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PDFOver the last few weeks we’ve witnessed the removal of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and listened as talk show hosts, national news stations and journalists reported that millions of determined protesters were demonstrating in the streets demanding President Mubarak step down. Journalists on location reported that the voices of the people were crying out for democracy while others called it the voice of a revolution.
Recently in San Francisco my attention was drawn to a billboard featuring the Beatles with the Apple logo underneath it. The billboard itself had no words, however I sensed there was a distinct sound being released through this media art form. As we approached the city I continued to see the same billboard and then again in San Francisco’s Union Square. I asked the Lord what is it I’m sensing and Holy Spirit spoke, “the sound of revolution.” I thought of the displayed image and remembered the Beatles had released a song written by John Lennon entitled “You say you want a revolution.” I recalled that the song seemed somewhat political in nature and my research confirmed its anti-establishment inspiration. The lyrics expressed a questioning political viewpoint including ideologies, concepts of change, including change your mind, change the constitution, change your head, change the institution, evolution, revolution and pictures of communist Chairman Mao. The song begins, “You say you want a revolution well you know we all want to change the world.”
I believe the art media form of this billboard was situated in a fertile response territory as San Francisco is well known as the birthplace of the Summer of Love a counterculture movement in the late 60’s and early 70’s. During the same time period we witnessed another movement coming into view, although seemingly a pattern of the youth revolution it brought a different sound that emerged as the voice of the Jesus Movement which brought a sound of reformation. If you look at patterns in history and even today we see the youth rising, we hear a new sound and we see change on the horizon, but what will the effects of that change bring to future generations. Pray that San Francisco will embrace and release the sound of reformation once again.
As I continued to pray I received further insight which I believe will bring clarity to the sound and season were in. The political world is chanting and calling for change, however I continue to ask has anyone defined the blueprint and effects, or purposed outcome of the sound called change. The nations are crying out in revolution, and the Lord is ready to bring a reformation and I believe we are at the culmination of a great awakening. Reformation comes by way of God’s blueprint, by revelation as the communication of divine truth is revealed and embraced bringing an intended result of transformation. In the light of revelation we begin to understand reformation and when embraced will manifest itself in societal transformation. Reformation releases a sound that resonates with joy, life and true freedom. During the riots in Tahrir Square we were told that prisoners were released from their cells when the police abandoned their posts; although freed from a prison cell the majority were merely liberated and not reformed in their heart and minds. Revolution and reformation are two different ideologies and release two distinct sounds.
“Revolution and reformation are two different ideologies and release two distinct sounds.”
By definition revolution is a drastic change that can occur rather quickly. This may be a change in the social or political institutions over a relatively short period of time, or a major change in its culture or economy. Revolutions can be led by the majority of the populace of a nation others by a small band of revolutionaries. Merriam Webster’s on-line dictionary defines revolution as a completion of a course (as of years); also: the period made by the regular succession of a measure of time (seasons) or by a succession of similar events, a sudden, radical, or complete change, a fundamental change in political organization; especially: the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed. It can also mean activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation or/and fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something: a change of paradigm. At times a revolution is spurred on due to continued hostile or oppressive circumstances that will no longer be tolerated by a specific people group or a nation. A revolution can also incite physical violence as two sides clash in opposition to one another’s viewpoints, requests or ideologies and can result in loss of lives and great destruction. What we witnessed in Egypt would best be defined as a revolution.
In contrast reformation takes on another sound and can be defined as the act of reforming: the state of being reformed. Defined reform means to put or change into an improved form or condition, to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action, to induce or cause to abandon evil ways. Reformation comes to an individual or a nation when the choice is made to receive the light of revelation and embrace truth that brings about change, change of heart, change of mind, change of behavior, change of speech and includes change in one’s course direction. As we embrace heart reformation like a catalyst or a “critical mass” it will trigger a movement that releases a momentum to bring real change and once the movement begins and sustains momentum it will transform society, economies, and political views and how we express ourselves. The violence of reformation is a spiritual one and not meant to be physical in nature. It occurs in the heart of man where true reformation must begin when light overthrows/overcomes the deception of darkness. We are in a transitional season and at a juncture that has brought us to a place where we need to choose wisely, will we choose revolution or reformation. How we choose individually, corporately and as a nation will determine the course ahead.
“Globally and nationally leadership is a key issue and unfortunately it’s lacking in many areas”.
Many will acknowledge we are in a season of crossing over, stepping out of the old season and into the new with the forming of new wineskins and governing structures. In light of this statement as we look back at the revolution which recently took place in Egypt we saw the overthrow of their tyrannical political ruler, however there is no revealed leader to take the seat and set government in right alignment or to bring vision and direction to the people. International news tells us that the military is temporarily in charge of Egypt; however we’re also aware that the Muslim Brotherhood is vying to occupy the vacant seat and in exchange what kind of governance and freedom would that bring to the Egyptian people. Will the people get democracy or is sharia law on the horizon? Presently there is a thrust into the Middle East to unseat many leaders but I raise the questions, who are the new leaders that will occupy the toppled seats and what form of government is planned to take its place? Globally and nationally leadership is a key issue and the nations are crying out for leaders who will have a heart for the people to whom they have been granted governance.
As we consider the inauguration of a new leader let’s consider King Solomon’s beginning and look at several things which surround his leadership anointing that we can apply in this season of transition as kingdom builders and reformers. Our story unfolds with the Lord posing a question to Solomon in a dream, “Ask what I shall give you.” Solomon responded to the Lord’s question by asking for wisdom, knowledge and understanding so he would know how to judge the people over which the Lord had made him king. The Lords’ reply to Solomon’s response imparts great wisdom and insight for every great leader seeking to see God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. If we too bow down our ear and hear like Solomon we will hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the church in this season of time. II Chronicles 1:11 states the Lord’s reply to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart and you have not asked riches, wealth or honor, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet has asked long life. But has asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had before you, neither shall any after you have the like. ”
Scripture records the rise and fall of many empires and rulers, kings and their kingdoms whereby we learn why some prospered and others failed. The wisdom written in 1 Samuel 13:14 and 1 Samuel 16:7 teaches us what God is looking for in those who are willing to lead as we transition from a Saul type of leadership and move towards Davidic governing. King Saul was called and appointed by God and had enjoyed his seat of authority for a season but like Pharaoh of old he had a problem with the fear of man which led him to be a political leader instead of a king. Saul chose to disobey God and obey the voice of the people because he said he feared the people. Saul made several unwise leadership choices which disqualified and unseated him from God’s leadership plan of building the kingdom. Israel was about to experience a leadership transition as are we out of an old structure into a kingdom model. When the appointed time came the Lord sent the Prophet Samuel to Jesse with instructions to anoint a new king of Israel. After his arrival in Bethlehem he calls Jesse to the sacrifice and begins to size up his sons to see which one would become the new king ; however he’s not listening too closely and instead begins to look to man’s attributes to fill a governing seat and immediately he receives a scolding from the Lord. “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature: because I have refused him: for the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Eventually David son of Jesse came before Samuel at which time the Lord spoke saying, “Arise anoint him for this is he.” The Lord told Saul through Samuel that he lost his kingship because the Lord was looking for a man after his own heart. Reformation has a distinct sound that speaks from the heart and it will be this sound which will influence others to follow the anointing that rests upon leadership.
In conclusion the Lord is raising up deliverers who will move into position and lead God’s people out of slavery and mindsets that have held them in the captivity of the old season. Egypt is symbolic of that bondage in this hour. Moses was sent from God because God heard the cries of his people who were in bondage, slavery and idolatry. Moses means one drawn from the water, he himself had chosen not to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and who by faith forsook the treasures of Egypt and come out from under Pharaoh’s rule first. When Moses left Egypt with God’s people he ruled over every demonic structure that had set itself against the most high God, it fell. The Lord is preparing a people to advance with worship, declaration and a sound that many will begin to hear and feel the rhythm for it is the sound of reformation shut up in your bones. The nations have witnessed an overturning through revolution but God himself shall announce this reformation. I hear the sound of the army of the Lord; scripture reminds me Pharaoh heard it too. Ready to cross over?
Written by Vicki Nohrden Wind and Fire Ministries 2/23/2011
Western States Regional Apostolic Leader United States Reformation Prayer Network
Western States Regional Apostolic Leader Heartland Apostolic Prayer Network
Please join me in praying for:
Righteous government to be set in the nation of Egypt and the Middle East and throughout the nations
The old regime/order and mindsets that held the people in captivity will be broken off
Pray that the youth crying out for freedom and liberty come into the revelation of truth named Jesus