The Miracle of Chanukah

          This Festival in the Jewish calendar last 8 days and is always in December around this time of year. It is called the Feast of Dedications or sometimes referred to as the Festival of Lights. It started over 2,300 years ago in the land of Judea, modern day Israel.
          During the 2nd century the oppressor was the Syrian King Antiochus IV Epiphanes (a forerunner of the Anti-Christ, foretold in Daniel 11:21) who attempted to force the Jewish people to assimilate into the Greek culture outlawing all Jewish religious observance. Eventually the Maccabees
defeated Anticochus’ armies and the Jewish people reclaimed their inheritance and restored their ways.
          In December of 164 BC the Jewish fighters made their way back into Jerusalem and found their Holy Temple had been defiled and desecrated by the foreign armies. The enemy had defiled the Holy Temple by offering a sow (pig) on the altar and raising up in the Sanctuary a statue to Zeus.
          As depicted in the First Book of Maccabees (a respected historical account of Jewish history found in the Apocrypha), a revolt was launched by the priest Mattathias and later led by his son Yehuda (Judas) Maccabee. Thus the work of cleansing the Temple of the pagan idols begun followed by a Rededication of the Temple of the Lord on the 25th Day of Kislev.

A Miracle within a Miracle

          When it came time to light once again the Menorah, or Lampstand of the Lord in the Temple, there was only found one small jar of sacred oil for the burning of the fire in the Lampstand. Miraculously, the small jar of oil burned for eight days, until a new supply of oil arrived. It was viewed as an authentic miracle! From then on, Jewish people everywhere have observed this holiday for eight days and nights in honor of the historic victory and the miracle of the ever burning oil.

          This is known as the miracle of Chanukah! This is the Festival of Lights which is now observed by the lighting of a special Chanukah menorah with eight branches (plus a servant candle), adding one new candle each night.


          In the New Testament, you might recall the story of Jesus, Yeshua, when He was at the Temple for the celebration. "At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon" (John 10:22-23).

I personally love celebrating Chanukah knowing that my Messiah Jesus honored the Jewish traditions during his physical time on earth! I have personally observed this Festival in my own home over many years. So why shouldn’t we?

Our Applications in Prayer

          In our Global Prayer Storm this week, let’s remember Hanukkah and let’s call forth for the “light of the world” to shine in each of our homes. Let’s also call forth the multiplication of oil in our own lives. It is also a time to recall God’s miraculous provision in history past knowing we can rely on Him in our own lives, families, ministries and congregations for His unlimited supply today! So let’s observe the Feast of Lights as Jesus did and call forth His abundant supply for our needs today! Amen and Amen!

Humbly Submitted,

James W. Goll




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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from me to you this Holiday Season!

www.EncountersNetwork.com

          This past Saturday I had the privilege to be Santa for a few hours at the Nashville Rescue Mission for a Global Wide Event called, Help Portrait. The goal of this event was to first and formost love on the poor.  I believe God's heart was truly shown to all who attended. Not only was there Santa, but there were also make-up artists, hair dressers, photographers, musicians, and several other volunteers who gathered together to love and give to our community. 

          This holiday season I challenge you to think twice about "Christmas" and be Jesus to those around you. Ponder on the Beatitudes...

Matthew 5:3-12

He said:

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

May He be the center of our every day!

James W. Goll

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My Response to the U.S. Elections

Understanding the Nature of the Prophetic

          A few weeks ago, pivotal national elections were held in the United States, which will have major long term affects. The nation is extremely divided at this crucial juncture being polarized on every major moral issue, foreign policy and ideologies of economic reform.
          I do believe more prayer ascended to the Lord for these elections than any in my personal lifetime. When you combine events like America for Jesus, David’s Tent in DC, the Reformation Prayer Network, other ministries and churches with special prayer emphasis, people doing 40-day fasts, and much more, it amounted to possibly the greatest volume of prayer I have ever witnessed.
          It can be argued though that what proceeded was not the deepest forms of prayer including repentance expressed by an actual turning from our sinful ways as a nation towards an authentic seeking of God. That statement would be true as well. But all prayer counts. As Dutch Sheets stated, “Finally, I want to address the question, “Were the efforts and prayers of those who did offer them simply wasted?” The answer is a resounding NO!” I totally agree.
          Two statements giving thought provoking perspectives that I whole-heartedly endorse are by those by Dutch Sheets of Christ for the Nations - Response to the Presidential Elections of 2012 and another by my friend Steve Fry of Messenger Fellowship - The Election: The View From A Higher Altitude.  I would love to quote from both of these articles, but for sake a space and time I will simply need to refer you to these balanced and scripturally centered responses.

LET’S GET REAL!

          Apparently, several leaders across America declared that Mitt Romney would win the elections. I was not aware of the volume of words from various leaders until after the fact. Some wrongly suppose that all these leaders know each other, take consultation together, and that all prophets and apostles agree with one another. Some wrongly suppose that there is one giant clearing house where all prophetic words are submitted and judged. It is just not the case. It is my belief, that actualized authority is only exercised where there is authentic relationship.
          There is as much diversity in the apostolic and prophetic movements globally and nationally today as there is diversity in the pastoral expressions in the local church. Each has a piece and we need each other. But we do have a dilemma on our hands, especially in the prophetic movement, as we are supposed to be “speaking in behalf of the Lord”.
          Recently, I became aware of the many sincere efforts of different believer’s trying to make sense of the discrepancy between the prophetic words and the results of the national elections. I have thus found that there still exists a good deal of confusion on “how to receive and respond to prophetic ministry.”
          This has resulted in the tossing in of a little bit of my word mixed in with parts of other people’s revelations making a jumbled concoction. We all know, I went out on the limb when I released my word, “When the Nation is Throw a Curve.” I purposefully put multiple perimeters around my presentation. There are very few “declarative words” that happen no matter what. Most words are “invitations” with stated or unstated conditions that must be met to unlock the prophetic promise.
          Some people have lifted some of my words out of context. That is immature at best and or even wrong. But it is equally wrong not to be accountable for your public statements.  I cannot take responsibility for what people do with public statements. I equally cannot respond concerning the words released by others that are not within my relational sphere, but I do stand in accountability for what I stated.
          Let’s review a portion of the word I released on 10/17/12. Please note the qualifiers I put around my word from 2008 concerning the man with a “big mitt”. The following is one section of my presentation.

AT THE CROSS ROADS OF HISTORY

          Let me give a word of perspective. We are not voting for a pastor or an elder or deacon of a church. This is not the next “senior pastoral selection committee”. There are many views and I value interaction, discussion and educated dialogue. Let me also be clear and state, I did not say who would win the national election. We have a free choice and God honors that. But He always offers us a choice.
          As I have stated earlier, I have “wrestled with this word and it has wrestled with me”. I have pondered deeply if I should even share the word at all publicly  I understand about praying revelation and at times not sharing your word with others. I have privately prayed more words than I have given in public. I have taught this realm for years and these truths are contained in my book The Prophetic Intercessor.
          But being that we are in such a crisis of a crossroads in this nation, I for one cannot remain silent. I cannot let this word go unspoken. The Holy Spirit gave a confirmation to it to give me confidence. I have pondered and prayed thru this issue. I have made a decision to dare to be bold enough to share my subjective revelatory experience with you.
          The New Testament says to, “Test all things and hold fast to that which is good.” But please, whatever you do, do not be apathetic in this hour. Get informed, even at this last minute, pray and seek the face of God and put works to your faith and VOTE!
          This is our American liberty that men and women have fought and died for – the right for the voice of the people to be heard. I urge you – shake yourself off! Arise and make a difference. But this I do know: When the nation is thrown a curve ball . . . He has a plan!

THE REALITY CHECK

          Some say there was voter fraud that threw the election. Some state that elections are a reflection of the state of the church in the nation. Some say there was not enough prayer. Some are wrenching their hands in worry and fear. Some are into a big blame shift game. But let’s take a REALITY CHECK on the situation.
          There was less votes cast for Governor Romney in 2012 than there were for Senator McCain in 2008. Their opponent was the same man – President Barak Obama. What does that in reality say? Let me be blunt for a moment. Faith without works is dead!
          It could mean that a whole lot of people were apathetic, disillusioned and did not vote according to biblical morality. It says that the conservative traditionalist did not rally to the poll (or are shrinking in numbers), that the progressive liberal party probably had a better ground game and that the ideology of moderacy is now the popular sport of the era.
          S. D. Gordon was the one that stated, “You can do more than pray, after you have prayed. But you cannot do more then pray until you’ve prayed.” Sounds like we had a lot of prayer and less action. Years ago Dr. Cho of Korea stated about the American Church, “There is a lot of talkie, talkie. But it’s time for a lot of walkie, walkie.” All I can say is AMEN to that! Or how about a cry for MERCY!
          We need a severe reality check. Was it judgment? Was it God’s sovereign will? It appears to me that God honors our authority structure of democracy and the exercise of free choice. Could it simply be that we did not put enough feet to our prayers?

PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROPHETIC

          The prophetic ways of God with man and man with God are often like an old time taffy pull. We tend to pull the revelation this way and that, twist it and turn it, until it seems to fit our current understanding what we think God said. It is the soulish human nature of man to interpret what you want out of something and then attempt to do with it what you desire. But let me back up and give a review on some basic understanding of the prophetic.
          Prophetic words are partial, conditional and progressive in nature. As stated earlier, most words are invitations and very few are automatic declarations. Responses such as repentance, faith, action steps, intercession and other applications are the keys that unlock promise revealed to promise fulfilled. I in no way am trying to excuse our state of immaturity or align on the other side of the ditch with the accuser of the brethren.
          I just think it is time to GROW UP! Let’s not shift the blame. Let’s be responsible. According to Romans 13 and I Peter 2, let’s “honor those in authority”. Let’s yet believe that according to Romans 8:28, “that all things work together for good”.

LET”S REAFFIRM!

          Let’s reaffirm that we are in the beginning stages of a Great Awakening – a grand global people movement that will ultimately lead to authentic reformation and transformation of society. Let’s continue to pray! Let’s continue to declare, “The best is yet to come!”

          Let’s learn some valuable lessons and press on. I have not given up on this great country. When the nation has been thrown a curve ball, God still has a plan!

Sincerely,

James W. Goll

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When the Nation Been Thrown a Curve Ball

WHEN THE NATION

IS THROWN A CURVE BALL

In early 2008, when the U. S. Presidential primaries were in full swing, I was given a visitation from the Lord. It was one I did not fully understand at the time. On the Republican side of the political aisle, John McCain had not yet secured his nomination from his party and Barak Obama was still in a heated debate with Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side of the ticket. Much was at stake and eventually; Barak Obama was elected President in the United States national elections close to four years ago.

A CONFIRMATION COMES

What I am about to share is to be discerned and prayed over – as is the case in all revelatory experiences. It was only in recent months, after I relistened to a recorded word given to me by a trusted prophet in January 2010 that I realized the magnitude of the word given directly to me by the Holy Spirit. This prophetic person stated that I had been given a visitation in early 2008 that was for the country that was governmental in nature. I had thought it was for then, but the Lord said it was a word for what was about to come.

When I received the word in January 2008, I wrongly interpreted the message. I thought, “Oh that is about my visitation to start Prayer Storm – the hour that changes the world.” I thought – that is a great confirmation! Only in recent months when I relistened to the word recorded on my phone, I realized my commissioning encounter to start PRAYER STORM was in April 2007 not 2008!  So my interpretation was wrong. I was left musing.

So I searched thru my materials and realized, “I did have a visitation in early 2008. It was governmental in nature and for the United States of America.” (Maybe my getting it wrong and then getting it right will encourage some of the rest of you in your 3-stage journey of revelation – interpretation – application!)

THE BACKGROUND

        I was alone sleeping in a downstairs room in my home in Franklin, TN. Michal Ann was still with us at the time though very ill with her long fought battle with cancer. We had round the clock home caregivers with her whether in our bedroom, hospital and rehabilitation unit. We slept the last two years of her dear life a part, as she was constantly being taken cared for.

So I was desperate and seeking the Lord that night in this little hide away room down in our basement. That night the Lord gave me a vivid dream followed by a waking vision and an experience where the external audible voice of the Lord came to me.

VISITATION FROM EARLY 2008

            In the dream, I saw the nation on a teeter-totter tipping back and forth going to and fro – with great instability. We were going up and down and up and down and it seemed there was no relief is sight. The United States was reeling from fatigue of wars, corruption and economic uncertainty.

         Then the voice of the Lord came in the dream, “Liberalism will reign for a season in the land and then it will become popular for moderarcy to rule which could ultimately lead to true conservatism.” (It was not the word I honestly wanted to hear from the Holy Spirit at the time but it came very succinctly to me anyway. Sometimes, we have to remove our own preconceived prejudices with our tainted filters to be able perceive a clear word from the Lord.)

         Suddenly was awakened from the dream and the basement room was tangibly filled with the presence of destiny. I then saw in the seer realm a “baseball game in action”. A young pitcher was throwing a ball to the plate with great force and seeming agility. It was a curve ball that appears to be a strike but instead it was not a ball for the batter not to swing at. Another player was squatted behind the plate with a huge catcher’s mitt. He caught the off target ball as it pounded into his glove.

Then the external voice of the Lord came to me saying, “When the nation has been thrown a curve ball, I will have a man prepared who comes from the state of Michigan and he will have a big mitt capable of catching whatever is thrown his way.”

HEARING A HARD WORD!

Strange word. I did not understand it except for the sequence – liberalism to moderarcy to the possibility of true conservatism.  I have “wrestled with this word and it has wrestled with me”. I remember even being in the state of Massachusetts at a church not long after this encounter, squatting to the ground and acting out the word about the Lord preparing a man from Michigan who would have a big Mitt! Mercy! Some liked what they heard and some did not. I was a bit clueless.

I thought it was for then – 2008 – and I guess part it was. Liberalism has ruled in the nation for the past four years. Some cheer this as a great success and other bemoan this as a disaster. Whatever your view, it has come to pass. Liberalism, unlike any recent time in modern American history, has ruled the land in the past four years.

But the Lord said there would be a man prepared who would come from the state of Michigan who would have a “big mitt”. Little did I know at that time that Mitt Romney – former Governor of Massachusetts, was born in the state of Michigan. Little did I know, when I received this in 2008, that he would win his parties primary for the 2012 national elections!

AT THE CROSS ROADS OF HISTORY

Let me give a word of perspective. We are not voting for a pastor or an elder or deacon of a church. This is not the next “senior pastoral selection committee”. There are many views and I value interaction, discussion and educated dialogue. Let me also be clear and state, I did not say who would win the national election. We have a free choice and God honors that. But He always offers us a choice.

As I have stated earlier, I have “wrestled with this word and it has wrestled with me”. I have pondered deeply if I should even share the word at all publically. I understand about praying revelation and at times not sharing your word with others. I have privately prayed more words than I have given in public. I have taught this realm for years and these truths are contained in my book The Prophetic Intercessor.

But being that we are in such a crisis of a crossroads in this nation, I for one cannot remain silent. I cannot let this word go unspoken. The Holy Spirit gave a confirmation to it to give me confidence. I have pondered and prayed thru this issue. I have made a decision to dare to be bold enough to share my subjective revelatory experience with you.

The New Testament says to, “Test all things and hold fast to that which is good.” But please, whatever you do, do not be apathetic in this hour. Get informed, even at this last minute, pray and seek the face of God and put works to your faith and VOTE!

This is our American liberty that men and women have fought and died for – the right for the voice of the people to be heard. I urge you – shake yourself off! Arise and make a difference. But this I do know: When the nation is thrown a curve ball . . . He has a plan!

Humbly Submitted,

James W. Goll

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Crisis Looming in the Middle East

     For over a decade I have been declaring in many gatherings in many great cities of the earth: "While all eyes would be on Iran, to watch Syria. Iran will pose great threat, but the imminent danger to Israel's security would arise out of Syria." I have warned of chemical and biological weapons being stored up in this rogue nation and how they would attempt to export them to their puppet regime of Lebanon. I have seen this multiple times in dreams. But I also believe that prayer changes things! 

     Sometimes I have grace and faith to pray that what I see does not occur. Sometimes I sense grace to intervene. Other times, like many of you, I have called forth the "Shields of the Lord to Arise" and protect Israel. At one point I called forth for 91 Days of Prayer for the Homeland Prayer Initiative to protect the borders of the United States of America. Sometimes I have sensed things are "out of God's appointed time table" and to call forth angels from heaven into the earth realm to hem in the demonic enemy. Sometimes I sense the clock is ticking according to God's prophetic calendar and in the midst of turmoil, His purposes are coming forth.

     In the fall of 1987 an angel of the Lord visited me and declared to me times of great distress would come to the Persian Gulf. In that angelic visitation when we lived in south Kansas City, MO, I was given the exact dates of both Gulf War invasions in 1991 and 2003. I was assigned by the Lord to be a "Crisis Intercessor" for the entire month of February, 1991 when there would be a "ground engagement" in the land of Iraq. I took my place and I did my part along with others around the world. 

     Later, I saw in the Spirit that Syria would conspire a scheme of invading the Golan Heights as things would heat up and temporarily go "out of control in the Middle East." Years ago the Holy Spirit spoke to me about the fall of 2012 (5773) and how things would heat up and spill over into an eruption in 2013. I have meditated on Psalm 83 where it says, "The Nations will conspire to wipe Israel off the face of the earth to be remembered no more." I have written and spoken on Psalm 83 for the past decade. Like many of you, I have logged many personal hours over the years being up the middle of the night to "watch to see what the Lord would speak."

The Countdown to Zechariah Twelve

     In January of 2004, the Lord woke me up in the middle of the night and said, Watchman, tell me, what do you see? I looked up and in a visionary experience saw a clock that was not there in the natural, hanging on the bedroom wall. The time on the clock read 11:53 p.m. and above the 12 were the letters “Zech.” The Holy Spirit then said, Watchman, tell me, what do you hear? Then suddenly the external, audible voice of the Lord came: It is the countdown to Zechariah 12.

     I rested in the presence of God for a while and did not move until His manifest presence withdrew. Then I turned on the light and read Zechariah 12. It is the most amazing chapter, all about a city named Jerusalem. Let’s read a portion of it together:

     The burden of the word of the Lord concerning Israel. Thus declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundations of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” . . .

     “In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them. And . . . I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.” Zechariah 12:1–3, 8–10

     The countdown to Zechariah 12 is on. I never have stated that  this would happen in the next seven minutes, seven years or even seventy years. What I do know is that God’s prophetic clock is moving toward a kairos moment when God’s plan for Jerusalem will be consummated. This is the final countdown!

     God has a Road Map, and it points toward Zechariah 12:10. It is easy to identify with Zechariah 12:3 as we hear about the nations coming against Jerusalem. But read further and you will see that Zechariah 12:10 declares that God will “pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and they will look upon the One whom they pierced and will mourn.” Let’s arise and pray for Israel’s destiny and that of the entire Middle East!

Romans 11 through Isaiah 53

     Since that revelatory encounter those many years ago, I have pondered on the time shown on the clock—11:53. Perhaps it is something like this: Romans 11 will be fulfilled through Isaiah 53. Romans 11—“all Israel will be saved”—will be fulfilled by a revelation of the Suffering Messiah in Isaiah 53.

     Romans 11:12 speaks of how the Jewish people’s rejection of their Messiah has brought salvation to the Gentiles. Paul says, “[If] their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!” Romans 11:15 goes on to say, “For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”

     What do you think “life from the dead” looks like? Zechariah 14:5, 8–9 and 11 gives us a glimpse of that day:

     Then the Lord, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him! . . . And in that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem. . . . And the Lord will be king over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one. . . . People will live in [Jerusalem], and there will no longer be a curse, for Jerusalem will dwell in security.

     The Father will reward His Son, the Messiah, for His sufferings. The salvation of Israel is a key component of that reward, and the Father will not do without it. If we are going to align ourselves with the God of Israel, we are going to have to align ourselves with His covenants and His prophetic promises of the salvation of the Jews and the restoration of Jerusalem.

     It is not difficult to find political analysts, historians, reporters and even theologians ready to explain their theories and share commentary on Israel’s current state of affairs. But despite the abundance of opinions and strong feelings, the future of Israel still remains a mystery to most of the world. Paul, the apostle and bond slave of the Lord Jesus Christ, did not want believers to be uninformed of this mystery or to be wise in their own estimation concerning Israel (see Romans 11:25). The Holy Spirit through Paul made a number of very clear points in Romans 11.

     Despite what it may look like, Israel has not fallen so far from God that they can never return. In fact, their falling away was ordained by God as a measure of grace to us, the Gentiles. Paul said it this way: “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit” (Galatians 3:14, niv).

     The Gentiles are being embraced by the Jewish Messiah in part to make Jews jealous (see Romans 11:11). Gentiles are not “natural branches” on God’s family tree, but rather “wild olive shoots” who must recognize that they have been grafted in. God’s plan is to graft the “natural branches” into their own olive tree once again (see Romans 11:24), resulting in the reality that “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26).

God Has a Grand Plan!

     We must not be wise in our own estimation when it comes to Israel or be uninformed of this mystery. Romans 11:25 says that, “A partial hardening has happened to Israel until—” 

     Until what? Maybe you have read this verse many times. Have you realized that the word until is the key word in this passage? “A partial hardening has happened to Israel until—” That means there is a point in time when the hardening will be removed. That time is when “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25).

     What does the fullness of the Gentiles look like? Perhaps it deals in part with the day Jerusalem was released from Gentile control and restored to Israeli rule in 1967. But knowing the God that we serve, this probably does not deal only with land but with hearts as well.

     What Gentile people group would, in the minds of most people, be the most unlikely to come to faith in the Jewish Messiah? Would it not be the Islamic people? What if the Holy Spirit moved powerfully upon a remnant of the Islamic people and they turned away from their false god to serve the Jewish Messiah? What if a movement of God fell upon them with the signs and wonders of an apostolic dimension, and they were grafted in as wild olive shoots to the Master’s tree? Talk about pricking the Jewish heart to jealousy!*

     What I do know is God has a Road Map, and it is different from the international Quartets Road Map.  God has a grand plan and ultimately His will shall be done!

(*Note: Part of this is an excerpt from my book Praying for Israel’s Destiny published with Chosen Books.)

A Watchman for Such a Time As This!

James W. Goll

www.jamesgoll.com 

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The Start of the Forth Wave

For a few years I have been meditating on the principles of “Catching and Surviving every Wave of the Holy Spirit” while yet staying grounded in the main and the plain of the doctrines of the historical church. There have been numerous movements of the Holy Spirit through out our wonderful church history: The Great Reformation, the First and the Second Great Awakenings, the Pietism and Holiness Movement, the Student Volunteer Movement, the Pentecostal Outpouring, the Latter Rain and Healing and Deliverance Movements and even in more recent times, Evangelical and Charismatic movements and many others.

Every wave of the Holy Spirit has restored truths to the larger body of Christ and often even birthed entire new denominations and or ministries. The first mention of the Holy Spirit is that “He moved upon the face of the deep” (Genesis 1:2). So going by the Law of First Mention in Biblical Interpretation, we can say it is the “nature of the Holy Spirit to move and keep on moving”.

I have seen or experienced the following expressions of the Christian faith in my own span of 60 years: Evangelical, Charismatic, Jesus People, Discipleship, Word of Faith, Third Wave, Global Worship and Prayer emphasis, then shifting into the Prophetic Movement and the New Apostolic Reformation. Within each of these tidal waves there have been the contributing revival peaks such as the Korean Church Growth, Argentine Outpouring, the Chinese Underground Church Movement, the Cell Church explosion with its many expressions, the Toronto Blessing, Brownsville Revival and many other contributing tributaries.

Three Recognized Waves in the 21^st Century

             The Third Wave is a term was coined in the early 1980’s to describe the recent historical working of the Holy Spirit in the global Body of Christ. It is part of a larger movement called the "neocharismatic" movement. The Third Wave involved those Christians who have received Pentecostal-like experiences; however, those who identified with this movement often claimed no association with either the Pentecostal or the previous Charismatic movements.

•                The “First Wave" occurred at the beginning of the twentieth century with the rise of the Pentecostal movement, arising in Topeka, Kansas in 1901 with Charles Parham and shifting to the Azusa Street Revival in 1906 with William Seymour, Frank Bartleman and others. This gave birth to many classical Pentecostal denominations such as the Assemblies of God, Church of God, Four Square, Church of God in Christ, Pentecostal Holiness, Open Bible and various other Pentecostal streams.

                  Other revival movements came on the shores in various parts of the earth as in Wales under young Evan Roberts, Shantung, China with Bertha Smith, and the Hebrides Islands with Duncan Campbell and many other lands.

                   

•                The “Second Wave" occurred during the 1960’s as the Charismatic Movement spread throughout mainline protestant denominations, as well as the Roman Catholic Church. The Full Gospel Business Men’s, Women’s Aglow International, the Discipleship and Word of Faith movements were also expressions of this massive global wave.

        A parallel movement, based on the West Coast of the United States, was the birthing ground of the Jesus People Movement with the signs and wonders of Lonnie Frisbee and teacher Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel. Contemporary music had its debut with Maranatha Music leading the way with a host of other expressions following in it’s amazing trail.

•                The “Third Wave" occurred during the mid 1980’s and into 1990’s and was associated with leaders such as John Wimber of the Vineyard Movement along with others such as Peter Wagner of the Church Growth Institute and Fuller Seminary, James Robison amongst the Baptist Fullness Movement and many significant voices of integrity with sound theology such as Jack Deere and many others.

Movements In Life Time

In 1960, in Van Nuys, California, the modern Charismatic movement began in an Episcopalian Church (St. Mark's, with Dennis Bennett as rector). There was an outburst of tongues speaking in this church. This event was so significant that both Time and Newsweek covered the story. After that, the movement spread like wildfire in the Episcopalian and Anglican Church and then among Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists and other main line denominations as well.



At the time of spring vacation in 1967, there were in the Notre Dame area about 30 zealous Catholics who had received the "baptism of the Holy Spirit." In 1970, the increase was more spectacular. Almost 1,300 attended the conference, including Catholics from Canada. In 1973, 22,000 Catholic Charismatics met together at Notre Dame, including Catholic participants from at least 10 foreign countries. By 1974, the Notre Dame conference was attended by 30,000 people.  It simply grew and grew.

The Charismatic Conference on Renewal in the Christian Churches was held in Kansas City in the summer of 1977. I was a young leader in the Jesus People Movement in attendance at this grand event. I will never forget the spontaneous praise that broke out for over 20 minutes as Bob Mumford declared, “I looked at the back of the Book, and guess what? We win!” It was an electrifying moment!

All three wings of the Pentecostal movement were present: (1) Classical Pentecostals; (2) Protestant Charismatics; and (3) Catholic Charismatics. This was the biggest and most inclusive gathering of "baptized in the Spirit believers" in modern history. There were nearly 50,000 participants in this 5-day historic conference.

The Signs and Wonders Movement

The Fuller Seminarian C. Peter Wagner first coined the term “Third Wave” in 1983: "I see historically that we're now in the third wave. The first wave of the moving of the Holy Spirit began at the beginning of the century with the Pentecostal movement. The second wave was the charismatic movement, which began in the fifties in the major denominations. Both of those waves continue today. I see the third wave of the eighties as an opening of the straight-line evangelicals and other Christians to the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that the Pentecostals and charismatics have experienced, but without becoming either charismatic or Pentecostal. I think we are in a new wave of something that now has lasted almost through our whole century" (Peter Wagner, "The Third Wave?" Pastoral Renewal, July-August 1983, pp. 1-5).

I also had the honor of crossing over into this Third Wave emphasis after being a participant in both the charismatic and Jesus People ripples, as I had the honor of being a part of the leadership of Metro Christian (later Vineyard) Fellowship led by Mike Bickle in the Heartland of the U. S. It was a time of the mingling of the anointing of “Compassion and Worship” of the Vineyard with the “Prophetic and Intercession” of the Kansas City Prophets. Multiple streams of the Prophetic Movement emerged quickly in many locations and continue to flourish to this day. This in turn was succeeded by another step of restoration that some refer to as the New Apostolic Reformation with many diverse global networks and expressions.

         The Beginning of the 4^th Wave

In the spring of 2011, I was given a vivid dream in which John Wimber was the central figure.  This great Third Wave leader had though already graduated to his heavenly reward in 1997. This musical minister was one of the greatest statesmen who moved in authentic power in recent church history. In this prophetic dream, the Holy Spirit used John Wimber as a representational voice of the Third Wave. I was told that the purpose for that movement had now subsided and that it was time for another wave to roll in upon the scene of global church history.

A conversation with the Holy Spirit unfolded and it was explained to me that the previous waves included renewal, revival and empowering of the Holy Spirit and aspects of restoration. It was shared with me though that there was a “fresh movement” now emerging on the world scene that would include all of the previous ingredients of the earlier movements as it was a time of the Convergence of the Ages. I heard, “It is time for the 4^th Wave to crash upon the course of history.”

This 4^th Wave would be one marked by Transformation.  Recently, I shared with you how in July 2012, I was given a vision showing California as a womb for the Body of Christ in my encounter called Come Again Holy Spirit.  Please take notice, that the previous 3 Waves came from or had great influence in California. So would it also be with this new 4^th Wave. It is and will have great impact in California but be global in nature. Some of our older leaders in the Body of Christ would now be free to graduate to their heavenly reward while others with youthful and teachable hearts would be invited to be the fathers and grandfathers and mothers and grandmothers as “Reformational Architects”.

The 4^th Wave emphasizes societal change by channeling these empowered believers to impact the 7 Cultural Mountains of Religion, Government, Education, Business, Family, Media, and the Arts and Entertainment.  Fresh intercessory strategies will now arise for effective ministry in the Market Place. The supernatural power of the Holy Spirit will not be able to be contained within the “four walls of the church” but rather explode into every sphere of life. Apostolic hubs in numerous cities of the earth will emerge each with distinct spheres of influence releasing rippling supernatural effects.

For now, I will push a pause button and bring a third installment of this unfolding vision of the future called A Door to the Harvest in one of later weekly installments. But let it be known, From the Desk that I Sit From, the Fourth Great Wave has begun!

With Happy Anticipation,

James W. Goll

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A Tribute to a Proverbs 31 Woman

One of the greatest honors I have ever had in my life time, was to be married for 32 ½ years to the only woman I have ever loved – Michal Ann Goll. She was my prize, my joy, the one that lightened my load with her disarming laugh and cheerful demeanor. She was my angel. She was my friend. I never laughed, cried or prayed with anyone as much as I did with my Annie.

I remember in May of 1975 when I went on a morning walk and I was conversing with the Holy Spirit out loud. I asked the Lord the famous question, “Who’s for me?” To my amazement, He responded as clearly to me that day as if you were speaking to me. He said, “Ann Willard.” I said “Who?” “He said Ann Willard.”

I persisted and curiously asked again, “Who is for me?” The Lord responded so gently and yet firmly, “Ann Willard. Not only that, but you will be outwardly engaged by September and will marry on the following May 15^th.” I liked what I heard and that was that. God spoke, I believed it and it came to pass just like He said.

And That Was That!

We had never been on a date, never really did. But sure enough, by July we were attending Bible Studies together and by September we were outwardly engaged. And yes, by the following May 15^th, 1976, we were married. Amazing when you look back on it. Our life together was marked by the voice of the cooing dove of God.

So the 15^th is one of those significant dates in my life. On another 15^th, of September 2008, my darling and the mother of our four miracle kids, slipped through the very thin veil and graduated to be with the lover of her soul – Jesus. She has been worshipping before His throne now for the last 4 years.

My Personal Musings

Sometime I journal and ask intriguing questions…. “Have you seen the four living creatures? What are they really like?” “What is your mansion like? Have you visited with those in your Heroes Hall of Fame that you wrote about in your Women on the Frontlines trilogy?”

They say the pain subsides as time goes by. You pick up the pieces and just move on…. But time does not heal, only God does. I miss watching her shake her head and roll her brown eyes and simply say, “Now Jim!”

While I still have some strides to make in moving forward in dealing with grief and loss, there is one thing I know for sure.  I am one of the most grateful men on the planet - cause few have ever had the honor I have had – to be married to Michal Ann Willard Goll and have four miracle children together: Justin, GraceAnn, Tyler and Rachel.

As a Tribute to a Proverbs 31 Woman, I wanted to bring before you once again a portion of her hand written will and testament.

Last Will and Testament of Michal Ann Goll

         I, Michal Ann Goll, being of sound mind and deposing of memory do make and publish this Last Will and Testament.

         It has been my goal and desire to love the Lord with all my heart all the days of my life. My desire is to leave with my family, friends and ministry partners a challenge to always love and honor God with all your life. I request that you not forget the poor that Jesus died for and that you carry on my ministry of Compassion Acts to the world.

         Michal Ann Goll

We love you Annie! We miss you so much! But we are carrying on and the family is growing. So today I thank the Lord once again for one of the most authentic Christians I ever met – my late wife, Michal Ann Willard Goll. Thank you Lord, for speaking to me that spring morning in May 1975!

In Loving Memory,

James W. Goll