For many years, I’ve had a strong sense in my spirit that the Lord has been preparing His true followers to rise up and shine brightly during the years leading up to Christ’s return. For more than a decade, I’ve sensed that God would be releasing forerunners who have been walking through refining fires, surrendering to the sanctification process that’s necessary to live an abundant life in Christ.
The Bible says we are saints by calling, and we’re sanctified through the power of Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:2 (NASB) says: “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.”
The refinement process is not about being perfect. Sanctification is about depending on Christ to fill us with His righteousness. It’s about examining our hearts daily and allowing Christ to remove sin from our lives. God knows we will mess up every single day, but Christ’s amazing grace beckons us to keep allowing Him to purify us. There’s a never-ending journey of refinement when we choose to give our lives to Christ.
In 2012, I wrote the following words (in quotation marks) as I was praying on my patio and pondering what I thought Jesus would want to speak to His beloved saints. The words are inspired by the scriptures that I’ve hidden in my heart. Even though I wrote this nine years ago, I believe God wanted me to wait to share these words on my blog for the season we’re in now. This is for the ones who have truly walked with Christ and known Him as the REFINER.
“Enough is enough. Never again will the enemy rob from those who live righteously. I know the battles have been relentless, but let your heart rest in knowing that the glory of My present house is much greater than the glory of the former house. Now I am keeping watch because you have sought Me; you have let me sit as a refiner and purifier of your hearts. Rejoice! For the time has come for the forerunners to be released. It is time for you to come forth and let My GLORY be seen in your lives. You have stood the tests of refinement. You have let Me be the ruler of your life, so now I will promote you. The religious mockers will be brought down unless they humbly repent and turn fully to Me. Works of the flesh will no longer rule in the church. My true followers will rise up and shine. The truth will prevail. The intercessors that have been on their faces behind closed doors will come out of hiding and have a voice for the kingdom of God. It is time for the faithful ones to be listened to. I will open doors and give platforms to those who humbly wait on Me and My timing. Rise up, all of you who have been called by Me to do great and mighty things for My kingdom. Rise up, and look not at the enemy. I have surrounded you with a wall of fire. I will protect you and your families as you live in My Spirit. Never again will an oppressor overrun your life, for I am the keeper of your house. Where I am—there can be no darkness. Dance upon injustice and worship Me until I return. Fight for those who are still being overrun by the enemy. I love you, My beloved ones, with an everlasting love. I will be your rear guard now and until the end of time.”
But I will encamp at my temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch. Zechariah 9:8 (NIV)
‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty. Haggai 2:9 (NIV)
Christ has confirmed to me in other ways that He has been beckoning THE TRUE CHURCH to arise. In 2011, I felt led to paint an image I saw in my mind. This painting is very simplistic, but I believe it has a prophetic message. Years ago, I showed the painting to a friend and asked her to help me interpret the meaning. She believes this painting is symbolic of the bride of Christ rising up. I pondered her words and agreed with what she said. Also, I believe the green is symbolic of Christ’s bride coming fully alive after being beaten down for so long.
Please write a comment if God shows you insights about this painting.
With Christ’s various confirmations, I believe that God wants His beloved saints to rise up fully and stand boldly in His glory.
I’m praying for those who have endured relentless spiritual warfare and those who have felt like giving up in the midst of the excruciating battles. May your spirit be lifted and encouraged every day until the end of the age.
