Prophetic Word: What is the Future of the Church?
This word is based on two dreams that I had last year. Although I did receive interpretations for them at the time that I had them, the Holy Spirit has just brought them back to my remembrance over the last week or so and made a new connection between them, as well as an association with what we see happening now in the natural. And I believe they both to speak to what we will be seeing for the future of the Church.
In one of the dreams (from October 2019), I was at my childhood home and I was standing with a bunch of people getting ready to leave and we were at the end of the driveway, right where it met up with a main road. That road was called Liberty Road. It was VERY dark out and was very creepy looking and we were all kind of scared/nervous about how it looked. Then, I said, “Does it get dark early or is this a storm? Because it’s only three in the afternoon.” A few moments later, the whole sky turned a rose color. Then, my dad walked out into the main road and him and a couple other guys began to direct cars out of the side roads (including those of us who had been waiting at the end of the driveway). I also noticed at this point that the sky had now turned bright blue with white clouds.
(There was a little more to this dream, but it was a personal word for me, so not really relevant to the corporate part.)
As for the interpretation, those of us who were standing at the end of the driveway are those who the Lord has called to be in ministry for this time. We’ve been “hidden” away and have been awaiting our ministries and the time for us to be released into them. Liberty Road relates to this being about America. And the extremely dark, scary-looking sky refers to the time we are in right now. When I said, “Does it get dark early or is this a storm? Because it’s only 3 in the afternoon,” that was basically me saying, “Is this IT? Is this the end or is this just a ‘precursor’ because what about Jesus’ sacrifice and everything He talked about with the end-times harvest?” Then, the next thing I saw - the rose-colored sky - WAS Jesus’ presence coming through the “forerunners” who have been sent out ahead of Him to prepare the Church for His return.
When “my dad” stepped out into the main road with the other guys and began directing the traffic out of the side streets and the driveways, that was God (and His angels) releasing all of us who have these “smaller” ministries and sending us out. It was important to also note that they were stopping the traffic that was on the main road to let those of us on the side roads come out. Which represents God “stopping” some of the “main” ministries to bring up the smaller ones that have been prepared for such a time as this. Also, the blue sky and white clouds represent that these smaller, Spirit-led ministries (which are prophets, apostles, preachers, teachers, etc.) will walk in their royal governmental position and reflect God’s favor and glory.
In the other dream (from August 2019), I was in a car with a group of people and an older man was driving. The man in real life is actually the father of a well-known pastor, but it’s not important to mention who because he wasn’t representing himself in the dream, just that of wisdom of the Father. In the dream, we pulled up and were looking at these empty, hollowed-out buildings. (Which amazingly, I ended up spotting a real-life version of several months later.)
The older man who was driving and had now parked in front of the building, said the Holy Spirit had told him, “twinkling star village” and that he knew it was important because something significant had gone on there. At this point, I spoke up and said that it used to be shops that were lined up in perfect rows with lights that shined brightly out of them. When it started to go under, someone had set up some sort of “campaign” out of one of the buildings, but I didn’t know that had shut down too. Then, the man said that a woman in the group knew and had taken measures ahead of time. I also noticed that there were new buildings being built right down the street that looked like a bunch of smaller apartments or condos. And I knew that it was very important that “they” shouldn’t identify themselves as poor because they aren’t.
As for the interpretation, this represented the Father sharing wisdom with us (who again, are being called into ministry for this time) about how His Church used to be full of churches and ministries that trusted Him, walked in righteousness, didn’t deviate from Him one way or the other and shined/reflected His glory. But, now they had become empty, hollowed-out shells because they were operating without the Holy Spirit. The “campaign” referred to other churches and ministries that came about as this was happening, but they were also done in the flesh, so they had shut down too. The “woman” refers to the Holy Spirit who (of course) knew this was going to happen and “took measures ahead of time” by preparing this new wave of smaller, Spirit-led ministries and churches, which are represented by the apartment/condominium buildings that were being built and raised up. The note at the end was how important it would be for these “smaller” ministries to know that they are not of lower or inferior quality.
As you can see… both of these words make a reference to a shift in how the Church operates. From the “main” ministries to smaller ones. Which again, lines up with what we are seeing in the natural as the Covid-related rules and regulations are banning large gatherings. Like I mentioned in the word called “Layers of the Virus,” the Lord is allowing all of this and using it to achieve His good purposes, one of which is to spark revival. So, I believe we will see a shift happening to where there will be more home churches, small churches and organic gatherings of believers. That is not to say that there won’t be any of the more “traditional” large tent-style revivals, there may very well be. But, I do believe we are going to see a lot of power rise up in these small gatherings of believers, just like it was in the times of the Acts 2 Church.
Which brings me to the other part of the word that I felt the Lord wanted me to share. One day in meditation and prayer with Him, the Holy Spirit highlighted the characteristics of the Acts 2 Church in relation to what we will be seeing in these “new times” for the Church now. You can find these characteristics in Acts 2:42-47.
The believers formed a community.
They devoted themselves to God’s teaching.
They devoted themselves to fellowship.
They devoted themselves to sharing meals.
They devoted themselves to prayer.
A deep sense of awe came over them.
They perform miraculous signs and wonders.
They met together in one place. (Which I believe will also be represented by the UNITY that is coming into the true Body of Christ as denominations and competitive divisions will be torn down.)
They shared everything they had with one another.
They shared with those in need.
They worshiped together.
They met in homes for communion.
They praised God.
That is a whole lot of togetherness! And that is how it should be! Not what the enemy has attempted to create recently - division and fear and believers hiding away separately in their homes. The enemy is VERY aware of the power there is when believers get together. Particularly, when they begin to pray, worship, commune, prophesy and lay hands together! Which is why he has attempted to drive the Church apart. But, not only is the Lord bringing the Church back together, He is also restoring the original power and authority that has been missing from the Church.
I also felt the Lord wanted me to mention two other things about the Acts 2 Church. One, that God added to their numbers daily. Which means they were effective and there was real conversion and salvation taking place. And two, that all of this was happening at the same time as them being harassed, arrested and told not to preach by the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Sound familiar?
But, the good news is, this is an encouraging word for the Church! Or at least I think it is! Because I hope that it provides a little structure or framework for what you see going on in the natural. As the Holy Spirit said to a friend of mine one time, “Sometimes preparation can look like destruction.” So, what may appear to be dismantled, disheveled or disrupted right now may actually be the set-up for something much greater.
And I am excited to see what God is going to do!
Our part is to not back down. To not go into hiding or “fall asleep.” Our part is to remember we were made for this. We were made to shine in the darkness! Not hide in it.
The Lord is bringing power back to His Church. He is waking her up and reminding her of her authority in this world and over the enemy. And I think we may all be a little surprised at how He does it!
“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see.
For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.
Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth,
but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.”-Isaiah 60:1-2