For years, as far as I knew, I believed the rapture would occur before the seven years of tribulation. Around my second week of the internship, I discovered my rapture paradigm is largely based on the movie "Left Behind" and very few supplemental teachings, also stemming from the pre-tribulation rapture ideology.
Well, don’t get your End Times theology from a movie!
Generally speaking, “End Times” is not a commonly preached sermon in the church, yet there are over 150 chapters in the Bible that discuss the End Times; our future. Merely reading through the chapters certainly will not give the revelation we need. In order to get a deeper understanding of the End Times, it is essential for one to ask the Holy Spirit for grace to guide us through a study of the Scriptures that give us the blueprint for the End Times.
During The Pursuit, we’ve had in-depth teachings on the End Times during various classes such as End Times Group, Gatekeeper School of Ministry classes and various Foundational teachings. We also attend the End Times Service, every Friday, as part of our internship schedule. We are currently six weeks into the study of The Book of Revelation.
All of the End Times Services are open to the public. The past teachings are online at http://ihop-atlanta.com/page.php?p=media_mediacast with the notes to help guide you as you listen. This way you are able to lock in and study along as well, from wherever you reside, whenever you want.
omowun-me
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
You made a way for me to enter the Holy place.
During my Fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit class, one of our instructors told us to use Revelation chapter four to aid us in envisioning ourselves before the Throne of Grace, (the Throne in Heaven) while praying. Revelation four gives us John’s description of what he sees when he is pulled from Patmos island into Heaven.
Under the Mosaic covenant, before the days of Christ’s crucifixion, in order to bring requests before the LORD, people brought animals to the priests as sacrificial atonement for their sins. The priests would slaughter the sacrifices. But sacrifices by the blood of animals could never completely atone for their sins. The primary way into the sanctuary of God’s presence was through the high priest. Only the high priest went before the Ark; the Holy of Holies.
Under the new covenant, the perfect priest, Jesus, has offered the perfect sacrifice. Through the sacrifice of His blood, on the cross, He completely atones for all of our sins. Now, we have the privilege to come boldly before the Throne of Grace, all the time. We have confidence to stand directly before the LORD, with Jesus seated the right hand of the Throne, when we pray.
Under the Mosaic covenant, before the days of Christ’s crucifixion, in order to bring requests before the LORD, people brought animals to the priests as sacrificial atonement for their sins. The priests would slaughter the sacrifices. But sacrifices by the blood of animals could never completely atone for their sins. The primary way into the sanctuary of God’s presence was through the high priest. Only the high priest went before the Ark; the Holy of Holies.
Under the new covenant, the perfect priest, Jesus, has offered the perfect sacrifice. Through the sacrifice of His blood, on the cross, He completely atones for all of our sins. Now, we have the privilege to come boldly before the Throne of Grace, all the time. We have confidence to stand directly before the LORD, with Jesus seated the right hand of the Throne, when we pray.
Hebrews 10:19-21. 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God.”What a privilege it is to carry everything directly to God in prayer!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Year of Jubilee!!!!
Happy July 15th world! What a lovely day! Oh happy day! Today is the day I entered this world, 26 years ago, whew. Praise the LORD with me somebody!
Something you probably don’t know about me: I was due on July 7th. The Lord and I just decided to wait a week and a day longer. It would just be best for all interested parties. Thanks for the extended stay, rent free, mom!
I remember every single birthday since I was 4, maybe even my 3rd, if I see a picture. Actually, as I’m typing I’m really trying to remember July 15th, 1988. It will come to me, I’m sure. :)
Summer birthdays are unique in that, although they are typically not celebrated with school mates, since we’re usually not in school, at the time. However, we summer birth-daters have more freedom to celebrate as we want and where we want as we get more seasoned. ;-) For the most part, I've grown accustomed to marking it with family and my Nigerian community, which is basically: family.
Over the years, when I could make my own decisions, I was not the plan-a-big-celebration every year kind of girl. Oddly enough, I’ve happened to plan something for my birthday the last three years. I definitely cherish those memories, which still seem very recent. Life really is a vapor. (I'll eventually create a scrapbook of the pictures, one of these days.)
Because of that trend, it could seem logical that an even grander celebration is expected (or not). This year, I have nothing birthday-party-wise planned. Nonetheless, I’m sure this one will be quite memorable too, just in a different way.
Why? Because: This is my Year of Jubilee!!!!!! This is my season of Jubilee!!!!!!!!!
I took it old school with the homie Ron. But, I will have a new song, a new dance. Amen!
Sing with me. Dance with me. ohhhh-ohhhhhh-oohhhhh...ooohhhhh
"Let a new song arise before the Holy, before the Beauty." I was there, by the way: Onething 2010 – fabulous.
If you would be so kind, please pray this for and with me:
These are the words of Christ and I believe that because the Son of Man says we will do "greater works than these,” [the Son’s works - John 14:12] this prophecy also applies to me and you, as the speaker and the recipient.
Happy July 15th to me and to you! Happy Jubilee!
This is my season of Jubilee. Praise the LORD!!!!!!!!!! Bless the LORD with me, friends.
Something you probably don’t know about me: I was due on July 7th. The Lord and I just decided to wait a week and a day longer. It would just be best for all interested parties. Thanks for the extended stay, rent free, mom!
I remember every single birthday since I was 4, maybe even my 3rd, if I see a picture. Actually, as I’m typing I’m really trying to remember July 15th, 1988. It will come to me, I’m sure. :)
Summer birthdays are unique in that, although they are typically not celebrated with school mates, since we’re usually not in school, at the time. However, we summer birth-daters have more freedom to celebrate as we want and where we want as we get more seasoned. ;-) For the most part, I've grown accustomed to marking it with family and my Nigerian community, which is basically: family.
Over the years, when I could make my own decisions, I was not the plan-a-big-celebration every year kind of girl. Oddly enough, I’ve happened to plan something for my birthday the last three years. I definitely cherish those memories, which still seem very recent. Life really is a vapor. (I'll eventually create a scrapbook of the pictures, one of these days.)
Because of that trend, it could seem logical that an even grander celebration is expected (or not). This year, I have nothing birthday-party-wise planned. Nonetheless, I’m sure this one will be quite memorable too, just in a different way.
Why? Because: This is my Year of Jubilee!!!!!! This is my season of Jubilee!!!!!!!!!
I took it old school with the homie Ron. But, I will have a new song, a new dance. Amen!
Sing with me. Dance with me. ohhhh-ohhhhhh-oohhhhh...ooohhhhh
"Let a new song arise before the Holy, before the Beauty." I was there, by the way: Onething 2010 – fabulous.
If you would be so kind, please pray this for and with me:
"The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for He has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come." Luke 4:18-19. Liberty. Restoration. Justice.
These are the words of Christ and I believe that because the Son of Man says we will do "greater works than these,” [the Son’s works - John 14:12] this prophecy also applies to me and you, as the speaker and the recipient.
Happy July 15th to me and to you! Happy Jubilee!
This is my season of Jubilee. Praise the LORD!!!!!!!!!! Bless the LORD with me, friends.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Firecrackers!
Monday marked 235 years of America’s independence from Britain. Many Americans celebrate this federal holiday with barbeques and firecrackers. I didn’t really partake in the celebrations this year or celebrate with firecrackers per se.
However, there are a couple new people I crossed paths with this 4th of July. I recently met a teenager and the first word that comes to mind when attempting to describe her is firecracker.
What do you think of when you hear the word FIRECRACKER? Danger, Explosive, Bright, Shining, Appropriately Loud?
By firecracker, I mean the blaze on her heart is visible in her actions and audible in her prayers and the way she speaks at a mere 16 years of life. She is on fire for the LORD. She is a danger sign to any plan of the enemy as she stands in the gap, interceding over several injustices.
Seeing young people so grounded and unshaken in their faith and truly on fire for the LORD is so beautiful to me. What a firm foundation!
Back in my day, we thought “Meet Me at the Flagpole” was something, and at the time and place, it might very well have been. Yet I’ve heard testimonies of revivals going on around the same time at other locations and I can’t help but to think, “what was I doing? I could’ve been doing a lot more.” In just seeing what they are capable of doing now, as teenagers and in their early twenties, I can only imagine what type of exploits they will be doing in 5 or 10 years.
I was thinking of the song Shine Jesus Shine. I don’t recall the first place I heard and learned the song. Moreover, while singing, I don’t believe I grasped the meaning of the words or really understood what I was asking of the LORD.
Although we may not fully process the meaning, 100% of the time, at the young ages that we sing songs such as these, I believe it still counts for something. I now believe they were and still are prayers to the Lord. And at whatever time the LORD chooses, He will turn those worship lyrics to answered prayers for every child who sings it.
I want the upcoming generation to have awesome testimonies of revivals in their high schools and on their college campuses. I want them to look comparatively upon the state of high schools and college campuses back then and even now and completely shake things up.
As a duty to this upcoming generation, I pray that every child I have a relationship with would be characterized as a firecracker. I want the Spirit to blaze, setting their hearts on fire at young ages. This is very important to me especially for children raised Christian. It’s dangerously easy to neglect spiritual growth, over the years, under the guise of religion, masking the dangers of repetition and stagnancy. Meanwhile, one would fail to realize that their spiritual entrée for several years was just various forms of Milk.
Come fan the flame!
However, there are a couple new people I crossed paths with this 4th of July. I recently met a teenager and the first word that comes to mind when attempting to describe her is firecracker.
By firecracker, I mean the blaze on her heart is visible in her actions and audible in her prayers and the way she speaks at a mere 16 years of life. She is on fire for the LORD. She is a danger sign to any plan of the enemy as she stands in the gap, interceding over several injustices.
Seeing young people so grounded and unshaken in their faith and truly on fire for the LORD is so beautiful to me. What a firm foundation!
Back in my day, we thought “Meet Me at the Flagpole” was something, and at the time and place, it might very well have been. Yet I’ve heard testimonies of revivals going on around the same time at other locations and I can’t help but to think, “what was I doing? I could’ve been doing a lot more.” In just seeing what they are capable of doing now, as teenagers and in their early twenties, I can only imagine what type of exploits they will be doing in 5 or 10 years.
I was thinking of the song Shine Jesus Shine. I don’t recall the first place I heard and learned the song. Moreover, while singing, I don’t believe I grasped the meaning of the words or really understood what I was asking of the LORD.
Shine Jesus shineSomewhere after learning the words, the singing has the tendency to become habitual and part of the normal order of our Christian gatherings; service, fellowship, youth group and the likes.
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit blaze,
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word
Lord and let there be light.
Although we may not fully process the meaning, 100% of the time, at the young ages that we sing songs such as these, I believe it still counts for something. I now believe they were and still are prayers to the Lord. And at whatever time the LORD chooses, He will turn those worship lyrics to answered prayers for every child who sings it.
I want the upcoming generation to have awesome testimonies of revivals in their high schools and on their college campuses. I want them to look comparatively upon the state of high schools and college campuses back then and even now and completely shake things up.
As a duty to this upcoming generation, I pray that every child I have a relationship with would be characterized as a firecracker. I want the Spirit to blaze, setting their hearts on fire at young ages. This is very important to me especially for children raised Christian. It’s dangerously easy to neglect spiritual growth, over the years, under the guise of religion, masking the dangers of repetition and stagnancy. Meanwhile, one would fail to realize that their spiritual entrée for several years was just various forms of Milk.
Come fan the flame!
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