Reformation 2.0

God has been showing me recently that this year, 2017, is going to be a very significant year. Because of this, He is impressing upon me that we can expect a number of events to unfold, ones that will affect our lives. First, 2017 marks the 500^th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Second, this year also marks the 70th year of the founding of the state of Israel, as well as the 50^th Anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, the Jubilee celebration. 

Biblically, the number 70 is made up of "7", which stands for perfection, and also "10" (7 x 10), which represents completeness. It symbolizes perfect spiritual order carried out with all power. The number "50" biblically represents the coming of the Holy Spirit, deliverance or freedom from burden, as well as a year of Jubilee.(1) 

While we have to exercise care using biblical numerology, nevertheless, these things taken together seem to speak of change, along with alignment and a release of things in the spiritual realm that will receive in the natural realm.

The 500 Year Cycles of History

With regard to the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation, it is important to understand that significant changes take place approximately every 500 years in human history. This does not mean that changes do not take place between these time intervals; however, there have been some very significant changes or shifts in human history roughly every 500 years. Here is a brief list of some of these changes:

-Birth of Christ circa 0 A.D.

-Circa 476 A.D. - Official end date of the Roman Empire - when the last Roman Emperor was overthrown and Western Roman Empire ceased to exist after years of decline.

-Circa 1000 A.D. the Dark Ages. Leif Eriksson discovers North America. Destruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre  in A.D. 1009. In 1054 A.D., the final separation takes place between Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Roman) churches.

-1453 A.D. – Transition to modern era with the emergence of nations and nation states. Also Turks conquer Constantinople causing the end of the Byzantine Empire. 1492 A.D. – the Moors are conquered in Spain.1500 A.D. – the beginning of the end of the Renaissance and start of the modern era. 1517A.D - Martin Luther posts his 95 theses denouncing the Catholic Church and the Reformation formally starts. 

-2000 A.D. - Shift from the preeminence of Western Civilization to the rise of a portion of Eastern Civilization. Dawn of post industrial age with rise of robotic and artificial technology which, if left unchecked, will cause an existential crisis for humanity. Breakdown of 20th century political, military and economic alliances and the creating of new orders. The dawning of renewed space exploration with the goal of colonization and commercial development of moons and planets.

The Protestant Reformation - Restoration of some biblical truths...

This magnificent move of God did not give us new biblical truth. Rather, it was the most significant restoration of biblical truth since Jesus gave us the new covenant by His blood.

God restored the following biblical truths through the Reformation: 1) The bible as the sole authority for biblical faith and its practice. Church rules and tradition have nothing to do with salvation. 2) Salvation by God’s grace only, not by works, through faith in Christ alone. 3) The believer having personal and direct access to God and does not require the intermediary of a priest.

Just as the original Reformation in the 1500s restored God’s truth to the church and believers, 2017 will begin a significant Reformation (2.0).

The Pouring Out of Holy Spirit - Consider the biblical promises...

Jeremiah 31:34 states: “No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

This promise is repeated in Hebrews 8:11 because it was fulfilled in the new covenant in Jesus.

In Acts 2:16-21 Peter addresses the crowd in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost and repeats what was spoken by the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-32) because it was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. 

Acts 2:16-21 states: ‘In the last days,’ God says,

‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—
and they will prophesy.

And I will cause wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below—
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
 before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.
But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.’

Holy Spirit's Reformation (2.0) - The coming restoration...

These two Old Testament promises were fulfilled in the New Testament as being an authoritative and spiritual reality, however, there is still needed a fuller expression of these truths in our day. 2017 is 500 years after the Reformation and this will be the year when Holy Spirit will begin to bring about a Reformation (2.0) in the areas of our experiential understanding and application of a deeper presence of Holy Spirit in our lives, a much more powerful testimony by Holy Spirit in and through our lives, along with more magnified giftings and incredible manifestations of Holy Spirit. It will be an empowerment that God, by His grace, provides.

While the wonderful ministry of Holy Spirit is not new, what will be new is that it will be an explosion in the number of believers who will be exercising incredible giftings of Holy Spirit. There will also be manifestations and giftings that have rarely been seen or experienced. These things will happen on a grand scale and will truly be an outpouring of Holy Spirit in very great measure.

Because we are coming toward the end of the church age, and because we currently live in the age of the ministry of Holy Spirit (because Jesus ascended into heaven and sent Holy Spirit to comfort and teach us), these things must happen. Tragically, Holy Spirit has been the person in the God-head who has received the least respect and obedience by many of God’s people. Because He flows like the wind (John 3:8) He has been the least understood of the three persons of the Trinity. It is a mark of our times that many Christians deny that the gifts of Holy Spirit are for today and many have hardened their hearts, to one degree or another, from hearing or responding to His voice. In addition, many Christians and churches are happy with their lives and worship being simply the way it’s been and do not want Holy Spirit to mess with it. 

Like the original Reformation that restored foundational biblical truth to believers, this Reformation (2.0) will break down religious and erroneous beliefs about Holy Spirit, as well as give us a restored and enhanced understanding as to His presence and power in believer’s lives. A prophetic spirit will be released that will re-energize the church in its life, mission, and intimacy with Jesus. This prophetic spirit will cause many to testify as Peter did on the day of Pentecost and cause untold numbers of people to come to the Lord. Holy Spirit will teach the church how to move forth in unparalleled power and witness of God’s love and grace. Accompanying this will be dreams, visions, miracles and powerful works accomplished by Holy Spirit testifying to His Lordship. Truly, the gospel will be preached with signs following (Mark 16:20). 

A great multitude of believers will preach the Word of God, not with wise and persuasive words but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. Many will come to Christ. It will be the awakening of our age. You may think that this is nothing new, scripture testifies about this (1 Cor. 2:4). However, it will now become an everyday reality in the lives and ministries of almost countless numbers of believers. That will be the difference. All this will bear witness to this generation that God is real, cannot be denied and that He is turning the world upside down to make Himself known.

Holy Spirit Driven Move of God Using The Multitude of Believers

Perhaps the most exciting thing I see is that these things will not be clergy driven. They will be Holy Spirit driven. It will not be where the clergy will do most of the ministry and the people are only spectators. Rather the ministry will truly be one in which Holy Spirit moves and equips the believers, with the five-fold (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teacher – Ephesians 4:11-12) being in proper coordination with Holy Spirit for equipping believers for ministry. 

Sadly, it is very often the case that the five-fold is doing the ministry while believers are either not equipped and/or are spectators who are either not encouraged to minister or are not faithful to do so. What will be accomplished will be nothing short of a fulfillment and healthy alignment of Ephesians 4:12 where the body of Christ will be edified (strengthened). The body of Christ will function in a much greater fulness like never before, stronger, healthier, and more vibrant. While Ephesians 4:11-12 has been scripturally true, this will be a time of experiential fulfillment on a vast plane, because of what Holy Spirit is pouring out. It is truly Reformation (2.0).

Reformation (2.0) will experience God pouring forth Holy Spirit like He did on the Day of Pentecost. There will be untold demonstrations of His power with signs following. The difference is that it will be in our age and not localized (as it was in Act 2 in Jerusalem), rather it will occur throughout the world. This is the time of great harvest and because of this Reformation (2.0) is needed to accomplish the task God has ordained. 

Footnote: (1) - http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible

God Wants Us to Know Both His Name AND His Acts!

Exodus 6:2-3 – An God said to Moses, ‘I am Yahweh – the Lord’. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai – ‘God Almighty’ – but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh, to them. (NLT)

We know from this, as well as from other scriptures, that God appeared and made Himself known to the patriarchs. He also made a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:1-21). God then reiterated this same covenant with Isaac (Gen 26:1-3) and then again with Jacob (Gen 28:1-4 & 35:9-12). Since He spoke to these patriarchs in such a defining way, what then is meant in Exodus 6:3 where it states that He did not reveal His name (YHWH or Yahweh) to them?

Before we answer this question, let’s give a little more background. First, in Exodus 6:3 the name for God used here is El-Shaddai. It is translated “God Almighty” and can also be translated as “The God Who is Enough”, “The All-Powerful” and “The One Who is Self-Sufficient”. These are wonderful names that speak to God being Israel’s protector, source of strength and blessing. There are two times in the book of Genesis where God reveals Himself as “I Am El Shaddai” – once to Abraham (17:1) and then to Jacob (35:11). These two verses are the background verses to help us understand Exodus 6:3. [1]

Second, in Exodus 3:14 says “God said to Moses, I Am Who I Am. And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I Am has sent me to you.’”  The name used here is YHWH. According to the notes in the “New Spirit Filled Life Bible” pg. 80 – “God identifies Himself as ‘I Am Who I Am’. Revealing His divine name declares His character and attributes, reinforcing that the issue is not who Moses is, but who is with him. This name is related to the Hebrew verb meaning ‘to be,’ and so implies the absolute existence of God. The Hebrew here is also the source of the English, ‘Yahweh,’ ‘Jehovah,’ or ‘Lord’ (vs. 15).”

Third, during the Patriarchal period, the name YHWH was used frequently. As a matter of fact, it appears 148 times in the book of Genesis.[2]

So, as asked above, if God was known by the His name (YHWH) prior to Exodus 6:3, what does He mean when He says that He did not reveal His name?

Context is always important to consider. Therefore, in order to help us better understand Exodus 6:3 we need to read 6:4-8, which states:

    ⁴ And I (YHWH) reaffirmed my covenant with them. Under its terms, I promised to give them the land of Canaan, where they were living as foreigners. ⁵ You can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel, who are now slaves to the Egyptians. And I am well aware of my covenant with them. ⁶ “Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. ⁷ I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. ⁸ I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!’” (NLT)

In this portion of scripture, YHWH/the Lord reveals the answer to our question. God is saying that He is going to do something that He has never done before. He is about to act and act very decisively on behalf of Israel against the oppression of Pharaoh and Egypt. To reiterate, God tells Moses: (1) He will establish His covenant with His people [v. 4]; (2) He has heard their groaning and has remembered His covenant [v. 5]; (3) YHWH states that He is their God and that He will redeem and deliver them [v. 6-7]; (4) He will bring them to the land He promises for them [v. 8].

Israel will not only have a knowledge and familiarity of God’s name (YHWH), as important as that is to know the character and person of God. But, by the deliverance of YHWH they will gain an in-depth experiential understanding, far beyond what the patriarchs knew about God. As a matter of fact, “A knowledge of God as Lord/YHWH will emerge from the experience of these events that would be impossible without the experience of these events." [3]

God “appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (in limited form) as El Shaddai (who makes covenantal promises). But I (God) was not the object of (full) covenantal knowledge to them as conveyed by my name Yahweh (who keeps covenantal promises).” [4]

In other words, they will come to know YHWH/Lord/God in a much deeper way, not just by His NAMES (El Shaddai and YHWH) but also, by God's deliverance, because of His mighty ACTS!

It is also wonderful to look at this in terms of the covenant promise and blessing. God not only establishes covenants, but also acts powerfully to fulfill the terms of the covenant for the sake of His people.

Just as Exodus chapter 6 marks the restoration of the Israelites in covenanted relationship with God in order that they would know both His NAME and His ACTS, so now God wants to show us His NAMES and His ACTS. The overriding goal of God is to bring us into deep, abiding, and intimate relationship with Him and this in how He does it. 

Just as He delivered Israel from the bondage and oppression in order to start them on the journey toward the Promised Land, His heart’s desire is to deliver us from sin, thereby redeeming us, and grant us liberty and freedom. The purpose of this liberty and freedom is so that we are free from the entanglement of sin (Galatians 5:1) and are empowered to  live in faith and faith that is expressed by love (Gal. 5:6, 13-14).

Every Christian needs to know God by His character, promises, and the historic written testimony of the Word of God. As mentioned above, and in the context of this article, we call this - knowing God’s NAME. This is absolutely wonderful and necessary. All of us need to know who our God is because this is foundational for our capacity to have trust and relationship in Him.

However, as stated previously, God wants us to know even more than just His NAME. He wants us to know His ACTS as well. Knowing the ACTS of God is vital to the growth of our faith and for participating with Him by allowing Holy Spirit to flow in and through us with demonstrations of His power which confirm His Word. 

This is something important to understand so that we will align our lives to God, have faith and expectation based upon the Word (knowing who He is and His promises to us). As we put to death the deeds of the flesh, renew our minds, and look to live only for Him, we open up the gate of our spirits and souls (mind, will, and emotions) for God to flow by His presence and power. This is how we are called to live. This is a reality that is meant to be ours because of the covenant promises we have in our Lord. 

To know God by His NAME and ACTS is what God wants us to experience, to grow in, and walk in - knowing greater victory, His anointing and the awesome power and presence of His Spirit. It was true for the Israelite in Exodus and it is even truer for us today!

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[1] Exodus – An Exegetical Commentary by Victor P. Hamilton, Baker Academic, div. of Baker Publishing Group, 2011, pg. 99.

[2] Exodus – An Exegetical Commentary, Victor P. Hamilton, p. 100.

[3] Exodus – An Exegetical Commentary, p. 101.

[4] Exodus – An Exegetical Commentary, quoting Garr (1992:408), p. 102.

The Power of Divine Inspiration

Have you ever gone through a dry spell, felt stuck, or perhaps had some sort of blockage getting from point “A” to point “B” in your life? Of course, it happens to everyone at one time or another. The question is what should you do at times like this? I think I have the solution for you. Actually, I don’t have any solution, but I can point you in the right direction to where you can get it. 

While the solution is really nothing new, it is nonetheless important to bear in mind. In my opinion, the best way to overcome our limitations and setbacks is to receive the help and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He is the solution!

We know that the Holy Spirit is our comforter and lead us into understanding. When we spend time and cultivate our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit we transcend ourselves and our limitations. We create a new atmosphere- one that is super-charged with the presence of God. This is the same God who has no limitations, is the author of creativity, and the same God who wants to share all things with us. Praying in the Spirit is powerful. Doing so as a habit for a good length of time on a regular basis leads to our transformation and a coveting of the presence of God in our lives. Remember when Moses spent time with God and His face? It radiated and glowed with the glory of God. When we spend time in His presence our spirit and lives radiate and glow too!

Incredible things happen to us when we are in God’s presence. While He builds and strengthens our spirits, His Spirit also melds with our spirits and the two become like one. This is participating with God in His divine nature and being brought into the presence and pace of the Trinitarian love relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Something incredible happens when we are in God’s presence. While it builds and strengthens our spirits, His Spirit also melds with our spirits and the two become like one. I cannot prove this but praying in the Spirit fires our spirits AND our brains. When this becomes a lifestyle, expect dynamic things in the spiritual and natural dimensions to happen. 

Personally, I have found that time spent with God in prayer and worship has been like sowing and reaping. As I have sowed into my most important and eternal relationship, I have received greater insights into things, answers to problems, renewed creative energy and, at times, have seen God work powerfully on my behalf. Basically, it’s the power and presence working in and through us. Thankfully, it is available to everyone who seeks it. 

Enjoy the power of divine inspiration!