A Prophetic Word

We all love prophets, they speak words that inspire, confront and compel us toward destiny. In scripture the prophet Nehemiah inspires a remnant to rebuild and fortify the walls of Jerusalem, however his first action is a call to prayer and fasting – through intercession, praise and worship, repentance of sin, and to recall the promises of God (Ne 1:4-11). As cupbearer to the king, he had influence to ask, “If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it” (Ne 2:5).

Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem by the remnant faithful reminds me of the words spoken by our Lord to Francis of Assisi, “Francis, rebuild My church”, as he knelt in prayer inside a dilapidated old run-down church. In obedience he went immediately to work to fix and repair the little church, not realizing that his call was universal. Like Francis our vision is shortsighted and narrow, yet He calls us into the deep where only – faith alone can swim.

In this year of worldwide pandemic and fear, we are once again called to rebuild His church and prepare for the great end time harvest. The repair of the church walls includes repentance for disobedience to the Lord’s prayer – that we “all be one” (John 17:21). I see this in my spirit as a gathering of boats, from dinghies (individuals), to frigates (ministries), to battleships (congregations), to aircraft carriers (apostolic), and even submarines (intercessors); gathered into one large armada of unity, strength and purpose. I can hear the refrain in my spirit, Until the Whole World Knows, the ignition and spark of the coming worldwide revival – is unity.

“The time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory…and declare it to the nations” (Is 66:18).

Are we not cupbearers to Christ the King? Has not the Precious Blood been shed for us? Has not blood and water flowed from His side? Is He not the Light of the World? Are we not called to pick up our cross and follow Him? Is He not the Head and we the body?

“You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Eph. 2:19-22).