Posted: 10/15/2009 at 4:32pm | IP Logged

C.S Lewis wrote an essay once called “Meditation in a Tool Shed.” In it he described his being in an old tool shed. The door was closed and light was streaming through the cracks in the door. By the light he saw the inside of the shed, the dust particles floating in the air, the tools, dirt, and cobwebs in the shed. Then he moved to the door and stood in the light. By it he could see through the crack to the outside. He could see the blue of the skies and the clouds floating gently by. His point, of course, was that by observation we can see one way and by experience we see another way.

We are now moving from the church age in the kingdom age, a season where God completes His gathering work and prepares His bride for the wedding to come. From this kingdom age perspective He has raised up apostles and prophets to reveal His work to the church. These are Kingdom leaders. They are few in number and not at all well known. But by their experience and the revelation they've received, they, like the Sons of Issachar (1 Chronicles 12:32), have an understanding of their times. They have, as C.S. Lewis illustrates, stood in the light of God's calling and experienced what others have not--revelation of the times we're in.

Then there are other prophets who talk about the kingdom, who have a doctrinal understanding of the kingdom, and who see the new kingdom age from their observation of it, but who have not been called by God to stand in the light of kingdom revelation. These are church age prophets. They minister God's word and reveal God's will to fellow believers and accomplish God's purpose for them in this life. They are necessary agents of God in these transitional times. They have some degree of kingdom age understanding, but it's by observation, not by calling.

Most of the biggest names in apostolic and prophetic circles are these--church age prophets. They've accomplished much for God and have led His church to the river of crossing, but they themselves will not be able to cross over and prophesy from a kingdom age experience.

Now I ask you, should we disparage the work of these church age apostles and prophets? No. Did Joshua minimize the work of Moses? No. There are seasons and there are seasons. There are leaders and there are leaders. There are prophets and there are prophets.

The only major criticism that I can direct toward these well-known men and women of God is that some of them hear and pass on some aspects of kingdom understanding, adopting the message and adapting it to their ministries, but they refuse to acknowledge their place and calling, and refuse to yield to new leadership. They have become more career-focused than cause-focused. And they're beginning to proclaim the kingdom message as if it were their own.

Think of this: What if Moses had stubbornly rejected Joshua's calling and insisted on leading the people himself? Did he? No. But unlike Moses, these present-day apostles and prophets are cliquish, jealously protective of one another, and refuse to acknowledge their own calling's limitations in these days. It is because of this behavior that they, themselves, disparage their own ministries.

So, what response should kingdom age servants of God have toward these church age leaders? Very little. Kingdom age leaders must not get caught up in protracted squabbles that divert attention away from their primary callings. After all, one leader's value as Christ's servant is no greater than the value of another leader. It's just a matter of the times we're in, that's all. We must always remember, Christ yields His Lordship to no man. No exceptions.

Posted: 10/16/2009 at 8:12am | IP Logged

Ray I disagree with this at this point, all are called to be of the kingdom of God, some have been in situations were if they were truly walk in kingdom age realities, they would to lose their own lives and ministries. The real issue is this, are you willing to become as a child and enter the kingdom or just look at it from afar.

The real point of offense for them is the cross, they are not willing to lose one thing or another, be it the adulation, money, fame or position. This is the hour of confrontation of the real issues of the heart. No more fence sitting. These prophets will HAVE to chose.

Kris 

Posted: 10/16/2009 at 8:17am | IP Logged

The kingdom of God is the most simplest form of living, it is Christ in me. This is the age of the manifestation of God through His people in fullness. The prophet who is stuck in church age has in some manner kept back something for himself. In that place of uncrucified flesh Christ is not being manifest. It will destroy them if they will not repent. The Lord spoke to me that today is a day of life or death, we will either make it or we will fall. no more gray areas.

Kris

Posted: 11/13/2009 at 11:56am | IP Logged

The only major criticism that I can direct toward these well-known men and women of God is that some of them hear and pass on some aspects of kingdom understanding, adopting the message and adapting it to their ministries, but they refuse to acknowledge their place and calling, and refuse to yield to new leadership. They have become more career-focused than cause-focused. And they're beginning to proclaim the kingdom message as if it were their own.

Think of this: What if Moses had stubbornly rejected Joshua's calling and insisted on leading the people himself? Did he? No. But unlike Moses, these present-day apostles and prophets are cliquish, jealously protective of one another, and refuse to acknowledge their own calling's limitations in these days. It is because of this behavior that they, themselves, disparage their own ministries.

So, what response should kingdom age servants of God have toward these church age leaders? Very little. Kingdom age leaders must not get caught up in protracted squabbles that divert attention away from their primary callings."(end of quote)

Whoa Ray what a word this is!!!!!!!!!!!  Absolutely appropriate and right on!!!

Thanks for sharing it....blessings!