Preparing Our Hearts For What Is Ahead

Dear Revival-Fire Church Family,

We send you our warm loving greetings, in the name of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ! We are truly living in exciting times, as we are seeing much happening all over the world! We are increasingly seeing many significant events take place, which the Bible has foretold. We have these things foretold to us, because God is wanting His people to be aware of what is coming. But this is NOT to frighten us or to scare us…it is NOT to put fear in us…He has foretold these things to us to PREPARE us.

It is important that we recognize this, as this is what God’s word clearly says. Jesus told us to be “wise as serpents, but as harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). Sometimes when I tell people this, they do not understand me & some have even taken it the wrong one & have become upset with me. But that is ok…it doesn’t change the truth! For we, as God’s people are told that we must walk “circumspectly”:

Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

The word “circumspectly” is the Greek word “akribos”, which means: “diligently, perfect, circumspectly, exactly, accurately”. It comes from the word “locust”, particularly that species which especially infests oriental countries, stripping fields and trees. The point being, we need to be careful & not be foolish in life, but wise…”redeeming the time, for the days are evil! “Redeeming the time” refers to properly utilizing the time that is left. In other words….”prepare”. This was written nearly 2000 years ago, but is still applicable today…even more so, as we all approach the end! Jesus tells us that as we approach the end, we are to “watch & pray”:

Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

It says that “that day” is as a snare & is referring to the time of the 2nd coming…this is “the day of the Lord”. If God’s people are not watching & praying, they may find themselves fall into the same snare that the whole world will soon fall in!!! To “watch & pray” speaks of our diligence to remain sober & vigilant, as we see these days approaching. It seems to me, that the Lord is increasingly speaking to us that we are to prepare, as we see these things coming on the Earth & I am often reminded of that passage in Proverbs:

Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Basically this is saying that those who will walk in the wisdom of God, will see what is ahead & hide themselves in His safety. We cannot live by blindly walking out these days…we must walk in His wisdom for this hour. The Lord once told me that when He repeats a “thought” like this, it means that it is doubly important. Sometimes He will even repeat a thought 3 or more times, as in Rev 2-3, where He says something 7 times: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”. That one thought is SO important & vital to the church today, because so few are truly hearing His voice.

He is wanting us to “arm ourselves” with His wisdom & knowledge…for as we will be aware of what is coming & what is going on around us, we will be able to free ourselves by His power…as we stand against what the enemy is doing & will do in the time to come. There is much that is coming & we need to be aware of this & arm ourselves while we still can. This isn’t just speaking about the earthquakes, plagues, famines & other disasters that we are seeing increase more & more…there is even a greater need for awareness that we truly need at this hour.

I remember back in the mid 1980s, while ministering at the convalescent hospital that Julie & I shepherded, apart from our own church, an elderly lady once asked me something, but at that time I didn’t really know what to tell her. She asked what a verse meant & I know I told her something, but I remember that it really wasn’t a very accurate understanding of what Jesus was actually talking about in this verse. At that time I didn’t understand things that are spiritually discerned very well & it wasn’t until just several weeks ago that the Lord helped me to better understand it:

Luk 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
Luk 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
Luk 23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
Luk 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

I understand that Jesus is DEFINITELY speaking about the end-time. Lets acknowledge that today, society says it is a BLESSING not to give birth or to breast feed, because society agrees that abortions are MORE acceptable. Let me say that bible verses can have several meanings, as we know that the word of God is ALIVE!!! (Heb.4:12). His word is like a precious stone that shines differently, as you turn it…it has “facets” that will shine forth a uniquely different light. I also liken this to one looking into a lake. You can only see so much from up at the surface, but as you go down “into” the water & go “deeper”, you will see things more clearly & will also see things that you couldn’t see from above. The Holy Spirit will speak “rhema” on the word of God & give us unique understanding & wisdom into His word…so, we praise the Lord that His word will become “alive” to us!

What the Lord recently revealed to me about this verse in Luke 23:31 is, that He is saying today that if His people will not seek Him while things are going good…how do they think that they will be able to seek Him when times get bad? This is why He has commissioned me to minister to people regarding the importance of getting into His presence & seeking His face. It is really surprising to know that there are MANY who believe that they can wait until “the world falls apart” & THEN they will seek the Lord! How can anyone think or believe this! We need to be close to God NOW…we need to be surrounded by His presence NOW, for tomorrow may be too late!!! One thing that people need to understand is, God’s “grace” will not be here forever. God’s says “NOW is the day of salvation”!!!

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

There is no guarantee for tomorrow! All we have is today & whether we will accept it or not, the day is coming that this season of “grace” will be over. We know this because God says so in His word, as the time is coming that God will judge the living & the dead, by His son Jesus Christ. In fact, God says something that is really sobering at the very end of Rev.:

Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For outside are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.
Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

If we look at verse 15, to those who will be “outside”…we understand that these are people who are “fully given over” to these things. These are people who have “become” these things in their lives. But, still…lets look at these & then apply them to our own lives. The word “dog” refers to one walking in an “impure mind”. Many struggle with having impure thoughts today. Sorcery is “pharmakos”, where we get our word “pharmacy”. We can easily see all of the ‘substance abuse’ that there is today…yes, even in the church! But, we also see much manipulation & control & they are a type of sorcery\witchcraft also! No one would ever think of a believer as being a “whoremonger”, but there is much sexual impurity in the churches today. What about all the “hatred” that people have in their hearts, in not forgiving others? God calls them being a murderer! (1Jn. 3:15). Sadly, “idolatry” runs rampant in the hearts of many believers today, as idolatry is very sly & elusive. Many do not realize that covetousness is also idolatry (Col. 3:5). And the last one…”loving & making a lie”. I know that no one in the church flat out “lies” anymore (hello?), but what about all the “small fibs” or “little white lies”?

I think that you get the idea here! So, there is still a need for repentance in Christianity! Jesus is saying IF “God’s people” do these things in a green tree (when things are going good), what shall they do in the dry (when things go bad)??? God’s people need to be seriously preparing their hearts for what is ahead…for there is much that is coming, but not just calamity & destruction…there is also going to be intense moral decay & depravity. God says that there is going to be a “falling away”…a time when we will either run towards Him or away from Him. I know that this is a staggering statement but we must bring ourselves face to face with this, nonetheless. We all must confront our own lives with the reality of what is coming. God tells us what we are to do:

2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

If we, His people…will humble ourselves & pray…admitting the things that are still having a place in our hearts – if we will turn from them, He will hear our prayer…He will forgive us & heal the iniquity in the our “land”…in this case, the land of our hearts. We must continue to seek Him…we must fully surrender our lives unto Him…for if we will do this, we know that everything will work out just fine!

With all of our love,
Pastors Mark & Julie Moore
Revival-Fire church

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Understanding The Presence Of God

Dear Revival-Fire Church Family,

The Lord has been speaking to me about sharing this message with you, to help His people to understand what they need to do. When the Lord had me send out the message about the Bottomless Pit being opened, if you remember, at the end of that message He had me say that the MOST important thing that we can do from now on is to truly seek the Lord’s face & spend a lot of time in His presence. He said that this is imperative & that I could not stress this enough!!! He told me that His people needed to understand why this was the most important thing that we can do now, at this time & for the time ahead. There is much that God’s people do not know or understand about His presence.

“Understanding The Presence Of God”

Lately, there has been a lot being said regarding repentance, the fear of the Lord & the refiner’s fires of God, etc. Over the years, the Lord has taken me through a lot of refining fires…through a lot of repentance & I do have a healthy fear of the Lord. The thing is, many think this where God wants us to remain, but actually this is not where things are suppose to end. Yes, we DO need to have repentance in our lives…we DO a healthy fear of the Lord…we DO need to go through His refining. His word says: “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psm. 110:10, Prov. 9:10). But we MUST SEE what He is actually saying here, but few will ever see this. He says the fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom…it is not the end of it…it is just the beginning. This is where many people get off balanced & fall into “religious legalism”….because they stop there & take our walk with the Lord as one that is “fear based” wisdom.  But, fear is NOT what God wants for His people…for if we will truly remember…we must recognize that God IS LOVE (1John 4:8) & He has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, & of love, & of a sound mind (2Tim. 1:7).

The thing is…there is ANOTHER scripture that speaks about the “fear of the Lord” & this verse is the FIRST time Proverbs speaks of the “fear of the Lord”. This scripture says something very similar to the other verses, but what it says is profoundly deeper & far reaching into our hearts: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7). Knowledge is not just an intellectual understanding…it speaks of intimacy with Him. The “fear of the Lord” is NOT for us to “live in fear”…but to lead us to INTIMACY with Him. This is what the Lord has done in me…it is FAR greater than just having the “fear” in the Lord, as many seem to see it to be…because He has taken me into HIS heart. For, in those refiner’s fires that I have experienced over time, I have ALSO found the true love of God. When a person comes to know the true love of God, the concept of the “fear of the Lord” is not what most people see it as being…for as I said…those people will tend to get off balanced & fall into religious legalism…we must recognize that this is NOT one of power, or love or of a sound mind!

I can tell you that all through out my early walk with God & even into several years in my early ministry…I was like most people who believed in God & knew that His word is “truth”. I lived as a Christian & I “obeyed” His word, because His word commanded me to do so. That is what we call “the fear of the Lord”. BUT…in the late 1990s, as I went through the many intense times of refiner’s fires, He took me into His heart & I fell in love with Him on a level that I never knew before. Ever since then, I no longer “obeyed” because He commanded me to do so. NO..ever since then, I didn’t obey because I had the “fear of the Lord”. NO…ever since then…I obey because I LOVE HIM…because I love Him, I want to PLEASE HIM. When we desire to please HIM, we will no longer be subject to the fear of man, or to please man.

Yes, I DO believe that God’s people should have a healthy fear of the Lord…but I do not believe that this is where He wants His people to stay…that is just the beginning. So, what is the fear of the Lord? The fear of the Lord basically means to “revere” HIM…the “fear of the Lord” is knowing the awe, majesty & mystery of His Sovereignty & that He is SO much greater than we can even comprehend…we ARE to revere Him! But, when we will truly grasp the truth of His love & love Him, as He loves us…we will SEE that the fear of the Lord is one of loving respect…just as a child reveres & honors their parents, who dearly love them & they KNOW they are loved by them. This is NOT a knowing, whereby we walk in “fear for our lives”, wondering if God is going to strike us down for our failures, mistakes & sin! No…we are to walk, knowing that He loves us…we are to walk giving Him the honor, reverence & respect that He deserves. We are to walk out our lives…& please Him….because we love Him.

Heb 10:31 says: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. So does this really mean we should fear the Lord? Yes, but not in the way most think. To most, standing before the Lord, naked & exposed can seem very fearful. To stand before Him, knowing that He is the Potter & we are the clay (Rom 9:20-21), does appear to be a fearful thing! But, this is because MOST do not really KNOW Him. They may be very studious…they may really know the ends & outs of His word…but the question is…do they really KNOW His love? Truly, to stand before Him from own preconceived or legalistically perceived mindset, would surely be one of fear! But, when we enter into His heart…but when we will truly enter into His love…THAT fearful mindset is destroyed. Because when we enter into His heart of love, we know that He loves us & will take care of us.

This is where the fear of the Lord is to lead to…lead us to that place of love, within HIS heart! The thing is, most people do not really understand the presence of God. Many think they do…but most only have a vague understanding, at best. The truth is, few have TRULY experienced His PRESENCE. I am talking about His presence, as the Bible speaks of it. Most people have been in church services, where there has been some good praise & worship…& they may have felt a little “peace”…perhaps a little “joy”. They will leave & go home, the same way they came in, thinking that there were in the presence of God…but this is not the true presence of God. The thing is…we need to understand that the presence of God is LIFE CHANGING! When one experiences His presence, that person will NEVER be the same again. And even though the presence of God is spoken of many times in the word of God, most of God’s people have little knowledge or understanding of what it really is.

Throughout the Old Testament God used 2 powerful words translated into English as His “face” & His “presence”. These words speak of two things, but actually both of these words are one & the same…the Hebrew word: “paniym”, which means: “face, presence, countenance”. So, how do we understand the presence of God? Let’s use an illustration. A person can be in the room with someone else, but behind them or off to the side, but they are not in the presence of that other person. They can see the other person, or I should say “part of them”, but the other person doesn’t see them at all. But if they both will turn & look at each other “face to face”…that is where the real “presence” is…”face to face”…as each one is in the presence of the other. This is what being in the presence of God is talking about…for when you look God face to face, His eyes of fire will consume all that is not of Him (Rev. 1:14, 19:12):

Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Rev 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead..
Rev 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

What happened to Moses, when he went up into the Mount & was given the 10 Commandments, is a good example of this…he was CHANGED by the presence of God. He came down & his face shined withe the glory of God. God wants us to see Him “face to face”….for it is in His presence that we will truly be CHANGED. This is why the Lord told us to put that on the top of our webpage: “Bringing People Face To Face With The Presence of God”…because there is NOTHING more important that us being in God’s presence…seeing Him “face to face”. But the thing is, most people do not truly even know what the presence of God is, much less how to get there. It is in His presence that we are refined…this is where we receive His refiner’s fire! This is where we are changed to be like Him! But, all I ever mostly seem to see is people trying to do religious works”, thinking that they will somehow accomplish that, buffeting their bodies, trying to be holy, when that can only be accomplished by seeking Him in fully abandoned worship.

People will at home or in church & praise\worship the Lord…but few know how to truly “enter into His presence”….there is such POWER there…there is such REST there…there is such CHANGE there! Unfortunately, the little bit of “peace or joy that people feel while in “church” or when they pray is NOT the presence of God…that peace & joy is a good thing, because it IS emanating from God, but it is NOT His presence as people are taught to believe…it is only just touching the very “edge” of it…much like being next to a waterfall & feeling the “mist”. But it is not the waterfall…for should one get under that flow, they will be not just feel a little mist…they will be totally immersed in …totally covered with…totally inundated with that living water!

People have been taught that their singing to the Lord is how they will enter into His presence, as this is what they have learned from Psalm 100, but let’s look at what Psalms 100 really says! Well, it does speak of singing & praising the Lord & yes, it does speak about His presence there, but if we will look closely, we will find that just singing praise to Him will NOT take us into the presence of the Lord:

Psa 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

It says…”come before his presence with singing”. Yes, we are to “sing unto Him”…yes, we are to praise Him…but this does not make take us “into” the presence of God…this only brings us to come BEFORE it…in other words…to the every edge of it. This is what most people feel when they worship in church…they come to the edge of His presence, but do not enter into it. This happens for a variety of reasons, but mostly because those controlling the service have no idea about the presence of God & also because they have their own programs & agendas. I don’t know about you, but I do not just want to come to the edge of His presence…I want to be immersed it it!!!!

The presence of God must be fully entered into…& each person must “press in” & desperately want for God to change them. When the anointing is strongly present, God’s people can do this…they CAN enter into His presence…as they will position themselves to receive from the Lord. But they will only receive if they are truly open to Him doing what He wants to do in their lives. Some that try to seek His presence, expecting Him to come & do what they want Him to do…they may come Him & want Him to do what THEY have in mind, but these most likely will not get into His deep presence, as He wants them to be.

Heb. 4 speaks of us “entering into the rest of God”…this is a very power lesson! As we will look at what the word of God says about this “rest”, we will see how it relates to entering into the presence of God. In Heb. 4, we see that God speaks of “rest” several times using 3 different words. A very important one is in Heb. 4:9, which  is “sabbatismos” & is the word “sabbath”. This word “rest”…it means: “a keeping sabbath 2) the blessed rest from toils and troubles looked for in the age to come by the true worshippers of God and true Christians”

This “sabbath” rest isn’t speaking of a religious observance of the physical Sabbath day…it speaks of entering into a “state of being” in our lives. It is where we have entered into His presence in such a way, that we are now live in a “state of being”…we are IN His rest….we are not there to visit…we are there to stay! We know this, because the fact that God rested after 6 days, He NEVER “labored” again…God entered into a “state of being”, in which He did not ever need to labor in creation ever again. This is what He is wanting for us, His people…for this is what God says in verse 10-11:

Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Heb 4:11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

While I know that God speaks this for us regarding our lives today, I do understand that there are some “future” elements in the meaning of this “rest” also. I know that this also speaks of the Kingdom age, when Jesus will return to setup His kingdom for 1000 years. We have now begun the 7th millennium, which in essence we ARE in that “sabbath” already. This is when Jesus returns to Earth…on the 7th day. For a day with the Lord is as a 1000 years & a 1000 years as a day (2 Pet. 3:8). So, God labored for 6 days, but then He rested on the 7th day. The word of God also speaks of a 3rd day…for Jesus said that on the 3rd day, that He is perfected:

Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

This word “perfected” is the Greek word “teleioo” & means: 1) to make perfect, complete 1a) to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end 2) to complete (perfect) 2a) add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full 2b) to be found perfect 3) to bring to the end (goal) proposed 4) to accomplish 4a) bring to a close or fulfilment by event 4a1) of the prophecies of the scriptures

“We know that when Jesus spoke this, He was speaking about His present earthly ministry, before the cross, but God prophetically reveals this also as part of His plan for His Church. For during the 3rd day, the church – His body, will be perfected also. We are NOW in the THIRD day, as it has been over 2000 years since He ascended back up to Heaven & that His “body” was born. I know that between now & the time that Jesus returns for us, that He will be bringing much change to His body, & we will see this as His body will get into His deep presence. But I feel that the “full” perfection of this will not come until we rise to be with Him in the air:

1Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed….

This word “changed” is the Greek word “allasso” & means: “to change, to exchange one thing for another, to transform”. This is when we will be truly “like” Him..we will have immortal bodies, just like Him! Yes, He will be working “in us” all throughout our lives, as we will get into His deep presence & allow Him to saturate & marinate us in His love…but the full “end product” will not be until we rise in the air to be with Him. But, until then, we truly need to get into His deep presence…for even NOW, this is where He will appear to us, as we see Him “face to face” & we will become more & more like Him, for we will see Him as He really is:

1Jo 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jo 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

Now, here is the thing…first we MUST understand that WE cannot make ourselves pure…only God can do this. But, wait a minute…we just read that we are to ‘purify ourselves’…isn’t that a contradiction??? Nope!…we do our part by our seeking His face & spending time in His presence….that is OUR part! We must press into His presence…we must SEEK HIS FACE. As Heb. 4: 10-11 says:

Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Heb 4:11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Yes, we do have a part…we have to “labor” to enter into His rest! For it is there in His presence that everything happens! Remember about Moses & how he came down from the Mountain with the 10 commandments & his face shone with God’s glory? This happened because he had been in the presence of God. And THAT was truly a “glorious” thing, but as glorious as that was, that was NOT like the presence of God that is available to us today! What is there for us is actually & truly more powerful & life changing! This is what God says is available to us now:

2Co 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same veil not taken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ.
2Co 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.
2Co 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.

I have spoken on this before…the thing here is, the veil here refers to the hardness on the heart of man. When we will do our part to come to the Lord…when we will turn to the Lord & seek Him…the veil will be taken away. This happens as we get into the presence of God. And as the veil is removed from our heart, He will change us, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord. For it is His presence that does purify us…it is His presence that does change us…it is His presence that will make us like Him. We cannot be made like Him by religious exercise…we cannot be made like Him by memorizing scripture…we can only do this by being in His presence.

The 2nd usages of “rest” in Heb. 4 is the word “katapausis”, which means: “a putting to rest 1a) calming of the winds 2) a resting place 2a) metaph. the heavenly blessedness in which God dwells, and of which he has promised to make persevering believers in Christ partakers after the toils and trials of life on earth are ended”. This speaks of entering into “rest” during the trials & storms of life. Yes, we can be experiencing a lot of chaos around us, but we will be at rest, even during those trials & storms…this comes by time in His presence!

The 3rd usage of “rest” in Heb. 4 is the word “katapauo” which means: “restrain, rest, give rest, cease:  1) to make quiet, to cause to be at rest, to grant rest 1a) to lead to a quiet abode 1b) to still, restrain, to cause (one striving to do something) to desist 2) to rest, take rest”. This speaks of God as He “ceased” from His labors…even so, we are to cease from ours. This whole concept of entering His “rest” from these 3 words speaks these things to me:

1) We “enter into rest” into salvation, through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is NOTHING that we can do to ever “labor” to in anyway create our own salvation. Only as we enter into that “rest”, trusting in His sacrifice, His death & His resurrection – as the full payment for our sins & salvation, can we truly be saved. For it is by God’s grace we are saved through faith & not of ourselves…it is the gift of God:, Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9). It is God who will work in us & through us, as we are foreordained to walk in His good works (Eph. 2:10).

2) We “enter into rest” knowing that God has supplied everything we will ever need in life – when He created all things in those 6 days. We can “rest” in Him, knowing that He has already made provision for all of our needs…past, present & future. Many have a very difficult time entering into His rest & trusting Him to provision…they labor & toil, fretting & anxious, not trusting Him to fulfill His word. To understand all of this “rest” stuff, we must see that God was speaking about the Israelites, as they wandered in the wilderness. He said:

Heb 3:16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
Heb 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
Heb 3:18 And to whom swore he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
Heb 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

It is VERY important that we get this…they couldn’t enter into His rest, because they did NOT believe His words to them. Now, as we go to the very NEXT verse, which start in Chap. 4, we see this:

Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Heb 4:3 For we which have BELIEVED DO enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

We MUST believe the Lord…we must trust Him…we must know that He will never leave us or forsake us…we must trust that He loves us & wants only good things for us…we must believe His words to us!

3) We “enter into rest’, as we allow Him to mold & shape us into who He has created us to be. We do not have to labor or toil trying to “make ourselves” holy or righteous…we do not have to struggle to “rid ourselves” of things of the flesh. Actually, “us” trying to do so, is only our own “works”. We must “enter into rest”, as He does His work…we must acquiesce in agreement with Him. We rest as he does the work & we will slowly become changed more & more to be like Him. This is an ongoing process that happens in our walk with Him, but will be completed when He returns for us.

4) When He returns for us, we will “enter into rest” to the fullest extent, as we are fully CHANGED…we are given incorruptible bodies & we then become fully like Him. Yes, as we walk on Earth, before His return, I believe that we can & will experience this in a measure & this comes as we will truly spend time in His presence, seeking His face.

Unfortunately, few will truly “labor” to “enter in His rest” by in doing this…by getting into His deep presence. Most people are just satisfied with that little bit of ‘peace & joy’ they can feel & they accept that as being “in His presence..they accept that this is all that God has for them…sadly, these will go home unchanged! But the truth is…God REALLY wants to saturate & marinate His people with His love. I have been in that place many times…where I received what God wanted to do in me.

I have laid on the floor under the dense anointing of God, experiencing the PRESENCE of God many times. And each time, waves & waves of glory flowed over me. One minute I would be weeping & weeping because of conviction on my heart & wanting to be right with God, feeling such repentance, as His love would wash over me. Then minutes later, I would then have ‘wave after wave’ of joy pour over me & I would laugh uncontrollably. This happened over & over…crying one minute, laughing the next…under the deep & intense anointing of His presence.

And honestly, those times have changed my life & I will never be the same again! Now hear this…yes, this has happened to me while being “in church”…this has ALSO happened to me “at home”, in my own private time with the Lord…this has EVEN happened to me while “driving in the car”. Now, I do not recommend that any of you try this, so please be careful when driving!!! This actually just happened to me back 3 months ago back in June, as we were driving back home from CA on Interstate Highway 10…I had to pull over & let the Lord work on me…but it was truly glorious!!!

Each time I have experienced this, He has taken me into a place to where I have learned that I can truly rest in Him. Yes, I know that some of this has increased over the years, but the important thing here is for those that truly want to “enter into His rest”…they must pursue His presence first & foremost in their lives. I can tell you that this is true, for I know this for myself. It was when I became desperate for His presence that things began to happen. I have learned that when a person will truly spend time in His presence, there is no “laboring” for them not to sin…there is no attraction to the things of this world. There is no struggling to “be” righteous!…for He is a refiner’s fire & He will purify us as we will seek Him face to face!

Spending time in His presence truly changes a person…they will never be like they were again! Spending time in His presence actually will “wreck” them & nothing else will even be important again!…no!…nothing else will matter. This is why people struggle so much in their “walk with the Lord”…this is why people fret & fall into the things of the flesh…this is why they do the things that they do not want to do. It is because they have not experienced His presence, as he wants them to. His presence changes everything…it changes their whole perspective of life…it changes their entire understanding of the way things are.

Getting into the presence of God is the first & foremost thing a person can do in life…it is even more so now! Once God’s people have crossed over into His presence, they will never want to leave there…they will only want MORE. But, of course, we live in a physical world & we have to deal with physical things on a daily basis. Sadly, it is not always possible to lock ourselves up & stay in His presence forever, though that is the most wonderful thing that we can ever do! We still have to “come down out of the clouds”, so to speak & deal with things on this Earthly level. But, even then…while others around you may stay interested in “doing the things that they love to do”…those things will not be attractive to you anymore. Yes, you can still participate in some things…but those things will not have the place in you anymore.

One thing that I have learned in my experiences of being in His presence is…that we do become like Him. If you will think about this, we can understand that God is not changed or affected by the things in this world…but most of His people ARE. Most of God’s people cannot go into a bar & minister to people there…most cannot even “see” or “hear” ungodly things in this world, without them feeling “defiled by them”. The thing is…those people still let those things get into their heart & spirit. When we are wrecked by His presence, we are not like that! God sees everything…both the evil & the good, but He is not affected by anything that He sees or hears. When we spend quality time in His presence, He will make us to be like Him. The things of this world will not have the same effect on us! Now, I am not saying that we should go “seek after” evil\ungodly things…I am just saying that if or when we do encounter them in life, they will not affect us…for they will have no place in us.

This is an important thing here, the things of this world will not affect us, because they will have no place in us. This is because we have taken whatever place that we may have allowed in our hearts for those “things” & we have “filled” those places with God’s presence. There is no longer any place for them in us! So, I encourage you all to begin to seek the presence of God!!! Get before Him & press into His deep presence & let Him have His way with you!

If you will truly do this, you will never be the same again! Put on some intimate worship music… & just lay on the floor or your bed & open your heart unto Him. But, do not try to sing…do not try to do anything but receive from HIM! Let His loving & gracious Spirit come & fill you…let Him wash you…let Him make you into who He wants you to be…which is more like Him!

This is what the Lord has called my wife & I to do…to help others into His presence. As I said…that is why He had us put on our website:
“Bringing People Face To Face With The Presence Of God”. We must carry in His will of doing this…so we share these things with you all.
Stay tuned for MORE on the presence of God, as He give me more to share with you at a later date!

May the Lord bless you & keep you, as you dive into His deep presence!

In His great love & mercy,
Pastors Mark & Julie Moore

Please consider supporting this end-time apostolic\prophetic ministry with your much needed prayers & financial support. You may use this Paypal button to make your donations:

Thank you as you give…may the Lord richly bless you!

The Bottomless Pit Has Opened!

Dear Revival-Fire Church Family,

I want to share something with you that the Lord revealed unto me several months ago as I was praying about some things, but He did not release me to send this message out until now. This is a revelation that we all need to hear & allow the word of the Lord to minister to us in our lives regarding the days ahead. This message is not to scare you…it is to prepare you!

For a few years now, I have wondered whether the “Great Tribulation” that Jesus spoke of is still “future”, or had it already begun. I must say that I have felt for some time now, that it had indeed begun already. This revelation that the Lord gave me has to do with what Rev. 9 speaks of…”the bottomless pit”. This message is in no way an “exhaustive” explanation or teaching on this subject…in fact, the Lord actually told me that there will be those who read this message that He will speak to & add to this message from their own illumination from Him:

Rev 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
Rev 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
Rev 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
Rev 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
Rev 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he strikes a man.
Rev 9:6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
Rev 9:7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
Rev 9:8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
Rev 9:9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
Rev 9:10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
Rev 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

As you many of you know, the Lord brings many people to our ministry from all over the world…both individuals & also many pastors & leaders. In the past several months, I have heard from many how they have been feeling fearful, depressed & even confused…& unable to see what the Lord was saying or wanting them to do in their lives. We recognize that it the enemy trying to defeat God’s people & it is vitally important that we all stand in His victory. Back in the beginning of May as I was praying & I asked Him what was happening in these many people’s lives. The Lord immediately spoke to me & told me what was happening – He said that “the bottomless pit had opened”. His answer shook me, but I immediately had a witness in my spirit & recognized that this was true.

He instantly began to “download” this to me & give me “illumination” on what did mean. The feelings that people are beginning to have…confusion & even depressed thoughts, are coming because this bottomless pit has now opened & the smoke has ascended & begun to darken the Sun & air around us. Then back in July, I received a “report” stating that multiple thousands of pastors are discouraged & wanting to quit. The bottomless pit HAS been opened & now many of those who were developing spiritual “sight” are now having greater difficulty in hearing, seeing, knowing what the Lord is saying to them. Confusion & even depression is trying to take hold of many of God’s people. In the natural realm, if someone will stand around a campfire, the smoke will “ascend” up from the fire & begin to sting their eyes & their eyes will tear & they will have very limited “vision”, as long as the smoke can irritate their eyes.

In the same way, the bottomless pit opening can be likened to the spiritual darkness that many know is coming & many are now being affected by the “smoke” that has begun to ascend up from this pit. It is very important that we keep our spiritual composure & stand strong amidst this…we cannot let our spiritual composure wain or diminish. Just as In the natural, one must TURN from source of the smoke…& shield their eyes from being irritated. Even so, now, we must TURN away from what is going on around us & in the world & not allow it to affect our faith. For this is just the beginning, as more is to come, for now that the pit has opened. In verse 3-6, we see that locusts will come out of the bottomless pit. Are these literal locusts? Perhaps, but what the Lord impressed upon me is that they are demon powers that will attack people on the Earth. In verse 6, it says that “And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them“.

I sensed that part of this is actually talking about demon spirits attacking men with thoughts of suicide. Yes…if we truly read verse 6, we see that this is actually what it is saying. I have had several people contact me & share with me how they have recently been dealing with such suicidal thoughts, but were unable to die….they wanted to die, but couldn’t kill themselves. Now, I am not saying that these “locusts” will not actually be “seen” as a physical manifestation in the time ahead…I am just stating that what is going on right now, is mostly in the spiritual realm, but the manifestation of this is being seen in people’s lives.  Now, there is something of great importance in verse 4. It says that these locusts only have power (authority) to attack those who do NOT have the seal of God in their foreheads. This is significant & we all must look at our hearts & lives to reconcile this reality before God.

This is the day that all who call themselves “God’s people” must truly repent in their lives & we are to do as 2 Peter 1:10 says: “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall“. Many of you already know that the “great falling away” has already begun. This “opening of the pit” is part of this very thing. People are now being seriously attacked & buffeted & many are not able to deal with the things that they are presently experiencing, when before they had never had any such problem standing through their trials. This is the torment spoken of in verse 5…people will want to die, but will be unable to die. This is a “vicious cycle” of feeling like they can’t go on living any longer like this & feeling like taking their lives is the only answer…but at the same time, knowing that to do so, is the very worst thing a person could ever do in their life! Being in this condition would be a living nightmare…a true torment of inner pain!!!

Verses 7-10 tell us the attributes of these demon locusts. These locusts are prepared for battle & that is why God’s people must stand fast in these days & not let their minds & hearts be compromised with these strong attacks against their thoughts. Today is the day of spiritual warfare…this is what we have all studied & prepared for…it is now time to fight!!! This is not the time to just lay down & let the enemy devour us! The crowns that were “as it were crowns like gold” speaks of the “alluring” falsehoods that will manifest in this time. As the saying goes…”not all that glitters is gold”. There are going to be things going on in churches that will have appearance of “gold” & being “beautiful, valuable & enduring”, but will not be the real thing…only a counterfeit! We have already seen some of this with the entrance of the “kundalini spirit” in the churches. Yes, there is the real thing…thee are “godly manifestations”…but there is also a counterfeit!

The “were as the faces of men” speaks to me of having an “appearance” of spiritual “maturity”. The “hair of women” represents “spiritual covering”, as 1Cor. 11:15 says. I sense that these two things are religious spirits that will affect people’s lives. These demons will attempt to attack those who do not have their hearts & lives surrendered to the Lord or are not spiritually sound in maturity & the covering of the Lord. I sense that these religious spirits will bring in doctrines that will cause people to deviate from the truth of the Gospel. Remember, that “pride goes before destruction & a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). We need to remember: “let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1Cor 10:12). The teeth which “were as the teeth of lions” imply that these doctrines will be received as from “the Lion of the Tribe of Judah”, but they will really be from “our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour” (1Pet. 5:8). Those “teeth” will destroy those who are taken by them!

We cannot forget…”For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears & they shall turn away their ears from the truth & shall be turned unto fables (2 Tim 4:3-4). The word “fables” means “invented falsehood”. The religious spirits will invent falsehoods that will entice people away from the truth. The “breastplates of iron”, speaks of a “false” righteousness, which many are now beginning to succumb to in these last days! A breastplate of iron is man-made…the breastplate of righteousness is God made. There will be many false teachings coming in the time ahead, which will cause men to deviate from the truth. This ONE thing is a BIG one, as people are already being drawn into a false move of “legalism”, which has been slowly creeping into the body of Christ for years.

Many have already lost hold of the truth of faith, grace & salvation & have fallen into a faith & grace that is self worship & has no repentance or no real accountability before God…this is the Laodicean church in Rev. 3. Many are also returning back under a type of legalism under the law. These both are taking people “full swing”, to one side or the other! God’s people must be sound & balanced in the word of God…we are not to swing to the left or the right…we are to walk “straight”, as Jesus said…”enter in the strait gate”. This is the narrow way & is the only way we can stay balanced in Him. I cannot take the time to address everything about this subject at this time, but I will send out another teaching soon on faith, grace & salvation…which is balanced as the word of God reveals it. There are some deep revelations that God’s people need to receive there also!

Verse 10 tells us that the source of power for these demons to operate & exercise control & torment over these people is…Abaddon & Apollyon…ie, this is “the destroyer”. This is the same “king” that was released upon & killed all of the 1st born in Egypt, when God sent Moses to deliver His people. This “king” of the bottomless pit is strong & we need to be actively covered by the Blood of Jesus so we will be able to stand against the attacks of this very thing that is now beginning to come forth in the Earth. We must recognize what God has said about this time & “recon” ourselves before the Lord, as never before. Many of God’s people have forgotten about the things He said would happen:

Daniel 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

This is NOT the time to fall into a mediocre & compromised Christianity that would say “I have nothing to worry about, because I said a little prayer & asked Jesus to be my Lord & Savior”. It is not the time for anyone to say: “I go to church, I pray & read my Bible, so I am saved!”. It is not the time to think in our minds, that “our own works” somehow make us righteous or we have somehow “earned” ourselves a “ticket to Heaven”. It is not the time to base our outcome in all eternity, on a life that is ruled by “self” & thinking that “we are saved & have no need for change”. These are all some of the very areas that will empower these “locusts” to have the right to attack in the time ahead….it is called complacency! Jesus says that we are to be “zealous & repent” (Rev. 3:19)…zealous means “burning hot or boiling”!!!

We must “Be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour” (1Pet 5:8). I quoted this again because I sense that this scripture is MORE applicable…more valid for our future, then ever before. For the greatness of this time will show the multitudes of “believers” their true standing in God’s Kingdom. The enemy is going to attack & manifest many greatly in the time ahead, than he ever has before. I do not say any of this to make people afraid..if anything I say this to instill a healthy dose of the reverential fear of the LORD in God’s people, if needed. The time for practicing “greasy grace & sloppy agape” is over…it is time for all who call themselves Christians, to stand up in the Lord & fight the good fight of faith! For the real battle has already begun, but we do have hope in this…Rev. says:

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Those that partook of the Passover in Egypt, overcame the destroyer, as they consumed the “lamb that was slain” & applied the blood to the lintel & doorposts. The lintel & doorposts speaks of our hearts & of our being changed in our lives, because we “eat” what God gives us to eat. Jesus said in Mat 4:4: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God“. When we agree with what God says, then His word become our “testimony…this is when we are truly in agreement with God. “The blood on the lintel & doorposts is having Jesus’ blood actively applied to the entry way of our lives…which is the heart. We must stay covered by His blood. & living our lives with any sins confessed & repented of…this is part of dieing to self.  Remember, what Jesus said about the heart:

Mat 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashed hands defiles not a man.

We are to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). We do this by actively applying Jesus’ blood to our heart. The word “keep” here means:  “to guard, watch, watch over, keep, to preserve, guard from dangers, to keep, observe, guard with fidelity, to guard, keep secret, to be kept close, be blockaded, watchman”. We must keep a watchful heart, as the darkness is now come & we must stand sober & be alert.

1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

We all should know that the “coming of the Lord draws near” & many things will be happening as He ushers in His return for His own. We cannot be fixated on the “smoke”…we cannot be fixated on the “locusts” or any other things that would try to gain our attention or get us off course with what the Lord is wanting us to do. Now is the time that we must do what Jesus said referring to the last days: “when these things begin to come to pass, then look up & lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28).

This is powerful & it speaks of TWO things! First, we must LOOK UP – we are to look up away from the smoke & the distractions that will erode our faith. Second, we must “life up” our heads…ie, “encourage ourselves”, because our time of redemption is near! None of this is to make us afraid or instill fear in us…God just wants us prepared for what is ahead! The MOST important thing that we can do from now on is to truly seek the Lord’s face & spend a lot of time in His presence. This is imperative & I cannot stress this enough!!! We must dive into the presence of God, as never before…for only as we will truly “dwell in the secret place of the most High, so we will abide under the shadow of the Almighty”!

Anyway…we pray that this teaching will encourage, exhort & inspire each of you in your walk with the Lord!
If He gives any of you more “illumination” on any part of this message, please let me know, so we can all grow from it!
God bless you all!

In His great love & mercy,
Pastors Mark & Julie Moore
Revival-Fire Church

Please consider supporting this end-time apostolic\prophetic ministry with your much needed prayers & financial support. You may use this Paypal button to make your donations:

Thank you as you give…may the Lord richly bless you!

The Importance Of God Given Prophetic Words

Dear Revival-Fire Church Family,

I want to send this message to you, because the Lord has showed me that there are MANY that need to hear this word right now…there are MANY who are going through some very difficult times…seemingly impossible times…times where you might even feel like your life is in ashes. This message is about THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD GIVEN PROPHETIC WORDS. As far as I know…the Lord has never spoken this message before. It has never been preached by anyone else…at least, not to my knowledge. I have searched the internet to verify this & cannot find anything regarding the content of what the Lord is having me share with you today. Please share it with others, also…for surely there are many that may need to hear it too!

Many of you receiving this message today, have previously received prophetic words from God spoken into your lives. And most, if not all of you, have received God’s prophetic words through our ministry & that is why you are part of our Revival-Fire Church family today. The Lord gave me this important message some time ago & He told me that He wanted to bless you with it today. For as you will take your prophetic words from God truly to heart & embrace what He has said to you…He will do extraordinary things in your lives. Many of you will receive “illumination” even as you read this message…as the anointing that is on His words, will spark a fire into your hearts, as you receive the importance of God given prophetic words!!!

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD GIVEN PROPHETIC WORDS

Many of God’s people have been spoken to “prophetically” by the Spirit of God…but many, if not most, do not really know or understand the spiritual importance of the prophetic words that they have received from the Lord. John 1 says: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. It says…”In him was life; and the life was the light of men”…it says: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”…it says: “And the Word was made 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.”

We recognize that Jesus is the word of God, but do we know the importance of what He says to us??? “Rev. 19:10 says that “…for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy“. God speaks these prophetic words to us, so He can make a testimony in our lives…a testimony of Himself. Sometime back, the Lord gave me “illuminating revelation” about something that happened after He rose from the dead. He gave me the “illumination” on this, because He wants His people to understand why He speaks prophetically to us & how important it really is. So, open your spiritual ears & receive what the Lord has for you through this message! This message is the story of something that Jesus said to Peter…after He had risen from the dead…it was spoken to Peter in John 21:

Joh 21:18 Truly, truly, I say unto you, When you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where ever you wanted: but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall dress thee, and carry you where you do not want to go.
Joh 21:19 This spoke he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

We need to understand that Jesus was speaking “prophetically” to the apostle Peter here. Jesus had just told Peter how he would die…but, Peter didn’t grasp what Jesus has said & just thought that Jesus was speaking & he not realizing the importance of what He said. Many times we will not recognize the importance of what the Lord has spoken to us when we first received it. For, it wasn’t until later…AFTER Peter was baptized in the Holy Spirit, that Peter recognized what Jesus had meant. We know this because Jesus had already told the disciples some important things:

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Joh 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Jesus said that they there were things that they “cannot bear them now”. This part is important! Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would bring back things to our remembrance that He has said unto us. Just like with the prophetic words we all have received…God will tell us things & they may not be fully received or we may not even understood them until a later time. This is what I believe is happening in many of your lives, right now. God has spoken to us, but there is much that we haven’t understood or recognized, because “we could not fully bear it” when we received it…because it is for a later time. Ok…let’s go back to this story of Peter…

Now, lets turn the clock forward…to Acts & read verses 1-19 of chapter 12:

Act 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
Act 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
Act 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
Act 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Act 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Act 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
Act 12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
Act 12:8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
Act 12:9 And he went out, and followed him; and knew not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
Act 12:10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that lead unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
Act 12:11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Act 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Act 12:13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
Act 12:14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
Act 12:15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
Act 12:16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
Act 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Act 12:18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
Act 12:19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death.

Here we see Peter…just hours from being “executed” (just as “James, the brother of John had just been)..& Peter was ASLEEP! I don’t know about you, but I would think that if Peter was gonna die in just a few hours, that he would be awake & possibly being fearful, fretting, praying or pleading for his life!!! But, NO!…Peter was not awake…because he was not afraid…he was not fretting, praying or pleading for his life…he was ASLEEP. Now, WHY is this??? Why…do you think that he would be sleeping, when most anyone else would be awake, anxiously contemplating the last hours before their terribly painful death???

The answer to this is truly profound!!! The Lord Jesus Christ had already told him that he was not going to die THAT day. Peter, who believed that Jesus was “God, the Son”, KNEW that he would not die THAT day! How can I say this? You might say, that there is no record in the Bible that says that Jesus spoke this to Peter & told him this, but I assure you that Jesus DID tell Peter he would not die THAT day. And, this is why Peter could sleep like a baby that night!!! Because he had nothing to fear…he had nothing to worry about…all he had to do is let God take care of his situation. Peter could do this because he believed Jesus told him the truth.

Ok…now you will say to me…so how did Jesus tell Peter this??? Well…it is not written in any historical books, nor in any early writings about the Apostles, or the early church…so where did this information come from??? I will tell you where it came from. The Lord revealed the answer to me & the answer is written right there in the Bible. It is found in the very first scripture passage we read at the beginning of this message…in John 21. Ok, so let’s go ahead & read it again:

Joh 21:18 Truly, truly, I say unto you, When you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where ever you wanted: but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall dress thee, and carry you where you do not want to go.
Joh 21:19 This spoke he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

So, we can SEE that in verse 18 that Jesus told Peter that he would LIVE to be an OLD man. Jesus told him that he would die when he was OLD!!! THIS is the power of the prophetic word of God in operation! The thing is…Peter couldn’t “bear” or really even understand what Jesus was saying at the time that He said it, but He said that the Holy Spirit would later bring back to his remembrance what Jesus had said to him. Jesus told him that the Holy Spirit would guide him into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Peter really didn’t “need” that prophetic word Jesus spoke to him…literally at the time that He first spoke it. Peter needed THAT word, at a much later date…at a MORE needful time. And because Peter did as God commanded: “Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1Th 5:20-21). Peter held onto the prophetic word that Jesus had given to him…& that word kept Peter alive…that word allowed Peter to SLEEP THAT night…because he would later die as an old man.

We all go through hard times in our lives & many people are going through very hard times right now…but we are not experiencing what Peter did THAT night! Peter was going to die at the hands of an evil ruler. The many hardships that we all face in life, are nothing compared to how bad things were to live in in faith in those days! We have it easy!…we have lives filled with luxury & goodness. But, when things do not go the way that we want them to, we tend to give up…we tend to throw in the towel…because many times we have sunk SO low in our own circumstances & situations…instead of holding on to the words that the Lord has given unto us.

I can truly attest to the reality of the content of this message, for I am alive today because of the power of prophetic words. Both my wife & I have received “life filled” words that gave us hope, where there was no hope. God gave us miracle filled words that sparked hope into the impossible situations & within a time frame that was impossible. Those prophecies have helped us to conquer death…several times…those “words of life” kept us from losing nearly all that we possessed. You may ask,”well, were you ‘soaring as eagles’ during those hard times??? No, we really were not…but through it all…we still held on to what God had told us…prophetically.

Sure, at times we were somewhat downcast & discouraged…we couldn’t see how God would save us. Because in the natural there was no way…but He did it…He turned things around. We trusted Him to keep His promises to us & do the things that He said He would do & He did what He said…He kept His promise to us…He changed the outcome of how things should of ended. And we can honestly say that we would not be here today if it were not for those prophetic words & we praise Him for His faithfulness!!!

This is WHY prophetic words are SO important…this is why God speaks these things to us…because many times, we will need them in the time to come…NOT always just when we first receive them. For they may not have the meaning to us that He intends us to have- then…they may be meant to keep us through the rough times later on. But when it is His appointed time, those words will be energized from deep within, as we will do what He told us to do in those prophetic words. Remember…we must do our part! Even with the prophetic word that Jesus gave to Peter, the Lord told him…”follow Me”. Prophecies will always have conditions, just as the promises in God’s word always has conditions. We must do what He says…we must obey Him…we must follow Him!

1Ti 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them might war a good warfare;
1Ti 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Paul said unto Timothy that as he would hold onto that prophetic word he “might war a good warfare“. This is because it is up to us to make the decision to fight. And for us to fight, we must cleave to…we must hold on to what the Lord has spoken to us…both prophetically & through the reading of His written word. For by His prophetic words we can war a good warfare…a warfare that will make a difference. We cannot cast away our confidence…we must “hold on to faith…& a good conscience”…for, we do not ever want to end up shipwrecked!!! We must take responsibility for our lives & take the promises that He has given unto us & run the race that is ahead of us…we must fight the fight. You know…sometimes just “holding on” is a fight & it is all that we can do…but still…we must do it! I sure can say…”been there, done that”!

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Prophetic words from God are anointed His words that are proclaimed & appointed unto us. They carry power!!! We must keep praising Him, staying in His presence & holding on to His words to us…even through our hard times! So, no matter how how we may feel that our “hope is gone”…no matter how we may believe that we are “not gonna win”…even if we think we are “destroyed & have given up”…if we will just “hold on” to what the Lord has said to us & trust HIM…He will turn our hopeless situation around…He will do it in His way & in His time. Go back & re-read the prophetic words that God has spoken unto you…do this regularly…for you never know when God will give more illumination & revelation to you from it. When He does, it will be life giving…it will accomplish that which He pleases!

We all can trust what He said & know “that all things will work together for good to us, that love God, to us who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). If we will just trust Him…if we will just truly surrender our lives unto Him…He will take care of the impossible situations in our lives & in His time give us “beauty for ashes”. We will see Him work all things together for our good!

In His great love & mercy,
Pastors Mark & Julie Moore

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