While 2007 was a year of crossing over into destiny, 2008 is our year of warring and winning back our Promised Land that we lost to the enemy in previous generations. This applies to many facets of life including family, finances, government, education, media and entertainment. Let's look at the Biblical basis and some of the possible applications as we go.
Taking the Promised Lands
First, we look at Israel under Joshua entering the Promised Land. It was already theirs, given by God to their ancestor, Abraham. They had crossed the Jordan, but there were many enemies led by powerful kings who would come to attack them. It was a time for warring, but it was also a time for winning.
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During 2007, there were some major events in the Kingdom which shifted things in the spirit realm, parallel to crossing the Jordan in the natural. One of the big events was TheCall Nashville on 07/07/07, attended by nearly 100,000 fasting Christians. There was major repentance for many national sins, comparable to the time of circumcision at the Jordan. Then there was the blowing of hundreds of shofars, reminiscent of the story of the conquest of Jericho. Many other significant events took place in 2007, including events in Israel.
I believe the Church will see some major victories in taking back what has been taken from us, especially in America. With just a matter of months until we know who our next President will be, the elections will focus on some major issues of concern to Christians, such as abortion and family values. Public opinion is changing and will change even more until the pendulum has swung in our favor.
Things are also changing in many nations around the world. While ministering in South Korea, God told me that they are an apostolic nation to send out the Gospel around the world. South Korea is an important nation in the Kingdom of God. The capital city, Seoul, home to the world's largest church, is an apostolic city and is well-named, with its focus on prayer and healing; it represents the "SOUL" of the Church, especially in Asia.
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The Esther/Mordecai Phenomena
Like the Church in our time, the Jews were oppressed by unbelievers and their situation became very serious. Just as Esther was in the palace, we, the Church, have not been aware of how serious a situation we are in. Enemies of the Church have moved into more positions of authority in government, business, education, media, etc. Like Haman, our enemies clearly hate us and want to eliminate us and our influence, because we won't bow down and worship them.
Mordecai, on the other hand, was in touch with the seriousness of the situation. He represents the prophetic intercessors that have been emerging with increased anointing around the world, making the Church aware of the enemy's plans and schemes. The Church is beginning to respond to the intercessors. We are learning to fast and pray and make our appeal to the King, our Bridegroom.
The result of the Esther/Mordecai phenomena was seeing the enemy's plans thwarted and the Jews winning battles all over the Persian Empire. In addition, Mordecai was placed in position of second in command to the King. I do believe that by the end of 2008, high level prophetic intercessors will be prepared to move into a place of great influence in close relationship with our next President. I do believe that there will be also be a top aide like Mordecai, who clearly hears from God. I certainly believe that whoever the next President of the USA will be, he will listen with great respect to a number of strong prophetic people.
David Possesses His Kingdom
David was also a man who fought many battles and won them all. But David, like the nation of Israel, had to wait a long time to possess what God had given him through Samuel, the prophet. After many years, his time finally came and although the house of Saul still fought against him, the Bible says that Saul's kingdom became weaker and David's kingdom became stronger.
Saul represents both political and spiritual leaders who are religious, but don't really know God. David represents intimacy and worship. He was a worship warrior. David was a man after God's own heart, and he won the battle over Saul, who loved the power of position more than his God or his country. We have had this scenario in every field of our society, including the Church. People have loved their position more than they have loved their God, and they cling to position and personal security. As with the shift of removing Saul and placing David, God will make many shifts concerning position and power this coming year.
Prophetic worshippers like David, will rise in popularity and surprise the media with a new sound in music. Look for new music and movies with a spiritual message. We already know of one coming movie in 2008 called Horton Hears a Who. This is a prophetic picture of the ending of abortion, whether Dr. Seuss, the author of the original book, realized it or not.
The Church is beginning to believe that God is really for us and willing to make us the head and not the tail, providing we truly seek first His Kingdom and not our own. It's time for all disciples of Jesus to join His team, rather than asking Him to join ours. This is a critical focus for all of us. Are we really willing to put His Kingdom before our ministry? Are we willing to do anything, go anywhere, or say anything that He asks of us? Are we radically in love with Him?
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In summary, it's time to prepare for war with a confidence in our miracle-working God. I believe that many anti-Christian kings in many spheres of authority will be overthrown in 2008. Many Joshuas, Mordecais and Davids will rise up and replace them.
I encourage everyone to fast and pray and get involved where they can in the spiritual process to bring change. This is a year where we will do more warfare than ever before, but we will war and win.
It won't be a year of sitting back and waiting for things to change. We will be very active in repossessing our possessions. Let many passionate leaders arise, especially among the younger generations. And let many of us older leaders make room for them, mentor, support and finance them for the sake of the Kingdom. We must not hold on like Saul, when Samuel has already anointed David.
It's time to take the whole land that God has given us. The year 2008 will see a strong beginning of the process.
HAVE A WINNING NEW YEAR!
Ben Peters
Open Heart Ministries
Email: benrpeters@juno.com
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Ben's Bio:
Ben Peters, author of numerous books, including Prophetic Ministry--Strategic Key to the Harvest, and Birthing the Book Within You, leads Open Heart Ministries with his wife, Brenda. Having pioneered churches, Christian Schools and an international itinerant ministry, they now focus on raising up the next generation, equipping them through prophetic ministry and apostolic teaching and mentoring. They are also beginning to pioneer the Chicago Sending Center, in support of Iris Ministries.
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