It’s a season of the utmost importance, one that requires patient endurance and CONSISTENCY in our faithfulness amidst a craftiness that's engineered to lead MANY astray. John’s words in the Revelation text call on the reader to “remain” faithful; if you’ve not yet experienced enough opposition in your life to remain (last, persist, prevail, endure) faithful to Him, prepare for it now and in the season that immediately follows. Be watchful. Be at the ready. Plan to persevere.
I was recently led to the book of Habbakkuk, where the writer, [Habbakkuk] much like his prophetic predecessors, is seeking clear understanding from the Lord in how to proceed with what has been revealed to him. (I’d advise reading Habbakkuk in its entirety to fully understand what it is the prophet was seeing) See an exchange between Habbakkuk and God below:
Habbakkuk: ‘I’ll stand at my watchpost, and station myself on the rampart; I’ll keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint.
The Lord replies: ‘Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.’ [from Habbakkuk 2: 1-5]
God’s instruction to the watchman, Habbakkuk:
1. Record what you see
2. Don’t mince your words; in other words, make it clear and straightforward so that it can be seen by a runner.
3. The vision is still true and it applies for a time yet to come
4. Be patient in this vision, even if it seems to delay
5. That which you saw will come to pass and come without delay in the appointed time (God’s time)
This exchange has greatly lessened my yolk. It’s confirmation that what I’ve been seeing and hearing concerning the season and the severity of this very snapshot in time and that which will follow it is not in vain. Like Habbakkuk, I’ve been called to record what it is that I’m seeing, and I plan to do so plainly with the faith that it’s accurate and that it applies for a time yet to come. If it seems to tarry or lag, I’ll wait, and if it seems mistaken I’ll instead trust that it speaks the truth.
There is a way that seems right to a man but its end is surely destruction. (PROVERBS 14:12) I therefore, commit to pursue what is right and not merely what seems right.
It's always necessary to remember prophecy's greatest obstacle and biggest enemy: FEAR, which as Pastor Adam pointed out recently, is a spirit, not an emotion, personality trait, feeling, or human characteristic.
There are numerous reasons that sounding the prophetic trumpet at this time is hard, none of which have anything to do with obedience but everything to do with fear. The church has a history of not receiving prophecy well. The American church, specifically, has a habit of not understanding prophecy at all. The message of repentance is generally unpopular. In an increasingly dull spiritual climate, seeing the future is typically reserved for psychics, not the church. These are all harsh truths for God’s watchmen and watchwomen stationed at their posts. The question remains though, will [we] side with what seems right and is safe or what is right and perilous?
Now what?
The short and sweet question that all Christians should become accustomed to is ‘now what?’ Even more instrumental than why, how, what, who and where, ‘now what?’ requires action. My ‘now what?’ involves writing a book. One where I’ll record what I see, plainly present it and trust that it will come to pass in due time with all due power and accuracy. It’s to be called: The gospel of Tolerance: How a Cultural Movement is Lessening Faith & Attracting Wickedness.
What’s your ‘now what?’ What have you been appointed to share, teach, proclaim, bring to light, prophesy, etc? The situation is grave, the season severe. The church needs you badly. It’s time.