1 Corinthians 12:27 – – “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” NKJV

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus declared ‘upon this rock I will build My church.’  My title embodies a very important question for the Body of Christ today.  Is what we see when we say Church a ‘vision’ or are we living in a fantasy land of ‘daydreams’?  Sadly, some, if not much, of the Christian world is living in a ‘daydream’ rather than following a God inspired ‘vision’ that consumes them.  So I ask you, ‘What is the mental image or descriptive term, thought or idea that comes to mind when you hear the word church?’

• When we speak of the FUNCTION of the church we think of it as a BODY.
• When we speak of the church RESPONDING TO GOD in praise & worship we call it a TEMPLE.
• When we focus on the FELLOWSHIP & RELATIONSHIPS of the corporate body we call ourselves a FAMILY.
• When the church is addressed as a GOVERNMENT or KINGDOM we call it a NATION.
• When we speak of the BELIEFS of the church we call it the HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH.
• When we speak of the BATTLES of the church in the spiritual realm we call it an ARMY.

Therefore what you see is very important because it identifies the focus, function, ministry and purpose we are addressing.  The Old Testament prophets spoke boldly of the conditions of our generation.  Their words address the circumstances of our lives at this very moment.  Amos 3:7 tells us that God will do nothing without first revealing it to His prophets.

If we are to understand our purpose and destiny we must come to a clear understanding of what the prophets have declared and attend to our mission in this life.  Following a God inspired vision is not doodling in daydreams and fantasies.

WHAT DID THE PROPHETS PROCLAIM?

• MICAH – – Cried out for JUSTICE and MERCY and exhorted God’s people to do the will of God.
• ZEPHANIAH – – Promised RESTORATION of a PURE LANGUAGE [3:9] God dispersed the human language at the Tower of Babel but the prophet spoke of a time when all people would hear a PURE SOUND that they would KNOW and UNDERSTAND.
• HAGGAI – – Depicts God’s covenant people as being His SIGNET RING, His STANDARD, His WITNESS to all people [2:23] It is what they are not just what they do.
• ZECHARIAH – – Declares that the nations will come to the anointed places to worship. [1:14-17]
• HABAKKUK – – Instructs us to WRITE the vision and PUBLISH it. [2:2]
• MALACHI – – Instructs us on how to FINANCE God’s plan [3:8-12] Then he finishes by prophesying FAMILY RESTORATION both natural and spiritual [4:6]

The prophet JOEL warned us to prepare for WAR. [3:9] He prophesied the release of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh.  EZEKIEL saw that SPIRITUAL ARMY. [37] Both Joel and Ezekiel saw the birth of a new prophetic order and Peter declared its beginning on the Day of Pentecost.  Although the church has taken a number of detours we are, I believe, coming back to the reality of Joel and Ezekiel’s prophesies.  We are going to become an ARMY that is VICTORIOUS in battle!  I want to take this one step further and will do so in the next post but until then may the Lord be with you watch over you, guard and guide you as you proceed through your day.  Blessings abundantly!