Servias Ministries Blog

Revelation 13:1   And then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.

This Fifth Gospel was written based on what John saw in the Spirit and we must remind ourselves that he was told to “come up hither” at the beginning of the vision and there he remained throughout this Gospel.  Over the last 43 years I have heard and read countless views on the symbolism men have come up with concerning the various characteristics of the devil and our own carnal nature.  Characters and animals in this book such as the beast have been assigned to various world leaders and systems.  Most of the world leaders who were labeled as “the bad guys” are now dead or feeble and out of the picture.  One would think that there are 300 year old men and women still pulling the strings behind the curtain if you go back and read the various interpretations of this Fifth Gospel.  What has been missing that has caused all of those prophecy teachers to have time prove them wrong?  I believe it is due to the lack of the revelation of Love.  You only have to consider the writer of this Fifth Gospel as a hint to the underlying problem of all the past failed attempts to understand the content.  The classic response when confronted with the false prophecy is that they missed some key ingredient.  That has to be the first indication that they were not hearing the HOLY SPIRIT Who teaches us the higher Truths.

The Book of Daniel follows closely the prophetic message of this book of Love.  In chapter 12, he writes:

9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.

It is most critical that we read the “spiritual” by THE SPIRIT and not with head knowledge.  Man would like to bring every word spoken down to the natural so that he can wrap them in his formulas and calculations.  Head knowledge will seek to filter everything through past experience and education.  If head knowledge was the key to understanding the visions of Daniel and John, then we would all be in class waiting for the college professor to enter and reveal the mysteries to us.  Simon Peter, the fisherman, received revelation without any diploma whatsoever.  How?

Matthew 16:

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

The church’s foundation is built on this revelation.  I would rather receive one revelation from FATHER than read a thousand books of opinions of what men think HE meant.  Everyone has an opinion whether inspired or not.

In the passage from Daniel, who are the wise that understand?  They are the ones who are purified, made white, and refined.  The wicked have no clue.  If you are not motivated by Love, you will surely miss the mark of FATHER’S Divine Intent found inside these visions.  The carnal man looks for the negative in everything and externalizes the wars so you simply become an observer rather than having to deal with your flesh.  That is the intent of the carnal man inside of you.  He wants to keep you away from Truth for once it comes, his days are numbered.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 2, Paul speaks of the rulers in the world and their lack of wisdom:

6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Think back on all the world leaders, the Bilderbergers, the Rockefellers, the Illuminati, and other who have been assigned the various symbols in the Book of Revelation.  Do you think they are any more equipped to fulfill the vision than those leaders who were in power when Our Lord Jesus Christ literally walked the earth?  The current leaders will “come to nothing” as well as those leaders in the first century.  The hidden wisdom has been contained within a mystery which has been reserved for the initiated.  No one else is ordained to unlock the mystery, certainly not the wicked.  The current rulers will walk out their part unaware of the FATHER’S plan while HE reveals the mysteries to HIS selected and called out ones.  In the end, the wise shall understand the vision of John and THE SPIRIT will confirm it in their hearts.  As the fullness of this revelation comes forth, they will go forth with signs following, not looking for signs to lead them.

This chapter continues the previous chapter where the dragon is pursuing the remaining offspring.  The first verse begins with the word “and” or “then” depending on your version.  John is now standing on the beach and looking toward the sea.  The sea represents the lowest carnal nature where the fleshly, carnal, and worldly reside.  The sands of the sea represent those inhabitants of the earth who will ultimately receive the blessings of Abraham:

Genesis 22:15   Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven,

16 and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—

17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

Notice that there are two distinct groups: stars and sand.  The stars represent the Sons (Job 38:7) and the rest of mankind represent the sand on the seashore.  We see that John’s vision is focused on the latter group who are being subjected to the beast rising out of the depths of the carnal nature.  This group’s location indicates that they are but babes being subjected to the world’s ways and have been enticed to the point of being on the beach rather than maintaining a separation.  They have a worldly orientation yet they are HIS children, they are walking according to the flesh.

The beast coming out of the sea in this chapter is different than the dragon mentioned in the last chapter.  This beast represents the epitome of the carnal nature and those systems built as an outward result and expression of this lowest beastly view.  Consider the organizations which now exist representing the debase and perverse expressions and corruption of this lowest form of carnality.  They hide behind “freedom of expression” and laws they helped enact.  The tares are allowed to grow just as the wheat is being prepared for harvest.  This is an ongoing process and it spans time well beyond any particular government or organization.  This is why we must not rely on an external view to fixate our focus away from the internal.

This beast is rising up or ascending from the sea.  He is not the source but instead he is the result of the corruption of humanity in its lowest form. Why in the world do you think the various global economies are in their current predicament?  Why do you the U.S. is fighting wars because of misrepresented facts given to the American people?  Why is ISIS and al Qaeda constantly creating havoc?  The “beast” has risen up in men’s hearts and they have formed organizations or taken control of existing governments to fulfill the nefarious purposes.  Cannot FATHER deliver us from these outward expressions of the carnal man?  Absolutely!  How long would it take the CREATOR of Heaven and earth to remove the problem?  In less than a nanosecond.  The problem is not the external, it is the internal!  The only helpless ones are those who have given the beast derivative power and have assigned that power to be greater than that of the FATHER.  They are walking around in blindness and allowing the beast to devour them.  This is only for a short time.

Revelation 12:17  And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

This final verse of the chapter clearly states that the dragon is unable to devour the woman.  In the SPIRIT, John first sees the serpent attempting to use its subtlety and now sees the dragon who is unable to devour the woman.  The dragon is enraged and now will look elsewhere to see who he may devour.  Peter spoke of this in the following passage:

1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

7   casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

8   Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

9   Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

It is the dragon’s nature to devour so he will now attempt to go find someone to satisfy his lust.  The Sons of FATHER are out of reach, they have ascended to Heaven.  The woman is also out of reach for she is now under the protection of FATHER while she is in the midst of the wilderness.  This leaves the rest of her offspring, which is now the focus of the dragon.

Our Heavenly Father is represented as a potter and we represent HIS vessels that HE formed.  With this in mind let us focus on Paul’s second letter to Timothy, chapter 2:

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.

21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Gold represents Divine nature and silver represents redemption.  These two vessels denote honor but those of wood and clay represent dishonor and are now being sanctified for use.  This last group is now the focus of the dragon.  This group of Christians are but babes in Christ for they have the testimony of Jesus Christ in their mouths.  They keep the commandments and they are good people however their spiritual walk has not progressed to the same level as the Sons or the woman.  This group might be represented by the first Feast- Passover.  They have been redeemed but yet they have not progressed through Pentecost on to Tabernacles.  They have been fed the milk of the Word and are not yet ready for the “meat”.  We must not be critical of other groups that are at different levels of understanding for in the end, we are all restored and reconciled IN HIM.  None of us expect someone in kindergarten to pass an exam prepared for a senior in high school.  Neither should we expect everyone to embrace our level of revelation and relationship with FATHER.  The will soon enough.  The mature ones will serve the immature until they ascend higher.  This is the pattern our elder brother Jesus Christ has established on our behalf and I am totally grateful for this.

There is no question that this third group loves THE LORD and profess Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior.  They simply have not received the deeper revelations necessary to be commissioned in the Sons or Bride callings.  That does not make them any less important to FATHER but it simply means that their callings are for a different time and purpose.  That’s okay, FATHER knows what HE is doing!

This third group is living in the ‘earth’ realm and they are subject to attack.  The devil walks the earth seeking to devour and those who love the LORD and yet are focused on the wiles of the devil having not yet matured in their understanding.  They are still dealing with the flesh even though they assign most of their problems to an external source, the devil.  In listening to them you would think the devil is omnipresent but it isn’t so.  Just as with the woman, this third group will be subject to the war with the dragon for a short time.  Yes, when you are in the midst of a battle it seems like an eternity but be assured that this war will come to an end.  Paul urges this group to stand:

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We must embrace the understanding of each group knowing that in the Spirit, there is no sequential time.  We must admit that some areas of our lives might place us in more than one of the groups described.  We are totally mature in some areas and not so much in others.  FATHER knows this and HE has specifically developed a personalized path to maturity for each of us.  If HE has given us the revelation of Sonship, we must purse the fullness of that revelation.  Other have been given the revelation of being HIS Bride and they too must pursue that end.  HE is the One Who determines who receives what revelation and mystery.  We must not feel guilty or undeserving of being selected for our individual callings.  It was decided before we were formed in the womb.  We must not let past failures dictate our current progression to full maturity.  Instead, we must let the past go and focus on the present.  Our trust in FATHER and HIS Love for us is our assurance that we will fulfill our calling no matter what group we have been placed in.  Let us Love our brothers and sisters by simply serving them in whatever capacity and office we are placed, whether it be the first, second, or third group. 

Why does the dragon devour?  It is his nature.  Why is the serpent sly and cunning and spewing forth a flood of lies?  That too is his nature.  If anything is for sure, the dragon and serpent characteristics are consistent.  Each of the three groups have been confronted by the various methods and attacks by the adversary.  None are exempt from these trials.  This third group has been preceded by two other groups who have risen above the wiles of the devil and this is due to Our Lord Jesus Christ establishing the path by being the first to forge this path and we all are truly grateful for HIS Love and provision.

Revelation 12:15   So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.

16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

The woman has been swept away to the wilderness and the serpent made one last attempt to keep her from entering into the place of protection reserved for her.  Notice the limitation of his power versus the magnificent power of Our Heavenly Father.  Out of the mouth of the serpent came forth a flood of water.  This flood was intended to carry her back to the world she left.  She would be carried away, not drowned.  In the wilderness she would be nourished by the Living Word and SPIRIT in preparation of becoming a bride without spot or wrinkle.  The serpent has read the book and knows this.  That is why he is making an attempt to keep her from entering into the wilderness.  If you are being called to the wilderness, don’t attempt to circumvent FATHER’S time of processing you.  Let patience have its perfect work.

The serpent wants the woman to return to the ways of the world where the carnal nature of man rules and devoid of understanding.  This flood coming out of the serpent’s mouth are an abundance of words.  These are lies, deceit, manipulations, misrepresentations, and reasoning, all directed to keeping the woman from final preparations as a bride, destined to enter the City of OUR GOD and take up residence there.  Once in the wilderness, the serpent will no longer have any influence over her.

Today, we see this same deceit, lies, and manipulation coming into full focus in the financial markets.  There is no question in my mind where all of this is heading.  The source of this deception is the serpent who relies on the greed of men and women to further his agenda.  Just as it is so with the woman, all of creation will be brought into Truth by the Living Word and THE SPIRIT.  This “third” of mankind will be the last to receive the ministry of restoration.  Right now the focus is on the second “third” represented by the woman.  The first “third” represented by the manchild has already been caught up to Heaven and has been perfected for ministering to mankind.

This flood of lies originates in the carnal nature of man and it produces thoughts contrary to the Word of GOD.  It relies on human reasoning to gain traction as well as the cravings of the flesh.  Whatever it can muster up as a resource, it will use.  We must take our thoughts captive and cast down every vain imagination:

2 Corinthians 10:5   Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Recall in verse 11 of Revelation 12 that the Sons overcame the accuser of the brethren “by  the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death”.  Let no imagination or thought contrary to HIS Word take root in your life but instead cast it down so the the Word of your testimony will be empowered to overcome the accuser.  He would have you believe that your past will keep you from fulfilling FATHER’S calling in your life but the Blood of the Lamb took care of that.  Your carnal man would have you believe you can’t survive its death and it will attempt to dissuade your from its certain destruction to the very end.  Not my will but Your Will be done FATHER!

The accuser of the brethren tried to keep the manchild from being caught up to Heaven.  This same accuser sent forth a flood of lies toward the woman.  Neither attempts were successful and once you finally embrace that reality, you will be able to deal with those thoughts that once so easily beset you and you will finally take every thought captive.  You do have that power and authority to do so…  so, use it!

The earth swallowed up this flood of lies and deceit.  FATHER will intervene with HIS Right Hand of mercy and remove any hindrance to HIS Plan for HIS people.  HE did so on behalf of the children of Israel when the Egyptian army pursued them and attempted to overtake them at the Red Sea.  We find the result in the Song of Moses found in Exodus 15:

11 ​​“Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?

​​Who is like You, glorious in holiness,

​​Fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12 ​​You stretched out Your right hand;

​​The earth swallowed them.

13 ​​You in Your mercy have led forth

​​The people whom You have redeemed;

​​You have guided them in Your strength

​​To Your holy habitation.

This is not the only time FATHER used “the earth” to swallow up an enemy to HIS anointed.  There was a rebellion instigated against Moses by Korah in Numbers 16.  Korah was a Levite and thought that he was just as capable as Moses to walk in Moses’ calling.  Numbers 16:

3 They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”

Then…

31 Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods.

The point is that any opposition to Our Heavenly Father’s plan will not allowed and those who are walking out their calling will be protected.  Likewise, it you attempt to walk out another’s calling, you will be removed from it even unto death. 

On a personal level, the earth represents the soul.  When our spirit has fully embraced a Truth from FATHER, our mind is renewed and able to rationally understand the Truth as opposed to being deceived by a lie.  Deception arises when the Truth is not there to compare against.   We must be willing to expose ourselves to Truth by dwelling on HIS Living Word and HIS Spirit.  As Paul said in Romans 12:

1   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

When we view HIS Word from the same vantage point of Love, our minds are renewed and past lies and deception are swallowed up and put behind us.  FATHER will reveal a TRUTH to us (we hear) and THEN we will see it in Scripture and watch it in action (doers of the WORD).  This renews our mind and provides confirmation to it and the Word “saves our souls”.  As we mature, we become more comfortable with the process and we are no longer moved by men’s attempts to dissuade us from the Truth we have received from Above.  Peer pressure no longer impacts us as it once did.  We then become doers of HIS Word, not hearers only:

James 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;

24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

The woman is under the full protection of Our Heavenly Father now and the adversary knows it.  For a short time she will remain in the wilderness and go through the trials and testings to bring her to full maturity in order that she may become spotless and without wrinkle.  Once fully prepared, she will be presented to the Bridegroom.

Revelation 12:14   But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.

Those who believe they are called to be in the firstfruits by FATHER must walk in the revelation of Love and see the church as identified by the woman as FATHER sees it in HIS loving kindness.  HE not only delivers the woman into the wilderness but nourishes and protects her as well.  This period is a time of separation and preparation.

In the book of Esther, chapter 2 we read about separation and preparation for another bride:

8 So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women.

12 Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.

In the big picture, Esther was called to deliver the Israelites from certain annihilation by Haman.  Her uncle Mordecai found out about Haman’s plot and confronted Esther who is now Queen Esther (chapter 4):

13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.

14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai:

16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

This story describes the theme of separation and preparation resulting in the fulfillment of one’s calling.  Esther’s calling was established before she was separated along with the other young women.  Only after the separation and preparation was she qualified to be presented to the King.  This theme is plays out in many facets throughout Scripture.  King David was placed in the wilderness to be protected from Saul:

1 Samuel 23:14 And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand

We all must be prepared no matter which group we are designated to be in.  Every one of us requires cleansing and purging and we must not be critical of those who have been blinded from the higher truths for they will have their time in the wilderness to be prepared and sustained by FATHER prior to entering into HIS rest.  HIS plan of Love for all mankind is consistent and as we look at others through the eyes of Love, their current state will no longer dictate our assessment of them.  They too will see the Glory of THE LORD in their wilderness adventure and see HIS mighty hand of deliverance in their lives.  This twelfth chapter of the book of Revelation opens our eyes to another facet of FATHER’S Love on behalf of the woman who gave birth to the manchild.  We should be able to see how FATHER finds it necessary to change the internal rather than simply focus on the external.  Many believed that FATHER would simply “flip a switch” and drop the anointing down from Heaven and then we would all be empowered to heal the masses.  Over and over we find patterns in Scripture to the contrary.

“Into the wilderness to her place” speaks of a special place reserved for the woman.  FATHER has a reservation for all of us prepared specifically for our individual callings.  We need not flee to some city of refuge ourselves or build some survivalist cabin in the remote woods away from civilization.  FATHER is fully able to protect and sustain us if we are placed in harm’s way.  HE doesn’t need our input or assistance in the process.  HE had a place prepared for the woman when she needed to be removed from the presence of the serpent.

FATHER will provide nourishment for the woman as well, she won’t starve nor will she thirst.  She will be fed spiritually in order that the serpent not deceive her or the dragon devour her.  Where does the spiritual food come from?  From Christ Who is the Word made manifest:

John 6:35   And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

In Deuteronomy chapter 8, we further read:

2 And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.

4 Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years.

5 You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens (disciplines, instructs, admonishes) you.

For FATHER so Loved the world HE gave HIS WORD to feed us and prepare us not matter what our calling!  The wilderness is where the supernatural occurs although in the natural it appears to be barren.  We leave our ability to produce behind and rely on HIS ability to provide for us.  Our carnal man who would manipulate and negotiate for higher wages, lower costs, and better terms is removed from the scene.  In its place is FATHER’S provision brought forth in the abundance of good fruit.  HE is the One who can take a barren womb as Sarah’s and bring forth a son of Promise.  HE did the same for Isaac’s Rebekah as well as Leah who brought for Jacob’s first son.

The preparation of the woman requires that she set aside past revelation, doctrines, creeds, and customs for they were all left at the border of the wilderness.  New revelation of HIS Living Word is what sustains the woman just as it has sustained you and me as we have been maturing these past years.  The revealing of Christ will come to all mankind in their order and timing for every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess as a result of seeing Him!  Each day we should expect new manna to come forth rather than hoard the old manna which is in a decaying state.  Preparation is for bringing you up to your very best in all aspects just as Esther was only brought before the king after she had been given the best of adornments and perfume.

The “time and times and half a time” is an indication that there is a limited time for the woman to be placed in this situation.  The number seven represents Spiritual perfection and half of that number represents a partial or limited timeframe.  Each and every attempt where man has tried to use the literal timing by converting, assigning, and assessing, has come up short.  These numbers used in a literal sense have failed to produce the manifestation of the Kingdom as predicted by numerous “prophets”.  Let us not focus on the external time frames but instead place our emphasis on the internal maturing process.  FATHER will bring forth HIS Kingdom at HIS appointed time and will not do so in response to man’s projections.  If I separately predict each year and each day of the year, I will finally be right and can claim success.  Just don’t consider the other thousand times I was wrong.  At some point, FATHER will proclaim to each of HIS unique children at the end of their personalized preparation, “Now is the time!”

Just as in the days of Esther, the Bride has been separated for her time of purification and is fed by the perfected Sons who make up the Body of Christ, Jesus being the Head.  This time of preparation is for cleansing and purifying in order that she might be presented to the Bridegroom without spot or blemish for that final marriage feast.  She too has an integral role in these end times.  Let her arise for her place of habitation is being readied in great anticipation.  Let us return to the book of Esther:

2:9   And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens (Spiritual Perfection), which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

The preparation of the Bride will begin soon.

Since 1985 I have been in private business.  On January 1st, 1990, FATHER told me to begin the day with one hour of prayer before work.  As a brash young man, I said “Okay, if YOU want me to pray each morning, wake me up by 5 A.M.”.   HE gladly did so… every weekday until HE concluded it after 10 years.  In the midst of this ten year season, HE placed me in the financial “wilderness” and it began in March of 1995.  When I realized my revenue stream had dried up, I asked HIM to “fix” it.  Instead, HE told me that it is ordained that I enter this wilderness for a season and I knew immediately it was to be an eighteen month period.  Thankfully HE sustained us and we did not file bankruptcy.  I had to place my trust IN HIM, not man.  HE provided for us through various unexpected sources during that time of testing.  Each of us must go through our own wilderness adventure, unique to our gifts and callings.  Don’t try to evade this test but just get through it and overcome the obstacles set before you.  Know that HE has your back and will sustain you through the experience.  If you will embrace it, this will be a time of great instruction, cleansing, and preparation.

Jesus had to go through the wilderness, the children of Israel were led through the wilderness, the Sons have had to experience the same process, and finally the woman is sent there as well, but only for a short time:

Revelation 12:14   But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.

The woman is removed from the presence of the serpent.  In response, he does something interesting:

15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.

The serpent spews water or words out of his mouth like a flood in an attempt to deceive the woman and cause her to be carried out of the wilderness by a flood.  What kind of words is the serpent attempting to spew out?  He tries to deceive the woman with subtle half-truths that would turn her toward his path of destruction.  However, FATHER’S desert location of protection causes the flood to be soaked up thus nullifying his attempts of this great deception.

As opposed to the serpent, Christ washes His bride with Living Water:

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

We can see FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love operating in the woman’s place of separation, protection and preparation.  The wilderness is a place of safety and transition from the worldliness to the Promised Land.  During this transition, we must have the “world” removed from us so that we can be presented to FATHER in a perfected state.  For the overcomers, HE is maturing us into the Body of Christ.  As for the church, HE is preparing a glorious bride to present to Himself.

The carnal man wants to see the wilderness as an adverse place of punishment where want and lack reside.  The spiritually mature see it as a necessity of preparation toward Spiritual perfection.  We must be willing to take on the sufferings of Christ as we are processed into maturity and He will comfort us through this process:

2 Corinthians 1:5  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

As we fully trust FATHER’s path HE has placed us on, we will then view the path as an opportunity and blessing bestowed upon us in preparing us for a greater work than anything we have experienced in the past.  The wilderness is a bridge that must be crossed in order to fulfill our calling, one step at a time.  Rather than closing your eyes out of fear, open them wide and enjoy the view.  Be of good courage and know that the Captain of the Host leads the way to victory.  Many may veer off the path and return to the world’s ways but don’t worry, they will be restored in their own time.  There is no need to fret about them leaving the path but simply know that this path culminates in Spiritual perfection and plays a part in the restoration of all mankind.

When I was younger I questioned and complained about the trials and tests.  It was a sign of immaturity and lack of trust IN HIM.  Now I understand the challenges set before me and expect HIM to provide the path to overcome any and all obstacles.  In HIS Wisdom, HE provided a wilderness to be used as a place of maturing, increasing in wisdom from Above, understanding, and knowledge. The wilderness is where the children of Israel first beheld the Glory of the LORD.

We must be willing to give up the past in order to embrace the present and the future.  This time of separation allows us to cut ties with that past and all the customs we adhered to that kept us in that state.  There are many precious memories but there is no going back and we must look forward to the next impartation FATHER has in store for us as we ascend in HIS Love.  Whether one has been selected for HIS Body or HIS Bride, a time of separation for preparation is vital.  Consider Joseph’s time of separation as he needed to get the attitude of “entitlement” out of his character and have the attitude of gratitude instead.  His separation was severe in one sense yet in each phase he was blessed within the arena he was placed but it was all in preparation of his high calling.

The wilderness is designed to simplify our lives.  We cannot take excess baggage with us and that which we take will be quickly jettisoned.  It becomes a nuisance as we are being prepared for our calling.  The world’s trappings are no longer of value or interesting to us as we ascend spiritually.  We will ask ourselves, “What was the point?”  As we shed our worldly reasoning and priorities, questions such as “What was I thinking?” will surface.  We then see how the carnal man was so subtle in his deception by keeping us focused on the temporal.

In Matthew 11: 11, Jesus told us that John the Baptist was the greatest prophet born of a woman.  This includes the major and minor prophets of the Bible.  Where did this great prophet reside?

Matthew 3:1   In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

2   and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

3   For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:

​​​“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

​‘​Prepare the way of the LORD;

​​Make His paths straight.’ ”

Though Annas and Caiaphas were high priests in the temple, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.  These high priests were amongst the multitudes and missed the Word of THE LORD.  What does this tell us?  When someone is called to a wilderness adventure, we should see it in a positive light for quite often, this is where the real action is!

Revelation 12:13   Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.

My awareness and focus on the “Sons of GOD” revelation came in the fall of 1995.  At the time, I was a Sunday school teacher for the young married couples.  What do you think I began teaching?  Why the Sons of GOD, the 153 fish, the elect, the overcomers!  Week after week we would explore the various Scripture references and most of those in the class were very interested in this thread throughout Scripture.  It was Pentecost weekend in late May and we had a special speaker on that Sunday night.  Both Pam and I saw through the supposed ministry by the “worked up” anointing projected by this man and his female assistant.  He laid not a hand on us.  This is when Pam received a “new car smell” during her personal worship while the speaker was doing his thing.  We discussed it on the way home.

When we arrived home, Martin Paulat had left a voice mail to call him for FATHER had given him a vision about me that he needed to share right away.  I called him and he shared the following:

“I saw you walking down a path.  I said, ‘Lord, is Bob on the right path?’  HE said, ‘Yes’.  Then I saw three arrows shot at you and I looked to see where they came from.  Bob, may GOD forgive me if I am wrong, but they were shot from the Pentecostal church.”  End of Vision.

Little did I realize that the three arrows would be “shot” in the month of August culminating on August 25th, 1996.  Those were three attempts of attacking the revelation FATHER had been imparting to me.  It was time to be “birthed” out of the church or “woman”.  On the last Sunday of that month and after the final shot, FATHER said it was time to depart.  By the end of that week, I picked some personal items and never set foot in the building again.  I had no animosity toward the leadership.  They did their job as part of the birthing process and I simply looked forward to a deeper relationship with FATHER.  That new car smell was an indication of taking a new form of transportation and leaving the old behind.  It was time to leave the camp.

I share this event not to focus on Pam or myself but to share a word of encouragement to those who have also been “birthed” out of the physical church.  It is by design, not intended to be a form of rejection.  The true definition of ekklēsia means “called out ones”.  This is the church that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 16 when Peter had the revelation that He is the first begotten Son of GOD:

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

On a personal level, the woman represents our soul whereas on the corporate level it represents the church.  Once the departure of the manchild occurs, the church is left in a weaker state, susceptible to being pursued by the dragon.  The dragon was unable to consume the manchild and was cast out of that realm so for a short time the pursuit continues for the woman who had fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God.

Revelation 12:14   But the woman was given two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.

Here we see the woman sustained in the wilderness by FATHER.  The wilderness is a time of trial and testing for a short time.  Just as manna was given to the children of Israel in the wilderness of the Old Testament, the Word has been fed to the church to sustain it during their journey as well.  The fact that the serpent is pursuing the church reveals to us that the church is important to FATHER.  HE is the One Who provides a place of refuge.   The serpent understands the value of the church or there would be no pursuit to deceive it as well.  The church served its function in tutoring my family until we were mature enough to go out on our own into the deeper truths.  We must not be critical of the church as we should not be critical of our own soul where the battle has raged in the past.  Each has a function and when each takes the position to serve, that purpose is fulfilled.  I appreciated the vision by Paulat, the arrows shot, and the wisdom to depart.  It opened up a much deeper relationship with FATHER and removed the separation created by (and the reliance of) the five-fold ministry so that I heard directly from FATHER rather than through men and women.  I believe it is important to hear from others whom FATHER has given a Word for the Body but not as a substitute for a personal relationship with HIM.  Our trust must be focused on HIM not men.

If Christ is the firstfruit and the Sons of GOD are the firstfruits, then the church is the resulting fruit of the harvest, hence the reason for the serpent’s focus on the woman.  Ultimately, the church becomes the glorious bride as Revelation 21 reveals:

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Remember, the Sons are around the throne residing in the Temple and outward is the city, the dwelling place of His church.  Babylon must fall and then the Bride is made ready.  The church will see Babylon fall with all of its illusions, perceptions, doctrines, creeds, and traditions.  Mystery Babylon has kept the earth and the sea in confusion and chaos.  It has misled and misdirected the church to support its agenda unaware of its carnal intent.  The Sons are raised up to represent the unsoiled Truth and will sweep away the refuge of lies as the Water of the Word becomes as hard as hailstones.  These hailstones will break away the encrusted lies upon lies that have been fed to an unsuspecting population.  The ruse will be up.  The flesh depicted by the sea will be no more.  FATHER provides a path of escape for the woman in order to sustain her until her time arrives to be redeemed and fully restored, she is transported by “two wings of the great eagle”.  In the Song of Moses found in Deuteronomy chapter 32, we find the reference to the eagle’s wings:

10 ​​“He found him in a desert land

​​And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;

​​He encircled him, He instructed him,

​​He kept him as the apple of His eye.

11 ​​As an eagle stirs up its nest,

​​Hovers over its young,

​​Spreading out its wings, taking them up,

​​Carrying them on its wings,

FATHER has a plan of restoration for everyone and none will be deceived by the serpent or consumed by the dragon.  All mankind will be restored, each in his own order or timing and none will be lost.  The woman will be sustained and nourished by FATHER and the serpent is unable to pursue her since there is no food to sustain it in this desert.  The Sons are caught up to Heaven and the church is protected and sustained in the wilderness.  The Revelation of Love and its ultimate plan of redemption is moving forward in it perfect plan.  Neither the serpent nor the dragon can prevent the plan from coming to fruition and all attempts to deceive and devour will be overcome.  The pursuit of the woman is temporary.

Revelation 12:12  “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

In the above passage, there are two contrasting situations- rejoicing and wrath.  Depending on your vantage point, you will experience one or the other.  The wrath described as woes will be for a short time.  Since most of mankind has not taken part in the Order of Melchizedek, they will experience the woes for this short time.  This time bespeaks of exposure and judgment of the carnal nature of man.  Whether on a personal level or corporate level, the illusions brought on by the adversary will be revealed and there will be a great battle as a result.  When mankind’s eyes are opened, the overcomers will minister on a broad basis with signs following.  Their Love will be irresistible and the wisdom proceeding out of their mouths will draw all men unto them.  They will operate in the fullness of THE SPIRIT and have the LIVING WORD in theirs mouths and it will be a two-edged sword.  It will come forth as fire and devour the wood, hay, and stubble in men’s lives. 

IN CHRIST we have our being!  We will have put on the incorruptible and shed all those weights that beset us in the past.  The trappings of the world are but a distant memory placed in the shredder and converted to dust.  We will look back at the LORD’S doings and see how we were being led and navigated through the times of preparation, testing, and trials in order that we are fully prepared and perfected for such a time as this.  There is rejoicing in our heaven to be given this mandate to bring forth Heaven on earth both individually and corporately.  We not only live outside the box of men’s understanding, but the box has been placed in the shredder as well.  Nothing is impossible for those who believe IN HIM fully and completely.  Our level of anticipation of change has grown dramatically as our interest in the worldly things as evaporated.

We will rejoice as we see the lawlessness fully revealed, not because we have escaped it, but we are called to be the answer to it, as a standard of Truth and righteousness.  We have been prepared to confront it and have been conscripted into the overcoming army of THE LORD.  We have been made aware of this coming battle and this is what we have been trained for.  Paul speaks of this confrontation in 2 Thessalonians 2:

7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

With the Mind of Christ, we are no longer moved by the other realms or those who dwell in them.  We see turmoil all around us yet we remain unmoved in our walk and are no longer drawn into debates and arguments in order to vindicate or justify the positions of those dwelling in the “sea”.  We know that FATHER will gather us together at the appropriate time by any means necessary.  Jesus eluded to this in Matthew Chapter 24:

30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

His elect are gathered from heaven, not the earth or sea.  The elect have already matured to walk and be blessed in heavenly places, being ordained to do so before the foundation of the world as Paul shares in Ephesians Chapter 1:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

It is my belief that only those who are exposed and pursue the fullness of this understanding have been set apart and chosen.  This group must not be apologetic or reluctant to press forward to serve all of mankind in Love.  Consider that the masses are rejecting this message of Love by the billions.  Just as Jesus did not surround Himself with thousands of disciples to spread the Gospel in the 1st century, do you think FATHER needs some huge army to usher in the Age of Tabernacles?  Gideon’s army was whittled down to just 300 from 32,000.  Aren’t these parallel stories given to us in order that we might see that it is quality, not quantity, that matters to FATHER when implementing HIS Plan?  A small acorn brings forth a huge oak tree and the same is true for a mustard seed.  This assures mankind that FATHER accomplished the Plan rather than some group of men claiming credit for HIS results.  Let HIS GREAT POWER AND AUTHORITY speak of HIS MAJESTY for all of mankind to behold.  You and I are chosen to be vessels of honor pointing to the salvation brought to all mankind by Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Commander of the army.

In the natural, the odds are overwhelming against the elect.  Ahhhh!  Just the way FATHER wants it.  Let THE LORD be magnified as the Army of THE LORD rides.  Let those true worshippers in Spirit and in Truth carry the Living Word to the world, backed by the power and authority from Heaven.  The “place” of worship is in Heavenly places, not some building or patch of ground FATHER departed from centuries ago.  Those buildings and that land are not sacred any longer thus they become of none effect, they are “no more” in Heavenly terms.  FATHER moved HIS glory from the external to the internal and that is why we are called the temple of the Holy Spirit.  As a Holy Priesthood, we are called to minister outward after having received from FATHER inward.  We are those who stand in the gap between Heaven and the world.  As we take on our callings established before the foundation of the world, the Heavens will rejoice!  Let the rejoicing begin for those who dwell in them!  Are you rejoicing as a result of this revelation of Love being revealed to you, in you, and through you?  Let us not tarry for the woes are upon the earth and the sea and our Love for mankind causes us to place a great priority to curtail the suffering as we are empowered.  After all, that is what Love does.  We get it!  Rejoice O Heavens, Rejoice!

Revelation 12:11   “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

The last enemy destroyed is death.  Paul focuses on this Truth right after he shared the sixteen attributes of Love, its pursuit and the desire of Spiritual gifts with their appropriate operation in chapters 13 and 14 of 1 Corinthians.  After Paul speaks of the many witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, in chapter 15 he deals with the last enemy to be destroyed:

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

“Each in his own order” speaks of different groups being made alive at different points or time.  Throughout Scripture, the three feasts represent the three “orders” of resurrection from death to life.  The first eleven chapters of the book of Revelation focuses on the Order of Melchizedek.  Those who are called and chosen to this Order will be among the firstfruits who put on the incorruptible replacing the previous state of corruption.  These loved not theirs lives unto death and they are willing to fully set aside their will and its state of corruption for HIS will, the state of being incorruptible.  Jesus is our example to be followed.  He is the firstfruit of the firstfruits.  We must not be disappointed when we minister to others and they show no interest in what has been revealed to us.  This is an indication that they have not been called to walk out this path and that is okay.  There is no criticism or condemnation toward them for Our Heavenly Father is the ONE Who determines our callings.  Our responsibility is to plant seed and HE will provide any increase in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.  HE is the ONE who opens and shuts eyes and ears as HE disclosed to Moses in Exodus chapter 4:

10 Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”

11 So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”

Our trust in FATHER’S Divine Intent allows us to live in peace among the brethren knowing that HIS plan will come to pass and by those vessels of honor HE has prepared in these last times.  Moses was selected and empowered for his calling.  HE will bring forth those whom HE ordained before HE formed them in the womb.  Relax!  Let HIS vision be our vision thus we do not need to expend a tremendous amount of energy trying to do HIS will.  Let us each submit to HIS Words daily and HE will navigate us through the time of perfection and commissioning.  Once fully matured, we too will minister with signs following, similar to our elder Brother Jesus Christ.  His pattern of ministry provides an expectation of fruitfulness in that He assured us that we would do “greater works”.  We should expect nothing less for His Word is Truth!  In order to do this we must put on incorruption and not let unbelief impair this outcome.  Jesus spoke of this counterintuitive Truth of “dying” in order to live in Matthew 16:

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

This Truth is all about trust.  Do you trust your mind, will, and emotions or do you trust Our Heavenly Father?  The world wants you to live in fear and scarcity without the notion that Love will intervene on your behalf.  The ego promotes this idea in order to maintain control.  Once you overcome your flesh and are willing to lose it, you will gain true life.  You give up the counterfeit for the genuine and you no longer accept a half-truth but instead embrace the full Truth.  You must have faith IN FATHER and HIS Divine Intent of Love.  If GOD be for us, who can be against us?  This is why we are told to be of good courage and we must forget about our ego’s empty promises of grandeur, never to be delivered but always kept just out of reach.  We must set aside those cravings that come about at a time of weakness only to provide a temporary satisfaction but later demand more attention.  We must not let the earth and the sea’s attraction deter us from “coming up hither”.  Both realms assure us of a life of corruption and it is now being revealed to us that the life of incorruption is in our grasp.  Yes, it is a narrow path shown to us by HIS Love but nonetheless it is now visible and accessible to those who will put on the incorruptible and lose their life in its current state of corruption.  What a beautiful promise!

Psalm 37 speaks of this trust and contrasts those who trust in FATHER versus those who trust in their flesh:

1 Do not fret because of evildoers, ​​Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 ​​For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, ​​And wither as the green herb.

​3 ​​Trust in the LORD, and do good; ​​Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 ​​Delight yourself also in the LORD, ​​And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

​5 ​​Commit your way to the LORD, ​​Trust also in Him, ​​And He shall bring it to pass. 6 ​​He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, ​​And your justice as the noonday.

​7 ​​Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; ​​Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, ​​Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 ​​Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; ​​Do not fret—it only causes harm.

​9 ​​For evildoers shall be cut off; ​​But those who wait on the LORD, ​​They shall inherit the earth. 10 ​​For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; ​​Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, ​​But it shall be no more. 11 ​​But the meek shall inherit the earth, ​​And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Jesus plainly laid it out for us: trusting Our Heavenly Father brings forth life, trusting in “self” brings forth death.  Let this last enemy death be destroyed.