A MANTLE OF STRATEGIC GLOBAL AUTHORITY

A MANTLE OF STRATEGIC GLOBAL AUTHORITY

(28) “And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. (29) Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. (30) I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. (31) The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. (32) And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD.* (Joel 2:28-32, BSB)

A strategic mantle has been bestowed upon me for this end time Kingdom work. As we approach the final countdown weeks of Pentecost 2021, it is evident to me that the mantle has been stirred as my writings lean towards a strategic national undertaking. There will be less emphasis on the current body of Christ leadership as a stirring urgency towards the leadership of the new harvest intake into the Kingdom takes precedence. This shift is significant as it indicates a Spirit-shift as the healing mandate is activated outside of Zion’s city walls. The slighting and rejection of this prophetic call by the global church has been noted by our Lord. It is the season when the Lord will deal with the offensive religious spirit that has resisted any move of God that will heal His people. These are ancient scornful resident spirits in the foundations of religion. Hence, when Jesus came along with His new Reconciliation Ministry, He was treated as an unlearnt juvenile upstart coursing His way through a wall of resistance from the religious leaders of the Law. Collectively they poured disdain upon His refreshing effective teachings. These religious men lacked the spiritual wisdom that Jesus was the Law giver. Yes, that knowledge escaped them so they remained bound in defiance against the New Covenant of righteousness.

This is a warning to leaders, right in their own eyes, convinced of their organisational heritage, not willing to be refreshed by the end time unveiling of the new mantle of grace for healing and restoration. The thirsty and dying, languishing by the dusty sun-baked stagnant pools of water in the Arabah basins (Gentile nations), will be the grateful recipients of this next season’s refreshing flowing out from under the threshold of the tabernacle. People, take heed and be obedient and willing to a Spirit-move. Be spiritually discerning, as the Spirit has changed course. We are approaching a new season and things will not be as they have been. There will be an imminent shift, a significant prophetic move as the new generation of leaders, young and old, male and female of all nations emerge on the scene. They will pour into the Kingdom in this end time, fresh, willing and pliable in the hands of God. I truly believe they will be the ones culminating the end time work.

The Babylonian Invasion

In Ezekiel 21, The prophet Ezekiel is yet again under the influence of the Spirit of Prophecy, and is shown what is to come concerning Israel. To put into context this chapter, Israel at the time of the three Babylonian sieges, sometime between 605bc – 586bc was governed by Kings, Jehoiakim, Jeconiah and Zedekiah. It was towards the timeline of 586bc that the second temple in Jerusalem was burnt to ruins. During these unsettling periods these reigning kings, because of their profanity would be disposed of their rulerships. The troubling seasons in Israel’s history of the Kings can be attributed to their ungodly reign as evil rulers. The Lord’s displeasure is made known concerning the fallenness of His people because of state-led corruption and false worship. Hence, here we see God’s response, I believe it was to King Jehoiakim, because of his evil. “And you, O profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your final punishment.’ (Ezekiel 21:25, BSB).

The impending judgement of God prophesied by Ezekiel was looked on with disdain as an empty gesture by those in authority. But with certainty at an appointed time, the severity of God’s judgement would befall Israel. In Ezekiel’s vision he sees the King of Babylon advancing on Jerusalem with his army. At a juncture in the way, he is forced to make a decision where to execute his arms, on Rabbah of the Ammonites or Judah of Israel. In consultation with his military officers and diviners, the King of Babylon draws a lot, choosing Jerusalem. Immediately he retorts that the city of Ammon would not escape the long blade of the sword of retribution and punishment also.

A Reversal of Status

The elaborate headgears worn by the priests, kings and the noble was a testament to their authority and status amongst the people. These dignitaries would always wear them in public life. “He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on.” (Leviticus 16:4). Hence, the removal of one’s turban, mitre or by whatever they were known would be the consequence of a serious matter.

Here in Ezekiel’s vision God commanded that the reputation of Israel’s kings would be in tatters. They would be required to remove their headgear as a sign of demotion. The privilege of status would be given to another, whose right it is according to God’s doing. “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Take off your jewelled crown, for the old order changes. Now the lowly will be exalted, and the mighty will be brought down.. (27) Destruction! Destruction! I will surely destroy the kingdom. And it will not be restored until the one appears who has the right to judge it. Then I will hand it over to him.” (Ezekiel 21:26-27, NLT). This verse was also a prophetic signposting to our Messiah King, whose rightful reign, being of the Davidic lineage is here referenced. However, Ezekiel is here being shown what will transpire concerning Israel.

A divine reversal of the old order is God’s vindication against rebellion and indifference to the scared holy matters concerning His people. God loathes continual sinning a consequence of pride and haughtiness. “And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, (2)“Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel (3) and tell her that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am against you, and I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked.” (Ezekiel 21:1-3).  The time comes when the gleaming sword is unsheathed by the Slayer that will move through the land upon those without the mark of protection, until God is justly vindicated.

God Cries Over Israel

In Ezekiel’s vision God makes it known that Judah’s relentless sinning before Him was memorable enough to warrant a fitting response. The judgement from God to come would be equally memorable. The false hope of the people eliciting protection from false gods would be eclipsed by the double gleaming sword and the battering rams that would come against Jerusalem. The Babylonian army would be strengthened by God as the Slayer, descending upon Jerusalem to bring about a memorable slaughter. This measure of intervention against evil by God is pitiable. It would cause our Lord to cry over His people’s fate. Yet, He cannot deflect from honouring every word that proceed from His mouth. God would cause Ezekiel to feel His pain over His people. (6)“But you, son of man, groan! Groan before their eyes with a broken heart and bitter grief. (7) And when they ask, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you are to say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, and every hand will go limp. Every spirit will faint, and every knee will turn to water.’ Yes, it is coming and it will surely happen, declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 21:6-7)

Gwendolyn Smith. #NEWPENTECOST. 2 May 2021