From the desk of one of His faithful servants Chief Apostle L.R.Gooden Jr., as we embark upon the new year of 2024/5784 the Lord spoke to me that it will be a year of Open Doors for Revelation, Re-Alignment and Renewal for Prophetic Fulfillment according to:
Revelation 3:8 NKJV…“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
The Jewish Year 5784 began on Rosh Hashanah September 15th 2023 using the Hebrew Alphabet and Gematria system.
5 = Grace: (1000 years - Millennium)
7 = Completion, perfection: (100 years - Century)
8 = New beginnings: (10 years - Decade)
4 = Door, prophetic fulfillment: (1 year - Year)
Of all the prophetic numbers aligned with 5784, I feel led to focus primarily on the number 4. This Hebrew year, represented by 5784, holds tremendous significance for the number 4 and its corresponding letter Dalet. I believe this year will be a season of radical transformation, renewal and realignment, if we obey the Lord’s voice. We must be aware though that there will be a spiritual battle for the effectual door of promise to be opened. While the number 4 is called Dalet in Hebrew and it represents a picture of a tent door, or open door, I believe that the Lord is speaking to us even deeper about these spiritual doors.
The spiritual meaning of door is the entry point to a new space. Doors represent the transition from one place to another. They are also symbolic of change, especially when they are closed or locked. When a door opens, it opens up possibilities to new experiences. Doors can also be considered as exit points as well as entrances. The person who opens the door decides whether it will be an entrance or exit point.
Doors are also used to keep out unwanted visitors, but they can also be used as an invitation for others to come inside and enter into your life, mind and heart. A door often represents the opening of new possibilities and challenges in the future.
2024/5784 is going to be a year of the voice of the Doorkeeper. Doors will begin to appear for many, with heavenly encounters and signs showing the way. Borders will open between new partnering nations/regions/houses. Beware of any vulnerability in defenses that may be exploited, so it is necessary to prepare your defenses before the new year. It’s Time to chart a new path for prophetic fulfillment.
In the Hebrew calendar, the number 8 symbolizes new beginnings, and the open door represents a gateway to God's blessings and breakthroughs. Just as the Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry land, leaving behind their bondage and entering into freedom, this year will mark a significant transition for God's people.
Additionally, the number 80 in Hebrew is represented by the letter "pey" (), which signifies a time of completion and fulfillment. Again, the number 4 in Hebrew is represented by the letter "dalet" (), which symbolizes a doorway or a path. It signifies stability, foundation, and the four corners of the earth. Therefore, as we step through the door of this new beginning, the number 4 reminds us to establish a solid foundation in our faith and embrace the divine path that lies ahead.
The open door signifies not only physical doors of opportunity but also spiritual portals unveiling fresh encounters with GOD. As we align our hearts with God's purposes, we will witness the fulfillment of His promises and experience a greater outpouring of His Spirit. It is a time to seek His face, listen intently to His voice, and step boldly through the doors that He opens before us.
Therefore we must stay in tune with what GOD is saying to His Church, and we know that Faith comes by Hearing and Hearing by the Word of GOD through His Prophets & Preachers.
So Now Under a strong Anointing of the Holy Spirit I RELEASE TO YOU THE THEME AND SCRIPTURE FOR KBCMI FOR 5784/2024:
5784 The Year of the Open Door for Revelation, Realignment and Renewal for Prophetic Fulfillment!
Revelation 3:8 NKJV…“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
It’s time for the Remnant of GOD to put their complete trust in the WORD of GOD and receive everything that GOD has in store for us in the year of 5784/2024.
May the Lord continue to Bless you & keep you in Jesus Name.
Blessings,
Chief Apostle, L.R. Gooden Jr.
Enrich your spiritual life as you study inspirational messages gleaned from the Word of God! The Holy Bible is filled with wisdom that will strengthen your character and deepen your walk with the Lord. As you reflect on key Scripture passages, you will discover encouraging lessons and practical applications woven throughout the Word. Leon Gooden presents an in-depth study of key Bible passages to sharpen your faith and help you grow in your understanding of God. Each chapter explores a different Scripture passage to encourage you in your daily walk with Jesus Christ. In this book, you’ll learn: -How God calls you to be actively involved in His purposes and plans for the world -You are God’s child, accepted and highly favored—made holy and righteous by the blood of Jesus -How the Holy Spirit will empower you to bring life to others who desperately need it -How God wants to sanctify you and move you toward the future He has planned for you -How worship can overcome temptations to sin -When nothing makes sense, God has a perfect handle on things -Why the result of knowing God is an intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe This book is ideal to enhance your personal daily devotions, or as a Bible study tool in a small group setting. Short chapters with edifying messages are perfect for livening up your devotions! Start reading your copy of Walking in the Word today—and spark a flame in your heart for real growth as a child of God!
It's released Apostle's new book, get yours today! Walking in the Word: Fifty Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Relationship with God.
The Lord says, Raise the Bar. Set the standard. Don't minimize your standards, influence them to come up to (GOD'S) standard.
I taught you this way says the Lord. I know what you need to get to the higher place I'm calling you to. I know what I'm birthing In you. Trust me, walk with Me. I Am moving you in a new direction, for a Greater purpose. They may not recognize this NEW you, but it's ME working through you. Let it flow! Your Metamorphosis is now, yield to it. Stay surrendered, It's for my Glory, not theirs. Everyone can't walk with you in this place, you can't take all of them, but you will be positioned to bless them later. Forgive them, for they know not what they do. The people who struggle with their own insecurity, can't accept your GOD SECURITY. It's my Confidence they are afraid of.
Did I not walk with great Confidence. Should you not do the same. Greatness will always be misunderstood. Like the 100 of times you almost gave up for my purpose because of persecution. (Mark 10:27...And Jesus looking upon them saith with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible) So Stand anyway! Forge ahead anyway. You can do nothing without confidence in God because confidence feeds your Faith.
Confidence in God Empowers you to PUSH!
Confidence in God let's the devil and his agents know that you KNOW whose You are. I Am yours and You are Mine says the Lord.
"Cast not away your Confidence which has great Recompense of ***Reward***, you have need of PATIENCE, that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the Promise".
YOU GOT TO GO THROUGH YOUR MARAH TO GET TO YOUR ELIM
Exodus 15:22-25
"Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" Then he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested (proved) them.
Numbers 33:8-9
"They journeyed from before Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness; and they went three days' journey in the wilderness together and camped at Marah. They journeyed from Marah and came to Elim; and in Elim there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there."
Marah
Marah (H4781) means "bitter." Chemicals made the water unfit for drinking. Arabs seldom even permit their camels to drink from it. The experience at Marah was just another in the training of God's people.
ELIM
Elim the name of the second station where the Israelites encamped after crossing the Red Sea. It had "twelve wells of water and threescore and ten palm trees."
SEE WHEN THE FIRST TIME DONT WORK TRY IT AGAIN, THE DEVIL HAS A PATTERN OF SENDING YOU THE FAKE ONE BEFORE GOD SENDS THE REAL ONE.
THE ISRAELITES DIDNT SETTLE FOR MARAH, BECAUSE THEY REMEMBERED THE PROMISE GOD GAVE TO MOSES TO GIVE TO THEM, MARAH WAS A TEST, ELIM WAS THE REWARD FOR GOING THROUGH THE TEST.
TELL YOUR NEIGHBOR ITS ONLY A TEST. ELIM IS JUST UP THE STREET.
ELIM HAD 12 SPRINGS OF CLEAR WATER AND 70 PALM TREES, DONT SETTLE FOR YOUR LITTLE WHEN GOD HAS A WHOLE LOT.
KBCMI WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH OUR MARAH WITHOUT MUMBLING AND COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ROUTE WE ARE HAVING TO GO DOWN, YOU CANT START ON THE AUTOBAHN, TOO FAST, YOU HAVE TO WORK YOUR WAY UP, FROM THE BACK ROADS, THE POT HOLES, AND EVEN THE NO ROADS BEFORE YOU GET ON THE AUTOBAHN. COME ON SOMEBODY.
SEE WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH:
Darkness before light
Sacrifice before blessing
Marah before Elim
Wilderness before Canaan
Humiliation before exaltation
Death before life
Travail before birth
Mortgage before redemption
Tribulation before patience
Suffering before glory
Work before reward
Cross before crown
Fight before victory
Temptation before overcoming
1. Apostolic Ministry is "in Christ" - Jesus is the Chief Apostle - the focus is upon Christ and NOT the Apostle/s.
- Heb. 3:1 - "consider (fix your thoughts) Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession"
- 2 Cor. 4:5 - "for we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake"
2. Apostolic ministry begins in humility & continues in humility - God left heaven and became a man IN HUMILITY
- Phil. 2:3 - "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves"
3. Apostolic ministry honors women Mary "birthed" Jesus' earthly Apostolic ministry, women followed Jesus.
- Gal. 3:28 - "there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus".
4. Apostolic Ministry is "team-oriented" Jesus built a team, Paul built teams - even the Trinity is a "team".
5. Apostolic Ministry is "released-oriented" / It's about Fathering & releasing sons and daughters to carry on the ministry in an even greater way.
- John 14:12b - "Greater works you shall do".
6. Apostolic Ministry is Kingdom-focused (not just Church-focused) is part of something GREATER. The Church is PART of the Kingdom. Jesus is PART of the Trinity.
- Jesus spoke hardly anything about the Church and almost exclusively about the Kingdom.
- For example, the "Church" is mentioned 2X in Matthew and the "Kingdom" 50X!
7. Apostolic Ministry is relationally, NOT structurally-based begins with the Trinity.
8. Apostolic Ministry is "marked by signs wonders and miracles"
- 2 Cor. 12:12 - the signs/marks of a true apostle were performed among you with all perserverance, by signs wonders and miracles.
- 1 Cor. 2:4 - "my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power"
9. Apostolic Ministry doesn¹t build on another man¹s (churches) foundation - it is evangelistic.
- NOT SHEEP STEALING, Not Church "Transfer" growth.
10. True Apostles "have seen the Lord" and are chosen by Jesus Himself - they are NOT self-appointed, or Apostles because people "recognize" them as such.
- 1 Cor. 9:1 - Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
11. Apostolic ministry will attract problems / Persecution
- 2 Cor. 4:8-11 - "we are afflicted in EVERY WAY, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus for we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus¹ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh"
12. True Apostolic ministry doesn¹t focus on money.
- Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give"
OPEN INTIMACY (Lk 10 : 21-24) – We will have a revelation of the God of increase, a foretaste of future happenings NOW, people will come from far and wide to the church, Visions, Dreams, Divine Knowledge, Wisdom and Revelation knowledge and Spiritual Acceleration will become a reality in the church. To achieve this your life must be HOLY and SANCTIFIED.
OPEN HEAVENS (Lk 10: 17-20) – Heaven will be OPEN for you and Satan cannot block what God is going to deliver. God will move Satan away as he is going down and we are going up. He is getting weaker and we are getting stronger. There will be “Spiritual Blessings ” for us as adopted Sons & Daughters and the WORD that comes forth from God through us will dispel the works of the darkness. We who are in this “Upper Room” must be ready to receive from the Throne Room. – To achieve this you must have FAITH.
OPEN FAVOUR (Lk 10:1-2) – God will give us unequal advantage over all our enemies. We will have his POWER of Attorney, fresh commissioning and the rod of iron as our Kingdom mandate. Jesus has given us His NAME, his HEART, his VOICE, his WORD, his WAY, his TRUTH and his LIFE-To achieve this you must ACT in TRUST.
OPEN OPPORTUNITY (Lk 10:3-9) – All the RESOURCES that we need to finish the race will be given us. Businesses will be established, finances will flow in, people will come looking for you, for when we seek the Kingdom assignment, money will flow in. Do not work for money, do the work of the Lord and money will come. Remember God pays well. To achieve this you must WORK for God and not man.
OPEN HOUSE (Lk 10:5-12) – The time to Prophesy, speak the WORD has come and the hearts of people will be open and attentive. All it takes is for one person to be touched and all will follow. Strategic people will ARISE to work with you and for you. To achieve this you must GO OUT and touch people.
OPEN HEARTS (Lk 10:13-16) – SPEAK the PROCEEDING WORD and people’s hearts will align themselves. Preach the strong word. Walk in total obedience and accuracy in the Word and people will be set free. To achieve this you must PREACH, TEACH and SPEAK.
OPEN DOORS (Lk 10:25-37) – God will OPEN DOORS for effective Ministry in your cities, counties, states and the nations. The City will be transformed, your home Apostolic bases will see an influx of people who will be impacted and the City transformed back to GOD. To achieve this you must USE THE CHURCH AS YOUR APOSTOLIC BASE.
Ephesians 5:1 AMP –Therefore be imitators of God –copy Him and follow His example – as well-beloved children
imitate their father. God’s will is for us to speak HIS WILL (not our will) into existence.
A. Word-Led
Psalm 119:105 AMP –Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
John 15:7 – If you abide in Me, and My words (rhema) abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done
for you.
B. Spirit-Led
Romans 8:14 AMP –For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
I Corinthians 2:9-10 AMP –(9) But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not
heard and has not entered into the heart of man, all that God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who
love Him, who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has
bestowed. (10) Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the Holy Spirit searches
diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God (the
divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man’s scrutiny).
John 7:38-39 AMP – (38) He who believes in Me, who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me, as the Scripture
has said, From his innermost being shall flow continuously springs and rivers of living water. (39a) But He was
speaking here of the Spirit.
C. Kingdom-Led
Matthew 16:19 AMP –I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind –that is, declare to be
improper and unlawful –on earth must be already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth –declare lawful –
must be what is already loosed in heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10 AMP –(9) Pray therefore, like this: Our
Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. (10) Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Romans 5:17 AMP –For if because of one man’s trespass death reigned through that one, much more surely will
those who receive God’s overflowing grace and the free gift of righteousness reign as kings in life through the one Man
Jesus Christ.
Matthew 11:12 AMP –And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured
violent assault, and violent men seize it by force as a precious prize –a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought
with most ardent zeal and intense exertion.
Lamentations 3:37 NIV –Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?
Jeremiah 1:12 AMP –I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.
Ephesians 5:1 AMP –Therefore be imitators of God –copy Him and follow His example – as well-beloved children imitate their father. God’s will is for us to speak HIS WILL (not our will) into existence.
‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.’ (1 John 5:14-15)
Daniel was a godly man who read the scriptures—including the prophecies of Jeremiah. He recognised that Jeremiah prophesied about the times that Daniel was now living in and began to seek God for the answers. He knew it was time to birth that prophecy in prayer.
We need to know that we are praying God’s purpose for our lives. This means firstly praying according to God’s revealed will in the Scripture. Upon that foundation, we can also seek an intimate relationship with Father God in which we can hear His purpose for our lives and situation—and pray out of that. [2]
2. Don’t Settle for Second Best
Hannah was childless, and it grieved her. Wanting to reassure her, Hannah’s husband offered his love and personal gifts, thinking these could please her. But Hannah would only be satisfied with one thing—a baby. As a result of Hannah’s prayer, a future prophet and priest was born. Samuel would bring the nation back to God. (1 Sam 1)
When God has placed something on our hearts, then like Hannah we will be tempted to settle for the ‘status quo’ or second best. But that is the very time to passionately press in to God for the answer.
3. Pray from the Heart
Hannah cried a wordless prayer of deep groaning—and God answered it. (1 Sam 1:12-16, Rom 8:26-27)) Nehemiah shot up a prayer whilst he was going about his daily occupation. (Neh 2:1-5) These seemingly simple prayers, carried from the heart, changed nations.
There are no right and wrong ways to pray. Just real prayers.
It’s time to put aside formulas, and not to be intimidated by someone else’s style and eloquence. The prayers that God answers are real prayers from the heart, regardless of time, place or technique.
4. Pray with Praise and Thanksgiving
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil 4:6)
Paul and Silas were in a difficult situation. God called them to evangelise a city, but they were stuck in a dungeon, held in stocks. As they prayed in the night and offered up hymns of praise, God sent an earthquake to open the prison doors. (Acts 16:22-29)
When used in addition to prayer, praise is a powerful cutting-edge weapon for breakthrough. (Ps 149:6-9)
5. Don’t Give Up
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1)
Daniel prayed and fasted for 21 days before an answer came. An angel appeared who had been battling in the heavenlies for the entire time Daniel had been in prayer. Daniel’s persistent prayers provided fuel for what God was doing on his behalf. (Dan 10)
Prayer is not a single event, but a process. Whilst continuing in prayer, we are partnering with God as Heaven’s resources, including angels, are being released that are working towards God’s answer.
Don’t give up too soon!
6. Find Others who will Agree with You
Jesus said, “…if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt 18:19-20)
Esther is known as a woman whose courage saved a nation. However, prior to approaching the King, Esther called on Mordecai, all the Jews of the city, and her own attendants, to fast before God for 3 days. Esther knew that the real power lay in God answering the prayer of those who had joined her in the fast. (Esther 4:16)
When in need of a breakthrough, find others who will join you in prayer, because there is multiplied power in agreement.
WHAT THE MINORITY SAID, WHAT THE MAJORITY SAID AND WHAT GOD SAID!
One. GOD SAID: "The land of Canaan which I give unto the Children of Israel" Numbers 13:2. "Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours . there shall be no man able to stand before you" - Deuteronomy 11:24-25, Joshua 1:3.
Two. TEN SPIES SAID: "We be not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we" Numbers 13:31. "We saw the giants . we were in our own sight as grasshoppers" - Numbers 13:33.
Three. TWO SPIES SAID: "Let us go up at once, and possess it . the Lord is with us, fear them not" - Numbers 13:30; 14:9.
Four. It is amazing! Twelve men walked side by side, saw the same country, witnessed the same conditions. All gave a glowing report of what they saw. But ten men had a negative, fearful attitude. Two had a confident, faith attitude. Ten voted for defeat and failure. Two voted for success and victory. A right and wrong attitude is what prevailed.
Five. How about you? "God has given you all things that pertain to life and godliness" 2 Peter 1:5. "He has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" Ephesians 1:3. "God is the giver of every good and perfect gift" James 1:17. "God delights to give you richly all things to enjoy" 1Timothy 6:17. The Bible declares "All things are yours, and you are Christ's" - 1 Corinthians 3:21.
Six. Are you praising God for these wonderful gifts which are yours? Cease glorifying your defeats, your lack, your sickness, and begin to glorify God in your victories, your supply, your health. It is high time to convert your excuses into testimonies!
Seven. On which ballot are you voting? For victory or defeat? For success or failure? Boldly affirm the scriptures that assure of conquest in all spiritual battles and you'll experience them. Be hesitant and reluctant about your provisions in Christ and you'll be defeated.
Eight. The bolder your confession of faith, the greater will be your victories. Praise God for all things that are yours. Not "I wish I was blessed," but "I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus!" Hallelujah, it is so!
Nine. Confess your riches in Christ, then possess your possessions!
The Holy Spirit is REAL, and it is possible to have a tangible experience with the Spirit.
However, not every supernatural experience is of God.
The spirits have to be tested.
And one should never blaspheme the Holy Spirit, calling Him evil, just because there are evil counterfeits to His presence.
The task for the believer, or seeker, is to test what kind of spirit is active, and to make a good decision.
Holy and Unholy
Both can bring a surge of energy and power
Both can bring a certain amount of “lack of control” as the spirit is in control, more than the person during a “power moment.”
Both can produce a hot feeling.
Both are supernatural experiences.
The difference is:
The holy spirit is HOLY, and produces holy behavior, and worship. The power transforms us, helps us overcome evil, and brings us into the presence of God.
It ultimately quiets our soul. He makes us thirst for the Word of God, and to be alone with God.
Kundalini is NOT holy, and does not produce holy behavior. It excites us, but does not transform us, does not help us overcome anything, and we are not closer to God as a result.
It ultimately takes our peace away, and makes us less calm. We do not have any more interest in the Word of God than we did before, and we prefer social activity to aloneness and solitude.
The Holy Spirit will not make you howl like a dog, or act in a fleshly way. Sin will leave your life.
Kundalini can produce disabling spasmodic movements, kriyas, that persist long after the “touch” has occurred.
The Holy Spirit does not do anything that takes away your free will, or participation. He does not disable you for normal activity.
People experiencing kundalini do not change their ways. They continue in worldly ways.
A good example is a kundalini Church leader who divorced his wife after having an affair with a staff member. Another example is a preacher who only preaches prosperity and never on holiness.
Kundalini appeals to those who want to be drunk, and lose control, just for the sake of losing it, to see what it is like, and revel in stimulation.
It is for people who want to get high on something, instead of JESUS.
The Holy Spirit is for those who want to be sober, have control over the devil, worship God, and minister to others.
To seek the Holy Spirit is a good thing. So when we ask we will receive because we ask with a pure heart, and humble intentions, and because we use our discernment to discover God’s true presence.
Those that seek kundalini may think they are getting a good thing, but they ask amiss, and do not have a pure heart.
They are deceived because they choose to be deceived. They lack discernment, and sometimes just want “something,” rather than “Someone.”
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel:therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
Notes For Verse 17...[I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel]
Three Things God Made Ezekiel:
(1). I have made your face strong against their faces ( Ezek. 3: 8).
(2). Your forehead strong against their foreheads. As an adamant harder than flint have I made your forehead ( Ezek. 3: 9).
(3). I have made you a watchman ( Ezek. 3: 17).
Watchman-- one who looks out or sees from a height, with the view to warning of impending danger or to give any information, good or bad ( Ezek. 33: 2- 7 1Sam. 14: 16; 2Sam. 18: 24- 27 2Ki. 9: 17- 20 17: 9; 18: 8; Song 3: 3; 5: 7; Ps. 127: 1; Isa. 21: 6- 12 52: 8; 56: 10
Priests and prophets of the Lord were often called watchmen.
Ezekiel was especially distinguished with this title (Ezek. 3:17; 33:7).
The duties of a watchman were threefold:
1. To wait and watch for what God would command and give in warning (Ezek. 3:17- 21).
2. To watch over and superintend the people (Ezek. 3:17- 21 Isa. 56:10).
3. To warn the people for God (Ezek. 3:17- 21).
1. Death is the penalty for sin, all sin, every sin, regardless of who the person is or what connection with God he used to have (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 1:29- 32 6:14- 23 8:12- 13 1Cor. 6:9- 11 Gal. 5:19- 21).
2. If the prophet does not warn the wicked man and he dies in his sin, his blood will be required of the prophet.
3. If the wicked man is warned and he repents and turns from sin, his life will be saved.
4. If the prophet warns the wicked man and he does not turn from sin, then the prophet is clear from his blood and all responsibility (Ezek. 3:19).
5. If a wicked man who is warned or not warned does not turn from his sin, he will die in sin-- be lost (Ezek. 3:19).
6. If a righteous man turns from his righteousness, commits sin again, and God lays a stumblingblock before him and he dies in his sin, all his righteousness which he has done will not be remembered (Ezek. 3:20; 18:24- 26 33:12- 13 Rom. 8:12- 13).
7. If the prophet has warned the righteous man and he remains in righteousness, both he and the prophet will be saved (Ezek. 3:20- 21).
8. If the prophet has not warned the righteous man and he turns from his righteousness to live in sin again, the prophet will be held responsible for his being lost (Ezek. 3:20).
9. If the righteous man turns from his righteousness to live in sin again, he will be lost if he dies in his sin whether he has been warned or not (Ezek. 3:20- 21 18:24- 26 33:12- 13 Rom. 8:12- 13 Gal. 5:19- 21).
10. The righteous man can and will die in his sins if he goes back into them again and does not repent again (Ezek. 3:20- 21 18:24- 26 33:12- 13 Rom. 8:12- 13).
11. The righteous man who does die in his sins will be as much lost as he would have been had he never turned from them (Ezek. 3:20- 21 Rom. 6:14- 23 8:12- 13 Gal. 5:19- 21).
12. The only way a righteous man can be saved is by continuing in his righteousness instead of sin (Ezek. 3:20- 21).
* The Apostolic Leader must be Godward to get the vision and burden of the Lord.
* The Apostolic Leader must raise up a Presbytery of Elders in the Church who will minister to the people and their needs and function as the Elder of Elders.
* The Apostolic Leader’s primary concern must be to meet the root needs of people and not their felt needs.
* The Apostolic Leader must move his Leadership Team from performing in a “maintenance mentality” and move it to the “equipping and maturing of each believer for the work of the ministry.
* Pastors today center on the people and their needs.
* Pastors today feed the people to put on weight and make them feel satisfied.
* The Apostolic Leader must also develop the corporate identity of the Church so everyone moves forward in the same direction so the Kingdom of God advances.
* The Apostolic Leader must train his Elders and Pastors to minister to the people so they will build up spiritual muscles and have purpose.
* The Apostolic Leader must renew the minds of believers so they will change their lifestyles.
* Pastors today perform services for the people with “bless me” services where they try to meet their peoples’ “felt needs”.
* The Apostolic Leader must center on God’s call and His purposes for the Church encouraging God’s people to become what they are capable of becoming and to do what they are capable of doing.
* The Apostolic Leader must minister the Word of God and make a righteous demand of the people so they will become “doers of the Word and not hearers only”
