~ Understanding the battle for marriage and family
I felt the Holy Spirit hovering and speaking, ‘For many see that marriage and family are under attack and increasingly so over decades, but do they understand why?’. Many of us have seen the finger of the Lord upon it, and prophesied regarding it, but do we truly know WHY? Without true understanding here we lack the purpose for which we see.
The war is over the glory which is revealed to the earth through the sons and daughters sourced by the Son of Righteousness within them. We are children of the Light, and there is One source, which was Heaven’s redemption plan not of our own. We are like little moons shining in the darkness of night, we receive our light from the Son. The war began over the seed, and the wrestle continues to this day – from birth to maturity over the sons and daughters who shall reign. The enemy seeks to destroy the seed, and if he fails to destroy it he seeks to defile it, and then from there he attempts to assassinate the Lord’s perfect will by distorting and perverting the seed to the degree that the seed bears his image. The enemy desires his sons and daughters to reign with him too, for he fiercely covets the honor and glory. Already defeated He aims to strike the heart of the King by capturing His Bride, he seeks to make for himself an impure bride, he seeks to have covenant with her that she may reproduce for him until that final day. Who shall reign? ONE shall reign, though under His gracious jurisdiction and authority we rule and reign with Him, Yeshua our Lord and King.
“the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1:26-29 NIV
Heaven’s blueprint for oneness, ruling, authority, and dominion is displayed by the union of a man and woman in holy union.
The number of mankind is six, in the concept of addition ‘two persons’ together we see the number twelve, which is the number of government. When we are truly one with each other and one with Christ, we are empowered by our union with Him. We have become the three fold cord not easily broken. Now we see our right standing with Him – we are seated with Christ in Heavenly places. 12 : The 2 (that are now in harmony) are standing beside the 1, in right standing we rule with Christ. 1 (Christ, union with Him) + 2 (man & woman).
Here is a simplified way to see why the enemy has so fiercely come against marriage and family; they are the appointed institutions by God and are Heaven’s design for governing. Earth is a mirror of Heaven, and when we perceive this rightly, we dismantle the ruling spirits and accomplish the Lord’s highest plans. The Lord is a person with a heart and emotions, and He is looking for partners to govern with. This is how we restore Eden; it isn’t something new as much as it is returning to Truth, returning to our first Love and His directives. This is the new birth of the new man, the mature son and daughter walking in righteousness, authority and humility with the same intent as it always was though now re-emerging with unveiled faces. Rightly we shall see Him, and rightly shall we love Him. We reemerge to take dominion and occupy, preparing the soil for Justice, Mercy and Truth to once again have the lay of the land.
The first opportunity for dominion in the earth was through Adam and Eve, the second through the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and the third is what we are now progressing in – the new covenant where Jew and Gentile inherit salvation without distinction. The new covenant dominion model is built upon the Chief Cornerstone, where these living stones re-enter into the heart of God, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, with clear understanding of their identity. These living stones emerge as Adam and Eve’s restored sons and daughters.
Isaiah prophesied this plan when He saw the Lord, “For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. There shall be no end to the increase of His government and of peace, [He shall rule] on the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From that time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7 AMP.
The word government in the Hebrew in this passage means “rule, dominion”, “empire, prevail, have power”. It is important to highlight that the Scripture writes the government will be upon His shoulders. One of the meanings of shoulder in Hebrew in this Scripture is “the place of burdens”. With a mature understanding that Christ bore our burdens on the cross, coupled with the knowledge that we become one with Him through picking up our cross and sharing in His suffering; symbolically we are able to rightly see ourselves standing beside Christ, the head of the Church and support His dominion and rule just as shoulders support the head in the body. Once we have died and the new man emerges, he is designed to serve the Head of the Church, Christ. We serve Him by ruling and reigning with Him to accomplish His highest plans in the earth, that all dominion would be given unto His glorious Name.
We see and hear this plan in Genesis with Adam and Eve, ‘the first opportunity’ as I wrote above, “So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Genesis 1:27-28 AMP.
We see another opportunity for the plan to be manifested symbolically for a second time with the relationship of the High Priest and the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel that included a guarantee of blessing, provision, reclaimed property, ownership, and inheritance of promised land though they fell short when doubt, unbelief and disobedience prevailed as their choices. They continually became unattached from their first love, God Himself. The Old Testament covenant was likened to a marriage contract as the language is used throughout holy Scriptures. For this specific point, yesterday when starting to write on this topic I had a vision of the tribes of Israel on the priests shoulders, and the Lord was connecting another dot with governing and marriage with Lamb. The following Scripture is lengthy but very important, “You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the [twelve] sons of Israel, six of their names on one stone and the remaining six names on the other stone, arranged in the order of their births. With the work of a jeweler, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel. You shall have them set in filigree [settings] of gold. You shall put the two stones on the [two] shoulder pieces of the ephod [of the high priest], as memorial stones for Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names on his two shoulders as a memorial before the Lord. You shall make filigree [settings] of gold, and you are to make two chains of pure gold like twisted cords, and fasten the corded chains to the settings. “You are to make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skilled and talented craftsman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and of fine twisted linen. The breastpiece shall be square and folded double; a span [about nine inches] in length and a span in width. You shall mount on it four rows of stones: the first row shall be a row of ruby, topaz, and emerald; the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. The [engraved] stones shall be twelve, according to the names of [the twelve tribes of] the sons of Israel; they shall be like the engravings of a signet, each with its name for the twelve tribes. You shall make for the breastpiece chains of pure gold twisted like cords. You shall make on the breastpiece two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastpiece. You shall put the two twisted cords of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastpiece. The other two ends of the two cords you shall fasten in the two filigree settings in front, putting them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod. You shall make two gold rings and put them at the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod. You are to make two gold rings and attach them to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod in front, close to the place where it is joined, above the skillfully woven sash of the ephod. They shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it will be above the skillfully woven sash of the ephod, so that the breastpiece will not come loose from the ephod. So Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob) in the breastpiece of judgment over his heart when he enters the Holy Place, to bring them in continual remembrance before the Lord. In the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim (Lights) and the Thummim (Perfections) [to be used for determining God’s will in a matter]. They shall be over Aaron’s heart whenever he goes before the Lord, and Aaron shall always carry the judgment (verdict, judicial decisions) of the sons of Israel over his heart before the Lord.” Exodus 28:9-30 AMP. First there can be no tribe without a man and a woman, we need both male and female as the twelve tribes were the sons given to Jacob birthed through his wives Rachel and Leah, and concubines Bilhah and Zilpah. On each onyx stone placed upon each shoulder were engraved the six names that made the twelve sons / tribes of Israel. Six tribes on the right and six on the left – once again the number six represents mankind, we have two stones on either side of the head of the priest that in unity are the sum of the number twelve which is the government upon his shoulder. The Lord likened unto me in the vision the two onyx stones representing the man and woman on either side of Him that He has set to govern with Him. There is so much symbolism here, I could write a book, though for now I would like to focus on the meaning of the numbers and Old Testament priest atoning for sin and judgment. The old covenant is a foreshadow of the new covenant, the Old Testament priest singularly entered the Holy of Holies and symbolically carried (dead) stones on his shoulders and heart likened to the type and shadow of Jesus Christ the Messiah who became our High Priest once and for all atoning for our sin and makes intercession for the saints. In the new covenant Jesus restores us through our repentance back to right standing with Him; first we are restored to His heart which is always the first priority. He is the perfect sacrificial Lamb. When we emerge as restored, mature humble lovers, this makes the pathway for Eden anew, then we are granted authority to rule beside Him. It is not about our power though rather attaining all dominion that belongs to our King. If you understand this correctly you would know human power is demonstrated through self and is demonic. There is resurrection power, and dunamis power, however it once again is CHRIST IN you. “Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior].” Hebrews 4:14 AMP
So here we are emerging in our third opportunity post resurrection and ascension of Christ. The Lord has implanted us inside His heart, just as the Old Testament high priest carried the sons upon his heart and shoulders with the weight of judicial decisions upon his mind. Jesus carried the weight of our sins on the cross, freeing us from the condemnation and death sentence that we may rise as living stones. Now that the veil has been rent, we rise as co-heirs partnering with the Lord building upon the Chief Cornerstone. “Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. [Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16.] [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen (honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame. [Isa. 28:16.] To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, [Ps. 118:22.] And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God’s] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [Exod. 19:5, 6.]”1 Peter 2:4-9 AMPC
We serve Jesus our High Priest by carrying our cross (becoming like Him through the fellowship of His suffering) and executing His judgments (understanding what He is for or against). Only lovers are appointed to judge; selfless love moves His heart and selfless love comprehends rightly His ways. It is the tender devotion and commitment of these lovers that have His attention. He is our Bridegroom King who covers us, intercedes for us, provides for us and has already displayed His greatest love toward us. As we are One with Him, on earth as it is in Heaven we honor the Lord’s plan of restoration through the divine union of marriage. He laid His life down for us and we lay our life down for Him, the two become one. The covenant of marriage is what Heaven looks like. “Marriage is the beautiful design of the Almighty, a great mystery of Christ and his church.” Ephesians 5:32 TPT
This is our third opportunity, the number three is symbolic of covenant and the Spirit. “The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, the true Christians) say, Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty [who is painfully conscious of his need of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened]; and whoever [earnestly] desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate, and drink the water of Life without cost. [Isa. 55:1.]”
Revelation 22:17 AMPC. On earth we are preparing for the Marriage of the Lamb; “That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].” Ephesians 5:27 AMPC. “Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself. [Ps. 118:24.]” Revelation 19:7 AMPC.
“This life is a dressing room for eternity – THAT’S ALL IT IS!” ~ Leonard Ravenhill
Many years ago, about twenty, I had a dream I was in my grandmother’s dressing room sitting under one of the pieces of furniture in the room. I was huddled closely next to a person who was my husband (or who I was going to marry) in the dream. We were hunched for our heads to fit under the cut out area of the piece of furniture where our heads would fit, and sitting closely with our knees up, as if “taking cover” though there was no perceived danger, for me I think of a birthing or a groaning of intercession. My grandmothers name is Mary Magdalene and the Lord has often used her in my dreams to represent knowing Him and intimacy. In all other dreams about a man or husband the Lord would tell me who I was not to marry. This is the only dream up until a few years ago when He started speaking more specifically on the matter. The man in the dream was my cousin so obviously I couldn’t marry him and was symbolic; the meaning of his name, personality, calling, type, demeanor, and possibly looks, etc. The dressing room was to the right next to her bedroom and had an adjoining door to the bedroom as well as a main door. In the dream we were sitting underneath a window. In the big picture, the window represents our opportunity to become those who will bear the mature sons and daughters. With our backs near the wall, and facing toward the main door of the dressing room we have a choice. The adjoining door to the bedroom was to the right ~ this is our blueprint once again of Heaven, we have been given access to the bedroom representing intimacy. Here on earth we are dressing and preparing for eternity. It is our devotion to the Lord and with each other that glorifies Him and positions us for the final door to the Marriage of the Lamb. Ironically, my grandfather who is the husband to Mary owned several Dry Cleaners and it was many in our family who serviced over the years at one time or another in the cleaning of garments, inspecting them, sending them back for repairs or missed spots if necessary. We paid great detail and attention to readying the clean garments for the owners. Spiritually the most important thing we can do in our lives beside loving the Lord with all of our hearts, is help raise sons and daughters unto spiritual maturity. This is the preparing of the Bride.
“Out of your innermost being is flowing the fullness of my Spirit— never failing to satisfy. Within your womb there is a birthing of harvest wheat; they are the sons and daughters nurtured by the purity you impart. How gracious you have become!” Song of Songs 7:2-3 TPT
“For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us! For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly [because of some intentional fault on its part], but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will also be freed from its bondage to decay [and gain entrance] into the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons—the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection]. For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait eagerly for it with patience and composure.”
Romans 8:18-25 AMP
Here are links to some of the prophetic words already released in greater detail of the aforementioned content above on marriage and family
Ablaze Global Productions 