“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Prov. 29:2, KJV)
Scriptures like Proverbs 29:2 underscore that a biblical construct for government founded on principles of righteousness brings freedom, while government that runs contrary to godly standards brings loss of freedom—or oppression.
Recently, our city’s newspaper published a guest column I had written on the bathroom debate. I had not intended (nor wanted) to do this and needed very clear direction from the Lord. However, after several indications to proceed, I got additional clear direction and confirmation—the most powerful which came to me in the form of a dream.
The opening scene was reminiscent of an old western town movie set—everything was stark, lifeless and rendered in shades of brown. I decided to enter a particular building to use the bathroom, but as I entered, it suddenly began flying off the ground!
Like in a flashback of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, I was forced to huddle just inside the door, unable to move any further as the building pitched and spun wildly through the air.
Then abruptly the scene changed—the building quit spinning and flying. It hovered, poised motionless several stories above ground. The scene below resembled a cross between heaven and the Wizard of Oz! Colors were brilliant and exaggerated and there were lush vibrant gardens of produce and flowers everywhere.
I understood I had the power to give the command that would set the building down. Other people in this hovering structure (and even some who seemed to watch from outside it) waited to see what I would do. Clearly it would bring life and safety to many if I gave the command, but I seemed reluctant to do this for some reason.
But one point was abundantly clear. If I chose not to give the command, it was because of selfish or self-serving reasons. And still in a state of indecision, I woke up.
Of course…I decided to write the article.
Pork Chops and Wolves—Intercession and Sacrifice
In this process, the Lord began speaking to me about slavery, or oppression. We may think slavery went away with the abolition movement of the Civil War era, but the Lord impressed upon me that other forms of oppression are just as real and pressing in our day.
There are many aspects of religious and personal freedoms currently under attack, but let’s return to the example of the recent governmental push to mandate genderless public restrooms (don’t let the newly-coined term gender inclusive fool you, by the way).
Here are some things the Lord showed me. When men and women are treated as one with no opportunity for common privacy and modesty, it is oppression—think concentration camps and prison cells—where lack of dignity and respect are standard. He revealed to me that, when Moses’ mother put him in the river, her thoughts were that it was better for him to drown, than to die under oppressive rule. And finally, as intercessors who stand in the gap, we are called to not just intercede in prayer, but also to act, which includes sacrifice. (For this point, the Lord actually preached an article I had written back to me in a dream!)
Sometimes when I’m about to do something like this, I feel like I’m dressing up like a pork chop and whistling for the wolves! But I know that’s not accurate. What’s really happening is that we are in a spiritual battle to ascend cultural mountains, and you don’t achieve cultural prominence without a fight. But the good news is—God is fighting with and for us—we are not alone in the fight!
On occasion I see supernatural evidence of this. Once when I wrote a column for this newspaper on homosexuality/political correctness, I was getting particularly hammered in the online comments. Then one night I had a short dream in which I saw a Holy Spirit wind blow all the comments away.
And the next day, low and behold, there was a notification on the newspaper’s website, announcing it had completely revamped its format and apologizing that all comments on all previous articles had been irretrievably lost! To this day, if you click on the link to this article, there’s one lone comment that reads, “Where have all the comments gone?”
Occupation Involves Risk
One thing that can prevent believers from speaking out against oppressive government is an inaccurate perception of separation of church and state. The historical context for formulating this concept was actually to protect citizens from oppressive rule!
Another is the belief some hold that we’re not called to influence culture—particularly the Government Mountain. I was once on the leadership team of our local pastor’s network and mentioned that we should be releasing believers to serve in places like city councils and as county commissioners. One pastor (of a very large church) vehemently exclaimed, “We’re not called to politics, we’re called to make disciples!”—completely missing the aspect that we’re called to disciple nations, too.
And some have given in to a spirit of resignation or hopelessness, believing we can’t make a difference, and that, in order for Christ to come back, things have to get much worse anyway. But if we’re just hanging on till the rapture, we’ve missed our call to occupy. Luke 19:13 (KJV) says:
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, “Occupy till I come.”
This may bring to mind the military usage of this word, as when an army controls a certain population. While this has some merit, it’s not actually what this word means here.
The Greek word for occupy (SG #4231) means, “to do business; trading, exchanging (leveraging) one thing for another to make a legitimate gain; (figuratively) ‘to bear much fruit,’ the opposite of being fruitless because of refusing to make trades by ‘playing it safe.'”
In other words, we do not occupy the kingdom by playing it safe; occupation involves risk, as we use the gifts and talents the Lord has given us to increase His kingdom.
And don’t forget—those who occupy are the ones called “faithful” who are given much greater authority (v. 17).
A Coronation of Change Agents For Turnaround
“And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exod. 19:6)
Scripture reveals believers are called after the order of Melchizedek, who was a royal priest upon a throne, and Revelation 5 tells us we are a nation of kings and priests (Heb. 5-7; Rev. 5:10). God recently released fresh anointing to those who will bring change to relationships between the Church and Government Mountains.
In March, my husband and I had the privilege of praying with Jon and Jolene Hamill of The Glory Train[i] when they were in Whitefish, MT. The four of us felt the Lord released a word that He is bringing a national turnaround, and coronating new change agents that this might occur.[ii] He showed us Zechariah 6:11-13, which says:
Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Then say to him, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord. Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.’” (NASB)
We saw how current governmental officials had actually created enmity between the branches of government, and between the governmental and priestly offices (the church). We felt the Lord released angelic hosts nationwide, and that the new officials God was coronating—His change agents for turnaround—would begin to repair the breaches and unify the nation!
The Eagle Has Landed
Another word released by The Glory Train contained this prophecy given by Bonnie Jones:
The eagle has landed and perched high in His nest. He has an eye for motherhood over this nation. Her eaglets are being released this day and they shall soar higher and with clearer vision than ever before.[iii]
This word really captured my heart because I, too, had heard the Lord say, “The eagle has landed.” Of course, a primary symbol for our nation is the bald eagle and the Lord compares Himself to an eagle in Exodus 19:4—in the context of delivering His people from oppression—only two verses prior to verse 6!
But perhaps most significant in this word is the reference to motherhood. In 1 Corinthians 4:14-20, Paul speaks to those in the church that though they might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet they do not have many fathers. He continues, “Therefore, I urge you, imitate me… for the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” (vs. 15, 20).
A key characteristic of the change agents anointed to bring turnaround in this day is that they will be ones others can imitate. They will carry anointing as mothers and fathers who have not only absorbed the instruction of the word, but can also demonstrate the kingdom in power by impacting and influencing culture and relationships in and between the Church and Government Mountains.
Since first having heard and received revelation of the 7 Mountains in 2007, I’ve been struck by how much time it’s taking for the concept to catch hold. There have been some great teachers and forerunners in this movement (Lance Wallnau and Johnny Enlow come to mind),[iv] but overall, actual implementation by the church seems slow.
As spiritual mothers and fathers begin to move and influence the Government Mountain, we will start to see this shift. I believe the eagle of this prophetic word is meant to symbolize deliverance, emergence, and prophetic impartation.
Calling All Josephs, Daniels, and Esthers
Daniel, Joseph and Esther shared one thing in common—they all were used dramatically to turn an ungodly nation to God. All were chosen by God and anointed to bring change to the government structure of their day.
Other characteristics they shared—all were carried into slavery through one form or another, and all lived under oppressive rule. All were required to lay down their lives—be it in the lion’s den, the pit and the prison, or by appearing without invitation before a king.
As prophetic leaders they brought wisdom, counsel and favor to their kings. They faced danger and peril, yet stood strong. Are you one of these? Are you born for such a time as this? Ask the Lord if you are one who is called and anointed to bring change.
Putting Revelation Into Action
Here are some thoughts to begin turning revelation into action that we might bring change to the Government Mountain.
– Be in prayer as to your part. Ask the Lord what you can do to be a change agent in this day.
– Be in prayer for our nation. The political race for president, in particular, is causing many believers to be in a state of consternation and concern. Regardless of who wins in November, we should be interceding for God to position anointed counselors, advisors and cabinet members to influence whoever becomes president.
Daniel, Joseph and Esther did not serve godly kings, yet God used them to bring great change. You do not necessarily need a godly president to see change—it does, however, take a church willing to be used as change agents by God. This leads me to the final point…
– Be willing to act. I would not presume to tell you your part. Every one of us needs to seek the Lord for direction, confirmation and strategy.
I am convinced as we do these things we will begin to see turnaround. The prophets have declared this the year the tide turns. But we must be willing to engage.
Lord, once again may we be one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all… truly, the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Endnotes
[ii] https://jonandjolene.com/2016/03/15/coronate-the-change-agents-of-my-turnaround/
[iii] https://jonandjolene.com/2016/04/29/i-will-cause-a-turnaround-for-this-land-historic-call-with-bonnie-jones-audio-plus-word/
[iv] See http://lancelearning.com/ and http://www.johnnyandelizabeth.com/
Part 1 and Part 2 posted on Generals International.
Posted on Christian International 7MKI.
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.
Thank you Diane for being willing to share what God is laying on your heart and revealing to you!