All Things Shall Be Restored Unto You
A number of prophetic words released for 2014 speak of restoration, restitution and double blessing. Restoration has been a recurring prophetic theme since 2012 and seems to be escalating in its intensity. The Lord first began speaking to me about restoration about two years ago – early in 2012.
In mid-January of that year, I had a dream. In this dream, I was watching three young boys play, and there was an understanding in the dream that they were my sons. That was really all there was, and then I woke up. I remember lying there puzzled by this. I have three children, but they are much older now; and my three children are two boys and one girl—so I was trying to figure this out. And then it dawned on me that I do have three sons, only one of them died years ago as an infant and has been in heaven for a long time now. As this realization sunk in, I heard the Lord say, “All things shall be restored unto you.”
I wasn’t quite sure what to make of that dream then, but over time the Lord repeatedly confirmed His word to me that we had entered a season of accelerated restoration in the earth. While I doubt that I will ever see my young son brought to life on this side of heaven, what I believe the Lord meant to convey is that He intends to bring to life even things I had thought were long dead and completely impossible to restore.
In fact, the Lord spoke to me so often and so repeatedly about His intent to restore, that this was the topic of two of our first articles as RPN Coordinators. (See Kingdom Governmental Rule and Change and Pray Restoration for Montana.) These articles speak of the double blessing and God’s intent to restore all things, even in the midst of what seems the most hopeless of situations.
It may seem that we’ve just been going in circles, but there’s a sense of hope and fulfillment for days ahead. A door of hope is opening by which we can declare – “Out with the old; in with the new!”
He Is Holding Back – But Not For Long
What the Lord began revealing in 2012 and continued speaking of in 2013, we can expect to see released in 2014. There’s something new and fresh about this season in God—as if things have been changed.
I believe on some level, we won’t have to go behind the veil anymore, as the veil’s been removed. (Isa. 25:7) Doors of revelation have been opened that are intended to take us to new levels in God; spiritually, you’ve got to “come up here.” (Rev. 4:1) It doesn’t matter what level of His glory you’ve been operating at, He’s lifting you to another level.
At the same time, I hear the Lord saying that He is holding back, but not for long. The Lord showed me that this release (to new levels) would be delayed “a couple of days” – because of indulgence.
The saints, as we know, have recently endured a season of testing. Indulgence would indicate that some have borne no fruit of maturity due to things like the cares, riches and pleasures of this life. It is those who receive the word of God with a noble and good heart, keep it, and bear fruit with patience that “come forth as gold.” (See Luke 8:11-15; Job 23:10.)
It would seem then that even the saints who have come forth as gold through God’s furnace of testing will encounter a slight period of delay – as the corroding influence of indulgence is dealt with. Yet something seems about to happen – suddenly. And when the new thing arrives, it will arrive quickly and be chaotic for a time.
I have to admit – I don’t even know what it all means. We just have to be obedient and trust the Lord will reveal it to us. There is a need to be patient, yet hear the word of the Lord for us – that this will be a good year.
A Double Portion in the Land of Goshen
Therefore in their land they shall possess double… (Isa. 61:7)
Did you know there were actually 13 tribes in Israel? There were 12 original sons of Jacob, one of which was Joseph. Joseph (whose name means “increase”) was carried away captive to Egypt and caused Egypt’s prosperity in famine. During his time in Egypt as Pharaoh’s right hand man, Joseph married an Egyptian woman who bore two sons.
After being restored to his family, Jacob adopted Joseph’s sons (Manasseh and Ephraim) as his own (Gen. 48:5). Thus, instead of giving Joseph his single inheritance, Jacob gave each of his sons an inheritance – resulting in a double portion for Joseph (48:22).
When Jacob went to lay hands on Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph positioned his hands so that the right hand of blessing would rest on Manasseh, the older of the two. Jacob, however, crossed his arms over and deliberately gave the firstborn blessing (which is the double portion) to Ephraim. How interesting that Ephraim’s name means “double fruitfulness!”
The land of Goshen was the land given to Joseph’s family where they stayed during the famine (Gen. 47:6). Later, during the time of the Exodus, Goshen came to represent a sign – the difference between God’s people and those who were not God’s people. No harm or plague touched God’s people in their land. (Ex. 8:22, 23; 9:26)
Once again, the Lord will cause there to be a distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous, between the holy and the profane. Malachi 3:16-18 says:
Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him, for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. ‘They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
Compare that scripture to Zechariah 9:11, 12 and 16, which says:
As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. The Lord their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land.
The correlation seems obvious. The day of the double portion is also the day of distinction in the land of Goshen. In the days ahead, it will be clear who is clothed in His glory and who is not.
For those who are ready, it’s going to be so good – you’ll see.
Are You Ready?
In a broader sense we should continue to pray for awakening, but as saints, everybody should feel awake. We have recently come through a season in which the predominant word and purpose for the saints has been that of being ready and awake.
Not surprisingly, there’s a word of warning for the saints at this time. Whenever God is up to something, you gotta figure that “the thief” is too! (John 10:10; 2 Cor. 2:11)
It’s important that we guard our hearts against being led astray. There is a great need for spiritual mothers and fathers to guide others and help them also to guard against being led astray.
Because of this need to guard our hearts, praying in the Spirit is especially critical right now. We might not even know how to pray of our own minds, but the Spirit sees and knows what is needed. (See 1 Cor. 2:10, 11; Jude 20.)
And it’s important to stay in your business, not in the business of another. This means stay on track with what the Lord has called you to do; don’t be persuaded even by godly individuals to do something God has not called you to do. (See 1 Thes. 4:11; 1 Kings 13:17, 18.)
In my spirit I hear this word being spoken by the Lord—“Are you ready? The Angel is ready.” “Are you ready? We’ve become a company of angels.” Because this is what you’ve prepared for:
In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them. (Zech. 12:8)
Pray
1. Pray that the Lord would guard your heart against being led astray. (Prov. 4:23)
2. Pray that spiritual mothers and fathers would rise up to help guide and lead others. (1 Cor. 4:15)
3. Pray that the church would have an expectancy that this will be a good year!
Act
1. Make praying in the Spirit a priority.
2. Actively guard your heart.
3. As the Lord directs, act as a spiritual mother or father to those in your sphere of influence.
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.
