Here's what I hear the Lord saying to the Church today:

"I AM RELEASING FROM NOW ON a new quality of life and power given as a gift to the Bride of Christ! I AM PREPARING FROM NOW ON a generation to carry the torch of the advancing Kingdom of God to a new level. This is 'a season of destiny' unmatched by any other."

Defining the Reformation

A day of great exploits is here – a massive migration is taking place as the people of God move forward to the next level of God's Kingdom breakthroughs! The new thing God is doing cannot be limited to the term "revival," for it is a complete reformation of the Church in all the earth. This is not something that is being restored from the past, but something being released in all its newness for today. What He has in store for us is something completely unforeseen. No one will be able to say, "Oh, I knew that was coming" – for only the Creator of Eternity can pull off what He is about to do...

You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, "Yes, I knew of them." Isaiah 48:6-7

This is the reformation the prophets have foretold was coming. It is a reformation of the inner structure of the mentality and understanding of the Church. It is an upgraded version of the book of Acts. Let's call it version Acts 2.1.

The overhaul of the perception of the Church is now underway. The result will be the overwhelming power of God released through Christ's Body into the world. God is redesigning the Church by means of a deep inner change within the hearts of Believers and the structures we have invented. This reformation is more profound and far-reaching than that which came through the lives of Martin Luther and the reformers in the middle of the 16th Century! Aren't you glad YOU get to be a part of this?

Startling the Nations

God's intention is to reveal Himself to the world in fresh and even startling ways. This visitation of the Person and glory of Christ will cause the nations to marvel and be amazed. Listen to Isaiah's words:

"Many were amazed when they saw Him – beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know He was a person. And He will again startle many nations." Isaiah 52:14-15a NLT

This prophetic word operates on two levels. On one level it is a clear description of the sufferings of Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. But that event itself did not fulfill all of this prophecy. The crucifixion did not "disfigure" Him so that people could "scarcely know He was a person." In fact, crucifixion was a common form of death for criminals by the Romans. Paul received five times more lashings than what Jesus received (2 Corinthians 11:24-25).

This prophecy speaks of the distortion of His appearance in the Church and the accuracy of His manifestation to the world. Because of inaccurate positions of the Church and misrepresentations of Believers as to the true compassionate nature of Jesus, His mystical Body (the Church) has been a distorted presentation of Christ to the nations...but that is coming to an end! When everyone has given up on the Church, His Body, look out! He AGAIN will startle the nations by raising up His Bride as a beautiful witness of resurrection power!

"He will again startle many nations!" The word translated "sprinkle" (King James and NIV) is the Hebrew word, nazah – and means "to leap in surprise, to startle." This is speaking of a shocking new reality coming that will startle the nations and cause them to leap with surprise. Astonishing new things are on the horizon as the reformation intensifies.

...and kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. Isaiah 52:15b NIV

Kings will shut their mouths when they see the manifestation of the Son of God shining through the Church. These kings refer to both the kings of the political world, but also the princes and "rulerships" of the spiritual realm on earth. The powers that be will be shaken, both natural and spiritual powers! The princes of the powers of the air will shut their mouths of accusation against the Church when Christ's glory is manifest through us!

The Hebrew word for "shut" can also mean "to convulse, or to leap." This is a sudden convulsion of the powers on earth as revelation reality grips the Church in reformation. The word "mouth" used in this verse is used in another form in Proverbs 8:3 where it refers to the doors or gates of the city! The new unveiling of Jesus will cause the systems of the earth to convulse at all the stronghold entrances to this world system. The gates of the city will shudder as a new, mighty reformation impacts the earth.

New revelation is about to be given on a level we have not formerly known. We will understand what we have not heard before and receive in our hearts what we have never seen. New insights on mercy, judgment, authority, end times, and rulership will soon come to the earth. Our vision boundaries will be broken, enabling us to perceive what God is doing on the earth and cooperate with Him by bringing it to pass.

This new understanding must be released to the emerging Church, for without deep understanding of the ways of God, people will not change their position. They will see change as a threat, inflicting pain, and not seeing the prophetic necessity to embrace the new. A generation is arising that will see change as the fulfillment of their heart's desire.

I'm glad to be a part of that generation! Hold on to your hat! God is saying: "From now ON!"

Brian Simmons
Apostolic Resource Center (ARC) & Stairway Ministries

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.

1 Corinthians 2:7

The greatest gift and blessing that we possess is our spiritual sensitivity and hunger.

Unless we maintain a time of active daily communion and fellowship with our Lord, this "hunger," along with the anointing that enables us to unlock and understand the deeper levels of revelation within the Word of God, will gradually fade until we are left spiritually barren.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength... Isaiah 40:30-31

To maintain our spirituality, it is essential that we set apart a specific time and place in which to "wait upon the Lord." As we do this, we will be "re-charged" spiritually. Just as a battery that has been discharged through use must be re-charged, so also, we must hold ourselves before the Lord, to allow His life and power to flow back into our being.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

The word "after" tells us that this "power" is given after we spend time in the presence of our Lord. These times of specific "waiting upon the Lord" will impart to us a "divine strength" that replaces our human weakness. This will result in an increase of our love for the Lord Himself, and produce within us the anointing that will quicken our understanding, enabling us to respond to the presence and promptings of the Lord.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

The emphasis is on our ability to hear, and our willingness to respond. This "hearing" is through the inner ear of our Spirit.

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 13:9

As we wait on the Lord in His presence, this ability to hear spiritually can be developed and improved.

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant. Psalm 25:14

This word "fear" speaks of a reverential awe or respect that stimulates us to respond to His presence and voice and "wait upon Him" with focused, undivided attention.

It is important for us to recognize that we function on two different levels of life.

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:44

Either one or the other of these will predominate – the "natural" or the "spiritual." As our spiritual life increases, our carnal desires will decrease. The "strength" of each of these is determined by the choices we make, the preferences we give, and which of these we nurture with our thoughts and actions.

The level of our spirituality is greatly affected by the amount of time we spend in "waiting upon the Lord." The time in which we come apart and look upward toward the Lord should never be passive, but rather, an active waiting in "anticipation," as one who watches for someone to enter a room. It should include a time of quiet worship and the expression of our love to the Lord.

I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me...That I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. Proverbs 8:17, 21

As we express our love for the Lord, it will bring a response from Him ("I love them that love Me"), lifting us into a higher level of communion and fellowship with Him. As we look toward Jesus in an attitude of receiving, the "substance" of His being will flow into us, to change us into His image and likeness.

As we continue to daily "wait on the Lord," to receive the impartation of spiritual life and strength that is essential to our spiritual well being, there must be a parallel "crucifixion" of our natural, soulish life. This is accomplished as we commit to the Cross all things which are contrary to our spiritual development – that seek to hinder or replace our times of waiting before the Lord.

The Lord will, through this process of crucifixion, remove the agitations and all that rebels against our becoming "still" before Him. We must pass through this time of "processing" before we will be able to fully experience the release of spiritual life that the Lord desires to make available to us.

Our ability to "wait upon the Lord" will increase as we "wait upon the Lord." As desirable and well intentioned as they may be, relationships with other Christians will never nurture or satisfy our spiritual hunger.

There must be the lifting of our being into a "vertical" relationship with the Lord – an intimate, personal coming to the Lord Himself, as coming to a person who desires to be known. As we "wait in His presence," He will make Himself known to us. Then, we will be better able to fellowship one with another.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6

It is very important that we set apart special times when we are absolutely alone with the Lord. "...I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20).

In "waiting upon the Lord" we are both "quickened" and "lifted" into the realms of the Spirit. While we wait, the Lord works, re-orienting our desires and creating within us a sensitivity and openness to the "realm of the Spirit." This process of maturing us spiritually may be hindered as, while we work, the Lord waits. It is much easier to work for the Lord than to come apart and become quiet so we can wait on Him.

As our spiritual senses are sharpened, we will become more responsive to the desire of the Lord for communion and fellowship with us, and toward His desire for the redemption of mankind through us.

That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. Philippians 3:10

This increased spiritual sensitivity, which we receive through our extended times of "waiting upon the Lord," will also cause us to become more sensitized to the natural realm. We must learn how to bear this sensitivity without any reaction or retaliation because of what we see or feel.

Who is blind, but My servant? or deaf, as My messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant? Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not. Isaiah 42:19-20

Because of the keen spiritual sensitivity that Jesus possessed, He knew the hearts of men, but He refused to react according to circumstances. He maintained His position in the heavenlies and was motivated according to what His Father was saying and doing, not man.

[However] that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 1 Corinthians 15:46

"First...that which is natural; and afterward..." We are to move in the faith that we have, no matter how limited it may be, and then we will be lifted upward into the "realm of the Spirit," where we will begin to move into that which is spiritual.

As we continue to "wait on the Lord in expectancy," in time we will pass from the natural realm into the "realm of the Spirit," where we will begin to move in that which is spiritual. At times, we may "feel" very little of Him, or of His presence. Even if we seemingly feel nothing as we "wait," we will later notice that it has, in a good way, affected all that we do or say.

The Lord God hath given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth Mine ear to hear as the learned. Isaiah 50:4

It is essential that we set apart time within the schedule of our busy lives to "wait upon the Lord."

If we will do this daily, we will never be disappointed.

Wade E. Taylor
Wade Taylor Ministries