"I Am Restructuring Heaven"
A Pathway to Navigate the Shakings
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
During the week of consecration, I heard the Lord say “I am restructuring heaven.” Before you get all hot under the collar with a “That’s not biblical!” thought, please read on. The thought riveted my attention as I sensed it was from the Lord. What does that mean? The words were so extraordinary, that I had to do a lot of heart, soul, and Bible searching to dig out the meaning. In retrospect, I think the Lord spoke in such a way that I would not just cry “Hallelujah” so be it, but rather put on the inquiry hat and search out the meaning. What has unfolded is extraordinary and perhaps just a tip of the iceberg. I hope these thoughts provoke you and spearhead a spirit of inquiry and pursuit of what God is saying. If we can begin to understand, then we can enter into what God is doing, and begin to pray in such a way that we align with what He is doing.
While hearing those words, I had a brief image of a gate over the Ukraine/Russia region where there is obviously much contention. He then said, “I am restructuring heaven.” So in retrospect, I sense we could do much in prayer if we understood what it means.
Let’s take a look deeper into the word “restructure.” The Oxford dictionary meaning of restructure is as follows :
RESTRUCTURING TO STRENGTHEN:
Restructuring and rearranging things to strengthen something will be made evident by a physical change. If you want to restructure a building, a plan needs to be made in order to make the physical changes needed. These changes are evident for all to see. Some Scriptures and stories that describe a restructuring to strengthen a plan or purpose of God could include the following (not conclusive but are mentioned because of their impact):
DEBT REVERSALS:
There are common threads to these restructured reversals. First of all, humility brings us to a place to receive it, faith in God helps us to declare it, and trust in the Lord will bring the victory.
HOW DO WE PRAY?
How do we pray to be in alignment with the restructuring God is doing? In the scriptural passages noted, there is an underlying theme of humility on those involved in the various situations, but also the word “against.” In other words, God was against what was happening and was looking for the humble and contrite who would have faith in what He wanted to do to reverse the schemes of the enemy to bring about His purposes.
Two scriptural keys to help us practically enter into the “restructuring” plans of God. They are given in both Isaiah 22:22 “The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open,” and reiterated by John in His message to the faithful church of Philadelphia, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” Revelation 3:7. We can enter this season of restructure using this backbone.
Why is this something to ponder now? Many are sensing the end-time narrative accelerating and certainly becoming evident. As such, we are in a preparation for the return of Jesus. There is coming a time when there will be massive restructuring (Isaiah 63:9, 2 Peter 3:10, Matthew 24, Isaiah 34:8, 35:4, 61:2; Jer 51:6). Though eschatological views may vary, one thing is certain, we are getting ready for significant shifts. The wars, and rumors of war, economic upheavals are all preparation for the Day that is coming.
CONCLUSION:
We have found inquiring of the Lord about the “restructure” has inspired our hearts to seek Him more diligently as we see the landscape locally, nationally, and internationally changing before our eyes. It has also helped us to read the Bible in a fresh way, seeing the “restructuring” hand of God move behind the scenes. It is opening vistas of revelation in how to pray and enter these times of shaking with a new profound sense of Truth without getting caught up in secular narratives or conspiracy theories. Worship and focusing on the Word will foster the “restructure” narrative within us to transform our minds and keep us moving in what God is doing in these times of upheaval.
For further study on the "New Heavens and New Earth/New Jerusalem" here are recommendations:
While hearing those words, I had a brief image of a gate over the Ukraine/Russia region where there is obviously much contention. He then said, “I am restructuring heaven.” So in retrospect, I sense we could do much in prayer if we understood what it means.
Let’s take a look deeper into the word “restructure.” The Oxford dictionary meaning of restructure is as follows :
- Organize differently: A plan to strengthen and restructure the department
- Finance: Convert (the debt of a business in difficulty) into another kind of debt, typically one that is repayable at a later time.
RESTRUCTURING TO STRENGTHEN:
Restructuring and rearranging things to strengthen something will be made evident by a physical change. If you want to restructure a building, a plan needs to be made in order to make the physical changes needed. These changes are evident for all to see. Some Scriptures and stories that describe a restructuring to strengthen a plan or purpose of God could include the following (not conclusive but are mentioned because of their impact):
- God gives the Abrahamic promise, restructuring the strife between Lot and Abraham brought about foundational promises for Israel and the nations. After Lot separates from Abraham taking land that looks good, God shows Abraham the land that would be His covenant land, Genesis 13:10-11, 14-16, “And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan… And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered.”
- God saves the last seed of David. The priests Jehosheba and Jehoiada intercept the plans of Athaliah to destroy the children of inheritance and save the last remaining seed of David, Joash, for the coming rule and reign of Jesus. 2 Kings 11
- God answers prayer: Daniel 10:12-14 is strengthened while contending for the future of Israel: “Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come."
- God responds to war and shifts the course of nations: 2 Chronicles 20 when 3 nations came against Israel, Jehoshaphat led Israel into a time of worship and praise. As they did so, the Lord set ambushes against the attack such that the enemy became confused and killed each other. “And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.” 2 Chronicles 20:29
- Reversals of attacks are throughout the OT when people turned to the Lord
- Egypt attacks Israel. 2 Chron 12:7 “Now when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, "They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.”
- Ethiopia comes against Judah. 2 Chron 14:11-12. “And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, "LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!"
- Sennacherib is defeated as Hezekiah prayed: Isaiah 19:20 “Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Heekiah, saying, “thus says the Lord God of Israel: Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.”
- Reversals of attacks are throughout the OT when people turned to the Lord
- God sends a star to message three kings from the East to herald in the Messiah’s birth. Matthew 2:1-2 “wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
DEBT REVERSALS:
- Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
- Jesus forgives and heals the paralytic: When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"—He said to the paralytic, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" Mark 2:5-12
- Jesus honors a woman who was a sinner at a Pharisee’s house for anointing His feet, and forgives her sin. “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Luke 7:47
There are common threads to these restructured reversals. First of all, humility brings us to a place to receive it, faith in God helps us to declare it, and trust in the Lord will bring the victory.
HOW DO WE PRAY?
How do we pray to be in alignment with the restructuring God is doing? In the scriptural passages noted, there is an underlying theme of humility on those involved in the various situations, but also the word “against.” In other words, God was against what was happening and was looking for the humble and contrite who would have faith in what He wanted to do to reverse the schemes of the enemy to bring about His purposes.
Two scriptural keys to help us practically enter into the “restructuring” plans of God. They are given in both Isaiah 22:22 “The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open,” and reiterated by John in His message to the faithful church of Philadelphia, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” Revelation 3:7. We can enter this season of restructure using this backbone.
- Pray to open doors that God wants to open. Examples could be:
- Salvation: John 3:3,16; John 14:6; 1 John 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9; Ps 118:19
- Peace: John 16:33; Phil 4:6-7; Is 26:3
- Outpouring of God's Spirit: Joel 2:28-29; Zec 12:10; Is 54:13-14
- Send the laborers: Mt. 9:38; Luke 10:2
- Strength for the laborers: Psalm 144:1
- Humility: Phil 2:3; 1 Peter 5:5; James 4:10
- Provision: Matthew 6:30
- Compassion: Ps 103:8; Mt 14:4, 20:34; Mark 6:34,
- Creative strategies: Col 3:23; Isaiah 61:3
- Repentance leading to transformed minds: Romans 12:2
- Greater love: Mark 12:30; 1 John 4:17; 1 Cor 13; Matthew 25:44
- Forgiveness/Reconciliation: Romans 12:18, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
- Release of prophetic word: 1 Cor 14:1-3; Amos 3:8
- Supernatural healing: John 14:12
- Deliverance: Psalm 79:9
- Intergenerational respect and restoration of families Malachai 4:5-6
- Healing of the nations. Rev 22:2
- Shut the doors that God wants shut. (Proverbs 6:16-19 is a good backbone)
- Sin: Genesis 4:7
- Manipulation and control: Lev 25:17, 1 Thess 4:6
- Violence: Hosea 4:2, Nu 35:33; Ps 11:5
- Deception: 2 Cor 11:14, Mt. 7:15
- Governmental overreach. Luke 16:15; 1 Sam 8:11-14; 2 Chron 26:4, 16-21
- Pride: Pro 16:5, 18; Ps 10:4; Gal 6:3; Obad 1:3; Isaiah 2:11
- Division amongst believers. 1 Cor 1:10-13
- Roots of bitterness: Hebrews 12: 12-15
- Eyes set to worldly things. 1 John 2:16
- Rebellion 1 Sam 15:23; 2 Thess 2:3
Why is this something to ponder now? Many are sensing the end-time narrative accelerating and certainly becoming evident. As such, we are in a preparation for the return of Jesus. There is coming a time when there will be massive restructuring (Isaiah 63:9, 2 Peter 3:10, Matthew 24, Isaiah 34:8, 35:4, 61:2; Jer 51:6). Though eschatological views may vary, one thing is certain, we are getting ready for significant shifts. The wars, and rumors of war, economic upheavals are all preparation for the Day that is coming.
CONCLUSION:
We have found inquiring of the Lord about the “restructure” has inspired our hearts to seek Him more diligently as we see the landscape locally, nationally, and internationally changing before our eyes. It has also helped us to read the Bible in a fresh way, seeing the “restructuring” hand of God move behind the scenes. It is opening vistas of revelation in how to pray and enter these times of shaking with a new profound sense of Truth without getting caught up in secular narratives or conspiracy theories. Worship and focusing on the Word will foster the “restructure” narrative within us to transform our minds and keep us moving in what God is doing in these times of upheaval.
For further study on the "New Heavens and New Earth/New Jerusalem" here are recommendations:
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