In This Edition
1. THE FIRE OF GOD COMES
2. ARISE!
3. Top News Headlines
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1. God’s Kingdom Tribal Lifestyle
Part 3 – Spirit to spirit
Chapter 7 - THE FIRE OF GOD COMES
By Ron McGatlin
Throughout recent centuries God has been restoring piece by piece that which was lost when Adam and subsequently all mankind fell. The process of restoration involves first the revelation of what is to be restored. It is revealed as being reality for the time in which it is to be restored.
Over 500 years ago salvation by grace through faith was restored. In the early 20th century, the revelation of the baptism with the Holy Spirit was restored. The gifts of healings and miracles were restored. Later in the mid 20th century, prophets were restored, and then in the latter part of the century and into the first part of the 21st century, the apostles are being restored. These are just a few of the most recent major restorations to the Body of Christ.
Now that the prophetic is restored, God reveals what He is doing to His prophets. As the prophets proclaim the revelation of what God is doing, it begins to come to pass. A true prophetic proclamation resonates in the hearts of mature believers and prepares God’s people to receive the next piece of restoration from God.
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets, Amos 3:7.
The Restoration of the Baptism with Fire
This may not be fresh to some of you. However, the greater revelation of the fire portion of being baptized by Christ Jesus with the Holy Spirit and FIRE is being freshly revealed and made real in me.
Mat 3:11: I (John) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
New or fresh revelation is God uncovering for us what has always been. It is as if God lifts up the cover or lid, and our eyes are opened to fresh revelation. We may then marvel that we have not seen before this obvious reality that is now so clearly exposed.
I believe that in this season, the lid is NOT being gently lifted off the revelation of THE FIRE of GOD. The lid is being blown off with an explosion of power.
This will be more than the revival fire that has been poured out historically time and time again. In revival we cried out for God to SEND THE FIRE. His fire has now come and we are beginning to grasp what it means to be baptized by Christ Jesus with the Holy Spirit and FIRE.
This does not involve the hype and showmanship of highly promoted performance-based conferences. This is not a stage or platform production. The fire of God is not geared to man-made staged performance. You can lay aside the rock bands and high powered so called “praise music” with its costumed and choreographed dance. The fire of heaven is coming down in the person of Christ Jesus in the Holy Spirit. The Body of Christ will come forth filled with the Spirit of Christ from within and saturated with the fire of Christ upon us.
Living Water and Fire
Probably most if not all of us have been experiencing to some degree the inner working of the baptism and fullness of the Holy Spirit – the gifts, peace, inner power, joy, and more. However, most of us have probably not truly experienced the baptism with Fire coming UPON us in this present season. The fire of God is the glory of Christ falling upon us from above. It is the Christ in us coming together with the Spirit of Christ from above. The restoration of the baptism of fire is coming upon us exploding the powerful works of Christ Jesus into a desperate and failing world.
The fire of His glory is suddenly coming upon purified holy sons and daughters of God. The glory will not rest upon mixture or flesh, as the revival fire of the past has done. The Holy Spirit was poured out on flesh in revivals and outpourings in the 90s, and a measure of fire came for a short season. This that is now coming forth is much more and will be Spirit to spirit. Mixture will be quickly burned away, and only pure holiness will remain in the fire.
This past Sunday afternoon, I was meeting with a few close friends. We were seated in a relatively close circle each sharing from our hearts and from the scriptures. Something was said about being thirsty for the coming of more fullness of God or something like that. I heard in my spirit that it was in us and needed to flow out of us as living water. I read a couple of scriptures from John.
John 4:13-14: Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
John 7:38: "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
As I read these verses I began to feel a strong stirring of unrest and dissatisfaction within. I began to proclaim that it is in us. We have it and are not letting it flow out to each other. We thirst and do not have, because we are not pouring out the rivers of living water to each other. I don’t have it because you are not letting it flow out to me. I was saying something like that when suddenly the fire of God fell upon me. The Spirit of God came UPON me and fire (glory) came upon my being like I have not experienced in a long time, if ever before.
At my age, I usually get up from a seated position slowly with help by pushing myself up with my arms. When the fire came upon me, I suddenly leapt straight up from my chair with shouts and did some sort of a rapidly stepping scooting sort of a dance or something in a tight circle as tongues and words flowed profusely from me. I could not see anything but the glory. I fell back into my chair and prophesied and praised as the river poured from me. As far as I could tell, glory filled the room and impacted us all. I do not sing at all, but at some point in all this, I actually flowed into spontaneously leading worship choruses. Prophecy, prayer, and praise flowed like a river.
It was like the flow of living water (Spirit) from within flowed out and met the fire of God. Perhaps this is a key to the fire (glory) falling upon us. First the dissatisfaction with our not flowing the living waters of the Spirit of Christ out of us. At the instant we begin to flow the living water, the fire comes.
It is as if the inner flow of the living water of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of God’s people can meet up with Holy Fire and create explosive power. The heavy lid of religion with its erroneous theology of doubt and unbelief and our personal gods of prideful self-consciousness have held back the release of the power of the Spirit, creating an extreme back pressure in the bosom of God’s Spirit-filled people.
In the natural realm water contained in an enclosed vessel that is heated with fire becomes steam pressure. As the fire increases the pressure builds, and when the lid comes off, it explodes. At best we have been experiencing small leaks of power flowing out to the atmosphere of the world from the sons of God.
The pressure for the release of God from within us is now ready to explode into the world as God helps us to blow our lid off to full-out release the explosive power of spiritual reality of Christ Jesus.
First the Cross, Next the Spirit, Now the Fire
After the cross, the resurrected Christ Jesus gathered with His disciples before ascending to the Father and gave them instruction. They were sent by Jesus to do the same work God sent Jesus to do by the same power. Then He breathed the Holy Spirit into them (John 20:21-22).
Prior to this moment the disciples had not received the Holy Spirit. Even though they had followed Jesus and believed He was the Son of God, until Jesus died on the cross they remained of the first Adam. Because of the sinful state of mankind, they could not fully receive the Holy Spirit. However, it was at this moment after the cross, the sin curse had been broken and those who followed Jesus were able to receive the Holy Spirit from the breath of the resurrected Christ. Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into them much as God had originally breathed His Spirit into Adam (Gen 2:7).
At this point redemption became a reality for the disciples who now had the Spirit of God in their lives. For the first time since Adam, the Holy Spirit was again within men other than Jesus. However, they did not yet have the full empowerment of the life of Christ Jesus within and upon them. He was still standing before them awaiting His ascension to the Father.
Christ Jesus had to return to the Father and become a “life-giving Spirit” (1 Cor 15:45). Only then could the Holy Spirit impart the fire of Christ Jesus to dwell with and empower the disciples who would receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The disciples were instructed to not depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the empowering baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8).
All of this took place in a relatively brief period of time. The cross and resurrection had broken the curse of sin and changed the sinful state of the disciples, opening the way for Jesus to breath the Holy Spirit into them before ascending to the Father. Then the promise of the Father could come at Pentecost in the full baptism of the Holy Spirit and FIRE. These works of God were being planted into the world to be multiplied in the fullness of time when all things weremade ready.
From the revelation of the work of the Cross by grace through faith being restored around 500 years ago, to the baptism of the Holy Spirit about 100 years ago, to the revelation of the kingdom of God life on earth in the past few decades, to the recent restoration of true holiness by the Spirit within, to the today restoration of the FIRE of Christ Jesus coming UPON pure-hearted Holy Spirit-filled people of God, the restoration continues.
The Fire of God is the Glory of Christ Jesus
Forerunners of FIRE are emerging now. The real and fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit with fire will soon spread to the corners of the earth bringing the manifest presence and power of God into view of all. It will bring great empowerment to the humble and sudden destruction to the pride and loftiness of man. The progressive transformation to the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven is now being clearly seen by God’s people. The gospel of the kingdom is restored and being widely proclaimed. The FIRE of the Spirit of Christ is coming upon Holy Spirit-indwelled people bringing God-empowered LIFE.
2. ARISE!
By Tim Laughlin
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people, but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. Isaiah 60:1,2
Every conceivable form of darkness is covering the earth and its people. The light of the gospel has faded and the world is lost in a cloud of religion. Lust and greed have consumed the hearts of men and pride has dominated their minds with great delusions of grandeur. The only hope for mankind is for the people of God to arise!
God has said to His people, arise throughout His word that it is their time for victory. The Hebrew word speaks of becoming powerful, to come upon the scene, to stand, to maintain oneself, to be established, to endure, to persist, to be valid, proven and fixed. The word literally means to get up on your feet and move out as in a military term.
The world is sin-sick, disease ridden and in need of a blood transfusion that is only available from the Savior's veins received by faith through the grace of a holy God. The entire planet seems to be reeling from the effects of sin and death and there is a darkness descending upon mankind that is extinguishing any remnant of spiritual light.
Jesus alerted His disciples to the fact that they were to be aware of the signs of the times, to be sober and awake. He warned them of things to come in the future, things that are here now staring us in the face. Like a ravenous beast ready to devour the world we are confronted with demonic powers being released upon a complacent church unable and un-willing to fight in this last great battle for souls.
The time is at hand to stop trying to figure out what the church is supposed to look like, and start to behave like the "Royal Priesthood" that we have been called to be! Heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely you have received now freely give! Believe it or not, the "Body of Christ" has more to do than show up for an hour on Sunday, only to go back home and watch the football game and take a nap.
'But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.' Acts 26:16
We are stewards of the mysteries of God, witnesses of His resurrection by faith and managers of His power through the Holy Spirit. As a "Royal Priesthood" we are called to minister before the very throne of God. The blood of Jesus has washed us of all sin and translated us into the Kingdom of Heaven to rule and reign on earth by His divine authority.
The most powerful race on earth, the believer has been given access to all the power and glory of God. A nuclear arsenal of dynamite available to breakdown demonic strongholds, defeat the powers of darkness, change the spiritual landscape of the earth and even raise the dead. The body of the living Christ is a force to be reckoned with and the very expression of Jesus in the earth today!
That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power for all patience and long suffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:10-12
The body of Christ has been qualified to become partakers of the divine inheritance, in other words we have received all that Jesus possessed through His covenant of blood, His word, His anointing and His love. We have been adopted into the very family of God to fulfill His divine plans in the earth and to carry out His purposes for a worldwide harvest of souls.
The priesthood of believers are called to reproduce the nature and character of God in others by sowing the gospel of Jesus Christ in the fertile fields of the lost of this world and by making disciples of all nations. The mission has not changed since the birth of His glorious church two thousand years ago when His disciples received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The Spirit is calling His body to arise and shine forth as sons and daughters of light, forsaking the divisiveness and false doctrine of the modern day man centered church with its ritual and gospel of self and take up the whole armor of God and join in the battle for souls. It is time to shake off the dust of dead religious works and move out in the power of the Spirit, sword in hand to defeat the powers of darkness and take dominion over the earth. It is our God given destiny!
Open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me. Acts 26:18
Your servant in Christ,
Tim Laughlin
timc.laughlin@sbcglobal.net
www.restorationtrainingcenter.org
3. Top News Headlines
Christians Hope for a Better Egypt Following Bloodshed in Cairo - A Courageous Christian Woman Tells of Her Fiancé’s Death on Egypt’s ’Bloody Sunday’ - 10/31/2011
A military vehicle veered into the crowded street at a speed fast enough to bring imminent danger to anyone standing in its path. The truck swiveled on and off the sidewalk, reversed, and went forward again. People scrambled and tripped over one another, uncertain where the vehicle would turn next. Looking behind her, she saw Michael swept under the truck and crushed. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38097&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Billy Graham Celebrates 93rd Birthday Following Release of 30th book, 'Nearing Home' - 11/2/2011
Evangelist Billy Graham will turn 93 on Nov. 7, following the release of his 30th book through which he shares personal autobiographical reflections and wisdom on growing old. "All my life I was taught how to die as a Christian, but no one ever taught me how I ought to live in my latter years,"I wanted to share some of the things I have learned about this stage in life. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38114&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
European leaders speak out about Christian massacres - 11/3/2011
Members of the European Parliament have condemned the massacre of peaceful protesters in Egypt and Syria. They're asking those governments to do more to protect the Christians in these nations. Why not Iraq? "Perhaps it's because there are still millions of Christians in Egypt and Syria. While in Iraq we've seen an incredible decimation of Christians." Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38122&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Remembering Iraq's Christian Refugees One Year after Baghdad Church Massacre - 10/31/2011
Monday, October 31, 2011, marks the anniversary of last year's four-hour siege on a Syriac Catholic church that ended with muslims massacring 58 worshippers. The attack was the worst against Iraqi Christians since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 and enticed many of the already dwindling Christian population in Baghdad to leave the city permanently. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38096&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
U.S. Embassy in Iraq Encourages Tiny Jewish Community to Leave after WikiLeaks Expose' - 10/31/2011
An Anglican priest in Iraq says he's working with the U.S. Embassy to persuade the handful of Jews who still live in Baghdad to leave because their names have appeared in cables published by WikiLeaks. So far, however, only onehad expressed interest. "The older ones are refusing to leave. They say: 'We're Iraqis. Why should we go? If they kill us, we will die here." Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38094&a mp;PN=1
Doctor Back from the Dead - 11/2/2011
"I was dead for 1 hour and 25 minutes, but came back to life after my wife prayed a simple prayer," said Dr. George, who provided all kinds of medical data that put on a large screen for the other doctors to check out. He said that it on October 24, 2008, he returned from the dead to amaze colleagues who had battled for almost 55 minutes to revive his lifeless heart. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38111&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Coptic Christian Student Murdered by Classmates for Wearing a Cross - 11/2/2011
Ayman was in the classroom he was told to cover up his tattooed wrist cross. He refused and defiantly showed the second cross under his shirt. "The teacher choked him and some Muslim students joined in the beating," After the funeral service more than 5,000 Christians marched along the streets denouncing the killing and the repeated killings of Copts in Egypt. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38112&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Discipleship the challenge after thousands of kids come to Christ in Congo - 11/2/2011
"It's been a great challenge, but a great blessing, especially for the Lord honoring the faith of these men. The number since we began this program is 17,000-18,000. "It's an amazing thing. As my son has remarked to me, ‘I've never seen such openness.' The door is open now, and we want to make sure we enter in and do as much as possible during this time." Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38113&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
News From British Isles, Ireland. Europe and Worldwide - 11/3/2011
Britain should be more Christian - Gay couples to be allowed ceremonies in church - New consortium to equip Christians in social media - Greek bailout vote reignites euro crisis - Protests start ahead of G20 summit - Afghanistan/Pakistan: Christian NGOs are targeted - Iran: Authorities attempt to corrupt Christianity - Gaza Strip and West Bank: Christianity - and More> Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38121&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Burma (Myanmar): Interests, smokescreens & ethnic cleansing -- a call to pray for the Christian Kachin of northern Burma - 11/3/2011
Whilst the West is lauding Burma for its reforms, war against the Christian Kachin people continues unabated. The regime appears intent on ethnically cleansing Kachin State. Some 30,000 Kachin are displaced, most without food, shelter or medical aid. The regime is imposing severe restrictions on Christianity in some Kachin towns. War and Repression is escalating. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38123&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
EGYPT: "more radicalised than we realised"; Islam, Dhimmitude and the Maspero Massacre - 10/31/2011
Where Islam is dominant, atheists and polytheists have two choices: convert to Islam or die. Jews and Christians (the People of the Book), have a third choice: dhimmitude - they may pay for their right to life with protection money (religiously santioned extortion) and by submitting to Islamic rule and Sharia law in total subjugation and abject humiliation (Sura 9:29). Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38092&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
For More Top News Headlines, Go Here: http://archive.openheaven.com/news/headlines/
Topic: OpenHeaven.com Digest November 04, 2011
