1 Thessalonians

New King James2 Version (NKJV)

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Edify: to teach, improve, build or establish. To enlighten, uplift or inform.

I was in a department store and went to take an elevator to get to another floor. When the doors opened and I was just about to step in, it shocked me to discover there was nothing there but an open shaft, and cables. I was struck by how easily I COULD HAVE fallen into this open shaft. The first thing I thought of was the people who would not be careful to look, as I did, before stepping in. I went back to those whom I was standing with prior and warned them of the elevator. We all stood and watched again as the elevator doors opened wide, this time the carriage was misaligned and tipped, leaving a gap wide enough to fall through. Strangely, there were those still enticed to get on board anyway, knowing the elevator was broken, taking the chance that it wouldn’t plunge downward while they were in it. I thought to go to the central desk of this high-rise department store, where more could be better informed that the elevator was malfunctioning, while the group above watched the shaft.

Prophetic Misalignment

Getting to the central office seemed cumbersome and I had to go through a lot of effort just to get to the front desk. I hoped and prayed no one would plunge down the broken elevator shaft, before I could get help. Thankful, for those who were standing watch, I prayed for their due diligence in warning the patrons on other floors. Finally, in reaching the central service center where there was a line, I realized that I was going to have to move to the front of the line, to get out my warning. As I began doing so I was explaining to the front counter (and those in line) about the elevator, the front desk manager reached for the main phone to contact security and maintenance. But as I was speaking a Christian woman walked up to me who had nothing to do with the desk and postured herself to address the situation. By now if you haven’t guessed yet, this was a dream.

The woman represented many in prophetic circles today who operate under a false authority, motivated by a theological position, rather than the Spirit of God. She immediately began to play down the sense of urgency by addressing the warning as fear, discarding it because she said, it was not a positive message, and stood to counter it.

I knew this woman was out of order, and seriously misguided. Still, she had a presence about her, and a boldness. She had no problem stepping into something that had nothing to do with her. But what alarmed me the most was that even though the message was without question an emergency, the woman had enough influence to put the whole room under the spell of a false peace.

The customer service manager stepped back from the intercom, confused, with a hint of embarrassment in her face. Now no one was responding to the warning that an elevator was dangerously malfunctioning, and people were still trying to get on it.

The Spell Of Do Nothing

I remember looking around the room amazed how she neutralized the urgency of the warning, while interrupting the natural protocol needed to avoid a potential disaster. Can you imagine an elevator like that broken, without being put out of order? No yellow tape, no orange cones? No maintenance, or repair being assigned to it?

A soothsayer is a satanic hinderance to counter voices of alarm, in the land. This is how ridiculous it looks when they contradict the watchman’s cry. Curiously, this woman seemed well versed, and dressed, to carry out her agenda, that took on a professional air. Her approach bewitched the entire room. She was bold, unmovable, and what is more troubling is that she was sure she was on God’s side of the matter. Of course, would the enemy have it any other way? If this soothsayer would have flown in on a broom, it would have been easy to have known what to do. This very thing is a rising dilemma among prophetic churches, and a thorn in the side of prophets, who have an Elijah or Jerimiah type anointing on their lives. Both make CLEAR the path of the Lord!

The watchman on the wall has a duty to warn of what they see coming, it gives us time to mobilize in prayer. This mechanism is God’s mercy at work, and not a curse.

Indicators, Regulators, And Soothsayers.

I came away from the dream with a pressing concern, and that was how to convince those who have the platforms to broadcast warnings not to be taken in by the bold and beautiful soothsayers of our time. I knew this character in the dream was acting out the fallacy of an error, that stemmed from false teaching on the office of a prophet, and what the mercy of God truly looks and sounds like. Even how the positive confession era, that has truth in it, has created an imbalance among many. Displacing common sense among the prophetic. Letting people know there is a dangerous set of circumstances laid out as a trap near them, is not a negative word. Yet somehow this mentality has taken over and is defying spiritual discernment.

Let’s look at the visual God gave me in this dream! A man is trying to board a seriously misaligned car in an elevator shaft, hanging by a cable, where he could be terribly injured. A clear and precise word is required in a split second with no time to couch the issue, such as “STOP or you will DIE!” Is that not a positive word? How about this one: “Your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more, less a worse thing COME UPON YOU?”

Certainly, we are swinging back from the pendulum where words of warning described the disaster, but not the directives to avoid it, or the wisdom to walk through it. Leaving the receiver under a cloud of fear and even torment. This is not the heart of the Father. His dealings with men are forever seeking to lead us to safety, beginning with repentance. A true watchman ministry suffers challenges that are not unlike the prophet Jonah’s dilemma, where he warned of disaster, that never came in that generation’s time, only because the people responded in repentance and prayer. His warning greatly profited those it saved; still, Jonah felt the reproach of a word he widely and loudly publicized, not coming to pass. Not because he was mistaken, but because the warning did its work. This was the outcome God was shooting for. The city of Nineveh turned from its wickedness, and judgment was delayed. Other words may require preparation. Like the first century saints, who responded to Agabus the prophet that warned of a famine. Think if they had adopted the same “spirit” as this woman in the dream. Rather, they began preparations for famine relief.

Acts 11:27-30. In these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus and predicted by the Spirit that there should be great famine throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren who dwelt in Judea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Political Peer Pressure

Note this prophecy was given after Christ ascended and the Holy Spirit had come. Agabus was a disciple of Christ, and of the original 70. He matured into a New Testament prophet. So, this type of prophet is not done away with in the earth. In fact, this same prophet warned Paul that he would be handed over to the Romans by the Jews. We need to understand the value of what a true prophet’s ministry is. Jeremiah 1:4-10 is a good place to begin.

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

This ministry is not past but its ultimate fulfillment manifest through the Lord Jesus Christ who is our head. If you don’t believe that is what we are doing in this earth right now, and will soon accomplish, entirely, when Christ returns; than you do not know the Kingdom of God.

Oddly, present in the dream was an atmosphere- a peer pressure of sorts, where sounding off the alarm could potentially make one appear foolish, and this also, overruled the good judgement of those in charge of managing crisis. Wherever peer pressure has power, a political spirit has control. This woman’s meddling with a word of warning lined her up with the judgement of those WATCHMEN who would NOT sound the alarm, to warn the people when disaster is imminent. Anyone who would do such a thing needs to repent; blood is on their hands. A cable holding up the MISALIGNED elevator car, (that’s supposed to facilitate the going up and the coming down in the marketplace without whiplash) is about to suffer a catastrophic failure.

Woe to those who cry, Peace! Peace! For sudden destruction shall come upon them. Woe to those who are manipulating common sense responses to crisis in order to create a false sense of security! Woe, to those regarding prophetic warning, who muddy the waters of clear and concise prophetic detail, so others cannot see the clarity of it, nor hear the message of God’s anointed servants, that He sent! What trouble they bring on themselves, who had to do nothing but pray, and wait on Him! The true church is at large, and her day is rising, a collective voice is joining HIS, sounding like many waters. Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sound the alarm in my Holy Mountain!

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Isaiah 9:16

For those who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion.…

Isaiah 30:10
They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.

Jeremiah 8:11
They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. “Peace, peace,” they say, when there is no peace.

Jeremiah 14:13
But I said, “Alas, Sovereign LORD! The prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.'”

Ezekiel 13:10
“‘Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash,

Micah 3:5
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead my people astray, they proclaim ‘peace’ if they have something to eat, but prepare to wage war against anyone who refuses to feed them.

For those who have experienced this kind of interference to shut down the voice of alarm, in a mission to save lives, know that our responsibility to prevail with the warning is not lifted. For if they HEAR, and do not respond, we’re not responsible. But if the warning is hindered or hampered it is still for the watchmen to press on and persevere. We see how Paul did this in the passage below but first let’s remember, many of the prophets and apostles were threatened, beaten, incarcerated, and driven out of regions for preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Which is a message of repentance and the remission of sins. It is the ultimate cry of warning. Repent and be saved! That spirit that declares peace rather than warning, is in bed with Anti Christ, false prophets, Jezebel and Ahab; the foolish servant, and if nothing more is a FEAR FILLED Christian who does not understanding that the mercy of God is present in warning, correction, and rebuke; as well as the strengthening, and edification of the saints.

Certainly, our words should be full of life, but many in the Body misunderstand correction, in this Fatherless generation.

Life is in the heeding of warnings, Godly sorrow brings forth repentance, a broken and contrite heart oh Lord you do not despise! This fruit sustains and strengthens us for Kingdom life. A spoiled child tantrums when he is corrected, when he cannot get his way, when he learns he has no entitlements. No good thing comes overnight, all gifts and anointings must be grown into, and mentored by those gone before us. In this world right now, position is a certificate not an appointment. This breeds a hireling spirit, even in the best of intentions, because of immaturity. Easy come, easy go. They abandon the sheep and scatter them. Because they are wanton for power and influence. They don’t have to abandon them literally; many that are hirelings check out emotionally and spiritually. Laying not their lives down for the sheep.

Identifying a breach in the wall, is commendable in most vocations, and approaching those where that message will be most effective, makes sense. Of course, in the world, identifying a breach of security would be given prompt attention for inspection and repair, with inquiries to why safety features failed. Warnings in evangelism throughout history have moved many to repentance, it is mercy that exposes our hearts, so that we will not die in our sin. Pronouncements of judgements without either an opportunity to repent, or instructions to do so, is not the heart of the Father. In the New Testament, in the acts of the saints, we see occasions where confrontations occurred, and hard words were spoken.

We have the account of Peter’s dealing with Ananias and Sapphira, who after given an opportunity to confess their sin, lied to the Holy Ghost. They dropped dead at the Apostles feet, this is not a story out of the book of 1st or 2nd Kings. It is out of Acts 5:1-11. This is our time this is in the church era we are a part of. We have Simon, who thought to purchase the Holy Spirit, Acts 8:18 and was severely rebuked for asking to do such a thing. A firm warning to the readers that we don’t trifle with the Holy Spirit or lie to him. These dealings are no less critical now than they were in the beginning. This is why I warn those who would posture themselves over words inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. Given by HIS servant to dilute their impact or divert their intent. Do not speak so quickly! Don’t respond so fast, with a knee jerk quip! The enemy would like to color these things with confusion, taking advantage of the lack of knowledge of His word. Warnings, by the Spirit, are acts of mercy, pronounced judgements with instructions for repentance, the same.

Jesus said to preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins, in His name, to all nations. Luke 24:47

Paul dealt with Bar-Jesus who was a Jew and called a prophet; but, in this passage was identified as a false prophet. In some translations a sorcerer. Many do not realize that operating in the flesh is operating in witchcraft because witchcraft is called a work of the flesh, according to scripture. Sorcery is a form of witchcraft, delving in potions, mixtures, and spells. Many know that the word pharma is associated with the word sorcery. This is why we need to pray over our medications and seek Christ first in all things.  

We will see in the following passage that this dream of the misaligned elevator where the woman that stepped up to counter-act the warning, was acting out in the flesh. The following is how NEW TESTAMENT apostolic ministry dealt with false prophets that hindered the work of the Gospel. Remember, this is in the Acts of the Apostles, that can still occur today. Jesus said His day in the world, was as a green tree hewn down and dying; if it is bad now, what will it be like when the green tree becomes dry? In the end of the age, much more wickedness will occur. So, sobriety and sternness to deal with overt sin is not needed less, but more.

Acts 8:20-25

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But, Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But, Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said,

“You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Notice how this very powerful occurrence upon the word of Paul, immediately coming to pass, acted as a sign to the proconsul? We will discuss amazing accuracy upon the word of the prophets, later. But keep this demonstration or “sign” in mind.

Acts 8:9-23 Simon the ex-sorcerer, attached himself to the apostolic ministry of Peter, after he believes; but makes a serious mistake by mishandling the subject of the Holy Spirit, by asking to purchase Him … More reasons not to grieve God, in those things pertaining to His Holy Spirit and giftings; but look here, Peter had a WORD for this man, and it scared him into a sobriety that may have saved his soul. I wonder, in some of these church climates today would such a “WORD” be received? Or, for that matter would such a word dare to be given?

Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. “Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me. “After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan village.

Prophecy, Prophets, and the Internet Market Place.

In our gatherings it is our responsibility to let the prophets speak and the others stand and judge, and it is more needed now than any time in history. How that looks has been reduced to a three-minute sharing opportunity where the pastor steps down from behind the pulpit and briefly hands the microphone over to a sweaty palmed messenger who knows they are in a time restraint. Though they probably have volumes to share, for many that opportunity won’t come until they open up their own shop, because church as we know it, is not being the Church at all. How did we come to this? How did the Jerusalem council model, become a board of directors that RARELY even have the fivefold among them in it, let alone made up of such?

Something to think about anyway- we do this prophetic thing in our assemblies, in our meetings, at our gatherings. Should the word of prophecy be handled with any less care in the internet marketplace, that is increasingly being used as a tool of ministry? As believers, self-governing in these issues will be pleasing to God, contrarily, willful recklessness, will not. In fact, what we do or undo relative to His prophetic word, will be examined, and we will be made accountable on how we handled, or mis handled, even, the Word of Life, in all true prophecy. That includes how we respond to the prophetic word posted on social media! For the REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST is the SPIRIT of PROPHECY. Shall we be excused if we blatantly disqualify a voice called to warn, or teach, because we are looking for entertainment, and a contest on social media? Why is it that we have no fear of the Lord in these matters?

Now back to IMPROVE, BUILDING UP, ESTABLISH, and EDIFY. WE who are of the day are not appointed to wrath! Yet, we are reminded to stay awake and alert. To watch and pray. To make ourselves ready!

So, who does this? Is it not the watchmen of the night who sound the alarm? What would become of those who cried peace in the day of wrath? Sudden destruction shall come upon them. Again, let me point out three of those words that define edification. TO IMPROVE. Do we not remove waste when we are improving? TO BUILD. Do we not clear the ground of roots and rocks when we lay a foundation? TO ESTABLISH! Once the building is built how shall it remain?

I was in property management for many years and one of my duties was to oversee the building and property maintenance. To report structural issues immediately, to make sure flights of stairs were lighted and maintained. That elevators had updated permits, safety checks, and was properly licensed for use. That smoke alarms and detectors were working properly. Though these duties were often delegated, failure or disrepair, of any of these items fell on me. So, follow up was imperative for my success as a manager. Cheap material and sloppy repairs NEVER work for the long haul; although, cosmetically, they may get you by for a season. Soothsaying is a cosmetic blight upon the church today.

This is reflective of those who always have a positive message, but no substance. The material is easy to come by and cheap but has no enduring value. Un tempered mortar. To improve, edify, build up, and establish; also, involves removing the broken, to replace the new! You can ask a plumber about the messiness of some of these jobs that require the removal of debris, first, before repairs ensue.

In fact, many chronic problems warrant a complete revamp with new materials, and updates. This is no different in the Kingdom of God, when we are tearing out spiritual strongholds and religious mindsets that have been taking up viable ground. Building up of the new, first requires removal of old material, for the edification of the saints. It requires all of this to improve, build up, and “edify”. No one wants unskilled labor to remodel their home. Neither does God, when it comes to works of the flesh even a visionary sees what has to go before he SEES what will replace it, those things are skillfully communicated by the prophets for all to stand and judge, what the Spirit is saying to the CHURCH, and what needs to be done to move forward. Demolition or construction.

This is why community, state, national, and even global reaching prophetic warnings, words, and declarations, should have a prophetic conference to discern its activation. Timing, to appropriate levels of realization. That is why the Lord warned me to beware of the fouler, dowsers, disclaimers, and the distractors, of prophetic flows. The fouler poisons the original intent of the word given, by quickly introducing a counter thought, the dowsers will quench its fire because of the strength of the word, they will attempt to “cool it down” for the lukewarm seeking pallet. This modifies the word’s impact and meddles with God’s desired thrust to launch action toward a word or warning.

I’m not speaking of those who run around screaming that the wolves are coming, by watching natural events unfold! I am talking about prophetic ministry that receives news headlines from the Spirit of God, before they happen. So, loss of life can be averted. It’s not what is going to happen but what will happen if we don’t respond. Fight or flight, build or tear down, the Church should be ahead of what is real and what is rumor. God is in the business of the salvation of souls, and the saving of lives. Not rendering executions. People need to respond to the father’s warnings!

This is why it is dangerous to be this woman depicted in the dream, she promotes soothe saying and frustrates prophetic warning and sways administrations to disobey true spiritual authority. This can only be our age-old enemy, Ahab and Jezebel. One despised prophetic warning and the other punished it. The “disclaimer” of prophetic warning immediately begins to reverse the momentum of impact. The “distractors” will often be the ones who quickly raise up controversy, again, to misdirect the flow of the word in order to bury it under debate, in armchair prophetic trollery.

Beware of SEED THIEVES! House of prayer or a den of thieves? Are we chasing the sower to eat up word seeds? Like a cauldron of crows? Or are we a house generating intercession for the nations? Working with the Father, or against HIS Spirit?

Think about it like this- when you hear a prophetic warning (because the WORD OF GOD is like a seed sown into the ground.) What fruit will it potentially bear in the good soil of our hearts? I saw the Lord rebuke a man and his son who often poked fun at teachers of God’s word, with foolish jesting to the point that He sent a prophet to say to them that life and death WAS IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE and that their words were bringing death to that which should be a blessing, in their lives. They repented of a scoffing spirit and adjusted their attitude. What if they decided to not respond, because the prophet’s warning was not deemed a positive word, in this age? A true prophet does not love to give a rebuke. What is not talked about often is prophetic blow back. A true servant used to give hard sayings does so with fear and trepidation. Because your words laced with fire will burn you back be there any kindling in you. This is why the office of a prophet is nothing glamorous to be desired, the older ones are loving and gentle, burdened, for the sheep but not so patient with rebellion and wolvery. Because they’ve seen the cost of outright disobedience and the carnage it leaves.

With this warning given to the father and son, what if it went unheeded or worse yet, what if the fouler, dowser, disclaimer, or distractor quickly stepped in and defiled the word by an out of order timing or response? Snatching the seed out of the ground before it could take root? After a while the fruit of the mouth (life or death is in the power of the tongue) would have begun to take root in their lives. Their very souls could have been in the balance. As Christians, our non-response to prophetic words and warnings are just as critical as our responses. They need to be carefully considered, biblically confirmed, or discarded with great care. In fact, some words should never be left unattended. Because in them are life and death. Like seeds that have potential to grow either way. I’ve seen the presbytery so prompted to expound on prophetic words that their insights turned into one sermonette after another, where the scripture says that when one thing is revealed to another let the previous speaker then yield. We must always give room for such a thing when a prophetic word is spoken. 

Rejecting and dismissing words aimed to work havoc rather than salvation and peace, is clearing your shelves of a potential hazard, in the days to come. Because great deception is working. I don’t see where confusion over a prophetic word warrants it “to be put on the shelf.” If it is worked through properly and found to be correct it will bear fruit in times of difficulty and change. If it is just left lying around, in times of uncertainty, a word spoken out of one’s own spirit can become a trojan horse influencing bad decisions. That is why personal prophecy should have two or more witnesses besides the one being prophesied over. 

The biblical model straight forward exposes false prophesy. That means it is examined until it is either received or rejected. Seeking the Lord on it may take some time but it is important to recall it before prophetic council where it will be judged, like the scripture says, “let the others [prophets] stand and judge.” Consideration of the vessel is part of it. A good tree bears good fruit. Still, we need to take personal words, spoken over us in private, before our trusted elders in the faith. In fact, I often gather a few people around when I find that I have a word for someone to stand and judge, let the prophets do so, let them stand and judge; examine it, wait on the Spirit; in Holy reverence towards the Father, regarding His prophetic ministry. Counsel for that word will then come. Not many give time for that function. Our gatherings are too often rushed.

If one person jumps down from the pulpit and discards a word, without giving a prophetic council the chance to judge it, they are out of order, and overreaching. The pulpit is not the only authority in these matters. However, after considering the input of the others anointed in this area, the lead shepherd’s appointment has the wisdom to collect the counsel and bring it to a conclusion. We see the dynamics of this working in scripture on a larger scale, for a far more pressing issue, as a worthy pattern to follow. Where James stood up as the Bishop of the Church in Jerusalem, and finalized the decision regarding gentiles and what aspects of the law they should observe. He did this after listening to the apostles and prophets share their testimonials of what God had done for the gentiles who believed in Him. Acts 15. By two or more witnesses let every word be established. That includes what comes from our pulpits. However, quick severe rebukes are warranted when belligerency and wolvery reveals itself, and for that a quick responding shepherd only seeks to spare the flock when he sees harm coming. 

Several years ago, the lord showed me a vision of the Lion of Judah walking through the flames of revival as the high praises of God were sung by a worship team, on the platform of a spirit filled church. This happened upon the weekend before their revival was scheduled. I delivered a prophetic word that went along with the vision, to the pastor only. The prophesy was saying that out of abandoned worship, shall come forth flames of revival, in this the Lion of Judah shall manifest in their midst. But in the services to follow he cut short worship, time and time again. Overly eager to get to his preaching. I’m not saying he did this deliberately to go against the word. But, normally when a move of God is prophesied to come OUT OF a certain thing one would explore that avenue of entry and yield to it, if you believed the word has come from heaven. Sometimes, true worship conditions the heart to hear deeper the message and is needed on hard ground. I discovered years later the worship team present at that time had a strong anointing upon them for just that kind of ministry, when allowed to flow in it. 

 The word given also pointed out how God wanted to use this revival to move out a generational cycle of religious pond dwelling, He spoke of revivals of the past that began to dry up and when they did it left pools of former moves of God, where people had settled into, resisting the fresh currents of the river of God. The Lord was speaking of a refreshing. The revival prophesied had a conditional word “Out of abandoned worship I saw the fires of revival come.” The worship team was not given the degree of freedom to do that part, and noticeably that was the case throughout revival week. Nothing that I said would happen in that revival. But rather than calling me into his office to talk about it and give the whole thing a Mathew 15:18 process to work things out and get understanding on the issue, I was quickly labeled as a false prophet.

I also discovered that even though the church was supposed to be spirit filled. There was very little teaching on how to receive prophetic words, how to process them, and understanding what to do when a prophecy is in conflict to your plans. His plans were to preach up a revival single handedly, the Holy Spirit gave him a blueprint to make it stick. We need to act on words of prophecy, we know are right, that bear with our spirit, and not counter act. It is not biblical to fold your arms and just stand there with a chip on your shoulder saying, “Well we will just see about that!” Faith is an action word. The pastor should have listened and allowed worship to take its course. After all, he said Amen when he received the prophecy!  These are called conditional prophecies, and it is not fair to label a prophetic word as false, when conditions that require their fulfillment are not met. “Timothy remember the prophecies prophesied over you and BY THEM do warfare.” Years later we had a talk, but not before some damage was done to my reputation there. I’m not the first for such a thing to happen, and I won’t be the last. The good that has come out of it is my passion to teach on the gifts of the spirit, and prophetic protocols. We did this online in our meetings, in that community, and on a coast-to-coast conference call, called the Framework of the Prophetic. 

I’ve seen the aftermath of those who scoffed and discarded prophetic warning, whom at the same time were steeped in a very strong prophetic culture.

Incredibly, I remember praying a hedge of protection over such a group and heard snickering because a Christian comedian had made light of the hedge prayer. Well, we had seen that comedian and heard the same thing too, and his point about it was funny, in the way of cliche prayers; but, in practice there is nothing to discard about walls. In fact, at that time we were under a commission of God to: REPAIR THE BREACH IN THE WALL. Not only did this begin a series of dreams and warnings starting in 2007, over our southern border of the United States, but the word had a micro warning in regard to breaches in the wall, among those we were in fellowship with a year later. Sadly, those who decided to mock the concept of THE HEDGE, and other prophetic warnings began to suffer a series of attacks; a few of them tragic, that are associated with broken walls, their hedges of protection were down. This was a very difficult time in my life where we endured a series of attacks, that included the mischief of an evil messenger, a talebearing spirit, assigned by Satan that revealed itself to me in a vision not long after we moved to North Carolina in 2004. 

Satan comes not but to kill, steal, and destroy. No WALLS, NO WATCHMAN.

A few years ago, I comforted a prophet because of the harsh rebuke they received for warning another prophet of an attack against their spouse, in the area of illness. That warning was not received, and within two years the minister’s spouse was dead of cancer, in the prime of life. When a watchman sees a dust cloud rising on the horizon, and doesn’t report it then what does the bible tell us about that prophet? Rest assured my brothers and sisters; at times you WILL BE CALLED A FOOL. But the fool is the one who FEARS an evil report, attacks the watchman, and thinks ignoring it will make it go away. Even declaring there is no dust cloud on the horizon, it is only a little rain! When, in fact, it is a treacherous gang of murderous thieves. How about humbling ourselves and calling it what it is? Let’s respond by having a meeting in the war room with the Lord of Hosts for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, for strategy, and approach. Rather than a heretical butterfly and pixy dust response, that will turn watchman prayer gatherings into a bunny farm. While Satan’s hordes advance, and the prophets are weeping in their caves.

We have nothing to fear with our father’s warnings. In them, we will win all our battles, when we inquire of HIM who teaches us, who trains our fingers for battle, and our hands for war.

We should not be so quick to react to a word of prophecy, less we miss handle the word of truth, misdirect it, and bring judgement on ourselves. Of course, it is the nature of crows to steal the seed. Crows will be crows. But the household of faith is held to a higher standard. Whether we are in meeting at home, in our living rooms, at a cook-out with our neighbors; or, moving about the internet marketplace, in the days to come remarkable warnings and prophetic words are going to reach beyond the four walls of our Christian gathering places. It may be, at times, where social media will be used to quickly move groups of people out of harm’s way, when multiple prophets post the same thing at the same time. Can you imagine a culture of ‘prophetic seed thieving’ pecking away at words of prophecy in such a time as this, counteracting true watchmen ministry?

By the way, there are those who call themselves such a thing, that may have dreams and visions, habitually voicing them outside of biblical protocol, whom have no understanding of the true purpose of the seer. Thinking that predicting the future is the sum of prophetic ministry. They are not watchman, but watch dogs; barking at anything that moves, with no clear and distinct intelligible words. There is a difference between yapping canines, and true WATCHMEN of the NIGHT. Taking their spiritual encounters further until they extract the wisdom of God from them. God is restoring the Spirit of the fear of the Lord, with exploits and demonstrations of HIS power that will accomplish their intended purpose.

He will confirm His word with signs and wonders following. Is not “an event foretold” a sign? So, then what was the word, or message that sign confirms? Every sign has a message that it is punctuating. If there is no message attached to a sign, then the ministry is a loud attention gatherer, like clanging brass cymbals, but has no substance ascribed to it. These kind “draw men unto themselves” who chase dreams, visions, and supernatural anomalies. A very spooky spiritual form of CLOUDS WITH NO RAIN. Too many ministries seek to validate their call using signs, forgetting they are there to confirm a true message from heaven. That is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ! In fact, a ministry void of teaching and preaching the word of God, relying heavily on manifestations only, is one molecule away from the lying signs and wonders of the end times. Eventually, that ministry will succumb to fanaticism, and foolishness, that diverts attention away from the cross and sets it squarely on man. Let us live soberly, as we rightly handle the word of truth, discerning the age we live in.

Looks like, sounds right, isn’t right devil.

This is that same hindering spirit that attaches itself to a work in mid-stream, when allowed. Having supernatural powers to shift a ministry, or word of the Lord, out of alignment, and off course. When this happens, it will feel like two opposite streams colliding, and when the reason is not apparent or obvious it can be confusing. However, anyone that interrupts a pure stream flowing in the Holy Ghost, on a mandate from God is not of God, no matter how spiritual, knowledgeable, or accomplished that individual is. For the shallow surfers, surfing currents, they will shift over to the strongest current manifesting at the moment. For those with discernment they will hold onto what keeps them closest to the father. Still, peer pressure for those easily controlled by a political spirit, will hang back and come back once the power shift is over.

The problem with the politically controlled is, they may come back on the wrong side. Not too different than the woman in the dream, who may be pulling from the same source as described here. This (join you to take over) operation doesn’t oppose the word right out- but comes up alongside the work, saying all of the right things. However, it doesn’t settle right in your spirit. If allowed to continue, the demon will infiltrate and pollute the original intent, while using the skin of the ministry, it joined with. Leaving the mandate of God, shipwrecked in the end, as another device to pull resource and serve the queen of heaven. We see that same spirit attempt a takeover in the following passage. Remember, it is not how spiritual one is, but whether or not they are producing good fruit in their life.

Acts 16:16

It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling. Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are bondservants of the Highest God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.…

As soon as one can get a hold of discernment, and the mind of Christ, one must act. While Paul cursed a sorcerer that hindered his ministry to the Proconsul, he had mercy on the slave girl, but not on her demon! It seemed either he knew what persecution would befall him or was waiting on the Lord for discernment; or maybe both. Still, Paul acted in the only way he could. Straight up and forthright. What had this girl, knew more about what it was doing, than she did. Which is often the case.

Jude 1:11-14

… these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.…These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever. It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones. Amen and Amen.

The sum of it all is this, I received a dream that outlined a number of problems that have risen up in prophetic cultures and the lack there-of dealing with two extremes that have decided to posture itself over the gift of prophecy, and the operation of the mantle of the prophet. One is a lack of knowledge that has very limited teaching regarding the dynamics of prophetic gifting and ministry, and the other side is mis information, and mis understanding in executing the biblical word of the Lord, that builds, lifts and edifies, to fortify us. Which also is designed to warn and protect us. We are in the end times, gross darkness has covered the earth and a great darkness the people, but His light is shining on us. It’s our time to demonstrate the power of God against the backdrop that is the spirit of this age. We need to mature in the power of God and the gifts He has given us to win the lost and to wage this noble war. We are the Church triumphant! 

In closing: 
The other side of the coin.

A side note to the dream that appears to have a message within the message- Often the Lord will give us dreams and visions that have many facets of truth. I see this in the dream as well. Here is another simpler warning in regard to the open and unguarded shaft. We live in a world where the love of money is much like that elevator shaft. Getting in it is supposed to be a ride up or a ride down, as markets go. Not a plunge to our deaths. Not a lure to disaster, that is why we put our trust in Christ and our treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt. To be lured into this world system over the love of money is imminent disaster, in these end times.

Deana Barnes