John 2012 - Supernatural Witness to Jesus’ Resurrection
I would like to share some thoughts on the verse in John that equates to the year that we are in (John 20:12). We are approaching Ascension Day (17 May) and Shavuot/Pentecost 2012 (26 to 28 May) and this may be the time, or close to the time, when a mighty new anointing of the Holy Spirit is released through the church, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that would usher in the end-time harvest (153 fish), the Rapture of the Church and the acceleration of God’s Eternal Purposes for Israel. Doves may be interested in a letter I wrote on 17 October 2011 titled The Harvest is the End of the Age: 111+42=153. In this new letter I would like to focus on three things: the angelic witness to Mary, the resurrection miracles we weren’t told about and an Australian horse (Black Caviar).
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/oct2011/denish1017-1.htm
The Angelic Witness of the Resurrection to Mary
And she (Mary) saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain (John 20:12).
We read in John 20 about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and a woman (Mary) who went to Jesus’ tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark. Other gospels tell us that other women went with Mary, but John’s focus is on Mary Magdalene. She went and told Peter and John, and the three returned to the garden. In verse 9, we read that as yet they did not know (understand) the statement of Scripture that He must rise again from the dead. So, with some (understandable) sadness we read (in verse 10) that the disciples went back again to their homes.
But (based on John’s narrative) just one person (Mary) kept the vigil, crying outside the tomb. The angelic witness to the Resurrection came to Mary, this last person standing at the tomb, a heart that would not, could not let go of the pure love that she had found in Jesus. She looked into the tomb and saw two angels. Then she turned around, and poignantly saw Jesus standing there! (verse 13)
What did this mean to the Church then? What does it mean for the Church today?
Mary Magdalene’s heart cry initiated the supernatural/angelic witness to the resurrection of Jesus, an essential link in the chain that led to His appearing to other disciples and the birth of the Church on the Day of Pentecost. Pentecost is the immersion of disciples in the Holy Spirit, the full release of the Resurrection Life of Jesus.
· There’s something (else) about Mary: in Mark 16:9 we read that He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons. On the Day of Pentecost, Mary was baptised in/filled with the seven fold Holy Spirit (her total being immersed in the love of Jesus Christ).
Around 1867 years later another woman (Agnes N Ozman) in a far country from Jerusalem/Israel asked for hands to be lain on her to receive the Holy Spirit. This happened around midnight on 1 January 1901. She began to speak in the Chinese language and supernaturally wrote in Chinese characters. Others in the group also spoke in unknown tongues. In time the Asuza Street rerival was born and spread quickly across the world (see link below).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnes_Ozman
While we long for the Rapture, is there another Mary or John praying that will be the catalyst for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Church and the end-time harvest (salvation of souls)? Has He kept the best wine for last? The gate of grace may be closing, but He is the One who is the Closer. The Rapture is much closer than most of sleeping church realises, but in His grace the harvest of 153 fish may be imminent.
The Resurrection Signs/Miracles that we were not told about
There are also many other signs and miracles which Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book (John 20:30)
Why hold back on telling of these miracles? Perhaps because it is enough to know Him, and the power of His Resurrection, for our faith to be based on Who He is, not the specific signs and miracles that Jesus did behind closed doors 2000 years ago. More importantly, I believe that there are resurrection signs and miracles that are prepared for the end-time harvest, and will be released through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through the Church.
The Pathway to and from John 20:12
I have found great richness in meditating on these latter chapters of John, especially chapters 17 to 21. In the garden of pain (17) Jesus prayed a great high priestly prayer (that they may be one). In John 18:1 we read that He crossed the winter torrent of the Kidron (the point of no return) into the garden where He was betrayed and taken to be crucified. The 18th and 19th chapters tell of the preparation for His crucifixion, and His death on the cross. Then the light of His resurrection emerges, with many signs behind closed doors. And in the final chapter we see Him openly appearing to the disciples on the beach. The Resurrection Voice of Jesus told them how to fish, and the great harvest (153 fish) was caught in the net. What a panorama! But the Church must find a fresh and deep touch of Calvary if this end-time harvest is to be gathered (that is, John 18 and 19 come between Jesus’ prayer in chapter 17, His Resurrection Life and the harvest).
An Australian Horse (Black Caviar) - Sign or Coincidence?
It is rare for a horse to become a household name, especially for those who do not follow horse racing. This happened with the famous Phar Lap in 1928 to 1932. More recently another horse has been sprinting across Australia - (from Wikipedia) Black Caviar (foaled 18 August 2006) is an undefeated Australian Thoroughbred racehorse (across 20 races), considered to be the best sprinter in the world. It will run in its 21st Australian race on 12 May 2012 (Goodwood Stakes in Adelaide) - it will run from barrier eight (Resurrection!) Black Caviar will then head overseas, including for the (Queen’s) Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on 23 June 2012.
This may be just a coincidence, or it may be one more sign that revival is about to break like the dawn (Morning was already breaking when Jesus came to the beach and stood there - John 21:4). Black Caviar’s races mirror the 21 chapters of John - we need to focus on these vital end chapters in John, including the harvest in chapter 21, and the pivotal verse: John 2012. Are we on the threshold of an angelic/supernatural witness to this revival - the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon ALL FLESH!
The Gospel of John has no Amen - perhaps many more books about the Resurrection Life and Power of Jesus are about to be written, including the last chapter of the life of the Church here on Earth (and each one of us as a member of His Body!).
And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written (John 21:25)
Maranatha! Denis