9/29/2001
Now at this time, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Cladius. And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. And this they did, sending it by the charge of Barnabus and Saul of the elders."
Spent a good portion of the day in prayer. Heard the Lord speak into my spirit today something about "in three days." This evening, have had it on my heart to pray regarding an outbreak of typhus.
Sometimes people will say: "Anybody can speak the circumstances..." Yes, and I have a reply to that! The Holy Ghost spoke forth the circumstances as they were about to be, right out of the mouth of the prophet Agabus. Why didn't Agabus use his prophetic gift to speak forth a financial blessing, or at least a harvest instead of a famine? Because that wasn't what God was saying through him, that's why!!!
There are differences of administration the bible says, but that self-same Spirit. Was it God who was breaking the "staff of bread" in the land so the people would repent? I don't know, because the bible doesn't specifically say in this portion of scripture in Acts 1l.
Agabus the Prophet's prophecy didn't "create" the famine, as near as I can tell. He only fore-warned of it. In the time of the two witnesses of Revelation 13, we see these Two Witnesses actually releasing plagues and whatever was needed "as often as they will, the bible says.
I am a firm believer in believing and speaking the precious promises of God's word, and standing on my authority as a believer. So were the apostles, and the early church, yet they received Agabus prophecy regarding the famine.
It did not just "go away" but the church at this time in history was drawn together in the love of God to provide for one another. With regard to healing, it's in the atonement. Jesus Christ took sickness in His own body on the cross, just as He bore our sins.
We don't have to wonder if it's God's will to heal. In the Old Testament God said: I will put none of these diseases upon you that I put on the Egyptians. Why did the Egyptians get sick? They didn't have a covenant with God, so they didn't have divine protection. Healing is the children's bread, Jesus said. (Mark 7:27)
Doesn't Jesus Christ want to save, heal and deliver everyone? Yes, of course. But if the person wanting to be healed, is not willing to live for Jesus, sickness may return, where there's no covenant with God, through the atoning work of the cross of Christ. Jesus Christ healed all diseases in the bible. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
In Luke 9:1, we see Jesus gives authority to His disciples to heal diseases.
In some cases, plagues and famines, are what's breaking the pride and self reliance, opening people's hearts to hear the gospel. I believe Agabus saw a famine coming by the Spirit and simply opened his mouth and spoke forth a warning from God, which gave opportunity for the church to deal with the need prudently.
God has given me a previous warning with regard to chemical warfare from the area of the mid-east. This Typhus is different. Our government has warned of Anthrax and smallpox as possible biological warfare, and so far I have not had God warn me of this. But some other intercessors might, and if they do, the church will know about it, because God will warn them. John 16:13 says: He will show you (disclose to you) things to come. We do not need to live in fear.
In the time of John G. Lake, (Healing evangelist in Spokane, Washington) he had the God kind of faith and he appropriated this, to go into Africa and to minister as a healing evangelist during a time when a terrible plague had ravaged the country. Officials did not want him to go. But the word of faith was nigh him, in his mouth and in his heart.
He conducted an experiment, and using saliva from a corpse that had died, he told officials he believed the resurrection life in his body through the power of Jesus Christ, would destroy any plague germs that came into contact with him. When the germs died, the officials let him in the country, so that he could share Christ with the lost there.
The bible tells us in Mark 16:16-18, If they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them. We, for many years have taken this to mean "injesting" harmful substances, etc. We believe that this is part of God's divine protection spoken of in Psalm 91. So I will continue to pray regarding a "typhus outbreak." I will not fear, but will trust in the Lord.
People are at different places in their faith...We don't condemn others who feel that they should go to a doctor, have surgery, or get immunized. Faith comes as the result of hearing the word of God. Now would be as good a time as any to be reading the word of God, and allowing God to establish all of us on it's precious promises.
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, Acts 2:38 says: Repent, (turn from the power of Satan to God, from darkness to light) be baptized (by immersion) everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This gift of the Holy Spirit is received with the evidence of speaking in other tongues supernaturally, just as they did on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2; according to Acts 10:46-48.
Don't allow Satan or adversaries to immobilize you with fear. Believers are characterized by the fact that they believe in the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Greek term for salvation encompasses healing and salvation for the whole man, body, soul and spirit. This means salvation, healing and deliverance from all mental illness and demonic oppression as well. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind." All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23, 6:23) The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. But God laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5)
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