APOSTOLIC TIMES (Part One)by Jonas Clark
We have been hearing from prophets that the apostles are coming and I believe that the apostolic reforming spirit of God has already arrived. The Word of God teaches us of a restoration of all things before the return of the Lord. Scripture declares of Jesus, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). Holy prophets are still speaking of that restoration today. Many things are being restored in this hour and the restoration of apostolic ministry, churches and believers is a major part of the fulfillment of that reconstruction.
The Holy Spirit is giving us little bits of prophetic insight into this restoration of the apostolic spirit. These writings are but a meager glimpse into the things that the Spirit of God has shown to me and others. You might ask yourself these questions regarding the restoration of all things and specifically the restoration of apostolic ministry and your involvement:
How can apostolic ministry, churches and believers be identified?
What are the strongest earmarks that set them apart from others?
Why is the restoration of apostolic ministry important today?
How do you fit in?
THE SPIRITUAL CLIMATE IN APOSTOLIC CHURCHES
As we explore these questions we will discover one of the most striking signs of apostolic believers is found in the spiritual climates of the churches they attend. The apostolic spirit is resident in apostolic believers that attend apostolic churches. When you walk in the door you immediately sense that something is different. The most amazing thing about this type of ministry is their sensitivity to the spiritual climate around them. Because of the strong apostolic anointing upon the believers they aggressively contend with the hard heavens of their territories and command spiritual change.
Churches that carry an apostolic reforming spirit are churches that do more than nurture and pastor people. They know how to contend with the hard brazen heavens that hinder prayer, praise, liberty and the spiritual growth of the people. They know how to command spiritual gates to open that the King of Glory might come into their midst.
Listen and you hear a different sound among the believers in their services. Even their music is different, it’s apostolic. Apostolic music has more of a spiritual punch to it. It’s the sound of authority. Their songs are not the familiar nice mellow Christian tunes of your parent’s generation but are commanding, decreeing and proclaiming. They are songs that lift up and exalt Jesus while prophetically decreeing the will of the Lord for your life.
REFORMATION PRECEDES RESTORATION
So what’s going on? Why are things so different and why are we seeing so much change? It’s because we have entered new apostolic times. We are experiencing another level of the restoration of all things and the release of apostolic grace. The apostolic spirit comes from the restoration of apostolic grace.
Again, the Word of God tells us about a time of great change that will take place before the return of the Lord. We also know that times of restoration or change are always preceded by a reforming spirit (Hebrews 9:10). The word reformation is the Greek word diorthosis which means to straighten out thoroughly and to restore to a natural and normal condition. So we learn that you cannot enter the times of restoration without the times of reformation. This is why the Holy Spirit is pouring out a reforming apostolic grace on the body of Christ. Reformation always precedes restoration. The vehicle for this restoration of all things will be the reforming anointing on the apostolic church. So let’s introduce a few characteristics of this new apostolic Church.
APOSTOLIC CHURCHES AND BELIEVERS
Reforming churches are governing churches. By that I mean that they are very confrontational in the realm of the spirit. They understand their authority and carry a high-level spiritual boldness. They confront and tear down religious idolatry, unproductive religious form and vain religious traditions. They give identity to those who were rejected in other churches because of what they carried spiritually. They are highly committed and dedicated to advancing the cause of Christ throughout the world. They don’t ignore but rather attack the giants in the land, the giants of:
Religion
Divination
Witchcraft
Racism
Anti-Christ spirits
Jezebel
Secular Humanism
And foreign gods.
Reforming believers and churches build their lives and ministries on Spirit-life living rather than dead social religious programs. They are the “working believers and churches” with bold pursuing spirits that carry and impart spiritual strength to others (Ezekiel `:24, 43:2). Apostolic believers and churches have fervent, even militant prayer lives because they believe that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man maketh much of God’s power available (James 5:16).
Reforming believers carry spiritual authority and aren’t afraid to use it. They have a vision for reaching all nations for Christ, taking dominion and ministering with fresh prophetic insight. They have an orderly divine flow and command dormant gifts to stir and come alive! Apostolic believers know the Word of God and the ways of God. Reforming believers and churches:
Build
Guide
Govern
Establish
Attack hard heavens
Carry spiritual liberty
Impart spiritual gifts
Set the order of things
Father sons and daughters
Mature the saints
Set the pace
Influence
Train
Send
Hear
See
Say
And do.
We have entered apostolic times and stand on the cutting-edge of the restoration of the apostolic reforming (diorthosis) Church. What an exciting time to be alive. The lion is about to roar out of Zion and awaken the mighty men.
THE ROAR OF ZION
“The restored apostolic Church will usher in the last great revival. This great revival will be carried on the wings of the roar of Zion. This great roar of Zion is the forerunning to the most prominent outpouring of the Holy Spirit since the book of Acts. It will be the bench-mark to the greatest awakening toward God and will eclipse anything that we have ever seen in Church history.”
NEW SOUNDS FOR A NEW DAY
We are beginning to hear, see and experience outbreaks of this roar of Zion heard in the sound of prayer in churches throughout the nations. One of the greatest indications of the restoration of the new apostolic reforming Church is the sound of prayer and praise when you enter their presence. This new sound of apostolic prayer is distinct. What is it? It’s the roar of Zion. They have lifted up their voice, not only in an increasing level of sound, but in the fervor of apostolic and spiritual authority.
Strong prayer and praise is an indication of the presence of apostolic grace, strength and authority. What you are hearing is strength in prayer and fervency in praise. This type of spiritual climate results in a spiritual liberty that the Spirit of God loves to flow in. You will also experience a spiritual militant aggression that is high level in effectiveness. The Word declares that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). How much more so for fervent believers, the forerunners and carriers of revival and reformation?
The Word says that God will present to Himself a glorious Church (Ephesians 5:27). Can there be a glorious Church without prayer? Can there be a glorious Church without strength, praise and liberty? The answer is no.
THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER
The foundational element missing in many churches today will be ushered in by this great roar of Zion, the spirit of prayer, praise and liberty. This will be one of the main earmarks of the new apostolic prophetic church that will finally free God’s people from religious bondage and mobilize them into their ministries. As apostolic grace increases, prayer will also increase.
Prayer is the dominate thing that Jesus said would identify His house. He declared, “My house shall be called the house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13). The great revivalist Charles Finney speaking about prayer said, “The Spirit in the hearts of saints is preeminently a spirit of prayer and, of course, to restrain prayer always quenches the Spirit.”
Thousands of people pray ever day, yet the spirit of prayer is the one thing that is missing. Why is the spirit of prayer missing? Because one must hunger and thirst after it. Only hunger can be satisfied. Strong apostolic payer won’t come to you, you have to pursue it. Scripture declares, “Then shall you call upon me and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13).
Spiritual liberty must be fought for with diligent fervor (Galatians 5:1). It is the spirit of prayer that will marshal in the new reforming songs that have been prophesied. These songs:
-
Have a different sound.
-
Are filled with Spirit-life.
-
Carry His presence.
-
Prepare the way for greater spiritual capacity.
-
Activate believers to move forward in faith.
It is another realm beloved and from these new songs will come a high level of apostolic strength in the people (John 14:2). The result will be the roar of Zion coming out of the new apostolic Church that will sweep the earth with God’s glory. This roar of Zion will lift up the name of Jesus as the Most High, Ruler of heaven and earth. This spirit of prayer and praise will equip, release and help manifest the sons of God. Are you ready to discover the new apostolic revolution?
ACTION EXERCISE
Here are some things that will start you on your journey entering the new apostolic revolution. First, Scripture declares “Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing” (Psalm 92:13-14). Find a good Spirit-filled Bible believing church that has a visible grace. Avoid dead lifeless religious churches at all cost. Listen for that roar of Zion in the prayer and praises of the people. Remember that you are not only going to church to worship the Lord but to be equipped to do what He has called you to do (Ephesians 4:12). Look for those that believe in the activation of spiritual authority through the ministry of the laying on of hands and impartation (Romans 1:11).
Second, start working on your prayer life. Remember that the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous maketh much spiritual power available. Make time daily to commune with the Lord but don’t forget about the importance of corporate prayer. Apostolic churches are governing churches and governing churches have corporate prayer meetings. That’s when believers get together and pray for specific things. Get involved in these corporate prayer meetings by participating in each one.
Finally, don’t forget that God has not called you to be ordinary. In fact, you are called to be a revolutionary agent of change. Let that roar of Zion come up in you.
Website: www.jonasclark.com
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