Five-Fold Today - Authority...Submission...Apostolic Reformation - Apostolic Destiny: The Dominion Mandate - The Gate of Destiny - A Vision of the Mantles - The Storm - A Twister of Blessing

May 19, 2000

AUTHORITY... SUBMISSION... APOSTOLIC REFORMATION
by Doug Fortune

This is not intended to be a deep and thorough Biblical study, just some practical thoughts to share. OK, so now we have apostles and prophets in the Church along with the pastors we've always had... so who's the boss? If that is my main concern, then I have totally missed the heart of the apostolic reformation. Is the restoration of apostles in the church intended to give us another hierarchy system with a bit more impressive titles?... Apostle so and so, sounds pretty lofty! In fact, I Cor.12:28 tells us that it's "...apostles FIRST...", so that makes them the boss, right?... NOT! The word translated FIRST, is 'proton' in Greek; it is the neuter form of protos; so firstly we see that there is no gender designation concerning apostles... remember, in Christ there is neither male nor female. Proton means, 'firstly in time, place, order or importance; before, at the beginning'. I believe this significant, as apostles are referred to as the foundation (Christ being the Cornerstone), and the foundation comes before the rest of the house is built. I believe it also refers to a 'pioneering' spirit, one who blazes a trail for others. Does this mean that the apostle is the boss?... no, it means that there is a spiritual grace upon them for their particular task.

The key in the authority issue is simply recognizing the gifting and ministry of Christ operating through each other, recognizing FUNCTIONAL responsibility, and then 'submitting to each other in love'. How can I be 'boss' of something that I have no functional responsibility and no gifting for? My wife is extremely gifted in the kitchen (the extra five pounds I carry around my waist is proof!) and she bears the primary FUNCTIONAL responsibility of feeding our family of six. Now the husband is the head of the wife, right?... so that means I'm the boss of the kitchen, right?... NOT!!! I gladly submit to her authority in the kitchen until such time I am willing to take the FUNCTIONAL responsibility of feeding our growing army (that will NEVER happen!).

Now we understand this principle this in a household matter like the kitchen, but why do we often times fail to get it in the Household of Faith? How many people with a servant's heart have been trampled upon because someone in supposed authority who had never performed the particular task thought it ought to be done their way? I am the worship leader for our worship team in our fellowship, however I am not particularly gifted in administration (that's an understatement!). Our keyboard player (who is a worship leader also) is wonderfully gifted in administration, so she takes care of any administration and I gladly submit to her authority.... nobody is worried about who's the boss! I believe that at the root of many of the problems we have in the Church in this area is that unfortunately many of our ideas of authority are based on a religious Babylonian clergy / laity hierarchy system rather than Kingdom principles. What feeds this also is the SOULISH desire to be in control. I'm NOT saying we shouldn't be good managers of the resources that God gives us, but good management is building Christ IN the people. Recognizing and nurturing the gifting and ministry of Christ through others IS building Christ in them AND good management. This is the strength of the apostle... the ability to speak words that are containers of Life and Light into the life of an individual and thereby release or activate the anointing already resident, but previously dormant in the individual.

Should this be any kind of a threat to the pastor (I use this term pastor to mean the primary leader in a church, not because that is an accurate description of a pastor, but because that is what the religious system calls them) that the apostle can do something that the pastor probably isn't gifted for?... not if the pastor has a true shepherd's heart. Does this make the apostle superior to the pastor?... no, just a different gifting and function. Does this give the apostle greater authority with the people than the pastor has?... no, because the FUNCTIONAL responsibility of caring for the sheep ultimately lies with the pastor... but part of effective pastoring IS helping provide others with apostolic influence (as well as all the other five fold ministries). If my objective is to build up MY ministry or build up MY fellowship, then I am probably operating under a Babylonian hierarchy mentality. If my objective is to undergird and support and build Christ INTO the people, then I must operate under the Kingdom principle of recognizing the ministry of Christ through other five fold ministers, many of whom are currently sitting in the congregation and not paid staff members necessarily. Let's let Christ build up HIS Church.

Back to the authority issue... I believe it is a fairly accurate rule of thumb in determining authority that we first determine FUNCTIONAL responsibility... whoever is actually responsible for seeing that the task gets done (that doesn't mean they are doing ALL the work by themself) is probably the best candidate for having the authority in that area. For example, should the pastor or senior elder (whatever you choose to call them) choose all the songs for the worship leader?... probably no more than the worship leader should write the pastors sermon. Should the worship leader determine the length of time for music in a service?... no, because the ultimate functional responsibility for a service usually lies with the pastor. Most of the time, just some sanctified common sense can solve potential problems.

Another result of the religious clergy / laity system is the idea that I must have some person as my 'spiritual head'. I believe that Christ is the HEAD whom I am to grow up into (Eph.4:15); and what of I Tim.2:5 as it says "...there is one God and ONE MEDIATOR between God and man, the MAN Christ Jesus."... we are ALL individual priests before God. Yes, we all need accountability relationships.. yes, we must submit ourselves one to another; however, if someone insists that you submit to them outside the areas of their FUNCTIONAL responsibility, then I say beware.

So, who's the boss?... Jesus Christ; He must receive the pre-eminence in ALL things. From there, we submit to each other recognizing the gifting and ministry of Christ through each other. We cannot manifest the fullness of Christ as lone individuals, but as a Body we can grow into manifesting His fullness.

APOSTOLIC DESTINY: THE DOMINION MANDATE
{The Gospel of the Kingdom, Changing our world through Dominion}
by Tim and Theresa Early

…Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have {or take} dominion...Genesis 1:28

Welcome to chapter five of our series, as this is slightly different from the last 4 chapters. Here we are referring to "Apostolic Destiny," where the church is headed with the apostolic dimension. Such destiny is the reclaiming of our cities, nations, and world through the dominion mandate. In this, we are overthrowing strongholds in the heavens, and over geographical territories. Here, we are declaring Jesus as Lord over all.

Section {A} The Kingdom

We have been foreknown in the mind of God, and predestined with a purpose to take the nations through Dominion, the King's Domain. We have a destination, a settlement, and an appointment with the end of this age, and the ages to come...

And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world {age} to come. Hebrews 6:5

Like John the Baptist in the Spirit of Elijah, we are a people between two eras. One is a foreclosure of events, and another we are becoming forerunners to.

In this we are not bound for disaster, or for a fatal end, but is assured to overcome...

For we are witnessing the manifested sons of God, the overcomer company, the manchild ministry, and the Melchisedec Order in today's church. This glorious church will determine the end of this age through the power of destiny. We are not sorcerers, nor are we charlatans. But, we as a present truth apostolic people of reformation, have a prophetic word in our mouths, declaring true what God has been doing all along.

We must speak it, and declare the glory of the Lord in it. We must prophesy, not only with our lips, but also with our very own lives! For we are not Generation X, but Generation {Now} and Next!

Now the destiny of the church is quite simple, " We win!" or should I say from the God-kind of perspective, "We won!" Revelation 20:10 {Victory over the Satan, the Beast, False Prophet}

Four Important Areas of the Kingdom of God

In the middle of the 80's we had put together a seminar on the Kingdom of God. The truths and topics we had developed then, became meat in due season for many. The meeting was given in four main topics, which I present to you in brief.

1- The Kingdom of God

The kingdom of God is the sphere and sovereign rule of the Lord in heaven and earth. It is wherever Jesus Christ is Lord, and is theocratic in nature. The kingdom of God is his will done in earth even as it is in heaven. The kingdom of God is pioneered through the present truth understanding that Jesus is now Lord and King! Matthew 6:10; Luke 17:20-21

And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from river even to the ends of the earth. Zech. 9:10

2 - The King of Kings

Jesus is the personification of the kingdom. Wherever he is Lord that is where the kingdom is greatly manifest. Therefore, though he is Lord over all, we must take this kingdom to the streets, cities, towns, neighborhoods, and by the Spirit of God, draw others into the kingdom of his dear son. For the purpose of the Kingdom is found in Colossians 1:13... {Also, read Colossians 1:13-19, 27}

Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear son.

3 - The King-Priest Ministry

The church is the instrumentation of the kingdom, for the kingdom and church is an inseparable oneness of purpose with a dynamic and electrifying destiny ahead of us. Hebrews 5:2, 6, 10; 6:20; 7:1-28; 8:1-13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:5-6; 5:10; Daniel 7:22, 27

Every age or span of time has had its kingdom instrument, Even so, the church is a living entity and creative force which flows out of the last Adam, the quickening spirit.

The church must minister to creation from a throne perspective {Mercy-Seat; between the Cherubim}..."God of Israel, that dwells between the cherubim..." Is. 37:16

Thus, the church's destiny is clearly seen from the church's purpose...Dominion

4 - Practical Kingdom to Ultimate Kingdom {Mt. 5-7}

This is the kingdom on an everyday practical level. It is the kingdom in the school system, the kingdom in the home, the kingdom on the job, and the kingdom established abroad.

Ultimate kingdom is the full intent of God's will and purpose established in the earth through the church, his kingdom instrument. Practical kingdom leads to ultimate kingdom. Little changes here and there in society through reconstruction and reformation, becomes significant strides in the long run. It's here a little, there a little! {Isaiah 28:13}

The Purpose and Motive of the Kingdom

Daniel 2:44...to break in pieces and consume all other kingdoms...
1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Revelation 11:15; Hebrews 12:27-28 Daniel 7:1...
For all nations to serve it...
Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:7; Psalms 24:7-10; Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1-3 Daniel 7:27...
Given to God's people...Other nations and kingdoms shall obey it...
Matthew 11:12; Hebrews 12:22; Matthew 21:43; 1 Peter 2:9; Romans 14:17;

We have been called out to go into...Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 1:13...Called out of Darkness, into the Light: to go into Darkness, to bring others into the Light. And the light shines in darkness, and the darkness comprehended {to take eagerly, seize, posses} it not. John 1:5 {John 3:19 - Ephesians 4:9-10}

Because the church world had become bombarded with passive doctrines and ideologies, a great mass of believers gave up on the dominion mandate {Kingdom Authority}. Instead of enduring tribulation and difficult times, many assume that the revelation of destiny and dominion is so elusive, that one would have to change their entire doctrinal and religious thinking to even grasp a fragment of the restored truth of the King's Domain. For some, dominion is ultra-nebula, exotic, and way, way, out! {Well, maybe it is way out of reach from the idolatry of carnal mind}

Beloved, we are given in the earth to witness some dramatic and radical changes through the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the administration of Christ's Kingdom subduing all other kingdoms as confirmed in 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, and Revelation 11:15. We are here to bring pure kingdom release to those in bondage, futility, and corruption.

..For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy {loosen, break, dissolve, melt, put off} he works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

For the earnest expectation of the creature {creation} wait for the manifestation of the sons of God. Romans 8:19 {Manifested sons of God} {also, verses 21-27}

Now, it is not to by our human strength or merit, but by the living word of the Lord and his quickening nature to stir the church for such a time as this. At his command, he is the one whom brings to pass his ultimate and sovereign will in the earth, and he is the one whom will bring to an end the injustices of our society through a people prepared for him. For in this very hour, the clock is ticking "Kingdom, Dominion, Rule, Reign, and Lordship!" This too, is accomplished through the understanding of the certain sound in our spiritual hearing. John 10:4-5; 1 Corinthians 14:7-8; 15:52; Num. 10:1-10; Rev. 1:10

..But the people that know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Daniel 11:32

The Motive of the Kingdom

The motive of the Kingdom is always the Father's steadfast love. In John 3:16, we find this verse pivotal to the relevant truth that God does not condemn anyone, but has the ultimate end in mind to restore all men unto him self. For God so loved, that he gave, and love is never love all by itself. Therefore, true love {God-kind of love} must be shared... Now love is a person, and that love is the Lord Jesus Christ himself personified in the book of 1 Corinthians the 13th chapter. Beloved, this is the motive of the kingdom. If you were to ask any believer to take inventory of their life measured by the Personification of Love, which is the Lord Jesus Christ, what do you suppose their response would be? But then on the other hand, put this principle to work for you right now, and ask the Holy Spirit to mold and reshape you into the character of God which is hi never ending and undying love, love unfeigned...Genuine love..

RULE AND REIGN OF GOD THROUGH THE SAINTS

The church's thinking is gradually being steered into the principles of the kingdom of God to rule and reign right here, and right now. From ruling and reigning in our spirit, soul, and body, our families, and jobs, to taking the kingdom of the living God to the streets of our nations, this will be a definite concern to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. According to Isaiah 9:7 as referenced below...

Of the INCREASE of his GOVERNMENT and PEACE there shall be NO END, upon the THRONE of David, and upon his KINGDOM, to ORDER it, and to ESTABLISH it with JUDGMENT and with JUSTICE, from henceforth even forever. The ZEAL of the Lord of hosts will PERFORM this.

The rule and reign of the Lord among the earth, is God's governmental order. It is his government versus that of this world. It is his good pleasure, his way of doing things. So, let us rejoice in the truth that the increase of his government reshapes the world we live in, and subdues it with ultimate kingdom, and ultimate purpose. For by having a world -view of the kingdom in the earth realm, we shall see a world harvest and revival of the glorious kind. We shall witness reformation on many levels.

Tim and Theresa Early
tearly1@pdq.net
http://www.apostlesandprophets.org
Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets School of Ministry International

"THE GATE OF DESTINY"
Shelly Mathis samathis@uswest.net

I see in my mind's eye a man standing before a stately golden gate. There is script writing of an unknown language carved in the golden bars... and a keyhole in the center. Jesus is standing beside the door beckoning the man to step forth and enter. However, there is an iron slave band around the man's neck that is connected to a chain. The chain is bound to something behind him that I cannot see. The man is longing for and straining towards the gate, but to no avail. Jesus points to a key that was unknowingly in the man's hand. He inserts it into the gate's keyhole, but nothing happens.

The Lord says,

"I am preparing to open the Gate of Destiny before you, for from before birth I destined you to liberty. Yet, you cannot enter in while still controlled by anything other than My Spirit. Surrounding you now are opportunities (circumstances) for My Light to expose these hindrances. The key of authority I give you is not to unlock your destiny - for that is My doing alone; it is to unlock the slave band that holds you captive. When My Light reveals the chain of slavery, exercise the key of faith and LET GO of that which holds you captive. You ask, "Haven't we been through this already?" I tell you that I am doing a deep cleansing work that is taking you beyond what you thought was possible or even necessary. My Bride shall be blameless and spotless, liberated to worship and serve Me without restraint. Know that I am at your side, but also know that you already possess everything you need for freedom. Prepare yourselves, My Bride, to enter Gate Destiny!"

"Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you. Shake yourself from the dust, arise; sit down, O Jerusalem! Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion!"
Isaiah 52:1-2

A Vision of the Mantles

By Chad Taylor

(In an intense moment of worship I had the following vision. It has reoccurred many times since its original manifestation. I offer it now as a means of moving us all into a place of greater power and glory. Openly, publicly, displaying His glory to the world as in times of renown. I believe this represents a distinct season of revival and reformation about to be presented to the world in profound proportions and impact. Many past movements and revivals are consummating into one river, flooding the land with His power and passion. With this expectation I release the following vision. Chad Taylor).

I saw as it were a great parade route. An innumerable company of saints proceeding down this way. Down this road. On each side of this procession the crowd of onlookers pressed in on each side, reaching out as if to touch those coming by. The road was paved with gold, and the light at the end was brilliant like the sun. You could hear the voices of praise as this great company of the living walked this road of glory.

Suddenly the faces of those that were pressing in on each side could be seen. William and Katherine Booth, Kathryn Kuhlman, A.A. Allen, John G. Lake, Charles Finney, Maria Woodworth-Etter, some well know, others unknown. They pressed and pushed to get close enough to touch those still living and passing by. These that had already ran their race reached out to touch those that were now passing through. Then I heard the Lord say,

"I am taking My church to the Mt. of Transfiguration to show them a greater glory of who I am. Like Peter, James, and John, they will enter the cloud and they will see Me in My fullness and majesty. 'the Kingdom of God present with power.' (Mk. 9:1). They will come out the other side transfigured themselves. They not only saw Me in My glory, but they also saw Elijah and Moses 'and behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory...' (Lk. 9:30-31). "

"Now in this time I am opening the graves of those that I once shook the earth with, and these mantles will rest on the shoulders of men and women again. Even children shall walk in a glory that only seasoned veterans of the faith had once walked in. The earth will see these signs and wonders again, but now in a greater magnitude and frequency. It will be a common occurrence to see and hear the miracles that they did. These old mantles are now going to be released to this chosen generations. Mantles of kings and priests will rest on the shoulders of this generation. They will do more than all these other ever saw or did. They will usher in the fullness of the ages, the end of world."

As the Lord spoke this, I saw those old saints on each side suddenly begin to throw off their mantles and coats on those passing by! As each one cast off their mantles they cried out, " Cross over! Cross over! Come to the other side! Come into the promise land! Enter into the cloud! Climb the mountain! Come up higher! Higher! Higher!"

Each one was now casting their mantles on the individuals that passed by. Some even caught two and three mantles! The faces of the those on each side were beaming with excitement as we received the mantles and the callings they were so freely giving away. Then I heard one say, "We have freely received these things, now we freely give them away to this chosen generation..."

I saw the faces of the heroes of the faith that had passed on centuries ago. The attire that they wore in this vision gave reference to what era or time they were from. Each one cast their mantles on those that were now passing by, the ones who were now living upon the earth. Each one as they received these gifts and callings, were really only beginning to fulfill what the Lord had already intended for them to do. "To cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse the lepers." The world was seeing the face of the resurrected Christ through the faces of His people.

I then heard the Lord say, "Now is the time for public demonstration of My glory and power. Now is the time for the open air meetings and My glory demonstrated in the marketplaces. Now is the time for the world to stand in awe of Me. Now is the time the Church will cross over and begin to do exploits. Now is the time for all of these things says the Lord. That I will do wonders amongst you. I will prove Myself and reveal Myself to a gainsaying and rebellious people. Because I am longsuffering, not willing that any perish, but that all come to repentance. These are those days says the Lord."

The Church had been transfigured into a glorious expression of the Father's heart. Each one doing what they were destined to do. Moving about the earth seeing whole nations turn to the word's of the Lord uttered through human lips. This great cloud of witnesses cheered the crowds as they passed by. Their numbers growing as the Lord "added to the church daily such as should be saved." Fear was upon the church again as, "believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that atleast the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them..." (Acts 5:14-16).

Chad Taylor
Email: destiny@televar.com
Web: www.consumingfire.com
LAMENTATIONS 2:19

MARY CLARK
Servant of the Lord
Prophetic Exhortation
devoted1@digitalexp.co

The Storm
5/16/00 4:22 a.m.
***
There is a storm brewing in the heavens, beloved. Take heed as you see the first signs of this mighty storm. Run for cover. Run for cover in the sweet and most loving sanctuary of your Almighty God. For truly I have prepared a place of comfort and peace for you. Truly I have researched every nuance of this storm for you. I know all the intricacies of life that it will bring to My beloved. I am your Safe Shelter. I am the One you can rely on during the high winds of adversity that are coming. I want you to rely on Me to take you deeper into the shelter that I am offering to you. For it is in going deeper that you will find that rest in the secure knowledge of My love. The winds are getting higher as I speak. The winds are toppling some things as I look down from My glorious throne. Look into the eyes of the Beloved. Look DIRECTLY into the eyes of your Beloved. It is in Me that you will find rest and safety. It is in Me that you will experience the power of My love, which will lift you out of harms way - high into the far reaches of the shelter of the most high God!

DOUG PATTERSON
Intercessors For Jesus Ministries
P.O. Box 172
Fergus, Ontario
N1M 1N0
eaglevw@golden.net

A Twister of Blessing
May 15, 2000

I am sending to you a whirlwind of blessing. My Spirit will blow like a mighty twister. It will land in your territory and as it begins to move it is going to clear away a path of blessing. For I have seen structures that are not of Me. Things of the flesh that are going towards a purpose or a plan that I have not ordained. It appears to be all good works that have come out of the heart of one who wants to be faithful in My sight and pleasing unto Me.

Many of you have started building good ministries and outreaches and at My direction. They are like small buildings and as you have taken them up to the second and third story they look quite healthy at this point. But I tell you the foundation is weak. Allow My wind of blessing to come and tear it apart, test it and reconstruct it. I am clearing a new pathway. The blessing will be that I am preparing a perfectly level base that will be a place of building. Yes, the building of the Temple of the Lord, a holy habitation, a dwelling place. See the twister of life is coming to settle the issues, establish the callings and allow you to build a sure foundation. This will allow the ministries that I have called and given to you to flourish and prosper and to provide an excellent report as you present them to your Lord and Savior as an act of service for the covenant relationship that we have.

This wind will not leave any destruction but provide a pathway of life, a place of building and establishing and a place of moving forward into a new purpose. Clarity, hope and joy shall be established deep within each one of you, allowing you to know that I am your God and we are family.

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