Monday, February 05, 2001

Note from Michael Sullivant

Dear Steve,

Please feel free to use any excerpts from "Prophetic Etiquette" [to help ELIJAH LIST readers] or from my newer book, "YOUR KINGDOM COME."

In the introduction of the latter book, I share a dream that I had which I will include below-- that has blessed a number of people. Also I will submit a vision I received about two weeks ago.

--Michael Sullivant METRO CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, KANSAS CITY
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From Steve Shultz: To order Michael Sullivant's books, "Prophetic Etiquette" and "Your Kingdom Come" go to www.charismabookwarehouse.com
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BILLY GRAHAM AND GEORGE BUSH Jan 2001 -- A Word through Michael Sullivant

In a time of prayer with some prophetic intercessors I received a vision. On my left was an image of Billy Graham with his initials "BG" below the image. In a mirror-like reflection of Billy was an image of our new president George Bush with his initials "GB" directly across from the "BG". (At this point I remembered an account I had read about how many years ago.

Billy Graham had led President Bush to Jesus Christ during a personal visit to the Bush family.)

Then I heard an internal audible voice say. . .

"Many of the seeds of the Gospel that Billy Graham has sown across America over the last 50 years will germinate and take root during George Bush's administration."

I then began weeping as I thought about the profundity of the faithful and Godly witness of Billy Graham's life and ministry in our nation throughout these decades.

Somehow God is going to put a more intense spotlight on Billy's life, ministry and message in the eyes of many people very soon. I believe one presently hidden reason that the Lord has allowed George Bush to be elected President is to ultimately draw attention to the marvelous example and simple message of this servant of God--Billy Graham.
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THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS A "DOUBLE FEATURE" ---Early 1999 ---A Word through Michael Sullivant

The kingdom of God is a "double feature"

In a spiritual dream, I saw the kingdom of God as having two theatres operating concurrently. The first theatre represented God's sovereign activity in relation to his purposes. The second theatre represented the arena of human responsibility as it relates to God's purposes. It was like a "double feature", only the "shows" were playing at the same time. This was a word play on "two features" of God's kingdom purposes-God's part and our part. This could also represent two general "features," or aspects, of God's ways with humanity.

THE DEEP MYSTERIES OF DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY

I saw many people milling around the first theatre, trying to peer into the deep mysteries that surround divine sovereignty. They were captivated by the intrigue that it involves. However, the second theatre was almost empty. This was an urgent concern on the Lord's heart. Many of God's people were so fascinated by the first theatre that they were neglecting their arena of responsibility. Their inquisitiveness was paralyzing them from taking action. In this particular scenario, they were "philosophizing" as a subtle fleshly substitute for obeying!

THE SECOND THEATRE OF OPERATIONS

I knew that the Lord wanted to shift his people's attention on to the second theatre and draw them into it. The show that was playing there was not as intellectually intoxicating. It was very simple and practical. There was a posture of heart that was required to properly participate in this arena. It involved being in awe of the mystery of God's sovereignty and allowing this to lead them into humility, prayer and worship. The mysteries of God will never be exhausted by our finite minds and God has strategically ordained this dynamic.

In the next scene I saw the Lord as a "general contractor" of a vast building project. He had hired us as sub-contractors on the project.

STAYING OUT OF HIS "OFFICE"

The sub-contractors weren't to concern themselves with trying to do, or even comprehend, the job of the general contractor-this would distract them from doing their part. They needed to focus upon their job. The Lord didn't want people trying to occupy His "office." It is God's exclusive realm of responsibility to comprehend and righteously engineer the big picture of earthly activities in such a way that his name is glorified in the end. God is able to even turn evil upon its head to serve his ultimate purposes.

Ps 76:10 10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; with the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself. (NKJ)

SOVEREIGNTY AS SAFETY NET

In the last scene, I saw the sovereignty of God as a "safety net" under some acrobats. I knew that we were like those acrobats who, if they concentrated upon the net's presence, would be unable to perform their feats. They would miss their timing, their queues and their leaps and catches. God has called us to do kingdom exploits that require much preparation, self-discipline, timing, coordination, teamwork, courage, trust and skill. We should be truly grateful for the safety net of His mysterious sovereignty, but should not allow its reality to distract us from the responsibility before us. We are being called to do our part in the enterprise of God's kingdom. We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves us is not alone. Faith without works equals dead religion.

James 2:26 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (NKJ)

WHAT GOD MUST DO --- AND WHAT WE MUST DO

Through faith we must intercede, fast, humble ourselves, give generously, study and meditate, remember the poor, love our spouses and children, go to the unreached peoples, minister to the sick, evangelize the lost, serve our local church, preach and teach the word of God, disciple new converts and develop a rich secret devotional life. God will not do these things for us. We cannot do the things that only God can do and God will not do for us what he has called and empowered us to do with the promised help of the Holy Spirit.

Deut 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (NKJ)

CARNALITY MOTIVATES US TOWARD THE NOVEL

We tend to be motivated, through both our carnality and the forces of modern culture, by what is novel. However, the things that God has ordained for us to do, although we may find fresh expressions for them, are simple, reasonable and historically established activities-things like intercession.

"CALLING DOWN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT"

May God help us to find our way back to the joyful labor and profound practice of "calling down" the power of His Spirit and kingdom, both night and day, upon the regions of this earth in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. And, may we be enabled by Him to live out the other aspects of our lives in such a way that they become totally supportive of and integrated with this holy preoccupation of prayer.
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From Steve Shultz: To order Michael Sullivant's books, "Prophetic Etiquette" and "Your Kingdom Come" go to www.charismabookwarehouse.com