Prophetic Word For 2020: 'my Church Will Burn Brightly In The Coming Darkness' Series

As the first day of 2020 arrived, I found myself doing what I have always done for the last 40 years: seeking the Lord's word and focus for the coming year. This time, Jan. 1, 2020—something different happened.

As I prayed and listened—"Here am I, Lord, speak"—I began to have a deeper love for the body of Christ and felt impelled to write. What I received is a word for the body of Christ:

"See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them" (Isa. 42:9).

Just as the Lord proclaimed to Samuel the fulfillment of his prophecy concerning judgment of his leaders who were unfaithful and the establishment of faithful leaders over his house, so now He is coming to judge His church leaders. He will divinely remove the unfit and raise up His chosen prophets who know the signs of the times:

"This decade will see the shaking of all things in My church that can be shaken. Culture, politics, economics and social norms of the world system will be shaken off and removed from My church. What will remain is the pure light of faith and hope and love. Everything that is not founded in these three will be removed.

"My precious ones, do not kick at the goads. I advise you to buy gold (wisdom) refined by the coming fire.

"Here is the mystery of overcoming:

—First, love Me with all that is in you.

—Then lay aside every hope that can disappoint.

—Finally, hold to your faith that My plan for you will be completed.

"My church will burn brightly in the coming darkness—purified in the fire of My Spirit. This is the decade of a new horizon for My church."

New Horizons

As we continue to climb the mountain of His love, our spiritual ability to see the far horizon—God's purposes—is increased. Because we can better understand God's purposes, our faith and love are increased. Because our love and faith are increased, we move higher up the mountain of love. And because we are higher, a yet newer horizon again appears, and we see yet further!

After I received this word, I submitted it to my church pastors and they encouraged me by affirming the word. Then, I began a 21-day fast alongside our church and, during that time, sought the Lord for insight into this word. The following essay is the result:

In every society, the church of Jesus Christ is afflicted and limited by culture, politics, economics and social norms. To the extent that these are contrary to the kingdom of God, the church is limited in becoming the fully mature bride of Christ. Let's look at a few of these.

Culture

One definition of culture is the customary beliefs, social forms and material traits of a racial, religious, social group or organization.

There are more aspects to cultures than we can possibly identify now, but a few include:

—Materialistic.

—Competitive.

—On-demand.

—Sensual.

—Law-abiding.

—Courteous.

—Family-centric.

—Individualistic.

—Violent.

Some aspects of cultures are antithetical to the kingdom and its principles and rule.

For example: competition. In the broken world we live in, competition is natural and ever-present. And there are benefits of this spirit to certain members of society. But not to all members. You see, some will win, some will lose. Some will gain, some will suffer loss. Some will be encouraged, some will be discouraged.

Competition is foreign to the kingdom of God and the mature body of Christ. Yet it is not uncommon for a church or a ministry to look at another as their "competition." But Ecclesiastes says that every labor and skill is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor.

This is vanity, and striving after wind. In the bride of Christ no one falls short; but rather, we encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak and are patient with all. There is no competition in the mature bride of Christ, as in heaven.

—Materialism is antithetical.

—Sensualism is antithetical.

—Violence is antithetical.

The Lord's purpose in the coming years and decade is to remove the ungodly aspects of culture that have enculturated the church.

Politics

By definition, politics is the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, including the debate between parties having power.

This is a broad umbrella that cannot be comprehensively discussed here. Let's take just one facet of politics—legislation. To the extent that laws enforce and encourage our looking out for the well-being of others, they are good in our broken society. But not all laws are just (acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good).

—Some are unjust.

—Some enforce discrimination.

—Some enforce favoritism.

—Some enforce bias.

—Some enforce lawlessness and evil.