Francis Frangipane: "TAKE UP THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT--THE WORD OF GOD--AND GO TO WAR!"

Francis Frangipane:

"TAKE UP THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT--THE WORD OF GOD--AND GO TO WAR!"

"If we advance protected by the Blood of the Lamb, if we war armed with the Word of God, and if we shoulder in our hearts the Cross of Christ, we will truly be more than conquerors through Him that loved us."

Christ not only came to set captives free, He came to train and empower the recently freed to be warriors. We may not always walk perfectly, but because God causes all things to work for good, we still can walk triumphantly. How can we, imperfect Christians, walk triumphantly? The Bible says we overcome "because of the Blood of the Lamb and because of the word of [our] testimony, and [we do] not love [our lives] even when faced with death" (Revelation 12:11).

These three things--Christ's atoning blood, our testimony of God's eternal word, and choosing to not love our own lives--secure us in the place of victory. We are a covenant people, a people purchased for God from every nation. Yes, we still sin, but God has placed the iniquity of us all upon His Son, Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53). When the enemy comes to accuse and condemn us for our failures, we must remind ourselves that every sin we have ever committed has been nailed to Christ's cross. The entire "certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us," has been paid in full by the Blood of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:14)!

As much as we need the blood of Christ, to functionalize our victory, we also need a living knowledge of God's Word. Many Christians are awakened spiritually, but they do not know God's promises in the Bible. To be successful, we must know God's Word, believe it, and speak it with faith when we pray. We overcome by the "word of our testimony."

Third, in our world of excess and self-gratification, we must learn the wisdom and power of carrying the Cross ("they did not love their life"). By becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ, the Cross keeps us focused on our transformation. It also keeps us from the quicksand of self-pity, gratuitous over-indulgence, and unforgiveness.

To aid your fight of faith, we've prepared a brief collection of Scriptures. Remember, God's Word will not return to Him without accomplishing the purpose for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11). Let us, therefore, "hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23).

Don't murmur when you pray, proclaim the Word of God with authority. Indeed, the Holy Spirit tells us to take up "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). If we advance protected by the Blood of the Lamb, if we war armed with the Word of God, and if we shoulder in our hearts the Cross of Christ, we will truly be "more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).

The following are just a few of the many mighty promises of God. We urge you to print these verses, memorize them and pass them on to your friends and fellow intercessors.

Spiritual Warfare Verses

"Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven: and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven" (Matthew 18:18).

"The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).

"'No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,' declares the LORD" (Isaiah 54:17).

(Isaiah 42:13, 1 John 4:4, James 4:7, Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 16:18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Luke 10:19, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Isaiah 49:24-25)

Divine Shelter of God

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son" (Colossians 1:13).

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:2).

(1 John 5:18, Psalm 91:1, Romans 8:28)

Fear

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18).

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).

(2 Kings 6:16, Hebrews 2:14, Hebrews 2:14-15)

Deliverance, Forgiveness and Salvation

"He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19).

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

(Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 91:3, Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34, Luke 4:17-19)

Peace

"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8).

(Romans 16:20, Philippians 1:28, Psalm 110:1)

The Power of the New Covenant

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death" (Revelation 12:11).

(Colossians 2:13-14, Matthew 26:26-28, Zechariah 9:11-12)

Healing

"But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

(Hebrews 13:8, Matthew 4:24, Isaiah 53:4)

Family

"For I will contend with the one who contends with you, and I will save your sons" (Isaiah 49:25).

(Acts 2:17, Acts 16:31)

Discernment

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).

(1 Corinthians 2:15, Ephesians 6:10-18)

We hope these Scriptures will be a blessing and an empowerment to you.

Francis Frangipane
Ministries of Francis Frangipane
Email:francis1@frangipane.org

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

The Oasis in the Desert

God has brought many of us into the desert place. But this is not the desert place that we usually talk about. This is the oasis. It is a place of refreshment and renewal. God is calling us to come and rest in His presence. It is the secret place where there is only us and Him. Where there is no distraction from other people and the cares of the world are left behind in civilization.

God wants to teach us how to rely on Him. He wants to clense us from the longings of the world. He is removing the Egypt from our hearts. In particular He is delivering us from the control of fear. This is the place of glory. In the oasis you will find His restful Presence. In His Presence there is fullness of joy. There is no suffering, no sorrow, no pain; but only His peace, love, and joy. It is time for us to allow Him to do His work. We need to accept His inner healing. He wants to take away all of our pain. He wants to cleanse us from all of our hurts. He wants to remove all of the fear that we have taken on.

The world creates fear. Fear causes us to put more stock in the lies of the enemy than the truth of God. Fear robs us of faith. Faith is from God. We are meant to be a people of faith that walk in love. I have heard it said that faith is the currency of heaven and love is its culture. We are meant to live in an atmosphere of love and faith. Fear can't exist in that place. God is delivering us from that spirit of fear and control. The enemy has controlled us for too long. It is now time for the Spirit of love to engulf us.

Come to the oasis. Come to the place of rest. Drink of the living waters. Frolic in the streams of cleansing. Swim in the rivers of His joy and pleasure. Allow Him to nourish and comfort you. He will reveal to you who you are in Him. He will show you how He looks at you. Stop viewing yourself through the eyes of Egypt but view yourself through the portal of heaven.

We have come to the place of refreshment where there is no more labor. His grace is here!

Prayer over LA financial district

I recorded the following using my iPhone while I was driving past LA's financial district about a month or two ago. I thought I would share my prophetic intercession.

Cindy Trimm: "A Word of Encouragement: God Has the Final Word"

I just read this word that came out on the ElijahList today. It spoke to me greatly- it was a kairos word for my life. I have experienced a huge amount of opposition over the past two weeks with an escalation over the last four days. I have been attacked on so many sides. I have received threatening phone calls asking me to do things that I am not comfortable doing. I have a family that disagrees with where I am spiritually. People from my past have shown up in my life and old hurts have bubbled up. I look around and wonder if there is anything left that hasn't been shaken. But in the midst of the storm I know that God has me in the place that He wants me. I know that He approves of where I am. In addition I have my pastoral, apostolic, and prophetic coverings who are keeping me on the right track. I have brothers who have come alongside of me over the past few days giving me the encouragement and strength that I need.

This word puts it all in perspective. It speaks greatly to my situation and I hope that it does to you too. This portion jumped out to me:

I entreat you: There is humiliation before honor, price before promotion, stigma and scandal before success, attacks before accolades, but I hear God say, "When thou passest through the water, I will be with you and through the fire, you will not be burned." I hear the Word, "Hold fast to the profession of your faith…and having done all, still stand."

Your problem and crisis situation is a divine announcement that God is getting ready to either prosper you and/or promote you. Do not resist the situation. Do not throw in the towel. Do not ignore the situation. Do not demonize the situation. Do not pretend the situation is not there. Wrestle with it in prayer.

Focus on what God is doing in your life. Allow Him to use this time to refine and strengthen you.

Many blessings,

Matthew

Cindy Trimm: "A Word of Encouragement: God Has the Final Word"

He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.—Psalm 105:17-22

We are living in a critical and prophetic hour where all things are shifting and being brought back into divine alignment. I sense there is a major attack on the Body of Christ and leaders. I am in prayer that you, your mind, your strength fail not. I am prevailing in prayer and I am decreeing and declaring that you shall be victorious and you shall recover all.

I entreat you: There is humiliation before honor, price before promotion, stigma and scandal before success, attacks before accolades, but I hear God say, "When thou passest through the water, I will be with you and through the fire, you will not be burned." I hear the Word, "Hold fast to the profession of your faith…and having done all, still stand."

Your problem and crisis situation is a divine announcement that God is getting ready to either prosper you and/or promote you. Do not resist the situation. Do not throw in the towel. Do not ignore the situation. Do not demonize the situation. Do not pretend the situation is not there. Wrestle with it in prayer.

Dare to Press In

Dare to press into God through prayer. Dare to see your storms as an opportunity to advance spiritually, financially, socially, ministerially, and for personal growth and development. Dare to walk on your prophetic turbulent waters, see and experience the power and presence of God in a new way (see Matthew 14:23-33).

According to these verses, not only will you overcome that which has overtaken you, but you will also be ushered into a new realm of power and a new place of worship. I decree and declare to all of you that favor is upon you.

He has anointed your head with fresh oil. During this time, we all need to let go in order to see and experience Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Gibbor, Jehovah-Rapha in our lives. You need to give up trusting in your own way and designs in order to experience God's all-sufficiency. Lean not on your own understanding.

I further exhort all of you, to stop talking to the snake. Take the time to hear and talk to God. He only is the Author and Finisher of your faith.

I encourage you from Psalm 46:10: Be Still, and Know That I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Indeed God Has the final word.

Kingdom Blessings,

Dr. N. Cindy Trimm
Cindy Trimm International
Email: info@cindytrimm.com

ElijahList Publications

310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Kim Clement: "I Will Completely Annihilate Any Suggestion from Your Enemy that You Will Not Survive This Time"

Many of the dates prophesied in this word have already passed. However, I believe we are still seeing the manifestation of those prophecies and will continue to do so through the end of the year. There is a release of breakthrough- now is the time to walk in it.

Kim Clement: "I Will Completely Annihilate Any Suggestion from Your Enemy that You Will Not Survive This Time"

Prophesied on June 26, 2009 - Portland, Oregon:

"I Can Make You a King Before Your Enemies"

"Blow the trumpet in Zion! Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sound the alarm," says the Spirit of God. "For surely tonight in the midst of you, I have sent My word. I have sent My word to heal. I have sent My word to come and bring courage, for," God says, "many have lost their courage, but I have come to tell you that I am going to bring you courage and strength. For My word tonight will completely annihilate any suggestion from your enemy that you will not survive this time.

For God said, "Because of the spirit of resilience and because you have come before Me with joyful sounds, even as David came before Me with joyful shouts even in the midst of his pain, I heard him," says the Lord, "raised him up, made him the King of Judah and then the King of Jerusalem."

God said, "Can I make you a king before your enemies? Can I crown you before your enemies? Can I bring them down before you? Can I feed you and nourish you in the presence of your enemies?" For God says, "Enough of this swaying power, enough of the prognosticators that would tell you that your end has come." God said, "This is just the beginning. Courage be given unto you tonight, for I will sweep you up in one moment and take you to a place where you will have great victory," says the Lord. "This summer I will restore to you what the enemy has stolen away from you and give it back to you. Therefore shout and rejoice, for this is yours," says the Lord!

"Suddenly" Will Happen, Says the Spirit of God!

"Yes," the Spirit of God says, "prepare yourself, for the people have said, 'Where is He? Where is He? Where is the God of Moses? Where is the God of Elijah?' They have said, 'We have labored and we have plowed, and yet we have seen nothing,'" but God said, "You weren't looking, because I cast a mantle on you. I have cast a mantle on you so that you could get out of your field, so that you could kiss your mother and your father goodbye in that field, and move to a higher place," God said.

"You've said, 'Lord, what am I going to do? It seems like nothing's working out for me.'" And God said, "Have you forgotten the word 'suddenly'? Have you forgotten 'suddenly'? Do you realize that I work by 'suddenlies'? Suddenly the Spirit was there, suddenly the angel was there." God said, "During the summer months there will be 'suddenly' things that will begin to happen. Suddenly I will appear. Suddenly things will change. Suddenly the door will open. Suddenly, suddenly, suddenly, suddenly, suddenly, suddenly will happen," says the Spirit of God!

Prophesied on June 27, 2009 - Portland, Oregon:

"As You Shout I Will Shout with You!"

The Spirit of the Lord says, "There is a key that has been given to My people. There is a key that has been given to My people. It is the key of David. A dimension of praise is going to enter into the house of God, into the courtyards of the Lord. A new dimension of praise is going to come collectively as the people gather together, and proclamations will draw angelic visitations. Proclamations of God's greatness will cause and draw and invite angelic visitations. Do not say this is not the day of the angel. Do not say that God cannot do it.

For God says, "As you shout I will shout with you, as you sing I will sing with you. As you rejoice I will rejoice with you." God says, "I rejoice over you with joy. Do you want Me to come amongst you and rejoice with you," says the Lord? "I will rejoice over you as you rejoice over Me." God says, "As you shout tonight, I'm shouting with you."

There will only be one voice, one sound, one trumpet, one shout—because that's what they did with Joshua. And when the sound of the one trumpet and the sound of the one shout took place, the walls came down. God wants to bring walls down for you.

I hear the sounds of the demonic strongholds endeavoring to shut them up. You cannot shut us up. Since when did you think that was even possible? You tried to shut up David, and he became a greater voice. You tried to get rid of the children of Israel. You tried to get rid of Moses—little bulrushes saved him. Who do you think you are to even endeavor to come and suggest in the presence of God that you will annihilate this race called the holy people? Who are you to say, "I will annihilate," demonic strongholds, this nation, this holy nation. Ha!

Who are you to say that you have come into the very presence of a peculiar people, a chosen generation? Who are you? God has arisen and His enemies are scattered. On this nation, let the enemies that have risen up and held up their swords in glee be brought to shame and nothing, says the prophet of the Most Holy God. These are not people that have come dressed in robes and flattering religion garments. These have come with their hands open wide with the sounds of praise.

The Spirit of God says, "There are enemies that are being brought down by the sounds of a praise that have not been heard plentiful, in its plenty, for it has been stingy. But they are not afraid to behave in a manner that seems uncultured. But when was it that I came? It was when the people of God arose, and the enemies scattered."

Tonight throughout this nation I am sending a word. Beware of the sound that is about to be born in the earth. It will scatter the tribes of lucifer. It will scatter the tribes of the demonic strongholds that have endeavored to hold on for dear life, hoping that the Blood-washed people would shut their mouths.

You couldn't shut Daniel, you couldn't shut Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. You couldn't shut David. You couldn't shut Moses. You couldn't shut Gideon. You couldn't shut Ruth. You couldn't shut Esther. You couldn't shut Mary. How are you gonna do it now?

"They Shall Be Exposed Again"

The Holy Spirit says through the voice of the prophet tonight: "Beware, for the sheiks have made their move toward this nation, for those that have disguised themselves in the earlier days of 2000 have endeavored to do the same thing. But," God said, "believe it or not, My chosen generation, My holy people, because you have stood and you have shouted My praise throughout this nation, let Me assure you, they shall be exposed again. For they said, 'Under Obama's power we will be able to infiltrate.' They have said, 'Because of this President, Obama, we will be able to get into the borders and we will be able to infiltrate them.'" God said, "Not so soon, baby, not so soon! Why?

"Because," God said, "I told you long before I was the One that would take over the reigns of the Chief. And," God said, "I will harness the powers of Hell and they will be afraid, but they will come, and before they can reach their target," God says, "in the winter of this year there will be rejoicing again in America, in the Christmas season, because of what I will expose.

"And I will change things so drastically, that," God said, "even in the highest places there will be exposure. But I will bring you to a place, America, of great, great victory. And even economic upheaval will change through the summer months and I will give you back what your enemy tried to steal away from you." Rejoice, for this is your day of victory," says the Lord!

Change in the Year 2010

The Spirit of God said, "Hear before you sit in your seat." For God said, "The enemies are the scornful of this nation sitting in Senatorial committees and they are deciding things that everyone is afraid of." God said, "Who put them in charge? Since when did somebody die and put them in charge?" You say, "But they will bring legislation." God said, "Who said that? You watch how I will change things in the year 2010. Even your President will bow his knee in a very special way and say, 'We've got to do something. We've got ourselves into a mess now. There's only one Person that can get us out of it—it's the Lord God Most High.'" And so it shall be!

They say to themselves, "Let's go to the windy city. Maybe we'll leave New York and L. A. and we'll go to Chicago." God said, "They will be exposed in that place, because of the wind that shall blow in a very, very powerful way. The wind shall be a sign and it shall blow across three to four different states and they shall say, 'This is the most unusual wind that has ever taken place in the history of our nation.'

But God said, "It is a wind that will be welcoming, the wind of the Holy Spirit that shall come upon this nation. Churches that have died and tried shall come alive," says the Spirit of God. Empty buildings will be filled with rejoicing people. And the warriors of God that have risen that have been down and out, I will bring them back to life," says the Lord.

"I will take you into the White House. I will take you into every house that is controlled and monopolized in this nation, and I will fill the houses with great sounds of rejoicing! This is the day when I am unlocking the seals so that you can receive the blessing of God. Get ready for the wind of the Spirit. It shall blow," says the Lord!

Let us thank Him for His Word, for His Word is yes and amen. Holy Spirit, I pray that you would breathe upon everyone watching all across this nation and the nations of the earth; they are watching the United States of America. "What shall happen to them, shall they go down?" Demons have whispered into the ears of national leaders, statesmen, "We shall take our hands and we shall remove from them the glory that they had." God said, "This is impossible, for I have too much of the soil and territory in My hands." There has been a whispering amongst the nations and the statesmen of the earth: "The downfall of this nation, shall we see it?"

"I Shall Be Your Defense"

"It shall be a horrific thing that shall transpire. It shall happen even when the sun started shining and blazing, that North Korea shall say, 'Let us take a chance.'" The Spirit of God said, "But it is too late. For you see, America, you have brought about the possibility of this attack, but I have already formed again the downfall of Kim. It shall not have to be the United States that fights. It shall be inside. They shall remove father and son." And the Spirit of God said, "I told you there shall be a united Korea! And let My words go down and be engraved in the hearts of My people.

"This nation has suffered enough. And I shall be your defense and take you on a rocket and launch you to the highest place spiritually than you've ever been before in the history of every revival; this shall be the greatest ever. I am opening up the Heaven over Washington D.C. It has been those that have worked and labored and fought and prayed, and they have stood the test of time. I am opening up the Heavens over Washington D.C. so that I can pour rain, and there will be one transfusion after the other. They shall go from 'O Positive' to 'JC Positive.' They shall go from 'A Negative' to 'JC Positive.' I shall change their blood. I will cause even the great Senators and leaders of this nation, so they shall suddenly come alive."

Debt-Free

And God said, "There will be a change within the expression in this country. Get ready, for you will have the celebration of a lifetime, because," God said, "I'm about to bring you back to your current state and make you debt-free by the year 2010. It shall be the beginning of you being debt-free," says the Lord!

Kim Clement
Prophetic Image Expressions
Email: hope@kimclement.com

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

The New Breed of Revivalist

God is raising up a new breed of revivalist. They are those who will not wear mantles of old. They will not operate in the anointings of those who have gone on before. They are cut out of a new and yet more ancient cloth. The Church will try to categorize them but will be unable to. We will be unable to determine if they are apostles, evangelists, prophets, or pastor-teachers. For they will operate in all of the five-fold ministries. They will be like chameleons in the spirit. For whatever the situation requires- they will be.

At times they will operate in one anointing, at other times in another. Nothing will be constant. They will carry the mantle of Christ. They will operate in His anointing. They will not be well known but will be nameless and faceless. Humility will be one of the few common characteristics that they share. They will move in great power- for they will not move as men and women of earth. They will minister from the heavenlies. They will operate from the very throne room of God. They will operate as heavenly and not earthly vessels. There is a purity of spirit that will be seen. They will answer to God Himself for it is Him that they seek to please. At the same time they will know what it is like to have proper Godly submission to those who are in authority over them.

God is releasing this new breed in this hour. He is raising them up. I see a few prototypes. I see the forerunners starting to arise. And we will see more and more of them. For it is them who will lead the Church into the Kingdom. It is them who will advance the Church into the Kingdom age. We are coming out of the Church age and into the Kingdom age. They will die to flesh for flesh cannot exist in the heavenlies. Their bodies will inhabit earth but their spirits will inhabit heaven. When we look at them we will see Christ and Christ alone in them. We won't see a man or a woman but we will see the very glory of heaven radiate through them.

These are the glory carriers of this generation. The new breed will carry an open heaven wherever they go. The heavens open up before them. Their authority is exercised from the very throne of God. They know the heart of God intimately and minister from that place. They are, first and foremost, sons and daughters of the Most High. They live to seek His face and to make His name known. They will minister in the Glory. The Glory will minister through them. As they reach out their hands to minister those hands will be the hands of heaven reaching out to mankind.

No longer will there be one man on a stage. But a nameless and faceless generation will operate as one. The new breed won't care about making a name for themselves. They will actually prefer anonymity. They will prefer obscurity. They exist to make known the name of God and to see His glory revealed to all mankind. They will reflect the glory of heaven as Moses did. Through them we will see the fullness of the Kingdom. They will usher the Church into the Kingdom age and through this move we will see the promised end-time revival. The Church has not seen men and women like these. Many will compare them to the Old Testament prophets for they will carry that same kind of authority. But the new breed is so much more. They are not limited to the prophetic but operate in all of the anointings. Christ has saved His mantle for these men and women. He has saved His mantle for this generation; for it is this generation that will see the initiation of the end-time revival. They will truly move as Christ did for it is His anointing that they carry and not that of any man.

Luke Holter: "The Two-Fold Season of Jacob Brings Breakthrough"

I believe that many of you will be blessed by this word. It is crucial that we differentiate between oppression and testing of character. This is a word that has much power to transform your life. I encourage you to read it and then to reread it after a day or two. Let the fullness of this word impact the depths of your spirit.

Luke Holter: "The Two-Fold Season of Jacob Brings Breakthrough"

I have been hearing many reports from other ministries and friends that are finding themselves in a deep struggle as of late. They feel caught up in struggles both economically, spiritually and personally right now. I have noticed in my own life over this time period—a measure of straining, testing and breakthrough in personal and spiritual issues. It has been very exhausting for many people and some have even left the ministry or are beginning to "fold up their tents," so to speak, and retire. It has become increasingly hard for certain individuals and ministries to function in a prosperous way or find a sustainable measure of breakthrough.

This brought me to prayer and the Word of God where I found myself reading, pondering, arguing, laughing, and eventually getting a prophetic download from the Holy Spirit. I was searching and asking, "Lord, what is going on here? Why are things so tough right now? What is the major issue? What are You after?"

The Holy Spirit said one phrase to me that I believe unlocks a strategic view for the Church as well as myself in this season. The Spirit said, "This is the two-fold season of Jacob." The moment the Holy Spirit spoke those words to me I felt something mighty hit my spirit! The Holy Spirit said the two-fold seasons of Jacob are the seasons of "Wrestling" and of "Jacobs Ladder." The Holy Spirit took me to two very specific Scriptures in the Word concerning Jacob in Genesis 28:12 and 32:24-31.

Wrestling

Jacob's Dream at Bethel:

"Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to Heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."—Genesis 28:12

Jacob Wrestles With God:

"So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.

"Then the man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' The man asked him, 'What is your name?' 'Jacob,' he answered. Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.'

"Jacob said, 'Please tell me your name.' But he replied, 'Why do you ask my name?' Then he blessed him there.

"So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, 'It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.' The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip."—Genesis 32:24-31

We think it is the enemy that is slowing us down when really it is the Lord testing and building our character! It is the Lord Himself trying to do a good work within us and making our faith as pure gold! I felt the Holy Spirit say, "Don't stop wrestling with God!" People are giving up on this journey of God which is producing character, both personally and corporately, due to a major misunderstanding of what God is doing. We are going to miss this great work of producing "wisdom and perseverance" if we dismiss this testing as demonic oppression.

The enemy has a plan to destroy the Church and this now move of God. Now is the time that this generation must learn to decipher between "what is oppression" and "what is testing of character." The Lord is going to give us wisdom from the Holy Spirit so we don't lose momentum on this journey to major breakthrough! This generation is being given a specific opportunity for openness and authenticity before the uncreated God of the universe!

Producing Character

This generation is wrestling with God, and in this process God Himself is training us to wrestle. God is teaching us to be strong and have endurance, perseverance and steadfastness. This generation will receive a "reversal of seasons." Just as Jacob first had the dream of Jacob's Ladder and later wrestled with God, this generation will wrestle with God and receive breakthrough which will open Jacobs's ladder.

The breakthrough that is coming is literally the Heavens being opened! Angels ascending and descending! God is dedicated through intimacy and diligence in prayer to bring large-scale breakthrough in personal lives, churches and regions.

As we say, "Yes" to God producing character in us, we will come into agreement with where He is taking us. God is looking for a generation that will be a container for the times. God is looking for a generation that will allow the old wineskin to be broken. A generation that will rise in a confident relationship with the Father and stand in strength!

After his wrestling match with the Angel of the Lord, Jacob walked with a limp. The Holy Spirit says, "That is what I am looking for. I am looking for a Church and a new generation that will come out leaning on her Beloved. I am looking for a Church and a generation that will walk differently."

People could look at Jacob after that point and tell that he walked differently after his Heavenly "contending encounter." That is what God is after in this now move of God—a generation that is motivated by intimacy and a desire to walk it out differently. God wants a generation that longs to see God face to face!

"So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, 'It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.' The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip."—Genesis 32:30-31

Jacob's Ladder Brings Breakthrough

Jacob's Ladder is the season of an open Heaven. During this season the Lord is going to be opening the Heavens in a mighty way and that literally is the breakthrough. The breaking is Heaven and it's self-responding to the diligence of prayer and the steadfastness of God's people. This is a time when those who have been tested and tried and found full of love and faith will be "accelerated" in the Body of Christ.

There is a generation that the spirit of religion has tried to abort! This spirit of religion is standing in the midst of the Church and saying to a new generation, "You don't belong here." And the Holy Spirit is looking for a people and a generation that will stand up in the Church and say, "Get out!" to this spirit of religion. God desires a generation that will fight for the birth of this movement!

The place at which Jacob stopped for the night and had his Heavenly encounter was in reality Mount Moriah, the future home of the Temple in Jerusalem. The ladder therefore signifies the "bridge" between Heaven and Earth, as prayers and sacrifices offered in the Holy Temple provided a connection between God and the Jewish people. Moreover, the ladder alludes to the giving of the Torah as another connection between Heaven and Earth.

God is going to pour out His Spirit in geographic regions and Churches. The Lord is looking for a place to call "home." The Lord is saying, "Who will build a house for Me, and where can I find rest?" The Holy Spirit is saying that if a people set themselves aside to do things differently and co labor with the Lord, He will build a bridge between Heaven and Earth!

In the Gospel of John 1:51, there is a clear reference to Jacob's dream in Genesis 28:12, and it points towards Jesus Christ who is called with his title of Son of Man: "And He said to him, '"Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see Heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'"

Luke Holter
Prophetic Sheep Ministries
Email: propheticsheep@yahoo.com

Luke and Grace Holter are currently leaders with Fairmont Christian Center in Houston, Texas. Luke moved to Houston to work with the homeless and to be obedient to a direction from the Lord. Bringing with him eight years of experience in leadership and life coaching, as well as a unique set of giftings, Luke's passion is to connect people's hearts and give language to take on their destiny. As an expert in real life issues, Luke and his wife Grace are Apostolic Prophetic Leaders, and College Pastors. Luke is an author as well as being certified through the AACC (Association of Christian Counselors) as a Biblical Counselor. Luke is currently writing a book "Disarming the Monster", which will be available in early 2011. The book is about overcoming spiritual abuse and rejection through the power of relationship and forgiveness. Luke and his team have also started a prophetic etiquette school called "Prophetic Etiquette 101."

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