Recently God has been revealing Himself to me as a Lion, full of splendor, majesty, and might. And very recently, I've seen that same Lion emerging from a cave; not in weakness but full of power. As He appears out of hiding and into the light, He lets out a mighty roar as the ground trembles before Him. I, awestruck and terrified can't help but feel the power and authority He carries and fall down before Him. I know who He is, and I know what He is capable of doing, and I only wish to give Him all the honor and respect due to His name. But then, instead of passing me by, He, the one who holds all power and wisdom, sits down beside me and begins to speak. The one who rules the earth knows me by name.
This scene that has played itself out in my mind's eye has ignited a quickening in my heart that won't be quieted. I just can't get over how powerful He is. I just can't get over who He is. He is the I AM. There seems to be no word brilliant or powerful enough to describe His nature. He just IS. He is everything. And He holds all authority in Heaven and in Earth. I feel that in some ways we've lost sight of this reality. Maybe it is a lack of encounter with this power, or maybe it is that our own theologies have given Him limited room to display all that He is. You can't expect the God of the universe to fit into a nice compact box. Maybe we haven't seen this raw display of power because we've settled for a house cat instead of Lion. House cats are manageable and predictable. But a Lion, well a lion is king of the jungle, and terrifyingly unpredictable at times. God is not predictable nor can He be controlled by mere humans. He is God and He can move anyway He wants. And I believe He enjoys doing this, moving in such a way that when He think we have Him figured out He changes again, destroying any new boxes that we tried to trap Him in. This to some is utterly terrifying because it means lose of control and when you aren't in control you have to trust. Furthermore, trust to some is the greatest of all fears because trust means dependency. When you can't rely on yourself, you have to humble yourself, taking on the likeness of a needy dependent child. In our culture this is viewed negatively because to be needy, means to be reliant. And to be dependent means to be vulnerable. Both of which put us in weak states which aren't appealing. But our strength doesn't come from us, it never has. It comes from Him. If we didn't have an all powerful, good, protective, loving Father we would have reason to fear these things. But we do have that Father, and He is a powerful Lion. So really in the end it all comes down to faith. Do you believe God is who He says He is?
I feel there is a change coming soon to the body of Christ. And I believe it will even start to show it's face as early as 2013. It will be a reign of power. The Lion is coming out of the cave with a mighty roar and the nations will see His emerging. I believe the holy fear and reverence of God will be restored back to the people He created. Once the world sees His power, majesty, and wonders, they will not be able to doubt the existence of spiritual things. It will be displayed before their very eyes. And they will be left with a choice, to accept or reject this God they see set before them. Those who once didn't believe in the supernatural, will no longer have an excuse. He is coming back. And He is pouring out His spirit on the church in a mighty way. He who is the I AM, is coming in power. And I believe it will be a lot like the times of Daniel where God used completely yielded people to display signs and wonders to people in high positions of influence; such as, world leaders, people of influence in media, influential college professors, people in government etc. The time is coming where the world will seek out Christian's insight and advice instead of mocking and disregarding their counsel. The knowledge they possess will be respected and sought after, such as in the time of Daniel when King Nebuchadnezzar and King Darius continually came to Daniel for interpretation of dreams and insight on supernatural events. God is raising up Daniels in this generation, people of tact, intelligence, and out standing wisdom. People that aren't afraid to die for what they believe. People that aren't afraid of Kings and know how to dine with them without being corrupted by them. I believe in doing this He is preparing His bride with power and honor for the wedding day that is approaching. He is preparing the church to steward what Jesus died for them to have. Power has been given into our hands. The church should be what influences the world instead of the world influencing the Church. We are called to change culture not react to it. This shift of influence will take place when the church rises to it's rightful position and when we grab hold of and believe what we have been given. When we believe what we carry inside us. Which is Him. The powerful, beautiful, merciful, magnificent, Lion of the tribe of Judah.
"Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly! “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
“For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions."
-Daniel 6:25-27
I believe we will see this kind of proclamation from world leaders in my lifetime. We are no different than Daniel, we have the same Spirit living inside us and God was faithful to Daniel, He will be faithful to us. If only we just believe. Therefore, let us fulfill the commission that Jesus gave us and go! Then watch as it happens in all nations of the earth, filling the world with His glory.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:18-20
