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 500th 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 50th 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 500th 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.
-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.
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...
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.
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.’
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.
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.
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).
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
Footnote: (1) - http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible
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