have lethargically walked a religious course, and thus never come to know Him, a trembling and a shaking must occur in the bones.
For too long, there has been a propensity in the message of the Ekklesia to preach a peaceful and non-confrontational message to the world. Friends, We have to be frank and truthful when offering the gospel to the searching soul, and reconciling its message and outworking in our own lives. We will all have trials in our lives, but we must navigate through them all with faithful resilience.
Things will not always be well in the believer's life. despite the trials we must not be a people who are quick to apportion blame or run away from problems. we must engage with a different spirit of defiance that God has placed within our armaments. Jesus confirms that trouble will come in the normal things of life, and He also tells us that persecution will come as a matter of course. Persecution in the modern western church is not seen as tangibly as in other parts of the world. However, we must prepare ourselves for these ever changing times and the growing aggressive forms of atheism and humanism.
How much disappointment and falling there will be for some, when lives don’t quite turn out as expected.
The disciple of Christ, of course, would be aware of this and thus, physical and spiritual preparation are concrete within their training. Jesus is looking for spiritual warriors and radical people who are not afraid to lay down their lives for the advancement of YHVH’s Kingdom and His bride.
This post will focus on the words given to me by the Lord over the last few weeks. I ask that you pray and discern the content and make ready in your spiritual man.
Difficult times are coming upon the nations and specifically upon the House of YHVH, where judgement begins.
These posts are sombre in content in content, however, we must continue to know that we serve a mighty God who loves His children and will protect them from what will befall upon the wicked.
Psalm 91 declares that though judgement comes in the form of famine, pestilence and sword, none of these things come upon those who make YHVH, the Most High God, their habitation.
Before we delve into the words, it is good to remind us that we are all called to be warriors in God’s army. A soldier enlists because he sees it as his duty and obligation to fight for what is right, knowing also that in the course of his duty, he may well lose his life.
Are you prepared to do this, or do you still see that you have too much life to live and experience?
That question is a challenge to us all.
Shalom
Isaiah 61:10-11, 62. 12/10/24.
These are the days of evil and wickedness. They are like the days of Noah to Me, says the Lord. Wickedness has covered the earth, and the hearts of men have grown even more deceitful. I have called my prophets and priests to be enjoined with Me, but they are enjoying their lives; their visions and ambitions overtake them, placing their ventures before Me, forsaking their relationship with Me.
They heed the voices of the prophets to whom I have never spoken and use My name in vain., saying, ‘Thus says the Lord’.
I will honour the few who will turn back to Me because they keep My sabbaths holy and call them a delight. They seek to honour Me, so I will honour them and bring them to a place around My table.
My children are playing when they should be praying. I bring them to My feasts, I call them to remember Me, but they talk and boast about what they have done and do not say’ I Am’ has done that or given me this. My praise should fill the earth.
My children enjoy their lives in Sodom, saying they have peace and can sleep safely in their homes. Is it not I who grants peace and safety?
I will remind them who they are. I will declare ‘I AM’.
I will, therefore, shake what needs shaking. I will release the elements of water hidden in the wind and the cloud.
I will release turbulence and will open up the skies.
The pride of man shall fall. The fire will burn up the dross.
I have declared — the sun will burn and scorch. The earth will undo and the wind will blow away the pride or man.
Those who call upon My name, I will save, refine and purify with My zealous fire.
(Hephzibah, the wife of Hezekiah Isaiah 62:4)
Hephzibah means ‘guard and protected’.
'I will not leave My bride desolate. I will remove her from catastrophe. I will protect her and provide for her with My zeal.
‘I Am a jealous husband.
She will pass through the waters of cleansing.
She will bathe in sweet perfume and offer me her worship.
Songs of praise will be My delight.
I will come and marry her.
I need to make the final preparations.
I need to give them to My servants.
I need to gather the final pieces.
There is excitement and rejoicing in the heavens for the marriage of the Lamb and His bride has come.
The sound of the shofar is going out to all the earth.
Those who have made themselves ready — I will allow to sit at My table; I will allow over my threshold.
Come gather to Me. The final preparations are nearly complete. I will come and gather My bride and she will be with Me.
Come, those who are waiting. Prepare with songs of Joy - fill My house with praise.
Cry for Me, My wife, My Bride, and I will come to you with myriads of angels, I will come and the gates of hell shall not prevail.
For in a little while, I will be with you, I will be with you in the fire and the water.
‘I AM the Lord of all! ‘
‘I Am your husband!’
‘I Am your God!
I will never leave you nor forsake you, My beloved.
YOM KIPPUR Meeting. Restoration and the watchman role.
During this extended period of fasting and prayer, the Lord gave instruction, rebuke and encouragement.
Ezekiel 33:21. In this, the Lord says that the people do not do what the Lord asks and that their worship is not acceptable.
Isaiah 29:13
13 And the Lord said:
“Because this people draw near with their mouth
and honour me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me,
and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men...
Jeremiah 23. Confirms the raising up of shepherds.
We were told that God has given the cure to sickness in His word and in nature and the people must also learn to divide His word. Wrongly dividing His word presents His word in only in part which leads to misunderstanding. Themes and metaphors remove substance from the true meaning. These are being regurgitated in the messages.
Restoration must come, but the model of the church is replicating and not returning to its original form. Reform can only come when the old things are moved out of the way.
Judges 6: 34, reminds us that we should gather and call the troops to defeat our enemies, and Habakkuk 2 sees the prophet calling for God’s action upon the wicked. In their conversation He petitions God with question after question, reminding God of His greatness. Habakkuk places himself as a watchman.
The watchman must be vigilant and we must respond to what he sees.
Psalm 127:
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
Deuteronomy 10:8
The separation of the priest to Holiness
8 At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name, as they still do today.
This passage was given to remind us of the sanctity and holy function of the priesthood to present acceptable sacrifices before the Lord. through these, the Lord is pleased and His house is blessed. The focus upon the ministry and service of the priest to the Lord must be clear. Sacrifice and offering must be holy and not profane. God is calling for holiness.
We were reminded that we must align our will with God’s will.
This season will bring an acceleration of events. Things can be done sooner if we ask. However, we must look to the foundation, if we expect, whatever we build, to remain.
The Worship and Praise of God
Emphasis is given in regard to a new and refreshing mantle of praise. God is to be honoured. Songs of praise are the incense and the perfume of the bride. they arise from a worshipful and repentant life. A new anointing is being given. Songs of devotion and adoration return to the choir. God’s name will be exalted, as the bride sings to Him. This is attractive to Him. God will manifest in His praises.
Global persecution and judgment are coming. This explains the intensity in which the saints are prevailing in prayer and intercession.
Replacement, repositioning and positioning.
In order to realign with God’s will the breaking of patterns must ensue. This will be an exposing and painful time. Established structures and practices that do not align with the will and purpose of God, will become unstable and dysfunctional.
This will be a purifying time when many things will be tested by fire. We saw the build-up of impurities upon heated metal being beaten off with the blacksmith's hammer..
We saw weak leaders being replaced with men of power - men taking their true positions.
We saw the 'cleaning' of seats with a new anointing.
This a watchman call to keep the fires burning and the altar clean.
I saw the activation of a new evangelistic move which will focus upon the church and cause an awakening. In the midst of this, separation and schism will come again.
The Lord has revealed that procrastination is also the spirit of delay.
Friends, many will respond to the bad news in fear. Many will not respond because of fear, but those who love the Lord will obey His commands and move by faith.
Trying to obtain the full measure of understanding to what needs to be done is procrastination. We don't question the Lord's voice. We don't figure out the will of the Lord through human logic.
I felt the Lord ask,
'Are you ready for Me -- have you prepared your life in readiness for our life together?
Judgment by Fire. 24/10/24
Isaiah 66
(Prophets of Fire) 15 For behold, the Lord will come in fire, and His chariots will be like the stormy wind, to render His anger with fierceness, and His rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by His sword will the Lord execute judgment upon all flesh, and the slain of the Lord will be many.
17 Those who [attempt to] sanctify themselves and cleanse themselves to enter [and sacrifice to idols] in the gardens, following after [b]one in the midst, eating hog’s flesh and the abomination [creeping things] and the [mouse—their works and their thoughts] shall come to an end together, says the Lord.
Elijah brought fire down upon the altars of the priests of Baal.
Luke 9:...51 Now when the time was almost come for Jesus to be received up [to heaven], He steadfastly and determinedly set His face to go to Jerusalem.
52 And He sent messengers before Him; and they reached and entered a Samaritan village to make [things] ready for Him;
53 But [the people] would not welcome or receive or accept Him, because His face was [set as if He was] going to Jerusalem.
54 And when His disciples James and John observed this, they said, Lord, do You wish us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elijah did?
There is a time to use ones ultimate authority, but clearly the disciples were still untrained in this understanding. Jesus, rebuke of them, reminded them of His mission and purpose. However, we learn that the disciples asked if the calling down of fire was what they should do.
Words of power, words and commands of fire will come from a people on fire - ‘the zeal of the Lord’. This will be a time when a greater understanding of the use of anointed power will be released.
'Prophecy to the nations;
Gather the caravan of the people.
It is time for judgement to begin.
Gather the nations and the tongues
The hand of the Lord is upon them
To execute judgement by fire.'
The spirit of Elijah, declared the word of the Lord in the wilderness.
In the wilderness of the people, prepare the caravan. Gather the people.
It is time to gather, carry and clean.
Fire and sword are coming, but those who survive will declare My glory to the nations; My people will be carried as an offering to the holy mountain of the Lord. Zech 14
The zeal of the Lord is a fire. The fire of the Lord will burn in hearts. A clean purified priesthood will serve the Lord.
Newness and vitality will fill the people as they return to the Land. The land will have life again.
Open up the gates ( 28/10/24)
Psalm 24
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.
3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.
5 They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Saviour.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.[b][c]
7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— He is the King of glory.
‘See the procession of worship, the songs of the bride.'
(We need to pay attention to the time of Sukkot as this is also a time of judgment.)
We also need to remind ourselves that last year, at the end of Sukkot in Israel, Hamas broke through the borders of Israel, and the current events in the Middle East have ensued.)
Where were the sounds of the prophets? Who blew the trumpet call?
God speaks when such catastrophe is about to come upon His people? Did anyone broadcast His warning, or did God stay silent?
A Watchman Awakening
Psalm 24.
Open up the gates,
So that the King of Glory can come in.
Who is the King of Glory?
He is the Lord God Almighty!
This is a time of positioning.
The watchmen must rise from slumber and acquaint themselves with their given posts abd positions. They must relearn the trumpet sound and teach it to the people.
The watchmen patrol the parameters of the city walls. They look for the approach of the enemy. They must be vigilant to survey every side.
There is also another side to the watchman’s role -- He waits for the King of Glory to approach.
He must warn of His coming and relay the message to the people so that they can prepare.
He must identify who approaches whether it is friend or foe. This is similar to watchers during the wars who could identify enemy aircraft or ships from a distance.
Ha’satan is cunning and clever and an expert in replicating things.
He can come as an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:14
‘It is no surprise! The devil makes himself look like an angel of light.
Discernment and awareness must increase and be honed.
We must make sure that our focus is sharp. The gates must only only be opened for the King of Glory and our worship must be submitted to Him only.
Worship that comes out of deep and genuine repentance attracts God's attention. He seeks to inhabit the song of His bride.
“Set the musicians in place
Gather the incense, place it upon the fire.
Sing the songs of My Word and of My light
Place your worship upon the fire,
Let me test it.
Let Me consume it.
Open up the gates
Make ready the musicians
The anthem of My glory.
The Wave Offering
Hear you, watchman
Hear the song of the Lord
He comes in Triumph
He comes in power and holiness.
‘I stand at the gate
My procession goes before me.
Make ready to open the gates
Do not make Me wait.
Let the light burn within My City
Let the fire of incense burn in My temple - My Holy place
Let the city burn with Holy fire
Make way the path.
Days of darkness will be replaced by the days of the glory of My light.
9th Nov
The Watchman Warning.
The watchman stands at the wall.
He waits patiently.
In the distance, the dust cloud rises.
He does not know whether it is the enemy or whether it is the return of his victorious king.
A herald runs and fires an arrow over the city wall. It lands close to the watchman’s position on the wall. Attached to the arrow is a message.
'The king is coming but he will be in a few days.' The dust cloud is not the dust from the horses of the victorious army. It is the last attack of the defeated foe.
He looks into the city to pass the message on, but the people are busy with their daily tasks.
The streets bustle with the life of the citizens.
The people have yet to hear the message. There is little time to prepare. They will have to respond quickly.
The watchman blows the trumpet, but the people have lived so long in relative peace that they have forgotten the warning sound.
Friends, it may be that outcomes seem favourable. Though battles may have been won, the enemy seeks to take down what remains whilst he has time. He knows the King is coming but moves within the dust and the shadows. His trumpet blast is mistaken for the trumpet of the Lord's heralds.
The people are unaware of what will emerge from this dust.
We can keep our eyes on the busyness of the citizens. We can live as if there is favour upon us and believe we have plenty of time, but the sound of thunder will soon be felt under our feet. Things will begin to shake.
Judgement comes to the house of the Lord first. How is she preparing for the thunder of hooves?
This is how she is not preparing; she looks to what is going on in the world and fails to see the urgency of the hour.
Men put men in power too. God gives us what we want, what we deserve and what we don’t deserve.
Saul was chosen by men - David by God…
Who have our nations been given to govern?
Do the nations look to men for a king or to God?
Don’t look at outcomes, or to logic.
God answers logic with confusion.
Preconceptions are being turned into misconceptions.
Shock waves are coming.
At the time of writing, President-elect Donald Trump awaits his inauguration. Surprises are in store, and perceptions of what will happen will be turned on its head. Surprising things will happen. The world is on a knife edge of change. What is about to happen will shock even those who are watching. Even those who have been preparing for the coming days will be amazed. As it was when Lot was taken out of Sodom, so shall it be for those who cry out to the Lord in righteousness. Supernatural visitations will increase. We must look to God’s word.The hearing of the Word is the visitation of the Lord, too!
Persecution of the saints is going to increase. However, we must become radical and cunning and sharpen the weapons of our warfare. Our victory begins in prayer. Our life begins with the death of the soul and our service to the King. Our reward is His victory.
The watchman anointing is an intercessory and prophetic one. We need God’s grace for this task. We must remain awake in the midnight hours and refrain from too much relaxation.
Finally, let us remind ourselves of the order of things. We must repent, prepare and make ready the Spirit and the Soul. We must discipline the mind to come into submission to the mind of Christ. As Nehemiah positioned the builders in the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem, we too must gather for the good work, with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other.
If God is calling you to a watchman position or to renew your resolve, dedicate and consecrate yourself to Him. He is our strength and eternal help. Watchman, priestly warriors are arising.
Renew your dedication, repent daily, and consecrate yourselves for worship. Wash yourselves with the waters of cleansing and emerge with the resurrected power of life forged in the heat of the fire.
Finally, there is no doubt that we are living in extraordinary times. The Holy Spirit will accomplish the work of the Lord and shall not return to Him void. Jesus gave Him to us to accompany us and teach us His ways and to familiarise us with the voice of the Father. As As it was with Jesus, so it is with us. We cannot and should not do anything without hearing the voice of the Father's will..
I ask that you pray and discern these words.
Shalom.
Grant Marshall.
Co-founder: AOE Ministries UK.
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