Words from the Lord: "Time to clean up!"

I have a dream from the Lord the other day. In the dream, I saw many believers of God and ministers of God, including myself, being brought into a huge mansion. The mansion has many rooms. The mansion is huge and with a huge compound surrounding it. Each individual is assigned into each of the rooms. These are all Christians, both believers and ministers alike. I saw myself being assigned with one room too. However, each of these rooms in the mansion were full of dirt and dust, and needed some cleanup before it could be inhabited. It seems like everyone with no exception has to do some cleanup for the respective room given to each of them. 

When I woke up from the dream, I initially thought it's the mansion in heaven that God talks about in the Scripture. But then I realized it's not. I mean, how can the mansion in heaven be full of dirt and needs cleanup? So, this is not talking about heaven. This is talking about what's happening here on earth. 

The dream was so real. As I woke up from the dream, I prayed and I asked the Lord, "What do all these mean?" 

That's when I heard the Lord saying, "Tell My people: It's time for a cleanup!"

The Lord said further: "Spiritually and physically! Individually and corporately! The church and the ministry on earth needs a cleanup! In every level and in every area! Not just as a body, as a church, or any form of ministry, but on a personal level!" 

Here's the interpretation to the dream, and I know there's an urgency to it. The huge mansion here is the house of the Lord on earth as a whole. It means there's no exception. The many rooms and compartments are the different expressions and branches of Christianity on earth. But right now, there seems to be a lot of dirt, dust, and uncleanness all over. God is speaking metaphorically. And God says it's time for a cleanup before it can be inhabited. It's time to clean up whatever that has contaminated the rooms and the house as a whole.

Definitions of 'cleanup': 

1. The removal of dirt, untidiness, or corruption from a place or a situation. 

2. The sanitizing, washing, and purifying of something. 

3. The purging, reforming, rectifying, and straightening up of something. 

Before the greater glory of the Lord comes, the Lord says, "Now is the time for a cleanup!" 

As I prayed further, the Lord showed me Jeremiah 17. Jeremiah 17 begins with the Lord God talking about the uncleanness among God's people. This includes idolatry in any form. It doesn't just mean a physical idol, per se. Idolatry may even be elevating man in the place of God. It may be hero worshiping. It may be pursuing man's fallen ways instead of God's ways. In other words, not putting the Lord God as the first and highest place, or in the rightful place, in how we do things. Of course, this is very subtle. In the outward or on stage, everything may look good. But the Lord is looking in the inside. 

Jeremiah 17:5-6 (NKJV) says, 'Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited."'

In the context of what God is saying today, these verses can apply both spiritually and physically, inward and outward, inside of us and outside of us. 

Prophet Jeremiah pictured this 'shrub in the desert' as weak and dry that's about to die from drought. From the outside, this shrub may look good and fine. But in the inside, it's actually dead and futile. This is a 'picture' of those who trust in man (or man-made ways) instead of the Lord (and the Lord's ways). This 'shrub in the desert' is a 'picture' of what's dying, drying, and unsustainable. 

So, this is a call to clean up! Let the Lord search our hearts and show us what to clean up. Let the Lord wash our hearts and wash our hands. Inside of us and outside of us. Or whatever that we put our hands to do. When I say this, I say this with the fear and the reverence of the Lord. I'm saying this to myself too. No one on earth is exempted, and no one on earth is an exception, no matter what position we hold on earth. 

The Lord has spoken. He desires cleanliness and holiness. He desires a pure heart whom He will not turn away. He is indeed preparing for His coming glory! 

This is not a message of condemnation. But this is a message of restoration and hope. This is a message of preparation for what's coming. The coming glory of the Lord! 

Let's get back to Jeremiah chapter 17. Look at the contrast here in Jeremiah 17, if God's people begin to turn away from their uncleanness and man-made ways, and turn to God (and God's ways). 

In Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV), the Lord says, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit." 

Here, prophet Jeremiah referred the man who trusts in the Lord to be like a tree planted by the waters, whose leaf is green, and will not cease yielding fruit. This is exactly what God wants you to walk in, in this season, and going forward. 

In Jeremiah 17:14 (NKJV), prophet Jeremiah said, "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved. For You are my praise." 

The word 'heal' here is 'rapha' in Hebrew. It can mean 'mend, cure, repair, make well, make whole'. The word 'save' here is 'yasha' in Hebrew. It can mean 'help, rescue, deliver, preserve, defend, set free'. 

As you surrender your life to the Lord and submit to Him, you receive both 'rapha' and 'yasha'. Yes, in every sense of these words. This is the promise of God for those who look to Him and submit to Him. 

From the Scripture here, God's heart is always about restoration, renewal, healing, and hope for His people. That's what Jeremiah 17 is pointing to us. So right now, beloved of God, let restoration and healing take place. If we are willing, God will be more than willing. This is His assurance for us.

And if we are willing and we heed God's message for us, blessed are we, because God's light is going to shine so bright in each of us, and we shall arise and shine, for the glory of the Lord is coming upon us! Hallelujah! 

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Words from the Lord: The cleansing time has begun!

The Lord says: 

"Blessed are those who are washed from the inside out. Blessed are those who have the beauty from the inside out. What's in the inside will in turn be reflected on the outside, and the world shall see. This time and season is a time of cleansing for My church. I am preparing My church pure, holy, and unblemished; just as being written in My Word. I have begun My restoration works for My church." 

It looks like we are still in this series of God speaking to His church in this time and season. I believe when the Lord mentioned about His church here, He meant His church as a whole, i.e. His body, the Body of Christ. In other words, He is talking to His people as a whole, wherever they are on earth. 

Indeed, wherever we are on earth, we are members of His body, and He is the Head of the body, the Body of Christ. 

Now, don't get me wrong here. From the very beginning of the church age some 2,000 years ago, the Lord has always been working. It means cleansing has always been ongoing all these years and centuries. Not only now. However, the Lord has spoken this is an extremely crucial time of cleansing for His people, both as individuals and for His church as a whole. He's talking about inner cleansing here. He's talking about deep cleansing from the inside out. 

Why is this so crucial at this time? Here's the answer: In order to prepare His people, His church, for what is to come! He's doing a cleansing from the inside out, because without this, we will not be able to withstand the onslaught of the powers of this world and the powers of devil in this end-time! 

But of course, fear not! This is not a doom and gloom message. But we are saying in spite of whatever doom and gloom that's happening in this world, and in spite of the challenging time that's coming to the world (ecologically, politically, geopolitically), yet at the same time, His glory (the glory of the Lord) is also going to shine the brightest like you've never seen before! 

And remember, even in the most challenging of times, the Lord is still the same - yesterday, today, and forever to you! He is your very present help, and He is your refuge. Amen! 

In Isaiah 60:1-2, the Scripture says, 'Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is 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.'

Yes, upon you! Upon His people! Upon His church! Now, 'church' is 'a people'. For your info, the word 'church' was mentioned about 115 times in King James Version. And interestingly, all these 115 times point towards 'church' being 'a people'; not a building, not an area, not a land, not an institution, not an organization. For the record, in Greek, the word 'church' is 'ekklesia'. The word 'ek' means 'of, from'; and the word 'klesia' comes from the word 'kaleo', which means 'a call'. So, 'ekklesia', or 'church', simply means 'a gathering of the called ones', or 'a gathering of God's people'. 

Indeed, 1 Peter 2:9-10 says as believers (i.e. as 'a people of God'), we have been called out from the darkness into God's marvelous light. That's you and I! We are the church! A people of God! And Jesus Christ is the Head of all of us, the people of God, His body, the Body of Christ! 

Interestingly, in cross-reference, the word 'called' here in 1 Peter chapter 2 is also the same word 'kaleo'.

In Isaiah 60:5, the Scripture says, 'Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.'

Now, it's for all these reasons mentioned in Isaiah chapter 60 that the Lord is currently doing His deep cleansing for His people, His church! What is He preparing for? He is preparing for the coming of His glory! When His glory and His light shines, no work of the enemy and no work of the evil one in this world can withstand it! 

But you know what? Before the glory of the Lord comes such as we've never seen before, He is preparing us first, His people, His church! This is not a message to judge anyone. Rather, this is a message for self-reflection, whether we are leaders, or in whatever way the Lord is using us right now, both in the ministry or in the marketplace. When I share this message, I'm speaking to myself too. So, let us all humble ourselves under His mighty hand, and let us be changed by Him from the inside out. 

Let's look at what the Scripture say about 'cleansing'. In Ephesians 5:26-27, in the words of Apostle Paul, '...that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.' 

'He' here speaks of 'Jesus Christ'; and 'Her' here speaks of 'the church as a whole; and we are the members of His body, the Body of Christ'. The context here is like the relationship between a husband and a wife; how the husband loves the wife, and how the husband gives himself for her. By the same token, how Jesus loves the church and gives Himself for the church. 

So, with this understanding, let's read again: '...that Jesus might sanctify and cleanse the church with the washing of water by the word; that Jesus might present the church to Himself a glorious church (not a defeated church, not a weakened church; but a glorious church, full of His glory and light), not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.' 

This is exactly what the Lord is doing right now! He is in the midst of cleansing His people, His church! 

The word 'cleanse' here is 'katharizo' in Greek, from the word 'katharos' meaning 'to cleanse (whether to cleanse spiritually, or literally - inward and outward)'. It means 'to cleanse (inside of us, and outside of us)'. It can also mean 'to make clean, to purify, to purge, to be unstained'. 

Let's look now at Ephesians 5:25, just one verse before that, 'Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her...' 

If you look at the context of the relationship between a husband and wife here, just like Christ and the church, 1 Peter 3:3-4 also says this regarding the wife (therefore, this can also apply for the church too), 'Do not let your adornment be merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel - rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.' 

In other words, not just outward, but the inward is so crucially important. True beauty is beauty from the inside out; whether it is literally about wives, or about His church. The Lord doesn't want us to put up an outward show only. But He wants to see in the inside of us. He wants us to be changed from the inside out. 

Let's look at what Jesus said now. Even though He was speaking about the Pharisees and the scribes those days, this can also apply to us as believers and leaders. Let's look at Matthew 23:25-26, '...For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence... first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.' 

This may cut to the hearts. But this is necessary. This is part of His cleansing work for His church, and the leaders He has raised up for this end-time. Notice the word 'cleanse' here. It is the same word 'katharizo' in Greek, from the word 'katharos' that I've explained earlier. I'm showing you this as a cross-reference about the cleansing of the church; beginning from the leaders and how we do things, and flowing down to every believer in the Body of Christ. 

Well, of course, some may say this applies only to the Pharisees and the scribes, and this has nothing to do with the current church leaders and current believers in the Body of Christ. But the background of Matthew 23 on why Jesus said what He said, and the gist of His message here is that He wants to address the inside of us. In other words, He's saying that true beauty (true righteousness) starts from the inside. He's saying the religious leaders those days, namely the Pharisees and the scribes, were greatly concerned and focused on their outward show, and how they carry themselves outward; but they were full of sins, corruption, greed, self-seeking, self-glorifying, and even self-indulgences in the inside of them. 

This message may be uncomfortable for some people to hear, but this is what the Lord has spoken for this time and season.

God can never be fooled by what we show on the outside, i.e. on how holy and righteous we show on the outside. Rather, God sees what we actually are in the inside, and not what we appear to be to other people on the outside. This is the gist of Matthew 23. This is what Jesus meant to say. 

The Lord is looking at our hearts, i.e. our real self in the inside of us. And He's saying, "Blessed are those who are clean in the inside, who are washed from the inside, who have the beauty in the inside." This is true beauty. This is how the Lord sees beauty, i.e. the beauty that begins from the inside of us. 

This is what the Lord is looking for in His people (for His end-time move). And no power of darkness, no power of this world, and no power of the devil can withstand the holiness, purity, and innocence in the inside of each of us. This is the key to victory! This is the key to triumph! This is the key to the glory of the Lord coming and shining in this world through us! 

So you see, this is a time for self-reflection. This is a time to come before the Lord just as we are, and let Him cleanse us with the water of His Word and His Spirit. This is a time to ask Him to show us what are the areas in our lives that we need to change. Of course, this involves humility on our part. Yes, I'm also saying this to myself. This message is for me too. So, let us humble ourselves before Him; and let us be changed and be transformed from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

Prayer: 

"O Lord God, in a time like this, we come before You just as we are. Cleanse us with the water of Your Word and Your Spirit. Show us the areas that we need to be changed (whatever and wherever You have positioned us in this world). We humble ourselves before You. We want to be changed from the inside out. We look to You. We want to be found innocent, pure, holy, and unblemished before You - both in the inside and on the outside. We thank You for the forgiveness of sins through the blood that You've shed for us on the cross. We thank You for Your restoration and renewal works in our lives, and yes, in our church. Amen." 

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Words from the Lord: Don't be tricked by the enemy's delusion!

In a vision, I saw a land with many buildings in it. It looks very much like a town or city. In the atmospheric realm above the land, there were many corners and dimensions. On each of these corners above the land, I saw some mysterious figures in the form of men spewing out cobwebs from their mouths. These cobwebs then covered the whole atmospheric realm of the land. 

Then I saw God's people in the land. However, many of these people began to have delusion. Many of these people began to be intruded and influenced in their minds. Their spiritual visions became blurred. 

Interpretation: 

Instead of patterning after God's ways, many in the end-time began to pattern after these delusions. They began to pattern after the ways of the principalities and powers of the air that have intruded the land where they are. 

Words from the Lord: 

"It's time to be awakened from these delusions! It's time to wake up from these spiritual slumber! I am anointing the spiritual eyes of many. Many will suddenly 'see' the many things that have caused them to be deluded. The anointing has been released to break the delusions that the enemy has caused. Rise above and not come under! Rise above and stand strong in My Word! I have given you the authority to rise above the atmospheric realm! Fear not! Do not be conformed to these patterns and ways, but be transformed by My Spirit!" 

What is the definition of this word 'delusion'? 

It can mean 'a false illusion (i.e. something that appears real, but actually it isn't)'. It can also mean 'something that is believed to be true, but it is actually false'. 

Now, 'delusion' can imply 'the inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real'. You see, there's a difference here - what is real and what only seems to be real. This can happen due to some external and unseen forces that intrude into one's mind, and in turn, causing such delusion in one's spirit and soul. 

What does the Scripture has to say about this? 

Romans 12:1-2, in the words of Apostle Paul: 'I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.' 

There's a contrast here between these two words: 'conformed' and 'transformed'. 

The word 'conformed' here in Greek is 'suschematizo'. It can mean 'to fashion self according to certain outward pattern (in this context, the pattern or way of this fallen world)'. This is the context of what Apostle Paul meant here. 

The word 'transformed' here in Greek is 'metamorphoo'. It can mean 'to be changed and awakened from the inside out (in this context, by the Spirit of God)'. 

So, there's a clash here between 'conforming to the ways of the world' and 'being transformed by the Spirit of God'. 

Back to Romans 12:1-2 now. The Lord is calling us to surrender our lives before Him again. The Lord is calling us to present our bodies a living sacrifice to Him again, and not to be conformed by the pattern of this fallen world, but be transformed by the Spirit of the Lord. 

Let the Spirit of God renew our minds. 

Delusion can happen in many ways. Delusion can happen in our day-to-day lives. Sometimes we don't even know about it. Sometimes we don't even realize about it. Yes, even the way many of God's people (of course, not everyone) see churches. As someone who has ministered to believers from many different churches and backgrounds, I have to admit this is true. Of course the truth hurts. But the truth is the truth. The commercialization and competition in and among many churches have gone overboard. Not me who says this, but God who says this. The chasing of fame, the greed, the building of name for own selves have become overboard. Again, not me who says this, but God who says this. 

I say this without prejudice. I say this with a broken heart. Now, because of all the above, many believers get deluded as well, and start to compare among themselves and their churches. This happens especially within a city or town they are in. It's almost like implying, for example, "My church is better than your church", "My church is bigger than your church", "We are the best in town", "I am right, you are wrong". 

In other words, the ways and patterns of this fallen world have crept into the Body of Christ. All these only make the real enemy, the devil, laugh! Laugh at who? Laugh at us! 

Believers and church leaders pulling down one another, stepping on one another in order to get more "membership" to their church, leaders feeling insecure with one another, thus weakening the whole Body of Christ further. Now, not everyone is like that, of course. 

Well, this isn't new at all. Look at what Apostle Paul wrote in his days. Let's go to the Scripture now. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, he wrote. 'And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?' 

This is what the Scripture says. Of course, the good news is the Lord still loves all of us. He still remembers His church as a whole, His kingdom, His whole body, the Body of Christ. And I tell you what, there is hope for the Body of Christ, because there's this great awakening right now. 

In 1 Corinthians 3:18-21, Apostle Paul wrote further, 'Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." Therefore let no one boast in men...' 

This is what the Scripture says further. This is what Apostle Paul wrote. As he traveled from place to place, from church to church, he saw all this happening right before his eyes. He was heartbroken. The Spirit of the Lord spoke to him, and he wrote all this. Now, it would be a great time, yes, it would be a great time in this time of awakening that God's people revisit 1 Corinthians, especially 1 Corinthians chapters 1 to 5. The Lord is speaking through these verses in this time and season. 

In Colossians 1:15-18, Apostle Paul wrote, 'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. He is the head of the body, the church, (He) who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.' 

See who Jesus is here? He is the Head of His body, the church. By the way, 'preeminence' means 'surpassing all others, superior over all others'. He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords. He is above all. 

So, this is a time of reflection for all of us as believers of Christ as a whole. This is a time of reflection for leaders as a whole. This is a time to look at the Scripture again, and to see what God wants to say to us in this time and season. 

The Lord still remembers His body. The Lord still remembers His church as a whole. Let us look to the Lord. Let us look back at the Scripture. And let us come before the Lord and say, "Yes, O Lord God, we repent. We humble ourselves. And we want to follow what You have spoken in Your Word." 

Prayer: 

"O Lord God, we humble ourselves before You, and we want to look at the 'big picture' the way You want us to according to Your Word. You are the Head of the body, and we are all members of Your whole body. We are not to be conformed to the ways and the patterns of this world. But we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we will prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. The enemy will do whatever to cause Your body as a whole to implode and to be weak. But right now, we want to declare that You are the Lord and the Head of Your body, the church; and You have preeminence over all things, both on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen." 

So, let this anointing of the Holy Spirit be released upon all of us, so that we are set free from whatever bondage, delusion or deception that the enemy has subtly invaded us. Let us be set free! Let there be a great awakening! Let the Church of the Lord be strong and mighty in this end-time, till we meet Jesus, till He returns for His body, His church! As the Bride, we want to be ready for the coming of the Bridegroom! 

Each of us has a part to play in this end-time move of God. Each of us has a part to play in this kingdom of God. We humble ourselves before the Lord. We want to give preference to one another. We forgive one another. We embrace one another. We love one another as brothers and sisters in the family of God. We pray for unity. We bind every division. 

This is what the Lord wants to speak to us for this time. I just want to be faithful to release what the Lord has put in my heart to release, and what the Lord has shared with me in the vision and in the prophetic words. God bless you! Have a wonderful day!

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Hang on strong, church!

The Lord says: 

"Hold on strong and persevere! Hold on strong to My Word, no matter what happens around you. Hold on strong to what I have spoken for you to be and to do. Hold on strong to My vision, mission and purpose for you. Keep looking unto Me, the One who is the author and finisher of your faith. Keep looking to My Word, for My Word will never fade away. Your patience and perseverance will eventually pay off." 

Beloved of God, hold on strong! Persevere in your faith! Hang on strong in what the Lord has spoken for you to be and to do! 

The word 'perseverance' here (in the context of God's words today) can be defined as 'persistence in being and doing what the Lord has spoken, despite the resistance that comes from the enemy'. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) says, 'Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily and ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.' 

Hebrews 12:3 (NKJV) then says, 'For consider Him (Jesus) who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.' 

Let us read from New Living Translation (NLT) for Hebrews 12:1-2 now. 'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.' 

Hebrews 12:3 in New Living Translation (NLT) then says, 'Think of all the hostility he (Jesus) endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up.' 

Beloved of God, if you have become weary, or if you are on the verge of giving up on something that the Lord has spoken for you to be and to do, the Bible has an answer for you. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith! Hold on strong!

Revelation 3:10-11 (NLT) says, 'Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.' 

Now, this was the message of the Lord for the church in Philadelphia those days. 

Let us rewind a little to Revelation 3:7-8 (NLT) now, 'Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open: "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me."' 

See the words 'obeyed my word' here? And see the words 'I know all the things you do' here? It means the Lord knows all the good that you have done, yes, even the things that you have done in secret for the Lord. The Lord sees, and the Lord will know how to reward you openly. So, keep obeying Him, keep trusting Him, and keep looking to Him, no matter what happens around you in this world. Amen! 

By the way, what are the seven churches (the church in Philadelphia was one of them) in the Book of Revelation? These are seven major churches of early Christianity, namely, in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. So, seven in all. Interestingly, unlike the others, the church in Philadelphia was not given any particular rebuke from Jesus!

And what does the 'seven churches' here represent? There are many different views, depending on who that particular Bible scholar or Bible teacher is. But one view is that each church mentioned in the Book of Revelation here represents a period in church history. Each of these periods can be traced to a specific phase in the Body of Christ over time, from the beginning of the church till Christ's return. If you ask me, I would say we are now in the period of both the Philadelphia church and Laodicea church. This is the end-time. 

Between these two (Philadelphia and Laodicea), which kind of church are we? We all may want to do some soul-searching and look at ourselves. Let us not judge others. But let us look at ourselves. When I share this, I am looking at myself too. Are we Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)? Or are we Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22)?  

By the way, 'Body of Christ' here means God's church as a whole, and we are all members and different parts of this one Body of Christ. Yes, one Body of Christ. Not two, not three, but one Body. You see, we can be kingdom-minded. We are talking about His kingdom here. God's kingdom, not our own kingdom or empire. Not 'my church is better than your church' or 'my church is bigger than your church' kind of mindset. But to see how God sees. To have His kingdom in mind. And in this kingdom, there is only one Head, that is Christ; and one Body, that is His church as a whole, i.e. the Body of Christ.

In Ephesians 4:1-6, the apostle Paul wrote: 'I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.' 

In Ephesians 4:11-13, the apostle Paul wrote: 'And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry (i.e. equipping the believers for the work of ministry), for the edifying of the body of Christ (i.e. building up the body of Christ), till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...' 

The Lord has called some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Collectively, they are called the five-fold spiritual offices. What are their functions? There are two functions: Equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, and edifying of the Body of Christ. You see the words here? The Body of Christ! It means the church as a whole. The Lord has called these to equip and to edify, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. In other words, till we come to the maturity in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete ways of the Lord. It can also mean to see what God sees and how God sees His church, His body, i.e. the Body of Christ! 

You see, these gifts are given to some of us not to lord over others, or to take advantage of others, or to build our own kingdom. Instead, these gifts are for us to equip and edify (or build up) the believers, the Body of Christ! 

In Ephesians 4:14-16, the apostle Paul wrote: '...that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ - from whom the whole body (each of us is part of this whole body), joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, and with this, it causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.'

In Ephesians 4:17-19, the apostle Paul wrote: 'This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.' 

What the apostle Paul meant here is that we in the Body of Christ should not let ourselves be contaminated by the ways of this world. We may be in the world, but we are not of this world. We are of God. We should instead walk in the ways that the Lord wants us to walk, having our spiritual eyes of understanding enlightened, and to see what God sees and how God sees, even how God sees His church.

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Prophetic dream: A murky river turned into a clean river!

I received a dream from the Lord the other day. 

In the dream, I saw a very murky, filthy and polluted river flowing into the sea. It was full of rubbish and no life seemed to survive in that river. And then I saw huge waves, wave after wave, from the sea approaching and overwhelming the river. The sea water looked so clean and crystal clear like I've never seen before on earth. Instead of the river flowing into the sea, it was the other way round. The crystal clear sea water overturned the river water and turned the river clean and pure again. 

How this works in the physical realm, or is there any scientific explanation to it, I don't know. I'm not a scientist or geologist. But it's definitely something supernatural that I saw, and that's for sure. 

I then asked the Lord what this dream means, and this is what the Lord said: 

"This is the time and season I have begun to rebuild, repair, heal and restore My people and My church back to My original vision and purpose for them. Like the river that I have shown, what has become impure will be turned pure again, and what has become unclean will be turned clean again. Nothing that the enemy does in this world or the Babylonian systems of this world will be able to withstand My works, as I prepare My people, pure, holy and unblemished, for what is to come, and for My coming glory." 

Indeed, the Lord has begun preparing His people, His church, like the Bride being prepared - holy, unblemished, pure - for the coming of the Bridegroom. 

And I want to share with you the explanation and interpretation to this dream with this life called Josiah, a truly outstanding king among all the kings of Judah those days. 

Josiah's heart was tender before the Lord (see 2 Kings chapters 22 and 23). His heart was tender to the Word of God and to the Spirit of God. This is the quality the Lord is looking for in His people in this end-time as well. 

The great reformation during Josiah's days was actually an example of simply returning to the Word of God, and doing whatever the Lord says.

This is also the time and season the Lord is calling us to return to the Word of God and to return to His ways, instead of bowing down to any man-made ways, or the Babylonian systems. 

By the way, 'Babylonian systems' simply means systems that are man-made (instead of coming from God), and it has its origins from the word 'Babel' and 'Tower of Babel', which speaks of humans trying to build something for themselves, or trying to build their own 'empires', even though the Lord never says so, or never asks them to do so. 

Back to Josiah now. 

What makes Josiah so outstanding among all the kings of Judah and Israel? You see, there are other good kings too, for example, David and Hezekiah. But what makes Josiah so outstanding, so much so the Scripture says 'there was no king like him, nor after him did any arise like him'? (2 Kings 23:25)

I believe Josiah was outstanding among the many kings of Judah those days, not just because of his obedience and tender heart towards God (even though these are real reasons), but what made him outstanding was due to the fact that Josiah at that time was living in a terribly wicked and evil time. He lived in a terribly wicked and evil era when even the priests were corrupted, and there was widespread idolatry being practiced all around. In fact, there were even idols in the temple of the Lord itself! (2 Kings 23:4-5)

So, Josiah's godliness stood out like a bright light in the midst of the surrounding darkness all around him in his era. That made Josiah so outstanding. He was not afraid to be different. He was not afraid to make a change. He was not afraid to restore what God has originally planned for His people. And he did not bow down to the status quo during his days. That made him an outstanding king. 

How is this life and example of Josiah relevant to our time?

This is a time for reflection. This is a time to return to His ways. What are the things (or practices) in our lives that we should do away with and clear away? In this time and season, let the Holy Spirit fill us. Let the Holy Spirit enlighten us. Let the Holy Spirit show us what are the areas in our lives, and in our church as a whole, that we should just do away with, and clear away, and return to His original vision and purpose that the Lord has for us and for His church.

God loves us. God loves His church. God loves His people. This is not a message of condemnation. This is a message of restoration. God loves us, and therefore He wants the best for us. He wants to restore. He wants to heal. He wants to repair. He wants to rebuild. And He wants His perfect will be done in His people and in His church. Amen.

Prayer: "O Lord God, as Your people, we are like the river that You have shown, and we therefore humbly surrender our lives before You, as You begin the process of rebuilding, repairing, healing and restoring us. Like the river that You have shown, what has become impure will become pure again, and what has become unclean will become clean again. You love us and You have never forgotten us, and we know that nothing the enemy does in this world will be able to stop the work that You have begun, as You prepare us - pure, holy and unblemished - for what is to come and for Your coming glory. All this we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen."

Click here for the full message in TiC YouTube Channel

How do you prepare for Year 2021?

As I sought the Lord regarding Year 2021, He gave two key words to take note of as His people prepare for the year ahead: "Agile and versatile!"

Let's go to the definition of these two words first.

'Agile' is defined as 'nimble, able to move quickly and easily (or lightly)'.

'Versatile' is defined as 'flexible, able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities'.

This applies whether in ministry, in business, in career, or in anything that you put your hands on in your life for the year ahead.

Psalm 18:32-33 (NKJV) says, 'It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places'.

Psalm 18:32-33 (New English Translation) translates it this way, 'The one true God gives me strength; He removes the obstacles in my way. He gives me the agility of a deer; He enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain'.

See the word 'agility' here? 

By the way, a mountain deer is an amazing animal. Some mountains are so steep and rocky that these seem impossible to climb. And some trails can be extremely narrow and dangerous to tread on. Yet a mountain deer has what it takes to negotiate these rugged terrain. In fact, a mountain deer is one of the most sure-footed, agile and focused mountain creature you can ever see on earth!

People of God, there's going to be a huge shift coming, a huge spiritual tectonic shift! And the Lord wants His people to prepare themselves for such! But fear not, because like the deer in Psalm 18:33, the Lord will help you!

Now, what does this word 'tectonic' mean? If you watch documentaries about earthquake, you would have heard of this word 'tectonic'. It can be defined as 'pertaining to the structure of the earth's crusts'. 

Therefore, a spiritual tectonic shift will have to do with how people see and understand His church!

There's no denying the fact that in this time of worldwide pandemic, many ministers of God have actually started to rethink their ministry and rethink church. Many 'old structures' that used to work in the past will become unsustainable in this new spiritual era. Many 'old wineskins' that used to work in the past will not be able to contain the 'new wine' that the Lord is pouring out in this new spiritual era.

Jesus says in Matthew 9:17, "Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

You see, some things that used to work in the past may not work now. Here in Matthew 9:17, Jesus reminds us that what is old and stagnant often cannot be renewed or reformed. And the Lord will often look for new vessels to contain His new work!

Will you allow yourself to be one of those new vessels?

People of God, I write this with humility and the fear of the Lord. I love the church, the Body of Christ. But let it be known that there's going to be a huge spiritual tectonic shift coming! 

The Lord has begun preparing His church to be that holy and unblemished bride. His church will come forth pure like a virgin again, and ready for the coming of the Bridegroom! But whatever that is not of Him will be shaken! (Hebrews 12:27) In fact, this applies not just to the religious structure that man has created, but also in every other facet of society in general (be it economic, financial, political, or social).

But fear not! Because the Lord will help you and give you the solutions (Psalm 18:32-33), if you look to Him!

May the Lord enlighten our spiritual eyes of understanding so we can see how He sees (Ephesians 1:17-19, Revelation 3:17-18, Psalm 119:18). Not how man sees, not how the world sees, not how the Babylonian system in this world sees. But how God sees. Amen!

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How to respond in this time of shaking?

The Lord says,

"You are in this time when whatever can be shaken will be shaken! But My people, if you look to Me and return to My ways, you need not be afraid in this time of 'shaking'. I allowed it for a reason, so that My people, My church, My body, will come forth without wrinkle and without spot, holy and unblemished! Focus not on the enemy, but focus on Me!"

Someone asked me why does the Lord allow this time of 'shaking'? Isn't He more than powerful to zap the 'coronavirus' within just a second? Of course, He is more than powerful to do so! But why doesn't He at this point of time?

Because we are entering a time when 'whatever can be shaken will be shaken'! Be it in His church, or in the world!

For His church as a whole, Ephesians 5:26-27 (NKJV) says, 'that He might sanctify and cleanse her (i.e. His church) with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish'. 

The word 'sanctify' here in Greek is 'hagiazo', and it can mean 'to set apart, to make holy, to purify'. You see? The Lord is setting us apart, making us holy, and purifying us! Why? Because He is getting us ready for His coming, and so that He might present us to Himself a glorious church!

For the world as a whole, Hebrews 12:25-29 (NKJV) says, 'See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of those things that are made (i.e. man-made), that the things which cannot be shaken (i.e. of God, from God) may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace (i.e. rely on His ability), by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire'.

In a time like this, remember what Jesus had spoken in John 14:27 and John 16:33. Receive the peace that comes from Him, whatever happens in this world. Find your peace and rest in Him. In John 14:27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." In John 16:33, Jesus says, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

The word 'peace' in both these verses is 'eirene' in Greek, and it can mean 'be at one (with God), quietness, rest, prosperity'. Notice the expression 'be at one' here. That is to say, when you are 'enjoined' with Him, or when you are 'at one' with Him, nothing's going to be able to shake you! When you are 'at one' with Him, the Lord is your Jehovah Shalom, the Lord of peace, and in Him is perfect peace, Shalom Shalom. And because He is your Jehovah Shalom, no matter what 'chaos' you see in this world, you cannot be shaken!

Let's look at an example in the Scripture, and he's none other than Noah. In a time of chaos those days, Noah found peace and rest in the 'ark'! I know those days, it was a time of huge flood and high waves. But you know what, huge flood and high waves can come in the form of many different ways. For us, we are now faced with a very different kind of 'huge flood' and 'high waves', something so invisible to our naked eyes called the 'coronavirus'. But in the midst of all these, like Noah, you too can find peace and rest! (Genesis 6:18, Genesis 6:21-22) The 'ark', by the way, is a 'picture' of Jesus Himself!

Therefore, people of God, fear not! Look not to the left and look not to the right, but look to Him! Focus not on the virus, but focus on the Lord! Look unto Him who is the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2), the One who begins your faith and the One who completes your faith! As He is, so are you in this world. And because He has overcome (John 16:33), so will you be. In Jesus' name. Amen!

For the full preaching video, click to watch

For more information about this ministry, visit https://www.triumphinchrist.today/

You and I are 'church'! Being 'church' wherever we are!

It is time to rethink what 'church' really is. What are the essentials? And what are the non-essentials?

And of course, what exactly is 'church'?

What does the Bible say about 'church'?

Have we in the modern days gone astray from what God has originally intended His church to be?

Is church about "going to a church building" like people going to watch theater, concert, or 'live' performance during weekends?

Is church about "going to a church building" to be entertained and being served, and then we pay money for it?

And say, if the 'live' performance isn't good enough, then 'churchgoers' would go and look for another 'live' performance elsewhere in another place (church building)? 

Let's go to the New Testament now.

For the record, the word 'church' (or 'churches') was mentioned about 115 times in the King James Version, and interestingly, all these 115 times point towards 'church' being a 'people', rather than a building, an area, a land, an exclusive clubhouse, or a man-made organization!

In Greek, the word 'church' is 'ekklesia'. The word 'ek' means 'of/from'. The word 'klesia' comes from the word 'kaleo', which means 'a call'. So, 'ekklesia' simply means 'a gathering of the called ones (i.e. God's people)'. 1 Peter 2:9-10 says as believers, we are 'a people', called out from the darkness into God's marvelous light!

In short, as believers, and as a 'people of God', you and I are 'church'!

I've also checked and read all 115 mentions of the words 'church' or 'churches' in the Bible, and I found out nowhere in these 115 times did anyone (whether Paul, Luke, John, and of course, Peter) spoke of 'church' as a building, an area, a land, an exclusive clubhouse, or a man-made organization! Everyone in the early church referred to 'church' as 'a people'!

These are some examples:

The book of Acts written by Luke (a physician who's very specific in his usage of words in all his writings):

(a) Acts 8:1 - great persecution arose against the church (i.e. people), and they (people) were scattered.

(b) Acts 11:26 - Barnabas and Paul assembled with the church (i.e. people), not in the church (building).

(c) Acts 16:5 - church (i.e. people) being strengthened in faith. A 'building' cannot be strengthened in faith!

(d) Acts 20:28 - church (i.e. people) purchased with Jesus' blood. A 'building' cannot be purchased this way!

So, what exactly is a 'church'?

'Church' is 'a people'!

Wherever we are, we are the 'church'! And because we are the 'church', wherever we are, we are also the 'church activities'!

In other words, being church wherever we are, and let the Lord shine through us wherever we are!

So, the conclusion is church isn't a building! Neither is church about a 'man-made event', or a 'man-made program'!

Think about it.

In these perilous and dangerous end-time, persecution can come in many ways, be it through terrorism by religious extremists, burning of church buildings, tearing down of church buildings, or even a pandemic!

But you see, the 'enemy' may be able to burn (or destroy) a 'building', or stop God's people from mass gathering, but they can never destroy the 'church'.

Why?

Because the 'church' is a 'people of God' gathered in His name! Anywhere, and everywhere! Not necessarily in a so-called "church building"!

You can see this when Saul persecuted the 'church' (Acts 8:1), they (the 'church') were scattered everywhere, and you know what? The 'church' grew all the more (Acts 8:4), wherever the people were scattered!

For the record, during the first three hundred over years of the early church, no one could own church buildings! So, how did the church meet? Church met in the house those days, and the equipping of the saints by the early apostles was done in rented halls/classrooms (Acts 19:9-10).

So let us rethink church today. Has the church in the modern days gone astray from God's original purposes for her?

Indeed, we have entered a time of shaking, and whatever can be shaken, will be shaken; both in the body of Christ, and in the world at large (Hebrews 12:25-29). Whatever that is 'man-made' will indeed be shaken, be it in the body of Christ or in the world at large.

Is the church ready for these last days? Is the church prepared for these last days? Or are we still very much like the church in Laodicea as written in Revelation 3:14-22?

I believe it isn't too late yet. This is a time for reflection and introspection. This is a time to let Him purify and sanctify us. This is a time to prepare and get ready for the One who is to come. This is a time to let go of the worldly ways (or worldly systems) that have infiltrated the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and return to the original plan that He has meant for His church to be.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

For more info about this ministry, visit https://www.triumphinchrist.today/

What is the difference between His Headship and His Lordship?

The Lord spoke these words recently:
"Church, I am your Head! Beloved, I am your Lord! Look to Me, for I will know how to protect you, and I will know how to overthrow the enemies! If the enemies come against you, they are coming against Me, and I will know how to overcome them! So, fear not!"

What fascinated me was when He spoke, "Church, I am your Head! Beloved, I am your Lord!" So, is there really a difference between Head and Lord? Let's dig into the Word of God for the answer!

Where does the Bible say 'Jesus is the Head'?
It is found in Colossians 1:18 (NKJV) that says, 'And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have preeminence'. Let's look at a more contemporary Bible version, and here's what Colossians 1:18 (NLT) say, 'Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So He is first in everything'.

From the above, we know that Jesus is the Head of the church, which is His body! The word 'head' here is 'kephale' in Greek, and it can mean 'ruler, leader, authority'. As a ruler, leader, or authority, He has full say and final say regarding His church! In other words, His church is to be patterned after His way, not man's way! After all, the church belongs to Him, and no human can actually own His church. Human church leaders are merely stewards, but NEVER the owners of His church. Proof? In Matthew 16:18 (NKJV), Jesus Himself said, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock (i.e. the revelation that I am the Christ), I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." You see, Jesus never said "I will build your church", but He said, "I will build My church". And that's when the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it!

One interesting connotation of this word 'kephale' is that of 'kinship' or 'connection'. In other words, the 'head' and the 'body' have to be 'connected'. These are inseparable. How can the 'head' forget the 'body'? That is to say how can He forget His church? Never! On the other hand, how can the 'body' go on without the 'head'?

People of God, let us return the Headship of the church to Jesus, and He will know how to protect His body (i.e. His church)! As you can see above, He and His church cannot be separated! Your part as the church is to stay connected to the 'head'. And if anyone (or anything) 'touches' His body (i.e. His church), He will know how to deal with that anyone (or anything)! That's why Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that 'the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it'. Hallelujah! By the way, church is a people, not a building made with hands.

Where does the Bible say 'Jesus is the Lord'?
It is found in Romans 10:9-13 (NKJV) that says, 'That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."'

From the above, we know that Jesus is the Lord of our lives, i.e. each of us as individuals! Apostle Paul wrote that "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved"! As believers, you have been justified (i.e. made right in God's sight) and redeemed (i.e. all your sins and infirmities have been fully paid for by Him) through the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:9, Ephesians 1:7). The Scripture also says, "Whoever believes on the Lord will not be put to shame"! Hallelujah!

People of God, the world is in a mess at the moment. A big mess. But in the darkest of times, God's light shines the brightest (Isaiah 60:1-2). Look to Him, and put your trust in Him. To put your trust in Him is to 'throw your full weight on Him', knowing that He is more than able to carry you through. After all, He is the Lord of your life. The word 'Lord' here in Romans 10:9-13 is 'kurios' in Greek, and it means 'supreme in authority'. He is indeed supreme over every power of this world. Therefore, when nothing of this world (be it worldly economic systems, political systems, financial systems, etc) can save you (or guarantee your future), He can. Let no one rob this truth away from you. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Whatever can be restored will be restored, and whatever can be shaken will be shaken!

The Lord spoke these words recently:
"The time of restoration is at hand, just as I have spoken through the prophets since the world began! Whatever can be restored will be restored, and whatever can be shaken will be shaken! What is of God will be restored, and what is of the flesh will be shaken!"

The Lord spoke further: 
"In times like these, choose My way, and I will know how to back you up. Choose man's way, but man cannot back you up. Look to Me therefore, for I will not fail you, even when man fails you. I am a faithful God, and will still be faithful till the very end."

People of God, you and I are living in a time when whatever is of God shall be restored, and whatever is not of God shall be shaken (see Acts 3:21, Hebrews 12:27-29). These two are happening at the same time, and apply both in the Body of Christ and in the world at large. If any 'house' is built on the 'rock', even if the rain descends, the flood comes, and the winds blow and beat on that 'house', it will not fall, because it is founded on the 'rock'. But if any 'house' is built on the 'sand', and if the rain descends, the flood comes, and the winds blow and beat on that 'house', it will fall, and great will be its fall (Matthew 7:24-27).

Now, what does the 'rock' represent here? In Psalm 89:26, the Lord says, 'He shall cry to Me, "You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation."' And what does the 'sand' represent here? Interestingly, the Hebrew word for 'sand' is 'chol', which is the same Hebrew word for 'secular' (meaning 'not set aside and holy unto the Lord'). Therefore, 'chol' represents 'worldliness'.

So, what can we learn from the above verses here?

In these times of 'shifting sands' and great uncertainty in the world, choose Him and His ways, because only His ways are sure, and only His ways fail not. Good idea of man may not be God's idea. Just look at the building of Tower of Babel those days (Genesis 11:1-9), and you will know whatever that isn't God's idea will not stand, and this applies even more in these last days. Why? Because He is in the midst of preparing a holy, pure, and unblemished bride for His glorious coming! (Ephesians 5:27)

If you look at the book of Acts and the patterns of the early church, you'd see that His church has never been meant to be 'institutionalized'. Church is an organism, not a man-made institution. Church is a people, not a man-made building. Church has never been meant to pattern after the structure of this fallen world and its man-made ways of doing things! Because if this is so, all the 'sorrows' of this fallen world will also rub off on the church! Strife, competing for 'members', competing for 'numbers', comparing with one another, desire to outdo one another, desire for greater influence, desire for greater fame, power struggle, power play, politicking, backstabbing, running down one another - just to name some - and the consequence will always be hurts, wounds, and even further sorrows! What is the difference then between the church and the world?

But the good news is the Lord will never give up on His church. The last book of the Bible is the book of Revelation, and this book prepares us for these last days. Have you noticed that 'church' (i.e. His bride) is the main focus of this book? (see Revelation 22:16-17) How can He forget His church then? He is certainly in the midst of opening the eyes of many to see 'the way He sees His church, not the way man sees', and 'the way He builds His church, not the way man builds'. He is in the midst of raising up a people who will not be afraid to stand up against the works of 'the prince of the power of the air' that have infiltrated the church of our Lord Jesus Christ! (Ephesians 2:1-2) And He is in the midst of raising up a remnant in this end-time who would rise up and 'stand their ground' against the tide of worldly influence and the enemy's influence! (Romans 11:5) May you be one of those whom He raises up!

People of God, choose God's ways, and choose not the ways of man. Return to Him, and He will return to us. This article is not meant to judge anyone or any church. When one finger is pointed out to judge, three fingers will point back, if you know what I mean. We are all one in the Body of Christ. We all call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ all the same. Let us therefore listen to His heartbeat for His church again, and not the heartbeat of this world. We are in the world, but we are not of the world (John 15:19, John 17:14-16). He will show Himself faithful (Lamentations 3:22-23, 1 Thessalonians 5:24), and He will show Himself strong and mighty (Revelation 12:10-11) when we choose to 'let Him have His church again'. Amen!

Walking in your true identity

I heard and released these words from the Lord (as we enter the Hebrew New Year 5778):
"Come to Me! Draw near to Me! And you will know who you are in Me, not what people think or say you are! Even before you were born, I already knew you! I know your true identity! I know My plans and purposes in your life, from beginning till the end! This is the time to walk in that true identity! It doesn't matter what people think or say you are, but what I think or say you are!"

People may have a certain 'stereotype' or opinion regarding you. They may say this or that about who you are. But what does God say you are? Because that's what matters the most! Indeed, the time has come for you to walk in that true identity God has intended for you! Not what the world thinks or says you are!

Let's look at the Scripture now.

Luke 8:43 says, 'Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any'. There is a symbolic meaning here. This 'woman' speaks of 'you and I', i.e. the 'church', who is the 'bride of Christ' (see Ephesians 5:25). But for twelve years, she had a physical condition that wasn't supposed to be, and had never been intended for her to be! The Bible says she had tried every physical means (or methods) on earth to be healed, but to no avail!

But the time came when Jesus was passing by, and she knew her opportune time for healing had come. In the midst of the multitudes, she came from behind and touched the border of Jesus' garment (Luke 8:44). Immediately her flow of blood stopped, and she was healed!

What does Jesus' garment symbolize here?
The kingdom and the righteousness of God!
Isaiah 61:10 says, 'I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels'.
Matthew 6:33 says, 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you'.

Jesus perceived power going out from Him, and asked who touched Him? (Luke 8:45-46) When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, falling down before Him, and declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately (Luke 8:47). And Jesus said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace." (Luke 8:48)

You know what? After twelve years, this woman could finally be who she's supposed to be! By the way, the number 'twelve' in Hebrew is the number for 'divine government, divine power, divine authority'. She had finally regained whatever she had lacked as a woman all these while, and she could now be fruitful in her life! If this woman is a 'picture' of 'you and I', or the 'church', then the time has also come for 'you and I', or the 'church' to walk in 'divine government, divine power, divine authority' again!

Interestingly, the Greek translation for 'Go in peace' here is 'por eis eirene', not 'por en eirene'. And the word 'eis' means 'into', not 'in'. Therefore, Jesus was in effect saying to this woman, "Go into peace", or "Enter into the peace of the Lord". This peace ('eirene' in Greek) is none other than the shalom peace of the Lord - the unshakeable, 'nothing broken, nothing missing' peace of the Lord that He has given you! (see John 14:27)

People of God, as an individual and as the 'church', this is the time to look away from the means (or methods) of this world, but instead, look to Him, your Righteousness! (Matthew 6:33) He is your Source, your Answer, and your Solution that the world cannot give! Like the woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, the time has also come for you to walk into who God has intended for you to be - Blessed! Healthy! Rejoicing! Victorious! Powerful! You can, because of all that Jesus has done for you on the cross some 2,000 years ago!

When you begin walking in that true identity (i.e. who God has intended for you to be), you also enter into the peace of the Lord, and in turn, peace with yourself! You will begin to rejoice in who you are in Him, and you will begin to walk in the fullness of God's plan in your life. Amen!

"My Church is to be full of My Spirit!"

I woke up the other day hearing these words from the Lord:
"My Church is to be full of My Spirit!"

Then, I heard further:
"My Church is to be full of My Spirit! Tell My people My Church cannot be crippled, and My Church cannot be weakened! Learn from the mistakes of Samson!"

Why Samson? And what does Samson have to do with the Church?
Here's a little background on Samson. Judges 13:1-5 says, 'Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, "Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."'

The name 'Samson' is 'Shimshown' in Hebrew, literally meaning 'sunlight', from the word 'shemesh' which means 'sun, light (or ray) of the sun', and the word 'Nazirite' is 'Naziyr' in Hebrew, meaning 'consecrated, set apart', from the word 'nazar', which means 'to separate (from impurities)'.

And here's the prophetic meaning of 'Samson' and 'Nazirite' relating to the Church in this end-time: 'Samson' and 'Nazirite' speak of 'the Church today', called as 'the light to the world' (Matthew 5:14-16), and 'consecrated, set apart' from the ways of this world! (1 Peter 2:9-10)

The Church (i.e. the people of God) doing great exploits!
Regarding the Church, Jesus says, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock (i.e. the confession and revelation of who Jesus is), I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:18-19)

Now, you can see the similarities with Samson, who moved with great power and strength of the Lord, and did great exploits for the Lord as well. Judges 14:6 says, 'And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat...', and Judges 15:14-15 says, 'Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it'.
Note: Of course in the New Covenant today, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness of this age, and the spiritual hosts of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12).

See the words 'the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him' here? Similarly, the Church in the New Covenant have also been endued with the power from on high to do great exploits for the Lord! Acts 1:8 says, 'But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'.

Learning from the mistakes of Samson
Judges 16:1 says, 'Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her'.
Judges 16:4-5 says, 'Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, "Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver."'
Judges 16:16-17 says, 'And it came to pass, when she (Delilah) pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was drained (distressed, vexed) to death, that he told her all his heart, and said to her, "No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man."'
And Judges 16:19 says, 'Then she (Delilah) lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him'.

In Bible-study, we can learn both from the victories and mistakes of those who have gone before us. Here are the lessons that the Church in the end time should learn from, so that we will not be crippled and weakened like Samson:
1. The importance of walking in the holiness of the Lord (see 1 Corinthians 6:15-20)
2. Never give in to the pestering or pressures of the people (or things) of this world!

What do the seven locks represent?
Have you ever wondered why there were seven locks on Samson's head? I mean, why not a pony tail, two locks, three locks, six locks, or nine locks? Why seven locks? There is no insignificant details in the Bible. Before I answer this question, let's read Numbers 6:5, 'All the days of the vow of a Nazirite's separation, no razor shall come upon his head... Then he shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow'.

The Old Testament is the 'shadow', and the New Testament is the 'substance'. Let Scripture interpret Scripture now. Revelation 4:5 says, 'And from the throne (of God) proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God'.

These 'seven locks' are therefore 'symbolic' and a 'picture' of the 'seven Spirits (or seven fold Spirits) of the Lord' mentioned in Revelation 4:5!

In other words, if these 'seven' are being 'cut away' from the Body of Christ (i.e. the Church), the Church is crippled and weakened, just as happened to Samson!

What are these 'seven Spirits'?
Let Scripture interpret Scripture again. These seven Spirits can be found in Isaiah 11:1-2 that spoke about Jesus Himself, 'There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord'.

By the way, 'seven' is the number in Hebrew for 'perfection, purification, consecration, and sovereignty (i.e. supreme power)', and it is also the number for 'the Holy Spirit'.

Seven aspects of the One Spirit (according to Isaiah 11:2):
1. The Spirit of the Lord (YHWH, Self-Existent, Eternal)
2. The Spirit of wisdom ('chokmah' = wisdom)
3. The Spirit of understanding ('biynah' = discerning)
4. The Spirit of counsel ('etsah' = advice, purpose)
5. The Spirit of might ('gibbor' = power, strength)
6. The Spirit of knowledge ('dahath' = knowledge)
7. The Spirit of the fear of the Lord ('yirah' = reverence)

People of God, receive all these in your life and in your church today! And that explains why the Lord has spoken so vividly the other day: "My Church is to be full of My Spirit!" Let it be so! Amen!

Prophetic words for the Hebrew year 5777

Here are the prophetic words for the Hebrew year 5777 (released at Triumph in Christ on Sunday, October 2, 2016):
"This is a key year to take back what you have lost. For I will give you My sword, and I will give you a new zeal! This is a year of My Church arising! Let My Church arise! Let My Church arise! This is a year My Church will begin to arise in ways that the world has never seen or thought possible!"

'My sword' = revelation in the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 12:11).
'New zeal' = a new zeal for His house (John 2:13-17).

"This is a year to gain new territories and walk into the new territories. The enemy will try to make you think otherwise, but I will send you My supplies, and I will send you My ammunitions, even in ways that you have never expected it to happen."

'My supplies' speaks of 'support'.
'My ammunitions' speaks of 'weapons'.

'New territories' speaks of:
- areas you have never been before;
- things you have never done before.

Instructions from the Lord as you cross over the Hebrew year 5777:
"Keep sowing seeds of My love and My kindness, no matter how turbulent this world has become! Keep sowing seeds of My Word! For whatever a man sows, he will also reap! Do not grow weary while doing good, for in due season, you will surely reap, if you do not lose heart."

Galatians 6:7-10 says, 'Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith'.

In Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus says, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'"

As I was asking the Lord what the 'ammunitions' mean in the prophetic words for the year 5777, the Lord then gave a key chapter for this coming year: 1 Corinthians 13.
Not missiles, bombs, 'lone wolves', or suicide squads, and contrary to what many people think, the answer is God's love and kindness.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says, 'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing'.

'love' = 'agapê' in Greek = benevolence (love + kindness).

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 then says, 'Love suffers long (is patient) and love is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away'.

'kind' here is from the word 'chrestos' in Greek, meaning 'goodness, and gracious' (not just in words, but in action).

The love and compassion of Jesus
Matthew 9:35-38 says, 'Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."'

People of God, as we usher in the new Hebrew year 5777 (leading us into the secular year 2017), receive the love of God from on high. This love is God's heavenly love. This love will not fail, when everything else on earth fails. This love is the love of Christ. Romans 5:5 says, 'Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us'.

As you receive this love that never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8) and be filled with His love, let this love overflow to others. Amen.

A Church founded on the Rock!

Someone asked this question, "What is the best way to structure a church?"

I answered, "If you desire to preach and teach the unadulterated Word of God, then your church should also be structured or patterned according to the unadulterated Word of God!"
Note: The word 'adulterated' literally means 'a foreign substance added to the original, and causes the original to lose its quality'.

In other words, we are to pattern the church according to what the Word of God says a church should be, not what man says a church should be! Only then will the church be able to stand strong in the midst of the perilous times we are living in, and be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

In Matthew 24:35, Jesus says, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." So, people of God, let's go straight to the Word of God now, and see what the Word of God says about church.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus says, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

The word 'house' here is 'oikia' in Greek, from the word 'oikos' meaning 'a dwelling place, a family, a home, a household, or a temple'. Evidently, this 'house' can also mean 'the house of God', i.e. the church! How about the word 'rock' here? It is 'petra' in Greek, literally meaning 'the mass of rock'.

Let Scripture interpret Scripture. In cross-reference, Matthew 16:13-19 says,
'When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi,
He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter ('petros'), and on this rock ('petra') I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."'

In Greek, the word 'petros' speaks of 'a piece of rock', whereas the word 'petra' speaks of 'the mass of rock' (like the one at the core of the earth). This  'mass of rock' is likened to the 'chief cornerstone' (i.e. the uttermost of all rocks), i.e. Jesus Christ Himself (see Ephesians 2:20).

So, when Jesus said "on this rock ('petra') I will build My church", He meant "on this confession and revelation that I am the Christ, the Son of the living God, I will build My church"! And you know what? This is the first time the word 'church' is mentioned in the Bible!

A church founded and built on 'the mass of rock' ('petra') is a church that is patterned after the Word of God! Because He is the Rock, and He is the Word! John 1:14 says, 'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth'.

You see? That explains what I have written earlier, that we are to structure the church according to what the Word of God says a church should be, not what man says a church should be! God's idea of a church, not man's idea of a church! God's blueprint for a church, not man's blueprint for a church!

Our confidence is not in ourselves, or our own intelligence and wisdom. Our confidence is in the Word of God! And whatever the Word of God says a church should be, let the church be!

For details on what a church is according to the Word of God, click: You and I are the 'church'!

The pattern of the church according to the Word of God
1 Corinthians 12:28 says, 'And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues'.
Apostles ('apostolos' in Greek) = 'he that is sent'.
Prophets ('prophetes' in Greek) = 'he that is inspired'.
Teachers ('didaskalos' in Greek) = 'he that instructs/teaches'. To correlate with the five-fold gifts in Ephesians 4:11-13, evangelists and pastors are included under this category, because they also communicate the Word of God.
Miracles ('dunamis' in Greek) = 'ability, power, strength, mighty, wonderful (work of God)'.
Healings ('iama' in Greek) = 'healing, wholeness, wellness (both physically and in the soul)'.
Helps ('antilepsis' in Greek) = 'support, relief, help, deacons'.
Administrations ('kubernesis' in Greek) = 'administrations, management'.
Varieties of tongues ('glossa' in Greek) = 'intercession, prayer'.

For example, in a local church:
The apostle receives a genuine vision from the Lord (with confirmations, not assumptions), and is therefore sent (commissioned) by the Lord to break new ground and start the new work.
The prophet seeks the will (and directions) of the Lord, being inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak to the church, like a compass, so that the church will not go off-track.
The teacher ensures the Word of God is being instructed and taught correctly, with sound doctrines, so that the church will not fall into heresy or error.

By the way, the whole of 1 Corinthians 12 begins with, 'Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant'. The apostle Paul was writing to the church not to be ignorant of the spiritual gifts, i.e. the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the church. Obviously, this whole chapter still applies for the end-time church today, because the chapter that follows, 1 Corinthians 13 speaks about 'love' and 'love in action' (for without love, all these spiritual gifts mentioned in the whole of 1 Corinthians 12 would be useless).

How about orderliness in the church?
The Holy Spirit keeps everything in order. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and Comforter. It is the Holy Spirit who guides us (John 16:13) in all areas of our lives, and that includes the church. It is the Holy Spirit who fills us, empowers us, and blesses us with spiritual gifts. Our part is to yield to Him, not our own intelligence and wisdom. A Spirit-filled church should also be a Spirit-led church. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God (Romans 8:14).

Ephesians 2:19-22 says, 'Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit'.

Ephesians 4:11-13 says, 'And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping (i.e. training) of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying (i.e. strengthening) of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ'.

In conclusion, a church that is patterned after the Word of God operates around the spiritual gifts (i.e. the gifts of the Holy Spirit), and not according to the structures created by man. The Word of God says so.