On Feb 5, 2014 (nearly three years ago) I posted a writing called THE OUTHOUSE INCIDENT. It is reposted at the end of this writing, for your convenience. I did touch on the wording of the original post just a little, only for clarification purposes. Functionally, it is word for word as posted 2\/5\/14. <\/p>\n
I stated this in that post: FAST FORWARD TO NOW \u2013 the election season and one day after President Trump\u2019s Inauguration:<\/strong> <\/p>\n A.<\/strong>\tThe saints, often in a spiritual hurry to identify and label all that\u2019s happening on earth, and to liken, by way of reference, one current event to another historic one (and one person to another) can be quick to apply to someone a \u201cCyrus anointing\u201d, a \u201cDarius anointing\u201d, a \u201csomeone-else anointing\u201d. Enter, Donald Trump, now President of the United States. It admittedly can sound sort of spiritual when someone names an Old Testament bible character and then declares their mantle or anointing as being upon someone right here, right now. But, really? <\/p>\n God has always been and will always be the Creator, and therefore remain and reveal Himself creative. In many ways our quick-comparison of one person to another may satisfy our human desire to sort oranges by size or line up our pencils by height, but in reality it discounts God\u2019s great creative ability and purpose. By divine design, each person is very much his\/her own person, with his\/her own destiny, own calling, own strengths, own weaknesses. That is our glory \u2013 to discover who WE are in God, as opposed to WHO ELSE we might think we are, or who we might think someone else may be. <\/p>\n Add to the equation the radically different times\/place\/situation component, and the \u201cso-and-so anointing\u201d being on someone else can quickly lose air. I\u2019m sure some bible scholars, in defense of mantle-impartation-naming, may want to bring up the Elijah\/Elisha events and that mantle pass-down. That was a unique and bible-noteworthy exception. A prophet-mentor passed down his mantle to his direct prophet-disciple. We\u2019re not talking 2,500 years apart, different continents, different bible ages (OT\/NT), heathen king versus elected raised-casual-Methodist businessman, or wicked empire vs our out-of-line covenant nation. <\/p>\n Cyrus II, king of Persia, was called out by name by the Jewish prophet Isaiah, as the one who would release the Jews from their 70-year captivity. Confounding the critics and cynics, Isaiah declared this prophetic plan about 150 years before Cyrus was even born, and around 80 years prior to the Jews even BEGINNING their captivity. Go figure. <\/p>\n Isa 45:1-4<\/strong> Granted, Donald Trump has expressed empathy and alignment with Israel, and that is a VERY GOOD THING, both for Israel and for our country. But that does not galvanize the Cyrus anointing. And granted, “Trump” is a notable name for a leader called to overcome some heavy circumstances that have come upon our nation (in large part due to our disobedience to God). But Trump ain\u2019t Cyrus. BTW\/FYI: “Cyrus” means “keeper of the furnace”.<\/p>\n God\u2019s sovereign hand was indeed upon Cyrus, the heathen king, for the purposes of God, and for the sake of \u201cIsrael My elect\u201d (Isa 45:4, above). <\/p>\n By comparison, America has not been in captivity to another empire. We\u2019ve been free, and in that freedom we\u2019ve foolishly chosen to exercise disobedience and disregard for the ways of righteousness. Those decisions are guaranteed to bring trouble to a nation. <\/p>\n As a covenant nation (since 1620, even before we were \u201cofficially\u201d a nation), America is indeed in a very special place of relationship as well as accountability to God. But America is not Israel. Nor is 2017 AD to be mistaken for 539 (or 536) BC. <\/p>\n Pertinent to this writing is our understanding to, and appreciation of, the fact that there\u2019s a time-clock tick, tick, ticking, throughout this age, and, like all “fused” events, this age has a rather explosive end. The prophetic fuse of Daniel\u2019s timing prophecies was already ignited by the time Isaiah was writing about Cyrus. <\/p>\n It is now 2017. The first advent occurred 2,000 years ago \u2013 as did the before-spoken crucifixion and resurrection (slain \u2013 by plan \u2013 \u201cbefore the foundation of the world\u201d \u2013 Rev 8:13). Our nation, and in fact our world, is being actively called to a place of repentance prior to the second advent of Messiah. Our Lord told us in advance that He’d be shaking heaven and earth, the sea and dry land, in a purposely troublesome albeit merciful effort to draw men to Messiah:<\/p>\n Haggai 2:6-7<\/strong> Two millenniums of grace, during which time the doors of salvation have opened wide for \u201cwhosoever will\u201d, remain open right now. And after that, the return of the Righteous Judge. <\/p>\n B.<\/strong>\tWe sadly see a nation, OUR nation, raging and even rioting over the legal election of a President, ranting how unqualified President Trump is, was, and will be. How liberal or progressive (or mature) is that activity? <\/p>\n FIRST \u2013 the very concept that our governmental structure provides for an election process is a statement of our freedom. Transitions in most countries are by civil war. Our system has proven workable, for centuries, as long as the citizens abide by the laws of the land. The way many – even in influential positions – have responded in this time and to this election, is a sorry testimony to ignorance, immaturity and most importantly ungodliness. My hope and prayer is that saints will behave as saints during these times, and during all times. <\/p>\n Rabbi Paul wrote this clear directive to Timothy (and therefore to all saints) during the days of Emperor Nero, as Christians were being dipped in tar and lit up as garden lights for his dinner parties. <\/p>\n 1 Tim 2:1-4<\/strong> Donald Trump is not Cyrus, nor is he called to be Cyrus. He is called to be our President. And we are called to pray, in faith, understanding the times. The issue is not good-leader or bad-leader, who you voted for or who you did not – or even if you had the freedom to vote.<\/p>\n Prayer and godly behavior is our\/your faithful obedience to the Word of God. Whether you voted for Donald Trump or not, is moot. How the saints respond and act during increasingly trying times, is intended, by God, to be the testimony-light to the world (in wild contrast to the human-torch martyrs of Nero). We are called to shine brighter and brighter in a darker and darker world.<\/p>\n Additionally, we are being tested by our God re our understanding of, and compliance to, scriptural directives and truth. <\/p>\n When our Lord returns, and He surely will, in flaming fire (II Thess 1:8), all will get straightened out, rectified, rewarded, and recompensed. Peter confirms that divine plan, and puts forth a question (v 11-12) that deserves a living response from each person who would declare themselves a believer:<\/p>\n 2 Pet 3:10-12<\/strong> I humbly believe the anointing on Donald Trump is, uniquely, the Donald Trump anointing. He has been called, like each of us, for such a time as this. His accountability is enormous, being the President of our country. We would do very well to be praying for him to be himself, not calling him names, cursing him, quick-labeling him Cyrus, Darius, or anyone else, and certainly not joining the raging rebellion that would defy leadership changes – even if\/when we do not agree with those changes. At the jeopardy of sounding political, I would put forth the proposition that the party currently entrusted to govern our land AT VERY LEAST speaks of their intention <\/em>to: No man (except our Lord Jesus) is perfect. No political party is without sin and without fault. You might want to circle back in this blog site and read \u201cNOPE AND NOPER, AND GOD\u201d \u2013 parts one and deux. <\/p>\n If there is hope for America (I am believing God for that), it will be IF and AS the Church starts living, behaving, and praying, like the Church \u2013 preaching and living righteous truth at all times, at all cost. 2 Chron 7:14 starts with an “IF” and points to God’s people, not the other people, who don’t know any better, and have in fact been taken captive by Satan to do his will: <\/p>\n 2 Timothy 2:24-26<\/strong> These verses are functionally unlivable by any Christian who would, even with some kind of good intent, join in the raging work of vocal or physical defiance against an elected government. Let God be our judge, and their judge. <\/p>\n Our conduct, our living Spirit-directed scriptural lives, will have way more eternal impact both upon the destiny of our land and also upon our individual destinies than mantle-declarations coupling ancient emperors to recently elected officials, or raging and rioting protests against the electoral process. <\/p>\n Donald Trump needs to find his own unique place in God, just like each and every praying saint is being challenged to find their own place in God. We are called to be praying for him, and for our nation, and to be keeping our eyes focused upon God \u2013 Who is doing a marvelous work in our time. “Marvelous” doesn’t necessarily mean fabulous, or wanted, or celebratory. It means it will cause people to marvel at what’s occurring, and what lies ahead. These are marvelous times. <\/p>\n The post below is about a young man of God, David (who the scriptures assure us will actually rule and reign under Messiah – Ezek 34:23-24) who understood anointings, position, godly response, and God’s sovereignty. We can all learn from this, myself included. <\/p>\n And now the Re-Post: “THE OUTHOUSE INCIDENT\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n There was never a greater king in Israel than David, the son of Jesse. Meanwhile, the king prior to David would be in the running for one of the worst. That would be Saul. In fact, by the time David was anointed by Samuel, God had Saul in His cross-hairs: It would therefore appear pretty obvious as to who was in line to rule, and who was in line for eventual replacement (at best) and destruction (at worst). Still, Saul remained on the throne because God still had some work to do. I believe some of the work still to be done was in David, and was for us to behold, for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world have come.<\/p>\n Learning the Kingdom dynamics of ruling and reigning, authority and power, accountability and position, will become more critical, both as this age accelerates toward its conclusion, and as the next age comes upon us.<\/p>\n Prior to David\u2019s anointing, Samuel\u2019s word to Saul clearly reveals the state of affairs: The prophet\u2019s robe was torn in desperation. It was a prophetic act by a desperate man. 1 Sam 24:1-4<\/strong> Are you kidding me? A potty story in the Holy Scriptures? I believe our great God was, and remains, so intent upon making a divine point abundantly clear, that He orchestrated the affairs of men, at a time and in a place that would leave no wiggle-room for any misunderstanding. This account almost appears as hyperbole, except for the fact that it remains in the timeless canon of Scripture for all generations, for our edification and admonishment.<\/p>\n We are not talking about a king on his golden throne, holding a scepter. We\u2019re presented a desperate king on the \u201cother kind of throne\u201d \u2013 actually probably squatting in the dark, doing what one must do. Demeaning, lowly, inglorious. Some privacy please. But God wanted David\u2019s holy response to be publicly proclaimed. So the lights are on and the stadium is full of onlookers, including all students of scripture, for all time. Apologies, Saul.<\/p>\n As \u201cchance might have it\u201d, David and his followers just happen to be hiding in that very cave. David\u2019s men (accurately) looked at this \u201ccoordinated incident\u201d as a divine opportunity from the Lord, to take out the one who was eventually going to be taken out by God Himself.<\/p>\n Verse 4, again: Unlike desperate-Saul tearing prophet-Samuel\u2019s robe, desperate-David cuts the robe of the king. But David was a man of God. Although these events occurred centuries prior to Daniel\u2019s prophetic revelation of \u201cauthority dynamics\u201d, David already knew in his spirit Who was in charge of the heavens and the earth.<\/p>\n Daniel 2:21<\/strong> Meanwhile, back to the cave: The New King James bible translates the Hebrew word \u201cmasiyah\u201d as \u201canointed of the Lord\u201d. We would recognize it better as messiah. The anointed one.<\/p>\n As a result of his own intimacy with God, David understood eternal Kingdom principles, and in that understanding recognized that Saul, not yet having been removed by God Himself, still sat in the position of anointing, even though he was not living the lifestyle of anointing. It did not matter to David.<\/p>\n David\u2019s statement (and therefore his theology) was not corrected by God, even though there are many times in Scripture when God in His love, mercy, and accuracy would indeed correct false statements or faulty conclusions made by even His most beloved servants (He corrected Elijah when the prophet bemoaned his being the only righteous one left in Israel \u2013 1 Kings 19:14-18. And He corrected Nathan when the prophet agreed with then-reigning David that David building God a temple would be a good idea \u2013 1 Chron 17:1-5). <\/p>\n It would therefore seem reasonable to consider God\u2019s silence in the cave (at David\u2019s proclamation about \u201cmessiah Saul\u201d) as being His quiet affirmation of David\u2019s theology.<\/p>\n Further studying the subsequent dialogue between David and Saul, we can see that David clearly understood who he was, who Saul was, who God was, and what would be the eventual outcome to the injustices of life. David was no chump. And yet David chose the very highest ground, and in so choosing postured himself for promotion by God.<\/p>\n 1 Samuel 24:8-18<\/strong> God\u2019s kindness to Saul, via David, should have led Saul to repentance. Instead, it only led him to regret. Regret being insufficient without the added component of complete turning, Saul was destined to eventual destruction by the hand of the Lord.<\/p>\n Where is all this going to? It is going to the New Testament, to the days of grace, to the intense times in which we live.<\/p>\n The Kingdom principle of God placing sometimes unlikely people into anointed positions, and still sovereignly reigning over it all, continues to mystify many. But it appears to not mystify those closest to the Lord.<\/p>\n Rabbi Paul is a good example. Ananias the high priest was actively opposed to the gospel message, and yet the anointed apostle demonstrated his own David-and-Saul-in-the-cave theology as he stood before a courtroom of ungodly men and repented for basically calling a spade a spade:<\/p>\n Acts 23:1-5<\/strong> There is a more divine realm than the one in which we physically function daily. Our great God is watching us, testing us, and training us to live by the principles of that divine realm. Those principles include understanding and recognizing our God\u2019s sovereignty over all things. Either He is God of all, or else He is not God at all.<\/p>\n Leaderships come and go. The ones in higher places, with higher callings, have the greater, not the lesser, accountability. The Centurion got it. He told Jesus that he was a man \u201cUNDER authority\u201d, not \u201cIN authority\u201d.<\/p>\n I believe we\u2019re being invited to allow God to be God, and to humbly recognize His jealousy over His bride, the Church. His intent is to put the right people into the right places, for the right times \u2013 to grow people, sovereignly as well as experientially, into their own fullness.<\/p>\n He is therefore dealing with us all, wanting to perfect us all. Iron will continue to sharpen iron, with sparks. His timing is not our timing. His desire is for all of us to walk in intimacy, and therefore in success. The exercising of our free will is what will determine our individual success or failure.<\/p>\n Leader or follower, the redeemed are called to be stewards of the greater grace. God is rooting for us all. He wants us all to make it. His desire is that we all live up to our destiny calls.<\/p>\n The warnings put forth towards all (saved or unsaved) who would choose to continue to walk in error, or rebellion, arrogance, or unbridled authority, are clear. And they are severe. An admonition for the saved, the servant of Luke 12 is master over other servants, but acting as a cruel authority. <\/p>\n This is from the lips of our Lord: This is why we are told to pray for those in authority. This is why we\u2019re told love covers a multitude of sin. This is why we\u2019re told that the world would know we are His disciples by the love we have one for another.<\/p>\n I believe a radical demonstration of our true faith has and will remain our belief in God\u2019s ability to accomplish His purposes, to prepare His people, and to perfectly coordinate who will be in what position in His church. <\/p>\n The only person who will ever be able to prevent any one of us from realizing our full destiny call, will be ourselves. No man, no ministry, no created being will be able to separate us from the fullness.<\/p>\n We\u2019re invited to have a heart like David.<\/p>\n All scripture NKJV<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On Feb 5, 2014 (nearly three years ago) I posted a writing called THE OUTHOUSE INCIDENT. It is reposted at the end of this writing, for your convenience. I did touch on the wording of the original post just a … Continue reading
\n\u201cLearning the Kingdom dynamics of ruling and reigning, authority and power, accountability and position, will become more critical, both as this age accelerates toward its conclusion, and as the next age comes upon us.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\n1\t“Thus says the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held– to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut:
\n2\t‘I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron.
\n3\tI will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.
\n4\tFor Jacob My servant’s sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n6 \u201cFor thus says the Lord of hosts: \u2018Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;
\n7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,\u2019 says the Lord of hosts.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSECOND, whenever one party is displaced by the other party\u2019s candidate, there will always be disappointment and frustration. THAT is to be understood. <\/p>\n
\n1\tTherefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
\n2\tfor kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
\n3\tFor this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
\n4\twho desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n10\tBut the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
\n11\tTherefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
\n12\tlooking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA.\tSupport Israel;
\nB.\tProtect the unborn (50% of which are female);
\nC.\tDefend the God-ordained sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.
\nThose three critical matters are indeed critical matters \u2013 marked by God as High Priority.
\nAll sin is not equal. There are abominations and specific, iniquitous provocations revealed in the scriptures that will incite God and invoke curses and judgments upon a land. <\/p>\n
\n24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
\n25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
\n26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSaul had already blown it, time and again, by the time David was anointed (by Samuel) to be king. So the anointing was upon David, and yet the man remaining on the throne was Saul.<\/p>\n
\n1 Sam 16:13-14<\/strong>
\n13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
\n14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n1 Sam 15:27-28<\/strong>
\n27 And as Samuel turned around to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore.
\n28 So Samuel said to him, \u201cThe LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMeanwhile, David\u2019s plight\/flight continues, as Saul musters his army and he himself goes to hunt down the one who would eventually replace him. Jealousy and desperation are two terrible taskmasters.<\/p>\n
\n1 Now it happened, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, \u201cTake note! David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi.\u201d
\n2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
\n3 So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. (David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.)
\n4 Then the men of David said to him, \u201cThis is the day of which the LORD said to you, \u2018Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’\u201d And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul\u2019s robe.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAmen, and amen.<\/p>\n
\n4 Then the men of David said to him, \u201cThis is the day of which the LORD said to you, \u2018Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’\u201d And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul\u2019s robe.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n21 And He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings and raises up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n1 Sam 24:5-6<\/strong>
\n5 Now it happened afterward that David\u2019s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul\u2019s robe.
\n6 And he said to his men, \u201cThe LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD\u2019S anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\n8 David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, \u201cMy lord the king!\u201d And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down.
\n9 And David said to Saul: \u201cWhy do you listen to the words of men who say, \u2018 Indeed David seeks your harm \u2019?
\n10 Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, \u2018I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord\u2019s anointed. \u2019
\n11 Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it.
\n12 Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
\n13 As the proverb of the ancients says, \u2018 Wickedness proceeds from the wicked. \u2019 But my hand shall not be against you.
\n14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
\n15 Therefore let the Lord be judge, and judge between you and me, and see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand.\u201d
\n16 So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, \u201c Is this your voice, my son David?\u201d And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
\n17 Then he said to David: \u201cYou are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.
\n18 And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, \u201cMen and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.\u201d
\n2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
\n3 Then Paul said to him, \u201cGod will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?\u201d
\n4 And those who stood by said, \u201cDo you revile God\u2019s high priest?\u201d
\n5 Then Paul said, \u201cI did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, \u2018You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\nLuke 12:45-49<\/strong>
\n45 \u201cBut if that servant says in his heart, \u2018My master is delaying his coming,\u2019 and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,
\n46 \u201cthe master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
\n47 \u201cAnd that servant who knew his master\u2019s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
\n48 \u201cBut he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
\n49 \u201cI came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!<\/em>
\nGod is cooking up something radical these days. The whole creation groans, waiting for the revelation of us (Rom 8:19).<\/p>\n