Sunday April 19, 2020
TNT
I have never been given the gift of prophecy. In fact, I can’t remember even asking for it in all my years of ministry. But I strongly believe in the gift and I have seen many operate in it. I have been prophesied over many times, each time, it revealed God’s heart to my ears, with my spirit bearing witness to truth. Now I find myself in unfamiliar waters as the Holy Spirit has visited me me a prophetic word to the church. So with a humble and prayerful heart, here is that word.
My prayer partner and I were praying over different churches, sitting in their parking lots, interceding for them through these uncertain and powerful times. Our group of believers (Breath of God Worship) meet in the gym of a wonderful and gracious (not to mention, powerful) church each Sunday morning at 8:00 for a worship service. Each Sunday we sweep the floors, put out chairs, bring our instruments, set up the platform, move the podium and then reverse the process when we are finished. Each week we repeat the same labor of love. Next to the building that houses the gym is the main sanctuary building. It is a building full of lovers of Jesus, mighty worshippers, and His powerful Word.
As we sat between the two buildings, God showed me that one was a tabernacle and one was a temple. One was temporary, one was permanent. One was “make-shift,” one was “fixed.” One had to be constructed and reconstructed, one was walk-in ready. He dwells in both. He loves both. He works in both.
Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him. (Num.7:89)
When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever.” Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord. (2 Chr.7:1-4)
But here is what He spoke to me: “In the Old Testament, in the time of ancient Israel, the temple was a place where people came to find Me. They came to worship Me and be fed. They came to sacrifice and bring their tithe. They came. Yes, they came.” (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of sacrifice)
“But the tabernacle went where I sent it. My presence went forth into wilderness places as the nation sought the Promise Land. Through a labor of love, the priests would assemble, disassemble, and reassemble My tabernacle. They carried the weight of it on their backs. It was not an easy labor, but a sweet exercise of commitment and love to Me.”
“This is how I see the Church,” says the Lord. “As the world returns to ‘normal’ after this pandemic crisis, the Church cannot. The Church can no longer simply be the Temple, waiting for unbelievers to simply come. The Church must be a Tabernacle, going forth where I tell it to go…into wilderness places of the unsaved. The Church must tabernacle in grocery stores, fitness centers, neighborhoods, offices, and playgrounds. The church can no longer just come together. It needs to go out, one by one or two by two, reaching people who need Me. Today’s churches serve as temples, where those who are called by My name come to worship Me, praise Me, and honor Me with their tithes. It is a place of fellowship and the breaking of bread.”
But Amos 9:11 (don’t let that reference be lost on you…9:11) says that in the last days, God will rebuild the tabernacle of David…not the temple.
On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old. (Am.9:11)
David made a make-shift tent in which God could dwell…a place where ALL people could meet Him. David’s Tabernacle was a tent set up in Jerusalem and all it contained was the ark, representing the Presence and Glory of God. This was prophetic of Jesus coming to earth to “tabernacle” or dwell in the midst of His people. Now, He dwells in us. And that is what God is speaking to us today. We are now the tabernacle in which God dwells and we must go out to where everyone who is searching can find Him.
Rise up Church and go forth!! Be filled in His Temple but go and be His Tabernacle in this world. That’s powerful TnT!! Amen, and amen.
