On April 14, 2020 during a time of prayer, I experienced an encounter with Jesus that I would like to share with you. On this day we were on our 19th day of the initial 21 day lock-down here in South Africa due to the Covid-19 virus. Since then the lock-down has been extended another 2 weeks. But on the 14th as I was in the presence of the Lord he reminded me of the passage in the first chapter of Revelation beginning with verse 12. This is just after John heard the loud voice behind him speaking. "When I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, I saw seven golden lampstands. And walking among the lampstands, I saw someone like a son of man, wearing a full-length robe with a golden sash over his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool - white as glistening snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire, and his voice was like the roar of many rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. And his face was shining like the brightness of the blinding sun!"
As I prayed I saw a very vivid picture of Jesus as described here. I saw the 7 lampstands and Jesus in the midst of them with a brightly shinning face, wild hair , glowing fiery feet and a tongue like a sword. In the image the Lord gave me, I saw the 7 stars or messengers in his hand rise above the seven lampstands and I felt that those 7 messengers have messages for the church in this day and hour. I believe the Lord is releasing them to His church in this season during the Covid-19; a message of restoration. He is restoring things in the church.
I waited before the Lord to hear what He would say and He began to speak to me concerning those messages that are for the church in this hour. He spoke a couple of things to me and I felt that there would be a total of 7 words coming forth. So I waited to hear each one in an attitude of praise and thanksgiving.
The first thing I heard was that there will be a restoration of Praise and Worship in Spirit and Truth to the church. It will be entered into with trembling and awe. Those words "trembling and awe" were very vivid and emphatic.
Secondly, the true prophetic word is being restored to the church. It will no longer be watered down or come from a desire to tickle the ears of those receiving it.
Third, there will be a release of brotherly kindness and tender love. It will be the type of kindness and love that seeks not it's own or to be seen by men, but rather from the heart and with a desire to glorify God and to point others to Christ.
Fourth, I see the coming release of the type of giving that is motivated by love. No longer will manipulation tactics or coercion be acceptable practice in the church, but rather giving will be a joyful expression of love for God.
Fifthly, I see God's timing becoming priority for leaders and believers. There will be a release of the urgency to wait on the Lord, knowing when to move and when to hold, not rushing ahead but being released in boldness in His timing.
Number six, I see the release of explosive power in the church. EXPLOSIVE POWER in and through the Holy Spirit.
Lastly, I heard the Lord say, "Rest". I see the release of the Father's rest. He is calling us to it as in Hebrews 3 and 4. "So then, there is still awaiting a full and complete Sabbath-rest reserved for the [true] people of God;... Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish..." This place of rest is found in the abiding presence of our God and entered in to through Jesus our great High Priest. This is not the Saturday type of physical rest, but rather the kind of rest that is ours as we enter into the heavenly realm, into the Holy of Holies, meeting face to face with our Father receiving His rest every day. Then, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, live from that heavenly place. All the 6 things above will be found and accomplished from that place of rest in His presence.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and may you find His abiding rest moment by moment.
In His Service,
Theresa McArthur
Thank you very much for availing yourself to be God 'a vessel of His divine purpose. This is is uplifting and encouraging. May the Lord continue to use you to be a source of encouragement to the Body of Christ . Morgan and Scholastica Sibanda ( Glory to God Bible Ministries - Mozambique )