A Word for 2012
Acts 1:20 (ESV)
.. ‘Let another take his office.’
Up in 2012
From Eleven to Twelve
Throughout scripture and in everyday life, we see so many things ordered by twelve. Yes, there is always a tendency to move toward numerology and try to fashion meaning from new impulses and sources. However, I must assure that this is not just cliché but is really from the experience domain and more importantly by Divine inspiration.
We have twelve hours to govern day and twelve hours govern the night. Twenty four elders bow down before the throne of Almighty God; the one who is and is to come.
There are twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) which became the twelve tribes and represent a critical part of the order of God in the Old Testament.
We have twelve Apostles, who represent the governmental order of God in the New Testament.
The Lord Jesus chose twelve men to change the world! These were the men upon whom the foundation of the Church was laid – in Christ!
We also see that the betrayal of Judas Iscariot caused the reduction in the number of Apostles from twelve to eleven men. These eleven men were told to wait to receive the promise of the Holy Spirit in order to carry out their function. The apostles saw the ascension of the Lord but we note that it was only until after a replacement (Matthias) was made for the late Judas Iscariot, that the Holy Spirit finally came. As they were all gathered together on the day of Pentecost, SUDDENLY, the Holy Spirit came and the early church was energized to go forth!
Ordered chaos
For sure times and seasons matter to the purposes of God and we also see that there is nothing complete or ordered about 11 (except that it is a prime number). Chaos results whenever order is disrupted either though the removal or introduction of a new element from an ordered set. Yet we see order restored whenever an element is introduced to an unordered set to bring about completion.
We can say that Order precedes blessing and disorder precedes chaos!
What is also amazing is that it seems God leverages the state-change from disorder to order in order to bring about blessings. Think about this!
The betrayal of Christ caused a planned deviation! It was crucial that the Son of God be betrayed, handed over as a lamb to be slaughtered in order to release the faithfulness of God. He was to be released to go through transformation that will allow Him to enter a new state.
Prophetic Word
In 2012 we are coming out of transition will wait a little and then come to a SUDDEN release of the blessings of God – This release will provoke another transition, which will carry forth the plans of God and take believers from one level of Glory to another!
I perceive the Holy Spirit is saying that we should expect a mighty rushing wind in 2012!!!
Transition
We also see that it takes transition to move from disorder (unordered state) to order. Now, the activity of transition causes things to shift, contradictions occur, scales are tipped, resulting in sometimes severe testing and trials.
The Nation of Israel went through transition from being released from slavery to entering the Promised Land! God, who foresaw the contradictions, took them through the longer route of the Red Sea by Mt. Sinai instead of simply through the land of the Philistines. Exodus 13:17-18
Through the experience of the Israelites we learnt the results of disobedience and obedience. The disobedient ones perished in the desert and did not make it to the Promised Land. We have to learn from this is realize that we too are allowed to go through transition but must be obedient, patiently endure the hardships and pass the tests as we move through to the next level God is bring us to.
There can be no inertia only action as we move through the transition zone. In practical terms, only active obedient and consistent faith can carry us through.
The force (propulsion)
God delivered the Israelites out of Egypt with a mighty hand! It took the sacrifice of the first born Egyptians to bring about their release from slavery!
God delivered all of humanity with a mighty hand! It took the death of His only eternal Son to deliver us from eternal death and give us eternal life. The church was released into mission with the powerful release of the Holy Spirit!
Yes, it takes much power to bring about a miracle. God has determined that those who would be beneficiaries only have to respond in faith and obedience (as the necessary corresponding actions) to tunnel through to the place of blessing.
God does the heavy lifting; all we have to do is receive in obedient faith. Zech. 4:6.
Key items for 2012
- Expect God to propel you through a major miracle in 2012
- Do not run on “E” in 2012! Avoid areas of chaos (disobedience, misalignment etc.) as this will stall you and prevent you from coming through transition successfully. Don’t rely on physical calibrations. Don’t procrastinate. Psalm 119:60
- Put God First! After God brings order, the first thing is to give Him the first of everything. See Exodus 12:50-13:3, 13:11-16, Proverbs 3:5-10, Matt 6:33
- Keep sowing (investing). God will have you prepare jars of Oil that will allow you to become debt free and walk in increase in all your ways.
- Make plans to grow spiritually in 2012. Things are changing rapidly. Don’t wait until you can no longer respond effectively to spiritual things. Use your faith or lose it!
Lord we pray against spiritual lethargy that we will have the desire and thrust to push through to our Promised Land without being weighed down by the struggles of the prior year(s).
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