神正在對齊世代--從以利亞到以利沙
作者：曼迪-阿登多夫 Mandy Adendorff
原文出處：以利亞名單 https://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=27735
日期：2022.7.29
翻譯：Kate
轉載/轉寄 請註明出處：國度禱告網
世代對齊
神以多種方式衡量時間。我們可以使用日曆和其他方式，但神也通過代際時間線的視角來看待時間。聖經中重要的復興和神的運動的時間通常是在轉變歷史的時間指標--家譜。雖然在復興之前總有一些自然的記號，但復興並不受制於時間的自然因素，而是受制於世代的對齊。我們實際上被呼召通過我們的生活態度來加速祂的國度和祂的到來，而這是通過外袍從一代傳到另一代發生的。
所有的目光都集中在年邁的父親和母親身上
2018年，我做了一個重要的夢，強烈暗示目前的老年一代正在承載復興。在我的夢中，復興並沒有在他們身上完全體現出來，但在他們的外袍傳給下一代時，復興會迸發出來。仿佛父輩們忠實攜帶的珍貴外袍會在兒子們接過來時產生催化作用。（注："父親 "和 "兒子 "代表母親和父親；兒子和女兒）。
浪子雖然得到產業，但不明白它的價值，因此失去它。現在活著的人正站在歷史的邊緣，有可能繼承和管理前所未有的復興。我們必須承認年邁的父親和母親帶著一顆已經成年的種子。
在我的夢中，外袍是由聖靈而不是由人的意志賦予下一代的。感覺就像兒子們的靈與父親們的靈對齊。我醒來時感覺到，為了讓外袍傳下去，需要年輕一代做一些非常實際的事情--對他們父親的重視和同情。
珍貴的膏油從偉大的一代流淌出來
有珍貴的膏油從我們的祖母和祖父那裡流出來。祖父母對生活有宏大的視野和觀點。他們不僅經歷了更多的歷史，而且還帶著我們，他們的孩子。他們為我們吃過苦，為我們打過仗，為我們花過錢。上帝非常珍視這一點，因為祂自己就是一位熟悉為父的痛苦的父親。祂將洞察力和寶貴的膏油賜給偉大的一代，就像通過時間、痛苦、信心和毅力壓榨出來的油。這些父親（和母親）帶著我們應該繼承的外袍，但我們必須有適當的定位來接受這些外袍。
詩篇133篇中所描述的貴重的油，是祭司祖父頭上的膏油的寫照，它像油一樣流下來，觸及與關係最密切的東西--鬍鬚和衣服。這個外袍並沒有通過特殊的儀式傳給年輕一代，而是自然而然地流向附近的人，就像油流到它所經過的一切地方。我們僅僅通過做兒子來向父親們看齊--通過實際地掩護和照顧他們，通過對他們的高度尊重，通過可教的方式，通過重視上帝賦予他們的智慧和榮耀。
要求我們憐憫和關心我們的父親，不是因為我們想領受他們的外袍，而是因為我們作為兒子的愛。這不是火箭科學，這是神設定的自然生活秩序，與神的自然秩序保持一致是有回報的。我們可以通過像孤兒一樣的哭喊和懇求來尋求這個偉大的應許的復興，但復興是兒子們的產業。
以利亞和以利沙
外袍的傳遞並不只是因為父親或兒子的願望；雙方的心有一個定位，為過渡創造了空間。外袍的傳遞是一個對齊的過程，而這種對齊是通過隨著時間的推移建立的心與心之間的聯繫而發生的。
以利亞和以利沙在以利沙的轉變中經歷了有能力的外袍傳遞，但以利亞從他們開始認識時就已經把外袍傳給了以利沙。外袍的傳遞需要時間，而且往往是一個隱秘而珍貴的過程！
大量的外袍
我們的祖父母背負著大量的復興外袍的重量，這些外袍是我們的產業。這些外袍在兩代人都活著的時候就開始從一代傳到另一代。這就像接力賽中兩個選手一起信任地握住接力棒的時刻。
在我的夢中，父親們代表了自然和屬靈的父親（和母親）。即使是不信的父親也是這個故事的一部分。憐憫、愛護和尊重那些帶著外袍的父親當然更容易，但我們正處於一個季節，上帝也在釋放來自不敬虔的父親的產業，我們必須重視和憐憫所有父親，甚至那些不忠的人。他們這一代的祝福應該由神的兒子們來繼承。
如果我們要認識到聖靈在做什麼，並繼承我們應得的外袍，那麼我們帶著憐憫、愛和同情的腰帶是至關重要的。
憐憫與它有什麼關係？
法利賽人和撒都該人不能繼承耶穌給他們帶來的復興，因為他們用獻祭換取憐憫；他們理解宗教獻祭的生活，但失去了人性。這些人祈禱和禁食，可能在某種程度上與神有聯繫，但由於缺乏憐憫，當耶穌醫治破碎的人時，不能被感動。而且，不幸的是，他們沒有認出耶穌，反而譴責祂，不能繼承祂的外袍。
耶穌在《馬太福音》12:7中描述了他們為什麼不能認出祂："你們若知道這話的意思，就是'我是要憐憫，不要祭祀'，就不會定無辜人的罪了。他們以為通過他們的獻祭和服事就能繼承神的國度，但耶穌需要他們成為完全人，辨別自己的軟弱；從而在別人需要的時候憐憫他們。
同樣的風既可怕又平安
我最近與兩位分別做了非常相似的夢的婦女交談。在這兩個夢中，婦女都在一個教會裡，她們看到外面有狂風。這些夢中的教會並不代表建築物，而是代表基督，而咆哮的風是即將到來的復興的靈。請注意：復興之前通常也會有邪靈的風。這些風試圖阻止神要做的事。目前有一些風不是從神那裡吹來的，但祂無可匹敵的風是強風，正在並將重新安排事物，帶來天上的秩序。復興並不總是令人愉快的，因為它是連根拔起和重建的結合。重建是令人愉快的，但連根拔起--就不那麼令人愉快了！
在這位婦女的夢中，教會外的人試圖把自己固定在椅子、汽車和新聞台的麵包車等東西上，但風把一切都捲起來。在基督之外的一切在風的力量中都是無力的。
在另一個女人的夢中，人們站在教會的門廊上，認為他們是安全的，年長的女人敦促他們進來，因為他們待在週邊不會得到保護。神的舉動要麼令人耳目一新，要麼令人恐懼，取決於我們在風中的位置。完全在耶穌裡的人處於颶風的眼裡，那裡有靜謐、安全和平安，但對於眼角餘光的人來說，風是無法匹敵的。
中間世代：黃金橋
在這個女人的一個夢中，兩個女人在教會裡為外面處於風災中的人代禱。在她們禱告時，一位年輕的代禱者正在照顧一位年長的代禱者，因為她們在靈界一起爭戰。當她照顧這位年長的婦女並祈禱時，她同時抱著一位年輕女孩。三代人對準了一項任務。中間一代在兩代人爭戰的時候，通過實際照顧兩代人，使自己與兩代人保持一致。這就是外袍的傳遞方式--在生命的戰場上，不一定是在死亡時。
處於中間的一代是那些一邊看著年邁的父親，一邊養育著年輕一代的人。他們作為兩代人之間的黃金橋，從父親那裡接受寶貴的外袍，並在兩代人之間管理它們。
主沒有忘記你！
如果你是中間世代，你是這個外袍傳遞的重要部分。你們正在努力工作，現在是你們同時種植和收穫的季節。當你們無私地將自己的生命傾注到兒子和父親身上時，你們正在為主的榮耀創造空間。
中間世代是膠水，將在年輕人和老年人之間管理復興的外袍。當你們吃到一代人自己不可能種植或收穫的果實時，你們卑微的地位將被高舉。你的神所創造的夢想永遠不可能單獨完成。這是你發光的季節，但以比你預期的更有影響力和更充實的方式。鼓起勇氣，主沒有忘記你！
God Is Aligning the Generations - From Elijah to Elisha
Mandy Adendorff, Southington, Connecticut
Jul 29, 2022
The Alignment of Generations
God measures time in many ways. We may use calendars and other means, but God also sees time through the lens of generational timelines. The timing of significant biblical revivals and movements of God were usually preceded by the time pointers that shift history – genealogies. Though there are always natural signs that precede revivals, revivals are not subject to natural elements of time but to the alignments of generations. We are actually called to speed up the increase of His Kingdom and His coming by the way we posture our lives, and it happens through the passing of mantles from one generation to another.
All Eyes on the Elderly Fathers and Mothers
In 2018, I had a significant dream which strongly implied that the current elderly generation was carrying revival. In my dream, the revival was not fully manifest in them, but it would burst out at the passing of their mantles to the next generation. It was as if the precious mantles that were faithfully carried by the fathers would catalyze as the sons caught them. (Note: "Fathers" and "sons" represent both mothers and fathers; sons and daughters.)
The prodigal son, though he was given an inheritance, didn't understand its value and therefore lost it. Those who are alive now are standing on the edge of history with the possibility of inheriting and stewarding a kind of revival never seen before. The elderly fathers and mothers are carrying a seed which has come of age that we must recognize.
In my dream, the mantle was given to the next generation by the Spirit and not by the will of man. It felt as if the spirits of the sons were aligned with the spirits of the fathers. I woke with a sense that in order for the mantles to pass, something very practical would be required from the younger generation – value and compassion for their fathers.
The Precious Oil Flows from the Grand Generation
There is precious oil flowing from our grandmas and grandpas. Grandparents have a grand vision and perspective of life. Not only have they experienced more of history, but they have also carried us, their children. They have suffered for us, warred for us and have been spent for us. God holds that very dear as He Himself is a Father acquainted with the pain of fatherhood. He has bestowed insight onto the Grand Generation, and a precious anointing, like oil that has been pressed through time, pain, faith and perseverance. These fathers (and mothers) carry a mantle that we are supposed to inherit, but we must be positioned properly to receive these mantles.
The precious oil described in Psalm 133 is a picture of the anointing on the head of a priestly grandfather that flows down like oil and touches that which is most closely connected to him – his beard and garments. This mantle does not transfer to the younger generation through a special ceremony, but it flows naturally to those in proximity, like oil flows down onto everything in its path. We align ourselves to the fathers simply by being sons – by covering and caring for them practically, by holding them in high esteem, by being teachable and by valuing the wisdom and glory that God has given them. (Photo via Public Domain Pictures)
It is required that we have mercy and care for our fathers, not because we want to share their mantles, but because we love as sons. This is not rocket science, it's the natural order of life that God has set in place, and there is a reward for staying aligned with God's natural order. We could seek for this great promised revival by crying out and pleading like orphans, but revival is the inheritance of sons.
Elijah and Elisha
Mantles are not passed simply because a father or son desire it; there is a positioning of both hearts that creates the space for the transition. The passing of mantles is a process that requires alignment, which happens through a heart connection that builds over time.
Elijah and Elisha experienced a powerful passing of a mantle at Elisha's transition, but Elijah had been passing his mantle onto Elisha from the time they started their relationship. The passing of mantles takes time and is often a hidden and precious process!
Mass Mantles
Our grandparents are carrying the weight of a mass of revival mantles that are our inheritance. These mantles begin to pass from one generation to another while both generations are living. It's like the moment in a relay race when both runners are holding the baton together in trust.
In my dream, the fathers represented both natural and spiritual fathers (and mothers). Even the unbelieving fathers are part of this narrative. It is certainly easier to have mercy, love and respect for fathers who carry their mantles well, but we are in a season where God is releasing inheritances from ungodly fathers too, and we are required to value and have mercy on all fathers, even the those who have been unfaithful. Their generational blessing is supposed to be inherited by the sons of God.
It's vital that we carry the loins of mercy, love and compassion if we are to recognize what the Spirit is doing and inherit the mantles that we are supposed to.
What's Mercy Got to Do with It?
The Pharisees and Sadducees couldn't inherit the revival that Jesus brought to them because they exchanged sacrifice for mercy; they understood a life of religious sacrifice but they lost their humanity. These were the men who prayed and fasted and probably had a sense of connection with God in some way, but because they lacked mercy, they could not be moved when Jesus healed broken people. And, alas, they failed to recognize Jesus but condemned Him instead, and couldn't inherit His mantle.
Jesus describes why they could not recognize Him in Matthew 12:7: "If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent." They thought they were going to inherit God's Kingdom through their sacrifice and service, but Jesus needed them to be fully human, discerning their own weakness; thus having mercy for others in their hour of need.
The Same Wind Is Both Terrifying and Peaceful
I recently spoke with two separate women who had very similar dreams. In both dreams the women were in a church, and they saw violent winds outside. The church in these dreams didn't represent buildings but Christ, and the roaring wind was the Spirit of the coming revival. Take note: revivals are usually preceded by demonic winds too. These winds try to prevent what God is about to do. There are winds currently blowing that are not from God, but His unrivaled wind is the strong wind that is and will rearrange things, bringing in heavenly order. Revival is not always pleasant because it is a combination of uprooting and rebuilding. The rebuilding is pleasant, but the uprooting – not so much!
In one of the woman's dreams, those outside the church were trying to anchor themselves in things like chairs and cars and news station vans, but the wind swept everything up. Everything outside of Christ was powerless in the force of the wind. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
In the other woman's dream, people were standing on the porch of the church thinking they were safe, and the older woman urged them to come inside because they wouldn't be protected by staying on the outskirts. The moves of God are either refreshing or terrifying, depending on our position in the wind. The person who is fully in Jesus is in the eye of the hurricane where there is stillness, safety and peace, but to those outside the eye, the wind cannot be rivaled.
The Middle Generation: The Golden Bridge
In one of the woman's dreams, two women were interceding in the church for the people outside who were in the wind storm. While they prayed, a younger intercessor was caring for an older intercessor's needs as they battled spiritually together. As she cared for the older woman and prayed, she simultaneously held onto a young girl. Three generations were aligned to one assignment. The middle generation aligned herself with both generations by practically caring for both while they warred together. This is how mantles are passed – on the battlefield of life, not necessarily at death.
The generation in the middle are those who are watching the elderly fathers while they simultaneously raising up the younger generation. They stand as a golden bridge between the generations, receiving precious mantles from fathers and stewarding them between the generations.
The Lord Has Not Forgotten You!
If you are the Middle Generation, you are a vital part in this transfer of mantles. You are working hard, and it's your season to plant and reap at the same time. As you selflessly pour your life into both your sons and your fathers, you are creating a space for the Lord's glory to rest.
The middle generation is the glue that will steward a mantle of revival between the young and the old. Your humble position will be exalted as you eat the fruit of a harvest one generation could never have planted or reaped on its own. Your God-breathed dreams could never have been accomplished alone. It's your season to shine, but in a more influential and fulfilling way than you expected. Take courage, the Lord has not forgotten you!
