April 25, 2005
by Dutch Sheets
Dear Vigilant, Victorious Warriors:
We continue to ask God to remove the "Shroud of Death" that seems to be overtaking our nation. Isaiah 25:8 says, "He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken." As you know, in the last prayer focus I suggested that you fast three days (See http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=2992). As you read this following call to prayer by Dutch Sheets, you will see he has included several key points. I would suggest you fast as you pray through those points. This is probably on of the best things I have ever read concerning the war in this nation over the sanctity of life.
Blessings,
Chuck D. Pierce
Glory of Zion International Ministries
www.glory-of-zion.org
WARRING TO REMOVE THE SHROUD OF DEATH
As many of you know, on March 24, 2005, I issued a prayer alert concerning the Terri Schiavo situation. This, of course, was before her death. In this alert I made some strong statements about the death culture in America and about a spirit of death being released from Florida to the nation if her death was allowed. I have received requests from several people and organizations to follow up this prayer alert, since, of course, she was killed.
The reason for a slight delay in writing a response to the situation is two-fold: 1) I wanted time to wait on the Lord, asking Him for His wisdom and word on the situation; and 2) I wanted to allow time for emotions to settle -- both mine, in order that I might make my best effort to hear and write by the Spirit, and also the emotions of those who would read it.
Let me say from the start, that though I have received a few negative responses from what I wrote, the overwhelming response was agreement. I make no apologies for anything I said in the alert and still believe everything I wrote. I did try to be compassionate and conciliatory to those who have had to make heartbreaking decisions to disconnect loved ones from life support, while also stating that I did not believe that was what was happening with Terri. Here is that conciliatory statement:
"I feel that God is allowing it to epitomize where we are as a nation, picturing for us the death culture that has overtaken us in America. I do want to be careful at this point not to cast any dispersion on those who have had to make the excruciating decision to disconnect loved ones from life support. I have had to stand with individuals, giving them comfort and support as they made this decision for brain-dead loved ones. However, I have a very deep conviction that is not what is taking place in this case."
While I still feel the same strong empathy and compassion for those who have had to end life support for loved ones, it has become even more obvious to me that that is not what was happening with Terri Schiavo. Anyone with moral integrity and common sense can see otherwise: 1) She was NOT on life support -- she was simply fed; 2) She was NOT on a breathing machine, she breathed on her own; 3) She was NOT dying; 4) She was NOT comatose; 5) It is almost certain her behavior did NOT meet the medical or statutory definition of a persistent vegetative state (PVS). Fourteen independent medical professionals (six of them neurologists) gave either statements or testimony that Terri was NOT a PVS; 6) Her husband (legally, not morally), who had long since moved on with his life, waited seven years to begin saying he remembered that she didn't want to be sustained by a feeding tube.
There are many other injustices and suspicious circumstances surrounding this ordeal. Even the supposed poll that "proved" most Americans wanted her to die was so slanted and dishonest making it suspect at best. For the exact poll question and the clearest expose of this situation I have read to date, you can go to www.focusaction.org and read Dr. James Dobson's article entitled, "Life, Death and Judicial Tyranny." It is shocking, hard-hitting and, in many ways, frightening. It is somewhat long but a must-read.
"WHAT WE MUST DO FROM HERE"
There is no doubt in my mind that Terri Schiavo was, in essence, "legally" murdered. My purpose in this communication is not to prove that, however, but to reiterate what I believe this caused in our nation and to discuss what we must do from here. I issued the following warning in the prayer alert: "As this burden began to intensify yesterday, I called Chuck Pierce and Ken Malone (the Strategic Prayer Network state coordinator for Florida). He reminded me of a word Chuck gave about Florida a few months ago. Chuck prophesied,
"A strategy will be uncovered out of Florida that will be very detrimental to our land . . . a strategy that will try to mature to stop the plan for this nation out of Florida, to bring confusion in this land."
Chuck also told me yesterday that when he gave this word, he saw a death structure in Florida that would become an issue before the nation -- that death would try to reign from there.
"I feel very strongly that if we don't overcome this spirit of death, a new wave of violence and death will be released across our nation. It could manifest through suicides, terrorism, disease, euthanasia, increased abortions, murder, etc. How it manifests may vary, but I am issuing the warning: if this is allowed to continue in Florida, this spirit of death will be unleashed with a vengeance."
I still stand behind this warning. Chuck Pierce also delivered another prophetic word on January 14, 2005, stating, "In April, death will attempt to sting." Terri died March 31! Don't miss the timings of her death and this prophecy. There is no doubt in my mind that, when she died, what the Holy Spirit warned of began. The stronghold of death in America has increased its strength through this "legal" decision. By the visibility and coverage of this situation, God gave the nation the opportunity to stop this death by choosing life and, therefore, mercy. Some tried to do so, including the President and Congress, but led by a Godless judicial system, we (collectively) chose death and judgment.
It is too late to stop the initiating of this death "invasion." There will be an increase of violent death in our nation. As you will see before I finish this letter, I don't believe we have to allow this spirit of death and destruction to run its full course. But make no mistake about it, it has begun.
Is this coming destruction the hand of God? Certainly not. It is the absence of His hand. Jonah 2:8 says: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." (NIV) America chose death over life -- even many in the church were strangely silent. We forsook grace and chose destruction.
"THE DESTINY OF AMERICA IS AT STAKE"
I also wrote in the prayer alert about the courts -- the judicial system. I, along with many other prophets and leaders, have been warning for several years that they are out of control and are the number one entry point for the spiritual decay and cultural demise in our nation. Of course there are some good judges in America, but nonetheless this institution has done more than any other to release the spirit of death over our nation. Many of them are unaccountable, arrogant, godless, and on a mission to legislate God out of America.
Please read the aforementioned article of Dr. Dobson's and, among many compelling arguments proving what I just said, you will read of Thomas Jefferson predicting this 200 years ago! His greatest fear for America was the judicial system!
God placed them on public trial in the Terri Schiavo case. They were weighed in the balances and found wanting. They were offered a choice -- they chose death. They failed the test and showed that they are under the influence of a spirit of death. They tried to say that they were only following the law, but when the President, Congress, the Governor and legislature of Florida gave them the way out -- the way to choose life -- they showed their true colors. They didn't want the way out, the way to choose life. They even defied a Congressional order -- a subpoena.
The point is, they didn't want a way out and didn't want to have any other governmental branch bringing checks or balances to them, as the Constitution mandates. They are full of pride and out of control, and they are now bringing America into another phase and level of judgment. We must pray and do everything else in our power to change this evil system. The destiny of America is at stake.
"WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE US?"
Jim Hodges, my apostolic covering and one of my spiritual fathers, agrees with this. He said,
"A nation cannot be sustained or reach its divine destiny if it chooses a culture of death. 'I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendents by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers. . .' (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). This word of God through Moses came to Israel as they prepared to cross the Jordan into their destiny. America has a prophetic destiny, but it can be aborted by choosing death!"
Where does this leave us? Is it too late to stem the tide of this death culture? Must we face the full force of this spirit of death that has been released? Is it too late to rein in this renegade judicial system? The answer to these questions is a resounding "No." While it is too late to stop some of the judgment, we can and must break this death culture and overcome this spirit of death. Through various dreams and revelations, God showed Chuck Pierce in January that we were entering a ten month struggle against death in America. We lost a battle, but we can still win this war!
As Chuck and I have prayed and processed together, God began to speak about His river of life. Of course, God's life always overcomes death. There must be a fresh release of this river in America. Ezekiel 47:9 says, "Everything will live where the river goes." This river has power to heal even nations (see Ezekiel 47:12 and Revelation 22:1-2). Saying we need a release of the river of God is another way of saying we need a fresh outpouring of His Spirit. Nothing else will break this spirit of death. Yes, I still believe revival is coming to America. Unfortunately, some of the cause will probably be judgment, since it is often what it takes to bring further repentance and a turning back to God.
FOUR THINGS WE CAN DO TO SEE A FRESH RELEASE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS RIVER OF LIFE
Here are four things we can do now to see a fresh release of the Holy Spirit and His river of life, and a consequent breaking of the spirit of death over America. They involve, quite simply, a radical return to the basics:
1) Repent. Biblically, repentance means a change of mind leading to a change of action and direction. Complacency and indifference must be broken off of us, starting with the church. The blindness that keeps us from seeing our horrible condition must be lifted.
If judges had done something to hurt our pocketbooks there would have been a far greater outcry, including from the church. We are pathetically selfish. We think we are "rich . . . and have need of nothing." But we "are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked," (see Revelation 3:17). We must "be zealous, therefore, and repent," (verse 19). Do this individually and corporately. Do it identificationally for the nation.
Repent for the pride and arrogance that permeates our nation.
Repent for allowing God to be mocked and expelled from our culture.
Repent of greed and selfishness.
Repent of idolatry and gross immorality.
Repent of lukewarmness in the church.
Do not listen to false leaders and shepherds who tell us all is well.
Read the first six chapters of Jeremiah; it has many warnings for us.
2) Fasting. Sometimes there is nothing else that will produce breakthrough. According to Isaiah 58:6 it loosens the bonds of wickedness, undoes the bands of the yoke, lets the oppressed go free, and breaks every yoke. There are many wonderful promises, as well as important conditions, in this chapter.
Fasting is also a statement of humility. It is a humbling or bringing down of self and its desires, and a reciprocal exalting of the spirit and its life forces.
3) Intercession. Both personal and corporate intercession must be released to pull down this spirit of death and break the death culture in America. Biblical decrees and declarations must be issued in order to release the sword of the Spirit. If enough believers in America would do this daily and enough churches do it weekly, we could overcome this spirit in a relatively short time. Don't underestimate the importance of yourself or your prayer group.
Do prayer journeys/walks to your courthouse, abortion clinic, Planned Parenthood offices, and anywhere else God's Spirit leads. Don't make a scene -- pray and decree. Your invisible force in the spirit is worth more than a protest.
4) Worship. Worship exalts God, weakens principalities and powers (Psalm 149:5-9), and confuses the forces of darkness (II Chronicles 20:23). It cleanses the atmosphere. Worship gatherings -- simply for the sake of worship -- are important in this season. They should be regular and frequent.
In closing, while I firmly agree with Chuck Pierce that we are in a season of intense war with a spirit of death and the death culture in America, we can win this war. Even judgment does not have to be final under grace; mercy can triumph. Let's up this war for life and win it!
Passionately,
Dutch Sheets
Dutch Sheets Ministries
www.dutchsheets.org
No comments:
Post a Comment