I have been reading Psalm 28 and praying it for you. "To you I will cry, O Lord my Rock…Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry to you, when I lift my hands toward your Holy sanctuary…The Lord is my strength and my shield; With my song I will praise Him. The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge (or defense) of His anointed!" May this be a year that you have confidence in prayer. May you find your place in His sanctuary and boldly enter the throne room of grace. May you be filled with renewed joy. May all of the trials and discouragement of this past year and any hope deferred be gone from you. May your soul rejoice and prosper. May the work of your hands prosper. May He work in you mightily to do His will. May the gifts of God within you be released and activated. May a new anointing arise within you and favor be seen upon you. May He defend His anointed. May your shield of faith be polished and renewed.

In my last article, "The Best is Yet Ahead," I shared ten ways that we can be assured of establishing our future. In that article I correlated the relationship between NOW obedience and securing the expected end (future) that a Holy God has prepared for each of us. This produced a need to understand prophetic fulfillment. Prophecy is communicating the mind and heart of God to a person, group of people, or a territory. Prophecy is linked with the promise of God over our lives. A PROMISE is God's announcement of His plan of salvation and blessing to His people. This is the key unifying theme integrating the message and the deeds of the Old and New Testaments. A Promise Embraces Both Declaration and Deed. God's promise begins with a declaration and covers His future plan. The promise of God focuses on the gifts and deeds that God will bestow on a few to benefit the many. Notice how God made His divine declaration or assurance first to Eve, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and then to the whole nation of Israel. This promise included: (1) He would be their God, (2) they would be His people, and (3) He would dwell in their midst. Land, growth, and the call to bless the nations were part of the promise to Abraham. Added to these words of assurance were a series of divine actions in history that had to occur to bring fulfillment. These words and deeds of God began to constitute the continuously unfolding divine plan by which all the peoples and nations of the earth would benefit from that day to this. When we become believers, we are grafted into this plan. A promise is like a promissory note on which to base one's confidence for the future. To fulfill His promise is the intention of God's heart as He develops relationship with us. Therefore, when the gift of prophecy is in operation or the prophet is making declaration, the communication of God's heart is linked with the fulfillment of His promise.

The Promise of God was eternal. Once God found an individual that would agree with Him over His purpose on earth, He released a promise that included the future destiny of all generations who would agree. I call Abraham the first person of Covenant. Abraham was required to find a way to pass this promise on to his children and children's children. Abraham's descendants had to transmit the promise to subsequent generations until the final Seed, Jesus the Messiah, came to bring a fulfillment of the promise. His obedience was an opening for all mankind to enter into the fullness of the promise as it applies to our lives personally. However, we cannot just passively enter into these promises. God expects us to participate personally by faith. Where faith is present, demands and commands are likewise present. Faith is linked with the deed portion of the declaration. Therefore we find that Abraham obeyed God and left Ur (Gen.12:1-4). He walked before God in a blameless way (Gen. 17:1). His obedience to God's "requirements," "commands," "decrees," and "laws" (Gen. 26:5 NIV) was necessary. Notice that as he was tested and as he obeyed, especially in laying Isaac on the altar, God confirmed His promise to him and added the next portion to be extended into the generations.

God is sovereign. That means simply that He has ultimate rule and "say so" over the events of the universe. However, part of His sovereign design entails built in mechanisms of how mankind plays a part in the operation of the universe. In this plan are the contingencies on how the human race must respond. If we respond properly, the fulfillment of His planned order in heaven can be seen on the earth. The promise-plan of God is indeed His own Word and plan, both in His person and His works, to communicate a blessing to Israel and thereby to bless all the nations of the earth. In His plan, He has a built a way for His heart and mind to be communicated on earth. He does this by the gifts that He has bestowed on mankind and through His government. This is known as prophecy and is exercised in measure through all, but governed by some. God's Promise has our future built within. His prophetic declaration unlocks this future plan. Promises relate to what is good, desirable, and that which blesses and enriches. Prophecy, however, also may contain notes of judgment, destruction, and calamity when people and nations fail to repent. Prophecies typically are targeted more towards certain individuals, churches, events, or specific nations, cultures, and peoples. Finally, the Promise of God embraces many declarations of God ("very great and precious promises," 2 Pet. 1:4), through the generations. Therefore, when we say "yea and amen," we are saying "yes" to those who have gone before and "amen" to those to come. Promises deliberately have a continuous fulfillment for generation after generation. Prophecies invoke a generation to do their part now! Both promise and prophecy of God are linked into obedience.

These promises are linked to us individually, our families, our churches, our ministries, and the territories where we live. Therefore, this is a time where I hear the Lord saying, "I long to remember My covenant promises with you. Because I will remember, I will advance you forward into a fulfillment of what I have spoken that has been delayed." This is exciting! The first time we see this mentioned in scripture is in Genesis 8:1. This is where the Lord remembered Noah's obedience of building the ark during a time of judgment. He then responded to that obedience by sending a wind that passed over the earth, drying the land and reestablishing mankind in God's covenant plan on earth. He sent a sign in the heavens, the rainbow, signifying His love. We see God remembering Rachel, breaking a curse of barrenness and opening her womb. Perhaps one of the best examples is when the Lord remembered the Israelites when they were in Egypt. He orchestrated a change in government. That change produced an oppression of their physical lives. This oppression touched their spirits. This oppression created travail. The travail produced prayer and a cry of distress. Exodus, 2:24 says, "And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." The promises that had been lying dormant for 430 years suddenly began to stir in the heavenlies. God sent a Deliverer. God gathered His people. God made a way where there was no way. God propelled this group forward corporately toward something He had been longing to do for years. We find this pattern occurring over and over throughout Biblical history. God remembered His covenant and took a young man "from the pasture" (2 Sam. 7:8 NIV) that would be given a name equal to "the greatest men of the earth" (2 Sam. 7:9 NIV). God promised that his offspring would be seated at His "right hand" (Ps. 110:1) and inherit the nations (Ps. 2:8). That young lad was David. In spite of that Israel would have future loss in the form of kings, capital, Temple, and all the former glory, that had been obtained. God always promised to fulfill His ancient decrees by founding new promises on "the former things [foretold] long ago" (Isa. 48:3). He would send His new David, new Temple, new Elijah, new heavens and new earth but all in continuity with what He had pledged long ago!

We see manifestations of this from generation to generation. Finally, God the Father had His Son leave Glory so one covenant season could be completed and a NEW covenant season begun. This new season gave each one of us the opportunity to exchange our lives and enter covenant destiny. A new priesthood is Here! Now the Spirit of God is moving on the earth saying to the Church, "A new government is arising to enforce the plan of the Son and fulfill the purpose of the Father"! The prophet in Jer.31:31-34 declared this new covenant. The new promise still contained the law of God, only now the law became internalized. This new covenant still pledges that God will be our God and we will be His people. However, there is a declaration in the new covenant stating that He will forgive our sins and remember them no more. Also, no matter what your lot in life, you are a part, you have access to know the Lord. If this is a time that God is REMEMBERING, how do we enter in?

1. You must aspire and be motivated to say "yes" and "amen" to your promise. Acknowledge God for who He was, who He is, and who He is to come. He is near. Grab hold by faith the portion that He has for you.

2. The promise must be incorporated into the overall purpose and destiny of your life. Take that portion and focus on the place in which God has positioned you. Also, keep in mind that one driving desire that is within you as you process that promise. Let God purify your desires as He manifests His promise.

3. To become successful in purpose, we must receive prophecies that guide us into the fulfillment of our promise. Prophecy is powerful and keeps you in the NOW of God.

4. We enter our promise by utilizing our prophecies in warfare (I Tim. 1:18). If there is one step that we are deficient in, usually it is our understanding of warfare. That is why God has an army. We must develop an overcoming spirit. We must connect with others who are gifted in areas that we are not. The word of prophecy is powerful. We bind the enemy through its correct use.

5. Apostolic alignment and accountability are required for prophetic fulfillment. Authority brings your promise into unity with all the Body of Christ. You are part of an apostolic sphere or function. Without proper alignment, many promises that the Lord has willed for our generations are not manifested. Understanding authority releases faith. Faith overcomes. Remember, first apostles, then prophets (I Cor.12:28).

6. A persevering spirit is necessary for spiritual breakthrough. You must endure the "process of time." The enemy, in the form of the flesh, the world, and the devil, will attempt to stop the covenant promise of God from advancing in you. You must not resist change. Allow your spirit to be strengthened. When you can't stand, STAND!

7. Humility. Humility is misunderstood. Humility is strength and power under control and subjection. "I will dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Is. 57:15).

I believe Pentecost 2000 solidified the historic shift that we have been in over the last several years. You might want to read Exodus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 to remind yourself of how God instituted the Feasts so His covenant people would always be reminded of who He was and what He had done in the past. These Feasts were also given to remember God's great acts of salvation, deliverance and healing grace. He knew that if we would remember His power displays of the past, we would have faith to see Him move today and in the future. By participating in the prescribed Feasts (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles), Israel's worship would remain fresh, vibrant, and properly aligned with their Maker. Thank God we have been grafted into these cycles of worship.

The Feast of Pentecost occurred seven weeks from the time the first sickle was put into the standing grain of harvest. The people were required to give a "freewill offering" in proportion to the blessing that the Lord had bestowed upon them during the year. The measure that they gave, would determine the release of their blessings for the coming year. The Pentecost Wind and Breath of the Spirit blew on the first Feast of Weeks after Jesus' death and resurrection. This began a new season in the history of the Church where the Lord released His power to advance and multiply. This "Wind of Pentecost" blew away the past season of death and frustration.

The Body has transitioned from one season to another. We have actually entered into a new "chronos" season and a "kairos" opportune time. We are in this new season, but I do not believe we have gained our footing for the future. The government of the church is being restored to its next level of authority. I have written much on the "The Third Day Church Arising" since October 1996. However, I believe that in the next five months we need to understand our role in this personally before we will be able to embrace it fully corporately. We are so busy attempting to "maintain" our lives, keeping everything done, possibly we are not pulling aside to gain the revelation. Revelation establishes vision. Vision is linked with covenant favor. Covenant favor releases provision. We are more like Martha. We are distracted with much serving. The word distracted means to "drag around in circles". Just as she wanted Mary to drag around in her circle with her, we want others to pity us over our burdens. We are troubled and worried over many issues. The future frightens us. But the Lord is saying, "Pull aside, listen carefully! I have instructions that can adjust your course. I have strategies for your advancement. I have information that will cause you to grab hold of the BEST that I have for you."

We must remember how much Jesus loved Martha. He says so in John 11. However, Jesus knew that Martha had to have a jolt or she would miss what He had to reveal to her in the future. Future means "to be or to come in days, months, or years ahead; the prospective or potential condition of a person or thing; the expected end". In the King James Version of the Bible we find the term "expected end." Future is linked with expectations. Expectations are a function of desire. Desire is a function of the emotions. Therefore to really embrace what God is doing, we must be whole in our emotions. Our desires must be properly aligned with God's desires for us. "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4)". When we think of the future, most of us think of the "consummation of our salvation". Because of past theological paradigms, we are usually waiting for that one big event that will release us into heaven. We forget that our future is NOW! Once our desires are linked with His desires, the BEST God has for us can be obtained in this new season.

When Jesus did His first miracle in John 2, the principle of "The BEST is Still Ahead" was demonstrated. Remember the wedding party ran out of wine. Jesus was hesitant to reveal Himself. Nevertheless, He changed the water in the pots to wine. The host was amazed at the taste. This demonstration was a change of order. Previously the cheaper, less palatable wine was saved for last. However, the host commented that the better or best wine had been held for last. The Lord did this so His glory could be revealed. We are entering into the days where His glory is going to made manifest in new, tangible ways. This Glory will overcome our unbelief and release us into a new faith realm. By faith we will advance into the BEST! Our future secured.
 

1. To have a future we must understand our past. The best example biblically for this is the life of Daniel. Notice the pattern: Daniel uncovered the prophecy that Jeremiah had given 70 years prior. That prophecy threw Daniel into identificational repentance so that the patterns of the past would not hinder their future. Once he had prayed that his people would not have the same mind that had caused them to be unfaithful in the past, he went into spiritual warfare with a territorial spirit that was attempting to block the revelation that God had for the future of His covenant people. The Lord sent a warring angel that caused the Prince of Persia to flee. We then find revelation was released to Daniel for latter days. Once we break the cycles of sin in our past, we can gain revelation for our future.
2. To have a future, we must not be afraid of the broken places that we see around us. We also find the same people being described in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 22, we find God reminding Ezekiel the prophet of how the prophets had fallen into decay, the priests had violated God's principles, the princes had been corrupt, and the people had used all sorts of divination. However, He said that if He could find one person who could stand in the gap He could reverse the situation. Gaps are broken places that are a result of our sin. Many times we'd like to see the future released, but we must be willing to stand in the places where sin removed the secure wall around us.
3. To have a future, we must learn to stand. The key word here is stand. Stand is a military term. Paul says in Ephesians 6, when you can't stand -- STAND. When we are willing to stand in the place that God has asked us to stand, the demon forces that have been occupying that space have to flee. I love Isaiah 60:1 in the Amplified, "Arise from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you - rise to a new life! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!" We must break out of the prostrate position we have been in and take our stand. When we do that, God clothes us for the future with His favor and glory.
4. To have a future, we must be willing to build the wall that is torn down. We can't always just be spiritual. We must receive God's building strategy to rebuild what the enemy has tried to destroy. We must restore the wall. Restoration does not just get us back to the place where we were, but restoration unlocks our future.
5. To have a future, we must find our position on the wall. Nehemiah did all of the above that I have listed. But then a real key to seeing the wall built in 52 days was to position some with spears watching, and others actually doing the action of building. We must each get positioned in what we are called to do. Some are called to be watchmen, and others are called to be workers. It takes all of us positioned properly to accomplish God's purpose.
6. To have a future, we must endure the enemies accusing, taunting voice. Remember how the enemy got them distracted from building. The devil will rise up people to accuse those who are really going forth and building the Kingdom. Jealously is a key demonic force that is usually linked with a Jezebel spirit. These spirits connect together to attempt to stop what God is doing, or steal and transfer God's resources into the enemy's camp. All accusations are really targeted against the Lord. I have found that when a person really wants to accuse the Lord they find one of His ambassadors on the earth to accuse. In Ezra we see a clear pattern of accusation stopping the building process. In rebuilding the temple the enemies first attempted to infiltrate, deceive and sabotage the building plans. After this failed, they resorted to discouragement and instilling fear in the people. When this also failed to stop the building process, they resorted to accusation. This halted the building process for almost 14 years.
7. To have a future, we must have an intimate relationship with the Lord that allows Him to communicate fresh strategies for victory. We find a good example of this when we look at the life of David. In 2 Samuel 5, David initially defeats the Philistines. The Philistines regroup and came against him once again. The Lord told David to listen for the wind in the mulberry trees and then attack by not pursuing, but coming around from behind. This was a different strategy then what had been used in the previous battle. You can't win today's and tomorrow's battles with yesterdays revelation. If David had used the same method in his new battle that had previously been given him, he would have been defeated.
8. To have a future, we must honor those that have gone before us. Honor is key. I want to recommend Fawn Parish's book, Honor, to you. So many people never honor those that have paved the way for them to be positioned where they are presently. If you do not do that, eventually darkness will overtake you. I believe this is why an Absalom spirit works in the Body.
9. To have a future, we must accept and have faith in the generation that is following us. When the Lord is talking about future or expected end, He always says to tell the next generation what is to come (Deut 6:20, Joshua 4:6, 21). Therefore, we must have faith that those who are following us are able to carry the standard and mantle of God into the next season.
10. To have a future, we must have a testimony that will endure and overcome. Your testimony is part of the overcoming strength of God on earth. Not only do we have to stand, but we also have to testify to the goodness of God. To testify we must endure.

"Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may love and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. And you shall remember that the Lord your God led all these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not." (Duet 8:1,2). This was the charge the Lord gave His people when the time had come for them to go in and occupy the promise He had given 470 years prior to Abraham. In every new, historical season in church history, the Lord renews His vision, call and purpose to His Body. We are just maturing in that season of God. Therefore, He is saying the time has come for My people to enter into the promises I have released in the past season in their territories. These are promises that were never brought to completion by the previous generations. We find scriptural precedent signifying that at every time of historical change and "entering in" the Lord does the following:

1. Releases new authority.
2. Commissions new leadership.
3. Causes a people to desire a new level of His Holiness.
4. Communicates new strategies for victory.
5. Transfers the power to gain wealth for His covenant Kingdom purposes to be established.

The Transference of Wealth. In Deuteronomy 8:18 we find: "And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers." He spoke this to them as He prepared a people to get ready to go into the land He promised. He knew they would be in spiritual war with the god of Mammon. When you study Canaanite history, you find that the ruling god of the Canaanites was Mammon. You also find the Lord waited 470 years for a corporate people that could go into the covenant boundaries that He had established with Abraham and unlock all the inheritance within those boundaries. Now here is a generation that He is releasing to appropriate all the promises He had spoken. The assignment or mission that Joshua and the tribes of Israel had to accomplish was transference of the wealth from all of the inhabitants of that region into God's covenant, Kingdom plan. Therefore, the god of Mammon had to be defeated and the wealth held by its false worship transferred.

What is the wealth? There are several ways to look at wealth in the Bible. However, the Lord tells us in Deuteronomy 8:18, "… it is He who gives you power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant that He swore to your fathers …." Power means vigor, strength, force, or capacity -- whether physical, mental or spiritual. Wealth means material substance, strength, and the spoils of war necessary to accomplish God's plan on earth. The Bible has two basic attitudes to wealth. Wealth is acknowledged to be a blessing from God. All the patriarchs became very wealthy. Solomon's wealth was seen as God's favor. Job had wealth, lost it, and then regained a double portion. Jesus also admonished us to multiply whatever we have (Luke 19). However, He did warn us that the pursuit of riches and pleasure could keep our faith from maturing. Jesus viewed money or wealth as a spiritual power (Matt. 6:24), therefore warning us not to let it become a rival with God. The issue of wealth should only be for the advancement of God's Kingdom. With one of the greatest spiritual Harvests ever witnessed by a generation on earth approaching, we need to begin seeing a transfer of wealth just as we read about in the book of Joshua. This is a season in history where wealth needs to be channeled into ministries that serve people and spread the Gospel.

How do we move forward in the Harvest? I really believe there are three main issues: apostolic authority, apostolic people, and strategic intimate prophetic intercession. Joshua and God's covenant people had to gain daily strategy over how to advance and "possess" God's promised inheritance to Abraham. In other words, if they were going up against a city or people, they had to get their instructions from the Lord over how to take the spoils of war. This is a type and principle of harvest. Within every field on earth, there is a harvest. When you study harvest in the Bible, you find that there was a short window of opportunity to gather the crops of the field. I believe we are entering into that window of opportunity and must begin to pray accordingly. When there is a people that understand God's apostolic authority and gifting and know how to advance in strategic warfare with revelation they can unlock the Harvest fields that are held by the enemy. The word apostle means, "One sent to accomplish a mission." I believe this is our mission this hour.

This trip was the most focused intercessory journey I have ever been on that would deal with the transference and an understanding of wealth, and how to move forward in harvest. The Lord had a clear direction and line for us to follow. We visited the following cities: Chicago, Frankfurt, London, Berlin, Warsaw, Zurich, Singapore, Los Angeles, Denver and Colorado Springs. In each city we would meet with leaders, pray, give gifts, and then go to key places within those cities to make declarations linked with the above prayer focus. I cannot begin to even tell you what went on in every city. But I will recap a few items to give you an idea of how directed we were in our travel and focus. For example, concerning the issue of Jewish wealth stolen during the Holocaust the Lord led the team in the following way. We first went to Berlin where the government that orchestrated these horrible years existed. Next we went to Warsaw where much of the wealth was taken from the Jews. We were taken to an actual room where this occurred. We were then led to the place where the wealth was categorized. From here we flew on to Switzerland where much of the wealth was stored. You can imagine the intercession this led us into. Immediate answers to prayer included the President of Germany asking forgiveness for the Holocaust.

"Germany's president delivered an emotional address to Israel's parliament Feb. 16, asking for forgiveness for the Holocaust. Johannes Rau, an evangelical Christian, spoke to the Knesset in German, a historic first, saying he bowed his head before the 6 million victims, news reports said. Legislators applauded respectfully, but some stayed away in protest, saying they did not want to hear German spoken in parliament. A legislator who had watched Nazi troops round up Jews in the Warsaw ghetto called German "the language of Satan." ...Rau, a longtime friend of Israel, also toured the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. He wrote in the guest book, quoting German clergyman and Nazi dissident Dietrich Bonnhoeffer, "Perhaps Judgment Day will be tomorrow. In that case, we would happily stop [working] for a better future, but not before."

Since our return we continue to see tangible answers to our prayers. The February 28 issue of TIME Magazine carried an advertisement stating, "Suppose Your Family Had a Holocaust Era Insurance Policy and You Just Didn't Know About It?" The ad provides information in 23 languages on the claim resolution process. Then on February 29 an AP Report revealed that British museum directors published a list of 350 art treasures in their galleries that they believe may have been stolen by the Nazis during World War II. This first of its kind report lists works worth tens of millions of dollars that may stem from Nazi looting of hundreds of thousands of paintings and sculptures that once belonged to Jews and other victims of Hitler's Germany. Another miraculous release came just this passed week when 5 billion was released to the Jewish survivors of the holocaust that could prove they had been used in "slave" labor. When you see God's heart of Justice turn toward his covenant people, the world begins to shift and shake. Because we are grafted into the vine, we will begin to see fruit arising all around the world in the Body of Christ.

A major answer to prayer came on February 29 when Jorge Haider, leader of Austria's Freedom Party, resigned amidst criticism from the international community including the European Union and the United States. Past statements by Haider have expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler's employment policies, and described World War II concentration camps as "punishment camps." His resignation will help neutralize the divisiveness and violence that erupted after his election, and cause many to question the resurgence of pro-Nazi ideologies. These are but a few examples of what happens when we begin to release focused, strategic, intercessory prayers and join with those who have been praying through the decades. There is so much more that I do not have time to tell you that went on in this trip. However let me emphasize this: "Strategic prophetic intercession when properly aligned with apostolic government results in spiritual breakthrough and harvest." Two other issues concerning wealth that our team stayed focused on as we went forward praying were: War of Wealth, Curse of Wealth. We talked a lot about the war that it takes to remove captive spoils from the enemy. We looked at many, many patterns in the Word and will continue to do this as the Body shifts its strategic understanding and prayer life in this particular area. However, we also looked at people who were cursed by wealth, or had impure motives to gain wealth such as Judas, Esau, Gehazi, Ananias and Sapphira, Lot and Achan. I really felt it was important to see how they were trapped by impure desires so we can renounce that and not fall into the same patterns. When you get God's wealth out of God's time and way, you will get the curse that is on that wealth. Much money has curses attached to it. Therefore, if you don't know how to break the curse before you get the money, you will get the curse that comes with the money. This is what Malachi 3 is about. One way to break the curse off of money is to tithe and give offerings. We will continue to pray for the Body of Christ in this area.

The Discipline Needed to Establish Wealth and Covenant Vision. We must have a stewardship mentality before the Lord will release wealth. We must persevere against all odds and strategies of defeat. This is a necessary characteristic of God that is needed to establish the Kingdom. Proverbs 21:5 says, "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty". Proverbs 17:16 decrees, "Of what use is money in the hand of a fool since he has no desire to get wisdom". Again, money is an issue for us to understand right now. We do not have the mentality necessary to break open wealth in the Body. However, we also need to understand not just the issues of money, but that wisdom dismantles demons. Therefore, if you are asking for money, get wisdom also. The declaration in 3 John 2 says that there needs to be a balance between your soul and spirit to experience prosperity. This is a principle of covenant. There are judgments on those who did not steward what they were given in God's purpose and plan (Luke 19). As we prayed, we asked that the wealth that was buried like the talent described in this passage would be released. This is day of repentance, reconciliation, and multiplication.

1. There will be a great harvest of Jews which will begin during this decade. This will particularly affect the Russian Jews around the world. There will be what some missiologists term a "people movement" among them. There will also be a persecution of the Jews in Russia that we will notably escalate during the fall of 2000. This is so serious that it requires an immediate response from the church in prayer. We believe that it is the devil's strategy to precipitate another holocaust, and that this prayer will help open a window of escape for those feel called to leave, and a protection to those who are called to stay (Jer. 16:15-16).

2. It is important to intercede for Russia for the breaking of famine because if we fail to do it, we can expect an invasion of Alaska by Russia for the bounty of Alaska.

3. A great youth revival is coming in America. Schools will be shaken for the glory of God. Many young people will be drawn to the church as they were during the Jesus Movement. God warned us that we must be ready to receive them or we might miss this move of God. This means that, among other things, we must prepare our people not to criticize them if their hair is Technicolor and they have body piercings or tattoos. God Himself will change their hearts but we must not let false legalism drive them away. There is also a new Samuel generation of young children who will prophesy and restore the Word of the Lord to their generation.

4. A new signs and wonders movement is coming which is significantly greater than what was seen in the days of the post-World War II healing evangelists. Part of the fruit of this movement will be healing centers which will be built around the world devoted to praying for the sick and casting out demons (Luke 10). One of the distinctives of this movement will be raising the dead. This will break barrenness off the church and such great fruitfulness will result that whole cities will turn to Christ and be transformed.

This move of God will be so powerful that the church will gather in stadiums to worship, both the church in given regions as well as some local churches which will grow so large that they will fill stadiums for their celebration worship services. This will grow out of what some call the "saints movement" in which large numbers of ordinary believers will be mobilized to win the lost, to cast out demons, and to heal the sick.

5. The worldwide church will awaken to its responsibility to reach out and lift up the poor and oppressed as we read in Isaiah 58:7-12.

6. There will be a great move of the Holy Spirit among women. Many women will be released in the fivefold ministry and they will be used in the great worldwide revival which is coming.

7. A time of shakings is increasing on the earth (Haggai 2:6-8; Heb. 12:25-31). These shakings will affect the following areas:

A. The economic structures: It is time to be right with God because in the midst of the economic shakings the church will arise and enjoy increased protectection by God as we walk in faith, in holiness and in purity; and as we learn God's Kingdom principles for economics. It is important to invest in Kingdom structures rather than in the world's economic systems in this hour.

B. Shakings in the elements: There will be an increase in severe weather patterns, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and other disasters.

C. Governmental shakings: God is going to shake governments. Rulers will bow their knee to the Lord of Glory and dedicate their nations to the Lord Jesus Christ.

D. The government of God's Kingdom will be established through the apostles and prophets laying the foundation for the church. We will begin to recognize the apostolic and prophetic authorities in cities and nations.

8. A fresh holiness movement will spring up in the church in America. If this does not penetrate the entire fabric of American society, God will once again shake the economy of this nation as in the Great Depression.

9 We will see a tremendous transfer of wealth into the kingdom of God through the ministry of "marketplace apostles" (those with apostolic anointings for business and for other areas of society).

10. Muslim nations of Eurasia will form an alliance with the nations to their north for political and military purposes. Pray that God will keep open the doors for harvest.

11. The church will be in a key transition period between 2000 and 2003. During this period the youth in particular will be transitioning into revival. It is especially important for the apostolic government to be initially established and functioning in our cities by October 2003 if we are to see the transformations that God wants to release.

12. The Holy Spirit is placing a special emphasis on the northeast for a new revival. It is God's desire for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit to fall on Washington D.C. and that true revival will touch our government.

C. Peter Wagner, Apostle
Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders

NOTE: We each see in part and prophesy in part (I Corinthians 13:9). But when the parts are brought together we see a greater whole. With this perspective in mind, a gathering of senior prophetic voices representing various streams of the church were assembled in Colorado Springs to seek the Lord for such a time as this. The following is a partial summation of that time together. Some of the words brought forth pertain to the current Y2K issues facing this nation and the nations. Other words included in this document are somewhat unrelated to Y2K and are not time dated revolving around this event.

International Alliances:

By witness of several prophetic voices, it is believed that an alliance will form between Communism and Islam creating an evil that will be more difficult than anything we have previously known in modern history. Europe particularly needs to cry to the Lord. If Europeans cry out with all their heart, God will hear them in their day of trouble. American intercessors in particular are to be of great help to them in that time. A word came that war is coming and that many of our own young men and women will die on this soil and foreign soil if we do not cry out to God.

Concerning Y2K:

What is coming upon the world is so serious that Y2K will pale in comparison. It is all right to prepare for Y2K in the natural provided that the preparation is not a heaping up solely for our own personal needs without considering the plight of neighbors. If storing is done selfishly, it will be like sifting sand and slip through your fingers.

The church is not to fall into fear and panic but to seek His face and presence. Y2K issues will be different in various regions. Some will be hit harder than others. That is why there is not just one national primary word from the Lord on this issue. He wants to speak to us by regions. Each area therefore needs to raise up a prayer shield and gather apostles, prophets, pastors and intercessors to pray and hear from God.

Acts 11:27 says "And in those days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that a great famine would come throughout all the world, which happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. the disciples determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. They did this, sending it to the leaders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. NKJV

This scripture indicates they heard a specific word for their region and prepared. We must intentionally seek the Lord together in each city and region, not only for ourselves, but as to what the Lord would require us to do for the other regions. Some, like Judea, will be harder hit than others.

We each need to prepare spiritually both individually and regionally for what lies ahead. Our cities need to be established as cities of refuge in the hour of a storm. Large cities can do this by boroughs or districts. This is done in intercession through establishing the "watch of the Lord" with 24-hour prayer and praise. We must rebuild the walls of our cities like Nehemiah, establishing the 12 gates of prayer and praise.

Economic Shakings:

The first six to nine months of 1999 will be a time of heaping up. But be a good steward of what God is giving in these months because it is to be provision for the year 2000. In some sense, 1999 is the sixth year of heaping up before the seventh year of Sabbath rest. Y2K is a man made problem which will cause a temporary disruption of communication like the Tower of Babel, and for a season communication will be cut off. Y2K itself will not be the major shaking, but the shakings will come with a domino effect. Prayer can soften the fall of these dominoes.

The Lord spoke strongly of economic shakings coming. Several dreams have been given to various prophets about disaster striking the nation; in particular the east coast. The Lord was showing that we are not ready in any measure for what is coming, and that it will be titanic in proportion when it hits in its fullness.

One of His last words in our assembly was that because of our prayers and standing in the gap (it seems this meant because of the tears and deep intercession that came upon us as a group of prophets at that time joined by the intercession of God's people world wide) that complete destruction will be averted, but He is still going to discipline or spank America. This would not be averted. In the coming shakings, so many things will be happening that those in the Church who have been against spiritual warfare are going to be awakened and realize their great need and stand up and fight against the enemy in that day.

Terrorism:

Again by the revelation of several prophetic voices, we were warned that the accuser of the brethren is coming with a fresh onslaught. There will be Islamic terrorist attacks that will be launched against children. It will only be as many as 10 - 20 such episodes, but it will put tremendous fear and even terror into the heart of the nation. This fear will boomerang especially against those who are in militia organizations and certain groups of Christians. As a result, a wave of persecution could come against the Church.

Colorado Springs:

Another word was specifically given for Colorado Springs stating that in a time of war or attack it would be one of the primary first targets, and that they are not ready in the Spirit. Our walls are broken down and we do not have the prayer coverage we need to withstand the onslaught. Complacency needs to be broken and prayer watches and spiritual coverage put in place to rebuild the walls of the city. Colorado Springs (as other cities) is vulnerable to attack.

Humility:

God spoke to us deeply about the need for humility. Those from Colorado Springs confessed the sin of pride and that they had believed their own "public relations." Many had been hearing from the Lord of the need for brokenness and humility and the need to seek His face and His presence a fresh with prayer and fasting.

The President:

Other words came forth indicating that the Lord is angry at the church for not praying for President Clinton even as we are commanded to in I Timothy 2:1 - 3. It had not been God's will for the things that happened to him and by him, and these may not have occurred if we had really cried out to God for him rather than condemning him. It was shown to us the intensity of the spiritual warfare surrounding the Presidency, and that even the strongest Christian leader could not have stood under such onslaught without heavy intercession and prayer covering. We entered into repentance for our sinfulness in these regards.

Days of Glory:

For a closing addendum: It is also believed that if the church of Jesus Christ will arise in 1999 and lay hold of this window of opportunity that lies in front us, that the days of hardship could be turned into days of great hope. It is a time for humility; a time for intercession; a time for spiritual and natural preparation; and a time for God's glory to shine forth and let light overcome darkness. There is coming a wave of God's great glory that will supersede anything we have seen in recent church history. The call is for us to shake off our apathy, arise as a beacon of light and through prayer and compassionate deeds of the saints seize the moment while we still can.

A good friend of mine is in a Torah class and is gaining many insights from Jewish history and culture. She conveyed the following to me: "During this month before the holidays (Feast of Tabernacles Season) the Jewish people would say, 'The King is in the Fields'." They believed that He was more accessible during this time of year. This was the time they were to repent of their attitudes and actions from the past year. This would allow them to change so they could gain access to and secure their future. They were to look back at the area of their lives where they had drifted into wilderness thinking over the past year and see what was not accomplished. This would allow them to enter the new year with new hope for the future. May this occur in your life as you read this letter. As many of you know, I prophesied this quarter (July - Sept. '99) to be "A Time For War"! Has this ever been truth. The enclosed article will give my perspective on what that actually means to us. Below are a few prayer and support issues.

What an incredible year (and especially last couple of months) this has been! Since the beginning of July it has been nonstop. We have gone through a major restructuring here at Global Harvest Ministries and the World Prayer Center. With all my kids starting back to school, I have had to assist Pam as requested. Daniel is taking half of his courses at a community college. His focus is criminal justice. Rebekah is a freshman in High School and has gotten very involved with the youth group at New Life. John Mark is playing 8th grade football (and just got home from his first game). Isaac is home schooling and Ethan is in a charter school. This coupled with ministry across the nation has caused me to cry out to the Lord for Grace and Strength!

The Eagles of God - Last week two of our World Prayer Center staff members, Bobby Byerly and Susan Ryan, flew to Turkey. They have joined Drs. Mark and Betsy Neuenschwander (medical crisis specialists) and others for a number of tasks including onsite intercession, serving the local Church leadership, providing medical assistance and assisting with general relief work. This team is serving as our very first Eagles of God team. What is an Eagle Team? It is a highly trained, well conditioned, risk-taking contingency of experienced intercessors that can embark on a strategic prayer journey at a moment's notice. One of my functions as Executive Director of the World Prayer Center is to coordinate the deployment of these teams. Glory of Zion International Ministries, Inc., serves as a missions sending agency for these teams. These "Eagle" teams will be sent for two reasons. First, to pave the way for promising breakthroughs that will produce evangelistic fruit, and second, to see demonic barriers of the highest strategic significance demolished. These are high-risk teams. For instance, the team in Turkey is certainly battling death, destruction and hopelessness. I want to encourage each of you to be a part of the development of this ministry. First of all, pray for physical safety, spiritual discernment and clear lines of communication to be developed between the teams and the World Prayer Center. Also, agree with me that the teams going now will help establish a plumb line for future teams. Third, your prayers and financial support of future teams are very important.

Operation Queen's Palace / Celebration Ephesus - Bobbye Byerly, Cindy Jacobs and I are taking a team of 45 key intercessors to Turkey from September 25th through October 5th. (We also want to take in as many supplies that can help the needs of the hurting people.) We will travel to Patmos, the place where the seven (7) churches of Revelation were established, and will continue to Ephesus to celebrate the church entering the next millennium. Celebration Ephesus is a celebration consisting of prayer, intercession and worship. Why Ephesus? This is where one of the greatest revivals in church history occurred. This is also where one of the greatest adaptations of the Queen of Heaven was manifested and worshipped in the form of the goddess Diana. The church lost a victory in this region. Consequently, Turkey has one of the smallest aggregate churches of any nation. The nation of 65 million has a church of all types that number around 1200. This should be a wake up call to us all! Please pray for this team.

International Conference of Prayer and Spiritual Warfare, November 18th - 20th - This exciting and powerful conference will be held at The North Church in Dallas, Texas. Take this opportunity to see and experience this stream of prayer and spiritual warfare that you can take back to your intercessory groups as well as apply to your personal lives. The International Conference on Prayer and Spiritual Warfare has been a life-changing experience for thousands, and it can be the same for you. Registration information will be available by calling 1-888-965-1099.

I want to thank each of you in advance for being a part of our lives.

Blessings,

Chuck D. Pierce

Dear Friend,

I am excited about writing you again. This time of year causes us to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord!  I love to let the Word just overtake me during this time of year. The combination of Passover, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension is just incredible for the heart, mind, and spirit to ponder. All of these events have such special significance, but this year is extremely significant as we approach the next millennium. Three issues are addressed in this packet that you have:

1. The Oueen of Heaven. Many of you have heard of the celebration time that is planned in Ephesus. The Body of Christ from all over the world will be gathering to worship in Ephesus in October.  Many will be traveling to the sites of the early church, and we will then end up in the amphitheater at Ephesus. I believe it is important for the Body to understand this "dominion" that is controlling many lives. This power has caused eyes to be blinded and hell to have reign over countless lives. Therefore, I have made available a new set of tapes, which explains the Queen of Heaven.  There are also two books that I want to recommend. The first by Dr. Peter Wagner is Hard-Core Idolatry. The other is Ridding Your Home of Spiritual Darkness, that I have written along with Becky Wagner Sytsema.  We are continuing to offer Confronting the Queen of Heaven. This is a great book on how to cleanse your home of objects which give demonic forces legal entry. I believe this entire packet of materials is essential.
2. The Josiah Initiative.  I am also including the challenge to churches all over our nation and other nations, to have a housecleaning, just like King Josiah did. On May 2, we are encouraging homes and churches to rid themselves of anything that could give the demonic legal access. "Be Holy as He is Holy".  The new book, Ridding Your Home of Spiritual Darkness, by Becky and me, will really assist in this. This book not only was fun to write, but is very thorough and encouraging as it shows you how to deal with the demonic. It is fun reading.

3. A Prophetic Word for this Season.  As you know, this last decade I have been called by the Lord to encourage the Body all over the world to pray. ; He is raising up a praying, believing, army. I have also tried to inform those that the Lord has given me, of key prophetic information so they can better interpret the times. Key prophetic knowledge is necessary to produce what I call "informed intercession". From informed intercession, we have spiritual breakthrough. Please enjoy the enclosed article.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate co-laboring with you on behalf of the Good News of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Your giving assists me so I can communicate. We had gotten low in finances over the last several months. That is why I have not been able to communicate as frequently as I would like to. I so appreciate your giving. I am also beginning to establish the Eagles of God ministry. You will hear more about this in the future. This is the missions call of the future. Your giving not only allows me to communicate, but to go where the Lord sends me. Also, please include your prayer requests or prophetic insights in the enclosed envelope.

Blessings,

Chuck D. Pierce
Psalm 20