Something happened in the world on January 1, 2022; right after the last minute of the last night of 2021; but many people in our world do not know about it yet. It was not on the news – radio, television, or print media. Journalists did not report it because they did not know anything like that happened. Network of State Intelligence did not get signals about this. It did not trend on social media as there was no video or pictures to share. What was it? There was a silent announcement of a power-shift. “Heaven has taken over”. The seat of power has shifted to heaven. The rulers of this world do not know about this yet. They are in ca Sqdeep sleep and dreaming. They still believe they are in charge. They will make laws and demands from citizens as usual; but some of their demands and laws are now beyond their powers. The sons of Light, by the knowledge of the Most High, will defy the rulers of the world out of allegiance to the King of kings. The rulers will soon realize they are losing control and will fight to prove they are in change; but it will not change anything. They have three options: (1) acknowledge the King of kings and change their decrees, (2) surrender and keep shut in shame and defeat, (3) fight on and get crushed. This is not a dream; it is not the fabrication of any man’s mind; it’s reality. Heaven has taken over. Heaven rules!
In the fourth chapter of the book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar told his experience of his humiliation by God; for the pride of his heart. He had a dream of a great tree in the midst of the earth. The tree, by reason of its great branches, had become shelter for birds of the air and kinds of beasts. Then there was a command to cut down the tree and leave its stump to the dew. Then a voice spoke of what should happen to the stump of the tree as if it was a man. Daniel interpreted the king’s dream. The king was the tree decreed to be cut down and humiliated until he turns to respect God. Daniel told him what to do to avert the impending judgment. He did not listen. Pride goes before a fall. His heart was lifted up because of the greatness of his kingdom. The decree against him was executed. He became insane and beastly. He was driven from his place. He lived with animals under the shine and dew of heaven until the seasons had passed and until he realized his error and acknowledged the dominion of heaven. Nebuchadnezzar was humiliated and judged for the pride of his heart. In the fourth seven years of the 21st century, some arrogant world leaders are going to experience a sudden and humiliating loss of power. Their pride is going to cause their fall.
In the fourth chapter of the book of Acts, Peter and John were called to defend themselves before the rulers, for healing a lame man and for preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They were told to quit preaching the name of Jesus; but they resolved to obey God rather than men. The council sought to kill them but were restrained by the intervention and wise counsel of Gamaliel. He told the council they might be fighting against God. The apostles were beaten and released to go. They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. They returned to their own company, reported everything to them, and they all prayed. The building where they prayed shook; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit; and preached even more boldly. Nobody could stop them from preaching Jesus Christ. They knew the seat of power had shifted. This story is recorded in a fourth chapter for our instruction.
WHY THE POWER-SHIFT?
It’s the ripe time for it. There is a ripe time for every purpose under heaven. We did not just step into 2022 on January 1; but also into the fourth seven years of the century. The fourth seven years of any century is Heaven’s take over season. So, it is also satan’s reaction season. This is the time when the god of this world and the kingdom of darkness rise to contend against the move of God that began in the third seven years. That is also when God rises in and through those who know Him; to counter the resistance of hell and her children. It is time to stand for God. It is time to stand for the truth. It is time to stand to the challenge of hell. It is the time to say to the wicked and arrogant princes of this world, ‘Enough!’
PREPARE FOR WAR
Martin Luther began the reformation-work in the third seven years of the 16th century. The Counter-reformation occupied the 4th seven years of the 16th century. The pilgrim fathers arrived Jamestown in the third 7 years of the 17th century. War broke out against the immigrants in the fourth seven years. Even back home in the fourth seven years of the 17th was a season of conflict between the puritans and the kings – especially Charles 1.The Ottoman Empire massacred Greek Christians in 1822 at the beginning of the fourth seven years of the 19th century. The third seven years of the 20th century was WW1 season. Germany and her allies were defeated. Russian communism and German fascism began to break loose in the fourth seven years of the 20th century. . Anti-Semitism began to build up in Germany as Christian persecution began to build up in the USSR. They were an assault on freedom.The fourth season is ‘fight-back’ season for Darkness.
COME UP HERE!
In the fourth chapter of the book of Revelation, God invited John to come to heaven and receive a revelation of the future.
Revelation 4:1-6: “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” [2] Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. [3] And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. [4] Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. [5] And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. [6] Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back”.
The Lord is calling His people to ‘come up’ to the place of revelation. He wants to grant revelations into the future. It is a call to leave where they are and ‘come up’ to where they can see. Let us move up to the place of revelation and action.
- BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE 4TH SEVEN YEARS
There are five basic biblical patterns that can help us understand the fourth 7 years of the 21st century. They are
A. The narrative of the fourth day of creation (Genesis 1: 14-19). The seven days of creation are key to understanding all dated and numbered seasons.
It is a season of control from heaven.
It is a season of light-givers
It is a season rulers and dictators
It is a season of law-givers
It is a season of sign-givers
It is a season of energy from above
It is the season of warmers, heaters, and melters.
B. Fourth chapters of the Bible
C. Fourth Book of the Bible
D. Fourth 7 books of the Bible
The fourth seven books of the Bible indicate that the fourth seven years of the 21st century is for
- The emergence of uncompromising prophetic voices
- The judgement of false prophets and corrupt leaders.
- The huniliation of proud and arrogant leaders
- The display and exhibition of the sovereignty and supremacy of God
- The persecution and promotion of uncompromising believers and prophets.
- Unreserved submission to God; a time to go, do, or say only what He wants.
- Redeployment of the faithful through involuntary relocations.
E. Fourth 7 chapters of the Bible (22-28)
- AGENDA FOR THE SEASON
- The fourth book of the Bible reveals the Divine agenda for the fourth seven years.
A. The fourth seven years is battle season. The first instruction God gave Moses in the fourth book of the Bible was to conduct a census of men who are able to go to war. God told him to conduct a second census in the 26th chapter of the book. Then, most of those counted in the first census had died. This is a season to take census of the men of war. Heaven is recruiting men of war on earth; as nations are keeping their military on alert. The men of war will be tested for strength, endurance, and good manners; and the faint-hearted, complainers, and those who cannot endure hardness will be screened out. All such people died in the wilderness. The fourth seven years is census time.
The fourth seven years is a season of war requiring training, screening, organization, planning, and focus. It is a season of preparation for wars and battles of defense. The enemy comes against God’s people in this season. So, God’s people must be battle-ready.
The fourth season is a season of battle and preparation for battle. God created the luminaries on the fourth day for war against darkness, cold, disorganization, disorderliness, and confusion. In the fourth book of the Bible, Moses numbered the men of war among the people. He also numbered and organized the spiritual army – the Levites (Numbers 4). They were the ones that stopped the flow of Jordan for Israel to cross over. Joshua 4:18 says, “And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before”. Joshua 4:12-13 also tell us that men of war are needed in the fourth season. “And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them. [13] About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the LORD for battle, to the plains of Jericho”. In Judges 4, Deborah and Barak led Israel to war against Jabin the. King of Canaan and his commander, Sisera. Jael, the wife of Heber, killed Sisera with generousity and a tenth peg. Ruth 4 reveals that Boaz and Ruth are the descendants of David the man of war. In First Samuel 4, Israel fought with the Philistines but we’re defeated. Ishbosheth was murdered in Second Samuel 4. In First Chronicles 4, the tribe of Simeon enlarged their territory through warfare (1 Chronicles 4: i39 -43). The adversaries of Judah made the rebuilding of the temple cease in Ezra 4. In Nehemiah 4 the Jews worked and also prepared for war as they built the wall of Jerusalem. In Esther 4, the Jews took the battle with Haman to a spiritual plane through fasting.
WARNING: In the fourth season, you should avoid conflict with God and every unnecessary conflict with people. It is an evil trap. In Genesis 4, Cain had conflict with both his brother Abel and God. The Lord God had rejected Cain’s offering but accepted Abel’s. Cain gott angry and killed his brother Abel. The Lord cursed him and made him a fugitive and a wanderer. In Exodus 4, God was angry with Moses twice; firstly, for telling God he would not go to Egypt to deliver Israel; and then for delaying circumcision of his son (perhaps because of objection from his wife). In Deuteronomy 4, Moses commanded the people to obey God’s word and shun idolatry.
B. The fourth seven years is a season of leadership and governmental order. In the fourth book of the Bible, God also told Moses to appoint the leaders of the tribes and heads of families. Screen out those who can’t follow instructions or submit to authority. Screen out rebels. Screen out vision-less leaders who cannot inspire people to reach for greater heights. The fourth seven years is weeding time. In Second Kings 4, Solomon set up an excellent and wise organization in his administration.
C. The fourth seven years is a season of reproductive Intimacy and population growth. Children began to be born in the world in Genesis 4. Adam and Eve had their three children here. They activated the blessing of fruitfulness and multiplication upon them – to fill the esrth, subdue it, and have dominion. Cain also multiplied here. Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve also had his son, Enosh, here. The evil one struggles to make the fourth season a season of decimation – when men die. Eli and his two sons died in First Samuel 4. The Philistines defeated Israel in battle and killed many people in this chapter also.
The fourth season is the season of babies. Babies began to come into the world in Genesis 4. Moses’little baby was circumcised in Exodus 4. Ruth and Boaz had Obed in Ruth 4. Eli’s grandson, Ichabod, was born in First Samuel 4. The barren Shunemite woman conceived and gave birth in Second Kings 4.
D. It is a season of offerings and sacrifices.
Cain and Abel brought offerings to God in Genesis 4. Leviticus 4 is about offerings for atonement. Psalm 4:5 says, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD”.
E. It is a season to protect your mind from invasion and infiltration through the word of God. Psalm 4:4 says, “Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah”.
F. A Time to Run with Divine Energy
It is a season of divine empowerment. It is a season of signs and wonders and exploits. In Genesis 4, God put a seal of preservation on Cain’s forehead. The seal was a divine equipment and gave him immunity from murder. Moses performed several signs and wonders in the 4th book of the Bible. In Exodus 4, God equipped Moses with miraculous signs for the conflict with Pharaoh and Egypt. For Moses, Exodus 4 was the point of preparation and empowerment for the conflict ahead. In Second Kings 4, Elisha demonstrated the power of God to save a widow and her children from the burden of debts. In the same chapter, he demonstrated God’s power against barrenness and death, purified a deadly or poisoned pot of stew, and fed 100 people with very little provision. In Mark 4, the wind obeyed Jesus to the amazement of His disciples. In Luke 4, Jesus healed so many sick people. In John 4, Jesus manifested the signs of a prophet and the woman of Samaria believed. In the same chapter, Jesus said the people unless they see signs and wonders. Jesus healed the nobleman’s son who was in another city without any and form of physical contact.
In Acts 4, the house where the disciples prayed shook after they prayed.
- The fourth seven years is a season of fearless dependence on God. It is a season to not be terrified by circumstances. It is a season to face challenging situations with courage, boldness, and confidence in God. In the fourth chapter of Mark, Jesus rebuked the disciples for being afraid of the storm. In the fourth chapter of Acts, the apostles exhibited unwavering faith in Jesus and commitment to preaching the gospel.
- Season to trust in God and God’s Word. The fourth seven years is a season to demonstrate unwavering devotion to the Lord. The fourth seven years is a season to show unshakable commitment to the Word of God. The faith of believers will be tested in this season. (Deut 4; Prob. 4)
