“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I have no doubt You’ve already gone ahead.
You’re my Fire by night, my Cloud by day…”
The bridge of this song speaks so aptly of the leadership of our Good Shepherd, Jesus!
With what the Lord had spoken regarding the intense Historic Transitional Decade of the 2020’s that we have stepped into, and the unprecedented New Era of the 2030’s that we will enter into (see previous issue), one question that may be on many of our minds is:
“Is God with us? Is God in this?”
The answer is a resounding YES!
In fact, He is the Author and Finisher of this Grand Eschatological Storyline. As a Shepherd, He is Faithful and True, and He leads us with His sure mercies!
God’s Clear and Steadfast Leadership
For us at IHOP – One Thing Ministries, as we look back, we can see the clear and steadfast leadership of the Lord in the midst of the huge shifts and transitions in the past years.
Since 2009, God has been giving us prophetic words to direct us into understanding His heart and what He was going to do. He has consistently spoken to us about two things — to cultivate understanding and to make ourselves ready.
As we sought the Lord, we understood that this call to understand and prepare is not just for ourselves, but also for the Body of Christ — so that His people can make ourselves ready for what is to come.
Of course, at the end of the day, our confidence is not based upon encounters or prophetic words, but on the Word of God and in the leadership of Jesus. Even as we receive and share these dreams and encounters, we exhort everyone to also diligently search the scriptures, and discern and test the words (Acts 17:11; 1 Thes. 5:20–21).
If these encounters are not from the Lord, we do well to cast them aside. However, if what was received are truly the words of the Living God, then we need to take them to heart and intentionally respond to what He is saying to us.
Allow us to recount two words that were given to us in 2009 and 2015:
In December 2009, we received a word from the Lord about the necessity to prepare for the return of Jesus — especially for the unique dynamics that would accompany the hour before His return.
Early one morning, Kay-Chong (Director of IHOP – One Thing Ministries) was awakened from sleep by a loud voice that proclaimed three times:
“Behold, I am coming back quickly!”
“Behold, I am coming back quickly!”
“Behold, I am coming back quickly!”
He then saw an open vision.
In the vision, there were many people — people from our own ministry, believers from other congregations, and some well-known leaders from the local and global Body of Christ.
All of us had small wings on our backs. At first, he was puzzled at the sight. Then, the voice of the Lord thundered another three times:
“Tell them that they are not ready!”
“Tell them that they are not ready!”
“Tell them that they are not ready!”
After a short pause, it was followed by:
“Tell them that there is a requirement to prepare themselves intentionally.”
“Tell them that there is a requirement to prepare themselves intentionally.”
“Tell them that there is a requirement to prepare themselves intentionally.”
With the help of the Holy Spirit, Kay-Chong understood that the small wings on the backs of believers signified our lack of strength, preparedness and readiness for what He was going to do. If God were to send a move of His Spirit, we would not be able to arise to soar with Him, because our wings were too weak and small.
Having Strength to Stand in the Hour of Darkness
The next scene was set in the time of Revelation 12:7–12, when Scripture says that the earth will be filled with thick demonic darkness.
There was a gathering of leaders in the Body of Christ who were having a discussion on topics such as the End Times, spiritual warfare, and moving in signs and wonders. Suddenly, demonic principalities and spirits began to invade the room. However, instead of responding in faith and authority, everyone was filled with fear and panic!
Through the two scenes in this vision, the Lord highlighted that we as His people are not ready for what is to come. We lack real strength and power. Instead, we have a form of godliness that is without power (2 Tim. 3:5). This will not be enough for us to withstand the coming darkness or to partner with Him in His coming move.
The Lord reminded us of the Church of Sardis (Rev. 3:1–6). They had a reputation of being alive, but were actually “dead” — they did not have real, deep, authentic faith and relationship with God. Jesus’ exhortation to them was to be watchful and to strengthen what had become weak.
God also gave clear instructions on how He wanted us to respond so that we can stand: “Tell them that there is a requirement to prepare themselves intentionally.”
He emphasised that there is a requirement to intentionally prepare ourselves, as no one will automatically become ready (Rev. 19:7). This is a Biblical principle found throughout the Bible, and is the way of God. It is a process that requires the investing of time, energy and effort on our part, and we have to start now.
In December 2015, the Lord again gave Kay-Chong a prophetic dream. In the dream, dark clouds were fast approaching and flood waters were rushing towards him. A voice that sounded like a trumpet proclaimed, “Storm is coming! Storm is coming!” He could feel the severity and intensity of the storm, but did not know what to do.
Suddenly, a rock emerged from the waters and he was instructed by the voice to climb onto the rock. More than just standing on it, he was instructed to cement his feet onto the rock. Though the storm increased in intensity and the waters rose, the flood did not overwhelm the rock.
Many people were being swept away by the flood, but he was able to pull some of them up onto the rock. The dream ended with a statement, “It will not get better, but we can grow stronger, burn hotter and shine brighter!”
He awoke and Luke 21:34–36 immediately came to mind.
This word was given seven years ago. The storm is now here. Covid-19 has come and gone, and we are now in a decade of intense and accelerated eschatological shifts, crises on many fronts and unprecedented escalation of darkness. Things will not get better, and greater storms are coming!
However, God also gave a promise through Luke 21:34-36: If we take heed to His exhortation, watch that our hearts are not dulled or weighed down, pray and prepare intentionally, we will have strength to stand! We can grow stronger and become God’s answer to bring His light and hope to many in such a time as this (Isa. 60:1–3)!
Indeed, through the years, God has been forewarning us of the storms that were coming and of the necessity for intentional preparation. His fingerprints are clearly evident and His words are true.
The same God who has spoken and led His people in years past is the same God who will speak and lead His people in the years ahead.
We can put our trust in Him!
He is able to lead us through the storms, for He is the Good Shepherd and His leadership is perfect!
We encourage you to take some time to thank the Lord for who He is, for His faithfulness to us as our Good Shepherd, and for His perfect leadership over each of our lives. Watch our recent Friday Teaching on cultivating confidence in Jesus as the Lord who is our Shepherd. Ask Him to speak to you and to direct you in His ways.