After Jesus was baptized, He went into the desert too fast for 40 days and 40 nights. After words he was tempted by Satan and succeeded to rebut every temptation that Satan threw at Him. Jesus then went to Nazareth, his home where He spoke at the Synagogue on the Sabbath. He was handed the scroll where He spoke from Isaiah 61:1-2a (ESV)
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
I was listening to a message by the late David Wilkerson today. He was referencing this portion considering the “latter rain” that is still to come. As it was in ancient Israel, the harvest couldn’t be gathered until the latter rain came first. The latter rain speaks of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will come just before the final harvest. The recent outpouring at Asbury College in Kentucky is just an appetizer to what God is about to do. What God is about to do is pour out His Spirit on all flesh. The crowds that have been coming show just how dry and thirsty people are for the Lord. Pentecost was the former rain; we are still awaiting the latter.
The third great awakening will be a revelation of “Christ in me, the hope of glory!” The Bride of Christ, the sons of God will have this revelation and will begin to move and operate with this perspective. You see, revival will no longer be about an event. Revival must become inward as the revelation of “Christ in me” explodes into reality. You don’t’ have to go to a revival, you can be a revival! However, it’s your choice. The protocol for revival remains the same; humility, confession, and repentance which moves us toward 100% obedience.
Watching what has happened in Asbury is beautiful in its simplicity. It’s exactly the same format we follow on Friday evenings. Worship and waiting on the Lord and then doing as the Holy Spirit leads. I invite you to come, make room for corporate worship and prepare yourself for the latter rain and final harvest. Don’t allow the business of your life keep you from corporate worship. God is getting ready to pour out. What happened at Asbury shows that He still has a plan for America. In Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near”
What “day” is he talking about? I believe he is speaking about the day of the latter rain”. Jesus will come “to” His church before He comes “for” His church. God still loves the world. His desire is to set the captives free. This Friday night, we have a special guest, Eric Colton who began a ministry called “Untrafficked”. Its purpose is to both inform and educate the body of Christ on how to protect our own kids from being sucked into the world of sex-trafficking. The draw and trap are more subtle and diabolical that you can imagine. However, we must and we will take back our culture for the glory of God.
I hear the rain coming and it is the sound of abundant rain in the distance. Don’t miss out! Come and see how you can help set the captives free. Let the deaf be healed, the lame walk, the blind see, and those caught in bondage go free. We are preparing a place for the severely wounded to find freedom. Remember Jesus’ first miracle? He turned the water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana in Galilee. Notice the testimony of those who took notice of the wine’s quality; John 2:10 (ESV)
“and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
It was the best wine!! Truly, the best is yet to come!!
