Dear Doves,

 

During the week of June 7, Sid Roth's "It's Supernatural!" show will feature an interview with John Kilpatrick, who is known, in part, for his pastoral role at the Brownsville, FL Assembly of God during the time called "the Brownsville Revival" (1995). During 2008, Mr. Kilpatrick received a word from the Lord concerning a coming severe earthquake in the center portion of the United States, along the New Madras fault line, and of a serious economic crisis. More recently, he heard another word from God warning that we need to "Prepare against the summer", meaning the fast-approaching summer of 2009, because "a storm is coming".  The implication is that events related to the 2008 warning (and perhaps beyond) are about to unfold. A number of other prophetic voices are also warning us that certain events relating to judgment are about to transpire.

 

Mr. Kilpatrick noted that the Lord used the phraseology "Prepare against the summer", rather than "....for the summer", but an explanation was not forthcoming. In thinking about this, I believe that the two terms have different meanings and that the Lord wants us to take note. As always, use discernment, but I believe that preparing for a difficult time implies going through it, as a ship "rides out" a storm, for example. On the other hand, preparing against challenging times causes me to picture, say, a cop with his hand help up yelling "Stop!", or (not to endorse New Age stuff) Neo with his hand held up saying "No!" toward the end of "The Matrix" as he faces down bullets fired at him by agents.

 

In essence, I think the difference is between preparing in the natural and preparing supernaturally. Preparing "for" is preparation in the natural (storing food, cash, etc.) and preparing "against" is preparation in the spirit and by the Spirit. It should involve prayer, but it is using ones authority as a "believeing believer" to make declarations - for example: "I delare the truth of Psalm 91 and appropriate it, with a grateful heart, for my family, self, church, friends, etc." Another example might be: "Lord, as a believer, I apply the precious Blood of Jesus to myself, my family, etc."

 

Preparations in the natural are not precluded, but apparently God is emphasizing the need to go to Him directly as the foundational principle of preparing for getting ready for all the things that are now beginning to happen. Depending on Him is certainly a Kingdom principle! Lets remember to keep in mind, also, that God is starting to remove corrupt world systems to make way for the Kingdom of God on Earth. We could debate how this is going to happen, timing of events, etc., but it is happening! Be encouraged!

 

Bob K.