BORN FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

By Martha Lucia

January 2003

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE TIME IS?

Ecclesiastes 3:2 says, "there is a time to be born and a time to die." We were born for such a time as this! We could have been born any time in history, but we were born for NOW for God’s divine purposes.

Isaac and Moses are two examples of men who were born at God’s appointed time to bring about His divine purposes.

Isaac was born to Sarah and Abraham at the appointed time (Gen. 21:2-5) for a specific purpose, which is revealed in Gen. 21:12, "For in Isaac shall thy SEED (offspring, lineage, progeny) be called (to proclaim, pronounce, preach, summon, an army)." Through the lineage of Abraham to Isaac and then to Jacob, the holy nation of Israel was birthed. From that day God had planned a holy nation that would one day include those from every tongue, tribe and nation.

Moses was born to fulfill the word God spoke to Abraham, "And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;" (Gen 15:13). God sent Moses, when he was about 80 years old, to fulfill this word 430 years later (Ex 12:40-41). Come on Moses let’s go do what you were BORN to do.

There are many other Biblical examples, like Esther, Samuel and John the Baptist, who were born at appointed times in history, but Isaiah prophesied about the generation that would set the course for the world to follow until the end of time.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, the prince of peace. Of the increase of his government (to prevail, have power) 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 for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:6-7)

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, and the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. "For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the gentiles seek: and his REST shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:1-2 & 9-10)

Jesus was born at the appointed time in history to fulfill the prophetic word of the Lord. The very seed of God, the Word made flesh, from the root of Jesse. He was born to sit on the throne of David forever and to bring forth a Godly seed - the SONS OF GOD who are born at set times for "such a time as this."

What seed were you born after? The Word says that the seed brings forth after its own kind. We are either of the seed of God or the seed of Satan.

SONS OF GOD

In John 1:10-14 we see a picture of those who have received Jesus and believed in Him and were given the power to become sons of God.

As God’s chosen people we are from the righteous imperishable seed and are the sons of God.

"Being born again (becoming something new), not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." (1 Peter 1:23)

"If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." (1 John 2:29)

"Beloved, NOW are we the sons of God." (1 John 3:2)

"Love one another for love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God (because the seed is in us)." (1 John 4:7)

"Our love is made perfect (complete, accomplished) that we may have boldness in the day of judgment (to pass sentence) because AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD." (1 John 4:17)

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." (Gal 4:4-6)

The mature sons of God, the Church walking in the fullness of Him, without spot or wrinkle, is the greatest weapon against the kingdom of darkness and is the mystery spoken of in Ephesians 5. It is time for the manifold wisdom of God to be made known to the principalities and powers – by the Church, the Sons of God (Eph. 3). It is time for unprecedented revival of HIS WORKS in our midst. It is time for the greater works that Jesus said we would do to be manifest. If we are the SONS of GOD, we are to be a demonstration of the Spirit and power of God (1 Cor 2:4).

As Sons of God we have the privilege of executing the judgments written in the Word of God as is proclaimed in Psalm 149:5-9:

How do we do this? The written word of God is full of judgments as it is the verdict rendered that we have the privilege of executing against powers, principalities, wicked spirits in high places, and rulers of darkness. God help us to know your Word and your timing in order to execute the judgment written.

Knowing the times and the seasons are key to the advancement of the kingdom. God has an appointed time – a time line. If we aren’t in sync with His timeline, then we are stalemated and we will never see the verdict rendered against Satan’s kingdom. We have moved into what the Word calls the "fullness of times" as is described in Ephesians 1:4-10. (Refer to the newsletter, "Period Called Toward" at www.watchmannetwork.org for more explanation of the fullness of times.) In all wisdom and insight, God has made known to us the mystery of His will to bring about the fullness of times. "THAT in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on the earth even in him." (Eph. 1:10) OH HALLELUJAH! Heaven and earth will become one just as Jesus prayed.

GOD’S TIMELINE

Daniel is a book that shows God’s timeline and can help us understand the times and seasons we are in. This timeline is shown through the different empires that would rule the world and were revealed to Daniel through dreams and visions. Interestingly, Daniel very clearly stated where he was when he had the visions. The book starts with Daniel in Babylon, which is now IRAQ, then moves to Shushan in the province of Elam, which is now IRAN (Dan. 8:2) and finally shifts to beside the great Tigris River which is modern day IRAQ (Dan 10:4). Is there a significance that he was in these nations when he was given the interpretations of the visions?

In Daniel 2 we find that King Nebuchadnezzar had a very troubling dream, in fact it was a night mare as it revealed the fall of his kingdom. He commanded the Chaldeans to make the dream and interpretation known to him saying, "If you will not make known to me the dream, there is but one sentence for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, [hoping to delay your execution] until the time is changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can tell me the interpretation of it." (Dan. 2:9, Amp.) They were unable to answer - the enchanters, sorcerers, fortunetellers, witches, psychics, couldn’t interpret the times and seasons, nor dreams and visions just as they can’t today. In the days of Daniel, God was saying it is a time for a change of kingdoms and He is saying the same today. HE positioned Daniel to expose the false and show forth the true and gave him the boldness to speak forth all that was revealed to him. Daniel knew that only the God of heaven could reveal the mystery and blessed God saying, "He changes the times and the seasons: He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding (Dan. 2:21). There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what it is that shall be in the latter days (at the end of days) (Dan. 2:28)". HE does nothing without revealing it to HIS servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). WOW – NOTHING!

God showed Daniel the image of the four different gentile empires (the Babylon empire under Nebuchadnezzar (gold), the Medo-Persian empire (silver), Greece under Alexander the Great (bronze), and the Roman empire (iron)) that would rule the earth. The fifth kingdom he was shown, the feet and toes made part of iron and part of clay, was divided. Part iron and part clay could mean that part of the feet is made of the last empire, the one made of iron – the Roman Empire or European nations, and the clay is another empire.

The first four empires took us to the time of Christ, but HIS clock for human government seemed to stop there. The clock will start again with Daniel’s 70th week at which time the government represented by the feet and toes will be in existence.

It appears so far that the earth and world is doomed to be dominated by these earthly kingdoms. BUT JESUS - the kingdom of God is advancing, increasing, and filling the whole earth. In Daniel 2:34-35 a stone was cut out without hands (supernaturally), which stuck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them and the stone became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Hallelujah!

Daniel continued to interpret the dream in Daniel 2:42-44 (Amp.);

"And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of [burned, potter’s] clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle and broken. And as you saw the iron mixed with miry and earthenware clay, so they shall mingle themselves in the seed of men [in marriage bonds]; but they will not hold together [for two such elements or ideologies can never harmonize], even as iron does not mingle with clay. And in the days of these [final ten] kings shall the God of heaven, set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people; but it shall break and crush and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever."

The European Union, which is made up of nations mostly from the Roman empire (iron) and is also a symbol of "mystery Babylon" (in the EU buildings and at the entrance are pictures and statues of a woman riding a beast), will try to make covenant with the Islamic empire, but it will not hold together. Execute the judgment written!!!!

"Forasmuch as you saw the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands – and it broke in pieces the iron, brass, clay, silver and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter; and the dream is certain and the interpretation thereof sure (trust-worthy)." (Daniel 2:45) Jesus will sovereignly rule over all the kingdoms of this world – putting an end to all forms of human government. Hallelujah! Execute the judgments written.

In King Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream he saw a tree that was strong and had grown to the height of heaven. At first it provided food and refuge for all. Then a watcher from heaven was sent to cut the tree down and the living creatures would flee from it. Only the stump would remain, which was bound with a band of iron and bronze and left to gain the nature and understanding of a beast. "This sentence is by the decree of the heavenly watchers and the decision is by the word of the holy ones (one meaning is saints), to the intent that the living may know that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whomever He will and sets over it the humblest and lowliest of men." (Dan 4:17) Execute the judgment written.

In Daniel 7 we find Daniel’s night vision about the four great beasts, the ten horns symbolizing 10 kings, and another horn that rose up to destroy three of the ten kingdoms. As he considered the horns he saw:

"The little horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things. I kept looking until thrones were placed [for the assessors with the Judge], and the Ancient of days [God, the eternal Father] took His seat. I looked (Daniel was seeing all the way to the end of days) because of the sound of the great words which the horn was speaking, I watched until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and burned with fire. And as for the rest of the beasts, their power of dominion was taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. I saw in the night visions and behold, on the clouds of the heavens came One like a Son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And there was given Him dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom is one which shall not be destroyed." (Dan. 7:8b, 9a, 11-14 Amp)

"Dominion" means: empire, to dominate, govern, have rule, have and give power, have mastery, a shield as protection. This is our God!

Part of the interpretation of the dream was given to Daniel in Daniel 7:17-18 (Amp): "These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High [God] shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever, and ever." As the interpretation continued we find that the little horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them (Dan. 7:21, Rev. 13:7-9). The little horn would prevail "UNTIL the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High [God], and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom." (Dan.7:22) Who is doing the receiving and possessing? Saints of God, execute the judgments written - stir your faith, read Romans 8:17, 1 Pet 2:9, Rev. 3:21.

The Little Horn

Today in history, the four kingdoms in Daniel’s vision have already been and fallen. We are now in the time of the little horn or rapidly approaching it. The visions of ten horns (Dan. 7) and the ten toes (Dan. 2) probably portray the end of Gentile world power (though some would disagree). We need to realize the kingdom of God has been given to us (the saints) and we need to receive and possess it!!!!! To possess means to drive out the previous occupants and hold in occupancy. Execute the judgments written, let us rise up to possess and occupy the kingdoms!!!!

The little horn will work diligently to destroy the saints, but God has already declared His verdict against the little horn and the way He desires to execute it. "And he (the little horn) shall speak great words against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws: and the saints shall be given into his hands for time, times and half time. But the judgment shall be set and they (saints) shall take away his dominion to consume it [gradually] and to destroy it [suddenly] in the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heavens shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions shall serve and obey Him. Here is the end of the matter!! (Dan. 7:25-28b) Execute the judgments written.

In the days ahead (or perhaps already upon us) there will be time, time, and half time as described in Daniel 7:22-27, Daniel 12:1-7, and Rev. 12:14. Although we may not completely understand all the meanings, the Word clearly says it will be a time when the enemy will speak against God; he will attempt to wear down the saints; he will try to change the times and the laws; and scatter the power of the holy people. All his efforts are an attempt to prolong his time on earth. We must be prepared to stand and over come by the blood of the lamb, the word of our testimony, and love not our life unto death in order to thwart his plans. This is a time for the wise (watchmen) to shine and turn many to righteousness (Daniel 12:3) and a time to find the place in the wilderness that has been prepared where we will be nourished (Rev. 12:14). God has already declared the end from the beginning and has plans and places prepared for His Body as He continues preparing His Bride.

Daniel 8 took place in modern day Iran and in it Daniel had a vision of the two-horned ram, the he-goat, the four horns, and the great horn. The meaning of the vision was revealed by Gabriel in Daniel 8:20-26. Daniel wondered about the vision and learned by reading the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah that seventy years had to pass before the desolation that was pronounced against Jerusalem would end. Daniel knew the seventy years had passed and began to confess and ask forgiveness for the sin, wickedness, and disobedience of the Israelites. As Daniel continued to pray, Gabriel came to give instruction and bring further understanding (Dan 9:24-26): "Seventy weeks are decreed upon your people and upon Jerusalem, - to make an end of sins, to finish the transgression – to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the vision and prophecy and to anoint the most Holy. Know that 69 weeks will pass, but Jerusalem will be built again even in troublous times. And after 62 weeks the Messiah will be killed and the prince (Rome) shall destroy the sanctuary and the city----and even to the END there shall be war and desolations are decreed."

The following is from a footnote in the Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible:

"In all probability the sixty-nine weeks began with the decree that was issued to Nehemiah in 445-444 B.C. and ended 483 years later on Palm Sunday. Then there is a gap in Daniel’s prophecy. This occurs because over thirty years elapsed between the crucifixion of Christ and the destruction of Jerusalem. All this follows the first sixty-nine weeks. As long as God is gathering the Church out of the world, this seventieth week remains future. Once the "times of the Gentiles" (Lu 21:24) are complete, the clock of God’s judgment will count off the last remaining week." See Isa 53:7-9, Nah 1:8 and Mt. 24:6-14.

At the end of September 2001 it was prophesied over the temple mount in Jerusalem that the times of the Gentiles was coming to an end, which is also tied to the fullness of times.

In Sept. 2001 the Jewish year 5762 began, which means 7 years of wars. "And he (other prince) shall enter into a strong and firm covenant with the many for one week [seven years], and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and offering to cease [for the remaining three and one-half years]; and upon the wing or pinnacle of abominations [shall come] one who makes desolate until the full determined end is poured out on the desolator (little horn)." (Dan. 9:27, Amp.)

Who or what is the little horn that is spoken of here? In Daniel, it represents the ten toes of the statue, the final empire made part of clay and part of iron. I believe the Holy Spirit revealed to me that the little horn is the Empire of Islam!!!! I believe that just as the toes of part iron and part clay will not mix together, there is a league of nations under the umbrella of the United Nations that will try to align with the Empire of Islam, but they will not mix even as clay and iron do not mix. There has never been a more sinister, heinous, Anti-Christ system in existence. We must know our enemy and how he works. This system takes kingdoms word by word, letter by letter, inch by inch, using a democratic process to destroy democracy. These events will pave the way for the Anti-Christ.

In the first 3 1/2 years of the seven-year period the little horn will have power over God’s people. In the last 3 1/2 years the saints of God will execute the judgments written and the full end determined is poured out. I do not have a schedule or chart of exactly when or how all this will happen, but we can know the times and seasons of God. Get ready saints of God – don’t get weary – don’t get worn out – execute the judgment written!

Daniel 10 took place in Iraq and identifies the evil ruler over the territory as being the prince of Persia and prince of Greece. Each ruling empire had an evil prince who was ruling through the king or ruler of these empires.

In Daniel 11:36 the timeline moves from the type to the anti-type, from the little horn to the anti-Christ. This is a foreshadowing of what the anti-Christ will commit against Israel and speaks of the ancient Medo-Persian Empire, which is modern day Iran, and the ancient Grecian Empire, modern day Syria. (See also 2 Thes 2:3-12, 1 Jn 4:3, 2 Jn 7, and Rev. 13:5-8.) Daniel 12 describes the times of the anti-Christ as the time of distress, which is known as the Great Tribulation, and the last 3 1/2 years of time, time and half time.

The Kingdom of God is Advancing

The mysteries are beginning to be sounded that were spoken of in Revelation 10:7-11. Prophets are prophesying fresh prophecies to nations, words that have never been written or heard by anyone except John the revelator. Watchmen are pronouncing the lamentations, mourning, and woes contained in the book that John had to eat.

Jesus will reign as is recorded in Luke 1:32-33: "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

We, the sons of God, have a mandate that must be carried out which is written in Psalm 115:16: "The heavens are the Lord’s, but the earth has He given to the children of men." All creation is crying out for this manifestation.

Paul wrote in 1 Cor 15:24-26: "Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the Father when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet." This is the job of the saints!

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. "I am alive forever more, and I hold the keys of death and hell." (Rev 1:18) Hallelujah! Execute the judgment written. Oh death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory? (1 Cor. 15:55)

The angel Gabriel told Daniel the meaning of what he had seen, but we have the Holy Spirit living in us, who will guide us into all truth (John 16). He will announce and declare to us the things that are to come. Jesus said, "Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He will take the things that are Mine and reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) them to you." (John 16:15, Amp.) "My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My name [presenting all that I AM] (John 16:23b, Amp.) "Now ask and keep on asking and you will receive." (John 16:24b) "I have told you these things so that in Me you might have peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it [for you]." (John 16:33, Amp.). Hallelujah! Execute the judgment written.

As we labor as heirs of this great salvation, angels will be sent to minister and co-labor with us in the harvest. John 16:11 says, the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned and the sentence already is passed upon him. Hallelujah! Execute the judgment written.

Isaiah prophesied of the day of the vengeance of the Lord (Isa. 34:8): "For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance (revenge) and the year of recompenses (reward) for the controversy (contest) of Zion." We are about to be rewarded for the contest we have been in with the deceiver since the garden. The Lord is clothed in garments of war: "For the Lord put on righteousness as a breastplate, and salvation as a helmet upon his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing and was clad with zeal (and furious divine jealousy) as a cloak." (Isa 59:17). We must take on the same garment and cloak Jesus wore and execute the judgments written so we can accomplish the end spoken of in Rev. 11:15, "The seventh angel then blew his trumpet and there were mighty voices in heaven, shouting. The dominion [kingdom, sovereignty, rule] of the world has now come into the possession and become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, the Messiah, and He shall reign forever and ever."

By what right do we execute judgment written? By the Blood of the New Covenant

Where are we seated? With Jesus in heavenly places – far above principalities, powers, wicked spirits in high places and rulers of the darkness.

Who holds the keys of death and hell? - Jesus

What time is it? Times of fullness

Who are we? - Sons of God - Saints of God

Whose seed are we? Jesus

What is our occupation? Causing the kingdoms of the world to become the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ.

As we learn more about the times in which we are living, we must know the God we serve. It will require us all to make a radical decision to serve Him no matter what the future holds. There will be many crashes of business, finance, and nations as we see these things take place. We must not let fear have place in us that would allow our faith to shipwreck. There is only one place of safety – in the shadow of His wings, resting in Him. There remains to the people of God a rest. This year in the Hebrew calendar is a Sabbath day year.

What were we born for? WAR – VICTORY – OVERCOMING – WHATSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD OVER COMES THE WORLD – FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!