The biggest danger facing the present church- a necessary shift to enter the Kingdom age on Jesus’s side
"I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel." (Ezekiel 34:14).
Several years ago I was having coffee with a friend. I began sharing experiences I had in the 3rd Heavens from 2003-2005. I was sharing for about 5 minutes when he politely said, “Michael, how do you know you weren’t engaged in spiritism?” I responded, “What is spiritism?” After he defined spiritism I checked my heart to see if there was conviction. I felt none and responded, “I don’t believe I was but I can’t be certain.” We continued in conversation, finished our fellowship time, and went our separate ways. The next couple months I would search my heart regarding this matter. Many times I asked the Lord about it. Each time He would answer me but never with a “yes you were engaged in spiritism” or “no you weren’t.” He would always encourage me with things like, “Oh Michael that really was Me you were with!” or, “you really were in My 3rd Heavens.” I recall one time Jesus answered my question by quoting Matthew 7:9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?” Jesus’s answers regarding this matter were always positive and encouraging. As a result, I concluded that I was not engaged in Spiritism and that all was good. After several months of inquiring, I put this behind me and continued on with life. His acceptance and approval of me caused me to hear him say “no Michael, you were not engaged in spiritism” despite Him never actually saying “no.” What I was about to learn was invaluable; Jesus accepts you as you are and is willing to keep walk with you despite you falling short of His Will for you. He meets you where you’re at and will stay there with you until you’re willing to move with Him.
In January of 2020, the Lord took me back to my conversation with my friend. When He did my understanding of this matter all changed. I received understanding of an important principle needing to be received now more than ever- a caution of a great danger related to entering the promised land. One that could save the earth and its inhabitant’s much undue suffering and destruction in the coming years. Understanding what I’m about to share will correct a major error in the teachings of many in the emerging Kingdom movement. The teaching is not so much an error as it is an incomplete understanding resulting in consequential error. The following is my attempt at unveiling a revelation of John 10:1 that will shed light not only on the error but on the solution.
Promised Land danger
As God prepares to bring a remnant into the promised land, we must examine ourselves thoroughly and often. There are many dangers we need to be mindful of. The danger of not walking in the promised land through wilderness eyes, forgetting God as our source, pride, believing we are right when we are wrong, lusting for power and authority, etc…. these are all danger we want to lay before Jesus, asking Him for help on the journey. However, this blog places emphasis on one single danger; Thinking we have entered the promised when in fact we are taking the building material of the Kingdom of Heaven into our world to build our own “promised land.” I know we wouldn’t malishishly do that. I know the hearts of most have a genuine longing to do the Lord’s Will but if we don’t walk the path of divine order we end up walking our own path.
On January 22nd, 2020 I was a student in a class entitled “Disciples of Jesus.” I was listening as the teacher was discussing the difference between a follower of Jesus and a disciple. Out of nowhere the Lord broke in and began speaking. He took me back to the years I had spent ascending into the 3rd Heaven. At the same time He unveiled understanding of John 10:1. What He shared shocked me so much that I momentarily gasped for air. I tried to gather myself, doing my best to remain focused on the teaching. I didn’t want to be disrespectful to the teacher by interrupting his flow of the class. I went home that evening and began studying John 10:1 as well as the things the Lord had shared with me. I couldn’t wait to examine what I felt the Lord just dropped in me.
Before I attempt to articulate this revelation, I want to make it clear that in no way did I ever feel condemnation, guilt, or shame coming from the Lord. He wasn’t showing me something for any other reason except to provide insight into how He longs to gently lead humanity. The Father is not afraid of His creations rebellion and disobedience. His son paid the price for our foolishness once and for all. Now He’s just patiently waiting for us to return.
One reason the Lord shared this revelation with me is to bring about a change of direction- a course correction that will steer those entering into the Kingdom age onto the right path that walks them into Jesus’s Kingdom realm of Heaven on earth. My prayer is that the following word would remind us to always be prepared for correction. Keep in mind, there is no condemnation being presented here. No fingers of guilt being pointed. No casting of judgement upon anyone. Just an observation of importance- a comment of correction and an invitation for direction change. A change in our daily disciplines for those not walking into the Jesus’s “sheepfold” through the door.
When the new comes, the old is done away with (see Hebrews 8:13). This principle, in light of what I’m about to share has major consequences. For those willing to walk into the sheepfold through the door, new life in the Kingdom realm is the destination of your path. To those who remain climbing up the wall to enter the sheepfold, you will begin using what is taken to build your own kingdom, making your ministry an enemy of the ministry of Jesus. The Kingdom age is upon us beloved. We must discover Jesus’s divine order and step into it. All other orders have now become an antagonist to the gospel of the Kingdom.
I would not be sharing this if I didn’t feel it was time. My goal is to release “the new” and let God do what He will with “the old.” When a revelation comes to full maturity, God sets a new standard and begins working with His people according to the higher revelation. To those who will receive this word, prepare yourself for transformation according to the Father’s way. With this in mind, let’s look at the passage and explore the “old” and “new.”
Introducing John 10:1
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” John 10:1
The first principle I learned regarding this passage is that the verse is able to stand alone. I’ve learned of the importance of looking at scripture in context. When I read this passage in context, the revelation I thought I received didn’t make sense. I became confused until I heard the Lord say, “Look at the first word in verse two.” When I did I found the word “but.” The word “but” is a conjunction that brings together two distinct thoughts. These thoughts may or may not be joined together. In other words, the things being brought together can be separate thoughts. They don’t necessarily need to be a single thought. This opened the door for me to begin studying John 10:1 as a “stand alone” verse. And boy what a transformation it brought.
The 2 years I spent in the 3rd Heavens I do not believe I was acting in spiritism. However I do believe I was engaged in the act of stealing. I was taking what belongs in the Kingdom of Heaven and bringing it into my realm for use. I don’t believe I was condemned by the Lord for doing this anymore than I believe I was anything less than an accepted son as I was engaged in this disobedient act. I was acting in ignorance and immaturity and our loving Heavenly Father, through the blood of Jesus, was covering me. Nevertheless, the fact is that I, and we as a prophetic community, have been taking from the sheepfold of the Promised Land. Through the teachings of the church we have been taught to ascend into the spiritual realm, access the Promised Land, take what we find, and bring it back to our world. This is not the way of the Lord but rather the ways of man. The way of the Lord is to ascend into the Promised Land through the doorway. Upon entrance we learn to abide there and receive from that higher position of life in Jesus’s Kingdom realm. From there we are commissioned to do business on earth- on earth from Heaven- on earth from the sheepfold known as the Kingdom of Heaven on earth- from the place where the “little flock” gathers, finding safety and security from the storms of life.
The sheepfold, in John 10:1 can be looked at as the Promised Land of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. The sheepfold is a separate place walled off from the world. A specific territory reserved for the Shephard’s sheep. It’s a place where Jesus, the Chief Shepherd leads His disciples into (disciples of Jesus are known in scripture as sheep). A place where we meet the Risen Christ and He begins growing consciousness in us, through relationship, in the realm He created for humanity. There is only one way to enter the Promised Land of Heaven on earth-being guided by the Great Shepard through the door. Notice the Great Shepard is pictured on the ground, leading the sheep from the ground. God’s design for us to enter the Promised Land is from the earth by way of being led by the Great Shepard, not as spiritual beings ascending some other way. This picture of Jesus walking with us through the door is a picture of a disciple of Jesus who has his mind renewed, resulting in transportation their consciousness into the sheepfold of the Kingdom realm of Heaven where they remain on earth in Heaven. The life of a disciple of Jesus does not engage in ascending into the spiritual realm through spiritual actions. To do so would cause them to leave their position of seeking first the Kingdom. A disciple seeks first the Kingdom which keeps them grounded on the earth. It ensures they are walking into the sheepfold through the door. They don’t release their spirit to enter the spiritual realm because the Kingdom realm is not designed to be accessed by merely spiritual means. We were created as human beings not merely spiritual beings. On earth, the Kingdom realm is a non-duel realm that manifests itself in a realm of perfect union between the physical and spiritual. When we enter the sheepfold through spiritual means we break down the content of consciousness of the Kingdom limiting our consciousness to what we are seeking and ultimately lusting after.
When we “do not enter the sheepfold through the door,” John 10:1 says we “climb up” another way. The Greek word for “climb up” is translated “ascend.” When we don’t enter the Promised Land of the Kingdom realm being led by the Shepard His way- through the life of a disciple- then we “ascend” into the spiritual realm in such a way that we are unable to properly carry what’s revealed to us. Because of the lack of balance between the physical and spiritual, coupled with our disobedient path in “accessing” the Promised Land, we take what God designs for us to receive. Furthermore, we take out of Jesus’s realm what is only meant for His Kingdom’s realm. This results in an inability to properly carry treasure from the Promised Land, resulting in a guilty charge of robbery. Also, by taking what is solely designed for the Promised Land and bringing it back into our land-the carnal real- we end up using Promised Land material to ignorantly build our own kingdom in the carnal realm. The way of Jesus is to first lift us out of this world into His Kingdom realm on earth. Then He has us where He needs us- in the world but of His Kingdoms realm. Then, through intimate, personal union, He conforms us into His image until we can be trusted with His riches- the riches He bestows upon to enable us to serve humanity more effectively. Not until He conforms us to His image sufficiently, will He share His power and authority. Not until we learn what it means to become a minister of Jesus, serving lost humanity until all have found their way home, would Jesus ever gift us with power and authority. To give us such a gift through any other means would not be the Jesus way. We are arousing love before its time. Wait beloved! Rest and receive until He releases to restore.
When we ascend into the Kingdom realm the way I was taught in the past generation, we end up taking from the Kingdom in a carnal manner and are found guilty of robbery. When we enter the Kingdom realm through the door we enter the Kingdom realm on earth as it is in Heaven. When we enter the Kingdom by “Climbing up” we end up taking what’s designed for Heaven on earth and bringing it back into the carnal realm, fueling the carnal realm with something the Father never intended for it. Satan will use anything that’s brought into His realm including the presence of the Lord, the Ark of the Covenant and all that comes it.
When we enter the Promised Land through the door- the Jesus way- we receive from the Kingdom realm, in the Kingdom realm, and become empowered to keep what’s designed only for the Promised Land in the Promised Land. You see, the only way to abide in the Kingdom realm of Jesus is to walk the path that leads you through the doorway. The only way to find habitation in the Promised Land of the Kingdom realm is through the guidance and divine order of the Great Shepard. His guidance and divine order begins with His highest priority for you; Seeking first His Kingdom.
Please understand, the way we were taught to ascend was not necessarily a bad thing at the time. It was understanding we received in our carnal minds. It was fragmented, incomplete information yet to become whole. And in the Kingdom age, fragmented, incomplete revelation is a dangerous thing. It was what we knew at the time, and we are only held responsible for what we know. The past generation prophetic teachers were and are amazing people. They are worthy of great honor and will be esteemed in Heaven as God’s leaders to their generation. They were good stewards of what was entrusted to them. However, when something new from the Lord comes, the old is done away with. Because of this new understanding, if I am correct, from here forward we are held accountable for the means through which we access and enter the Kingdom. Beloved, if you’re entering heavenly places by ascending- by climbing up the wall- please stop! Instead, commit to the life of a disciple of Jesus and begin the process of entering the Promised Land of the Kingdom realm through the disciplines of a disciple of the Kingdom. Begin the life God designed for you- the life of walking into the Promised Land of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
Rest assured that Jesus is inviting us to ascend into His Promised Land. He’s longing to receive us in His prescribed manner. When Jesus said ‘Come up here” He meant it! He just needs for us to walk His prescribed path. Keep your feet on the ground beloved! Today, commit to being led by the Great Shepard on the path through the door. Commit to the Jesus way- one disciple at a time, being built up into an eternal mystic- a son of the living God in the realm of THE SON of the Living God. This requires you to enter a process of repentance by way of seeking first the Kingdom- another way of saying becoming a disciple of Jesus.
There is an emerging remnant of shepherds that God is raising up. They will be the one’s waiting at the door of the sheepfold, welcoming all who commit to the life of a disciple. They will be led into the Promised Land of the Kingdom realm, and receive knowledge and understanding that will progressively open their designed territory of destiny to their conscious experience. They will be led into the Promised Land only to be trained to return to the carnal realm so they can continue Jesus’s ministry to mankind- making disciples for Jesus- making ascended one’s of the Kingdom realm.
It’s essential that we become clothed with the sons of Issacar anointing- discerning who are the shepard’s by the door and who are those teaching ascension into the Kingdom some other way. We are called to speak the truth in love, praying for those teaching incorrect ascension and remaining diligent to keep the course of being led by shepard’s who are leading us into the sheepfold through the door.
"I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel." (Ezekiel 34:14).
