This afternoon after church I went back home and went back to bed. As
I often do when resting, I put in a portion of the Bible that I have on
cassette and just 'soak' in the Word. I laid listening for a little while
when the Holy Spirit got my attention with the following:
Zechariah 10: 1
Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the
Lord make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass
in the field.
When I heard "latter rain" I immediately thought of Joel 2,
Joel 2: 23-24
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your
God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause
to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in
the first month. And the floor shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall
overflow with wine and oil.
This scripture refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentacost
and in the Last Days.
As the "rain" that we are to be praying for begins to fall, the Holy
Spirit laid upon my heart that the current judgement that is now on the
House of the Lord would intensify...
Zechariah 10: 2-3a
For idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie,
and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain; therefore they went their
way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd. Mine
anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats...
but also there would be changes for God's people..
Zechariah 10: 3b
for the Lord of hosts hath visited His flock the house of Judah,
and hath made them as His goodly horse in the battle.
Division, strife, false teachers and false prophets will be exposed
and either they will repent or be driven out.
Zechariah 10: 4
Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of
him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
A new level of spiritual warfare, evangelism, and worship will be realized
in the Church as a whole...
Zechariah 10: 5-7
And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down there enemies
in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because
the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded. And
I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph,
and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them:
and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I AM the Lord
their God and will hear them. And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty
man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine; yea their children
shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord.
But IT WILL NOT COME until we PRAY.
Joel 2: 17-19
Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch
and the alter, and let them say, "Spare Thy people, O Lord, and give not
Thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore
should they say among their people, 'Where is their God?'" THEN will the
Lord be jealous for His land, and pity His people. Yea, the Lord will answer
and say unto His people, "Behold, I will send you corn, wine, and oil,
and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach
among the heathen."