I found last Friday a special day. It began with my seeing something I’ve never seen before:-
The Creator being acknowledged at a political event!
I’m not talking about the perfunctory using of God’s name by politicians of all shades looking for votes, but of the acknowledgement of the Creator who is alive, sovereign, and actively speaking through His creation.
At the presidential inauguration when Franklin Graham steped forward, he did a courageous thing in the midst of a company who believe they have the power and control, by going ‘off script’ at such a prescribed event to point out the rain that had begun falling, as the new President began his speech.
Graham said that in the bible, rain is a sign from God of blessing. He then read 1 Tim 2, the passage I was lead to finish with last week, about praying for our leaders, “…for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Rm.13:1)
Later that day I got an email from a good friend whom I rarely hear from who lives in Melbourne, Australia. Peter had watched the inauguration and probably the mainstream media’s curated commentary surrounding the election, and sounded understandably very despondent about America’s future.
That night Father took me back to the time when we had ministered with Peter amongst the aboriginal people around Alice Springs at the very heart of the Australian bush. It was 2010, a truly memorable time because they had just had the wettest ‘dry’ season on record! The desert was blooming with plants that had lain hidden in the earth as if dead for decades if not centuries!!
Flying over the area was an incredible sight! – Blood red earth. Vivacious green foliage.
I had written in my journal, “This is a sign of the two works of Christ as depicted in the (prophetic) offering of the two doves for the healing of leprosy (mortality) as recorded in Leviticus 14.”
The first dove was killed and the second dipped in the blood of the first and then released into the world. Red represents the first ‘dying’ work of Jesus on the cross. Green represents the second ‘living’ work when those who have died and lain dormant in the earth for years are resurrected. Then those who are alive and in whose hearts Christ has lain dormant will be changed, and Jesus, the head, in unity with his body will go forth in the the fulness of the Spirit, and anointing of Tabernacles, to proclaim the really good news throughout the world! This is the same message I gave in scripture and song last week!
I knew the timing of Peter’s email on this rain filled inauguration day to his only friend who lives in America was divine providence bringing to my memory this second ‘water’ sign in creation, from the Creator.
So does the falling of rain mean that God is giving blanket approval to all President Trump says and does? No it doesn’t. The final prayer of the new President was, “God Bless America”. The conditions for that blessing are recorded in Acts 3:26 says, “When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
Blessing follows our turning from our ‘wicked ways’ to walk in God’s ways. The rain speaks of the Holy Spirit who alone can open all men’s eyes to the truth and turn their hearts back to God so that they can experience his blessing beyond his judgement.
Then that same night at our fellowship gathering there was a third witness……..
I had been asked to prepare a song for a friend. I’d never heard it before, so thought our meeting would be a good opportunity to practice. I made a poor attempt to sing it, and then noticed Jane, who rarely comes to the meetings, singing it very confidently. I asked her to come up and take over – the praise lifted!!
“The zeal of God has consumed me. It burns within my soul.
A driving force that cannot be stopped. A fire that cannot be quenched.”
Fire, like water, represents the Holy Spirit.
The Flame song was given to me for Australia just before the 2000 Olympics. The first Europeans prophetically named their discovery, “The Great Southland of the Holy Spirit.” Subsequently I was invited to go to where the Pilgrim Fathers had landed by someone who had heard the song and was convinced it was also for America.
Then it dawned on me – Jane who lead us in the “unquenchable fire” song had just returned from visiting her sister in Melbourne! – the very same place the email had come from that afternoon!
Three remarkable witnesses on one special day!
The second witness confirms the first. The third witness gives the timing……..
NOW is the time, for the refreshing rain and purifying fire of the Holy Spirit to fall on America, Australia and to the uttermost ends of the earth
So in another Peter’s words:-
“Set your hope fully on the grace to be given when Jesus Christ is revealed, (for) the end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray.“ (or my version – ‘….so think about what you’re doing so that you can make the right decisions and stay in constant contact with the Lord and with love.’ : – ) (1 Pt. 4:7, 1 Pt.1:19)