As we move into 2002, what is God’s time line?

At the birth of Jesus the angels announced "Peace (end of strife and confusion) on earth good will (free will) TOWARD men." We have been in a period called TOWARD ever since. This period is an "intermediate between." It is the time between the announcement and the fulfillment of this word.

We have been moving toward redemption and it will require major change. We are moving toward the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ. We are moving toward the gospel of the kingdom being preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations. We are moving toward the fulfillment of the manifesto of the Kingdom, the beatitudes becoming a reality. We are moving toward doing greater (large and more) works than Jesus did. We are moving toward the day of His power. We are moving toward the beginning of sorrows and the great tribulation. We are moving toward the fullness of all things and the return of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

Where are we in this time period called "toward?"

Ephesians 1:10 says, "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." The Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible Lexical Aids to the New Testament defines "dispensation" as "the divine purpose which is said to be administered. The meaning is the administration of God’s saving purpose pertaining to the fullness of times." Webster’s defines dispensation – "something dispensed or distributed, a general state of ordering of things." We have moved into an epoch of time that has thrust us into the finishing of all things, when time shall be no more (Rev. 10:6).

The Bible has many things recorded that are yet to be fulfilled. Let’s look at a few of the "fulfilled" and "untils" in order to have a better understanding of what is expected of "The Church," which is the vehicle God has chosen to bring fulfillment of these things.

In Mark 13:4 the disciples asked Jesus a question about the signs of the end of all things, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?" Jesus answered them saying many things will take place and that "these are the beginning of sorrows." In Mark 13:23 Jesus warned that this would be a time when Christians would be betrayed, persecuted, and hated by all men FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE. It is time to love not our lives unto the death. We, as Americans, have been a selfish bunch. We often have asked what can Jesus do for me and have failed so many times to ask what we can do for HIM. Throughout the Word it says those that proclaim to know Him do all things for HIS name’s sake, for the sake of the KINGDOM, and the sake of the GOSPEL. It is time to die to self so a great harvest can come forth rather than abiding alone. God, forgive us for our selfishness and give us another chance to live for YOUR NAME’S SAKE.

Luke 21:22 & 24 says, "For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." The times of the Gentiles are coming to an end. Zechariah 1:21 records the scattering of Judah, but God is gathering them, and sending the carpenters to frighten those who have scattered. It’s time to lift up your head as recorded here in Zechariah and also Luke 21:28 which says when you see these things beginning to happen, lift up your head for your redemption draws nigh.

Romans 11:25 says, "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." This blindness that is on the Jew is for the sake of the Gentiles until the full number of Gentiles comes in. God, help us to be ready to do the greater works you said we would do for the SAKE of the GOSPEL. "Verily I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12)

In John 17:4 we find Jesus talking to the Father saying, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gave me to do." Jesus finished the work given him by the Father to do and He is now at the right hand of the Father. This is the reason we will do greater – more – as we have been given more time to complete the works. Now it is time for us to take on this finishing anointing and finish the work. Hebrews 4 tells us that the works were finished from the foundation of the world and if we can hear his voice TODAY, we can cease from our own labors – move into HIS rest and complete the works that have already been finished. Oh hallelujah, we only have to hear His voice, step into the work He has asked us to do – It is finished!

"Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?" (Rom. 11:12) This verse is speaking of Israel and the Jews. There is a fullness of the Jews and Israel that God will complete, but we need to cooperate with the Spirit of the Lord and cry out for mercy upon the Jews as is recorded in vs. 31 of this chapter.

"For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." (Isaiah 62:1) Oh God, help us to enter into intercession with you to see Israel come into her prophetic destiny of being a light to the nations.

"Behold your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Luke 13:35)

"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power." (2 Thes. 1:11) There is a day of power coming on the church in which we will become a demonstration of His Spirit and His Power.

"The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Psalms 24:1)

It is time to call forth the fullness of the earth for the Gospel’s Sake. God has placed wealth in the earth (literally the ground) of each nation that will fund the gospel in that nation. It is time to declare, decree and bring it forth. God, help us to work for the night is coming when no man can work.

"And one cried unto another, and said Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6:3) Lord, help us to bring your glory over all the earth.

"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11:9) Father, may this knowledge be established in the whole universe. Although knowledge has increased, the knowledge of the Lord is what needs to increase.

FULNESS OF THE GODHEAD

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" (Eph. 4:13)

"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;" (Col. 1:19)

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Col. 2:9)

Get it! In Him dwelt all the Godhead and we are to come into this same fullness.

"Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." (Daniel 7:22)

"And he 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 they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." (Daniel 7:25)

There is much concerning end time things which will take place, but we are in the beginning of sorrows which is a part of this period called toward that must be accomplished first. This scripture makes it sound like we lose, but wait a minute – verse 22 promised the establishment of the Kingdom of God forever and ever.

"And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you." (Joel 2:24-25)

"Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, get down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great." (Joel 3:13)

"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers. Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." (Mt 13:30)

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." (James 5:7)

"For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God ... For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now." (Rom. 8:19 & 22)

"Until I make thy foes thy footstool" (Acts 2:35)

Hebrews 1:13 says, "But to which of the angels said he at any time. Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." This is one of the works the Church has been commissioned to do, so God help us to understand the power and authority put in our hands.

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matt. 11:12)

"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints." (Rev. 5:8) WHEN THE PRAYERS ARE FULL THEN JESUS LOOSES THE SEALS.

Revelation 6:11 says, "And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." There is a full number of martyrs to be filled up. God give us the discernment to know how to pray in these times whether to pray for deliverance or to pray for your grace and mercy to be poured out on those being martyred for YOUR NAME’S SAKE.

Isaiah 61:1-3 proclaims we are anointed to give the oil of joy to those who mourn in Zion so that God will be glorified! "And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 35:10) Joy must be ours in order to have the strength to finish the course.

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Ps. 16:11)

"Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance." (Acts 2:28)

What an exciting time to be alive and be allowed to work with the Spirit of the Lord to bring these things into their fullness. May the favor and blessing of the Lord be your portion during 2002! And may He watch over you.