This word was/is published on the ELIJAH LIST web site and was posted there (as per the file name) on July 16, 1999 at this site: http://elijahlist.com/upcoming071699.htm

THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

In this modern era of mass media communications it is very difficult to discern which political leader would best provide leadership for our nation. Normally, it would be our tendency to examine the outward attributes of the potential leaders and the issues they purport to believe and support. Very often we are disappointed to discover those leaders actually had hidden agendas or perhaps did not support Godly issues as we were originally led to believe. For this reason we must hear from the Lord to determine our support for political leadership. We are not advocating the legislation of righteousness in our nation through political policy-making decisions. That can only be done through repentance and the release of the Holy Spirit within the hearts of the people. Nevertheless, as responsible citizens we must make the best choice possible in the selection of our leaders. Two issues seem predominant, from the Lord's perspective, in making the determination for our national leadership... Israel and Having an open heart to the Spirit.

One of the things we have noticed concerning the Lord's choice and favor placed upon political figures is their willingness to open their heart's to the "Word of the Lord" in their decision-making process. Historically, there have been many leading political figures that supported good and beneficial programs that did not receive the Lord's seal of approval because of their unwillingness to open their hearts to the input of the Spirit. Likewise, there have been others who seemingly supported controversial policies yet received the Lord's favor because of their willingness to heed His Voice and open their hearts to His leadership.

When Samuel was sent to the house of Jesse to anoint a leader for Israel he looked at the external characteristics of his sons while the Lord looked at the heart, placing His favor upon David. Throughout David's reign one attribute remained constant... he continually inquired of the Lord. The wisdom of man will fail but the Word of the Lord will endure forever. This act of humility plays heavily in the Lord's choice for leadership, not only in civil government but also in the church.

The Bible declares, " the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes, and sets over it the lowliest of men." (Dan 4:17)

With that foundation, we would like to share a revelation that Bob received concerning one of the candidates for the highest office in our land. Bob's vision clearly has political implications and deals with the heart of a particular politician from Texas. Bob saw in the vision that the politician from Texas was interested in the things of the Spirit and desired to "buy property that adjoined the prophets". The vision implied that this politician's father had not obediently followed after the Lord's purpose 8 years ago, but the son will, giving heed to the Word of the Lord pursuing righteousness through Biblical directives and prophetic input. His desire to "buy property that adjoined the prophets" reflected his willingness to open his heart to spiritual revelation in his decision-making and political leadership. This politician displayed humility in his willingness to learn from his father's mistakes.

An examination of Israel's history will reflect sons that became leaders after their fathers and walked in Divine favor and Godly leadership in spite of the impotent and sometimes idolatrous example provided by their fathers. Hezekiah is one such example. As a godly king his first act was to purge, repair, and reopen the Temple, which had been neglected and polluted during the idolatrous reign of his weak father, Ahaz. Now it came about in the third year of Hoshea, the son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah became king...And he did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done...He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor {among those} who were before him. For he clung to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; wherever he went he prospered. (2 Kings 18:1,3,5-7)

The vision is speaking of George W. Bush as one who would incline his ear to the Word of the Lord expressed through prophetic revelation and reflects his desire to lead this nation in righteousness. According to the vision, He has an open heart for Christians crossing all barriers. Bush has already allowed personal issues of the past to be exposed, therefore, he was shown in the vision as unconcerned with the persecution that he may receive from this valuable decision.

Bob also saw a woman who "had not felt loved for 8 years." This seemed to be representing the Republican Party. The Lord displayed this woman starved for affection being affectionately kissed causing a tremendous and gracious response from her. This is not to advocate one political party over another; rather, to convey that Bush has affectionately joined himself to this party and if successful would return a position of favor to this group. With God's favor, he would be able to help turn the nation around during a time of Divine Justice providing a standard of righteous leadership as this nation's most powerful elected official. When judgments of the Lord are in the land, men learn righteousness.

Political leadership in no way usurps the position of the church in providing Godly direction in a nation. Even so, the scriptures clearly admonish the church to pray for our civil authorities. This applies not only to the pending election but also to present leadership and especially our current President as many important decisions are yet to be made that could directly influence the direction of our country.

Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (Rom 13:1) First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim 2:1-4)

These things can come to pass IF the Church is willing to pray for George Bush and bring down the enemy barriers that would attempt to prevent his election. He will incline his ear to the prophets leading this nation with a standard of righteousness. This indicates the Lord's approval upon him because of his willingness to open his heart to the Word of the Lord and hopefully maintain strong support to Israel. Prior to this revelation we had no personal disposition toward any of the potential candidates. In many ways this revelation is as much of a surprise to us as perhaps to others. Even so, we must share the revelation as it was given to convey the Lord's heart in this matter as best we understand it.

Even in the midst of pending judgment or Divine justice, the Lord is already making provision for mercy. A leader is being prepared that will pursue a standard of righteousness that will help lead this nation back to Godliness. Ultimately, the church must take the leadership role in turning the hearts of this generation back to that of our apostolic fathers. However, political leadership can also determine the direction of a nation leading to repentance and divine favor. Many of the things that we are receiving from the Lord are conditional upon the willingness of the church to pray. The Scriptures declare, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." ( 2 Chr 7:14)

If God's people will humble themselves and pray, then the Lord will do His part in fulfilling His promises. This not only involves this specific prophecy concerning our nation's leadership, but also the release of mercy in the midst of judgment. Many of the enemies plans and strategies are being exposed so that we as a church can pray more effectively. Nonetheless, intercession and spiritual welfare are essential in the destruction of enemy assaults and in the fulfillment of divine promises.

We as the church must come to the unwavering realization that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. Our battlefield is not the public debate forum nor public protests but the realm of the Spirit with the weapons of our warfare being prayer and supplication before the throne of God. If all of the energy utilized by Christians in protests and debates were directed to God through prayer, then great and mighty things could be accomplished for the Kingdom of Heaven. The spiritual forces that set themselves against the purposes of God must be neutralized by the authority of Christ delegated to the church and appropriated through Divine wisdom released to us through prayer and intercession.