2016 The Year of the Gathering
by Terrence Clark
Every year, the Lord gives me a prophetic word for the upcoming year. At the end of 2015, He said that 2016 would be the year of the “gathering.” I have concluded that the strength of this word rest in the plural---gatherings, whereas I have seen fulfillment take place already these first months of the year.
In Tel-Aviv Israel, December 2015, I believe, after the “word of the Lord” had come to me, was when one of the first of the manifestations occurred. According to a Charisma magazine article, a group of 1000 Jews had gathered in a hotel in that Israel city. They had gathered for Messianic preacher and talk show host--Sid Roth’s conference on the supernatural.
Reportedly, halfway into Sid’s message the Holy Spirit fell on that crowd and miracles and healings began to manifest on these Jewish non-followers of Christ. At the end of the meeting, an altar call was given, and almost everyone in the room stood up at the invitation to receive Jesus the Messiah. The confirming scripture, the Lord, gave me, is Isaiah 56:8, the Lord is gathering the outcast of Israel. And others also, He said He will gather unto him.
7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
8 The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
In the preceding verse, the Lord make known that His house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
The scripture was also fulfilling, for me, in that I had just returned from a 10-day journey to Israel. Marveling at the Israel article, I thought, Lord even though the scripture says it, I didn’t know the prophecy was referencing Israel also.
I still don’t know the fullness of that word or the complete link to Israel (and the Jewish people). I do know, by scripture, it has always been God’s goal to gather his people— Jew and Gentile, in one accord to him.
Jesus said, in Mathew 18:20 “if two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst. Hebrews 10:25 says forsake not the assembly of yourselves together as the manner of some is, but even more, as you see the day approaching.
Gathered together is an interesting phrase in Bible translation. The two English words are translated from one word, which in essence, means to assemble with purpose. The word together means "to gather." We could say the phrase, in strength, means---gather---to do.
Continuing, 2016 will be marked by a time of supernatural gatherings, rallies, and meetings in the household of God. Some meetings will seemingly be church as usual, but God will intervene and take over.
There will be overflow from those meeting into the streets. Even casual meetings such as in the parks, on the streets, and in the malls will result in supernatural displays of God’s glory. Multitudes in some places and individuals in others will come to the light of the gospel. God is taking back his streets. The miracle days spoken before were subconsciously limited to church services and tent meeting. God is moving on the streets.
We are in the days of the infallible proofs that Dr. Luke spoke of in Acts 1:1-3
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
Jesus didn’t make guess work out of the gospel. His method of apologetics was scripturally based, as in the road to Emmaus experience in Luke 24:13-31. Still, the Infallible proof was also in the tangible, touchable manifestation of himself (he showed himself alive). Seeing or experiencing a miracle doesn’t validate faith. Miracles are the evidence of a supernatural God. Faith is the evidence that we trust in this supernatural God. The proof of the ice cream man is that when he comes, he has ice cream. Faith says when he comes, the ice cream he has is for me. The truck says he has ice cream. The distinct music says he has ice cream. All the other kids gathered at the corner says he has ice cream. Faith says I will join the gathering and get mine.
There will what the social media has called flash mobs. But it will not be planned or organized. I will draw believers together. Sinners will fall on the street, and stagger up, looking for me and those that represent me…so be ready. Don’t leave your houses half-dressed anymore, says the Lord, physically or spiritually, for you will not always know that moment I will use you.
When Jesus physically walked the streets, in own body, crowds flowed to Him, look for those days. The crowds that followed—followed with expectancy. Look for those days, for they are here.
And, for those who are expecting this move of the Spirit, I will pick you up and carry you places. You will look around and say, "My God, how did I get here." Sometimes it will be that dramatic. Other times it will because the environment has changed, affected by my Glory. You prayed for these times, and now they are here.
I saw believers in malls, not knowing that other believers were there, and suddenly a connection was made. People in the middle, of that connection, were convicted by the Holy Ghost and began to cry out. I have often said that the only reason, anyone should go to Hell, is not because they have not heard or seen the Gospel. If someone goes to Hell, it would be only because of willful rebellion against God.
I may have stirred resentment, on a street meeting, last summer, when I witnessed to the gathering during my ministry set. I referenced, the tragedy in the church in Charleston South Carolina saying that should not have happened. What should have happened is recorded in 1 Corinthian 14:23-25
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
The outcome of sinners visiting a church prayer meeting should be that they (the sinner or unbeliever) will come in, be overcome by the glory of God, fall on their face, and report that God is undoubtedly there in that gathering.
Some may have interpreted that I blamed the body of Christ family of failing in that massacre--absolutely not. I honor those martyrs of the faith, in any place who have given their lives for the gospel of Christ. I sing of those who refused to bow to the devil and his tyrants but clung to the profession of Jesus, knowing that it meant leaving this world.
Conversely, the Bible, still says, there is a place, where we as a church, walk in harmony and the power of the Holy Ghost, to where conviction comes upon the assassins of our faith, and those who try to infiltrate our gatherings of worship. There is a place, where those who hold to ungodliness---sins, vices, and walks of life contrary to the Word of God are convicted by the power of His love.
This type of witnessing doesn’t mean we don’t unswervingly stand for the truth of the gospel, morally and politically. What it also means, while doing so, we expect the full power of His love in us, to manifest powerfully through us.
The above verse in Isaiah says, (there) my house will be called the house of all people. Jesus in fulfillment of that prophetic scripture brought cleansing to the temple in Israel. It had become a place of monetary trade. He chased out the money changers and rehung the signage that reads---this is where prayer is answered.
Our gatherings today cannot be a place focused on social welfare and economic trade. Although, God will teach and supply abundantly. However victory is unmatched in the gatherings of the Lord where sin is exchanged for righteousness, despair and depression is traded for Hope, worry is exchanged for peace and joy, and failure and lack are traded for faith and trust. The list goes on. So does the year of gathering--be ready.
More on the gathering in upcoming articles. Do you have a story or testimony that resulted from a planned or unplanned Holy Ghost gathering? Please sending it into Vof1@aol.com
Every year, the Lord gives me a prophetic word for the upcoming year. At the end of 2015, He said that 2016 would be the year of the “gathering.” I have concluded that the strength of this word rest in the plural---gatherings, whereas I have seen fulfillment take place already these first months of the year.
In Tel-Aviv Israel, December 2015, I believe, after the “word of the Lord” had come to me, was when one of the first of the manifestations occurred. According to a Charisma magazine article, a group of 1000 Jews had gathered in a hotel in that Israel city. They had gathered for Messianic preacher and talk show host--Sid Roth’s conference on the supernatural.
Reportedly, halfway into Sid’s message the Holy Spirit fell on that crowd and miracles and healings began to manifest on these Jewish non-followers of Christ. At the end of the meeting, an altar call was given, and almost everyone in the room stood up at the invitation to receive Jesus the Messiah. The confirming scripture, the Lord, gave me, is Isaiah 56:8, the Lord is gathering the outcast of Israel. And others also, He said He will gather unto him.
7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
8 The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
In the preceding verse, the Lord make known that His house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
The scripture was also fulfilling, for me, in that I had just returned from a 10-day journey to Israel. Marveling at the Israel article, I thought, Lord even though the scripture says it, I didn’t know the prophecy was referencing Israel also.
I still don’t know the fullness of that word or the complete link to Israel (and the Jewish people). I do know, by scripture, it has always been God’s goal to gather his people— Jew and Gentile, in one accord to him.
Jesus said, in Mathew 18:20 “if two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst. Hebrews 10:25 says forsake not the assembly of yourselves together as the manner of some is, but even more, as you see the day approaching.
Gathered together is an interesting phrase in Bible translation. The two English words are translated from one word, which in essence, means to assemble with purpose. The word together means "to gather." We could say the phrase, in strength, means---gather---to do.
Continuing, 2016 will be marked by a time of supernatural gatherings, rallies, and meetings in the household of God. Some meetings will seemingly be church as usual, but God will intervene and take over.
There will be overflow from those meeting into the streets. Even casual meetings such as in the parks, on the streets, and in the malls will result in supernatural displays of God’s glory. Multitudes in some places and individuals in others will come to the light of the gospel. God is taking back his streets. The miracle days spoken before were subconsciously limited to church services and tent meeting. God is moving on the streets.
We are in the days of the infallible proofs that Dr. Luke spoke of in Acts 1:1-3
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
Jesus didn’t make guess work out of the gospel. His method of apologetics was scripturally based, as in the road to Emmaus experience in Luke 24:13-31. Still, the Infallible proof was also in the tangible, touchable manifestation of himself (he showed himself alive). Seeing or experiencing a miracle doesn’t validate faith. Miracles are the evidence of a supernatural God. Faith is the evidence that we trust in this supernatural God. The proof of the ice cream man is that when he comes, he has ice cream. Faith says when he comes, the ice cream he has is for me. The truck says he has ice cream. The distinct music says he has ice cream. All the other kids gathered at the corner says he has ice cream. Faith says I will join the gathering and get mine.
There will what the social media has called flash mobs. But it will not be planned or organized. I will draw believers together. Sinners will fall on the street, and stagger up, looking for me and those that represent me…so be ready. Don’t leave your houses half-dressed anymore, says the Lord, physically or spiritually, for you will not always know that moment I will use you.
When Jesus physically walked the streets, in own body, crowds flowed to Him, look for those days. The crowds that followed—followed with expectancy. Look for those days, for they are here.
And, for those who are expecting this move of the Spirit, I will pick you up and carry you places. You will look around and say, "My God, how did I get here." Sometimes it will be that dramatic. Other times it will because the environment has changed, affected by my Glory. You prayed for these times, and now they are here.
I saw believers in malls, not knowing that other believers were there, and suddenly a connection was made. People in the middle, of that connection, were convicted by the Holy Ghost and began to cry out. I have often said that the only reason, anyone should go to Hell, is not because they have not heard or seen the Gospel. If someone goes to Hell, it would be only because of willful rebellion against God.
I may have stirred resentment, on a street meeting, last summer, when I witnessed to the gathering during my ministry set. I referenced, the tragedy in the church in Charleston South Carolina saying that should not have happened. What should have happened is recorded in 1 Corinthian 14:23-25
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
The outcome of sinners visiting a church prayer meeting should be that they (the sinner or unbeliever) will come in, be overcome by the glory of God, fall on their face, and report that God is undoubtedly there in that gathering.
Some may have interpreted that I blamed the body of Christ family of failing in that massacre--absolutely not. I honor those martyrs of the faith, in any place who have given their lives for the gospel of Christ. I sing of those who refused to bow to the devil and his tyrants but clung to the profession of Jesus, knowing that it meant leaving this world.
Conversely, the Bible, still says, there is a place, where we as a church, walk in harmony and the power of the Holy Ghost, to where conviction comes upon the assassins of our faith, and those who try to infiltrate our gatherings of worship. There is a place, where those who hold to ungodliness---sins, vices, and walks of life contrary to the Word of God are convicted by the power of His love.
This type of witnessing doesn’t mean we don’t unswervingly stand for the truth of the gospel, morally and politically. What it also means, while doing so, we expect the full power of His love in us, to manifest powerfully through us.
The above verse in Isaiah says, (there) my house will be called the house of all people. Jesus in fulfillment of that prophetic scripture brought cleansing to the temple in Israel. It had become a place of monetary trade. He chased out the money changers and rehung the signage that reads---this is where prayer is answered.
Our gatherings today cannot be a place focused on social welfare and economic trade. Although, God will teach and supply abundantly. However victory is unmatched in the gatherings of the Lord where sin is exchanged for righteousness, despair and depression is traded for Hope, worry is exchanged for peace and joy, and failure and lack are traded for faith and trust. The list goes on. So does the year of gathering--be ready.
More on the gathering in upcoming articles. Do you have a story or testimony that resulted from a planned or unplanned Holy Ghost gathering? Please sending it into Vof1@aol.com
A Call to Gather--- Items to pray about
- Call for reverse terrorism. ----the love of God outpouring in gatherings
- Find opportunity to be a blessing to a family, a strange, or a group
- Recruit people to join in this love explosion
- Become a love martyr by giving your life for Christ. Giving your life means dying to prideand selfishness for the salvation of someone else.
- Remember the God of the Bible is greater than any other.
- Form a cell group that finds way to demonstrate the Love God
- Remember Love is greater than hate.
- Keep this campaign going.
- What's your cell group? How does your cell group spread the love of God?
- Pray for those who are in authority