When pondering what to write for October I completely drew a blank. I typically have a dream and God breaks it down, but I haven’t had much time in my sanctuary where my dreams flow. I began to consider the last thing God said to me about the church. On Friday, September 4th at 2:55pm I heard…
“The spirit of Elijah has been released.”
As I often do, I thought “what a strange thing,” but immediately asked God well do you mean it has been in the past tense or has been, as in being released, in the present tense?
While waiting for a divine explanation I immediately thought of John the Baptist! Why? He carried the spirit of Elijah! But this still didn’t answer my question…
Malachi wrote the last book of the Old Testament. 400 years would pass before the New Testament was penned and his words be given opportunity to manifest. Malachi closes the book, foretelling expectant judgement, but also announcing the hopeful renewal of God’s covenant with man! This form of reconciliation would impact the earth twice – in Christ’s initial entrance and also before His triumphant return (I am not declaring the world is ending, only God knows this time!)
“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers a reconciliation produced by repentance, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse of complete destruction.”
Malachi 4:5-6 Amplified Bible (AMP)
WHO’S JOHN THE BAPTIST?
Before John was conceived his father was visited by an angel and told his unborn son would carry Elijah’s spirit (Luke 1:17). Later John’s younger cousin Jesus affirms this:
But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. Likewise, the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Matthew 17:12-13 Modern English Version (MEV)
John was renound for baptizing, symbolically cleansing Jews of their sins and into repentance. This was against the culture of the times, as baptisms normally were a purification process for non-Jews converting to Judaism.
John boldy confronted the culture, telling all that would listen to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” and as a forerunner to Christ, John prepared their hearts to recognize Him!
With this being said, clearly Elijah’s spirit had already been released. So God couldn’t have been referring to the past when He spoke, this message revealed a fresh move.
A few hours after God spoke to me prophet Jennifer Leclaire commented on a Periscope broadcast and her words made me leap! Well what did she say?! She expressed a holy anxiousness to see revival breakout in America and more coinincidently she mentioned a need for the spirit of Elijah (Listen around the 25:20-30 minute mark).
THE ELIJAH SPIRIT
WHO WAS ELIJAH?
- An OT prophet sent to confront northern Israel’s idolatry at the misleading of King Ahab.
- He prophesied the beginning and ending of a 3 year drought. (1 Kings 17:1-2; 18:41-46)
- He represented God boldly in a showdown between the priests of Baal and Asherah. (1 Kings 18)
- He retreated with fear into a suicidal isolation, thinking he was alone in his fight of conviction over culture. (1 Kings 19:1-18)
- He appeared with Jesus and Moses during The Transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36)
Elijah confronted sin boldy and worked to deliver God’s people from the self destruction of apostasy, by turning them away from lies back to God’s truth.
Jesus answered, “Elijah truly does first come and will restore all things.
Matthew 17:11 Modern English Version
The Spirit of Elijah Brings Restoration thru Prophetic Ministry, by Boldly Confronting Culture & Expressing God’s Heart to Turn their Hearts.
REPENTANCE BEFORE REVIVAL
Both Elijah and John turned people from their sins and to their God. They caused people’s hearts to soften, change & turn. On August 12th God awakened me at 11:54 pm to speak, He said…
“The church is waiting on the world to repent, but the church needs to repent.”
Repentance is coming, but to the church first. Godly sorrow must lead to repentance for us before reaching anyone else (2 Corinthians 7:10)!
Many believers have indignation towards societal standards calling “evil good and good evil,” but culture hasn’t been called to set God’s standard in the earth. The church has, we are the Light of the World and the Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13-16)…so let us start being that.
THE OUTPOURING
And it will be that, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.
Joel 2:28 Modern English Version (MEV)
We often quote this verse and neglect the rest of the chapter, but preceding this outpouring repentance takes place.
Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning. Rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents from punishing.
Joel 2:12-13 MEV
After repentance, restoration comes, an outpouring of His Spirit and His power is released in the Earth (See Joel 2, a few highlighted verses for my literary purposes are: Joel 2:19, 25, 30)!
Disclaimer
THIS ISN’T A LICENSE TO HATE
Everything God does is wrought in love, so we must love! This is how men will know we are Christians (John 13:35). According to 1 Corinthians 14:3, the New Testament prophetic ministry should:
- Edify
- Exhort
- Comfort
Don’t forget your shortcomings as you confront the sins of others. Season your speech and deeds with love. If you judge and condemn you will receive a fair return of it (Matthew 7:1-2, Luke 6:37-38).
Joe Miller/Flickr
PRAYER
Father, thank You for power that enables me to be Your witness and reconcile the world to You (Acts 1:8)! To bring Your very kingdom here on earth. I ask for godly repentance for anything I may have done, so my salvation can lead to the salvation of others! I ask for Your forgiveness of my shortcomings and Your grace to empower me to overcome. Let Your love compel me today, to exchange my desires for Yours. It is only expected that I lay down my life and desire for Yours, considering You gave life to me (2 Corinthians 5:15) As Christ’s spokesperson I ask for the spirit of Elijah to rest on me as I offer others this peace You give me!
In Jesus Name, Amen!
