Comment: This is not your typical
prophetic word. This is a prophet clarifying the work of the prophetic to which many
of us here in the northwest are called. Understand the warfare that you are a
part of, take appropriate action, and do not let anything stop you.
Persistent
Prophetic Warfare
From
my experience there are two “branches” of Persistent Prophetic Warfare. There
is what the Persistent Prophet continually does to wage war against the forces
of darkness. And, there is what the forces of darkness continually do to wage
war against the Persistent Prophet.
Of
course, this is also generally true for ANY Child Of God. All born-again
believers WILL have to wage war against the forces of darkness – it is written
– and WILL suffer backlash and setbacks from that effort – which is also
written. There is NO escape. It is our collective reality – and God has made
this struggle plain in His Word. From God’s point of view, we are clearly to
expect – by faith – that there will be
victories, and we are also clearly warned that there will be struggle.
It
was the same for Jesus Himself.
But
I am writing about that particular subset of the overall battle called “Persistent
Prophetic Warfare.” And more importantly, about the enemy’s objective and the
tactics meant to bring Persistent Prophetic Warriors down.
The
scriptural references that apply are legion, I know you know them, so I will be
limited in using them and write more from my heart.
Let’s
assume that if you are on my email “to” list [where this article was first
published],
that I consider that you already know you have a Prophetic Call of some kind – whether
it is the primary Call on your life – a complimentary or secondary Call – or
you have intimate knowledge about or experience with those that do have a
Prophetic Call. Let’s also assume that as “experienced” prophets we have
already exhibited decades of proven experience – and have had ongoing struggle
as we have “walked out our faith.”
We have been Persistent
Prophetic Warriors.
The
enemy is not stupid. When satan sees that you are being obedient and affective
– especially long term – he will do whatever he needs to do to “take you out.” He
will also be persistent. He will continue to attack your day job, those to whom
you report to – like bosses or supervisors, your finances, family, friends,
your prophetic “vision”, your health, etc. ...even your effort to continue on
with life itself. Misunderstanding, rejection, weakness, shame, embarrassment,
disappointment, doubt, fear, and sickness may be your “familiar reality.” You
may even be called in front of legal authorities multiple times and find
yourself having to repeatedly defend yourself for things you may or may not
have actually done. Your family, friends, Christian friends, and co-workers may
question you and turn away from you many times.
At
points you may loose your prophetic vision too – as these things repeatedly
rise up to overwhelm you – and not just in ones and twos – but multiple avenues
of warfare coming against you over and over – and over long periods of time.
Effective
Prophets sometimes fight on with few friends understanding what they are doing.
Effective Prophets may feel the sting of isolation and wonder why they have so
many victories, so little recognition, and so much struggle and discouragement.
Prophets will know the Juniper Tree.
And, if Satan can’t destroy
you, he will try to distract you.
He
will try to separate you from your First Love – and divert you away from your
Calling and mission.
He
will try to keep you focused on material things: your money, house, cars,
clothes, tools, other worldly possessions, and the struggle to get and maintain
them. He will try to make work and your ministry overwhelm you: with diverted
time, an appeal to selfishly excel, and constant dissatisfactions with
procedures, policies, bosses and co-workers. He will try and disappoint you
with your family and friends. At times they will be indifferent toward you,
neglect you, and – as in my case – outright reject you. He will try and bring
fear into your life through the personal, national and international issues we
are all facing. He will attack your health, ability to rest, cause you to be
dissatisfied with your own level of fitness – and anything or everything else
about you. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Satan
will use whatever he can to separate you from the Love of Jesus, the Voice and
Power of the Holy Spirit, the Absolute Care of our Heavenly Father, and the
CALL He Himself has placed on your life.
You will have Battle Fatigue.
You will have battle fatigue. Not much fun, huh?
Hardened
combat soldiers – those who continue to wage effective war on the battlefield
against the enemy – ARE going to be the enemy’s target.
Experienced
Prophet warriors – those who continue to wage effective war against the forces
of darkness and win – ARE going to be satan’s target.
Both
are going to face exhaustion. Both are a great threat to the enemy – and the
enemy is going to direct his resources toward the greatest threat.
There
is that element of combat experience where the soldier and Prophet get to the
point that life and death, victory and defeat don’t matter.
Continue the Fight.
What
matters is continuing the fight. Because continuing the fight is right.
So,
be careful to face up to the fact that you are in this thing – Persistent
Prophetic Warfare – for the long haul – and that in a certain sense (understand
this with godly wisdom) “you” don’t matter.
What
matters is far greater than ourselves or any earthly kingdom. What matters is Jesus
and the Kingdom
of God
If
victory comes, which it most surely
will, there will come a time when your Reward is made known.
Jesus
Himself will not forget you – either in the fight or afterward.
The
Holy Spirit will continue to empower you and be your Advocate – both in the
fight and afterward.
And,
our Father will both dry your tears – and bring ultimate judgment.
As
it is written: “God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
He
Himself said that He would “neither leave us nor forsake us.”
Be
persistent.
Keep
pulling the trigger.
Unlike
combat soldiers, Prophetic Warriors have an unlimited supply of weapons and
ammunition – and our Leadership does
not fail.
Regards,
Scott
Scott Wiley Arnold
September 18, 2009
