December 5, 2012 – Allen and Diane Lake
A Significant Shift
Lately, a number of people have come to us with post-election questions and concerns. Invariably, whether the specific question has to do with our thoughts regarding what might lie ahead with the health care system, business and economy structures, or religious liberties, almost every concern we’ve heard is rooted in fear.
It doesn’t take a great deal of spiritual perception to realize we’ve entered a new place in history with the results of the last election. Not everyone agrees on whether this new place we’ve reached is even cause for concern, and some things only time will tell. It is, however, difficult to image how anyone with some degree of spiritual depth and maturity could remain unconcerned about the days ahead. But concern is different than fear.
Where righteousness decreases in the land, lawlessness will increase. Scripture shows that lawlessness will abound in the last days. (Matt. 24:12; 2 Thes. 2:7) If we are in the last days (and we are), then it’s time to acknowledge where things stand. Calling something what it is is not unspiritual; we just need to judge rightly. (John 7:24)
Luke 22:35-38 is a significant passage for the church today. In this passage, Jesus was preparing His disciples for the coming events leading up to His death, and He said some very interesting things. Before His betrayal and arrest, he told them that a significant shift had taken place. Slightly paraphrased, He said, “Before, I sent you out without a money bag, knapsack or sandals, and you did not lack anything. But now I’m changing up the game. Now, take a money bag and a knapsack, and if you don’t have a sword, sell your garment and buy one.”
If you ask me, that is not a very politically correct statement coming from Jesus, and it is worth taking a closer look at. Remember, it is the prophets and apostles who hear the moves of God within a particular time and season (Amos 3:7; Eph. 2:20, 3:5), and as a company, the prophets have declared a shift. When God begins to do a new thing, the strategy for the times must come from Him; what worked before will work no longer, and what was once effective in the past will not be enough. That is why there is currently so much emphasis on intimacy and seeking His face; we will not find our strategy for this time in any other place. (Rev. 19:19b)
There is something else to notice from this passage. Jesus, in effect, was saying that in the previous season, the disciples did not need to practically prepare; God met all of their needs, regardless of preparation levels. But, He told them, it’s different now. They were told to be physically and practically prepared, as well as spiritually—even to the point of bearing arms.
Blessed are the Peacemakers
With every move of God, there’s a release of authority in order that the things which God has ordained can be accomplished. Basically, authority entails having the power and position to get something done. Of course, kingdom authority involves enforcing the laws of the kingdom, much as earthly authority involves enforcing the laws of the land. Like the rising river in Ezekiel 47 (vs. 1-12), God has been incrementally increasing the saints’ levels of authority as He sets the stage for His coming. Ultimately, this authority will be used for the healing of the nations as we move in cooperation with Him. (Vs. 12; see also Rev. 22:2.)
It is interesting to consider that a person vested with law enforcement authority – that is, anyone sworn, badged and armable for the primary duty of enforcement of the law – is sometimes called a peace officer. A peace officer is someone who enforces the peace.
Similarly, the single action revolver which was designed for the U.S. Calvary and most widely associated with the wild west was commonly called the peacemaker. The inference is clear. Peace is found where peace is enforced. Peacemakers, whether earthly or spiritual, have little authority if they are unarmed and out of position. (Eph. 6:10-18; Col. 3:1, 2)
Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Few would argue that the earth is groaning for the revelation of the sons and daughters of God and the glorious liberty they will bring. (Rom. 8:19-22) Scripture, then, reveals that creation is groaning and eagerly awaiting the revelation of God’s sons, or those who will enforce His peace, meaning the spiritual laws of the kingdom. As the saints walk in kingdom authority, it will bring freedom to the whole earth!
The Ingathering
With the birth of the Third Reformation, we have entered into Ephesians 1:10: “That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.”
This great ingathering (which some may refer to as harvest) will be a wonderful thing to behold. As long as the kingdom is our focus, we will have all that we need for the job. Miracles will increase, as will provision. Much like the provision of the Upper Room for Passover, before we even have a need He will provide it. (See Mark 14:14, 15.)
Truly, the days ahead might be difficult, but we need not fear. And while there is no need to fear, there is a need to prepare – physically, practically and spiritually. The church has shifted into a Luke 22:35-37 season, for “the things concerning (Him) have an end.” (vs. 37) The end is that He is preparing a kingdom which cannot be shaken, so that all that remains will glorify Him. The silver is His, the gold is His, and He will release it so the nations will come. (See Hag. 2:6-9.)
“‘And in this place, I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.” (vs. 9)
Lord, may we be those who bring Your peace.
Points for Prayer
• Ask the Lord how you can prepare on the physical, practical and spiritual levels. The physical/practical aspect can take many forms: exercise and diet adjustment, food/water preparation and storage, debt reduction, shifts in business strategy, to name a few. Some may want to buy and store arms/ammunition. This point may seem politically incorrect to some, but hey—if Jesus recommended it, you may want to consider it, too!
• Pray for the saints to gain kingdom perspective. We can expect to see a shakeup in the business and economy structures. This will likely not be an easy thing, but it is not necessarily a bad thing, either. We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and His purifying fire comes first. (Heb. 12:27-29)
• Pray for revelation and an increasing awareness of the angelic realm. The Third Reformation brings with it a gathering together of both the heavenly and earthly realms (Eph. 1:10), and the saints will cooperate with angels who are sent to aid in the harvest. (Heb. 1:14)
• Pray for Israel. The return of the Jews to their land and to the Lord is key to releasing the end-time harvest. (See Rom. 11:11-15; Ezek. 36:23, 24.) There will be no harvest without Israel in it.
Diane is a writer, speaker and minister ordained with both Christian International and Generals International. Her articles are regularly featured on The Elijah List, as well as platforms like Charisma Magazine, Charisma News, Intercessors For America and others. She and her husband, Allen, co-founded Starfire Ministries with a vision to see the kingdom established beyond the four walls of the traditional church. They host a podcast with Charisma Podcast Network, and serve as Church Mountain, Regional, and Montana Coordinators for the Reformation Prayer Network, and as Media Mountain Leader/Facilitators for C.I.’s Culture Influencers.
