Isaiah 62/Pentecost and Beyond
So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height,
for the people had a mind to work.
Neh 4:6
In a "set time" season marked by spiritual convergences, Passover/Easter, Night of power/Yom HaShoah (holocaust remembrance day), launch of the "Spirit of Elijah" summit and journey colliding with the end of Ramadan, and after the global focus on Isaiah 62 and Pentecost, what next? During the Isaiah 62 21-day fast and focus, I distinctly heard the Lord say, "Call the Watchmen to their posts." Now, after experiencing the dichotomy of the eager expectation and joy of a Pentecost celebration on the southern steps of Temple Mount face to face with vigorous opposition of right-wing Jews, I sensed the Lord say, “The battle lines are being drawn.” Calling watchmen to their posts and witnessing the sense of the battle lines being drawn rivoted my attention to this coming season with new vigor and purpose.
These words took on heightened weight when news came forth of the Turkish elections and Muslims crowding Temple Mount within hours of the southern steps gathering on Pentecost Sunday. Their chant celebrated the Turkish vote and called for the return of “Muhammed's army.” The words sent me into a chilling, attention “tsphar” (ex. Ezek 33:2, 6, 7) type watchman stance peering into the future.
Sitting high on the southern steps with an overview of the activities below, the words began a “roll-out” of what I am sharing now. The message is not necessarily the comforting exhilarating words we like to hear, but rather ones sent out of concern for God’s covenant and alignments necessary for the season ahead. God desires to challenge our mindsets to create vessels equipped for the battle ahead. What are these battle lines? How do we respond and carry the message of Isaiah 62 forward?
These words took on heightened weight when news came forth of the Turkish elections and Muslims crowding Temple Mount within hours of the southern steps gathering on Pentecost Sunday. Their chant celebrated the Turkish vote and called for the return of “Muhammed's army.” The words sent me into a chilling, attention “tsphar” (ex. Ezek 33:2, 6, 7) type watchman stance peering into the future.
Sitting high on the southern steps with an overview of the activities below, the words began a “roll-out” of what I am sharing now. The message is not necessarily the comforting exhilarating words we like to hear, but rather ones sent out of concern for God’s covenant and alignments necessary for the season ahead. God desires to challenge our mindsets to create vessels equipped for the battle ahead. What are these battle lines? How do we respond and carry the message of Isaiah 62 forward?
- Shift from intercession into watchmen: There is a dynamic shift in the prayer movement. It is a call to contend for God's covenantal purposes which is the stance of a "Samar" (Shamar) watchman. We are all called to develop our relationship with the Lord in prayer/worship, however, there will be those called to build their ramparts of watchmen working corporately to hear the Lord, discern the times, declare the word, and walk and act accordingly, Isaiah 62:6-7. God is about to shift nations preparing for His return. Understanding the role of a "Watchman" will be key in this preparation. Habakkuk 2:1; 2 Kings 11; Mk 13:33; Isaiah 52:8.
- Success in the Kingdom is being re-defined: We will need to develop new mindsets on what is success in the Kingdom. We are too numbers oriented. God is looking at the heart and humility is key. In the spirit of Elijah, God is showing up in the still small voice. While in Jerusalem and Mt. Carmel, we had meetings of small groups at key places where the Spirit of the Lord poured out and we witnessed lives changed and are in faith for great fruit. God is shifting the course of nations, much of it is underway in hidden pockets of profound spiritual revelation and release. If you are finding yourself in small groups holding onto God’s Word in the place He has called you, do not give up. You may very well be in God’s plan. The new big is small. God is calling out a remnant that know each other and work together cohesively. We cannot blow the trumpet on our own and expect anyone to respond if we are not effectively connected on the wall (Neh 4:20). God is not into numbers. David was judged when he numbered the troops, 2 Sam 24:10. God values character and faithfulness throughout the scriptures. He has always been faithful to those who show themselves faithful.
- On a more serious note, a rising betrayal culture is at the door with sneaky agendas to kill, steal, and divide. Jesus warns us, “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another,” (Mt 24:10). Corporate community and accountability will help avert this.
- One new man reality will include not only Jew and Gentile, but also generational, and gender restoration in healthy respect and collaboration. In the coming season, as the Lord releases the spirit of Elijah, there will be an awakening to heartfelt repentance and strategy to restore rifts between people groups, generations, and genders. He will hold us to biblical covenantal standards that are consistent throughout scripture. Much of the cultural, gender animosity, and dysphoria is due to woundings that have not been resolved both within and outside the church.
- Women will be a vital force for the Kingdom in the coming season carrying worship, songs, insights, compassion, wisdom, and discernment that are vital keys to unlock doors for Kingdom fruitfulness and healing of families and nations, Gen 1:22; Ps 128:3; Lu 24:22; Ex 35:26.
- New language of collaboration. The talk of collaboration will become manifest as people grapple with the reality, selflessness, and requirements necessary to work together for Kingdom advance. Collaboration is not easy, but once the breakthrough happens, spiritual lives will expand and people will be able to find their place.
- New expressions of the prophetic are rising: Prophetic ministry will always honor prophetic voices that have proven accuracy, however, now hubs of intergenerational prophetic Elijah/Elisha type communities will develop that will communicate and experience important revelation, and powerful signs of God’s purposes.
- Still small voice reality. As we step out of our comfort zones into new realms of God’s call, a new level of intimacy and sensitivity to what God is saying will take us beyond our opinions of the past and bring us into revelation of God’s word. We will hear a voice behind us saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” As we do so, God will grant higher levels of discernment and obedience.
Why is it important to move beyond and walk out a response to Isaiah 62? The warnings of Matthew 24 are underway. Wars and rumors of war are at the door. Deception has cast a veil across the nations and is raging in such a way that what is evil is being called good and good being called evil, Isaiah 5:20. Lack of accountablity and its consequences have opened doors for the great falling away. There is heightened threat of war against Israel. Without watchmen and contending communities of prayer related to Israel, the church, or ministries, the danger of the traps of deception are underway. It has begun. Without accountability, the enemy is targeting believers, especially Christians and enticing them into back-slidden temptations of moral sin, religious strongholds, and spiritual deception and decay. How can we proceed?
How?
We are now in a season of vital, purposeful building....a "summons" to the watchmen. This is an "All hands on deck" time. It is time to pick up our shovels and swords to build. These three areas will be focus points for the Global Watch
- Build up your local/regional expression of corporate prayer through your local church, or community and build the necessary relationships and agreements for its sustenance.
- Develop intergenerational connections as Elijah/Elisha companies of corporate prayer , Mal 4:5-6
- Equip watchmen in their roles and in the end-time narrative.
- Connect strategically and relationally with Israel to build effectual watchmen prayer.
Your watchmen shall lift up their voices,
With their voices they shall sing together;
For they shall see eye to eye
When the LORD brings back Zion.
Isaiah 52:8
With their voices they shall sing together;
For they shall see eye to eye
When the LORD brings back Zion.
Isaiah 52:8
