APOSTLE JOHN ECKHARDT

Unless otherwise indicated, all script ral ! otations are "ro# the King James Version o" the $i%le&

The Sha#ar Prophet P %lished %'( Cr saders )inistries P& O& $o* +,)atteson, .llinois /0++1 2034,--40,31 .S$N 54331,-24-640 Cop'ri7ht 8 -00/ All ri7hts reser9ed& Reprod ction o" te*t in whole or in part witho t the e*press written consent o" the a thor is not per#itted and is nlaw" l accordin7 to the 5,2/ United States Cop'ri7ht Act&

Desi7ned and printed %' Hea9enl' Printin7 Chica7o, .llinois : 22142314-,35 ser9ice;hea9enl'printin7&co#

Table of Contents

.ntrod ction&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&6

5 The Role And < nction O" Prophets .n The Local Ch rch&&&&&&&&&&&&&&2

- Prophets at the =ates&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&51

1 The Prophet>s ?ard&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&5,

+ New Testa#ent Prophets&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&-6

6 ?ar"are&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&15

/ Spirits to ?ar A7ainst&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&12

Re"erences&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&+2

Introduction
As an apostle, . ha9e a desire to see stron7 local ch rches esta%lished in e9er' re7ion, territor' and nation& Apostles are wise #aster4% ilders& The ch rch is % ilt pon the "o ndation o" apostles and prophets @Eph& -(-0A& Local ch rches need to %e % ilt and esta%lished with apostolic and prophetic 7race& The ch rch cannot %e % ilt properl' with onl' a pastoral anointin7& Prophets need to %e identi"ied and esta%lished in local ch rches& =od has set prophets in the ch rch @5 Cor& 5-(-3A& . ha9e seen #an' pastors s ""er terri%le set%acBs and attacBs that cripple their #inistries& )ost leaders ha9e ne9er %een instr cted in the area o" the prophetic& )an' leaders are a"raid o" the prophet>s #inistr' %eca se o" a% se or #isrepresentation& So#e leaders don>t %elie9e prophets are "or toda'>s ch rch& A ch rch cannot " nction properl' and " ll' witho t the prophet>s #inistr'& This is %eca se the prophet>s #inistr' is desi7ned %' =od to help protect the ch rch "ro# the de9ices and plans o" hell& End4ti#e ch rches will %e % ilt with all "i9e #inistr' 7i"ts in operation& ?e are destined to see the 7reatest ch rches % ilt in the last da's& The Hol' Spirit is releasin7 a 7reat a#o nt o" re9elation concernin7 the local ch rch& ?e are respondin7 to this re9elation %' % ildin7 ch rches with apostolic and prophetic 7race& Ha9e 'o seen ch rches and its leadership s ""er set%acBs, pro%le#s, splits, and attacBs that ha9e sidetracBed and destro'ed the 9isionC This %ooB will 7i9e answers to wh' this is o"ten the case& The lacB o" prophetic #inistr' is a serio s de"icienc' in #an' local ch rches& Ch rches that ne7lect and o9erlooB this 9ital #inistr' will s all' s ""er the conse! ences& This %ooB will 7i9e re9elation concernin7 how to a9oid and o9erco#e the traps o" the ene#'&

The Role And Function Of Prophets In The Local Church

5
And %' a prophet the LORD %ro 7ht .srael o t o" E7'pt, and %' a prophet was he preser9ed& @Hosea 5-(51A
Hosea 5-(51 re9eals to s one o" the #aDor " nctions o" the prophet>s #inistr', preser9ation& .srael was deli9ered "ro# E7'pt thro 7h the #inistr' o" )oses& .srael was preser9ed thro 7h the intercession o" )oses @N #& 5+(554-0A& Preser9e #eans to Beep "ro# har#, da#a7e, dan7er, or e9il& .t also #eans to protect or sa9e& The word preser9ed is "ro# the He%rew word Sha#ar& Sha#ar #eans to hed7e a%o t @as with thornsA, to 7 ard, to protect, to watch, to %eware& This word e#phasiEes the protecti9e ele#ent o" the prophet>s #antle& The word sha#ar is "irst sed in script re in =en& -(56& Ada# is told to Beep @ sha#ar A the 7arden& .t is also #entioned in =en& +(,& Cain asBs =od is he his %rother>s Beeper @sha#arA& The preser9in7 and 7 ardin7 aspect o" the prophet>s #inistr' is needed in e9er' local ch rch& This is acco#plished thro 7h intercession, discern#ent, praise, preachin7, teachin7 and worship& This helps de"end the ch rch a7ainst error, heres', witchcra"t, carnalit', per9ersion, le7alis#, sin, and deception& Each ch rch sho ld de9elop and train the prophets that ha9e %een set in the asse#%l' %' =od& A "ail re to do so can res lt in a local ch rch

The Sha#ar Prophet

s ""erin7 "ro# #an' attacBs that co ld ha9e %een a9erted& A re9elation o" the prophet>s #inistr' is 9ital to the s ccess and health o" the ch rch& A re9elation o" the sha#ar aspect o" the prophet>s #inistr' will help ch rches protect and de"end the "locB&

Sha#ar #eans to 7 ard, to Beep, to %e a watch#an& .t can re"er to 7 ardin7 a "locB, the heart, the #ind, a nation, or a cit' "ro# o tside attacB or n7odl' in"l ences& .t is sed in re"erence to Beepin7 @7 ardin7A the 7ates or entries to cities& Each local ch rch needs a prophetic 7 ard& This is not one prophet, % t a co#pan' o" prophets who help 7 ard the ch rch "ro# the in9asion o" the ene#'& Ch rches that de9elop the prophetic #inistr' will ha9e the ad9anta7e o" %ein7 protected thro 7h prophetic intercession and the sha#ar aspect o" the prophet>s #inistr'&
To 7 ard #eans to protect, watch o9er, stand 7 ard o9er, police, sec re, de"end, shield, shelter, screen, co9er, cloaB, preser9e, sa9e, conser9e, s per9ise, Beep nder s r9eillance, control, Beep nder 7 ard, 7o9ern, restrain, s ppress, Beep watch, %e alert, taBe care& S'non'#s "or 7 ard incl de protector, de"ender, 7 ardian, c stodian, watch#an, sentinel, sentr', patrol, and 7arrison& These words help de"ine the sha#ar aspect o" the prophet>s #inistr'& The ch rch has o"ten %een ta 7ht that pastors are the spirit al 7 ardians o" the ch rch, while ne7lectin7 the #inistr' o" prophets& The ch rch was ne9er intended to " nction with onl' pastors& Prophets ha9e also %een set in the ch rch @5 Cor& 5-(-3A& Ch rches that i7nore the prophet>s #inistr' will not %e a%le to withstand the attacBs o" hell in the last da's& )an' well4#eanin7 pastors ha9e s ""ered nnecessaril' d e to the lacB o" nderstandin7 o" the prophet>s #inistr'& ?hen the LORD esta%lishes a ch rch, he will set prophets within that ch rch& Ch rches # st %e % ilt with apostolic wisdo# that will incl de the reco7nition and release o" prophets& The sha#ar aspect o" the prophet>s #inistr' is one o" the #ost i#portant that will %ene"it the ch rch& Accordin7 to Pa la Price, sha#ar is a He%rew word "or prophet as watch#an& The sha#ar aspects o" the prophet pertains to the o""icer>s role as a 7ardener tendin7 to the "locB o9er which he or she 3

The Role And < nction O" Prophets .n The Local Ch rch
has care& .t also applies to the 7 ardianship, sentinel, and protecti9e " nction o" the o""ice& To sha#ar a people or worB propheticall' is to encircle it, % ild a di9ine wall or hed7e o" protection, or to seal the hed7e in which the de9il has %roBen with satanic assa lts, attacBs, and war"are& See Psa& 5-2(5 and 510(/F and /-(/F Son7 o" Solo#on 1(1 and 6(2&&&?atch#en d ties then are acco#plished thro 7h the pra'ers, intercessions, and petitions o" the prophet on %ehal" o" the ch rch&&&S ch a 7 ard wo ld consist o" the pra'er tea#, the special intercessors, dedicated psal#ists, seers, and o" co rse s %ordinate prophets&&&Th s the word sha#ar e#phaticall' 7i9es prophets the stat s o" spirit al 7 ards, warriors, s pernat ral en"orcers, and Beepers o" the ch rches o" =od& See Jer& 52(5/ and 60(/42 as e*a#ples&&&Additionall', o r word sha#ar identi"ies a prophet who encircles @or s rro ndsA to retain and attend to, as one does a 7arden& The prophet>s spirit al a thorit' acts as a "ence or 7arrison aro nd an assi7ned con7re7ation to shield it "ro# har#, attacB, or de#onic trespass& Protection "ro# trespassers, as #eant here, incl des protection "ro# the spoila7e, destr ction, in9asion, and threats that res lt "ro# spirit al and h #an trespassers in the ch rch& There are ti#es heretical t'pes or wa'ward rene7ades Doin a ch rch to sow seeds o" destr ction in it& The watch" l e'e o" the resident prophet can spot these people and %rin7 spirit al disco#"ort on the# so the' are ill at ease a#on7 the "locB and ! icBl' lea9e& $ehold, he that Beepeth @sha#arA .srael shall neither sl #%er nor sleep& The LORD is th' Beeper @sha#arA( the LORD is th' shade pon th' ri7ht hand& The s n shall not s#ite thee %' da', nor the #oon %' ni7ht& The LORD shall preser9e @sha#arA thee "ro# all e9il( he shall preser9e @sha#arA th' so l& The LORD shall preser9e @sha#arA th' 7oin7 o t and th' co#in7 in "ro# this ti#e "orth, and e9en "or e9er#ore& @Psa& 5-5(+43A& ?e can see "ro# these 9erses that =od sha#ars his people& =od lo9es his people and protects the#& The sha#ar aspect o" the prophet>s #inistr' is a part o" the nat re o" =od& =od ne9er sl #%ers or sleeps @alwa's alertA& =od sha#ars s "ro# e9il& =od sha#ars o r ,

The Sha#ar Prophet

so ls @#ind, will, and e#otionsA& =od sha#ars o r 7oin7 o t and co#in7 in @tra9elsA& .t is the nat re o" =od to protect& Protection is a part o" o r co9enant& Prophets are a part o" o r co9enant& So#e leaders looB at prophets as trans4local #inistries onl', while the pastor is stationar'& .t is a %lessin7 to %rin7 prophets in "ro# the o tside to #inister& This does not replace prophets that need to %e stationed in the ho se& These sha#ar prophets are a part o" the local ch rch, D st as pastors&

THE CONSP.RACG O< THE ?.CKED

This section is not desi7ned to #aBe %elie9ers paranoid or "ear" l, % t to waBe p %elie9ers to the realit' o" wicBed plots %' the ene#'& ?e # st %eco#e so%er and 9i7ilant& The "ollowin7 script res 7i9e s a pict re o" the plots and conspiracies o" the wicBed& Keep #e as the apple o" the e'e, hide #e nder the shadow o" th' win7s& <ro# the wicBed that oppress #e, "ro# #' deadl' ene#ies, who co#pass #e a%o t&&& The' ha9e now co#passed s in o r steps( the' ha9e set their e'es %owin7 down to the earthF LiBe as a lion that is 7reed' o" his pre', and as it were a 'o n7 lion l rBin7 in secret places& @Psa& 52(34,, 5545-A The ene#' is co#pared to a lion l rBin7 in secret places& To l rB #eans to sta' hidden, read' "or attacB& .t #eans to lie in wait, as in a#% sh& The wicBed plotteth a7ainst the D st&&& @Psa& 12(5-A Plotteth is the He%rew word Ea#an, #eanin7 to plan, consider, i#a7ine, plot, p rpose, thinB @e9ilA& This 9erse shows that the ene#' is alwa's plannin7 attacBs a7ainst the ri7hteo s& This incl des ch rches, "a#ilies, and 7odl' leaders& The sha#ar #inistr' is needed to ward o"" and destro' these plots& The wicBed watcheth the ri7hteo s, and seeBeth to 50

The Role And < nction O" Prophets .n The Local Ch rch
sla' hi#& @Psa& 12(1-A ?atcheth is the He%rew word tsaphah& This is the sa#e word translated watch#an& This #eans there is an e9il watch& The ene#' watches "or openin7s @%roBen hed7es and 7apsA to enter& These 7aps # st %e "illed thro 7h sha#ar pra'er and intercession& The' 7ather the#sel9es to7ether, the' hide the#sel9es, the' #arB #' steps, when the' wait "or #' so l& @Psa& 6/(/A )arB is the word sha#ar #eanin7 to la' in wait& Hide #e "ro# the secret co nsel o" the wicBedF "ro# the ins rrection o" the worBers o" ini! it'&&&The' enco ra7e the#sel9es in an e9il #atter( the' co## ne o" la'in7 snares pri9il'F the' sa', ?ho shall see the#C @Psa& /+(-,6A ?e need to %e hidden "ro# the secret co nsel o" the wicBed and %e protected and deli9ered "ro# the secret snares o" the ene#'& The wicBed ha9e waited "or #e to destro' #e&&& @Psa& 55,(,6A ?aited is the He%rew word !a9ah #eanin7 to e*pect, looB patientl', wait "or& The ene#' waits "or an' opport nit' to enter& The wicBed desire to destro' the ri7hteo s& The wicBed can re"er to wicBed people or wicBed spirits& =od does not lea9e his people de"enseless& He has pro9ided protection and deli9erance "or his people& The sha#ar anointin7 has %een pro9ided to shield s "ro# the attacBs o" the ene#'&

55

Prophets at the Gates

&&& % t Daniel sat in the 7ate o" the Bin7& @Dan& -(+,A <or he hath stren7thened the %ars o" th' 7atesF he hath %lessed th' children within thee& He #aBeth peace in th' %orders, and "illeth thee with the "inest o" the wheat& @Psa& 5+2(51A
Prophets need an nderstandin7 o" their role and position in the ch rch& A re9elation o" the sha#ar aspect o" the prophet>s #antle will help the# " l"ill their #inistries& Prophets need to ha9e an nderstandin7 o" 7ates and entr' points in ch rches, cities, re7ions, and nations& A re9elation o" 7ates and their i#portance will help prophets de"end these entr' points "ro# in9asion %' the ene#'& =ates are entr' points& =ates need to %e stren7thened in order to Beep the ene#' o t& The prophet>s #inistr' helps stren7then the 7ates& The children will %e %lessed& Peace will %e within the ch rch& The ch rch will %e "illed with the "inest o" the wheat @prosperit'A& Praise is a 7ate @.sa& /0(53A& The ene#' o"ten atte#pts to attacB and in"iltrate the praise and worship o" a ch rch& He attacBs praise leaders, #instrels and psal#ists& Prophets # st help protect this 7ate thro 7h intercession @see Psa& 553(5,4-0A& Prophets can speaB with the ene#ies in the 7ate @Psa& 5-2(6A& SpeaB is the He%rew word da%ar #eanin7 to s %d e& .t is also i#portant that prophets @those that sit in the 7ateA Beep the#sel9es "ro# speaBin7 e9il a7ainst leadership @see Psa& /,(5-A& &&& then was ?AR in the 7ates&&& @J d7es 6(3A 51

The Sha#ar Prophet

) ch o" the war"are a7ainst de#ons will taBe place at the 7ates& Prophets # st war in the 7ates& The' # st intercede and stop the ene#' at the 7ates& ." the ene#' is 9ictorio s in the 7ates, the ch rch is in tro %le& This is wh' prophets # st %e a part o" the leadership o" the local ch rch& The' are set in the ch rch HsecondH %' =od @5 Cor& 5-(-3A& Prophets sho ld %e a part o" the # sic #inistr', the 'o th #inistr', the children>s #inistr', the pres%'ter', and the o9erall #inistr' o" a ch rch& Each 7ate o" a ch rch needs prophetic intercession& &&& and the horse#en shall set the#sel9es in arra' at the 7ate&&& @.sa& --(2A The ene#' set the#sel9es in arra' at the 7ate& De#ons la nch their attacBs at the 7ates& This is wh' we need prophets at the 7ates& The war"are is alwa's at the 7ates& There are also 7atewa' ch rches @apostolicA that are the Be' to a re7ion or territor'& These 7atewa' ch rches need stron7 prophets to Beep the ene#' o t& Stron7 prophetic intercession is a # st i" the 7ate is to %e protected& &&& the 7ate is s#itten with destr ction&&& @.sa& -+(5-A A ch rch has no protection i" the 7ates are destro'ed& De#ons will attacB the 7ates and atte#pt to destro' the#& Prophets stand at the 7ates& The 7ate represents a place o" a thorit'& The prophet has the spirit al a thorit' to stand at the 7ate and challen7e the ene#'& The destr ction o" a 7ate res lts in nwanted thin7s enterin7 in& De#ons can enter a ch rch and esta%lish stron7holds i" the 7ates are open& A destro'ed 7ate #eans that nothin7 can %e closed& The' hate hi# that RE$UKETH in the 7ate&&& @A#os 6(50A The 7ate is a place where the ene#' can %e re% Bed& To re% Be #eans to "orce %acB& De#ons need to %e re% Bed& The' need to %e %eaten %acB& Prophetic intercession helps re% Be the ene#' in the 7ates& A re% Be is a sharp repri#and& A repri#and is a se9ere or "or#al re% Be %' a person in a thorit'& Spirits o" witchcra"t, l st, re%ellion, deception, pride, JeEe%el, reli7ion, and carnalit'4# st %e 5+

Prophets at the =ates

re% Bed in the 7ates& This will pre9ent the# "ro# enterin7 in and destro'in7 the ch rch& And Elisha died, and the' % ried hi#& And the %ands o" the )oa%ites in9aded the land at the co#in7 in o" the 'ear& @- Kin7s 51(-0A The %ands o" the )oa%ites in9aded the land a"ter the death o" Elisha& This is a pict re o" what happens when prophets are re#o9ed& The )oa%ites co ld not in9ade as lon7 as Elisha was li9in7& His intercession Bept the ene#' o t o" .srael& The intercession o" the prophet is a power" l restraint a7ainst the plans o" darBness& &&& % t Elisha, the prophet that is in .srael, telleth the Bin7 o" .srael the words that tho speaBest in th' %edcha#%er& @- Kin7s /(5-A Elisha was a%le to warn the Bin7 and pre9ent hi# "ro# %ein7 a#% shed& The prophet>s #inistr' is pre9enti9e& .t is %etter to pre9ent so#ethin7 "ro# happenin7 than reactin7 to it a"ter it happens& The sha#ar aspect o" the prophet>s #inistr' can also %e seen in the li"e o" Sa# el&

So the Philistines were s %d ed, and the' ca#e no #ore into the coast o" .srael( and the hand o" the Lord was a7ainst the Philistines ALL THE DAGS O< SA)UEL& @5 Sa#& 2(51A
The Philistines were s %d ed and co ld not enter the coast o" .srael as lon7 as Sa# el was ali9e& This 7i9es s a pict re o" the power o" a prophet>s presence& The ene#' hates the prophet %eca se the prophet>s presence thwarts his ad9ances& He has done e9er'thin7 in his power to Beep prophets "ro# %ein7 reco7niEed and operational in the ch rch& This is o"ten the res lt o" n%elie", "ear, or tradition& ?e are c rrentl' seein7 the restoration o" the prophetic #inistr' and a correspondin7 release o" re9elation and nderstandin7 concernin7 this #inistr'&

56

The Sha#ar Prophet Sha#ar prophets help 7 ard the ch rch a7ainst(
Acc sation Apath' $acB%itin7 $acBslidin7 $etra'al Carnalit' Co#pro#ise Con" sion Con" sion and disorder Control Co9eto sness Death Deception Destr ction Di9ision Doctrines o" de9ils <alse prophets, apostles, and teachers <alse teachin7 <inancial attacBs =ossip =reed .dolatr' .##oralit' Jealo s' JeEe%el Le7alis# L Bewar#ness Re%ellion Pride SicBness, death, and in"ir#it' Slander Stri"e Sloth" lness ?itchcra"t Treacher' Sha#ar prophets help protect the preachin7, teachin7, e9an7elis#, worship, and intercession& The' help identi"' and con"ront reli7io s spirits, occ lt spirits, spirits o" sin, pride, re%ellion, and witchcra"t& Sha#ar prophets are the spirit al i## ne s'ste# o" a local ch rch& The' help "i7ht o"" spirit al disease that is desi7ned to a""ect the health o" the ch rch& Sha#ar prophets are needed "or the o9erall health o" the ch rch& .n addition to identi"'in7 these potential ene#ies, sha#ar prophets o 7ht to seeB =od and de9elop strate7ies to resist, e*pel, and o9erco#e the#& These strate7ies can incl de pra'er, "astin7, worship, teachin7, preachin7, correctin7, and e*pellin7& .n other words, prophets sho ld do #ore than cr' HTh s saith the LordH& The' are a part o" the co9enant co## nit' and ha9e a 9ested interest in the health o" the "locB& The' are not o tsiders looBin7 in& The' # st lo9e the ch rch& The' # st e*perience the Do' o" 9ictor' and the 7rie" o" the ene#ies> attacBs& Jere#iah wept "or .srael %eca se he was a part o" .srael and s ""ered with .srael& Prophets

5/

Prophets at the =ates

# st nderstand that =od has HsetH the# in the ch rch& To set #eans to %e appointed, esta%lished, or positioned& The sha#ar prophet helps to protect the 9ision o" the ch rch& The' also help to con"ir# the 9ision o" the ch rch& The' help ward o"" satan>s attacB on the 9ision o" the ch rch& The' # st share a di9ine Dealo s' "or the health o" the ch rch and the p rposes o" =od "or the ch rch @see - Cor& 55A& The' # st nderstand that the ch rch is a di9ine instit tion ordained %' =od and hated %' the ene#'& The ch rch is the .srael o" =od& Now will . sin7 to #' well %elo9ed a son7 o" #' %elo9ed to chin7 his 9ine'ard& )' well4%elo9ed hath a 9ine'ard in a 9er' "r it" l hill( And he <ENCED .T, and 7athered o t the stones thereo", and planted it with the choicest 9ine, and $U.LT A TO?ER in the #idst o" it, and also #ade a winepress therein&&& @.sa& 6(54-A .srael is =od>s 9ine'ard& The ch rch is =od>s 9ine'ard& The res lt o" the plantin7 o" the Lord sho ld %e "r it" lness& The Lord hed7es his 9ine'ard& He places a tower in the #idst& These are %oth pict res o" the prophet>s #inistr' in the ch rch& The hed7e and the tower are necessar' to Beep the ene#' o t& ?e ha9e %een ordained to %rin7 "orth "r it, and "or the "r it to re#ain @John 56(5/A& The ene#' wants to destro' the "r it o" ch rches and #inistries& Prophets are needed in the local ch rch to pre9ent the "r it "ro# %ein7 destro'ed& .t is nwise to plant a 9ine'ard witho t a "ence& A "ence pro9ides a protecti9e %arrier "or the 9ine'ard& A tower is a place "or the watch#an& Iine'ards need watch#en& Local ch rches need towers and watch#en to protect the 9ine'ard& &&&. Bnew not that the' had de9ised de9ices a7ainst #e, sa'in7, Let s destro' the tree with the "r it thereo"&&& @Jer& 55(5,A The ene#' plots to destro' the tree with its "r it& He de9ises de9ices& De9ise is the He%rew word, chasha%, #eanin7 to plait or 52

The Sha#ar Prophet

i#penetrate, to wea9e& .#penetrate is related to the word i#penetra%le #eanin7 that which cannot %e sol9ed or nderstood& To plait #eans to %raid or interwea9e& To interwea9e #eans to connect closel' or intricatel'& The ene#' sets p intricate plans a7ainst the ch rch& .t taBes a prophet>s anointin7 to nwea9e these plots&

53

The Prophet's Ward

&&&)' lord, . stand contin all' pon the watchtower in the da'ti#e, and . a# set in #' ?ARD ?HOLE N.=HTS( @.sa& -5(3A
?ard is the He%rew word #ish#ereth #eanin7 watch, the sentr', the post, preser9ation, o""ice, ordinance, a sa"e7 ard& .t is "ro# the root word #ish#ar #eanin7 a 7 ard& The prophet was set in his ward& Set is the He%rew word natsa% #eanin7 to station, a pillar& A ward is a #eans o" de"ense or protection& ?ard is the root o" the word warden& A warden is a person who 7 ards, or has char7e o" so#ethin7& Prophets are spirit al wardens& The' help 7 ard and protect the ho se o" the Lord "ro# the ene#'& )an' local ch rches ha9e %een de"enseless a7ainst the ene#' %eca se o" the lacB o" prophets stationed in their wards& Prophets # st station the#sel9es in their respecti9e wards& Local ch rches # st ha9e prophetic wards esta%lished to preser9e the ch rch "ro# the attacBs o" the de9il& Prophets are spirit al s perintendents& The' watch and "orti"' the ch rch& The ch rch was ne9er intended to %e witho t prophets& A ch rch, witho t prophetic wards, can %e in"iltrated& The prophet was set in his ward whole ni7hts& . %elie9e this can %e a re"erence to all ni7ht pra'er %ein7 an e""ecti9e wa' o" pre9entin7 the ene#' "ro# in"iltratin7 the ch rch& Prophets are appointed and set in their wards %' =od& The' are responsi%le to taBe their place as watch#en and protect the ch rch& The' # st stand contin all' pon the watchtower& The' # st %e "aith" l to their assi7ned posts& The' cannot 9acate their wards& The' 5,

The Sha#ar Prophet

# st nderstand their i#portance to the sa"et' and protection o" the ch rch& The' # st set the#sel9es in a post re o" pra'er and intercession& Set #eans to position& .t #eans that the' will not #o9e "ro# a position& Satan will atte#pt to ca se prophets to #o9e o t o" this place& He will atte#pt to disco ra7e the# and pre9ent the# "ro# taBin7 their place in the watchtower& Prophets # st taBe an attit de o" %ein7 n#o9ea%le& The' # st stand in their assi7ned places and " l"ill their #inistries& The prophet sho ld asB, H?here is #' wardCH Prophets sho ld Bnow their ward& The' sho ld Bnow where =od has placed the#& The' # st ha9e a re9elation o" their assi7ned positions& The' # st set the#sel9es in that place and watch& The' # st operate as spirit al wardens to protect those who# the' ha9e %een 7i9en char7e& The' # st taBe their places as spirit al wardens in nations, re7ions, cities, and local ch rches& <or th s hath the LORD said nto #e, =o, set a watch#an, let hi# declare what he seeth& @.sa& -5(/A ?atch#en need to %e set& The' are responsi%le to declare what the' see& Sha#ar prophets are watch#en& To set #eans to p t in the proper or desi7nated place& Sha#ar prophets need to %e set in their desi7nated places& The' need to %e set in their wards& Prophets ha9e the a%ilit' to see& Prophets were called seers& E9er' local ch rch needs watch#en& A watch#an is one who stands 7 ard& Ancient cities had watch#en stationed on the walls& Their responsi%ilit' was to so nd a warnin7 i" an ene#' approached @- Kin7s ,(52F EEeB& 11(-41A& .srael>s prophets saw the#sel9es as watch#en warnin7 the nation o" =od>s approachin7 D d7#ent i" the people did not repent& Iine'ards and "ields also had watch#en, especiall' d rin7 har9est& Their responsi%ilit' was to 7 ard the prod ce "ro# ani#als and thie9es& @Hol#an $i%le Dictionar'A There are three words "or watch#an( tsaphah, sha#ar, and natsar& Tsaphah #eans to lean "orward, i&e&, to peer into the -0

The Prophet>s ?ard

distanceF to o%ser9e, await4%ehold, esp', looB p, wait "or, Beep the watch& Sha#ar #eans to hed7e a%o t @as with thornsA, i&e&, 7 ard, to protect, attend to, %eware, %e circ #spect, taBe heed, Beep #arB, looB narrowl', o%ser9e, preser9e, re7ard, reser9e, sa9e, s re, @that la'A wait, watch#an& Natsar #eans to 7 ard, in a 7ood sense or a %ad one @to concealA, %esie7ed, hidden thin7, Beep, #on #ent, o%ser9e, preser9e, watcher& Each o" these words pro9ides insi7ht into the " nction o" the watch#an& As the watch#an peers into the distance, recei9in7 "orewarnin7 "ro# =od, he speaBs "orth the word that can %rin7 preser9ation, chan7e, protection, and strate7'& @)artha L cia and Dana )illarA ?atch#an prophets help pre9ent the ene#' "ro# destro'in7 the ch rch and its leadership& S'non'#s "or pre9ent incl de o%str ct, hinder, ha#per, %locB, i#pede, interr pt, inter"ere, stop, p t a stop to, halt, checB, arrest, a%ort, "r strate, thwart, "oil, restrain, hold %acB, oppose, prohi%it, ne traliEe, and t rn aside& No wonder the ene#' hates the prophet>s #inistr'& )an' thin7s can %e pre9ented thro 7h the prophet>s #inistr'& E9er'thin7 that happens is not necessaril' the will o" =od& =od allows what we allow& .t is the will o" =od that #an' thin7s %e pre9ented& Prophets help s pre9ent thin7s that are not the will o" =od& $ein7 a watch#an "or this #inistr', . ha9e o"ten seen the ene#'>s strate7ies and, at ti#es, recei9ed speci"ic insi7ht ran7in7 "ro# the e*act na#e o" the spirit to speci"ic responses in spirit al war"are, which we were to %attle with& . ha9e also had a watch#an>s e'e to see the ti#es and seasons o" =od which we were in& . ha9e watched and warned when the ene#' was on the #o9e, when we as a #inistr' were o t o" =od>s spirit al position, or challen7ed to rise p and la' hold o" =od>s seasons o" release and %lessin7 lest we #iss what he is doin7 in o r #idst& @)arcia L ciaA And conspired all o" the# to7ether to co#e and to "i7ht a7ainst Jer sale#, and to hinder it& Ne9ertheless we #ade o r pra'er nto o r =od, and set a watch a7ainst the# da' and ni7ht, %eca se o" the#& @Neh& +(34,A

-5

The Sha#ar Prophet

The ad9ersaries o" Nehe#iah ca#e to hinder the % ildin7 o" the walls o" Jer sale#& Nehe#iah is a pict re o" the apostolic #inistr'& Apostles are % ilders& Opposition to % ildin7 is to %e e*pected& The strate7' to o9erco#e the ad9ersaries was to set a watch a7ainst the# da' and ni7ht& Apostles and prophets sho ld worB to7ether in the % ildin7 o" the ch rch& Apostles need prophets who will assist the# in % ildin7& Also . set watch#en o9er 'o , sa'in7, HearBen to the so nd o" the tr #pet&&& @Jer& /(52A The watch#en %lew the tr #pet to warn o" co#in7 dan7er& The tr #pet is s'#%olic o" the 9oice o" the prophet& The LORD sets watch#en o9er his people& The' ha9e the a thorit' to so nd the tr #pet& The ene#'>s plans can %e thwarted when the people respond to the so nd o" the tr #pet& To i7nore the tr #pet is to in9ite dan7er& &&&#aBe the watch stron7, set p the watch#en&&& @Jer& 65(5-A ?e need to #aBe the watch stron7& ?e need to set the watch#en& A stron7 prophetic #inistr' will stren7then the watch& The watch#en @prophetsA need to %e set in place& No cit' co ld %e de"ended witho t a stron7 watch& No ch rch can %e de"ended witho t a stron7 watch& &&&all the people shall Beep the watch o" the LORD& @Chron& -1(/A All %elie9ers are co##anded to watch& All %elie9ers howe9er are not watch#en& ?atch#en are prophetic intercessors @prophetsA who ha9e a special 7race to sha#ar the ch rch& ?atch#en ha9e 7race and discern#ent to see clearl' the approach o" the ene#'& $ t i" the' %e prophets, and i" the word o" the LORD %e with the#, let the# now #aBe intercession to the LORD o" hosts&&& @Jer& -2(53A This 9erse shows s that one o" the responsi%ilities o" prophets is --

The Prophet>s ?ard

to #aBe intercession& The word o" the LORD can stir s to intercession& The "alse prophets o" .srael had no % rden "or intercession& The' were not concerned a%o t protectin7 the people& The' were %lind to the dan7er approachin7& The' were not " l"illin7 a sha#ar " nction& The prophet>s pri#ar' char7e, i" 'o recall, is to stand in the 7ap and #aBe p the hed7e "or =od>s people on earth& This responsi%ilit' is where .srael>s prophet>s "ail in EEe& 51(6& @Pa la PriceA

-1

New Testament Prophets

+
$ t all thin7s that are repro9ed are #ade #ani"est %' the li7ht( "or whatsoe9er doth #aBe #ani"est is li7ht& ?here"ore he saith, AwaBe @e7eiroA tho that sleepest, and arise "ro# the dead, and Christ shall 7i9e thee li7ht& See then that 'e walB circ #spectl', not as "ools, % t as wise @sophosA, redee#in7 the ti#e, %eca se the da's are e9il& ?here"ore %e 'e not nwise, % t nderstandin7 what the will o" the Lord is& And %e not dr nB with wine, wherein is e*cessF % t %e "illed with the SpiritF @Eph& 6(51453A
The =reeB word "or HwiseH, sophos, sed in the passa7e relates to the watch#an& The =reeB word "or HawaBeH, e7eiro, is associated with the watch o" the Lord, which is related to the intercessor& The le*ical aid to the New Testa#ent in the He%rew =reeB St d' $i%le sa's( HSophos deri9ed pro%a%l' "ro# the He%rew sophi#, si7ni"'in7 watch#an& The =reeBs apparentl' deri9ed their Sophia "ro# this sophi#& .n the O&T& these watch#en sed to ascend to the #o ntains so that the' #i7ht see all aro nd @N #& -1(5+A, % t in the a%sence o" #o ntains, The =reeBs D st o%ser9ed the co rse and #otions o" the hea9ens and called the#sel9es sophoi& There"ore, in its %asic #eanin7 sophos is the one who Bnows how to re7 late his co rse in 9iew o" #o9e#ents o" the hea9ens or o" =odH& @)artha L cia and Dana )illarA -6

The Sha#ar Prophet

So#e %elie9ers will ar7 e that the prophet>s #inistr' in the Old Co9enant is di""erent "ro# the prophet>s #inistr' in the New Co9enant& Dr& $ill Ha#on states, HNo te*t in the New Testa#ent states or e9en s 77ests that a ch rch prophet does not ha9e all the #inistr' ri7hts o" the prophets o" old as well as the Christ4prophet4 anointin7 7i"t and 7race& ." the New Co9enant does not do awa' with certain practices or #inistries a9aila%le in the Old, then the' are still a9aila%le in the Ch rch A7e& All the Law and Prophecies were " l"illed in Jes s& ?hen He ascended into hea9en, he 7a9e the prophets %acB to the Ch rch and all that Jes s 7a9e in the New Co9enant is %etter than that in the Old Co9enant& Jes s 7a9e prophets to the Ch rch, and the' ha9e all the ri7hts and pri9ile7es o" the Old Co9enant, and #ore&H The sha#ar prophets need to %e awaBened in the ch rch& The' # st tap into the wisdo# o" =od "or the ch rch& The watch#en cannot re#ain asleep& =od has pro#ised to 7i9e li7ht& The li7ht the watch#en recei9e helps to o9erco#e the darBness&

TON=UES AND .NTERPRETAT.ON

Pra'in7 in ton7 es is one o" the #ost e""ecti9e wa's to intercede& Prophets sho ld not li#it the#sel9es to prophec'& Ton7 es are tterances o" the Spirit& One o" the stren7ths o" the prophet is tterance& Spirit al tterance @preachin7, teachin7, prophec', ton7 es, and interpretation o" ton7 esA releases the power and p rposes o" =od in the earth& The word placed in Jere#iah>s #o th was a%le to root o t, tear down, throw down, destro', % ild and plant @Jer& 5(50A& The Be' to Jere#iah>s a thorit' was tterance& Prophets will o"ten intercede in ton7 es with interpretation& Ton7 es 7i9e the# the a%ilit' to pra' %e'ond their nat ral nderstandin7& De#ons hate ton7 es& ?e ha9e seen the# react in an7er to ton7 es when castin7 the# o t& ?e speaB in ton7 es as the Hol' Spirit 7i9es tterance& Ton7 es are Hol' Spirit anointed lan7 a7es& The' are e*pressions o" the Hol' Spirit that i#pact the spirit real#&

-/

New Testa#ent Prophets

Prophets will se ton7 es in intercession to % ild a spirit al hed7e aro nd the ch rch& Prophets cannot %e li#ited %' their nat ral nderstandin7& Ton7 es help taBe prophets %e'ond their nat ral nderstandin7 into the #ind o" the Hol' Spirit& Prophets need the #ind o" the Hol' Spirit in order to co#prehend what is happenin7 in the spirit real#&

D.SCERN)ENT AND ?ORDS O< KNO?LED=E

John San"ord states, H=od wants to protect his people thro 7h 7i"ts o" discern#ent that He 7i9es to His prophets and others& )an' who are not prophets recei9e Been discern#ent, which o 7ht to %e heeded& $ t s ch discern#ent happens onl' sporadicall'& Discern#ent o 7ht to %e the a%idin7 e! ip#ent o" the prophets, who sho ld alwa's %e on the alert, read' to recei9e and act on discern#ent 7i9en %' the Lord&H The 7i"ts o" re9elation are i#portant 7i"ts that #ani"est thro 7h the prophet& These 7i"ts incl de discernin7 o" spirits, words o" Bnowled7e, and words o" wisdo#& Discernin7 o" spirits is needed to discern the operation o" e9ils spirits and people #oti9ated %' the wron7 spirit& A word o" Bnowled7e is in"or#ation 7i9en %' the Hol' Spirit& Thro 7h words o" Bnowled7e, prophets can Bnow "acts a%o t people, ch rches, and places s pernat rall'& These words o" Bnowled7e can %e a #atter o" li"e or death& Elisha had a word o" Bnowled7e concernin7 the actions o" =ehaEi& Peter had a word o" Bnowled7e concernin7 the plan o" Ananias and Sapphira& Peter discerned the spirit o" Si#on the sorcerer& The ene#' alwa's atte#pts to plant people with n7odl' #oti9es in the ch rch& These people can %rin7 har# i" not discerned and e*posed& )an' leaders ha9e s ""ered set%acBs and h rts "ro# people with n7odl' #oti9es& Leaders # st realiEe that the prophet>s #inistr' and the 7i"ts o" the Hol' Spirit are a%sol tel' necessar' "or the health and protection o" the ch rch& These 7i"ts are not optional& The' are 7i9en to the -2

The Sha#ar Prophet

ch rch %' the wisdo# o" =od& =od Bnows the challen7es and pit"alls o" #inistr' and pro9ides the 7race we need to o9erco#e these challen7es and pit"alls&

DREA)S AND I.S.ONS

&&&." there %e a prophet a#on7 'o , . the LORD will #aBe #'sel" Bnown nto hi# in a 9ision, and will speaB nto hi# in a drea#& @N #& 5-(/A ?arnin7s o"ten co#e in drea#s& Drea#s are a wa' that =od can speaB witho t the #ind %locBin7 and hinderin7 the co## nication& Thro 7h a drea#, the Hol' Spirit can %'pass the intellect and carnal reasonin7 that o"ten o%str cts the #essa7e& Drea#s co#e d rin7 sleep when the #ind is not preocc pied with the cares o" this li"e& =od can instr ct s in the ni7ht season& Iisions are another wa' the Lord co## nicates to his prophets& Iisions occ r while we are awaBe& A 9ision is a pict re& Iisions are the lan7 a7e o" pict res& =od speaBs thro 7h pict res& There is a sa'in7, Ha pict re is worth a tho sand wordsH& One pict re can co## nicate the tho 7hts o" =od& Pa la Price states, HIisions and drea#s are the c sto#ar' wa' the Lord awaBens the spirit o" prophets to let the# Bnow the' are ordained to "ill the o""ice& Accordin7 to N #%ers 5-(/, these are essential prophet "ac lties witho t which the prophet ceases to %e a prophet& Otherwise the lacB o" 9isions and drea#s %' a prophet is e*hi%iti9e o" the Lord>s p nish#ent "or diso%edience, re%ellion, and #is se o" the o""ice>s cr cial 7i"ts&H

.NTERPRETAT.ON O< DREA)S

$ehold, there co#e se9en 'ears o" 7reat plent' thro 7ho t all the land o" E7'pt( And there shall arise a"ter the# se9en 'ears o" "a#ineF and all the plent' shall %e "or7otten in the land o" E7'ptF and the "a#ine shall

-3

New Testa#ent Prophets

cons #e the land& @=en& +5(-,410A Joseph>s interpretation o" Pharaoh>s drea# prepared the nation "or deli9erance& Joseph>s wisdo# 7 ided Pharaoh and helped hi# prepare "or se9en 'ears o" "a#ine& Prophets can help interpret drea#s& =od o"ten speaBs to leaders in drea#s& These drea#s can %e warnin7s o" thin7s to co#e& =od in his #erc' and lo9e will prepare s "or the " t re& .nterpretation is e*plainin7 di""ic lt tho 7hts, teachin7s, or in"or#ation in ter#s that people can nderstand& )an' %elie9ers can %e d ll o" hearin7 @He%& 6(55A& .t taBes spirit al people to nderstand spirit al thin7s&

DARK SPEECH
?ith hi# will . speaB #o th to #o th, e9en apparentl', and not in darB speechesF and the si#ilit de o" the LORD&&& @N #& 5-(3A =od can speaB to prophets apparentl' or in darB speeches& DarB speech is when he speaBs in para%les @Psa& 23(-A& Drea#s o"ten ha9e #eanin7s that cannot %e interpreted i##ediatel'& The #eanin7 co ld %e hidden and need interpretation& Prophets sho ld "a#iliariEe the#sel9es with the #eanin7s o" di""erent s'#%ols& Ani#als and colors represent certain tr ths& So#e ha9e do %le #eanin7s& The $i%le is "illed with t'pes and s'#%ols& So#eti#es pra'er and #editation is necessar' to interpret darB speech& So#e s'#%ols ha9e %oth positi9e and ne7ati9e #eanin7s& DarB speech is 9eiled spirit al lan7 a7e& Prophets ha9e the a%ilit' to nderstand hard sentences& This incl des sol9in7 riddles and e*plainin7 eni7#as @Dan& 6(5-, NKJIA& DarB speech ca ses s to seeB the Lord "or nderstandin7& This rein"orces the "act that we are dependent pon hi# "or nderstandin7&

-,

Warfare

6
Tho also, son o" the #an, taBe thee a tile, and la' it %e"ore thee, and portra' pon it the cit', e9en Jer sale#( And la' sie7e a7ainst it, and % ild a "ort a7ainst it, and cast a #o nt a7ainst itF set the ca#p also a7ainst it, and set %atterin7 ra#s a7ainst it ro nd a%o t& @EEeB& +(54-A
EEeBiel was told to la' sie7e a7ainst the cit' o" Jer sale#& He was told to portra' it pon a tile& This was a prophetic act de#onstratin7 and releasin7 the sie7e o" the $a%'lonians pon Jer sale#& This is a pict re o" the war"are aspect o" the prophet>s #inistr'& Prophets ha9e the a%ilit' to attacB stron7holds& The' war a7ainst the powers o" hell& The' la' sie7e& The' % ild "orts a7ainst the ene#', the' cast #o nts, the' set a ca#p a7ainst, and the' set %atterin7 ra#s a7ainst& This is a pict re o" sie7e war"are&

And he said, Th s saith the LORD, )aBe this 9alle' " ll o" ditches& @- Kin7s 1(5/A
Elisha instr cted the Bin7 to di7 the 9alle' " ll o" ditches& The )oa%ite saws the ditches "illed with water and tho 7ht the' were " ll o" %lood& The ene#' was con" sed and tho 7ht the .sraelites had s#itten each other& ?hen the' ca#e to the ca#p o" .srael the' were s#itten and de"eated& Elisha 7a9e the Bin7 a prophetic strate7' to de"eat the ene#'& Prophets 7i9e strate7ies the ch rch needs to o9erco#e the attacBs o" the ene#'& Prophets are needed in war"are& The prophetic word can release strate7ies to o9erco#e the ene#' and ca se the ch rch to %e 9ictorio s&

15

The Sha#ar Prophet

Pro%le#s That Can Occ r ?itho t The Sha#ar Anointin7( Accidents Apath' AttacBs on pastors and the "a#il' $acBslidin7 $roBen relationships Con" sion Ch rch splits Control and do#ination <ail res in Conspiracies leadership Di9orces and separations <alse prophets, teachers, apostles <alse %rethren <a#il' pro%le#s <alse teachin7JerrorJheres' HindrancesJ%locBa7esJo%str ctions <inancial set%acBs .n"i7htin7 and di9ision .##oralit' )anip lation Loss o" anointin7 People lea9in7 the ch rch Occ ltists Satanists Pre#at re deaths Une*plained sicBnesses and illnesses Sta7nation ?itches ?arlocBs ?ol9es enterin7 the "locB

=APS AND HED=ES

And . so 7ht "or a #an a#on7 the#, that sho ld #aBe p the hed7e, and stand in the 7ap %e"ore #e "or the land, that . sho ld not destro' it( % t . "o nd none& @EEeB& --(10A O .srael, th' prophets are liBe the "o*es in the deserts& Ge ha9e not 7one p into the 7aps, neither #ade p the hed7e "or the ho se o" .srael to stand in the %attle in the da' o" the Lord& @EEeB& 51(+46A
The New En7lish $i%le sa's, HThe' ha9e not 7one p into the %reach to repair the %roBen wall ro nd the .sraelites, that the' #i7ht stand "ir# in the %attle&H Prophetic intercession "ills the 7aps& A 7ap is an openin7& De#ons looB "or 7aps to enter& Prophets ha9e the a%ilit' to see the 7aps and stand in the#& The' position the#sel9es to pra' and intercede in the 7aps& Prophetic intercession #aBes p the hed7e& A hed7e is a protecti9e %arrier, a "ence& $roBen hed7es allow serpents to enter 1-

?ar"are
@Eccl& 50(3A& $roBen hed7es are the res lt o" sin and diso%edience& $roBen hed7es need to %e % ilt p thro 7h the prophet>s intercession& =od>s indict#ent a7ainst the prophets was that the' had not 7one p into the 7aps and #ade p the hed7e& =od looBed "or a #an to #aBe p the hed7e& A lacB o" prophetic intercession ca ses the 7aps to re#ain open and the hed7es to re#ain %roBen& Prophets # st identi"' the 7aps and %roBen hed7es& The' # st enter into those 7aps and % ild p those hed7es& Prophets pro9ide a protecti9e %arrier thro 7h their intercession& The' ha9e the anointin7 to "ill the 7aps& The' ha9e the a thorit' to stand in the 7aps& .s not this the "ast that . ha9e chosen&&&and tho shalt %e called, The repairer o" the %reach, @.sa& 63(/,5-A <astin7 is one o" the wa's the 7aps @%reachesA can %e repaired& <astin7 is another tool o" the sha#ar prophet& <astin7 helps s %eco#e re% ilders o" %roBen walls& Ge ha9e seen also the %reaches o" the cit' o" Da9id, that the' are #an'&&&@.sa& --(,A The cit' o" Da9id was also Bnown as the citadel o" Kion& Kion was a stron7hold o" ri7hteo sness& .t had towers and % lwarBs @Psa& +3(5-A& The cit' o" Da9id was "orti"ied a7ainst attacB& The once i#pre7na%le cit' was now "illed with %reaches& .t co ld no lon7er de"end itsel" a7ainst attacB& Ch rches with %reaches will %e in9aded %' the ene#' The sha#ar #inistr' is desperatel' needed to "ill the %reaches& $' reason o" the a% ndance o" his horses their d st shall co9er thee( th' walls shall shaBe at the noise o" the horse#en, and o" the wheels, and o" the chariots, when he shall enter into th' 7ates, as #en enter into a cit' wherein is #ade a %reach& ?ith the hoo"s o" his horses shall he tread all th' streets( he shall sla' th' people %' the sword, and th' stron7 7arrisons shall 7o down to the 7ro nd& And 11

The Sha#ar Prophet

the' shall spoil o" th' riches, and #aBe a pre' o" th' #erchandise( and the' shall %reaB down th' walls, and destro' th' pleasant ho ses( and the' shall la' th' stones and th' ti#%er and th' d st in the #idst o" the water& And . will ca se the noise o" th' son7s to ceaseF and the so nd o" th' harps shall no #ore %e heard& @EEeB& -/(504 51A The RSI translation sa's, Hand 'o r #i7ht' pillars will "all to the 7ro ndH& Pillars re"er to leadership& ?hen there is a %reach, the ene#' co#es in to re#o9e the pillars& Another area o" attacB is the "inances& The NE$ sa's, H'o r wealth will %eco#e spoilH& Another area o" attacB is the # sic& Praise and worship is attacBed when there is a %reach& The stones are re#o9ed& $elie9ers are called Hli9in7 stonesH& $reaches # st %e repaired& The 7aps # st %e "illed& This is wh' the sha#ar " nction o" the prophet is so i#portant&

PROPHETS .N A PROPHET.C CO))UN.TG

<or 'e #a' all prophes' one %' one, that all #a' learn, and all #a' %e co#"orted& @5 Cor& 5+(15A Old Testa#ent prophets were o"ten reDected& .srael was a nation 7o9erned %' the )osaic Law& The' were nat ral people witho t the new %irth& )oses desired all o" =od>s people to %e prophets& The New Testa#ent ch rch is intended to %e a prophetic co## nit'& The Hol' Spirit is po red o t pon all "lesh ca sin7 the sons and da 7hters to prophes'& Prophets sho ld %e accepted within this prophetic co## nit'& The' sho ld #inister in an at#osphere o" lo9e and acceptance& Prophets are a part o" the $od' o" Christ& The' # st " nction with the #eas re o" 7race 7i9en to the# %' =od& All o" =od>s people sho ld operate to so#e de7ree in the prophetic& All are not prophets, % t all can prophes'& Prophets sho ld "eel welco#e and co#"orta%le operatin7 in this prophetic co## nit'& Prophets sho ld not "eel isolated and reDected nder the New Co9enant& Prophetic intercession sho ld %e the nor#& The

1+

?ar"are sha#ar aspect o" the prophet>s #inistr' will %eco#e a co##on and inte7ral part o" the ch rch&
Ch rches that are not prophetic #a' ha9e a hard ti#e e#%racin7 and recei9in7 prophets& Ch rches sho ld e#%race the prophetic and %eco#e a prophetic co## nit'& This incl des personal prophec', corporate prophec', prophetic pres%'ter', prophetic worship, prophetic intercession, prophetic tea#s, prophetic dance, and the prophet>s #inistr'& Toda'>s ch rch can n"ort natel' operate in re%ellion, st %%ornness, diso%edience, and pride& This can ca se so#e to reDect and despise the prophet>s #inistr'& So#e si#pl' lacB nderstandin7 o" this #inistr' and are a"raid& H #ilit' is essential& ?e need to Bnow o r dependence on =od and his 7race& Ch rches sho ld h #%l' accept the need "or prophets and prophetic intercession&

16

pirits to War A!ainst

/
5& THE JEKE$EL SP.R.T
Notwithstandin7 . ha9e a "ew thin7s a7ainst thee, %eca se tho s ""erest that wo#an JeEe%el, which calleth hersel" a prophetess, to teach and to sed ce #' ser9ants to co##it "ornication, and to eat thin7s sacri"iced nto idols& @Re9& -(-0A
There are certain spirits that will attacB con7re7ations& .ncl ded in this list is JeEe%el& EliDah warred a7ainst JeEe%el& EliDah represents the prophetic anointin7& =od raised p EliDah d rin7 the ti#e JeEe%el was destro'in7 the nation thro 7h idolatr' and witchcra"t& JeEe%el will atte#pt to Bill tr e prophets& The JeEe%el spirit will alwa's seeB to destro' and hinder the de9elop#ent o" the prophetic #inistr' in a ch rch& JeEe%el calls hersel" a prophetess& JeEe%el is responsi%le "or "alse prophetics& JeEe%el operates thro 7h di9ination, control, #anip lation, and do#ination& JeEe%el is also responsi%le "or "alse teachin7 and se* al i#p rit'& JeEe%el spirits ha9e destro'ed #an' con7re7ations& Prophets are raised p to con"ront and stop JeEe%el& )an' leaders ha9e "allen 9icti# to JeEe%el& JeEe%el is a spirit& JeEe%el was a%le to enter into .srael thro 7h #arria7e& Aha% #arried JeEe%el& )arria7e is a co9enant& This #arria7e co9enant 7a9e JeEe%el the le7al ri7ht to enter .srael& She %ro 7ht with her all her idolatr', witchcra"t, and whoredo#& Leaders # st %e 9er' care" l with who# the' enter into co9enant with& ?ron7 co9enants can open the door "or JeEe%el& Prophets sho ld pra' "or the leaders o" the ch rch& The' 12

The Sha#ar Prophet

# st pro9ide a pra'er co9erin7 to pre9ent JeEe%el "ro# 7ainin7 in"l ence& JeEe%el lo9es to %e in a position o" leadership& She will 7ain in"l ence %' speaBin7 a7ainst the ordained leadership& JeEe%el ses slander and 7ossip to destro' ordained leadership& Athaliah, the da 7hter o" JeEe%el, atte#pted Billin7 the ro'al seed @see - Kin7s 55(5A& JeEe%el hates ordained leadership and will do e9er'thin7 possi%le to destro' it or control it& JeEe%el hates prophets %eca se the' are her 7reatest threat& JeEe%el will atte#pt to c t o"" intercession& JeEe%el will attacB the pra'er #inistr' o" a ch rch& Ji# =oll states, HA JeEe%el spirit stirs p "ear, "li7ht, and disco ra7e#ent, o"ten pro#ptin7 a spirit al leader to "lee his or her appointed place D st as EliDah did& E9er' 'ear h ndreds o" spirit al #arBetplace and 7o9ern#ental leaders resi7n %eca se o" de%ilitatin7 disco ra7e#ent, con" sion, depression, loss o" 9ision, despair, disorientation, withdrawal, a sense o" worthlessness, de"eat, % rno t, ph'sical illness, "inancial ins ""icienc', character assassination, #oral "ail re, and an al#ost in"inite 9ariet' o" other "actors& .n #an' cases, this #ali7nin7 control spirit is responsi%le&H Prophets walB in discern#ent and can detect JeEe%el& JeEe%el is 9er' #anip lati9e& JeEe%el needs to %e discerned and e*posed& JeEe%el will operate thro 7h teachin7& JeEe%el will also operate thro 7h "alse prophec' and "latter'& The spirit o" JeEe%el cannot %e allowed to operate in a con7re7ation& JeEe%el will destro' a ch rch& The res lt o" JeEe%el>s in"l ence will alwa's %e "alse teachin7, witchcra"t @controlA, sed ction and se* al sin& These are cancers to the ch rch& A ch rch cannot re#ain health' with JeEe%el>s in"l ence& JeEe%el is a sed cin7 spirit& Sed ce #eans to #islead& $elie9ers will %e led astra' and destro'ed i" JeEe%el is not stopped& JeEe%el can ca se # ch h rt and da#a7e to the %od'& JeEe%el ca ses ch rches to %e carnal and "leshl'& JeEe%el draws ch rches awa' "ro# p rit' and tr e worship& Spirits o" per9ersion, ad lter', i##oralit', and "ornication will r n ra#pant when JeEe%el is in control& Slander and 7ossip are also the #arBs o" JeEe%el& Ch rches nder the in"l ence o" JeEe%el will also 7o astra' in their 13

Spirits to ?ar A7ainst

doctrine& Heres' and "alse teachin7 are dan7ero s& O r teachin7 alwa's a""ects o r li"est'les& Tr th and so nd doctrine # st %e preser9ed i" a ch rch is to re#ain stron7& JeEe%el>s insect t'pe is a %lacB widow spider& The %lacB widow is deadl'& The %lacB widow will eat its #ate& JeEe%el #eans H nh s%andedH& John Pa l JacBson states, HNo ch rch is too 7reat, too health' or too p re to %e e*e#pted "ro# a JeEe%el spirit& .n "act, the 7reater the ch rch, the 7reater the ass rance that those with a JeEe%el spirit will seeB to 7ain in"l ence and powerL nless the pastor, the leadership tea#, the intercessors, and those who are propheticall' 7i"ted e*ercise their responsi%ilit' and withstand this spirit al attacB&H

-& THE A$SALO) SP.R.T

And A%salo# rose p earl', and stood %eside the wa' o" the =ATE&&&so A%salo# stole the hearts o" the #en o" .srael&&&And the CONSP.RACG was stron7F "or the people increased contin all' with A%salo#& @- Sa#& 56(-,/,5-A A%salo# spirits are another dan7er to ch rches& A%salo# re%elled a7ainst his "ather and tried to seiEe the Bin7do#& He was dislo'al to his "ather& He acted o t o" pride, 9anit', re%ellion and %itterness& A%salo# represents %etra'al and treacher'& )an' leaders ha9e s ""ered %etra'al and treacher' "ro# other leaders with A%salo# spirits& Prophets need to %e on 7 ard a7ainst this spirit that seeBs to di9ide and separate ch rches& A%salo# t rned the hearts o" the people awa' "ro# Da9id& Da9id was the ri7ht" l Bin7& A%salo# tried to s rp his a thorit' %' 7ainin7 "ollowers& Ahithophel, Da9id>s wisest co nselor, Doined the re%ellion& )an' leaders ha9e s ""ered %etra'al "ro# people with A%salo# spirits& This # st %e stopped thro 7h prophetic intercession& .t is interestin7 that A%salo# stood %' the wa' o" the 7ate to sed ce the people& This is wh' we need prophetic intercession at the 7ates& Da9id al#ost lost his throne to A%salo#& He had to "lee

1,

The Sha#ar Prophet

Jer sale# "or his li"e& He was naware o" what A%salo# was doin7& This was a conspirac'& A conspirac' is a plannin7 and actin7 to7ether secretl', especiall' an nlaw" l and har#" l p rpose& The conspirac' contin ed to 7ain stren7th as the people increased with A%salo#& A%salo# spirits will atte#pt to 7et as #an' people on their side a7ainst leadership as possi%le& A%salo# is s %tle and c nnin7& A%salo# will carr' o t his re%ellion secretl'& A%salo# is a#%itio s& He desires what is his "ather>s& This spirit will so#eti#es attacB the spirit al sons and da 7hters o" a leader& A%salo# is a serpent& He is s %tle and cra"t'& )an' leaders @set #enA ha9e "allen 9icti# to n7odl' conspiracies %' other leaders in the ch rch& These hidden plots ha9e s rprised leaders who tr' to reco9er when it is too late& Hidden conspiracies need to %e e*posed& The sha#ar anointin7 is desi7ned to see hidden conspiracies and e*pose the# %e"ore it is too late&

1& THE KORAH SP.R.T

And the' 7athered the#sel9es to7ether a7ainst )oses and a7ainst Aaron&&& @N #& 5/(1A Korah also represents re%ellion& He is #ore open and de"iant than A%salo#& Korah openl' challen7ed the leadership o" )oses and Aaron& ?hereas JeEe%el pri#aril' worBs thro 7h wo#en, Korah pri#aril' worBs thro 7h #en& Korah is represented %' a scorpion& Korah acc sed )oses o" e*altin7 hi#sel" a%o9e the other leaders& The insin ation was that he was holdin7 the other leaders down& Re%ellion is as the sin o" witchcra"t @5 Sa#& 56(-1A& ?itchcra"t operates thro 7h JeEe%el, A%salo# and Korah, and, i" nchecBed, can %lind and sed ce #an' %elie9ers in a con7re7ation& The Korah spirit will ca se a leader to e*alt hi#sel" in the #idst o" the con7re7ation& This spirit does not reco7niEe =od>s appointed leadership& Korah is %old and %raEen& Korah is not a"raid to speaB openl' a7ainst leadership& Prophets # st stand with leadership a7ainst the spirit o" Korah& Korah represents the spirit o" re9olt& A re9olt is the re" sal to s %#it to esta%lished a thorit'& +0

Spirits to ?ar A7ainst

The de9il hates =od>s ordained leaders& He will atte#pt to slander, p ll down, acc se, and o9erthrow those ordained to %e leaders& The Korah spirit is one o" those spirits that atte#pts to e*alt a person to challen7e tr e leadership& The Korah spirit hates apostolic and prophetic leadership& This spirit acc ses leaders o" %ein7 sel"4appointed instead o" =od appointed&

+& THE PGTHON SP.R.T

And it ca#e to pass, as we went to pra'er, a certain da#sel possessed with a spirit o" di9ination @p'thonA #et s&&& @Acts 5/(5/A A p'thon is a constrictor& P'thons Bill their 9icti#s %' s! eeEin7 the %reath o t o" the#& $reath represents spirit& P'thon spirits atte#pt to choBe the li"e o t o" ch rches& This can incl de choBin7 the li"e o t o" the praise and worship, and the prophetic #inistr'& P'thon spirits also atte#pt to s! eeEe the pra'er o t o" the ch rch& The da#sel possessed with the spirit o" p'thon #et the apostles as the' were 7oin7 to pra'er& P'thon is translated as di9ination& Di9ination is the Bnowled7e %ranch o" witchcra"t& People with p'thon spirits will atte#pt to stop or constrict the #o9e o" the Hol' Spirit in the ch rch& This spirit can attacB leaders and ca se the# to draw %acB "ro# the 7i"ts o" the spirit and the #o9e o" the Hol' =host& P'thon will attacB the praise and worship #inistr'& P'thon will attacB the pra'er #inistr'& ?itchcra"t is a spirit that will atte#pt to stop the "low o" the Hol' Spirit or per9ert it& <alse 7i"ts and #ani"estations can occ r instead o" 7en ine #ani"estations o" the Hol' Spirit& Prophets are sensiti9e to the operations o" the Hol' Spirit& The' ha9e the a%ilit' to sense when so#ethin7 is wron7& The' not onl' sense so#ethin7 is wron7, % t the' can identi"' the pro%le#& Prophetic intercession can stop witchcra"t and di9ination "ro# enterin7 and a""ectin7 the spirit al "low o" a con7re7ation& The characteristics o" p'thon spirits can incl de a lacB o" +5

The Sha#ar Prophet

prophec' and other #ani"estations o" the Hol' Spirit, pra'erlessness, tiredness and spirit al lethar7', lacB o" "er9ent praise and worship, and lacB o" de9elop#ent o" #inistries& Ch rches sho ld e*perience a contin al "low and anointin7 o" the Hol' Spirit& Nothin7 sho ld %e allowed to choBe the spirit al li"e o t o" the ch rch&

6& THE LEI.ATHAN SP.R.T

.n that da' the LORD with his sore and 7reat and stron7 sword shall p nish le9iathan the piercin7 serpent, e9en le9iathan that crooBed serpentF and he shall sla' the dra7on that is in the sea& @.sa& -2(5A Le9iathan is the Bin7 o9er all the children o" pride& Le9iathan>s representation is a crocodile or a lar7e sea serpent& Le9iathan attacBs leaders ca sin7 the# to %eco#e arro7ant and p ""ed p& =od resists the pro d, % t 7i9es 7race to the h #%le @5 Pet& 6(6A& H #ilit' is necessar' to access the 7race o" =od& The #ost e*tensi9e re"erence to Le9iathan is in Jo% chapter +5& The characteristics o" the Le9iathan spirit incl de pra'erlessness @Jo% +5(1A, co9enant %reaBin7 @Jo% +5(+A, harsh words @Jo% +5(+A, ina%ilit' to ser9e others @Jo% +5(+A, no %reath @spirit, air, Jo% +5(5/A, st %%ornness @sti""4necBed, Jo% +5(-+A, hardness o" heart @Jo% +5(-+A, and pride @Jo% +5(1+A& )inistries can %eco#e pro d thro 7h Bnowled7e and s ccess @5 Cor& 3(5A& Prophets call "or h #ilit'& H #ilit' is the Be' to honor and s ccess& A lacB o" h #ilit' will open the doors "or spirits o" pride, arro7ance, ha 7htiness, and sel"4e*altation& These are dan7ero s spirits to %e identi"ied and dri9en o t and awa' "ro# the asse#%l'& Pride opens the door "or destr ction @Pro9& 5/(53A& Each area o" the ch rch sho ld %e co9ered %' the prophet>s intercession& The' incl de( The pastor @apostle, set #anA The elders @pres%'ter', %ishopsA The prophets and prophetic tea#s, intercessors The praise and worship tea#s @#instrels and psal#istsA

+-

Spirits to ?ar A7ainst

The deacons The pastors @shepherdsA The teachers @doctors, instr ctorsA The e9an7elists and e9an7elistic tea#s The helps #inistr' The ad#inistrators @7o9ern#entsA The dance tea#s The 'o th #inistr' The children>s #inistr' The % siness #inistr' The "inances The #issions @nationsA The #edia o treach @tele9ision and radioA The new %elie9ers The new #e#%ers )arried co ples Sin7les )enJwo#en ?idows <a#ilies Prophetic intercession also incl des pra'er "or the release o"( Ch rch 7rowth E9an7elis# =i"ts o" the Hol' Spirit Healin7 H #ilit' )iracles Propert' Prophetic worship Protectin7 An7els Sal9ation Stren7th ?isdo# Deli9erance <a9or =lor' Holiness Lo9e Peace Prophec' Prosperit' Re9elation Si7ns and wonders Unit'

LA)ENTAT.ONS O< JERE).AH

+1

The Sha#ar Prophet &&&"or th' %reach is 7reat liBe the sea( who can heal theeC @La#& -(51A The Bin7s o" the earth, and all the inha%itants o" the world, wo ld not ha9e %elie9ed that the ad9ersar' and the ene#' sho ld ha9e entered into the 7ates o" Jer sale#& @La#& +(5-A
The La#entations o" Jere#iah 7i9es a pict re o" what happens when the ene#' enters the 7ates& Jer sale#>s %reach was liBe the sea& =aps and %roBen hed7es 7a9e the ene#' the ri7ht to enter& The "ollowin7 thin7s are the res lt o" the ene#' enterin7( The cit' is solitar' @5(5A, weepin7, treacher' @5(-A, capti9it', ser9it de @5(1A, #o rnin7, no one attends the "easts, desolate 7ates, %itterness @5(+A, ene#ies prosper, children in capti9it' @5(6A, loss o" %ea t' @5(/A, Sa%%aths #ocBed @5(2A, naBedness @5(3A, no co#"ort, a""liction @5(,A, heathen enter the sanct ar' @5(50A, si7hin7 @5(55A, sorrow @5(5-A, "aintness @5(51A, loss o" stren7th @5(5+A, 'o n7 #en cr shed, 9ir7ins trodden @5(56A, weepin7, children desolate @5(5/A, ncleanness @5(52A, 'o n7 #en in capti9it' @5(53A, death o" elders @5(5,A, %owels tro %led, death @5(-0A, tro %le @5(-5A, "aint heart @5(--A, co9ered with a clo d @-(5A, stron7holds thrown down @-(-A, loss o" protection @-(1A, #o rnin7 and la#entation @-(6A, "easts and Sa%%aths "or7otten @-(/A, altar cast o"" @-(2A, walls destro'ed, lan7 ishin7 @-(3A, 7ates destro'ed, %ars %roBen, loss o" prophetic 9ision @-(,A, elders silenced @-(50A, cr'in7, %owels tro %led, li9er po red o t, children and %a%ies "aint @-(55A, %reach 7reat liBe the sea @-(51A, prophets 9ain @-(5+A, #ocBer' @-(56A, children "aint @-(5,A, priest and prophet slain @-(-0A, 'o n7 and old destro'ed @-(-5A, terror @-(--A, darBness @1(-A, pre#at re a7in7, %roBen %ones @1(+A, 7all and tra9ail @1(6A, darB place, the 7ra9e @1(/A, hed7ed in, hea9' chain @1(2A, nanswered pra'er @1(3A, wa's enclosed, crooBed paths @1(,A, arrows into reins @1(51A, %itterness and wor#wood @1(56A, %roBen teeth, ashes @1(5/A, loss o" peace, loss o" prosperit' @1(52A, loss o" stren7th and hope @1(53A, a""liction, #iser', wor#wood, 7all @1(5,A, "ear, snare, desolation, destr ction @1(+2A, cr elt' @+(1A,

++

Spirits to ?ar A7ainst

star9ation @+(+A, li9in7 in the d n7hill @+(6A, "a#ine @+(3A, "o ndations de9o red @+(55A, wanderin7, %lindness @+(5+A, loss o" "a9or @+(5/A, loss o" %reath @+(-0A, loss o" inheritance @6(-A, orphans @6(1A, la%or, no rest @6(6A, r led %' ser9ants @6(3A, wo#en ra9ished @6(55A, elders not honored @6(5-A, loss o" elders, loss o" # sic @6(5+A, loss o" Do', no dancin7 @6(56A, loss o" a thorit' @6(5/A, heart "aint, e'es di# @6(52A, and reDection @6(--A&

+6

References
EliDah A#on7 Us %' John San"ord, Chosen $ooBs, -00-, =rand Rapids Ch rch Prophets %' Pa la Price, <la#in7 Iision P %lications, T lsa The Un9eiled Plo' %' John Pa l JacBson, Strea#s P %lications The ?atch#an %' )artha L cia and Dana )illar, Christian .nternational, Santa Rosa $each, -00-

+2

Other "oo#s b$ Apostle %ohn &c#hardt

A Ho se o" Pra'er <or All Nations $ehe#oth and Le9iathan Let Us Alone <i"t' Tr ths Concernin7 Apostolic )inistr' How To P t a De#and on The Anointin7 The Apostolic Ch rch How to Tap .nto The <a9or o" =od .denti"'in7 and $reaBin7 C rses Loose Th'sel" )o#ent #LThe Ke' To Iictor' Releasin7 =od>s Power Thro 7h La'in7 on o" Hands The )inistr' Anointin7 o" The Apostle The )inistr' Anointin7 o" Helps The )inistr' Anointin7 o" The Prophet Deli9erance and Spirit al ?ar"are )an al De#on Hit List $elial( The ?icBed R ler Deli9erance( The Children>s $read )o9in7 .n the Apostolic Pres%'teries and Apostolic Tea#s Leadershi"t( Transitionin7 <ro# The

Apostolic

Pastoral To The

Proton $elie9ers )arine De#ons

+,

To Order $ooBs M Tapes Contact

Cr saders .&)&P&A&C&T& Post O""ice $o* +,)atteson, .llinois /0++1 203&,--&0,31 ???&.)PACTNET?ORK&NET

<or )inistr' En7a7e#ent Contact Cr saders )inistries /560 ?est North A9en e Chica7o, .llinois /0/1, 221&/12&-5-5

LaIer7ne, TN USA 01 <e%r ar' -050 52536-LI0000+$J+JP