Elijah Comes to Restore All Things
Greetings in the Lord!
There have been different periods of time where the Lord has led me to read Matthew 17, usually just the beginning verses 1-13 regarding the transfiguration of Jesus. And I must admit, I've grappled with the deeper meaning of that passage. On the surface, it's clear that Jesus' earthly form changes into resplendent light of the divine before the disciples, and he talks with Moses and Elijah. But there are three versions of this story: Matthew includes a short passage about the coming of Elijah, i.e. John the Baptist and his death, Luke emphasizes the coming death and resurrection of Jesus, and Mark is a simplistic combination of both passages. Then, all three go on with a story about the disciples not being able to drive a demon out of a boy. Jesus cites their deficiency of faith and absence prayer (and fasting, in some translations)--then drives the demon out. Chapter 17 in Matthew ends with another miracle story of a fish providing a four-drachma coin for both Peter's and Jesus' tax.
Since the Lord does not lead me to read the Luke or Mark versions of the transfiguration story, I'm left to consider this teaching point--the coming of Elijah to restore all things, which in Jesus' days, was the baptismal ministry of John the Baptist. As I prayed about this, the Holy Spirit said this to me:
"There is a 'death wish' that will be broken off of the nations and a revival of baptisms will emerge as people will begin to seek Life as never before. Confronted with death, they will choose Life. People upon people and nation upon nation will desire to live and be washed and renewed in the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of baptism. There is a move of My Spirit in the nations now, especially in the United States where people will have an overwhelming desire to be made clean. Amen! For I have ordained this," says the Lord.
"A washing and cleansing of body, soul and spirit to make ready for the coming of Jesus. Churches will begin to rent out public swimming pools to baptize the people, and as many that come, all will be made clean by the power of My Spirit," says the Lord.
"A re-consecration of lives for Christ, and an acceptance of Jesus by many as the power of the enemy will be broken off of homes, families, and individuals in Jesus' name."
As I stopped to think about what the Holy Spirit had said, I was led to read Proverbs 6:6-8, which is the proverb to consider how ants are not guided or lead, but intrinsically prepare and work during the harvest time. Without allowing any other desire or priority to distract them, they read the time of season and act accordingly. With this I understand that there will be some "ants" among us, automatically doing what is needed in this End-time harvest, baptizing and evangelizing as we are called to do, and others are being encouraged to not let any hindrances or distractions take us from this necessary work.
Following the transfiguration story is the passage about the disciples not being able to drive out the demon in the boy. It is yet another reminder that our "work" must be Christ-centered, bathed in prayer, contended for in fasting, and sustained by our faith.
"...if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
There have been different periods of time where the Lord has led me to read Matthew 17, usually just the beginning verses 1-13 regarding the transfiguration of Jesus. And I must admit, I've grappled with the deeper meaning of that passage. On the surface, it's clear that Jesus' earthly form changes into resplendent light of the divine before the disciples, and he talks with Moses and Elijah. But there are three versions of this story: Matthew includes a short passage about the coming of Elijah, i.e. John the Baptist and his death, Luke emphasizes the coming death and resurrection of Jesus, and Mark is a simplistic combination of both passages. Then, all three go on with a story about the disciples not being able to drive a demon out of a boy. Jesus cites their deficiency of faith and absence prayer (and fasting, in some translations)--then drives the demon out. Chapter 17 in Matthew ends with another miracle story of a fish providing a four-drachma coin for both Peter's and Jesus' tax.
Since the Lord does not lead me to read the Luke or Mark versions of the transfiguration story, I'm left to consider this teaching point--the coming of Elijah to restore all things, which in Jesus' days, was the baptismal ministry of John the Baptist. As I prayed about this, the Holy Spirit said this to me:
"There is a 'death wish' that will be broken off of the nations and a revival of baptisms will emerge as people will begin to seek Life as never before. Confronted with death, they will choose Life. People upon people and nation upon nation will desire to live and be washed and renewed in the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of baptism. There is a move of My Spirit in the nations now, especially in the United States where people will have an overwhelming desire to be made clean. Amen! For I have ordained this," says the Lord.
"A washing and cleansing of body, soul and spirit to make ready for the coming of Jesus. Churches will begin to rent out public swimming pools to baptize the people, and as many that come, all will be made clean by the power of My Spirit," says the Lord.
"A re-consecration of lives for Christ, and an acceptance of Jesus by many as the power of the enemy will be broken off of homes, families, and individuals in Jesus' name."
As I stopped to think about what the Holy Spirit had said, I was led to read Proverbs 6:6-8, which is the proverb to consider how ants are not guided or lead, but intrinsically prepare and work during the harvest time. Without allowing any other desire or priority to distract them, they read the time of season and act accordingly. With this I understand that there will be some "ants" among us, automatically doing what is needed in this End-time harvest, baptizing and evangelizing as we are called to do, and others are being encouraged to not let any hindrances or distractions take us from this necessary work.
Following the transfiguration story is the passage about the disciples not being able to drive out the demon in the boy. It is yet another reminder that our "work" must be Christ-centered, bathed in prayer, contended for in fasting, and sustained by our faith.
"...if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
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