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If we once get above our Bibles, and cease making the written Word
of God our sole rule both as to faith and practice, we shall soon lie
open to all manner of delusion, and be in great danger of making ship
wreck of faith and good conscience. Our blessed Lord though He had
the Spirit of God without measure, yet always was governed by, and
fought the devil with, "It is written".           (George Whitefield - 1715-1764)

2 P. 1:16-21 - For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

God's "prophetic vision" for revival in the Church has a solid footing in
the Word of God. Let's look at it together. Let's rediscover God's "prophetic vision" for 21st. Century

God has always used vision casting to encourage and motivate His people to both fulfill and experience His purposes. Prior to Israel's exodus from slavery in Egypt he spoke into their lives His prophetic Word, His vision. He called things that were not yet being experienced by the Jews as if it was already accomplished. Before Israel ever set one foot into Canaan Land He told them it was their land, He had given it to them.

Bible history makes it very clear that "prophetic vision" is not always easy for us to embrace and act upon. The first generation of "exodus Israelites" failed to move forward in faith to experience fulfillment of God's promises. After forty years there was another generation of Israelites that were ready to walk with God by faith and not by sight. There were ready to take God at His Word. They were ready to allow God to prove His faithfulness to them by obeying His instructions.

The "second generation of "exodus Israelites" experienced the fulfillment of God's promises. They got to see and experience their enemies defeat. They experienced God doing for them what they could never do for and by themselves. Let's just stop for moment and consider this example with the purposes of receiving truths that are applicable for today.

-----Josh. 21:43-45 - Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. 44  And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies
had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.


-----Ps. 44:1-3 -O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: 2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; 3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.         

Has God given New Covenant promises to the Church? Yes He has and they are powerful and absolutely awe inspiring. So much so that it's quite possible to respond as the first generation of "exodus Israelites' did. God always honors His Word. Today He is looking for a people who will respond to Him in faith. Faith that takes God at His Word anticipating the fulfillment of His promises.

What exactly is God's "prophetic vision" for today? What is calling done that we are not yet experiencing? There's quite a bit actually but let's just see if we can get a base hit in before we try for the home run. The portion of Scripture that is really stirring my own heart and has done for a while now is 2 Peter 1:3,4.

I'm using the English Standard Version of Bible but most of translations speak exactly the same thing just using different wording.

-----2P. 1:3,4 - By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.

This is a very powerful portion of Scripture and if I didn't know it was being fully supported by other Scripture I definitely wouldn't be proclaiming this to be our New Covenant "promised land'. But I am! I'm asking you to prayerfully consider this Word from God. Think for moment what the ramifications would be in our generation if this "promised land" was honestly being experienced by God's people today!

The promises given in 2 Peter 1:3,4 are no less astounding for us than the promises given to the first generation of "exodus Israelites" were in their generation. When they sent the spies into the land the overwhelming response was, "it's impossible, the obstacles are too numerous and too great. Clearly ten out of the twelve forerunners where overcome by the human impossibilities.

Because the Israelites were looking at their situation through the eyes of humanism, doubt, fear and unbelief robbed them of experiencing God's best in their generation. It also put a hold the manifestation of God's power. They're unbelief put the brakes on the fulfillment of God's promises for them.

The influence of God's Word upon is too important minimize. Too often the Bible is viewed as merely historic records of God's instructions. It is that for sure BUT it is MUCH MORE. Through the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit the Scriptures come alive. They are our spiritual food to strengthen and maintain us.

-----Heb 4:12  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than
any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

-----Jn. 6:63  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The
words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

The Word also keep us focused on the important things of God's and His Kingdom. One vivid example of the influence of God's Word has upon us is seen during the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the 70 year Babylonian captivity. This recorded history is so relevant for us today and the truth if applied will result in profound and dramatic change in Christendom. Personally I believe it would result in sweeping revival and spiritual awakening in Canada. Let's prayerfully consider this together.

The backdrop of Israel's post captivity revival is recorded in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai and Zechariah. The first thing to notice is that the Spirit of God had put it into the hearts of God's people for change. (Ezra 1:6) Many wanted to see the glory of the former days restored. They wanted to experience the presence of God as their forefathers had. They had heard the stories yet, never experienced it for themselves. WOW! That is so much like today. All across Canada and across denominational borders God has and is stirring hearts for genuine revival. Deep in our hearts we know things should be different than they are in the Church. Make no mistake this is a good thing! In fact it is a miracle of God presently alive and working.

This miraculous stirring in our hearts is a clear sigh that God wants to do something. It's a clear indication of His purposes to refocus us. How does God focus, or refocus His people? Through the Word of God. God brings His anointed Word, His prophetic Word into our spiritual ears and hearts.

The restoration had begun. The vision was clear and focus set. All seemed to being going along great and then they began to experience resistance. The opposition to God's "prophetic vision" became so intense that the people pulled back and the revival process ground to a halt for about 15 years. (Ezra 4:24) What's interesting to note here is the powerful Word of God which Zerubbabel had received regarding God's purposes for his generation.

-----Zech. 4:6,7 - Then he said to me, "This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. 7  Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel's way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: 'May God bless it! May God bless it!'"

Could you get a more direct and absolute promise from God. Could there be any greater foundation upon which genuine faith could be built? He had the prophetic vision of God. There something to learned here. Opposition comes to the will of God. For the post captivity Israelites it came from the non Jewish residents for us today it will come from one or more of three basic sources, the passions of the old sin nature, the world, or the powers of darkness. What we choose to do with these will in fact determine the outcome of Gods promises to us. The way it works is this. God releases His "prophetic vision" (his promises) then looks for a people who will respond in obedient faith, step by faithful step leading to the ultimate fulfillment of His Word.

For the revival remnant they became discouraged, loosing focus. Their immediate dreams were dashed. It wasn't the end however. Gods solution was to bring the Word to them. God sent His living Word to them through the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah. (Ezra 5:1,2) This would encourage and refocus them. There has been so much to distract us in our time. We have a tendency to know more about world politics, economics, the effects of Omega 3 on our diets, etc than we do about God's prophetic purposes for us today. We need to hear again what it is that's on God's heart for His people. Rev 2:7-  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. We need to be refocused by taking to heart what God has about His purposes for the New testament Church and the personal lives of its members.

Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Rom.10:17) The faith we need to advance us into prophetic fulfillment comes by embracing the promises. It's when we're in agreement with the "prophetic vision"  that we move forward into the promises land.

It's not without significance that before the Israelites could get, even, one foot into their  "promised land" that they were first required to cross the Jordan River. Jordan means "down under". What's pictured here is important for us to see. They would have to humble themselves (go down under) and pass through the water (God's Word). That's the key. James says it this in Jms 1:21 - … receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

There's so much of God's prophetic purposes that are being realized in our generation. Some of which is so distanced it can be serious challenge to believe it can actually happen in our day. I'm going to address something that to some will be considered extreme. Nevertheless if we're ever going to be all God has purposed then we need to start by hearing and embracing God's Word. The Scripture that I feel reveals God's heart for the Church is found in Ephesians chapter one.

-----Eph 1:16-23 - I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,17 that the  God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of  revelation in the knowledge of him,18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may  know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious  inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us  who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he  raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above  all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only  in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as  head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.  (ESV)

How does God see the Body of Christ? To Him the Church is the "FULLNESS" of Christ. The Amplified version enables us to understand the concept of "fullness" a bit clearer. Eph 1:23  Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].  The same word for "fullness" is used of Jesus being the "fullness" of God. Col 1:19  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. The fullness of the godhead was in Christ, meaning, God was fully in Jesus. To this agree Heb 1:3 - He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. When people saw Christ on earth they were seeing God exactly. They were seeing the fullness of God in human, bodily form. The point is; God envisions the Church on earth as the fullness of Christ. As Jesus expressed God exactly so the Church is to express Jesus exactly. Is this what the Church is presently doing? When the unsaved world looks at the 21st century Church are they getting a exact representation of the Lord Jesus Christ?  No they're not. There's a lot of room here for revival.

Are we prepared to embrace God's vision for the Body of Christ. God's vision of His Son on earth was that Jesus would represent God exactly. Did He do this? When Philip asked Jesus to show him the Father Jesus said to him in, Jn.14:9, "if you have seen me you have seen the Father". The Church has the spiritual potential of fully representing Jesus. Through the promises of God are we seeing this as a very real possibility? Do you believe we can walk into this promised land with God's grace, strength and faith?

NOTE:
There's another portion of Scripture in Ephesians chapter four that projects the same truth as Eph.1:23 confirming God's "Today Vision" for the Body of Christ, the New Covenant Church.

-----Eph 4:11-13 -  And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of -God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,