God’s Prophetic Agenda
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 1
09/09/2009 15:48:49
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 2
09/09/2009 15:48:49
God’s Prophetic Agenda For the End of Days!
Johannes Facius
Sovereign World
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 3
09/09/2009 15:48:49
Sovereign World Ltd PO Box 784 Ellel Lancaster LA1 9DA England www.sovereignworld.com Copyright © 2009 Johannes Facius All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Short extracts may be used for review purposes. Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are taken from nkjv – New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc. Other versions used are: niv – New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. amp – The Amplified Bible, Old Testament. Copyright © 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation. kjv – King James Version. Copyright © 1977, 1984 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. nasb – New American Standard Bible. Copyright © the Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 ISBN: 978-1-85240-507-6 The publishers aim to produce books which will help to extend and build up the Kingdom of God. We do not necessarily agree with every view expressed by the authors, or with every interpretation of Scripture expressed. We expect readers to make their own judgment in the light of their understanding of God’s Word and in an attitude of Christian love and fellowship. Cover design by ThirteenFour Design Typeset by documen, www.documen.co.uk Printed in the United Kingdom
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 4
09/09/2009 15:48:49
Co
Contents
Foreword by Peter Horrobin
7
Foreword by Gary Bergel
9
PART 1:
HAVING A PROPHETIC VISION
Chapter 1
Without a Prophetic Vision
15
Chapter 2
To See as God Sees
23
Chapter 3
Having God’s Prophetic Vision
33
PART 2:
GOD’S PROPHETIC AGENDA
Chapter 4
Completing the Great Commission
41
Chapter 5
Completing the Church
49
Chapter 6
Completing Israel
57
Chapter 7
The Coming of the Messiah
69
PART 3:
END TIME DECEPTION
Chapter 8
Deceiving the Church
77
Chapter 9
Extremism in the Church
87
Chapter 10
The Gospel of Materialism
95
Chapter 11
The Cross-less Gospel
103
Chapter 12
Extremism in the Pro‑Camp
111
Chapter 13
The Foundation of Salvation Under Attack
119
5
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 5
09/09/2009 15:48:49
Go Age
6
God’s Prophetic Agenda
PART 4:
HUMANISM – THE LAST ENEMY
Chapter 14
Humanism in the Church
127
Chapter 15
The Curse of Liberal Theology
143
Chapter 16
When the Church is Failing
149
Chapter 17
Humanism in the World
155
Chapter 18
The Spirit of Babylon the Great
161
PART 5:
BE READY FOR THE END OF DAYS
Chapter 19
Looking for the Coming of the Lord
173
Chapter 20
Having an Ear to Hear
181
Chapter 21
Seeking His Face
189
About the Author
203
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 6
09/09/2009 15:48:49
Foreword by Peter Horrobin
7
For Ho
Foreword by Peter Horrobin This is an important book. Not just because it is written by one of the reliable “elder statesmen” of today’s church, but also because its subject matter is so relevant and, indeed, critical for today’s church to read and understand. Johannes Facius has truly walked the walk of faith during some of the most difficult days of the Church and in his personal pilgrimage with God. He has seen and been involved in some of the most significant events in recent Christian history. He has rejoiced to see and experience the Spirit of God moving in the Body of Christ, but also seen with prophetic eyes the dangers of experience that is not anchored in a knowledge of the Word of God. In the book of Hosea 4:6, God said, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” What was true of Hosea’s day is equally true today. If we do not know what God has already written in His word, how can we ever expect to have the understanding, that will be a beacon of truth for us in the darkest of spiritual days? I would strongly recommend that you read this book with your Bible readily at hand, because you will want to be constantly checking to see if what is said in the book really is in line with what the Word of God says. You will find that it is. The book of Nehemiah tells us how, after the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and the people had resettled in their towns, that the Book of the Law was taken out and read to them by Ezra the scribe. He not only read the Law to the people, but the Levites then spent time “making it clear and giving the 7
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 7
09/09/2009 15:48:49
8
God’s Prophetic Agenda
meaning so that the people could understand what was being read” (Nehemiah 8:8). Every generation needs such people, who have spent the necessary time in the counsels of God, to interpret the Word of God to them, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and with prophetic understanding and wisdom. In this book Johannes has done just that for us. He explains with great clarity what the Word of God says and what it means in some very significant areas of understanding, especially in respect of God’s purposes for Israel. If we ignore what God is doing here, we will fail to understand so much of what God is doing in the rest of the world. The first coming of Jesus was prophesied in great detail throughout the Old Testament. It would be unthinkable that God would not have gone to equal lengths to ensure that the church would not be ignorant of the days we are now living through. Johannes steers us carefully through the major prophetic scriptures, which reveal God’s heart and purpose, as well as his warnings, for the days we are now in and the End of Days. He also warns us, as Jesus did, of the dangers of deception and how to recognize those things that could lead God’s people astray, at just the time when they need to know the truth of God’s Word. I will be strongly recommending this book on our courses and schools. It is not a book to cause us to fear, but a book that will give us great encouragement, as we see that the times truly are in God’s hands and that it is safe to trust Him with everything we are. Peter Horrobin International Director of Ellel Ministries June 2009
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 8
09/09/2009 15:48:50
Foreword by Gary Bergel
9
For Ga
Foreword by Gary Bergel The preacher in Ecclesiastes warns: “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh” (12:12). This new book by Johannes Facius, God’s Prophetic Agenda, is not just another book; it is a God-appointed message – an “epistle” for the church in a critical hour! This summation of wisdom gleaned over decades of serious Bible study and ministry, from a life of prayer lived “in the trenches”, is not wearisome. It is wonderfully refreshing. The principles presented here seem to thrust forth like laser beams, performing necessary spiritual surgery. Scripture teaches that the end of days are extreme days! The apostle Peter admonished that, “But the end [final limits] of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers” (1 Peter 4:7). Spiritual discernment and focus is at the core of Facius’ concern. To see and discern from God’s perspective or, as Johannes terms it, “to look upon the end time events through the eyes of God”, is each modern-day believer’s greatest need. This book exhorts us to abide in Christ, and to keep our eyes fixed on Him and on the unfolding of His primary prophetic agenda. God’s eternal purposes are settled: to fulfil the great commission and bring in the appointed harvest from every tribe, tongue and nation; to renew and redeem Israel; to restore, prepare and anoint a glorious church, the bride of Christ; to bring back Christ the Messiah. 9
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 9
09/09/2009 15:48:50
10
God’s Prophetic Agenda
Throughout, this study examines and gives guidance on critical questions, such as: • How can we hear the voice of God and avoid fear, alarm, extremism and false prophecy? • How are we to live and respond as the nations and world systems experience judgment, removal and replacement? • How can we know deliverance, security and peace in the midst of continuing world chaos? • Why is it important to understand God as the creator of nations, not empires? • How can we avoid being seduced by extra-Biblical teaching and the great deception, and “falling away” that Jesus said will mark the end times? • How do we continue in sound doctrine and walk in a balance between grace and truth? • How do we discern authentic anointing and true signs and wonders from counterfeits and the work of religious spirits? • How do we escape the trap of humanism that has infiltrated so much of modern Christianity? • What are the Biblical characteristics that identify the work of the spirit of Antichrist? • What developments and personalities will set the stage for a world dictatorship? • How can the church mature and become a living prophetic witness to the world, an embodiment of the very teachings of Christ? • Why is personal and prevailing corporate prayer the only real solution to world crises?
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 10
09/09/2009 15:48:50
Foreword by Gary Bergel
11
Perspectives for effective intercession, gleaned over decades of international ministry and in the land of Israel, come into sharp focus in each chapter. To student readers, these will be seen as precious gifts and strategic tools for prevailing prayer and the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom. Two sections in Facius’ study deserve special mention. The first is an in-depth look at the occult roots of Nazism and the “false Pentecost” which gripped many German churchgoers. This documentation is like shock therapy and hopefully will bring many contemporary Christians into an awareness of Satan’s real intentions behind the current revival of the occult New Age and fake faith movements. The second is an exposition showing that world history revolves around the story of two cities: Babylon and Jerusalem. The Bible’s final book, Revelation, reveals that human history culminates in two great events – the falling of Babylon the Great, grown into a global governmental enterprise, and the New Jerusalem, which descends from heaven to the earth. The vices and virtues which characterize these two distinct cities and governmental orders stand out as markers and guideposts for any Christian desiring to live a crucified and Christ-like life. This clear and precise study will serve multitudes of believers well as a practical End of Days manual. It will impart faith and hope to any heart sincerely desiring to follow Christ. This “life message” by Johannes will better enable them to endure and, most importantly, to more effectively obey the Lord’s command: “Do My business, occupy until I return” (Paraphrased by author, Luke 19:13). End of days disciples and overcomers will discover themselves indebted to this clear, chiselled presentation by a pioneering leader and spiritual father to many in the international prayer movement. Johannes Facius, a man after God’s heart and a man of integrity, is one who has always demonstrated what he teaches.
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 11
09/09/2009 15:48:50
12
God’s Prophetic Agenda
All readers of this appointed, strategic writing will find themselves rejoicing that this promise of Jesus Christ remains: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Gary Bergel President Emeritus, Intercessors for America Jerusalem, July 2009
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 12
09/09/2009 15:48:50
Foreword by Gary Bergel
13
PART 1: HAVING A PROPHETIC VISION
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 13
09/09/2009 15:48:50
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 14
09/09/2009 15:48:50
Without a Prophetic Vision
15
Chapter 1
Wi Pro
Without a Prophetic Vision
A well-known story goes like this: two men were working on the building of a new cathedral. A passer-by became interested and asked them what they were doing. The first man answered, “I am putting one brick on top of another,’ but the second man had a different perspective. ‘I am building a cathedral!” he replied. The first man had only a very narrow and limited view of what he was trying to accomplish. The other man had vision: a vision of the ultimate result of his work contribution. So often the church continues its daily activity with great perseverance, but has lost the vision of God’s eternal purposes for His glorious Kingdom. In the book of Proverbs we find this well-known statement: Without a prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law. (Proverbs 29:18)
The normal understanding of this scripture is that if we do not have a vision, we have lost our sense of direction. We are marching on the spot without getting anywhere. Actually the New King James points out in its margin that it is not just a
15
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 15
09/09/2009 15:48:50
16
God’s Prophetic Agenda
matter of having a vision which is important. It is whether the vision is prophetic or not that determines whether we are getting anywhere. The addition of “prophetic” to the vision is most important. It underlines the fact that the vision must be updated to where we are in God’s prophetic agenda. In other words, the vision must have the right timing. God is doing things today that are different from things He did in the beginning of the last century or at the time of Martin Luther. To be “prophetic” means that we understand what is in God’s heart for the very hour in which we live. In one of His discussions with the Pharisees, Jesus challenged these religious people on the issue of knowing the signs of the times. You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. (Matthew 16:1–3)
He was talking about the fact that people can foretell the kind of weather we will get tomorrow by looking at the sky, but they are totally unaware of God’s prophetic agenda. Therefore they are completely out of tune with the great spiritual events of our time. That, of course, could well be expected from people who do not know the Lord, but it should never be the case with any church or part of the Body of Christ.
No direction The consequences of not having a prophetic vision are pointed out in Proverbs 29:18: ‘the people cast off restraint’. The old King James Version says that “people perish”. The meaning is quite clear: without prophetic vision the people of God are lost in a spiritual wilderness. They don’t know where they are; neither do they know where to go. They are like people without direction, drifting around on the rough sea in a boat that has no rudder. This does not mean that they are
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 16
09/09/2009 15:48:50
Without a Prophetic Vision
17
not still God’s people, but it does mean that they have become pretty useless in terms of serving God’s purposes in the Kingdom. They are like the people of Israel who were on a forty-year detour in the wilderness, instead of marching straight into the Promised Land to do God’s business. The people without a prophetic vision have lost their way, but “happy is he who keeps the law”. Here, then, we have an indication of what is needed for God’s people, and from where they can obtain a prophetic vision. True and valid visions for God’s people do not come from the exercise of any gift with prophetic utterance, nor from charismatic dreams and visions. Although all of this is good and valid, it is insufficient to give the church true direction for today and for the future. The vision we need comes from a correct understanding of the Scriptures as they relate to our time. It comes from “the law”, from “The Book”. We therefore need to search the Scriptures afresh and give heed to what the Word of God has to say concerning these last days. There is no other way for the church to find its way in these days, and to know how to prioritize its life and activities. It is therefore crucial that God’s people have a clear and non-blurred focus today. Only a clear vision will provide us with direction and determination in our work for the Kingdom. Jesus said: The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. (Matthew 6:22–23)
The whole point here lies in the eye that is your vision. If your vision is in focus, your life will be in full light. You will know where you are and where you are heading. If your sight is diffused or blurred, your whole life is affected. You will be walking as though in a cloud of confusion. The old King James Version talks about your eye being good when it is “single”. This is exactly what we are
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 17
09/09/2009 15:48:50
18
God’s Prophetic Agenda
talking about: we need a clear focus! Your eye being “evil” must then mean that you are looking in all kinds of directions unable to decide what is of God and where to go. That is what Jesus calls walking in darkness.
Discerning the seasons To a clear, focused prophetic vision belongs the ability to discern the season we are in. God’s work is never static. It moves along certain seasons, just as in nature. Listen to these words from the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1–8: To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew;
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 18
09/09/2009 15:48:50
Without a Prophetic Vision
19
A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate;A time of war, And a time of peace.
It follows from this word that it is very important to know in which season we are living right now. If God is preparing a season of breaking down the old, it would not be appropriate to try to build anything. If the season is about weeping, it would be out of place to respond by laughing, and vice versa. In the same way, we should not be working to establish peace when the Lord has set out in war to battle against enemies. How can we ever be effective and useful for the purposes of the Kingdom, unless we see what it is the Lord is doing right now? How we need to be able to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches today! The prophet Daniel illustrates this truth. When, as recorded in the ninth chapter of the book of Daniel, he discovered that the seventy years of Babylonian captivity was coming to an end, he responded by turning to God in repentance. He prayed and fasted in a serious appeal to the Lord to implement His promise of leading the Jewish people back to the land of Judah and Israel. Actually, Daniel’s ministry was the trigger starting the spiritual and political process that ultimately released the Jews from Babylon and opened the door for them to return to the Promised Land. Through studying the Word of God, in particular the book of Jeremiah, Daniel was able to understand God’s prophetic timetable. He then knew how he could line himself up with God’s heart and co-operate with Him in the fulfillment of His word. Interestingly enough, today we find ourselves in a very similar situation to the one Daniel was in. Through searching the prophetic Scriptures, we also find that it is time for the return of the Jewish people from the nations to the land of their fathers. Only this time it is not a return from a single nation like
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 19
09/09/2009 15:48:50
20
God’s Prophetic Agenda
Babylon, but from all the nations to which they were scattered. It is an exodus from the four corners of the earth. Over the last decade or so this prophetic discovery from the Word of God has led groups of believers all over the world to engage in deep intercession. They desire to co-operate with God in the fulfillment of His word. Personally, I have been engaged in prayer events as well as prayer trips, including some tours into the former Soviet Union. My sole objective was to plead with the Lord and to do battle against the devil for the release of the Jewish people to return from the land of the North to Israel. We actually believe that the major reason for the total downfall of the Soviet empire was the persistent prayers of tens of thousands of Christians. In the wake of the movement of prayer for this prophetic issue, many initiatives have been taken to form Christian organizations providing physical assistance to bring the Jews back by air and by bus and ships. At least parts of the Body of Christ are waking up. They see what is upon God’s heart, and hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches in these last days.
God’s eternal purposes We have got to understand that the driving force behind world history is nothing more and nothing less than the fulfillment of God’s purposes. God is the God of all history, and He uses His power to form history according to His eternal purposes. For the same reason, Satan’s major strategy is to prevent God’s purposes from being fulfilled. History revolves around God working to fulfill His word, and the devil trying his best to prevent it from happening. The whole conflict in the Middle East with Israel as the focal point illustrates this in an overwhelming way. Although Israel is one of the tiniest countries in the world, it has occupied the prime position of world attention for the last many decades. Two thirds of the United Nations’ resolutions deal directly or indirectly with Israel. Why? Because here the Lord is apparently busy to perform the words of His prophets, and here the devil has mobilized his
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 20
09/09/2009 15:48:51
Without a Prophetic Vision
21
major forces in order to prevent God’s word being fulfilled. To see that is to have prophetic vision. In God’s dealings with Israel we clearly see the importance of understanding the timing of prophetic events. We see how the prophecies of Ezekiel chapters 36–39 are being unfolded step by step. First of all the prophet speaks about the dry bones coming together in the same place. This is the Aliya, the homecoming of the unbelieving and blind Jewish people from the four corners of the earth. Then the next phase is described as flesh and sinews growing unto the body. This is the natural restoration of Israel as a nation. Finally the Spirit is being poured out upon the body and it rises up as an army. This is nothing less than the spiritual rebirth of Israel. The veil will be taken away from their eyes and they will behold their Messiah and be saved. In this light God’s people should be able to concentrate their efforts in lining up with what the Holy Spirit is doing in the world today. Also, we see a great battle taking place in another important area today: the completion of the great commission. Matthew 24:14 speaks about the fact that God’s purpose in the last days before the coming end, is to establish a testimony of the gospel in all ethnic people groups. This must direct the focus of the church towards the unreached peoples, at least if she has a prophetic vision. It is clear from the context in Matthew 24 that this being so, the devil is stirring up everything in order to prevent it from happening. Maybe that is what is causing the increase in wars: “… you will hear of wars and rumors of wars” for “nation will rise against nation”. War has always been a means in the satanic strategy to frustrate and hinder the spreading of the gospel. But in a mysterious way, God is taking advantage of this satanic strategy to open the doors for the gospel. It is interesting to see that the devil has concentrated his effort to keep a certain group of nations from being hit by the gospel, namely the Islamic nations: 97 per cent of the unreached people groups are found
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 21
09/09/2009 15:48:51
22
God’s Prophetic Agenda
in what is known as the 10/40 window. This is a band of nations in the middle of the earth reaching from North Africa to Japan, basically all Muslim nations. It is as if the devil has built a stronghold here trying to keep the gospel out. He seeks to hinder the great commission being completed and the end being ushered in.
SOVW Gods Agenda.indd 22
09/09/2009 15:48:51