"Blind Beggars to Receive the Mantles of Those Who Have Gone Before"
by James W. Goll
www.mttnweb.com or
www.prayerstorm.com
1. A Personal Word - A Personal Loss - A Heavenly Gain
On Saturday morning August 2nd while helping Host our 6th Annual Women on the Frontlines Conference in Nashville, TN, the voice of the Holy Spirit spoke very clearly to me. "Before you can go through the new doors I am putting in front of you, your mother must graduate to be in My presence before My throne."
I knew I had heard the Lord speak to me, but I had no idea what the Holy Spirit meant. The following Sunday morning, August 3rd, I was on my way flying to Virginia Beach, Virginia to minister that night. While in transit in the Atlanta airport I received a phone call telling me that my mother, Amanda Elizabeth Goll, had suddenly passed away. She was at home putting on her shoes in her bedroom getting ready to go to church and simply graduated to heaven. What a way to go! What a loss for us - but what a gain for her!
I was stunned. I was shocked. I was weeping in the airport. Then I realized that the Holy Spirit 24 hours beforehand had clued me in. Not only had my dear mother literally left this earth, but this also had to mean that there were new doors for me to go through.
2. Words for Us - Words for Others
There are many different types of prophetic people, ministries and giftings. Some are Seer Prophets while others are Inspirational (Nabbi) Prophets. Some are Prophetic Intercessors while others are Signs Prophets. The range is vast. At times, I operate as a "parabolic prophet" - one that lives out a word for the sake of others. As I hear the Lord by grace in my own life, I often find that these experiences become living words that are walked out as a parable to encourage others in the ways of God.
While there are new doors for me to go through - the Holy Spirit is declaring something much larger than my own personal life and ministry. It is a season for many of being "Dismantled before being Re-mantled". It is a season of receiving new garments - new mantles for life and ministry. There are new doors for us to go through. But often we must shed our identity with the past in order to come into our new place in God.
3. Parabolic Teaching on Mantles from Mark 10:46-52
A. A blind beggar man was in desperate need ...
B. The Messiah, Jesus passes by ...
C. The blind man discerns the presence of the healing Messiah ...
D. He cries out loudly for the Son of David to have mercy on him and not pass him by ...
E. The religious voices of others attempt to shut him up ...
F. He captures Jesus' attention and He beckons him to come ...
G. The blind man casts aside his beggars clothing (or mantle of what he has known) in order to come to Jesus (or into what was unknown and new)...
H. Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he desires - what he really wants ...
I. The blind man boldly declares he wants to regain his sight ...
J. Jesus declares that as he goes on his way - his faith will activate his healing ...
4. Three Mantled Men Have Recently Ascended
As I sought the Lord entering the new Hebrew calendar year in September, the Lord revealed that there were three specific men of God who had world-wide influence in the body of Christ who had recently ascended before His throne. All had finished well.
The first was Bill Bright, the father of the modern evangelical youth movement who had won more people to Jesus through his life's work than almost any individual in all of church history. Consider his legacy of Campus Crusade for Christ, the Four Spiritual Laws, the "I Found It!" Campaign, the Jesus Movie and Video Project just for starters.
The second champion was that of Kenneth Hagin, the father of the modern faith movement, whose life impacted hundreds of thousands. He also was a man of integrity, a prolific author and founder of Rhema Bible Institute who finished well. 17,000 people came across the globe at his memorial service to pay tribute to this hero of faith.
The third man was Derek Prince who at the age of 88 passed away in Jerusalem and was laid to rest on the first day of the Jewish New Year. Derek Prince was pioneer of the modern prayer and fasting movement, consecration, deliverance, and a teacher of teachers who released revelation of God's heart for Israel. He also finished well.
5. A Prophetic Word of Confirmation
Prophets Bob Jones and Paul Keith Davis of White Dove Ministries confirmed this word through their yearly "Shepherd's Rod" message the end of September. The following is a portion of that message.
"Many of the central figures used . . . in God's plan are receiving their heavenly reward and are crossing over into eternity. "Derek was a Prince . . . a prince of God's word. He brought the word of truth. Bill was Bright . . . for he allowed his light to shine upon youth and Kenneth Hagin was a man of great faith that believed God for the release of Heavenly grace."
These men have now graduated to their heavenly reward. The present generation must now assume the responsibility of leadership and take the next step to go far beyond the valuable foundation established by these devoted predecessors. As Elijah was a prophet in the wilderness, the Lord will now establish the "Elishas" who will be prophets to the masses. These godly men going home left us with a rich heritage and a duty to carry the torch of Heaven to greater heights . . . .
No loner will the Lord's anointed ones be hidden in the wilderness. They will now be revealed on a broad scale to a number of people in a corporate way. A new generation of radical prophetic voices will now emerge who have encountered heaven and will carry fresh expressions from the heart of God."
6. An Invitation Extended
Are you desperate enough like the blind beggar of Mark 10 to lay aside the security of what you know to step out into the unknown? What cloak do you need to cast aside to receive that which is fresh and new? Do you know what you want - what you really desire? He is waiting to hear from you!
The mantles of these great men of God are available not just for one or two believers to pick up - but they are for a company of believing believers. We must lay hold of Papa's promises by faith and collectively go beyond the works that these great men of God did.
It is time to receive fresh impartations of the spirit of evangelism that rested upon Bill Bright. Stir yourself up and receive the gift of faith for the miraculous that rested on Kenneth Hagin. Reach hold of God's heart for Israel, the grace deliverance and teaching the Word that Derek Prince carried. God is looking for a hungry people - take your place. Receive a new mantle for life and ministry!
As I go through this season in my own life, will you go with me? Will you be like blind Bartimaeus and discern the Master is passing by and be willing to lose your reputation in order to gain His? Remember that this is for Kingdom advancement - it is about the progressive purposes of God coming forth! I challenge you to cast off the security of the past and dive into the unknown destiny of tomorrow along with me.
Blessings to each of you!
by James W. Goll
www.mttnweb.com or
www.prayerstorm.com
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