catherine wheel

Audio version HERE

In part 1 of this post, there was part of the word for 2020  shared, that I would like to address:

'Then I saw again the Spinning Wheel and the Key appear over the rising Army, and the Wheel was set ablaze by Fire and was spinning round and round with great speed.'

As I read this portion with the description of the fiery wheel, I heard 'Catherine wheel' and upon researching it, discovered this is the name of a certain firework that spins around like a wheel of fire when ignited, but it is also the name of a wheel which was used as an instrument of execution. It is so named because an early 4th century sister in Christ was sentenced to die on the wheel for refusing to renounce her belief in Jesus. In the end she was beheaded instead but the mention of the wheel bearing her name indicates martyrdom.  Therefore, there is a hidden reference in this prophecy to the launch of significant persecution against true Believers.

So often, when we hear prophesies or sermons about the coming glory that is going to be poured out upon true believers in the days ahead, we think of golden light, oil pouring down or demonstrations of profound power, miracles etc. And of course, the glory of God can include these things, but there is an aspect of carrying His glory that is not often talked about or understood.  2 Cor 4:6 says that the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus is poured out in our hearts. Then Paul goes on to list, at length, the suffering that is experienced as earthen vessels; trouble, perplexity, oppression, persecution - and he sums up this list by describing this suffering as 'carrying the dying of the Lord Jesus around in our bodies' and explains that because death is at work through all this personal suffering, mysteriously there is a corresponding release of resurrection life in others. In verse 17, he wraps up his explanation of the unfathomable way glory is produced, when he refers to what the Amplified Bible terms 'our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour)' and tells his readers it produces or fashions an everlasting weight of glory. My goodness, this God we serve; the same One Who made light shine out of darkness, actually produces glory out of suffering. Beloved, this is the working of a wisdom that is not of this world or present age; the very same hidden wisdom that operated through the cross:

 

1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 1Co 2:8  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

 

The key that appeared over the rising army in the word for 2020 is possessing the understanding of this heavenly wisdom. It is the very same kind of wisdom which will be at work in the days of persecution of the end-time church, and this is how the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. The army of the Lord marches under this key and are sustained by the knowledge it empowers them with. As true Believers are persecuted and at times even martyred, there is a corresponding release from the storehouses of Heaven of the glory and power of God in the earth. The Holy Spirit confirmed this on the morning of the 1st July, when I woke with a phrase being spoken: "the spirit of glory rests upon you". This comes from 1 Peter 4:14 and I want to say to you, precious saints, learn this verse below by heart. Not only learn it, but chew each syllable and phrase and suck every ounce of spiritual nourishment out of it, so that when your turn comes to be appointed the honor of suffering for bearing His Name, out of the abundance of understanding resting in your heart, you will receive the power to rejoice in the midst of your trial.

 

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you. 1Pe 4:13  But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph. 1Pe 4:14  IF YOU ARE CENSURED AND SUFFER ABUSE [BECAUSE YOU BEAR] THE NAME OF CHRIST, BLESSED ARE YOU, BECAUSE THE SPIRIT OF GLORY, THE SPIRIT OF GOD, IS RESTING UPON YOU. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

 

When you are persecuted; when people say terrible things about you and assault you because you love Jesus, the Spirit of Glory is resting on you and God is glorified! So when the level of persecution against Christians rises in the earth, the level of the outpouring of the Spirit of glory also rises. Our amazing God calls forth light out of the dense darkness. This is why you are called to arise and shine in the midst of dense darkness. God is using the negative pressure and affliction and hardship launched against you like the negative electrons charging a dynamo to produce light and power in the earth. Remember the spinning wheel in the vision for 2020 that was then set on fire? A dynamo is a spinning wheel that produces power. As you respond in the opposite spirit, as you bless those who curse you, love those who hate you and persecute you, you are a portal or sluice gate releasing the glory and resurrection power of God into the earthly realm - and the lives of those who observe the way you behave are profoundly impacted!

 

Look at how the early Believers were treated when they chose to follow Jesus:

Heb 10:32  But be ever mindful of the days gone by in which, after you were first spiritually enlightened, you endured a great and painful struggle, Heb 10:33  Sometimes being yourselves a gazingstock, publicly exposed to insults and abuse and distress, and sometimes claiming fellowship and making common cause with others who were so treated. Heb 10:34  For you did sympathize and suffer along with those who were imprisoned, and you bore cheerfully the plundering of your belongings and the confiscation of your property, in the knowledge and consciousness that you yourselves had a better and lasting possession.

 Multitudes are in the valley of decision even now, as every part of the life we have known is being progressively shaken. Some will be led to Christ as the financial system crumbles and, having no other earthly comfort, they will run to those who stand immovable and at peace in the midst of all the chaos. Yet others will have their hard hearts turned to flesh as they perceive a people who refuse to become like their persecutors, but instead release the fragrance of the knowledge of God into the atmosphere around them, as they respond in the opposite spirit.

 

Yes, remnant, the leg of the race which is ahead may be the toughest we have yet faced, but our wonderful God has already given us everything we need for life and godliness, and you will surely find that all the grueling training laps you did during your wilderness preparation have made your spirit stronger than you realize. And as you remember that absolutely nothing can separate you from the love of God, you will find a supernatural peace envelop your heart, no matter what you face in the days to come. No-one can snatch you out of His hand. And I am ending this section with another set of verses for you to memorize! Put a tune to these lines and sing them as you go about your day and you will find them written on your heart and speaking to you just when you need them:

 

Rom 8:35  Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? Rom 8:36  Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. Rom 8:37  Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Rom 8:39  Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.