These are things that the Holy Spirit laid upon my heart throughout
the day of December 31st...
Isaiah 6:1a
In the year that King Uzziah died...
I was wondering what this meant the Holy Spirit took me to the story of King Uzziah in
II Chronicles 26...from the narrative we find that " he did that
which was right in the sight of the Lord..."(v4) but later on, however,
we find that "when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction:
for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple
of the Lord to burn incense upon the alter of incense. And Azariah the
priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that
were valiant men: And they withstood him Uzziah the king, and said
unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee Uzziah to burn incense unto the
Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn
incense go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither
shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God. Then Uzziah was wroth,
and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with
the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests
in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar." (v16-19)
This has a double meaning for the days ahead...first, that self and
works of the flesh are being struck with leprosy so they can no longer
occupy any "thrones" in our lives...so that Jesus may take His rightful
place in any areas of our lives which are not yet surrendered to Him...
I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up,
and his train filled the temple.
Second, as a warning that we are to keep our appointed places within
the body of Christ or we will be in danger of burning "strange fire" before
the Lord (that which He has not appointed) and will be punished accordingly,
as were the sons of Aaron who were guilty. I want to clarify that Uzziah
set his heart and will against the Lord to that which he was not appointed
to do, and this hardening of the heart is where the danger lies.
Also the Holy Spirit laid upon my heart to wary of temptations in the coming season, and to especially study the ways in which Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness: Matthew 4: 1-11,
Luke 4: 1-13...and to remember that regarding temptations...
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Hebrews 2:18
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being
tempted.
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with
our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just
as we are--yet was without sin.
The reason for the trials, tribulations and temptations that many of
us have been going through, and will go through during the coming season,
are all refining and preparation for the "commissioning" into ministry.
All of us are "called" to a particular ministry but it is not until we
have been "chosen" or commissioned that we begin to walk in the true power
and authority of the ministry that we have been created for.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall
reap, if we faint not.
Also in this we are especially to seek the "Full Counsel" of the Lord;
some are still 'picking and choosing' parts of the Word while ignoring
others and this will always lead to deception.
The Holy Spirit also laid upon my heart that false prophets are multiplying
and we are to test them according to the Word of God, by their fruits,
and to be especially wary of those who will not submit to Godly authority.
Matthew 7: 15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good
tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil
fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit
is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall
know them.
John 10: 1-14
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.