As I watch some of the events going on around us, I was reminded that many have said that the stability which the United Kingdom has enjoyed through the centuries has been because of the strength of the three pillars of our society: Church, Monarchy and Parliament. Many of you will know both our monarchy and our government were founded on the awareness of, and commitment to, a Higher Authority, and together with the church, these three structures have kept our nation stable and secure. However, we are all aware of the shakings and changes taking place and according to 1Timothy 2:1, we must keep praying for God’s cleansing and restoration.
God is doing something fresh in our land, but its easy to know this to be true in certain areas, yet in other areas of our lives to allow our thinking to remain in the old. God is and has been preparing His church to step into the voids that are opening.
In the end, the spiritual governs the natural because God is spirit. if you read Hebrews 8:5 TPT, it tells us ’the priests on earth serve in a temple that is but a copy modelled after the heavenly sanctuary; a shadow of the reality’
In a less perfect way, the physical Church, Monarchy and Government of this nation are only a shadow or a vague form of the real thing, even though historically in many ways they were modelled on Biblical principles and kept in place by ongoing prayers, vows and covenants. The true government and monarchy is the Body of Christ. We are the Bride of Christ – and the Royal Priesthood. We are the true royalty on the earth.
A few years ago, we declared ‘God is changing the face of His church’. He is raising a people who are the ‘Ecclesia’ – which Jesus spoke of in Matthew 16:18 – this legislative assembly. It is also a people who know their true identity in Christ and part of that, is the revelation that we are His children, sons and daughters of the King of Kings and Lord of Glory – a Royal Priesthood. I believe God is preparing these same three structures, Church, Royalty and Government to stand strong in the days ahead – but these are not the earthly forms, but His glorious Body. As we step into our God given identity, walking in humility, we will become the ones who will keep this nation strong and secure in the days ahead.
When we step into our God given position, functioning as those three pillars in the invisible realm, then I believe we will also see restoration of those pillars in the earthly realm.
For us all to find our place, many are walking through wilderness experiences, hence this short declaration. Be blessed
Lord we thank You for the transformational power of the wilderness to shape, to train and to anoint – We acknowledge You have been dealing with our minds, our motivations and our hearts, but now You are calling Your people to experience and walk in a fresh revelation of Your Majesty, Power and Covenant Love.
We declare in these days ‘living water’ will flow from the hearts of Your people dug in the deep places of that walk with You. We declare You are birthing a people who understand their identity in You, who will stand in their authority in the spiritual realm, moving out, anointed by the Spirit, to do the works You have called us to do.
Suzanne Ferrett.
Encounters with the Snow
A few weeks ago, while worshipping with a friend, I was slightly surprised when I heard the Holy Spirit very clearly speak the phrase ‘Treasures of the Snow’, and with it came the touch of the Spirit and the word ‘purify’.
For me, this was an unusual thing for God to say and obviously had a personal application, yet it was also totally unexpected, as we look at the battle for our land, although I had been seeking God over some particular issues in my life relating to me heart.
In fact, my immediate thought went to the book by Patricia St John, and I was slightly surprised to read that the Biblical verse in Job 38: 22 speaks of the Treasury or Storehouse of the snow, rather than the treasure. Yet as I have meditated on this over the last few weeks, I believe God was speaking of both, that it is a time when He will pour out from that Storehouse, cleansing, purifying, healing encounters with the Holy Spirit. (Psalm 51:7 says, ‘wash me and I will be whiter than snow’), but as we welcome those encounters, as we allow the Holy Spirit to move us into a place of true repentance and not just a mental assent, so God will bring forth true treasure in our lives – the fruit of repentance.
I love this concept of snow, certainly for many of us, snow is something which comes for a time and then goes – it is not a place where we live permanently. I believe God is looking for deep, life changing encounters with us which bring a lifestyle of humility and dependence on God, yet without the heaviness of religion which brings condemnation and failure.
Many will tell you that Revival always starts with the repentance of the church, it is well documented, and this is the time for revival in our land. Godly laws whilst good for people, and we must continue to pray and work for Godly laws, will never make the hearts of people righteous, and this is a time when God is looking at the hearts of people.
At the beginning of 2016 God said to me that as in Hebrews 10:1 “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming- not the realities themselves.”. The context being the difference between the old and new covenants, the law of the Old Testament only produced an outward obedience, under the New Covenant God is looking for the transformation and obedience of our hearts. Similarly, Godly Laws, while good for people, produce an outward obedience and not hearts that are turned to God. But for this to happen, you and I need to change and change deeply.
Void of Government
When I started PFTN in March 2016, God spoke to me of the ‘Void of Government’ which would occur, yet God said this would be the time for the Ecclesia to arise and I believe that Ekklesia is beginning to do that. The Ekklesia is now a word many understand but for those who are still unsure, the Ekklesia – the word Jesus used for His church in Matthew 16:18 amongst others, described the democratic assemblies that governed in some of the Greek cities, deciding how their particular city would function.
God’s Ecclesia are those who understand that principle, some will function more through influence and transformation, yet also those who will rise-up at this time, hearing from Heaven and ruling in the heavenly realm through declaration and decree.
We are in a nations season, and for our nation the need is clear. God gave His people the mandate to rule or disciple nations, (in justice, righteousness, mercy and truth – not to be confused with man’s attempts) yet the authority to do that requires a level of obedience we perhaps are not used to walking in.
In general, if we are to ‘decree the decree of the Lord’ as in Psalm 2; we must firstly be those whose personal filter systems are pure, and so God is asking us to deal with the things that effect our ability to hear clearly – from sin issues of the heart, just as jealousy, competition, sleepiness or apathy, to the distractions that we so quickly give way to. If we are to hear and respond to the Holy Spirit, we need to be those who recognise His voice above all others – how much do we miss because we miss the promptings of the Holy Spirit when He wants to speak with us.
God gives us all authority, Matthew 28:28, but we can give that authority away by our actions or attitudes and one of the most obvious places where we are seeing that I believe is in the area of the government of our nation.
A Hole in the Spiritual Ozone Layer?
I believe this is a time for the Ekklesia to come into place, but the Bible clearly instructs all believers to pray for those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:2
Yet across our land, many churches will not touch these areas in prayer and there is no encouragement for their congregations to do so. Many are being obedient to God in their calls and bringing in the Kingdom through the preaching of the gospel or involvement in their communities, but this area is left ‘void.’ Since the spiritual realm rules the natural, is there a void in natural government because we have left one in the spiritual?
The reason is because of the highly charged emotions and opinions that are evoked when we even speak about these things, and that is partly because we have not taught people that in politics as in other arenas, opinion is fine, prejudice is not. Jesus said, ‘beware of the yeast of the Herodians’. The Herodians were the political people of their day, and if we do not deal with it in our churches, we give away the authority we should carry in this sphere.
Of course, we are allowed our own opinions, but we must bow to the King of Kings. There is a way to pray which is above all political opinion and behind which we can all unite. The Kingdom of God carries principles and the Word of God promises, which we can pray secure in the fact that we are praying above the political realm. If the church united to do this, would we close the void in the heavenlies, as we are seeking to do with the ozone layer in the natural one.
And if we were not personally offended by people’s opinions but held a Kingdom perspective, and open hearts, would we be more able to be the voice of hope, reason and peace in our families and communities?
I believe that God is moving across our nation, that we will see things shift in the coming days, but what are the lessons which we need to learn now for the future?
Voice
The voice of the church needs to be heard, at the very least in the place of prayer in this time of political turmoil. Parliament represents the whole population not just a few, yet have we looked to the few to pray?
Treasure
’Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is my law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults’ Isaiah 51:7
So, what is the treasure God is speaking of that will be the outcome of the release of His storehouse of the cleansing snow?
God is looking for a church which is pure, holy and on fire for Him. Where the fear of the Lord rises above every other fear causing a radical obedience to His Spirit – to love, to speak, to act and to pray.
If you have not already seen the video about Gods call which brought Passion for the Nation to birth, we have re posted it on YouTube and you can watch it using the link below.
We live in very different days from those most of us grew up in and the battle in our nation is now firmly at the door of Government, and coming from many different directions! I believe it is a time to be asking God for revelation but we also need information.
It is very easy to rise to the challenges of the immediate and the obvious, and ignore a wider perspective. If you are in business, you might refer to deciding between the urgent and the important.
Many of us have concepts about Marxism and communism without any hard facts, so this is a very brief blog, to provide some basic information.
The scriptures speak a great deal about money, and as I researched the principles so that we can pray from God’s perspective, it occurred to me that you can make a case for socialism or capitalism as we have experienced them within our politics in the last years. In fact, we live in what can be referred to as a mixed economy.
In His Kingdom, God speaks of making money, using what we have to make a profit, (parable of the talents) and rejoicing with those to whom God gives wealth. He also speaks strongly of caring for those with genuine needs, respecting all individuals and paying workers fairly, plus so much more. All of this holds together with the Kingdom values of serving God not mammon, and having a generous spirit. I do not need to expand on all the relevant Kingdom values here.
However, any principles that come from the Word of God, are based on an absolute acceptance that there is a Higher Authority, the Sovereign Living God, revealed to us in Jesus.
Extreme socialism as taught by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels is different. It is an ideology, influenced by the work of a German philosopher, Hegel. It is focused on the concept that class struggle is a central element in the analysis of social change in Western society.
Marx divided people into two group, the wealthy capitalists and the workers, or proletariat, by how the two groups earned their living.
Marxism basic beliefs are: –
- Public ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange and common ownership rather than private ownership.
- He considered the working class to be a revolutionary class, universal in their character and suffering.
- Religion he referred to as “the sigh of the oppressed”
Some quotes of Karl Marx are:
“The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them”.
“Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Workingmen of all countries unite!”
“The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. To call on them to give up their illusions about their condition is to call on them to give up a condition that requires illusions. The criticism of religion is, therefore, in embryo, the criticism of that vale of tears of which religion is the halo”
“… want to sweep away everything that claims to be supernatural and superhuman, for the root of all untruth and lying is the pretention of the human and the natural to be superhuman and supernatural.”
Lenin: “Atheism is a natural and inseparable part of Marxism, of the theory and practice of scientific socialism”
While Marxism is an ideology based on Karl Marx’s ideas, communism can be called a political system, which is based on Marxist ideology.
In Marxist – Leninist Theory: religion is seen as a retarding human development; hence the introduction of state atheism.
Two world Systems.
Marx and Engels believed there were two economic world systems:
- Capitalism rooted in Feudalism
- Communism rooted in socialism (often through revolution)
Marx believed, capitalism was unsustainable: “as the contradictions of capitalism become greater, more intense, and less amenable to disguise, neither the state nor ideology can restrain the mass of the workers, white and blue collar, from recognizing their interests (becoming “class conscious”) and acting upon them.”
Marxists believe that as capitalist economies are unable to erase poverty out of their own nations and class division increases, capitalism would be overthrown and replaced by a socialist society. Through democratic planning, production would be directed to serving social needs instead of maximizing private profit. The final goal, toward which socialist society would constantly build, is that of “communism”.
This is a time of great opportunity for the Kingdom of God to come. God has spoken time and time again about His desire to move in our land.
It is a time to pray for revival and great awakening but also the economy, large city and rural estates, for social cohesion and for maturity amongst the younger generation, Prayer and action, must go together, for those who will work, for those who carry God’s solutions to be raised up…….
Every blessing Suzanne
NB: on a totally different note: in conversation last week with a friend the number 51 came up as significant to us both! 51 = 3 x 17.
17 is the number for complete victory! If you are still looking for personal victory, be encouraged! For the nation, God is still moving!! Blessings to you all.
“now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them, saying, “take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Leaven of Herod.”
And they reasoned amongst themselves, saying. “it is because we have no bread.”
But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears. Do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?
They said to Him, “Twelve.”
Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragment did you take up?”
And they said, “Seven.”
So, He said to them, “How is it that you do not understand?” Mark 8: 13 – 21
When Jesus spoke these words, His disciples were in a huge place of transition, in their expectation, and their understanding, values and actions. They expected Jesus to bring in a new order for Israel, proclaim Himself king and to use force if necessary.
They had a concept of who He is, but it was only partial. They were at the beginning of a big process.
This episode highlights part of that process for them and just like many of Jesus’s parables, it can be received on many levels.
For those who have heard me share the vision for PFTN, part of that vision is to put in place in the Spiritual realm a framework for God’s purposes for the future for our nation. (Hebrews 11:3). Frameworks, plans, blueprints are mathematical designs, and I believe God is raising the profile of numbers in His word for that reason.
Against the background of Jesus speaking of the Yeasts of these groups of people, (the account in Matthew 16:6 adds that of the Sadducees) Jesus highlights some past events and in particular He emphasizes the numbers involved.
The three groups of people Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodians were the ruling classes of their day.
- The Pharisees strong on law and tradition, also known for their intellectual skill;
- the Sadducees were the wealthy, ruling group, holding the largest share of the Sanhedrin
- the Herodians the political class.
Jesus said of them in Mark 10:42 you know those who are considered rulers over the gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.”
Although there are good people in all these groups, the structures lift the significance of those involved above the ordinary person, to the few. They show the control and domination of so many of the worlds systems, yet in our day, God is shaking these systems, and the ordinary public is kicking against them. The question is always what will they be replaced with?
In this passage, Jesus highlights two different systems, that of the world and that of heaven. On its simplest level, as the disciples transition from expecting an earthly kingdom to catching a glimpse of the Kingdom of God, Jesus is saying remember what I’ve already done for You, watch Me, allow who I am to touch You. Do not fear. Notice how My Kingdom releases miracles, and serves the people, instead of Lording it over people, I feed and nourish them. Much has been taught over the years in this area.
What follows is one of the most popular Sunday School stories ever, but I found myself asking, why did Jesus highlight the numbers? Why are they repeated in all four gospels? What would they have meant to His disciples? So often when we look at the significance of numbers, we use scripture references, often from Books of the Bible that would not have even existed in Jesus’ time. So, what would these numbers have meant to the disciples as they watched and listened?
I looked back to the scriptures the disciples would have been taught, and also to the Hebrew. Hebrew does not have numerical symbols, but each number is associated with a letter of the alphabet, is also represented by a pictograph and therefore each number has a meaning as well as a value. For example, the number 5 is the fifth Hebrew letter, hey. The word five is Chamesh and there is also a pictograph.
Five loaves fed 5000 with 12 baskets left over;
The Meaning of the Numbers
The number 5 is the number of grace, but it also carries the meaning – ‘behold, look, wake up’. David used 5 stones against Goliath, grace to overcome. The letter Hey which corresponds to the number 5 has to be breathed out, so it connects with the power of words, of His word. As many will know, this letter when placed in the middle of the name Abram changes it to Abraham – personal transformation.
But I love this, because both incense and anointing oil have 5 ingredients and there are 5 books of the Torah (the Word) it speaks of us being empowered by the Word and the Spirit.
A thousand is the Biblical number of multiplication brought about by appointed leadership as in Deuteronomy 1:11, but the pictograph describes the connecting of the upper realm of heaven with the earth.
The number 12 is well understood; twelve disciples; 12 gates of Jerusalem;12 precious stones in the new Jerusalem. Jacob had 12 sons who became the foundation of Israel. This number speaks of God’s Government; perfection in rule. There were also 12 cakes of unleavened bread in the Temple, replaced every week – the need for fresh bread, fresh revelation.
Conclusion: God’s Kingdom depends upon grace for all things, that as the freshness of His Word and Spirit come together it releases true personal transformation, food for others, then as we increasingly walk bringing the revelation and truth of heaven into our world, even the Lordship of Jesus, we see multiplication and the release of true authority, true Kingdom Government.
Similarly, 7 Loaves fed 4000, with 7 baskets left over.
The number 7 in Hebrew speaks of fullness, completeness and perfection think of the 7 days of creation, 7 spirits of God, 7 colours of the rainbow – covenant. The pictograph is of a man “crowned” with glory and honour. The word for 7 means weapon or sword but derives from the word nourishment. Interestingly the number 7 is also very connected to time.
The number 4 in Hebrew is very connected to creation, the fabric of the universe was completed on the 4th day. There are 4 seasons, 4 winds, north, south, east and west.
The root of the word means humility, yet Judah was the 4th son, the tribe which was called to rule.
Again, multiplication by 1000 brings the increase of Godly rule, leaving this time 7 baskets.
Personal Insights
I love this, the Mesopotamian region at the time of Jesus, believed there were 7 regions in the earth, and there are of course 7 continents. What a picture of this season, as the church moves in the fullness of the revelation God has restored over the centuries, it will have world impact.
To me it also speaks of the release of Romans 8 season, where the Sons of God are revealed, and the power of the miraculous on a different level.
“for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.”
Romans 8: 18
None of this is intended as a theology, but all of it can be backed up by scripture in other places. To me it is a wonderful picture of the difference between the worlds systems and His Kingdom, but as so often Jesus hides the deepest revelation for those who will seek it out.
No longer a kingdom that will seek to dominate or control, where significance comes through rules, power, intellect or money. But this beautiful kingdom, where everything is by grace, empowered by the word and Spirit. Where God’s rule is established in humility, releasing authentic growth and world impact.
Blessings to you all!
Suzanne Ferrett
Passion for the Nation