Lakeland Florida is the sight of the latest in a recent series of glory flashes, which have struck the earth. These flashes include Toronto and more recently Brownsville. They are like the anticipated lightning strikes we expect would come from heavens heavy with rain. This rain has been prophesied for many years yet we do not know whether we are entering the heart of it or an advance shower. Nevertheless, this outbreak is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable explosions of healing to occur in recent years. But as I write from Lakeland, having experienced firsthand the waves of healing, it has become apparent that two types of people will emerge from this latest outbreak – the watchers and the doers.
The Rainbow of Promise
There is no bypassing the challenge that faces every spiritual leader. Whether it is a modern day contemporary or Jesus himself, the work of God produces different types of positive responses. We will not even attempt to discuss the critics and detractors. But even among the larger majority who support and expect good things, there can be different fruit.
Think of this latest manifestation of healing as something like a rainbow. The rainbow is a sign and representation of a promise from God. It conveys that something wonderful is being provided for us. If there is a promise then there is something to be apprehended. If the proverbial pot of gold could actually be found at the end of the rainbow there would still be those who are satisfied to enjoy the view. Of course, it is great when thousands come together from all over the world to see what God is doing. It is even better that many of those are being released from painful and tragic circumstances. But it is even better still to obtain the promised pot of gold.
In this case the pot of Gold is not the receiving of a healing or even the enjoyment of watching one. It is obtaining what is transferable - a healing anointing. Actually, if the truth were told, what is really being offered is even beyond healing. What the Spirit is really offering is entrance into the glory of God. This is clearly one of Todd Bentley’s high priorities and he is faithful to regularly send that point home. To be sure this is no easy task.
As in the day of Jesus there are always those who gather because of the loaves and the fishes. Jesus rebuked the adulteress generation who sought for a sign. There is always a group who gather to enjoy the miraculous and bask in the unusual. Again this is preferred over those who would persecute an outpouring, but it nevertheless falls short of God’s actual intention.
While I could not help but enjoy the testimonies of incredible miracles, my heart continues to long for the people who will be volunteers in the day of His power. I watched again and again as Todd moved powerfully in the Spirit both displaying the goodness of God and provoking the audience to enter more deeply in the glory. He lauded the beauty, power and excellence of the majesty of Christ in the hopes of drawing more beyond the veil. The second night marked an increase in the supernatural that was dramatic and testified an advance of some kind. Still, I am left with a keen image of people merely enjoying a closer view of the rainbow. From a distance they observe and even marvel, but tragically most do not understand the opportunity that stands before them.
Air Conditioning
It is like a man going in and out of an air-conditioned mall. While he enters and leaves another group sits at the door waiting for a chance to experience the air-conditioning. Each time the door swings open a gust of refreshing air hits them. The crowd ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ with each wave as the atmosphere of virtual life sweeps over them. Between waves much discussion is had about the ‘wonder of it all’. But to the one entering and leaving there is an open invitation. Yet, the crowd is largely oblivious to the fact that, given a few criteria, anyone can actually enter.
The masses are satisfied to know that someone is entering on their behalf and bringing out tokens of what is there. It is similar to Moses and Israel’s introduction to God at Mt. Sinai. The people because of fear and unbelief would not and could not entertain an intimate relationship. Instead they were happy to have Moses speak with God and tell them what He said. This is largely the same commentary one could make about the generations of the Church. Very few enter deeply while the majority applaud.
The problem with this scenario is not in the fact that people are not enjoying what is brought out, it is in the fact that too many are content to operated at arms length of their own inheritance. What is encouraging about advances in recent years is the numbers of people who are hungry for more. Clearly a larger percentage of the people are genuinely enjoying the tokens being brought back. More than that many more are venturing to poke their heads in the door and greater numbers have begun to enter.
The Army
Still the work is far from finished and a prophetic people must keep their eyes on the prize. A generation tolerant and eager to see the supernatural is a great thing. But an army of warriors transformed by the revelation of His glory is closer to the real goal. If the Toronto outpouring showed us anything it was the willingness of the Holy Spirit to spread the glory.
Perhaps many of us fail to remember the status- before Toronto. At that time it was uncommon to consider a fellow pew sitter as anointed by God. In some cases there was a clear separation between those who had a right to lay hands on people and, sadly, everyone else. The layperson who was of significant stature could hand out baskets at offering time, and if you were truly godly, you might aspire to being an elder who occasionally prayed publicly in the service. Toronto marked a departure from a mindset that divided the people from clergy.
Once that wave of the Spirit came it was not just the perceived spiritual giants who were praying and ministering, it was anyone and everyone. Suddenly, the manifestations reserved for a few anointed speakers blowing through town fell on the whole. It is as if the whole culture of the Church changed. The attitude of most believers was shifted as well. Instead of coveting prayer from the one person people generally began to see non-ministry personnel as suitable ministers. This is no small shift.
What is coming?
The Toronto wave in this sense offers us a glimpse into what is coming. Gone are the days when God winked at leaders who guarded the ability to minister to themselves. The heart of God is beginning to be displayed by a new generation of true Father’s who yearn like Moses that ‘all would prophesy’. The legacy of this next generation will not focus on what we as individuals have done, but what height those under our respective charges have attained.
The strength and breadth of this army will not be its officers but the foot soldiers. Churches that gather for entertainment will soon hardly be considered churches at all. Congregations that function as cheering sections for dazzling leaders will not be thought of as successful, but as remarkable failures. These are the days of the corporate assembly where a people rise in the collective image of His person.
God is imparting courage, faith and strength to all who would see His glory. Toronto opened the door for a fresh audacity, as the average believer entered a realm of previously exclusive ministry. Now another level of glory is being offered. And so we can find ourselves in one of two camps. We can remain among that sincerely amazed group who soak in the waves of God’s presence or we can make our way to the source Himself.
In Him,
Marc Brisebois
www.watchman.ca/