God's Timetable

The "times and seasons" of the Lord occur in cycles. A cycle is defined as "an interval of time during which a sequence of a recurring succession of events or phenomena is completed."

I believe the Lord revealed that the Book of Joel represents a key cycle in the Spirit. Although this prophetic book has its ultimate fulfillment in the end times, I believe the body of Christ is currently positioned in Joel 2:18-24.

Joel 2:24 - "And the threshing floors will be full of grain; and the vats will overflow with the new wine and oil."

As we see in the first chapter of Joel, the cycle begins with judgment and devastation...... a total stripping away of that which had existed before the locusts came. In the midst of this desolation, the Lord calls for His people to repent and turn back to Him.

Joel 2:12,13 - "Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments."

When this is our response, the Lord promises full restoration (vs.18-27), followed by a pouring out of His Spirit (vs.28,29). This is followed by a display of signs, wonders, and miracles (vs.30-32), and the "Valley of Decision" (Joel 3:14) for all flesh.

Have we been looking for signs and wonders? Have we cried out to the Lord for a great harvest of souls? Yes, many in the church are pressing in like never before through prayer, intercession, repentance, and worship. However, we've missed the promise of restoration that comes before such outpourings. The body of Christ, as a whole, has been unaware of the warfare that preceeds and guarantees this restoration. Just as the children of Israel crossed the Jordan into the promised land, only to fight and drive out the giants so that they could take possession of their inheritance, so is warfare required for us to inherit our promise.

When God's people humble themselves and return to Him with a whole heart, He arises as a Man of War to fight our enemies and restore to us our rightful inheritance!

Isa.42:13 - "The Lord will go forth like a warrior. He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout; yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies."
Joel 2:20 - "I will remove the northern (demonic) army far from you. And I will drive it into a parched and desolate land, and its vanguard into the eastern sea, and its rear guard into the western sea...."

I believe we are NOW seeing the Lord arise to battle our enemies, as we fight and decree the victory in concert with the Lord of Hosts and the angels! As we complete our travel through the narrow place (prophesied by Chuck Pierce and others), I believe the new year (beginning September 9, 2010) will see the promised restoration, followed quickly by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit such as we've never seen before. This will be accompanied by miracles, signs, and wonders, and God's people will do exploits and win many to Christ.

Nugget of Gold: Hold the course! Victory is at hand! There will be no more delay in our lives as we boldly stand on the promises we've been given! The Lord has formed His new wine skins and filled us with the new wine. He has poured out a fresh anointing, and we are filled with His Spirit!