The Apostolic ministry that opened church age is being raised up at the end to complete it! It’s the apostolic anointing that will release the end-time church into its destiny. The pastoral anointing cannot accomplish this because it is not a “power dimension.” Christians in this hour will be released to touch the nations, fulfilling destiny! The heart of a true father (apostolic) will desire to and be able to release his sons and daughters to fulfill their destiny. True fathers recognize that:
- Spiritual fathering is an apostolic function (the principle of raising up sons)
- Through spiritual fathering, potential and giftings in our spiritual children are brought to full maturity,
- The ultimate purpose of spiritual fathering is to reproduce sons as successors – a true father is not threatened by his son’s achievements.
The End-time church will come into it’s destiny through four means:
- Restoring righteousness and rejecting religion
(Isaiah 33:5 NIV) (Jeremiah 22:1-5 NIV)
Religion is selfish. It focuses on self, whereas true righteousness focuses on others. We need to get rid of religions activity. Job justified himself by caring for the poor, the widows, the fatherless, the blind and the underprivileged.
Righteousness right living) is practical. It is caring for others. I believe that social concern should be one of the “priorities” in every ministry.
2. Restoring judgment to a place of prominence.
The church has entered a strong season of weighing, testing and judging. The Lord is watching our conduct, especially extreme teachings. I believe we have over emphasized “prosperity.” In many circles leaders have enriched themselves and in the process impoverished God’s people. Remember God’s people. Remember when you conceive chaff, you will give birth to straw. God is not going to tolerate it anymore. He is going to expose it! A few years ago while ministering in another country I met a minister who introduced himself as an “Apostle of Finances.” On another occasion, while driving down the main road, I was surprised to see a billboard with a minister’s picture and the wording next to it, “Apostle of Deliverance.”
3. Restoring church life to a place of fellowship.
Listen, in the last days, God is not going to allow two kinds of churches. Majestic ships, full of weaponry and soldiers for their cause – money in the boat and for the captain. Galleys with oars, full of slaves under the decks serving to the beat of the drum. The day of marching to the beat of one pastor’s drum is over!
Leaders in the body of Christ must adapt to the fact that it is our job to raise others up. We are here to raise, equip and release Christians into the five – fold ministry – not to keep them in bondage (under one roof). The day of the famous vessel, bringing gold and wealth into the house of one man or ministry is quickly passing. The early church brought wealth to the feet of the apostles, but it was distributed to each one as they had need. I strongly believe that we need to go back to house churches. The more house churches, the more pastors to be equipped and released to ensure greater pastoral care! In every place a church is planted, a base is set up in the enemy’s territory (John Wimber). It is difficult for larger ships to turn around. The old wineskin cannot contain the new wine being poured out. In the past, new wine was rejected.
4. Restoring miracles to a place of prominence:
It is sad that protestant reformers invented the theory that spiritual gifts died in the first century, thereby thwarting Christ’s mission of healing and deliverance. The awakening of Pentecostal in 1906 (Asuza St) revived Bethel in healing.
Since then, God raised up men and women like Kathryn Kulhman, Oral Roberts and others in the healing ministry. When the church truly becomes apostolic, we will see more men like Philip and Steven becoming prominent in the body of Christ (See Acts 6,8).
“A divine militancy is coming upon the church that will strike gripping fear into the heart of every power of darkness – as earthly armies leave devastation, the army of the Lord will leave restoration, healing, peace and even prosperity in her wake” – Rick Joyner.
