APOSTLES AND PROPHETS BLOG

POSSIBLE PROPHETIC CALENDAR FROM 2012 ONWARDS

2012-01-17T04:32:00.000-08:00

No matter how one wants to look at the prophetic books of the Bible, it is clear that some of these events if not all must come to pass in the years to follow. Therefore the time to turn to God through Jesus Christ is now - the day of the Lord is coming! These events are:
1. United Muslim/Islamic Front/Block under one super leader who is at present striving for peace.
2. Re-emergence of the Catholic Faith as a dominant world religion under a new and younger pope.
3. Re-emergence of the new Europe economically and politically.
4. Demise of the USA.
5. Emergence and establishing of a world government - politically into greater regions - economically under one currency - end of money as we know it.
6. Startling event in Israel launches the rebuilding of the Temple
7. Wars and rumors of wars, climactic changes and signs in the heavens announces the end times - changes in the geography of the world….
8. The falling away of some from the true faith - yet miracles and salvation of others so that the House of God be filled.
9. A global thinking and a global consciousness are increasing.
10. Wars against Israel - world evangelism take on a new dimension.
11. Rebellion against all righteousness - the end of religion(s).
12. The triumph of Christ - His return and the establishing of His Kingdom the 1000 years commencing.
Christians should not fear! Fear God! Serve the Lord with gladness of heart - nothing can befall you for our God reigns on high and He is in control of all things! Christ will reign! Salvation is only found in Jesus Christ the Lord!

PROPHETIC WORD FOR 2012

2011-12-29T22:36:00.000-08:00

THE YEAR OF THE GOSPEL
In my heart I feel that 2012 will be a year of great evangelism. It is a year of proclaiming the gospel freely wherever we can and wherever the Lord will send us. Do the work of an evangelist is certainly an instruction to every servant of God.
Reap wherever you can, for time is coming that people will no longer believe the true doctrine - already there are many who mock the gospel of God and the Holy Spirit. Preach the gospel by all means - use the social gospel, the gospel of salvation and the gospel of the Kingdom of God, but by all means introduce people to the Savior Jesus Christ.
Within the church create practical Kingdom strategies to accommodate the preaching of the gospel. Preach and teach the Kingdom - preach and teach the gospel of God.
Persevere for the whole year with this strategy and seek the favor of God on your efforts. Do not give up. Suddenly things will be easier although in the world it might seem as if things are really changing from bad to worse - hold on and keep on doing the right things. God honors His word, preach the Gospel Word and He will save souls - did He not say "If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me"? He certainly will!
We yet have an opportunity to preach the gospel - so do this in this year and see what God will do for you!
Be not afraid what "they" say - trust in God and He will supply that what is needed for you to do the work of God. Many will rise up against the gospel but stay with the truth and that which is right even the gospel of Christ and He will defend you. Do not occupy yourself against so many things but rather be for the one thing needed - that is Christ Jesus and the gospel of God! Share His love and His truth! Many will engage in all kinds of "fights" for and against issues, but beware of entanglements for you are called to be a clear witness of the love of God for a sinful world. Preach Christ - preach the gospel - testify! God is good and He loves us very much. He will see us through!

"I came to occupy!" - ADVANCEMENT OF THE KINGDOM

2011-07-12T05:37:00.000-07:00

When Jesus said that we should not look here or over there for the manifestation of His Kingdom, He was in a way asking us to look at things in a spiritual sense. Look at the person's heart - inside us where He wants to reign. If outward peace and tranquility is evident it does not mean that God is in control of things!

God reigns by His Holy Spirit and by His Living Word in our hearts. This He does by speaking to us or working through the sanctified mind and conscience. That is by His Living Word! Without the sanctified mind and conscience there remains an evil mind and conscience! SO WE HAVE TO CHANGE! Obey! We change by good sound teaching and by obedience to His instructions!

When God reigns by His Spirit and His Living Word it generates purity in us and it translates into good works by faith! When Paul wrote to Titus in Titus 1 verse 15 and 16 he said - "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. "

From this we can clearly see it is not good enough to be a good speaker or to profess to know God! We can still be impure. To be pure would mean to be born-again and show iniative to grow in the Word and in Spirit! Then all things indeed become pure!

Isn't it a wonderful thought to imagine the content of God's Kingdom as a volume of Spirit or a distance covered in establishing God's Kingdom on earth - the sum of God's true reign in our hearts! It could be ten percent in this person over here, twenty over there ninety over there and so on and so on. So we have reached a movement of x total percent of establishing God's Kingdom! NOW THINK! If you positively respond to God's Spirit and Living Word then He reigns more in your heart and the result - His TOTAL Kingdom advances! You can influence His Total Kingdom! Awesome! He came to occupy! It advances even more when by faith this translates into good works - the manifestation of the Kingdom! He came to occupy!

Yes friend He came to occupy! God's Kingdom will occupy the world and the Kingdoms of this world. All influences (a kingdom is an area of influence) will become subject (give in to the reign) to the Kingdom of God!

His Kingdom values are easy to discern - true concern and interest and care - that is love, the truth - the nature of truth and honesty and justice, faithfulness in relating all things to God and knowing Him in true devotion enquiry and to search Him out - this is our worship, a good pure motive in what we say and do and other values of faithfulness etc. etc. the fruit of the Spirit which is the character of Jesus! Character and personality are different things. Personality is a given. Character is constantly being formed.

The Kingdom of God advances as our characters are transformed more and more into the image of God's Son Jesus Christ. And God's Kingdom advances! You have an impact on His Kingdom!

Now the question - when last did the Kingdom of God advance in your heart and flowing out into good words and good works? It is one thing to be convinced of our righteousness and our sense of being renewed into the new man - I am a new creation, that is in conviction and understanding. But you also must manifest this in character and works! Change – let His Kingdom advance!

May His Kingdom come! Know this that the more you agree and change in agreement with His word and Spirit knowing that He reigns, then you are showing God's Kingdome and showing that His Kingdom advances! Just a little yes in your Heart can move His Kingdom and He occupies!

What awesome responsibility - make His Kingdom come! Let Thy Kingdom come oh Lord! “I came to occupy! And I am coming to occupy!” - Jesus.

PROPHETIC WORD 2011

2010-12-30T19:21:00.000-08:00

I submit the following as prophetic insights to be evaluated and considered for 2011. As I meditated and prayed and ask God about the following:-
1. Praise and Worship - a clear distinction will be made between worshippers and performers and the people of God will start to know the difference. We are tired about superstar performances we want to Worship God.
2. Apostolic transformation falling in disrepute because some leaders like titles and finances and the praise of people. With every move their is a counter action by the devil so there are even now false apostles claiming to do the works of God! However the true will be shown clearly against these false ones in doctrine, lifestyle, joy and in power. The coming together of the fivefold ministries and the apostolic company etc. being orchestrated by the apostolic and the prophetic. Roving ministries making inroads changing church and other Christian systems into Kingdom systems and influences. A new kind of apostle emerging - those that have the crowning glory and wisdom and the heart and gentle authority. Prophetic and evangelistic ministry again finds a firm footing among Christians - "In Favor".
3. There is a brooding, a waiting on the face of the world for someone or something to happen - certainly how long will things be delayed? Is it not even now that greater territorial spirits and actions infiltrate small and bigger areas, towns, districts, states and provinces and countries as well as business and organizations etc. And these spirits will work through all available human channel(s) - the influential and the poor. Mainly because of a prevailing lethargic spirit and desperate situation. Is the time not drawing near that we will see also how God again will do a sign in the world by accepting His ancient people into the gospel? More and more Jewish people will return to the true faith that is in the true Messiah! How much more will their acceptance in the gospel be a blessing to us and the world? But the hatred of the world will increase and especially against the Jews and Judaism and the Christians and their faith. But the children and sons of God will emerge with their faith and love intact with pure worship of the only living God. No longer will Christians and the Jewish people be confused on the issues of semantics in the names of God and other issues of pure linguistics of the Word but the time is at hand for revelation...AND THEY WILL KNOW
4. Regions in the world become more Islamic. South Africa being infiltrated more and more by new groups - this time not from Africa but from India, Pakistan, Indian, China, the Far East as well as Middle East. South Africa will not go untouched by Islamic fundamentalists propaganda and methods of operation. South Africa in the same way becomes a safe haven for many Europeans and the new breeding ground for cross race and cross nation and cross cultural relationships. The biggest threat to social stability in South Africa will remain crime and corruption.
5. The words "SHATTER STRUCTURE" stays haunting in my mind and I don't know yet what it means.
6. Financial gradual recovery all over the world is over a longer period if there remains time for it. Small Pockets of recovery.
7. A new rebellious - I don't care - whatever - but anti Christian and "anti the right thing" to take hold of people and especially the youth. Rebellion for no other reason but rebellion or being different. Some will become famous for their open rebellious stance. Those youth that turn fully to God will become very good "strategic" Christians with influence.
8. The hope of the world will remain Christ and Christ alone - many will overcome by His grace and the power of the gospel will shine very bright at this hour. Expect the miracle, the sign and the wonder for you shall see it. Glory to God!
I believe that in these words there are truths and images in my heart before me and I pray that God gives you a discerning heart to know the truth even the Word of this hour.

APOSCO FINANCE POLICY DD 16 DECEMBER 2010

2010-12-17T07:11:00.001-08:00

NB - THIS ARTICLE FOR APOSCO TEAM
1. Giving/Tithing is absolute voluntary.
2. Should any ministry give/tithe it should be from pesonal income and NOT ministry income. Ministry income is regarded as income for the church in the form of tithes and offerings. Personal income is that portion that is regarded as income for the personal use of the minister. Since this is not a denomination, there is no head office and no tithing/giving expected from the church(es) to Aposco, and tithing/giving from personal income to Apsoco is completely voluntary.
3. A financial partnership with Aposco can also be made where Aposco hand the other ministry each have their own resposibility. Feel free to enquire.
4. Such giving/tithes/partnership can be banked into the following bank account :-
JW van der Merwe
First National Bank
Account No:- 62057620281
Branch No:- 250845
Type of Account:- Savings
For non South African ministries-SWIFT NO: FIRNZAJJ
5. Finances are for the personal and ministerial use of APOSCO Ministries. 6. There are no anual renewal fees or entrance fees.
6. This ministry is not a general route for ministries to be financed and members are discouraged from soliciting funds from one another.
7. Each conference or invitation will be negotiated on its own terms. Ordinarily if there is no budget available to Aposco Ministries, the ministry inviting Aposco must carry the traveling costs, accommodation costs as well as initiating a love offering.

NB APOSCO Ministries is not a denomination and members keep their own legal/denominational identity.

THE DOG SPIRIT

2010-11-30T15:16:00.000-08:00

Somewhere somebody wrote about the dog spirit and I was very intrigued by it. Upon meditation and looking at the Word of God I realized that this spirit is totally anti-Christ and works very actively against the Spirit of Christ in the believer.
My neighbor says that his dogs especially bark a lot at two occasions. When the mailman comes and we already know from others that it is when God wants to talk to us or when we need to hear from God; then the enemy will do everything in his power to prevent the true and clear message from God. The mailman is the Holy Spirit and the dog spirit actively resist the Holy Spirit.
The second time my neighbors dogs really bark a lot - actually the dogs goes ballistic is when the trash truck comes to remove the trash. This is so interesting to me because the meaning is very clear that the dog spirit resist the cleaning up and the confession and acknowledgement of sin in our lives. Even when we can impress others it is not really my fault or I have a small contribution to the state of affairs - the dog spirit will keep you from getting rid of the trash in your life. Trash in your life eventually calls for bugs and insects and rats and all kinds of evil stuff. So the dog resists the conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit and also the application of the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin and unrighteousness. I knew some people who are always right and find it very difficult to apologize for anything - there are always reasons for the status quo. The dog spirit is a very proud spirit. Pride…. How long will you accommodate the dog spirit and then you wonder why the Holy Spirit does not work through you.....
The dog is also a territorial animal. It marks it's territory by urinating at key areas... It is a territorial spirit and wants to confine you to a certain spiritual condition. Any other spirit inside that area must give way to that spirit. It wants and demands reigning rights. By saying yes to the dog spirit you cannot be under the Lordship of Christ. The dog spirit resists the Holy Spirit and the reign of Christ in our lives.
Lastly the dog is a filthy animal- it smells other dogs and one bitch will mate with many dogs. They are unclean and love filth. The dog spirit will resist purity in your life.Do you like filth?
Now clearly understand this that the good Spirit in Christ wants to work in us in certain ways and also through us in certain ways. He first work in us before He can work through us! By the way Christ means the Messiah the anointed one or the Lord's annoited and His anointing. I the Old Testament three people were annoited - the prophet, the priest and the king! Let us look at it:-
1. Prophetically - bringing mail - speaking to us!
2. Priestly - cleansing of sin by the blood and gospel of Jesus Christ - taking away the trash!
3. Royal - Kingly rulership - reigning in and from the heavens and in our "territory" by the same Christ.
4. Purity - Living a pure and Godly lifestyle. All these offices Christ was and still is and will be prophet, priest and king.
The dog spirit actively resists Christ but when we become more and more like Him and the same Spirit anointing that raised Him from the dead starts working in you, hey some persons suddenly becomes dogs in their relationship with you! Telling the most hideous dirt stories or trying to lure you away or barking at you and your message even to the point that they become very annoyed and angry at you....Rejoice because the right spirit works in you. Some people call one another hey dog or you are my dog....who let the dogs out?
Actively choose for the Holy Spirit and resist the dog spirit - identify it for what it is and get rid of it! The word of the Lord is clear- Those who are pure will become purer and they will take in their position with Christ as prophet, priest and king. He is the King of Kings not the King of foolishness! Take up our position in Christ (reposition yourself for blessing!) and become and seek actively a lifestyle of purity that flows from that position. Christ both the power and wisdom of God - I cannot do it without Him. To Christ my all and all...

CONSIDER MY MEDITATION

2010-03-15T15:45:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURES
Psalms 5:1: Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
Psalms 19:14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalms 49:3: My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Psalms 104:34: My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Psalms 119:97: O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Psalms 119:99: I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
FACT - Apostolic people are a people of meditation.
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN MEDITATION?
There is a secular meditation that comes from non-Christian religions and their teaching on meditation mostly revolves on emptying the mind and then to meditate on what surfaces after the emptying process is completed regardless of considering if the meditation comes from demonic source or from their own souls or wherever. There are also some of them who would meditate on specifics. However this is not Christian meditation.
Christian meditation meditate on something pre-determined - to think about that constantly and reflecting upon it in prayer and in relationship with God and His word. The time of meditation can be for an half an hour or an hour but can also extend over a period of time. In this period of time it is good to see without extensive research the material and information that God brings me into contact with or what comes into my thoughts, and so a meditation is gradually formed.
CONCLUSION OF A MEDITATION
A meditation also comes to a conclusion and it can not be finalized without two very important steps to be taken. Firstly summarize the meditation in its final form with all your conclusions, deductions, scripture references etc. etc. An excellent format for expressing that is by writing a journal. Your personal journals of wisdom!
Journals are very handy for mining and extending research for truth in the word of God or as a source for preaching materials, topics etc.
Just a note here - remember that meditation is subjective thought - meaning that it is your personal thoughts in relationship with God. It is not researched intellectual material although much intellectual deductions can be obtained from meditations. Almost like an "Idea Bank" for further research and objective intellectual comparison with other material. This gives you an opportunity to think about things deeply either felt things or concerns or just what come to your life in the ordinary execution of things. However this in NO WAY excludes meditating on one verse or a portion of scripture (BIBLE) that has a particular meaning in your life. In fact it is to be greatly encouraged - Fill your thought deliberately with a verse and think about it constantly - praying - thinking - praying - thinking about it until the meditation is complete.
You will find that either revelation came at the end of your meditation or you are just satisfied i.e. it is not the be all and end all of the matter but you are satisfied! Praise God!
Secondly meditation must be shared. With who? At least with God! David said 'Consider my meditation Oh Lord!' - consider, help me in what I feel and think about deeply so that my life can make sense to me and you Oh Lord. This is the cry - the primal scream of your spirit!
Apostolic people are those who makes Jesus Christ the King of their heart or Spirit and they reflect everything in relation to their Lord and King. Will this not bring great thoughts, direction and inspiration to your life? It will!!!
Topics for meditation I can personally recommend meditating upon some topics but you are unique and can choose a topic or a "felt" issue by yourself or what comes to your life (be aware). But nevertheless it is good to meditate upon a verse in the Bible, success and failure or the purpose of life. consider the verses above and see what David meditated upon.
Meditation is not to be done legalistically in time, rather I find it difficult to give words to it - something like a relaxed spirituality but with an intensive purpose in finding a truth even it only applies to myself. Oh God consider my meditation!
Will you join me in meditating in a Christian manner apostolic people? Leader, apostle? Your King seeks a people to worship Him in spirit and truth. Will you give your spirit wings??

APOSTOLIC VISION AND KINGDOM INFLUENCE OF THE CHURCH IN THE COMMUNITY

2009-08-06T21:36:00.000-07:00

A PERSONAL IMPRESSION

I have been impressed the past month or two about the above topic and I have thought on how can we reach our community and I can confess that the church and I (where I am the pastor) are not released from the responsibility of outreach and having a Kingdom influence in our community and missions. Evangelism and missions are the kingdom influences that are encapsulated in the last assignment to us from Jesus.

So that leaves us with the question how do we do that? Several options are available and I am sure you can add some yourself, but my ideas have been influenced partially by what I have read and heard people say, what I have been involved with personally and also some serious thinking around the subject until I came to some conclusions.

Fact - there is absolutely no doubt that we should have an influence in our communities. What type of influence you would ask me? A good friend of mine use the very biblical New Testament terms salt, yeasting and light. And I would love to add works of mercy as well as the cultural key and then obviously definite programs of evangelism and missions. Let us look at this “Kingdom Influence”:-

SALT

Salt in my opinion is applied to preserve or to put on something rotten. This is the kicking against deterioration of values and principles in society. There must be some form of working of salt. Blatant wrong will never become right no matter how much we want to turn a blind eye to it. Somewhere here the church must play its part – that simply means that some members inside the church have this working in them and as an apostolic church recognition and apostolic support for this type of ministry is sorely lacking. The church too easily distances itself from any working of salt since it name the church and seems to frame the church as well.

YEASTING

Yeasting is a slow determined working to influence the community in certain areas. One can easily define yeasting projects and channel workers in these projects. Yeasting is a slow process and there is definite growth over time. Yeasting is a definite gospel influence in determined “markets”. How will the church reach the rich? How will the church reach the dominant group in their society? How will the church reach minority groups and certain cultural and other almost cult-like groups? How do we infiltrate and influence these groups with the gospel of Jesus Christ?

LIGHT

Light is a beacon and open declaration of a people or a church or a person. This is not necessarily the gospel or working of salt but rather a very positive declaration of values and morals. It is not so much against this or against that but rather a positive we or I stand for this and that. This is open for all to see. We stand to heal the broken hearted and we stand for the declaration of the inspired word of God. Some churches have gone to great lengths to declare values that seem very close to humanistic ideals where a clear Biblical stance is more needed in the hour we live in – but it can be in more everyday or popular words of the day. Be careful though that it is not so close to a secular company that there seems after a while to be no difference at all.

WORKS OF MERCY

Works of mercy – this is where mercy is needed – it is different from yeasting work because this is where sudden need in the community arises and the church can definitely play a part in alleviating the need or suffering. Not to participate would be very wrong. I am talking about a drought or floods or disasters in your area and even beyond. The church must be a player in the human suffering and not be on a moral high ground in condemning and pronouncing that it is God’s judgment over the people – even if that be true our responsibility is acts of mercy for have we not received a great mercy from our God?

CULTURAL KEY(S)

The cultural key of your community is very important. Ignorance of it could be fatal to the church’s growth. Is the community or area predominately young? Then music might be a key in reaching them. Is the community very African or prone to certain acts or certain ways – respect of this and where it is not sinful adapt or redeem some cultural elements in order to reach the community. Are there definite cultural patterns? In an African village if the chief of the village is reached the possibility that the whole village could be reached are very great! Are there definite cultural keys?

EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS

I mention it again separately because of the many programs already available by various organizations. Many of these are very effective and one could always adopt one of these strategies or even discard one and try another. The fact of the matter is that local evangelism and missions outreach has never theologically been removed from the responsibility of the church.

So where do we stand? I think a good survey of your community and knowledge of the people in your areas are definitely needed. What does a survey involve? I think a survey should include the following:-

What type of people live in the immediate areas?
What type of people attends your church?
What type of people do not attend your church and why not?
What is your specific people market?
What is the dominant sin and temptation in the area?
What are the neglected groups?
What are the major cultural events and tendencies of your target market?
Are there any definite cultural patterns or keys?
What are the needs in the area?
What type of dropouts and social outcast are there in the area?
Are there at any time one specific great suffering or disaster in the community?
What type of cultic groups are finding roots in the area?
The specific call (not general or broad theological call but specific) and gift of the church in the community.
The church can also become a training station and here not only a bible school or various word-based training courses but also life skills and targeted training from a Biblical perspective that addresses needs and offer solutions to these needs.
Some surveys available are only on the “dark side” i.e. what is the devil’s agenda and strongman or demonic workings in the area? Take some of this but do not focus on this only – God wants us to be God focused and not devil conscious – but we should not be blind to his strategy. If God definitely leads you by the Holy Spirit to survey this and research it – good – do it. There are very good books supporting this – get hold of them.

I think around these questions and surveys designed around these areas could help you in designing church growth and Kingdom expanding programs through the gospel of Jesus Christ by the points mentioned - salt, yeasting, light, works of mercy and taking cognizance of the cultural key and available evangelism and missions programs. Sometimes the church (the members) are not aware of this at all…an awareness or specific teaching or even a bold start something!

I don’t think a church can adopt everything including their own church “other” programs of caring, groups, worship team etc and etc, so the question remains in what areas are your church going to be involved in. The more apostolic and the more people the church have – obviously the more “programs” can be accommodated, but the question then is - are the church into apostolic vision and is it doing the specific will of God? Every church should be interested in designing surveys and employing programs around the results and even seek apostolic and prophetic assistance in their final approach.

Obviously none of this can have any spiritual value if it is not supported by prayer, intercession and a sincere desire to do the will of God. This is a given but if this is not in place, then start to pray and pray and pray until you have some assignment or calling in the community or missions. Vision is the calling and what we receive in prayer or prophetic insight or even in deep inner conviction and position on what the specific will of God is. But the outworking of our faith(our specific vision), is the Kingdom influence in our area and beyond even to mission fields and unreached groups. Pastor and church are you going to participate in apostolic vision and kingdom (of God) influence or just live from Sunday to Sunday or Sabbath to Sabbath?

Why Apostles and Prophets Blog

2009-07-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

I have a need to communicate the revelation and daily input in my life. I also realize that there are many people that have many questions with regards to the apostolic and prophetic ministries. Many have questions about dreams, prophecy etc. and also the manifestation of the apostolic ministry. So I have decided to start this blog as an extension of apostles.co.za. If you want to ask questions with any reference to my ministry or apostles.co.za or the internet publications this is the place to talk about it...