THE PROPHETIC JACKPOT

by Pam Clark

As one who considers myself to be lacking in many ways, I am very troubled by where I see the Body of Christ at this present moment. There seems to be much dedication, but sometimes it seems to carry a great lack of discernment.

I understand there are baby Christians who are coming out of the world where self is focused first, but it's the religious spirit, you know, the one "that's been around" and "knows how things work" that is the problem.

This may sting or hurt some toes I step on, but it's only to convict, not to condemn anyone. There are many words that are submitted or that I see elsewhere where it seems that having the right "awesome" word is like winning the jackpot! And like the man who watched the dog chase the car said, "What is he going to do with it if he catches it?"

In transition times, and in anticipating the year 2000 US elections right now, you can really see it. So many want to get political with their "prophecies"! I ~do~ believe these are critical times and have even declared so, but it's not about "who" gets voted into office -- it's about the condition of the Church!

WHAT IF the man you don't want or I don't want (and they may be different) gets into office? Do we go under? I don't think so! Sometimes I feel when I am around certain people that we are electing a pastor to run the country and that is NOT what his position is, or is all about!

Yes, it's wonderful if we have a man of faith, because we can agree and pray more effectively in some respects, but we seem to have been pretty stable in many ways in the US with a man who does not come across to be so strong or pure in his faith.

But none the less, are we any better? Is God looking for our leader's faith in order to judge us? I don't think so!!! We each must answer to Him individually.

In all these prayer alerts for the elections, are we praying for a certain man, for God's "will" which just happens to be ours too, or is it a cry of ~personal~ repentance for His mercy, because the unrighteous "could" rule over us...? In America, we still have a lot of freedom, but if we wake up and find it gone, it's because we were sleeping.

I am saying what follows not just because of one post, but ~many~ that I have seen that ~glamourizes~ the Bride of Christ as one who is to be pampered and spoiled and waited upon, bedecked in a million jewels and fine clothes, looking like a Madison Ave. magazine model.

What kind of Bride are we preparing for the Lord as prophetic people? Is it not you?

There is a false doctrine I see rising up in all this sensuality of the Bride ministry that is leaning toward Babylon in a big way. One doctrine says that there is a Bride separate from the Ministry of the Bridegroom ministry. Now this is hard to write because of so many ministries with these types of names and terms, but please let me try to be as clear as I can.

Jesus IS the Bridegroom, the King, our soon returning Lord, and He is looking for a people, to be His Bride, pure, holy and without "spot, wrinkle or blemish." But this speaks of the hidden heart of the soul, not the outward appearance. Prophetic people are always strong on using symbolic terms, but we must be careful lest we go too far with it!

Even symbolism can become full of binding doctrines and legalism, and even cultish! Rather than being Spirit, it becomes "a way" leading many into a false religion. There are new "buzz words" and "ways" of doing and saying things that begin to qualify people, rather than being led in their heart by the Lord Who is Spirit and Truth! (You ~know~ there is a problem when you or another has to lie for the Lord!!!)

The end days battles are heating up. The war between evil and good, light and dark, attractive and right, will continue to know increased pressures on both sides. There's an old saying, "If you don't know where you are going, you may end up somewhere else!"

Do you know what the foundation is inside of you? If the apostle and prophets are your foundation before the work of Jesus, I can tell you, you are missing it! When times get turbulent, can you declare what you believe and stand on it, even with the persecution?

So many want to use the "fear of persecution" as a manipulative tool. Prophets with false words will scare you into thinking you "must" act, do or say certain things certain ways so that you will be a part of the (or their) "movement" be it a ministry or a way of doing things because they like it that way. Some have created traditions that are very strong!

You know you have passed the Spirit test when you see these wrong things and don't respond in anger but compassion. But you will experience a righteous indignation at the consequences of these false teachings or doctrines. There is division, but what kind of division is it? Does it divide the Body of Christ or separate people from the ways of the world to a better life in Christ?

This life in Christ is not just a physical lifestyle but the ability to live strong in the Spirit, exercising the Spiritual gifts, not just by "signs and wonders," because the devil will have those, but by a power of love in your life. This power of love will cause you to be able to help others in sacrifice and "not be burned!"

Oh, are we all there yet? Does anyone have it all together yet? No. But some are further down the road than others, yet each one has a different variation of the gifts of the Spirit dispersed to them.

But what is "down the road"? Is it numbers? Is it news reports, fame or the publicly spectacular? No, it's inner peace in an increasingly troubled world. It's seeing things that others don't see and knowing how to respond without antagonism, but instead with compassion, wisdom and knowledge in ~knowing~ how to make a difference, by the Spirit.

Again, it's not given to just one, but to a Body, to those who must work together in order to see these goals accomplished. There's rough edges, and misunderstandings, but is your foundation strong enough to see Jesus in those who are missing it, even perhaps in a big way? What grace! It's grace that covers a multitude of sins because you have sown it!

You know, I wonder if we don't need to forgive God for allowing the devil in our lives. There is nothing good about satan in any way, shape or form, but in the end, God will show us what that temptation accomplished, through what was failed, lost and then won!

How can we do that? How can we forgive God for the devil? Only by being able to worship Him as God, for who He is, as One who does ~indeed~ have supreme rule over us. Is that acquired through "feats" of suffering for strength? NO! It's acquired by faith in a righteous God, even when it seems to be tearing our lives apart.

What If our faith is wrong, our doctrine is wrong, or our belief systems are? We can't all be right! Can you allow God to change you into His true ways? Can you say "I am wrong about that"?

There are those who will be refined. There will be many who talk about it, but aren't. But there will be those who are willing, and who are made able, who will find a unity and faith that is so powerful, and out of this world!

Where can your faith take you? Can it take you through the bog and the mire and the miry pit of clay, left to die? Can you come out of that as Jeremiah or Job, who declared Him even after experiencing hell on earth? Something is at work INTERNALLY in God's people. It is not just the external.

Does it matter who wins the election? I have my candidate choice, but what if like once before, my choice doesn't make it? Is the world going to fall apart for me? I don't think so. There may be increased tribulation no matter who gets in! I find as I age, I encounter more and more tribulation, but God is there to meet it all. Repentance will put God's man in office.

Pray for discernment (wisdom) and discerning of spirits (whether the spirits are of God or not). It's so vital in these last days. We need it in each other! This tribulation we are experiencing is only bringing forth the Bride who has no agendas, but to love her Lord. There are no class systems, no "haves" and "have-nots."

Those who would be great would be the servant of ALL. A servant to be stepped upon and degraded? NO! But a servant who is loved for faithfulness and a job well done. And what is that job? Showing others the way of Christ Jesus, the Son of the Living God.

So what if you get the "big word," or "big revelation." What are you going to do with it if everything you say is right? Become God?