Brian Simmons: "From Now On!"

Here's what I hear the Lord saying to the Church today:

"I AM RELEASING FROM NOW ON a new quality of life and power given as a gift to the Bride of Christ! I AM PREPARING FROM NOW ON a generation to carry the torch of the advancing Kingdom of God to a new level. This is 'a season of destiny' unmatched by any other."

Defining the Reformation

A day of great exploits is here – a massive migration is taking place as the people of God move forward to the next level of God's Kingdom breakthroughs! The new thing God is doing cannot be limited to the term "revival," for it is a complete reformation of the Church in all the earth. This is not something that is being restored from the past, but something being released in all its newness for today. What He has in store for us is something completely unforeseen. No one will be able to say, "Oh, I knew that was coming" – for only the Creator of Eternity can pull off what He is about to do...

You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, "Yes, I knew of them." Isaiah 48:6-7

This is the reformation the prophets have foretold was coming. It is a reformation of the inner structure of the mentality and understanding of the Church. It is an upgraded version of the book of Acts. Let's call it version Acts 2.1.

The overhaul of the perception of the Church is now underway. The result will be the overwhelming power of God released through Christ's Body into the world. God is redesigning the Church by means of a deep inner change within the hearts of Believers and the structures we have invented. This reformation is more profound and far-reaching than that which came through the lives of Martin Luther and the reformers in the middle of the 16th Century! Aren't you glad YOU get to be a part of this?

Startling the Nations

God's intention is to reveal Himself to the world in fresh and even startling ways. This visitation of the Person and glory of Christ will cause the nations to marvel and be amazed. Listen to Isaiah's words:

"Many were amazed when they saw Him – beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know He was a person. And He will again startle many nations." Isaiah 52:14-15a NLT

This prophetic word operates on two levels. On one level it is a clear description of the sufferings of Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. But that event itself did not fulfill all of this prophecy. The crucifixion did not "disfigure" Him so that people could "scarcely know He was a person." In fact, crucifixion was a common form of death for criminals by the Romans. Paul received five times more lashings than what Jesus received (2 Corinthians 11:24-25).

This prophecy speaks of the distortion of His appearance in the Church and the accuracy of His manifestation to the world. Because of inaccurate positions of the Church and misrepresentations of Believers as to the true compassionate nature of Jesus, His mystical Body (the Church) has been a distorted presentation of Christ to the nations...but that is coming to an end! When everyone has given up on the Church, His Body, look out! He AGAIN will startle the nations by raising up His Bride as a beautiful witness of resurrection power!

"He will again startle many nations!" The word translated "sprinkle" (King James and NIV) is the Hebrew word, nazah – and means "to leap in surprise, to startle." This is speaking of a shocking new reality coming that will startle the nations and cause them to leap with surprise. Astonishing new things are on the horizon as the reformation intensifies.

...and kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. Isaiah 52:15b NIV

Kings will shut their mouths when they see the manifestation of the Son of God shining through the Church. These kings refer to both the kings of the political world, but also the princes and "rulerships" of the spiritual realm on earth. The powers that be will be shaken, both natural and spiritual powers! The princes of the powers of the air will shut their mouths of accusation against the Church when Christ's glory is manifest through us!

The Hebrew word for "shut" can also mean "to convulse, or to leap." This is a sudden convulsion of the powers on earth as revelation reality grips the Church in reformation. The word "mouth" used in this verse is used in another form in Proverbs 8:3 where it refers to the doors or gates of the city! The new unveiling of Jesus will cause the systems of the earth to convulse at all the stronghold entrances to this world system. The gates of the city will shudder as a new, mighty reformation impacts the earth.

New revelation is about to be given on a level we have not formerly known. We will understand what we have not heard before and receive in our hearts what we have never seen. New insights on mercy, judgment, authority, end times, and rulership will soon come to the earth. Our vision boundaries will be broken, enabling us to perceive what God is doing on the earth and cooperate with Him by bringing it to pass.

This new understanding must be released to the emerging Church, for without deep understanding of the ways of God, people will not change their position. They will see change as a threat, inflicting pain, and not seeing the prophetic necessity to embrace the new. A generation is arising that will see change as the fulfillment of their heart's desire.

I'm glad to be a part of that generation! Hold on to your hat! God is saying: "From now ON!"

Brian Simmons
Apostolic Resource Center (ARC) & Stairway Ministries
Email: bwsimmons@msn.com

Brian and Candice Simmons have been described as pioneers, prophets, and pastors. As a spiritual father and mother, their teaching and prophetic gifts have opened doors in many nations to take the message of authentic awakening and revival to many. For the last 35 years they have labored to present Christ in His fullness wherever God sends them. As an apostolic couple, they have pioneered church plants for many years with a tribal people group, planted churches in New England, and helped to translate the New Testament into the Kuna language. Brian is the founder and director of Apostolic Resource Center (ARC) based in New England, and they have established Stairway Ministries under which they travel full-time. Brian is the author of numerous books which reveal depths of insight that the Holy Spirit has released for the last days.