Brian Simmons:
"From Now On!"
Here's what I hear the Lord saying to the Church today:
"I AM RELEASING FROM NOW ON a new quality of life and power
given as a gift to the Bride of Christ! I AM PREPARING FROM NOW ON a generation
to carry the torch of the advancing Kingdom of God to a new level. This is 'a
season of destiny' unmatched by any other."
Defining the Reformation
A day of
great exploits is here – a massive migration is taking place as the people of
God move forward to the next level of God's Kingdom breakthroughs! The new thing God is doing
cannot be limited to the term "revival," for it is a complete reformation of the Church
in all the earth. This
is not something that is being restored from the past, but something being
released in all its newness for today. What He has in store for
us is something completely unforeseen.
No one will be able to say, "Oh, I knew that was coming" – for only
the Creator of Eternity can pull off what He is about to do...
You have heard these things; look
at them all. Will you not admit them? From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to
you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before
today. So you cannot say, "Yes, I knew of them." Isaiah
48:6-7
This is
the reformation the prophets have foretold was coming. It is a reformation of
the inner structure of the mentality and understanding of the Church. It is an
upgraded version of the book of Acts. Let's call it version Acts 2.1.
The
overhaul of the perception of the Church is now underway. The result will be
the overwhelming power of God released through Christ's Body into the world.
God is redesigning the Church by means of a deep inner change within the hearts
of Believers and the structures we have invented. This reformation is more
profound and far-reaching than that which came through the lives of Martin
Luther and the reformers in the middle of the 16th Century! Aren't you glad YOU get to be a part
of this?
Startling the Nations
God's
intention is to reveal Himself to the world in fresh and even startling ways. This visitation of the Person and
glory of Christ will cause the nations to marvel and be amazed.
Listen to Isaiah's words:
"Many were amazed when they
saw Him – beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know He was a
person. And He will again startle many nations." Isaiah 52:14-15a NLT
This
prophetic word operates on two levels. On one level it is a clear description
of the sufferings of Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. But that event itself did
not fulfill all of this prophecy. The crucifixion did not "disfigure"
Him so that people could "scarcely know He was a person." In fact,
crucifixion was a common form of death for criminals by the Romans. Paul
received five times more lashings than what Jesus received (2 Corinthians
11:24-25).
This
prophecy speaks of the distortion of His appearance in the Church and the
accuracy of His manifestation to the world. Because of inaccurate positions of
the Church and misrepresentations of Believers as to the true compassionate
nature of Jesus, His mystical Body (the Church) has been a distorted
presentation of Christ to the nations...but that is coming to an end! When
everyone has given up on the Church, His Body, look out! He AGAIN will startle the nations by
raising up His Bride as a beautiful witness of resurrection power!
"He will again startle many
nations!" The word
translated "sprinkle" (King James and NIV) is the Hebrew word, nazah – and means
"to leap in surprise, to startle." This is speaking of a shocking new
reality coming that will startle the nations and cause them to leap with
surprise. Astonishing new things are on the horizon as the reformation
intensifies.
...and kings will shut their mouths
because of Him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have
not heard, they will understand.
Isaiah 52:15b NIV
Kings will
shut their mouths when they see the manifestation of the Son of God shining
through the Church. These kings refer to both the kings of the political world,
but also the princes and "rulerships" of the spiritual realm on
earth. The powers that be will be shaken, both natural and spiritual powers!
The princes of the powers of the air will shut their mouths of accusation
against the Church when Christ's glory is manifest through us!
The Hebrew
word for "shut" can also mean "to convulse, or to leap."
This is a sudden convulsion of the powers on earth as revelation reality grips
the Church in reformation. The word "mouth" used in this verse is
used in another form in Proverbs 8:3 where it refers to the doors or gates of
the city! The new unveiling of Jesus will cause the systems of the earth to
convulse at all the stronghold entrances to this world system. The gates of the
city will shudder as a new, mighty reformation impacts the earth.
New
revelation is about to be given on a level we have not formerly known. We will understand what we have
not heard before and receive in our hearts what we have never seen. New
insights on mercy, judgment, authority, end times, and rulership will soon come
to the earth. Our vision boundaries will be broken, enabling us to perceive
what God is doing on the earth and cooperate with Him by bringing it to pass.
This new
understanding must be released to the emerging Church, for without deep
understanding of the ways of God, people will not change their position. They
will see change as a threat, inflicting pain, and not seeing the prophetic
necessity to embrace the new. A generation is arising that will see change as
the fulfillment of their heart's desire.
I'm glad
to be a part of that generation! Hold on to your hat! God is saying: "From now ON!"
