In the past 20 years, we have seen God restore the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher, but we have not seen the power of the apostolic dimension released or the prophetic voice that can still the rains of Heaven from coming. Each one of the five-fold have been stretching their wings to find out where they fit into the local Church and the Church at large.
As we have seen the past couple of years, there has been an "emphasis" on each one. They have been trying to bring a definition to their character, position and level of authority within the local Church. But God is starting to bring from the nations of the earth the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to join forces together and become one voice. Unity is the Father's cry for His leaders.
The Hand Symbolically Represents
the Five-Fold Ministry
The five-fold (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) have been like fingers stretching out for identity and validation. It is hard when we live in a world where identity is robbed from us at birth and we are taught the "American way" and not the "Kingdom way." As fingers on a hand, they must learn to balance one another out and work together in order to get the task done.
In dealing with the "hand," we must understand God's language and His interpretation of the Word. For example, in dealing with the word "death," Christ referred to it in Luke 8:40-52 as sleeping. We must understand that His language is not like our language. "His thoughts are not like our thoughts, and His ways are not like our ways" (paraphrased, see Isaiah 55:9).
In understanding the hand, we must prophetically look at the hand that appeared in the days of Daniel, writing on the wall (see Daniel 5:1-5), and understand that God is still using His hand to write on the wall of our hearts.
The hand symbolically represents the five-fold ministry: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher.
1. The Apostle is the thumb because it is the only finger that can touch all the others, therefore it establishes and brings order to the other ministries.
2. The Prophet is the index finger because he directs, points and guides the Church in the way it should go.
3. The Evangelist is the middle finger because it stands out from among the rest and reaches out to save the lost.
4. The Pastor is the ring finger because symbolically he is married to the Church.
5. The Teacher is the little finger (pinky) because it balances the rest of the hand and the Church's teachings.
The Hand is Coming into Full Restoration, Authority and Unity of Spirit Again
As we study Matthew 12:13, we notice a man with a withered hand that came to Christ to be healed on the Sabbath Day (Seventh Day). This "hand" was withered and could not reach out in its full potential to grab a hold of its destiny. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers have likewise been withered because they have tried to function alone without the care and support of the other "fingers." The Bible says, "One can put a thousand to flight, two can put ten thousand to flight" (paraphrased). It also says, "A false balance is an abomination to God" (paraphrased).
When anyone of the five-fold try to "operate" on their own, it creates a false balance on the hand. Did you know that your pinky and your thumb bring a balance to your hand? Without the function of the other one, your hand would be unbalanced! This is the time when the paralysis, arthritis and witheredness goes from the hand. The five-fold will begin to have an understanding and an appreciation of the other one.
Notice in Matthew 12:13 it says the man was healed on the Sabbath Day. As we comprehend the days of God, we must know that the Bible says, "With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." It has already been six thousand years (or six days), from Adam until now, and we are entering into the seventh day (Sabbath Day) of God. Praise God! God is healing the five-fold ministry in the seventh day!
God is Thrusting the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers into a Greater Revelation of Him
Symbolically, we now see that the hand of God (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher) is coming to full strength and power on the Sabbath Day of the Lord, which we are now entering into according to God's timetable.
In John 20:27, Christ told Thomas to "thrust your hand into My side, and be not faithless, but believing." Symbolically, Christ is calling His apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to go into the "inward part" of God to understand the deep things of the Father. The deep things of God, which represents His secrets and mysteries, are calling to the deep things of man.
As part of the five-fold, we must allow God to take us into the Holy of Holies to train and teach us how to raise up this army called the Church with love and grace. The apostles will begin to work with the prophets. The teachers will begin to work with the evangelists, and the pastors will begin to work with the apostles. This is the plan of God for His hand, so we can all work in one mind and in one accord. As Christ wrote in the sand when a woman was caught in adultery, His hand continues to write today, revealing mysteries and secrets to the Church and bringing grace to all that have fallen.
I See a Cloud the Size of a Man's Hand
1 Kings 18:44 says, "The seventh time the servant reported, 'I see a cloud the size of a man's hand is rising from the sea.'" This hand we call the five-fold is rising up from out of the sea (a people) and is moving in power, signs, wonders and miracles, but more importantly with love and integrity. Can you see it? Can you see the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers arising this hour with integrity, excellence, anointing and, most importantly, fruit to usher in the Kingdom of God?
What happens when you make a fist in anger? Your fingers come together in unity for war! Hallelujah! Psalm 144:1 says, "Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."
God is training His apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for war this hour. The prophets will prophesy the word of the Lord and the apostles will bring forth miracles that will turn this world upside down. The pastors will give us the Shepherd's heart and the evangelist will show us that "God so LOVED the world."
Look up, Church! For the Father's hand is being revealed in the heavens again and writing on the tablets of our hearts! About Jeremy Lopez: Jeremy Lopez is Founder and President of Identity Network International. Jeremy releases the glory and the anointing everywhere he goes with a manifestation of the Kingdom of God. He ministers with a revelational prophetic teaching gift that brings a freshness of the Word of the Lord to the Body of Christ. He teaches the principle that we are positioned in heavenly places and are called to minister out of that realm. He has also ministered to thousands overseas, including millionaires around the world. He has traveled to many nations including Jamaica, Indonesia, Haiti, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Bahamas. He has hosted and been a guest on several radio programs from Indonesia to New York.
Jeremy L. Lopez
Identity Network International
Email: customerservice@identitynetwork.net
Website: www.identitynetwork.net
1 comment:
We all have faults uniquely ours,
Those flaws that cause self-blame,
But God accepts us as we are And we must do the same......
By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain.
....1 Corinthians 15:10
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