於2011-11-13發佈

以薩迦支派的恩膏:知道神的時候

我愛先知預言,但更愛歷史。從我以超自然經歷信主以來,我立即對我以前不相信的超自然深感興趣。我喜愛超自然的先知性經歷,以及聖靈的先知性恩賜。我喜歡末世論─研讀聖經中關於末世的預言,儘管此是我現在最讓人質疑的,但這比較是我的興趣而非熱愛。

當我剛信主時,有人給了我一本何凌西(Hal Lindsey)所著的書『曲終人散』(The Late Great Planet Earth),有好幾年的時間,這本書激起我裡面對末世論的著迷,為此我對那本書充滿感謝,儘管我承認當我用聖經來檢視他的一些觀點時,我看不到他結論的根據是從何而來。我承認對『末日迷蹤』(Left Behind)系列也是以相同理由充滿感謝,此書讓上百萬的人對聖經如何說這些時候充滿興趣─這絕對是一件好事。我也許不同意所有觀點,但我很高興這些書引起人們對末世的興趣。

當我還是一位年輕的基督徒,我花好幾年的時間,嘗試得著末世預言的健全聖經觀點,因為這顯然是主賜給我們瞭解時候的重要方式。然而,當我不再著迷後,我研讀這些只是職責所在而非熱情。我珍惜那些對此熱情的人,也熱愛聆聽他們談論,但我自己無法像他們一樣火熱,當然也不認為自己在這方面有權柄。我們都有我們自己的角色,沒有一個人可以做每一件事。既然主說活水來自我們裡面,所以我嘗試隨著我找著生命動力之處流動。

我從沒有追求關於地震或其他災難方面的異夢、異象或預言,而且寧可不要有這些異象。我對於先知性洞見的追求在於渴望看見神的國度將如何臨到;然而,我認為自己是一個僕人,嘗試接受所有任務而沒有抱怨,但我更熱衷於瞭解要來的國度勝過末世。

幾年前,我開始關心基督肢體應該要擁有真實、可靠的『以薩迦支派』事工,為要來的時候做預備,這樣的事工在於知道時候,以及神的子民應該做什麼來為其預備。神告訴我,倘若我順服,我會領受此,神用創世記四十九章14-15節來說明對我的要求,這段經文是雅各對以薩迦支派的預言:

以薩迦是個強壯的驢,臥在羊圈之中。
他以安靜為佳,以肥地為美,便低肩背重,成為服苦的僕人。

神告訴我必須離開山中退隱的生活,開始經歷一段背負重擔的時間,特別是行政上的重擔。那即是我開始接下重建『傳產大飯店』(Heritage Grand Hotel)與會議中心的任務,並協助重建有困難與需要的事工。我知道這是因為重建本身是神心意的根基,祂要來國度的終極目標便是重建/復興『萬物』,正如彼得在使徒行傳三章21節所言。我需要知道其中的艱辛與喜樂,好讓我總是可以在每一件所成就的事上看見祂的救贖目的。

這不過是為何我現在會做這些事的一個概略,我嘗試不去做任何事只是因為我喜歡或不喜歡,而是單單取決於我被呼召要做的事。簡而言之,我想要成為好的僕人,我不知道我做得有多好,但我知道自己尚未領受『以撒迦支派』的恩膏─知道時候與神百姓應該做的事。我知道當先知性預言傳出時,像是西岸即將臨到的災難,對人們最有助益的事即是知道時候。我目前並沒有,但會持續尋求。我認為知道時候是我們在先知預言上所需要的最重要項目,除了一些偶發事件外,我還不知道有誰有此恩賜。

無論我或他人是否領受『以薩迦支派』的恩膏,我都沒關係,但我知道在我們所要進入的時候,此恩膏將是基督肢體最寶貴的恩賜之一。所以,當神沒有給我特別任務時,我追求我最能在其中找到生命動力的事物,追求我的熱情所在,但一當神賜給我特別任務,我會試圖竭盡所能來做,不管喜歡與否。

 (摘自 喬納 word for the week, Week 43, 2011)


The Judgments of God, Part 6
The Sons of Issachar Anointing: Knowing the Timing of God
Week 43, 2011

I love prophecy, but I love history even more. Since I came to the Lord by a supernatural experience, I immediately became deeply interested in the supernatural which I had not even believed in before. I love supernatural prophetic experiences and the prophetic gifts of the Spirit. I like eschatology, the study of the prophecies of the end of this age in Scripture, but it is more of a peripheral interest than a passion, even though that is what I get questioned about the most now it seems.

When I was a new believer, a copy of The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey was given to me, and it did stir in me an infatuation with eschatology for several years. I’ve always been thankful for that book for that reason, though I confess when I examined the Scriptures on some of his points, I could not see how Hal came to some of his conclusions. I confess to appreciating the Left Behind series for the same reason. This has caused millions to become interested in what the Bible has to say about these times—definitely a good thing. I may not share all of the same perspectives, but I’m glad for the interest these books have stirred up in people.

I spent several years when I was a young Christian trying to get a sound biblical perspective on the prophecies of the end times because of the obvious importance that the Lord gave to understanding the times. However, after the infatuation wore off, I did this more out of duty than passion. I appreciate those who have a passion for it, and love to listen to them, but just never have caught it like that myself and certainly do not consider myself an authority on it. We all have our part, and no one can do everything. Since the Lord said that living waters come from our innermost being, I try to flow with where I am finding life.

I have never pursued dreams, visions, or prophecies about things like earthquakes or other disasters, and would prefer not to get them. All of my pursuit of prophetic insight has been a desire to see how the kingdom will come. However, I consider myself a servant and try to take any assignment without complaining, but I have a much greater love for understanding the coming kingdom than I do the end of this age.

Years ago, I became very concerned that the body of Christ should have a true and dependable “sons of Issachar” ministry for the times to come, which is the ministry of knowing the times and what God’s people should do to be prepared for them. I was told that I would receive this, if I was obedient. For what would be required of me I was given Genesis 49:14-15, which was Jacob’s prophecy over Issachar:

“Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds.
When he saw that a resting place was good and that the land was pleasant,
he bowed his shoulder to bear burdens, and became a slave at forced labor."

I was told that I would go through a period of time when I would have to leave my mountain retreat and bear burdens, especially administrative burdens. That’s when I took on the task of restoring the Heritage Grand Hotel and Conference Center (the former PTL property), as well as helping ministries who had trouble and needed restoring. I know this was because restoration is such a basic part of the heart of God, and His ultimate purpose for the kingdom to come is to restore “all things” as Peter stated in Acts 3:21. I needed to know the difficulties as well as the joy of it so that I could always see His redemptive purpose in everything that is done.

This is just a sketch of why I’m doing what I am now. I try not to do anything because I like it or don’t like it, but just to determine that I am called to do it. In short, I’m trying to be a good slave. I do not know how well I’ve done, but I do know I have not yet received the “sons of Issachar” anointing to know the times and what God’s people should do except in a very general sense. I know that when prophecies come out like the pending troubles on our West Coast, one of the most helpful things for people would be to know the timing. I don’t have that yet but will continue to pursue it. I consider it one of the most important aspects of the prophetic that we’re going to need, and I don’t really know anyone who has it except in a sporadic way.

Whether I actually receive the “sons of Issachar” anointing or others do is fine with me, but I know it will be one of the most valuable gifts the body of Christ could have for the times we’re entering. We should all be seeking and praying for this gift now. So, when I am not given a specific assignment, I pursue what I’m finding the most life on, and where my own passion is, but when I am given a specific assignment, I try to do it as well as possible whether I like it or not.