Structure of the Book of Revelation by Mike Bickle

Dear Friends of IHOP-KC,  Since this past Sunday (Nov 23rd), when Mike Bickle preached on the Book of Revelation, our IHOP-KC Missions Base has been set aflame with zeal to read and understand Revelation as the End-Time canonized prayer manual for the Church.      We don’t want you to miss out on this, so we included a link for you to watch the video recording of this past Sunday’s message. Here are a few quotes from different leaders from the IHOP-KC Missions Base about this message and the effect it has had on our community: “This past Sunday, Mike Bickle preached a simple, yet profound message on the Book of Revelation. He presented a new paradigm of Revelation as Jesus’ End-Time battle plan and the prayer manual of the Church. This word set forth clear strategies to engage in the “eschatological revolution” that is already rumbling on the horizon of human history. This message has already had a dramatic impact on IHOP–KC. Be sure to watch it and tell your friends about it.”         - Misty Edwards, IHOP-KC Worship Leader “For nearly 10 years, our community here in Kansas City has given themselves to study the Book of Revelation. On Sunday, Mike Bickle challenged all 3,000 people in our community to plumb line their hearts again with this forerunner mandate and understand Jesus’ End-Time battle plan given in the Book of Revelation. As the Associate Director of IHOP-KC, I have never seen a time where our zeal was so renewed with sobriety. Watch this message and let your heart be ignited to prepare for this urgent hour.” - Allen Hood, Associate Director of IHOP “For many, the Book of Revelation has been overly-mystified and relegated to the place of irrelevance. Yet, Mike Bickle, through this powerful message, has catapulted the Book of Revelation to its appropriate place of preeminence as the “canonized prayer manual” for the End-Time Church that will partner with Jesus in releasing His justice and mercy. It is the infallible script from which the praying Church takes direction as the drama of human history unfolds to usher in the age-to-come. Be sure to watch this message that has rocked our community.” - Lou Engle, President of TheCall    International House of Prayer 3535 E. Red Bridge Rd, Kansas City, MO 64137

Limited thoughts on the war in Iraq

 

I find the idea of war very difficult to swallow.  Especially when lives are lost, the purpose behind it is not completely clear and those being delivered appear want to remain under oppression.  Yet through all this, war is a fact of life in this age whether we choose to participate in it or not.

I do though know a little about human nature and the Enemy of Man, Satan, and his desire to steal kill and destroy every last one of us.  It’s not just about our Enemy though, it is also about our choice to rebel against our Creator who is wholly good and right.  When we make choices to turn away from Him it empowers the Enemy to do what he loves best and that is to destroy the very image of God – man.  

Man then in his rebellion becomes an agent for our common Enemy.  Man in turn will steal, kill and destroy.  ”Christian” and non-christian alike are a subject to such corruption.  Then as each generation continues in its rebellion it manifests in our world presenting us with the world we see today.  A world where women are oppressed, the unborn are killed, people are enslaved, children are raped, the innocent are traded for sex, people groups are brutally murdered and so much more. 

The cause of pain on the earth is us.  We, each and every one of us, have made choices to rebel against God.  Some have made it more of a priority than others.  Fortunately God has made a way through the sacrifice of his son Jesus to rescue us from ourselves.  Jesus came to set us free.  Not in a short term sense like an act of sacrifice that frees us from temporary bondage but in a long term eternal sense.

God longs to see his creation free from bondage both in the natural and spiritual sense.  Jesus came to do both and in time we will see our Enemy and his willing agents destroyed completely and those who chose Righteousness (Jesus) set free.  Their freedom will be complete, natural and spiritual. This war will be the bloodiest and most brutal in all of history.  It will be a war against Satan (and those who choose unrighteousness) and the heavenly man Jesus (and those who choose righteousness).

So I believe war is a visible manifestation of man’s rebellion towards his Creator.  Then it could be said that liberating the oppressed is an act of God if the purpose behind it is true justice.  So when looking specifically at the war in Iraq if it is really about freedom then I support it.  Unfortunately because I am unable to read the minds of those in leadership and those on the ground fighting the war my support of it is uneasy and tentative.  

I am glad though that there are many like the young men like the one in the video below (you must see it to the end to get my point) who seem to truly exercise justice at the expense of their own bodies. It is men like these that I give my honor and respect to because they are acting much like our creator (in a partial sense) by sacrificing themselves for the liberation of those oppressed.

I hope we can find a way to leave Iraq, Afghanistan and every other place where American lives are being lost almost every day.  Yet because I am a lover of Truth (Jesus) and know that the heart of men is wicked I know the road will not be easy if not impossible.  Therefore perhaps we should leave Iraq since it seems the people don’t seem to want to be liberated anyway.

This is why this subject is so frustrating to me and I talk little about it.  We were not meant or created to war against each other but to live free from the tyranny of sin.  So until that day we then must continually seek what is right and just, the man who is God – Jesus.  Only he can (and will) liberate us.

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: 

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

How He Loves Us!!!!

The ministry of Bill Johnson and his staff at Bethel Church (http://www.ibethel.org) in Redding, California have really been an encouragement to us over the years.  

While on FaceBook I came across this video.  The video is from a Jesus Culture (http://www.jesusculture.org) conference.  The passion and annointing of Kim Walker and the band stirred my spirit with love towards Jesus.  Maybe it will bless you too.

David