The Generation that Seeks God

Long ago, Israel’s King David prophesied a generation that would seek God. Psalms 24 outlines this prophetic word and the prerequisites to participate. Those with clean hands and a pure heart and have not lifted up their souls to falsehood will become a generation of God’s people that genuinely seeks Him. He said:

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face– even Jacob. Selah.  -Psalms 24:3-6

The question remains, what will it take to awaken and mobilize a generation of God’s people into this mandate! Clearly one of the most effective ways to achieve this end will be through Heaven’s Revelatory realm—personal encounters with God. The Bible tells us about a great king who continually sought God during days of perpetual prophetic revelation. 2 Chronicles 26:5 records that:

He [Uzziah] continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him.

This is a fascinating story and valuable lesson that existed between the teenage king and the elderly prophet. Some historical sources tell us that Zechariah was well up in age when Uzziah took the throne at the age of sixteen. There was something noble about the prophet’s oversight of the young king that provoked Uzziah to continually seek God. As long as he did, God marvelously prospered him. There is an undeniable link between the revelations of Zechariah and the desperate heart of Uzziah that continually sought God. Zechariah’s heavenly access provoked Uzziah and propelled him in to one of Israel’s greatest kings.

Those same historical sources also inform us that it is believed that Zechariah died when Uzziah was in his mid-40s. It was then that the King’s heart was lifted up in pride and presumptuously offered incense in the Temple despite the priest’s rebuke. Unfortunately, this awesome servant of God made a fatal mistake that cost him his life. As long as Zechariah provided spiritual understanding to the king, which he obtained through the visions of God, Uzziah continued to do right. Without that revelatory anointing, error resulted.

Even so, despite his mistake, Uzziah is remembered in Scripture as a worshiper of God and a great king who engineered creative inventions and exhibited military genius that he no doubt received through Zechariah and his own pursuit of the Heavenly realm.

Learning from the Prior Generations

A very interesting thing is spoken of Jotham, Uzziah’s son who reigned in his stead. 2 Chronicles 27:2 records:

He [Jotham] did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done; however he did not enter the temple of the LORD…

Jotham followed his father’s example in all the positive areas that exemplified a life of righteousness and stellar leadership but also learned from his mistakes and how to alleviate them. The Bible says that Jotham did all things right as his father had done but he did not enter the Temple to offer incense… that lesson had been learned well. He no doubt saw the agony of his father’s leprosy and the grotesque condition of his body and resolved never to make such a mistake in his reign. That is the attitude we must have as we begin to reap in vineyards we have not sown and follow the example of God’s greats that preceded us.

A Present Day Model

Recently the Lord highlighted this passage to me as a prophetic model for this generation to emulate as we study and contemplate the leaders of the prior generation. Unfortunately many harsh and critical books have been written concerning these wonderful and Godly people with unbalanced emphasis placed on their mistakes and thereby tainting this generation’s perspective of our heritage. It isn’t our intent to encourage others to turn a blind eye to the mistakes that were made but to follow the example of Jotham and learn from them and alleviate them.

I recently heard the Holy Spirit say, “You can get much further with God through honoring than by dishonoring.” Despite Uzziah’s fatal mistake, he was still remembered as a great King though his son learned from his mistake.

I believe that is the stance we are to take as we study the lives of leaders of the Latter Rain Revival who did great exploits to God’s glory but also made human mistakes. We must do what they did right and alleviate the pitfalls.

“Born to Lose-Bound to Win”

One of the individuals of the Latter Rain Revival that was used most notably in the miraculous was A. A. Allen. It has now been my privilege to meet numerous people that knew this great evangelist on a personal level and speak of him in the warmest of terms. Although he has been one of the most dishonored leaders of the prior revival, I believe Heavens records will recount a life of tremendous victories and Godly leadership.

Although there may have been a mistake made at the end of his life, none of us can judge him unless we put ourselves in precisely the same circumstances. Countless thousands are in the Kingdom today because of this man. Numerous others, many of whom I have met, were healed and living today because he became a conduit for God’s miraculous delivering power.

While studying his life I discovered an incredible visitation he received from the Lord early in his ministry. He had been ministering as an evangelist with some success but no clear evidence of the supernatural. The lack of power in his ministry provoked him to seek God with desperation. Finally the Lord responded to the man of God with a visitation of His Spirit that was both tangible and visible.

In the encounter the Lord audibly outlined a list of prerequisites that were required of this saint in order to see the same power that rested upon Peter, John and Paul. Two of the thirteen items were of a personal nature that related specifically to his life. The remaining eleven were Kingdom principles that are to be applied through every believer.

A. A. Allen’s Visitation in His Own Words

According to Allen his desperation for God’s power became overwhelming. He said, “I must do more, go beyond prayer— if that was possible. I must have a direct confrontation with God. I must speak to God. If I could speak with Him, he would tell me why my meetings were not blessed with signs and wonders, with healings and with greater numbers of conversions.

“Therefore I entered my prayer closet, shut the door behind me, and determined not to come out until God spoke to me. Would God satisfy the hunger of my soul? Or what I have to admit defeat? No. Defeat was unthinkable. Seconds locked into minutes, minutes telescoped into hours, and then I lost all track of time.

“Never had I known a darker place than my prayer closet, and so when it suddenly was suffused with light the contrast was all the more startling. The light was the most brilliant, beautiful, incandescent I have ever seen, blades as white as the robe of Christ, shards more yellow man the sun. I knew instantly. The light was God’s glory streaming in from heaven. I had called upon God, and he had come. His presence was so real and powerful that I felt I would be either blinded or stricken dead any second. I tried to see Him and was afraid I would.”

“Then, like a whirlwind, I heard His voice. God’s voice speaking to me! Gods spoke rapidly, as if had urgent business elsewhere… and not only spoke rapidly, but at great length. He spoke faster than any mortal, faster than my mind could follow. My heart cried out, please God speak a little more slowly I want to remember it all.”

Prerequisites for the Miraculous

With that request, Allen was able to locate a pencil and piece of cardboard upon which he transcribed the prerequisites given to him directly from the Lord in order to walk in supernatural power.

After giving Brother Allen the requirements, the Lord spoke to him saying, “This is your answer. When you have placed on the alter of consecration and obedience the last thing on your list, you shall not only heal the sick, but in My name you shall cast out devils, you shall see mighty miracles as in My name you shall preach the word, for behold , I give you power over all the power of the enemy.”

Following this visitation, Allen set his heart on meeting each of those requirements in order to demonstrate Heaven’s virtue. The many years of powerful ministry and wonderful testimonies provide clear evidence that he met the Lord on His conditions and became a vessel through which the miraculous could operate. Those requirements, given directly from the Lord and His Word, are as follows:

Requirement One

THE DISCIPLE IS NOT ABOVE HIS MASTER, NOR THE SERVANT ABOVE HIS LORD

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! — Matthew 10:24-25

We are promised a greater works generation. Nevertheless, that primarily denotes a larger number of people doing the same works that Jesus did. Who can expect to be above his Master? With this generation there now can be thousands who canvass the earth with the same anointing Jesus had doing the works that He did. Even so, if we walk in the reality of Matthew 10:8 then we must be prepared to endure the persecutions outlined in Matthew 10:18-25.

We are not above our master! If they persecuted Jesus Christ, then they will persecute us when we do the works of Christ. To contend for the miraculous we must also reconcile in our hearts that misunderstandings, harassment and personal attacks come with the territory. We must be prepared to handle it in a Christlike manner. That was first qualification given to A. A. Allen for a supernatural life.

Requirement Two

THE DISCIPLE IS NOT ABOVE HIS MASTER: BUT EVERYONE THAT IS PERFECT SHALL BE AS HIS MASTER

Allen stated, “My spirit which had been humbled and almost crushed by the words of the first message was suddenly lifted up in a blaze of glory, as I realized that although I could never be above my Master, God had said I should be AS MY MASTER! “

A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40

According to God’s Word, we have been directed to live above the spirit of this world. Our decisions, reasoning and lifestyles can be free from the influence of this world and live in perfect harmony with the Holy Spirit. That is the perfect example given to us by the Lord that He has said is accessible. It comes only by being joined with the Holy Spirit in fullness.

Requirement Three

BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT

Allen wrote, “These words seemed even more startling than the ones which God had already spoken. Surely this was too much! Could any mortal ever hope to be perfect? Yet surely God would not ask me to do something which He knew I could not do! And without doubt, this was the voice of God. I had asked bread of my heavenly Father, and I knew that He would not give me a stone. How thrilling to my soul when I learned that this, too, was a quotation from scripture! I found it in Matthew 5:48 saying, Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. “

The message this requirement conveys directly relates to many of the things I have written in my book “Thrones of the Soul.” It has to do with the full and complete sanctification of spirit, soul and body. Our spirit is redeemed when we are born again; then follows the process of having our mind, will and emotions sanctified in accordance with God’s Word. We are then being fashioned in the condition that existed in Adam before the fall of man. God was fully enthroned in the spirit, soul and body of Adam as He was the last Adam, Who has made a way for us to know this place in God.

Requirement Four

CHRIST OUR EXAMPLE

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously… I Peter 2:21-23.

This requirement of Brother Allen dealt more with the issues of the heart as it relates to our day-to-day activity. Often times we are confronted with difficult issues, betrayals, and false accusations. As Christians we openly acknowledge forgiveness against others while harboring resentment in our hearts that secretly hope that the Lord disciplines them. The purest form of Christianity would be to forgive them with our words and with our hearts and genuinely be able to bless them from the heart without reservation. This is the mark of the true son of the Kingdom.

Requirement Five

SELF DENIAL

If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23.

The path that Jesus walked was a way of self denial. The issue self-denial, as mentioned to A. A. Allen, has to do with individual lives and the things that become pet projects and time-consuming lifestyles that occupy time that could have been spent in a more fruitful way. For Allen, it was the discipline to live a sacrificial lifestyle of prayer and fasting. For others it may require different disciplines but the spirit of the matter is the same. We must learn to utilize our time fruitfully and alleviate spiritual “black-holes” that rob our time and energy.

Oftentimes, self-denial requires Christians to pull away from enjoyable company and personal pursuits in order to spend time with God. If we draw near to God, He then promises to draw near to us.

Requirement Six

THE CROSS

There will be very little gained by self denial unless you also take up your cross, and follow Jesus. Luke 9:23 declares, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY and Follow me…

The cross of Jesus Christ was a mystery hidden from the foundation of the world. Each born-again believer needs a vision of the cross that will transform our faith in notable ways. I once saw the Lord forging the streets of Jerusalem bearing the weight of His cross. I watched as Simon of Cyrene stood in the very spot ordained in his destiny when the Lord fell under the weight of the cross for the last time.

Simon was destined before the foundation of the world to be standing in that precise spot on that eventful day. His destiny was to step into the greatest human drama of all time and carry the Lord’s cross the remainder of the way to Calvary. As I watched in my vision it seemed my heart screamed out from within me wishing I could have been the one privileged to carry the cross that day. Nevertheless only this one man was given that honor in 33 AD. Even so, as I watched Simon bearing the cross, covered in the Lord’s blood, I heard a voice say, “My cross is still available for those who choose to carry it.”

It is our privilege to take up the cross daily and follow Christ in the achievement of our individual destiny.

Requirement Seven

I MUST DECREASE

He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease — John 3:29-30

Allen recorded, “Under this heading, God began to deal with me about my pride. I had never felt that I was proud. If such a thought were suggested to my mind, either through preaching or by direct accusation, or even by the faithful dealing of the spirit, I, like so many others, excused myself by calling this thing “self respect,” “poise,” “good breeding,” or “high-mindedness.” But God called it “SIN.” Proverbs 21:4 states, “A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin.”

“God made me realize my utter dependence on Him, and how little my own efforts were worth. I was made to realize, as I had never realized before, that even the best of my efforts was puny without Him. God ordered me to give Him full control of my life, but before that could happen whatever talent, knowledge and natural ability I had must be submerged (decreased) before Him,” stated Allen.

Requirement Eight

HE MUST INCREASE” (John 3:30)

“Did you ever drive across the prairie, and note in the distance a mountain? At first sight the mountain seems very small. But as you drive on, and come closer to the mountain, you are astonished to see how rapidly it seems to grow. Really, the mountain isn’t growing. It is still the same size as when you first observed it. The difference is that you have drawn closer to the mountain. This is exactly what takes place when God “increases.” He is the same God to all men. But to some people, He seems to be a little, shriveled up, impotent God, who can scarcely be expected to do anything that really matters. The reason for this is that these people are living TOO FAR AWAY FROM HIM! This is why we are instructed, “Draw nigh to God.” — James 4:8.

“God is far away from many people because they have allowed so many things to come in between. Some even draw nigh to God with their mouth, while their heart is far from Him. (Matthew 15:8-9.) Of these He says, “In vain do they worship me.” The only way that it is possible to draw near to God, is to begin earnestly, with all your heart to search out those things which come between, and GET RID OF THEM!”

Requirement Nine

IDLE WORDS AND FOOLISH TALKING

But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. — Matthew 12:36.

“Nothing more quickly and thoroughly reveals the lack of real spirituality than does foolish talking, jesting, and IDLE WORDS. There is nothing that will more surely label the shallow Christian as one who has no concern for others, nor any burden for the lost and suffering than his perpetual flow of foolish talking, and nonsensical joking. Although in the eyes of many, this seems to be a small matter, there are few spiritual diseases more devastating, nor more contagious.”

Requirement Ten

PRESENT YOUR BODY

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service— Romans 12:1

To the degree that we are not yet fully yielded to God, to that extent the enemy has access to our soul. The apostle Paul outlined our privilege and admonition to live a yielded and wholly submitted life.

William Branham was once asked what his most notable spiritual gift was. Many thought he would say the ministry of spiritual discernment or word of knowledge are even the gift is healing. Instead his answer was, “my greatest gift was the ability to step aside so He could step in.” This trait will earmark the Last Days generation that seeks God as sons of the Kingdom.

Requirement Eleven

A PARTAKER OF HIS DIVINE NATURE

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust— 2 Peter 1:4

To share and participate in the Lord’s nature is a promise and like all other biblical promises it must be believed. It seems inconceivable that sinners saved by grace can not only enjoy heaven but also be free from the corruption of this world on this side of Heaven. Even so, that is our promise and a generation of the righteous will come to know its fullness. The power of the cross is so tremendous that weak fallen humanity can be joined to God in a holy union that produces His nature and life while still in these mortal bodies.

To know His nature is to know His power and become a conduit of His blessings.