Zechariah 3: God’s New Move

Jon & Jolene Hamill

We long to peer into God’s glory. To see behind the veil, and encounter Fire that cannot be extinguished by mere whispers of an opposing wind.

Wouldn’t it be great to truly ascend—not just to imagine, but to truly ascend—and join the song of elders and angels and living creatures as the Court of Heaven is convened? And to see earth shake as the gavel thunders His decision of speedy justice…

This time is not too far off. I believe God’s new move is here. It is no longer coming, as if from some far away place. The substance and life of this ‘far away place’ called heaven is now flowing to the earth.

A Fresh Baptism
Malachi prophesied the restoration of the ‘Elijah anointing’ before the coming of the Lord. When Christ came to earth the first time, this anointing was in strong manifestation through John the Baptist. And as the ages have progressed towards His second coming, this anointing has been progressively released to again prepare the way.

John the Baptist is known as a prophet, a ‘friend of the Bridegroom’ given to fasting and prayer. But that’s not the only way John prepared a people to meet the Lord. Zechariah’s son also led a generation into the Jordan to be baptized—to die to the past, and arise cleansed from sin and prepared for the Bridegroom.

Beloved, baptism is a prophetic action that symbolizes a much greater reality. There’s a river flowing from God’s throne that cleanses us from sin—that manifests the power of Christ’s blood in the deliverance of His people. To be prepared to ‘meet the Bridegroom’ we must have a fresh baptism in this river. Like a rushing stream, God’s Spirit is about to flow in deliverance to such a magnitude that massive numbers of people will be released from generational bondage.

We’re going to experience deliverance in baptisms, and a baptism of deliverance. And for many ‘John the Baptists’ of this hour, your job description is about to be expanded.

Ready or Not, Here They Come
Recently the Lord spoke strongly to my heart that youth revival is not just coming, it is here. This was the farthest thing from my mind when He spoke to me. His actual words were “Ready or not, here they come.”

The good news is that they’re coming. Angels have been dispatched as in the days of Zechariah, where the angel of the Lord ‘returned and roused me, as a man who is awakened from his sleep’ (Zech. 4:1). A generation is now awakening from slumber.

But the question is, are we ready? Long-term commitment is needed. Moms and dads are needed. Deliverers and healers are needed. More than we know, this is a missing key to eradicating heaven’s delay in revival.

Connecting with the Healers
In a vision last year, I found myself inside a massive, slowly rotating whirlwind. Through the symbolism of whirlwinds, God has often spoken to me about the restoration of His glory and purposes (see Ezekiel 43).

But this was the first time I was actually inside a whirlwind. It was gold, with layers of what looked like clouds or smoke moving simultaneously with other layers. At the bottom of the whirlwind were vast numbers of infant children—babies. As they became enfolded by this whirlwind, they began to ascend. As they went higher they expanded and grew, but still retained the form of infants.

Then I looked upwards, and to my surprise saw a group of older friends I knew were anointed in deliverance and healing. They were casually dressed, sitting in chairs and laughing together, seemingly unaware of either the wind, their height from the ground, or the young ones moving steadily towards them.

In the vision, I heard myself crying, “It’s time to connect the babes with the generational healers. It’s time to connect this generation of priests with those who will set them free from generational bondage!”

Generational Healing Needed
This connection needs to happen. Many young ‘priests of the Lord’ have already been awakened, with a youth movement of worship and intercession springing up throughout the nations. They’re giving all for Jesus. But many have also become disheartened, because despite their devotion neither they nor their peers seem able to break free from cycles of significant compromise, sin and despair.

And God’s manifest presence seems at a distance compared to the dream God has sealed in the depths of their hearts—the dream they know to be true.

I don’t just know this because of some rare gift of discernment. To a large extent, I’ve lived this story. Healing and deliverance from generational sins has made an incredible difference in my life.

So I prophesy to you—in this new move, the lid that keeps you down is coming off. The glass ceiling that keeps you from ascending is targeted for removal. And so is your accuser. Ask the Lord for the fullness of His deliverance on your behalf.

Courtroom Scene: Intercessor Accused
The process of deliverance from generational sin is pictured in Zechariah 3. Zechariah was a spiritual father to a massive move of societal restoration. Joshua was set in place as high priest as part of this restoration. It’s significant that he bore both the name of the Jewish leader who brought the Israelites across the Jordan, and the name of the true High Priest, Israel’s Messiah, Jesus the Christ.

With the priestly ministry of worship and intercession being so important, you would think Joshua would have had easy access to Heaven’s throne. Because there’s no such thing as societal restoration or transformation without the connection between heaven and earth first being restored.

In Zechariah 3, Joshua the priest truly is pictured before the Throne—in a courtroom scene where he’s being accused. Joshua is standing before the angel of the Lord, with Satan at his right hand to accuse him. In legal terms, this is called an indictment.

If this weren’t enough, Joshua is pictured wearing filthy garments. Joshua’s priestly robes bore witness to the very accusations of the Accuser in this courtroom scene. In other words, he was summoned to court while wearing the evidence! This was bad news for the ‘societal transformation movement’ in Joshua’s day.

Maybe you can identify with Joshua’s plight. I sure can. But we have an even better covenant than this high priest did—ratified with Blood that’s far more precious, and far more powerful to cleanse of sin.

The Verdict: Accuser Rebuked
You can almost hear the passion in God’s voice when he rendered his verdict. “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you!”

Note here that before God can restore a city, He first has to restore the priesthood in that city. And the first step in this restoration process was to deliver Joshua from the Accuser. Many of us need deliverance in this area. Let us break our agreement with the Accuser—in our lives and in the lives of our friends--for Christ’s own blood has already silenced the Accuser’s voice.

Step two in Joshua’s restoration was deliverance from ‘filthy garments.’ At God’s direction, those standing before him removed the garments, provoking God to declare that his iniquity—or generational sin—has been removed.

Though seeking to live for God, Joshua was still held captive to the patterns of iniquity and demonic bondage forged by his forefathers. And in the spirit realm, these sins were even visible on his garments. This depiction of generational sin totally applies to every one of Adam’s offspring. And the cycle can only be broken at the River. Through the Blood of Christ alone, the power of generational sin can be broken.

But it’s important to note that Joshua’s deliverance was a group effort. At least one man—Zechariah—and one angel—the Angel of the Lord—were involved, as were others not specifically identified in the word.

I believe God is depicting here what the process will be like for us. We need to know we won’t get there alone. Generational deliverance is often a team ministry, and always a supernatural ministry.

Joshua Remantled
The third step in Joshua’s restoration was to be reclothed in priestly garments. Interceding in his vision, Zechariah said, “let them (angels) put a clean turban on his head.” In this season, many are now experiencing visions and dreams which are interactive. Many will prophesy and pray, decree and travail, even in their sleep.

Note also that Joshua’s priestly covering was restored. As with Joshua, God wants to ‘recover your covering.’ Beloved, lets not tolerate our filthy garments anymore! They only attract the Accuser. There’s a better way—one that will not ultimately end in sabotage, reproach and betrayal. Allow the Lord to strip away your graveclothes. Take a plunge in His River, and let Him restore to you the mantle of life and favor He intended that you display.

Joshua Recommissioned
The final step in Joshua’s restoration is almost unbelievable. The Lord asks him to walk in His ways and perform His service. In return, Joshua will govern His house and have charge of His courts… and have free access among those standing with him!

Wait a minute—first he is accused in court… and now he has charge of the courts of His justice! And best of all—Joshua is promised unhindered access, alongside the angels, to the very Throne of God!

Beloved, just ahead on God’s timetable is unprecedented access to intimacy with the Father, and unprecedented release of authority. We will truly join with men and angels in the song of the Lamb, releasing expedited justice from the courts of the Lord.

But to reach this Promised Land, there’s a river to cross—a river of deliverance. To the intercessors—pray in this rushing stream! Don’t stop until you yourself are swept away in its strength.

To the priests of this generation---it’s time to cross the threshold, and truly put your past behind you. Make the commitment to seek healing and deliverance from generational bondage. And don’t give up hope. The life you’ve been seeking will come as your healing is walked out.

To moms, dads and other healers--your new assignment is an emerging priesthood. It’s time to connect. The destiny of a generation is at stake.
 

Jon & Jolene will be part of the ministry team at the Greatest Awakening Conference at Mount Snow, VT August 14-17, 2006.  Lamplighter Ministries lamplighterjon@earthlink.net Check out the Hamill's Itinerary at http://www.mountainofworship.com/hamillitinerary.htm

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