The following is a commentary from Andrew Strom, who was moderator of his revival list during 1998. The commentary reveals what his intercessory contacts have told him: a theme of 'Pharoah' keeping the church captive in the control spirit.
Prophetic List
<revival4@icarus.ihug.co.nz>
Subject: 'PHARAOH' DOMINATES THE CHURCH
Date: Friday, January 02, 1998
From: Andrew Strom (Moderator).
Dear friends,
I continue to feel impressed in my spirit that this year (1998) is
going
to be one of great importance to God's kingdom. There are many
prophecies
and visions to this effect, and I see significant and powerful themes
running
through these.
Obviously the 'street-church' concept, established upon the foundation of God's apostles and prophets for this hour, (the local church - the 'church without walls') is one thing God has been speaking about a great deal. He has also been speaking about the HINDRANCES that exist in today's churches, preventing the Christians from coming into this vital form of church life (which really is a very obvious one - but it does not fit in at all with today's system).
A local intercessor that I know was shown in the last week of 1997 that the spirit that dominates the church today is of the same essence as that which held sway over the children of Israel in Egypt. In other words, it is the spirit of 'Pharaoh' - corrupt authority, keeping the Christians down, keeping the church divided, and ultimately keeping God's people under the devil's thumb. It is the spirit that wants to inflict a "covering" doctrine on God's children, so that they are not allowed to minister or to fellowship with other Christians without permission. (This 'covering' thing is so unscriptural. No Scriptural support whatsoever. It is simply a 'control' mechanism, so modern pastors can keep their claws on the sheep in their fellowship. This is simply spiritual abuse, and it has done immeasurable harm in the church).
It is only some churches that are into the 'covering' doctrine. But another 'Pharaoh'-type practise is today's clergy / laity system. And this is in operation just about everywhere. What I mean by this is that only one or two people usually get to minister or preach in most congregations. These are the "clergy", mostly Bible-college trained, with a degree or diploma, etc. The rest of the church (the "laity") get to sit around and listen, or if they are really lucky, to shake people's hand at the door or hand around the collection plate, etc.
In most churches, you can count the people who get to really minister to others on the fingers of one hand. The rest are all held down by this system of doing things. It is very rare to find places where the leaders are actively looking for people with giftings, so they can give them opportunities to minister. What the pastor tends to do these days is just about everything, while creating a bottleneck of frustration for most of the gifted people in the congregation. And so giftings are wasted, and slowly atrophy out of sheer dis-use. Oppression, control, frustration and discouragement are everywhere. I tell you, God is just going to blow this whole thing wide open. He will simply not stand for this. That's what the 'street-church' is all about. (- House churches where everyone ministers, and also huge open-air gatherings where the apostles and prophets minister). It is time we recognised that shepherds who are not causing their sheep to grow in stature, in opportunities, in ability and experience - these are BAD shepherds. The authority these shepherds excercise is corrupt if the sheep are being stunted. And I tell you, God will no longer 'wink' at this. Surely judgement is coming. And it will begin with the leaders.
Another Pharaoh practise is the 'divide and rule' mentality prevalent in today's system of separate fellowships and denominations. As I said in a previous email, the church is divided mainly because of political kingdom-building rather than great theological differences. Most of us believe very similar things, especially amongst the Spirit-filled Christians. And yet, a system of fellowships and clergy utterly divides us, and we know very few Christian friends (mostly) outside our own groups.This Pharaoh-type "divide-and-rule" strategy has worked wonderfully well for the devil. For he knows that if he can control, repress and divide the Christians, using their leaders' jealousies and compromise, then he has got the church whipped. All he has to do is keep the leaders toeing the party line, and he knows they will keep the church down. Sadly, it is the leaders that are largely being used as tools, here.
Interestingly, just as this intercessor was given this word about 'Pharaoh' being the controlling spirit over the church, another well-known prophet from America was given the Scripture for 1998 about the "ten plagues" that were inflicted upon Egypt, which forced Pharaoh to 'let go' of the children of Israel. Could it be that this is that God is about to do? Send in His spiritual Moses's to release the captives, and send "plagues" upon the leadership if they do not let them go? It really is a very similar situation, in many ways. And no doubt, a 'street-church' will result as people rush out of the churches and gather together outside in true freedom before God. (Another Scripture that this prophet was given for 1998 was Psalm 98. Read it - it's tremendous!)
Could it be that 1998 will see the beginnings of the street-church that we have all been waiting and praying for? At least we know now to pray against the 'Pharaoh' spirit over the church. For this is surely a major hindrance holding everything back.
God bless you all.
Kindest regards in Christ,
Andrew Strom.
WEBSITE
- 'New Zealand Revival Bulletin':-
http://crash.ihug.co.nz/~revival
From:
"Linda"
<levans@netw.com>
Date:
Sat, 29
Mar 1997 21:41:14 -0800
... I would like to share a word the Lord spoke on Sept. 11, 1994, a word which has become a Divine Standard in my life - by which I lay along side everything that would come into my life.. I question: how does it measure up to the standard of total and complete dependence upon Jesus Christ? Maybe others have received this instruction also?
The word as I received it on Sept. 11, 1994
My Yoke:Dependence
Upon Me
Whatever steals your dependence upon ME is evil.
Anything that is raised up and places itself in MY place is
evil.
Anything that places itself in MY place is evil.
Anything that steals your dependence on ME is EVIL.
Anything that places itself as a necessary covering, steals your dependence upon Me and is a deception from the Evil One. My Yoke is easy, for My Yoke is only this: Dependence Upon ME. Dependence upon Me is the only yoke you need. All other yokes are bondage from the enemy.
Turn and repent from these yokes that you have
picked up. Turn
and repent from the Evil. Am I the Lord of your
life? AM I?
Not unless you have shed those yokes of bondage that you have been
carrying.
I am revealing these Yokes of Bondage... for apart from Me all is
evil.
Take up My Yoke for it is easy. Have Faith that I am all that
you
need.
God bless you all,
Linda E.
"but God has
chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has
chosen
the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and
the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the
things
that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man
should
boast before God. And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with
superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of
God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ,
and
Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much
trembling.
And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom,
but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your
faith
should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Yet we
do
speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this
age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;" (1 Corinth
1:27-2:6)
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