Streams, Rivers, Floods, Avalanches
Streams. The last fifty years have been remarkable. Some of us are old enough to remember the various "streams" as they developed. We were perhaps part of one stream or another. In various ways these streams have been coming together in the past 10-15 years in order to form one mighty river. They have lain aside their differences and have agreed to show an united front under the banner: UNITY AT ALL COST.
In 1947, George Hawtin became very excited as he realized that he could depart from PAST TRUTH and become part of PRESENT TRUTH.
The streams that have been converging are based on PRESENT TRUTH or NEW REVELATION.
The River that we have been hearing so much about started as a drinking party. Time to celebrate, drown your sorrows at Joel's Place, "Belly up to the Bar" as admonished by God's Bartender, Rodney Howard-Browne, "laugh away your woes".
Even while the pastors and parishioners were rolling in the aisles, the handwriting was on the wall.
"I said of laughter, it is mad: and of mirth, what doeth it?" Eccl. 2:2
"The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth." Eccl. 7:4.
River, However, this stream has also happily fed into the River that was charging full speed ahead. Those that are part of this River are joyful in signs, wonders, deliverance and supernatural experiences.
However, soon they will be caught aimlessly wandering about looking for something else.
Flood (the Apostolic Reformation). It does seem that the next stage is soon to appear. As the River rises, it will soon overflow its banks. Remember, this River is muddy and is full of impurities. Every Stream has been allowed to feed into it. Now septic systems are bursting as the flood stage starts overflowing the banks sweeping across the land.
This stage is supposed to bring about a new paradigm or a new way of thinking. The church must now become "a disciplined army under dominion".
A National Symposium on the Post-Denominational Church was convened by Dr. C. Peter Wagner at Fuller Seminary, May 21-23, 1996. Bill Hamon said that "this was a historical occasion in God's annals of Church history. It was prophetically orchestrated by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God's progressive purposes of bringing His church to its ultimate destiny. . . the consensus of the panelists was that there are still apostles and prophets in the Church, and there is an emerging Apostolic Movement that will revolutionize the 21st Century Church". [Quote book]
The "Prophets" have scattered throughout the earth making place for the soon to be anointed Apostles. These Apostles will:
1. Remove man-made traditions in the Church. Pastors will be redefined. They will be rather like a coach of a sports team.
2. Bring Cell groups into being. The Pastor (Coach) will make sure everyone works together to fulfill his vision for the Church. This method of organization will actually help maintain more control as the cell groups network.
Avalanche. This Reformation will include apostles and prophets who walk in PRESENT TRUTH. It is so important to understand what this term PRESENT TRUTH means! It can totally redefine the Church of Jesus Christ into a world religious system bound together by mystical experiences. Gone is the plumb line of the Word of God which is changeless! Now we have "super-hero" apostles and prophets walking about with miraculous ministries with signs, wonder and miracles and seems to be sweeping the earth.
This Avalanche seems to be gathering its momentum by "networking". Networking is illustrated by a fish net with knots that tie the lines together. The new apostles believe that networking should be multi-level and world-wide in each nation and continent on earth to unify the corporate vision based on PRESENT TRUTH.
The avalanche will soon overwhelm you, dear folks. Where do you stand? Are you still in the valley of decision wondering if you should step into the River?
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