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{"id":17506,"date":"2016-11-22T14:13:42","date_gmt":"2016-11-22T20:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/christianinternational.com\/?p=17506"},"modified":"2016-12-14T16:05:45","modified_gmt":"2016-12-14T22:05:45","slug":"a-kingdom-of-priests-bringing-change-to-the-government-mountain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/old.christianinternational.com\/a-kingdom-of-priests-bringing-change-to-the-government-mountain\/","title":{"rendered":"A Kingdom of Priests: Bringing Change to the Government Mountain"},"content":{"rendered":"
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by Diane Lake<\/h4>
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\u201cWhen the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.\u201d (Prov. 29:2, KJV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Scriptures like Proverbs 29:2 underscore that a biblical construct for government founded on principles of righteousness brings freedom, while government that runs contrary to godly standards brings loss of freedom\u2014or oppression.<\/p>\n

Recently, our city\u2019s newspaper published a guest column I had written on the bathroom debate<\/a>. I had not intended (nor wanted) to do this and needed very clear direction from the Lord. However, after several indications to proceed, I got additional clear direction and confirmation\u2014the most powerful which came to me in the form of a dream.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The opening scene was reminiscent of an old western town movie set\u2014everything was stark, lifeless and rendered in shades of brown. I decided to enter a particular building to use the bathroom, but as I entered, it suddenly began flying off the ground!<\/p>\n

Like in a flashback of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, I was forced to huddle just inside the door, unable to move any further as the building pitched and spun wildly through the air.<\/p>\n

Then abruptly the scene changed\u2014the building quit spinning and flying and hovered, poised motionless several stories above ground. The scene below resembled a cross between heaven and the Wizard of Oz! Colors were brilliant and exaggerated and there were lush vibrant gardens of produce and flowers everywhere.<\/p>\n

I understood I had the power to give the command that would set the building down. Other people in this hovering structure (and even some who seemed to watch from outside it) waited to see what I would do. Clearly it would bring life and safety to many if I gave the command, but I seemed reluctant to do this for some reason.<\/p>\n

But one point was abundantly clear. If I chose not to give the command, it was because of selfish or self-serving reasons. And still in a state of indecision, I woke up.<\/p>\n

Of course\u2026 I decided to do it.<\/p>\n

Pork Chops and Wolves\u2014Intercession and Sacrifice<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this process, the Lord began speaking to me about slavery, or oppression. We may think slavery went away with the abolition movement of the Civil War era, but the Lord impressed upon me that other forms of oppression are just as real and pressing in our day.<\/p>\n

There are many aspects of religious and personal freedoms currently under attack, but let\u2019s return to the example of the recent governmental push to mandate genderless public restrooms (don\u2019t let the newly-coined term gender inclusive<\/em> fool you, by the way).<\/p>\n

Here are some things the Lord showed me\u2014that when men and women are treated as one with no opportunity for common privacy and modesty, it is<\/em><\/strong> oppression\u2014think concentration camps and prison cells\u2014where lack of dignity and respect are standard. He revealed to me that when Moses\u2019 mother put him in the river her thoughts were that it was better for him to drown, than to die under oppressive rule. And that as intercessors who stand in the gap, we are called to not just intercede in prayer, but also to act, which includes sacrifice. (For this point, the Lord actually preached an article I had written<\/a> back to me in a dream!)<\/p>\n

Sometimes when I\u2019m about to do something like this, I feel like I\u2019m dressing up like a pork chop and whistling for the wolves! But I know that\u2019s not accurate. What\u2019s really<\/em> happening is that we are in a spiritual battle to ascend cultural mountains, and you don\u2019t achieve cultural prominence without a fight. But the good news is\u2014God is fighting with<\/em> and fo<\/em><\/strong>r<\/em> us\u2014we are not alone in the fight<\/a>!<\/p>\n

On occasion I see supernatural evidence of this. Once when I did a column in this newspaper on homosexuality\/political correctness, I was getting particularly hammered in the online comments. Then one night I had a short dream in which I saw a Holy Spirit wind blow all the comments away.<\/p>\n

And the next day, low and behold, there was a notification on the newspaper\u2019s website announcing it had completely revamped its format and apologizing that all comments on all previous articles had been irretrievably lost! To this day, if you click on the link to this article, there\u2019s one lone comment that reads\u2014\u201cWhere have all the comments gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

Occupation Involves Risk<\/strong><\/p>\n

One thing that can prevent believers from speaking out against oppressive government is an inaccurate perception of separation of church and state. The historical context<\/a> for formulating this concept was actually to protect<\/em> citizens from oppressive rule!<\/p>\n

Another is the belief some hold that we\u2019re not called to influence culture\u2014particularly the Government Mountain. I was once on the leadership team of our local pastor\u2019s network and mentioned that we should be releasing believers to serve in places like city councils and as county commissioners. One pastor (of a very large church) vehemently exclaimed, \u201cWe\u2019re not called to politics<\/em>, we\u2019re called to make<\/em> disciples!<\/em>\u201d\u2014Completely missing the aspect that we\u2019re called to disciple nations<\/strong><\/em>, too.<\/p>\n

And some have given in to a spirit of resignation or hopelessness, believing we can\u2019t make a difference, and that in order for Christ to come back things have to get much worse, anyway. But if we\u2019re just hanging on till the rapture, we\u2019ve missed our call to occupy. Luke 19:13 (KJV) says:<\/p>\n

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And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, \u201cOccupy<\/strong> till I come<\/strong>.” <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This may bring to mind the military usage of this word, as when a military force controls a certain population. While this has some merit, it\u2019s not actually what this word means.<\/p>\n

The Greek word for occupy<\/em> (SG #4231) means, “to do business; trading, exchanging (leveraging) one thing for another to make a legitimate gain; (figuratively) “to bear much fruit,” the opposite of being fruitless because of refusing to make trades by “playing it safe.””<\/p>\n

In other words, we do not occupy the kingdom by playing it safe; occupation involves risk<\/strong>, as we use the gifts and talents the Lord has given us to increase His kingdom.<\/em><\/p>\n

And don\u2019t forget\u2014those who occupy are the ones called \u201cfaithful\u201d who are given much greater authority (v. 17).<\/p>\n

A Coronation of Change Agents For Turnaround<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cAnd you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.\u201d (Exod. 19:6)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Scripture reveals believers are called after the order of Melchizedek, who was a royal priest upon a throne, and Revelation 5 tells us we are a nation of kings and priests (Heb. 5-7; Rev. 5:10). And God recently released fresh anointing to those who will bring change to relationships between the Church and Government Mountains.<\/p>\n

In March, my husband and I had the privilege of praying with Jon and Jolene Hamill of The Glory Train[i]<\/a> when they were in Whitefish, MT. The four of us felt the Lord released a word that He is bringing a national turnaround, and coronating new change agents that this might occur.[ii]<\/a> He showed us Zechariah 6:11-13, which says:<\/p>\n

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Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Then say to him, \u201cThus says the Lord of hosts, \u2018Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord. Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.\u2019\u201d (NASB)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We saw how current governmental officials had actually created enmity between the branches of government, and between the governmental and priestly offices (the church). We felt the Lord released angelic hosts nationwide, and that the new officials God was coronating\u2014His change agents for turnaround\u2014would begin to repair the breaches and unify the nation!<\/p>\n

The Eagle Has Landed<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another word released by The Glory Train contained this prophecy given by Bonnie Jones:<\/p>\n

The eagle has landed<\/em><\/strong> and perched high in His nest. He has an eye for motherhood over this nation. Her eaglets are being released this day and they shall soar higher and with clearer vision than ever before.[iii]<\/strong><\/a><\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This word really captured my heart because I, too, had heard the Lord say, \u201cThe eagle has landed.\u201d Of course, a primary symbol for our nation is the bald eagle and the Lord compares Himself to an eagle in Exodus 19:4\u2014in the context of delivering His people from oppression<\/em><\/strong>\u2014only two verses prior to verse 6 (see above)!<\/p>\n

But perhaps most significant in this word is the reference to motherhood. In 1 Corinthians 4:14-20, Paul speaks to those in the church that though they might have ten thousand instructors<\/em> in Christ, yet they do not have many fathers<\/em>. He continues, \u201cTherefore, I urge you, imitate me\u2026<\/strong> for the kingdom of God is not in word<\/em>, but in power\u201d<\/em><\/strong> (vs. 15, 20).<\/p>\n

A key characteristic of the change agents anointed to bring turnaround in this day is that they will be ones others can imitate<\/em>. They will carry anointing as mothers and fathers who have not only absorbed the instruction of the word, but can also demonstrate the kingdom in power <\/strong>by impacting and influencing culture and relationships in and between the Church and Government Mountains.<\/p>\n

Since first having heard and received revelation of the 7 Mountains in 2007, I\u2019ve been struck by how much time it\u2019s taking for the concept to catch hold. There have been some great teachers and forerunners in this movement (Lance Wallnau and Johnny Enlow come to mind),[iv]<\/a> but overall, actual implementation by the church seems slow.<\/p>\n

As spiritual mothers and fathers begin to move and influence the Government Mountain, we will start to see this shift. I believe the eagle of this prophetic word is meant to symbolize deliverance,<\/strong> emergence<\/strong>, and prophetic impartation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Calling All Josephs, Daniels, and Esthers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel, Joseph and Esther shared one thing in common\u2014they all were used dramatically to turn an ungodly nation to God. All were chosen by God and anointed to bring change to the government structure of their day.<\/p>\n

Other characteristics they shared\u2014all were carried into slavery through one form or another, and all lived under oppressive rule. All were required to lay down their lives\u2014be it in the lion\u2019s den, the pit and the prison, or by appearing without invitation before a king.<\/p>\n

As prophetic leaders they brought wisdom, counsel and favor to their kings. They faced danger and peril, yet stood strong. Are you one of these? Are you born for such a time as this? Ask the Lord if you are one who is called and anointed to bring change.<\/p>\n

Putting Revelation Into Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are some thoughts to begin turning revelation into action that we might bring change to the Government Mountain.<\/p>\n

– Be in prayer as to your part<\/strong>. Ask the Lord what you can do to be a change agent in this day.<\/p>\n

– Be in prayer for our nation<\/strong>. The political race for president, in particular, is causing many believers to be in a state of consternation and concern. Regardless of who wins in November, we should be interceding for God to position anointed counselors, advisors and cabinet members to influence whoever becomes president.<\/em><\/p>\n

Daniel, Joseph and Esther did not serve godly kings, yet God used them to bring great change. You do not necessarily need a godly president to see change\u2014it does, however, take a church willing to be used as change agents by God. <\/em><\/strong>Which leads to this final point\u2026\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

– Be willing to act<\/strong>. I would not presume to tell you your part. Every one<\/em><\/strong> of us needs to seek the Lord for direction, confirmation and strategy.<\/p>\n

I am convinced as we do these things we will begin to see turnaround. The prophets have declared this the year the tide turns<\/a>. But we must be willing to engage.<\/p>\n

Lord, once again may we be one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all\u2026<\/em><\/strong> truly, the land of the free<\/strong><\/em> and the home of the<\/em> brave<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Endnotes<\/p>\n

[i]<\/a> See http:\/\/glorytrain.us<\/a><\/p>\n

[ii]<\/a> https:\/\/jonandjolene.com\/2016\/03\/15\/coronate-the-change-agents-of-my-turnaround\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[iii]<\/a> https:\/\/jonandjolene.com\/2016\/04\/29\/i-will-cause-a-turnaround-for-this-land-historic-call-with-bonnie-jones-audio-plus-word\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[iv]<\/a> See http:\/\/lancelearning.com\/<\/a> and http:\/\/www.johnnyandelizabeth.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

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Diane and Allen are ministers ordained with both Christian International and Generals International. Diane is also a writer whose articles are featured regularly on Generals International, as well as on The Elijah List and other media platforms. Diane and Allen serve as Church Mountain, Regional and Montana Coordinators for the Reformation Prayer Network (led by Mike and Cindy Jacobs), and as Media Mountain Leader\/Facilitators for Christian International\u2019s emerging \u201c7 Mountain Kingdom Influencer\u201d Network. Together they founded Starfire Ministries<\/a>\u00a0with a vision to see the Kingdom established beyond the four walls of the traditional church. They have three grown children and are blessed to call beautiful western Montana home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n

Premium Appeal to Heaven Artwork by Diane Lake<\/h3>
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