A TIME FOR WAR By Chuck D. Pierce plantern@aol.com

Web site: http://www.glory-of-zion.org/

If you will remember, I ended 1998 in Japan. While I was ministering there in a tremendous gathering the Lord began to speak to me for this year. He outlined the year in quarters. He then revealed to me an interesting nugget: this would be a year of division. When you think of the word division, you are really seeing one total entity made up of two sections or parts, and in this case, visions that are going in different directions that must divide. Perhaps there is nothing wrong with either vision, but the two going together will be destructive in purpose and will not receive the blessing of the Lord. Unity releases the anointing and the "blessing". The Lord then showed me that division must come this year, but this process could be done without covenant breaking. He then revealed to me one plan of instruction for the Body in relation to the quarters of the year: Preparation, Empowerment and Release, War, and then Harvest. We have now entered the season of War. I believe many have gone through separations, some peaceful, some hurtful. These separations would have appeared to be the war. However, the war is to now reestablish or rebuild your vision, so your future is intact as we enter this next season. The war will continue in days ahead so that within your vision you develop a mentality for harvest and increase.

This is such an exciting time for the Body of Christ. I believe with the beginning of Rosh Hashanah we shifted into a new, historical time frame in the Body of Christ. At this millennial shift, change and conflict are abounding throughout the earth at such an accelerated pace that we find ourselves groping for stability, footing, and positioning. The world is changing so quickly that many awaken with anxiety to each new day. Societal institutions are shifting at such a pace that from region to region the entire earth seems to be in a constant state of "earthquake". A word synonymous with conflict is "warfare". That war is the clash with an enemy, whether of a tangible nature or a discerned perception. God, the Omnipotent Creator of the universe and mankind, always has had a remnant leadership that arises in the midst of conflict, activating their faith and determining the course of events that molds the world for generations to come. God has a priesthood, a nation above all nations, that He draws near to Him and communicates His kingdom desires, so His Victory goes forth on the earth. He then says to this priesthood of believers, called the Church: "Rise Up and War until you see My purposes for this generation established!"

What are we warring with and for? There are five areas that I see from the Word of God that we are in conflict against: The devil Gen 3:15; 2 Cor 2:11; Eph 6:12; Jam 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8; I John 3:8; Rev 12:17 The flesh Rom 7:23; 1 Cor 9:25-27; 2 Cor 12:7; Gal 5:17; 1 Pet 2:11. Enemies Psa 38:19; Psa 56:2; Psa 59:3. The world John 16:33; 1 John 5:4-5. Death 1 Cor 15:26; Heb 2:14-15. We are warring for Kingdom Purposes. With the recent shootings in Columbine and Ft. Worth I believe it is appropriate that I re-share what the Lord showed me in a vision in 1986. The Lord showed me three buildings. (Becky and I will have this in detail in our new our book called The Future War of the Church.) These were all linked in some form with a government diametrically opposing the Kingdom of God. The first was the existing Church structure that had grown religious and out of touch with the heart of God. The second building was called "militant religious governments". The third was called "lawlessness". He showed me that the first building had no power over the next two. He showed me strategy rooms in these latter two buildings where plans of terrorism and lawlessness were being devised. These acts of terrorism were designed to create great fear to hinder people from moving forward into a new place of worship and even cause some to convert to these false religious systems. Concerning the lawless structure, the Lord showed me lawless acts of violence and murder taking place in schools, churches, shopping malls, and super grocery centers (such as Wal-Mart and Sam's). He then showed me that He would cause a remnant Church to rise up with light and glory. This revelation-filled army would have the strategy to overthrow these other structures and convert many to God's kingdom. We are in a Kingdom war. The Lord is calling forth His apostolic, prophetic government for this next millennium to arise, be positioned, be in relational communications, and to be alert. There was a simple remedy to the above problem, especially in the sanctuary or church building: Establish gatekeepers at the door that were not filled with religion, who had discernment, and were not out of balance in mercy.

In war, there is purpose. The Lord is with US! Biblically, war always had a religious significance. Since Israel was the first fruits of God and His inheritance, the priests reminded their armies that Yahweh was with them to fight their battles (Dt. 20:1-4). To open a campaign, or to enter an engagement, the priest performed sacrificial rites (1 Sam 7:8-10; 13:9). If the people prepared for war and made the appropriate sacrifices to a Holy God, this would "sanctify" the war they were entering (Jer 6:4; 22:7; 51:27, 28; Micah 3:5; Joel 3:9). Isaiah 13:3 declares that Yahweh gathers His host and summons to battle His "consecrated, set apart ones". The warriors, consecrated by the sacrifices offered before the war, actually were the forerunners in battle. The Lord is calling out His forerunners. There is a holy sanctification going on in the Body as He prepares us to stand against the forces that are holding captive our families, churches, and cities.

In war, there is an order for victory. With the Israelites, the order of battle was simple. The force was drawn up, either in line, or in three divisions, with a center and two wings. There was a rearguard (called in the King James Version "rearward,") to give protection on the march or to bring in stragglers (Jdg. 7:16; 1 Sam 11:11; 2 Sam 18:2; Nu 10:25; Josh 6:9; 1 Sam 29:2; Isa 58:8). The signal for the charge and the retreat was given by sound of a trumpet. There was a battle cry to inspire courage and to impart confidence (Jdg. 7:20; Amos 1:14, etc.). The issue of the battle depended upon the personal courage and endurance of the combatants fighting man against man, but there were occasions when the decision was left to a single individual, such as the confrontation that took place at the battle of Elah between the giant Goliath and the stripling David (1 Sam 17). The real issue was that God had an order for victory. This is a time where much usurping is occurring. Individuals are attempting to get in place. Many forget that the Lord will make room for their gift. An individual who usurps might seem to prosper for a time, but they will find themselves struggling in due season. Resist this temptation. Self-evaluation and manipulation of one's own position leads to presumption. This also results in negating the Lord's perfect timing and His "best" plan.

In war, one must be prepared! To win a war you must be prepared. To Prepare means to make ready for a specific purpose, fit, adapt, or train. The word also means to put together or jointly fit, according to a plan or formula, or to make receptive, to dispose, customize or to equip or furnish with necessary provisions or accessories. This is a season when the Lord is attempting to position and join us in a way for victory. He also wants to release provisions so we can endure turmoil ahead and accelerate in His purposes. One of my favorite Scriptures on preparation is: "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning and you yourselves be like men who wait for their Master, when He will return form the wedding, that when He comes and knocks they may open to Him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the Master , when He comes, will find watching." The word goes onto say, "Those He will have sit down and He will serve!"(Luke 12:35-40). Girded signifies a readiness for action. Those that are watching will have the opportunity to sit and have communion with the Lord. His anointing will ready them to go forth in action. This passage is preceded by a discussion on the heart, treasure and covetousness. No good warrior has covetousness or is encumbered by worldliness. NOW is the time to liquidate all that is not absolutely essential. Ecclesiastes says, "There is a time to keep and a time to disperse". We are entering the season of being lean, ordered and simple. The Lord is reorganizing many ministries to get them to this place in His Spirit. He is dealing with our attachments, both physically and emotionally, because we can't be jointly fit if we are "attached inappropriately". He is telling each of us, "batten down the hatches! Establish your boundaries! Be careful of borrowing! Pay off what you can! Come and meet with me and I will tell you what you need to know!" A good warrior wars with watchfulness (1 Cor 16:13; 1 Pet 5:8) determining how the adversary is lurking to prevent them from accomplishing what the Father is asking them to accomplish.

To win the war, you must have confidence! There is not time during this season for self-pity. Insecurity is nothing but pride. The Lord can make you and keep you! He is forming "new, sharp threshing instruments"! We do not need to control the forming or we will rely upon our own flesh in the day of battle. From prayer we gain confidence. We must war with faith (1 Tim 1:18-19). We must be a prophetic people who know what the Lord has said and is saying and war from the power of His voice. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of the Lord. We must war with a good conscience (1 Tim 1:19). The conscience is the window of the soul. If our conscience is right before God, the enemy is unable to condemn us. This is where our strength of spirit comes from. We war with steadfastness in the faith (1 Cor. 16:13; 1 Pet 5:9; Heb. 10:23). Steadfastness is a different quality than "just faith". You do not waver and you keep confessing the will of the Lord until a manifestation occurs. We war with earnestness (Jude 1:3). Earnestness is linked with contending. We must contend for the apostolic truth that was released to the early church and its interpretation to this generation. We must war with sobriety (1 Thess 5:6; 1 Pet 5:8). Our minds must be clear, and not passive. We must war with an endurance in the midst of hardness (2 Tim 2:3; 2 Tim 2:10). We must persevere and transfer God's riches to others who can carry forth the Gospel. We must war with self-denial (1 Cor 9:25-27). The Cross is our victory. We must let it work in lives to produce the resurrection power that overcomes the enemy!

There is a war for harvest increase! Finally, there is a mentality of increase and victory that the Lord is attempting to develop in His people. The Lord is imparting to us a "hundredfold" mentality of victory within us. This type of "mind" will cause us to experience increase and bring the harvest into the storehouse. My next article will cover this. I see us as Gideon threshing wheat in the winepress. We should be out on the threshing floor, but the enemy has produced fear and occupied our place in the harvest. However, the Lord is about to visit us. He is then going to have us dethrone the thrones of iniquity in our lives and in the regions we live. He is then going to give us the strength to get the enemy out of our fields.

"How do we pray?" This has been my heart cry. First of all, we must realize that we are under Christ, as our Captain and the Lord's banner covers us. His banner is over those who fear Him. This banner is filled with truth and deliverance. (Psa 60). Get under this banner and begin to travail! Our Captain, Nissi, is bringing us to a place of confrontive, breakthrough praying! Be bold! Be confident! Be established! Be victorious! Pray boldly so that we begin to see heaven and earth in agreement and change flooding our regions! You are called to WAR! Do not fear! He can strengthen and guide you with His eye, and make you ready in the day of battle!!!!

Chuck Pierce is co-author of the book: "Ridding Your Home of Spiritual Darkness," with Rebecca Wagner Sytsema The book is $7.00 plus S&H and you can order it through Glory of Zion International Inc. at (888) 965-1099 or send email to: plantern@aol.com