In addition to those who ‘gathered’ online on Sunday 6th October, we had a small number of Maranatha brothers and sisters gathered at The Ark. It was noted that we have not held an ‘in person’ ‘First Sunday’ gathering for almost 7 years!
In early September, a small group of representative Maranatha members met together to discern what the Lord is saying to the Community. The word ‘Clarion Call’ has been repeated over several years and we sensed the Lord urging us to call the Community together to hear what He wants to say to us about this. The following are ‘pointers’ from our gathering, which are for your further prayer and discernment.
- Power is released through God’s Word –“Is not my word… like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (Jer 23.29). This scripture evoked the image of ‘Mach 2’ – an object travelling at supersonic (greater than the speed of sound) speed – breaking the sound barrier. Power was released when God spoke the word, “Let there be light”!
- Power is released through the heart – a picture of fluttering leaflets, which then became like the valves of the heart, with an awareness that there needs to be coordinated opening and closing of the valve leaflets to release power of oxygenated blood into the body. At the same time another member had a picture of a host of angels blowing trumpets, releasing white doves, with the awareness of the power of love.
- Power is released when believers are bonded closely together – Pentecost (Acts 2)
- Listen attentively for God’s voice – a parallel was made between Morse Code and the way in which God speaks: i) it is simple – only two characters, a dot and a dash; ii) it is based on pulses. God speaks life into everything; His Word changes everything; iii) it is communicated by either light or sound and both require a receiver – we must pay attention at all times. A picture was described – an old fashioned radio microphone with a switch which could be depressed in order to transmit. The Lord’s hand is on the switch. Our task is to be permanently ‘tuned in’, ready to hear His broadcasts. Interestingly, the first message transmitted with Morse Code was “See what God has done” (Num 23.23).
- Remembrance – the days we are in now are all a part of the history of God’s salvation plan for creation. Remembrance of the way in which God has spoken and acted in the past is an essential part of what it means to be a community of faith and is part of our Gospel message of hope for the world. It was through the King of Persia being prompted to read the chronicles of his reign that Esther and Mordecai were given favour, resulting in the saving of the Jews from slaughter. This is remembered in the feast of Purim. We are currently in a period of Jewish ‘holy days’. These do not just belong to the Jews. They are special days of remembrance, set aside by the Lord for His purposes, to communicate particular Truths. We should pay attention. “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” (Mal 3.16-18).
- Speak LIFE – in the light of anticipated debate in the House of Commons on ‘assisted suicide’, we asked the Lord how to pray. We recognise this as a spiritual battle that must be fought primarily in the heavenly realms, in prayer, to determine action on the ground. Cain was the first human being to be born. He reacted to a situation he didn’t like by killing his brother. He was the product of Adam and Eve, who chose what they thought looked good to them, over and above God’s Word – Jesus, the Life. Their action brought a curse on the ground. We repented for our fallen humanity that uses killing as a means of escaping situations we don’t like. A further word was brought about the way in which the land will be cursed if there is no unity between generations – see Mal 4.6. We confirmed, through the prayers of a younger member present, that our hearts are turned to the children and that their hearts are turned to us. We encourage all members to actively proclaim life into the heavenly realms, in worship and prayer – we have authority as we speak in unity with God’s Word, declaring “Let there be LIFE!” in all the places God takes us – whilst taking action in the form of writing to MPs and others.
- Clarion Call – The Lord is commanding us to speak in unity with Him against those things which are against Him. We are to be bold! His Word is powerful. Fundamentally the message of the Gospel of Jesus is about Life. The clarion call includes remembrance and it is a wake-up call. There must be no procrastination and no fear. “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand—” (Joel 2.1); AND “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”(Rev 11.15).
- Word – given through a tongue, which had two parts to the interpretation: i) “Hold My hand” – this simple instruction was recently given to a lady in the context of the battle and obstacles to come, together with a distant vision of the New Jerusalem; ii) “Hear the sound of the trumpet declaring ‘Your King is coming! Not riding on a donkey, but in mighty power and glory!'”
A number of members continued the proclamation of LIFE, through early morning worship in the days following our gathering. We believe this is an essential way of advancing the purposes of God (see 2Chron 20.1-30).
Our next ‘First Sunday’ gathering will take place IN PERSON at the Ark, and ONLINE on SUNDAY 3rd NOVEMBER, 7.30-9.30pm.
