If we are feeling "spiritually empty," it may be the Lord's intention for us to feel this way. The Lord often removes the old to make room for the new, as we are about to enter into a new season. Thus:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 5:3).
Rather than being discouraged or complaining about our present struggles, we should hold this sense of being "dissatisfied" (spiritually empty) before the Lord in anticipation of a new and deeper spiritual experience, which is beyond our present level of spirituality.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. Song of Solomon 2:11-12
"The Winter Is Past"
At this present time, the "dry season has come to its end." Therefore, we are to hold our being "spiritually empty or dissatisfied" before the Lord, asking to be brought into a higher level of spiritual desire and hunger. When we do this, our feelings of being unspiritual will become a prayer to release the Lord to meet with us in a fresh new way, beyond anything that we have experienced in the past.
"The Rain Is Over and Gone"
The rain has accomplished its purpose (past revelations and visitations), therefore:
"The Flowers (Are Beginning To) Appear On the Earth"
The soil has been energized and is saying, "Wake up, wake up, this is the time for the flowers to appear." The warmth of the "latter rain" has touched the seed (the spiritual potential within us), and a new expression of life is about to spring forth from deep within us.
The "Son" is beginning to shine as never before, and we are coming closer to the time of His appearing as "the rain is over and gone" (our being satisfied with past levels of spiritual attainment, revelations, and visitations). This "new season" of end-time revelation will begin to unfold before us if we will look up in faith, believing that the Lord will visit us.
There is a fresh stirring of the Lord's desire for us to become all that He would have us to be. We are hearing a new message beyond anything that we have heard in the past. Our part is to be spiritually open and receptive.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches... After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in Heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, "Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter." Revelation 3:22, 4:1
Especially at this present time, an "open Heaven" is becoming increasingly available to us, through which the "Son" can shine brightly to release the potential that is buried within us. For this to happen, we must respond with anticipation, expectancy, and patience.
In the past, there were times and places in which there was a substantial moving of the Spirit, and many came to respond to the presence of the Lord. However, as soon as this "presence" lifted, they left, as their interest was in being blessed, rather than in being changed.
Therefore, each time of visitation will be tested with what appears to be a drought after the time of rain (the winter is past). If we will stay and press through, seeking the Lord for Himself, He will come to take us beyond anything that we have previously experienced. If we leave His presence prematurely, the Lord will also go home.
"The Time of the Singing of Birds Is Come"
This "singing" speaks of the melody of Heaven. Like the early morning singing of birds, true worship flows in prophetic harmony. As we harmonize together as being one, the Heavens will open and we will be lifted into the realms of glory. There is within the harmony of pure worship (our voices united as being one) that which not only satisfies the Lord, but also edifies us in the inner depth of our spirit.
This release of worship to the Lord is beyond praise, where all may be shouting, or giving expression through excitement. Rather, it is a harmony in which divine adoration flows up to the Lord. This will cause the Heavens to open and we will be lifted out of time, into eternity. Once we have experienced this, we will never be satisfied with less, as we will have found the satisfaction that we longed for. Many have experienced touches of this higher realm of worship and desire more.
"The Voice of the Turtle Is Heard In Our Land"
The Lord is beginning to unfold before us new levels of revelation as a "foretaste" of the age to come. He is seeking to take us beyond our hearing messages that relate to the past, or to the future, into the higher realm of "prophetic revelation" in which we are receiving a present living word.
This "voice of the turtle" speaks of our being given prophetic understanding that is beyond that which is presently known and accepted. We must be "conditioned" by the Lord in order to enter into this higher realm of end-time revelation, which goes beyond our past understandings; thus, the present "reduction" that is taking place.
A "forerunner" is one who has a present experience in that which is yet to become openly available. During the 1950s, deeper-life Bible teachers were criticized and judged because, as forerunners, they saw and understood that which was beyond what most were seeing or understanding. As there were forerunners in that day, there are those today who are reaching into the unknown, who also must pay the price of not being understood.
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. Song of Solomon 2:13
"The Fig Tree Puts Forth Her Green Figs..."
This speaks of Israel. All that is presently happening concerning Israel and the Arab nations is an indication that we are living in the end-time.
"And the Vines With the Tender Grape Give a Good Smell"
This speaks of a present increase in the Lord's manifested presence and glory in the Body of Christ.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee... Isaiah 60:1-4
This refers to "glory" abiding upon us so it can be visibly seen (an open Heaven). At the same time, there is an increasing darkness that is covering both the earth and the people. Many only see this darkness, but there is another side of the coin – "the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee."
Before Jesus comes to appear "outwardly," He must first come "within" us so His glory can radiate out from us to affect the nations.
When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe... II Thessalonians 1:10
Just as Jesus impacted the world through a single body in His first coming, as a part of His second coming, there will be a powerful manifestation of His glory through a corporate Body (those who are being called apart for a time of preparation).
"Arise, My Love, My Fair One, And Come Away"
There is a present urgency and need to present ourselves as being available to become a "place of habitation" for the presence and glory of the Lord, beyond anything that has previously been experienced or seen. This manifestation of His glory will impact the nations.
May we pray together that we will rise above our present feeling of dissatisfaction, and be ready for that day.
Lord, we consecrate ourselves to be a part of Your corporate Body for the expression of Your presence and glory to the nations. Lord, let us become that beautiful flower, a people birthed forth to reveal Your glory to this dark world.
Wade E. Taylor
Wade Taylor Ministries
Email: wade@wadetaylor.org
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