A Blessing of Dedication

October 2002

A PRESCRIBED WAY

We have recently been entrusted with a warning that has been portrayed in a variety of forms concerning some of the things transpiring in our nation and within the church. With the warning, there has also been communicated a divine strategy for overcoming many of the things released. Naturally, these are just the directives given to us. There are no doubt other prophetic voices also receiving insight related to these important spiritual standards presently before us.

As we have stated in previous articles and written words, we are not to abide in fear. Perfect love casts out all fear. (1 John 4:18) Despite the many alarming things we see taking place in our own nation, we can abide in a posture of peace and security by faithfully following the Lord’s prescribed ways.

We are observing on daily news programs great and horrendous things taking place across our country. As foretold by many prophetic voices, we are now living in the day dreadful viruses and deadly plagues are a common part of the vocabulary and daily life of many. Even so, those who have put their trust in the Lord and the power of His blood need not fear nor suffer undue alarm at the many reports of death and destruction. As it is written, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.” (Ps 27:1-3)

AN UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE

On the day we departed for a ministry trip to Salt Lake City, I had one of the most unusual experiences I have ever shared in. It involved something that we rarely choose to discuss but nonetheless something that we must be aware of in this hour.

In the experience I was shown how many of God’s chosen people for end-time anointing and authority, had encountered the spirit of death within the last twelve years. It was the strategy of the enemy to attempt and eliminate individuals marked for a specific end-time function and ministry. Thankfully, in many of the cases, we were shown that the Lord supernaturally intervened and preserved their life.

The Scriptures clearly point out, our enemy prowls about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is an adversary whose primary purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. That is his intention and directive no matter who the individuals happen to be.

Nonetheless, the Scriptures also point out the pattern of our adversary in his attempt to destroy deliverers when they are sent to the earth to bring restoration and reconciliation between God and man. This was certainly true during the days of Moses and the time of the Lord’s birth. That is still His pattern in this day as he recognizes “restorers” and “deliverers” marked for end time purpose and ministry.

I was instructed through this experience that we were to identify in the meeting those who had encountered this scenario and who knew without question that the Lord divinely intervened and spared their life. Surprisingly, the first evening that we shared this message, one-third to one-half of the people in the meeting stood having encountered this exact spiritual confrontation.

The Lord communicated that we were to instruct them that their life was preserved for the time imminently before us. We were directed to release the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon these individuals that they may begin to walk in their spiritual destiny and the Heavenly purpose for which they were divinely covered and protected. He is jealous for the Spirit imparted to us and yearns for the destiny that He has ordained for this generation.

DEDICATED TO THE LORD

Shortly after this took place, Bob Jones was given a vision in which he was instructed to follow the admonition given to Moses in Exodus 12. In the experience, Bob was shown how we must apply the blood of the Lamb in the same fashion as Israel in a demonstration of dedication to the Lord that the judgments of Egypt would not visit the household of faith.

He was also directed to entreat leaders and the priests of homes to begin laying hands upon their congregations and family members in the same manner. This act of devotion should also be applied to those yet unborn while infants are in the womb of their mother.

Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it…The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance. (Exodus 12:7, 12-13)

APPLYING THE BLOOD

Moses was directed to apply blood to the door posts and lentils within the household of Israel. In performing this act of obedience, the judgment and spirit of death administered against Egypt would not touch them. There is a “spirit of death” that has been released in this day by our adversary and our admonition is to likewise rest in the Lord’s promise of protection and covering initiated through this biblical model.

In Bob’s vision, he saw himself and church leaders laying hands on each side of individuals’ heads as a symbolic gesture of this application while pronouncing a blessing of dedication and protection from the viruses, plagues, sicknesses, fatal accidents and death presently released. This admonition is also directed to parents as the priest of the home to be applied to family members.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: may grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. (1 Peter 1:1-2)

One of the most difficult things for those in ministry is to rest in the trust and dedication of our family to the Lord. This is particularly true for those who travel extensively and spend extended periods of time away from children and family. However, in the same way that Joseph dedicated his two sons to Jacob, so also do we devote our children and family to the Lord and His wisdom and protection. As someone once said, the safest place for our children is for us to be in the will of God, obediently fulfilling our commission and mandate.

A DIVINE PROMISE OF COVERING

Bob was actually first given this admonishment nearly 30 years ago as a demonstration of a life dedicated to the service of the Lord. It is now been given again as a divine promise of covering and protection for the coming season. It will be much like the separation of Israel in the land of Goshen while the justice of God fell upon Egypt.

The application of the blood was a vindication of judgment and death passing over the chosen people of God. When Moses fulfilled this responsibility, it was an expression of dedication of Israel to the Lord and the meticulous obedience to His word of counsel. By following this divine counsel, the Spirit of Might was released as a protection for the people.

This marked a recognition and separation of the people, “that you may understand how the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel” (Exodus 11:7). It also designated a time of new beginnings for the nation of Israel. The time for change has now come and we are witnessing the signs and demonstrations of wonder that accompany such transitions and transformations.

DEDICATED TO HEAVENLY DESTINY

This act of obedience is a dedication of individuals to the Lord and His sovereign purposes. Many families, including our own, have lost loved ones in recent years. The Holy Spirit is beginning to unveil significant understanding related to those who have gone before us in a “first fruits” perspective.

Great understanding is about to be released to the church involving the “cloud of witnesses” depicted in Hebrew’s 11:39-12:2. Many of these loved ones are as a grain of wheat, having perished will bring forth multiplied grains of wheat in a fruitful harvest. That is sometimes a difficult truth to embrace when we have lost those who are dear to us. Nonetheless, it is also a great source of comfort to know there will be a bountiful spiritual harvest because of their sacrifice and the grace of God.

And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 11:39-12:2)

We are living in a day that will experience unprecedented demonstrations of grace and power from the resources of Heaven. We will actually be the beneficiaries of the sacrificial lives of prayer and consecration of the multitude of saints whose lives were poured out as a drink offering before the Lord throughout the centuries.

Although many could see the promise prophetically and had won divine approval by their faith, they did not fully realize the promise in their day. Even so, the Scriptures point out, God saw a grander picture and had something even better in mind. The apostle clearly emphasizes those devoted saints would not come to perfection apart from us in the end time generation with the great opportunity to inherit the promise. Their prayers and sacrifice are somehow joined with us in the unveiling of God’s grand finale. What a tremendous mystery of the Kingdom!

All of the innocent blood and reservoirs of prayer harnessed in Heaven will be merged with the intercession and sacrifice of the Lord Himself… captured in a censor containing a coal from the altar of Heaven and released back to the earth (Revelation 8:3-5). Our loved ones, seemingly taken prematurely or at the height of their anointing, will witness and share in the fruit of the end-time ministry shortly to unfold.

INCREASES IN TERRORISM AND PLAGUES

Even though we have already encountered significant terrorism and new forms of viruses and plagues, it is only a beginning of those things which are about to come. This area will only escalate over the next season of time. Naturally, we are continually calling the Church to a place of prayer and intercession to curtail and inhibit this in every way possible. However, the Lord has revealed that a certain line of demarcation has been crossed in our nation related to decisions made judicially and in relationship to Israel.

Bob was instructed in his vision that certain things have now been “determined” within our nation. That is not to impart hopelessness, but rather a sense of justice and chastening that will pave the way for blessings to follow.

Certain governmental decisions have been made contrary to the purpose of God that has opened the door to this discipline. There remains within our leadership a contrast of positions related to Israel and our support of this sacred land. As we publicly chastise the leadership of Israel in their battle with terrorism, we also open ourselves to a similar form of torment as witnessed by the sniper terrorizing our nation’s capital.

Terrorism is defined as the use of violence, torture or physical intimidation by a group or organization as a means of forcing others to satisfy its demands. Indications are, the sniper is not a random act of lunacy but a calculated attempt to sow fear and emotional, physical and financial hardship. The news media may not fully report that position but it is the one that is most apparent.

There was an emphasis on the word “determined” in the vision. This points to a resolute decision of intent and purpose. As our nation’s leadership is determined to make certain decisions so also will it be “determined” from Heaven that certain things will transpire within our nation. Not because the Lord despises our nation but because of His love for it and His desire to bless it.

The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having DETERMINED their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. (Acts 17:24-26)

BE YE SEPARATE

The Lord desires that we come out from among the spirit of this world and be separate, that He can demonstrate Himself as a Father to us and we would be sons and daughters to Him. The Lord is promising that he will watch over those who belong to Him as he did Israel in the land of Goshen.

Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me,” says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)

What greater personal promise could we posses than for the Sovereign and Infinite Creator of the universe to aspire to demonstrate Himself as our Father. As the prophet David points out, we are poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought of us and fortifies His plans for us. He is our help and deliverer…the Lord has been mindful of us and will bless us.

The purpose of this article is not to create alarm but to awaken us to the seriousness of this hour and our need for prayer, consecration and obedience.