Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Tongues

Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Tongues

I wrote this for a friend who just received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and thought I'd share it here. 

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is tied to the Feast of Pentecost in the Old Testament (OT) (Acts 2), just as Passover is tied to the death of Jesus Christ (Exodus 12, John 1:29).

Here is an overview of the Holy Spirit’s ministry.

We find the Trinity throughout the OT with its first mention in Genesis 1:26: Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” The Holy Spirit’s first mention is Genesis 1:2: The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

The difference between the OT and the NT (New Testament) regarding the Holy Spirit is that in the OT He would come upon people and in the NT He came in to dwell permanently. In the OT He would come upon people only for various tasks. There are a handful of times (maybe 5) where the Bible says that the Holy Spirit came within someone and when He did come in, He came in for a task not to stay. Under the New Covenant (NC) when He came in He changed our nature, thus we were born again—a completely new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.)

With that in mind let’s look at the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit differs from being born again. In John 20:22 we read: And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This was right after Jesus had risen from the dead and is the first mention of anyone being born again. The disciple received the Holy Spirit and were indwelt by Him (born again). However, to these same disciples Jesus said to go to Jerusalem and they’d get the Baptism in the Holy Spirit:

Acts 1:1-5, 8 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2  until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3  to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 4  And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…” 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This Promise of the Father is reference to the fulfillment of Feast of Pentecost in Acts 2 (people today call this Pentecost, hence where the word “Pentecostal” comes from). In Acts 2:1-4 we read that the Holy Spirit came and filled these same people who were breathed on in John 20. This was another experience prophesied way back in Joel 2:28-29 and then through John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8. Luke 3:16, John 1:33) and by Jesus (Acts 1:5). The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is largely associated with speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues accompanied the first time the Holy Spirit was poured out in Acts 2. Further into Acts, tongues accompanied many, not all, times the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (also called being filled with the Holy Spirit) is mentioned.

Everyone who is baptized in the Holy Spirit can speak in tongues though not all do. In 1 Corinthians 14 we find the greatest explanation of tongues and its benefit to the Christian. Tongues is also called “praying with my spirit” in 1 Corinthians 14. Tongues is not the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, but is accompanies the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Some people are confused over the gift of tongues that must be interpreted versus the pray language of tongues. Let’s look at the prayer language first.

The prayer language (praying with/in my/the spirit) is available to all as Paul says that he wished that everyone spoke in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5). Consider that as Paul wrote he was inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), so though it was Paul saying he wished… it really is God’s desire that all speak with tongues. The prayer language of tongues is what was seen and experience on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). There were 120 people in the upper room praying together and no one interpreted the tongues. They spoke in tongues and the Holy Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4).

Now let’s deal with the tongue that must be interpreted. First, 1 Corinthians 12:30 asks: Do all speak with tongues? 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 further discusses the gift of tongues and its usage in the church “service”: If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. This gift of tongues must be interpreted, and yet in Acts 2:1-4 tongues was not interpreted. Paul states that in the church “service” all things are to be done for edification, decently and in order, and with regard to those around you. So if someone speaks in their prayer language of tongues with no interpretation then how are others edified? But, if someone speaks in tongues and it is interpreted, bumping it up to the level of a prophecy, then others are edified. That is the difference between the prayer language versus the gift used in the church. The prayer language edifies the individual, while the gift used in the church, when it is interpreted, edifies the church.

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Seasons: Keep Shoveling

Seasons

“Keep shoveling.”

It’s a hard thing to hear. We are so prone to associating our value with what we are doing. Downtimes with the Lord are hard. It is much easier to see the reward on eternity’s side when sweat is running off our brow, so to speak.

Of Abraham, Romans says that if he was justified by works then he had something to boast about (Romans 4:2). Justification through works is embedded within the human nature. We feel value when we are doing something. We feel justified. We can even myopically look at the scriptures to elevate self-worth through works. I think most of us wrestle with feeling of worthlessness when we aren’t saddled.

Seasons of downtime come. They are beneficial. They give us a break: a needed break. We need our Sabbaths. Not out of a legalistic regiment, rather a sigh—a deep breath—for the soul. Not only are they so, but these breaks have other more important benefits. They tap deep places of our soul; places where important God questions bubble from. These questions lead to clarified vision. But the most important reason for these God-imposed downtimes is that they reorient our spirit that we are justified by Jesus Christ apart from works. And this dear reader anchors our soul.

Recently I have been forced into one of His God-imposed Sabbaths. Daily routines: laundry, dinners, washing the dog, grocery shopping, and cleaning up after my horses was about it for me. I get quite a bit of communion with the Lord and a ton of scripture since I listen to teaching and the Bible virtually all day—such a wonderful blessing. One day while cleaning my horses’ paddock, I was talking to the Lord. “Lord,” I said “What am I supposed to be doing?” His response was clear, “Keep shoveling.” It hit me like a splash of cold water in a warm shower. I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing. I was shoveling horse manure. I was pleasing Him.

Enjoy your downtimes. 

Let those deep God questions bubble out of your soul. 

Commune with Him

…and keep shoveling.

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Carry the Torch

Carry the Torch

You used to carry the torch as you ran to the heart of God. Your heart was on fire. You burned with passion for the Lord and for His friendship. You couldn’t wait for the next meeting where you and those around you would together experience the Presence of God. And yet, your closet was your favorite place, just you and Him Face to face.

Photo credits: Aziz Acharki

Now those days are but a glimpse in the rear-view mirror. You are in a different season. Your friends have changed. The reflection in the mirror has changed. Maybe you are in your 50s or 60s or 70s now. You are still devoted to God and deep inside you still have a flame. You still love Him, His Presence, and His fellowship, but where is the fire? As you read this, your heart yearns and longs for His courts as King David longed... 

because you remember. 

You know who you are. You know you are a lover of God. But as time has passed your oil has burned elsewhere rather than to stoke the fire of God within you. Some have made this great exchange—the beauty of God, His Fire, His manifestation, and His closeness for the familiar and the easy. Having eyes like Eli’s, dim and cloudy, eyes that no longer clearly see.

Sure you experience His Presence from time to time when you make time for “behind the closed door.” Or maybe it's just that you only remember when you experienced Him. You know there is more, because you have experienced Him and you know what you experienced was real. It forever changed you. You remember getting touched by God's fire and you watched as your friends did too. You also know that now your meetings are a far cry from the call of the Lord for His church. Where is the Fire of God that used to be in those meetings? Would those around you even understand it you burned for Him again? If this is speaking to you, here is a word from the Lord for you.

Burn anyway.

Carry the torch of the Holy Spirit’s fire anyway.

Pay the price,

and...  
Burn.

Win those around you.

They will see. They can’t help but see. They will want His fire too.

And even if they don’t…

Burn anyway.

Run the race.

As hot as you can for Him,

Until your last breath.

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Identifying the Eagle

Identifying the Eagle

We have had the most welcome visitors this summer. Huge raptors have been spending the summer in our valley. I love raptors. They are majestic birds with incredible characteristics. They swoop upward in front of our large picture windows and then perch on our roof, displaying unashamedly their size and tenacity. But identifying just exactly who these magnificent visitors were was difficult.

Over and over I searched the web for the colors, the call, and the size of our visitors. Finally, it became clear that these impressive beauties were indeed juvenile bald eagles.

Bald eagles don’t get their white head and tail until their fourth year. Each year they develop more and more into what we think of when we think of the bald eagle. They also don’t sound like the bald eagles on TV and in movies. Produces splice in the red tail hawk’s call, because it is so regal. I was expecting the eagle to sound like the hawk. (Listen to the eagle's call: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RArGl2vkGI&feature=youtu.be).  (Listen to the red tailed hawk's call: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVBxLXyleyQ&feature=youtu.be). 

When we have a presupposition it easily, and ususally does, cloud our ability to see clearly. How often do we misjudge people, because we are expecting them to have a white head and tail? People grow into their gifts. And yet, I know so many people who have thrown out the prophetic either completely or have become super-critical of those who are at least trying to grow into who they are, immature as they may be.

Do we give others room to grow in their gifts? Why are we so critical of immaturity, especially of prophetic people?

Some Christians say that prophetic people must be 100% accurate or they are a false prophet. That is the Old Covenant’s paradigm. Prophets prophesied in the OT, however in the NT everyone can prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:1). Nowhere in the New Testament does God say that prophetic people must be 100% accurate. In fact it affirms the opposite.

1 Corinthians 13 states:

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

1 Corinthians 13:9-11

Just because I had a hard time identifying the eagle didn’t change the fact that it was an eagle. It was an eagle if it was an eagle, whether or not I could tell that it was one or not. Its voice sounded like an eagle (though I didn't realize it), it behaved like an eagle, and it looked like an eagle—an immature one. In time, it will get it's stately white head and tail and look like a mature bald eagle.

When a prophetic person is immature they will make mistakes. Even mature prophetic people make mistakes. Will we give prophetic people time to grow? Will we help them mature or will we point the finger while stomping on them? Will we, in rebellion against Scripture, despise prophecy? Why do you think God put that in the Bible? Likely because it is natural (carnal, fleshy) to despise prophecy. Oh, but we sound so discerning... 

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:16 to recognize no one according to the flesh. How easy it is to live carnally. How easy it is to judge according to what we see and what we think in our so called wisdom. Of Jesus, Isaiah said that He would not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears. We sincerely need to see people as God does: with the eyes of His Spirit. 

Are you the kind of person that will break a bruised reed or put out a smoking flax? Jesus isn't. No, Jesus, while Simon was still a reed, changed his name to Rock. And later,when Peter's failure was eminent, He didn't build a case against Peter. Instead, Jesus told Peter when he returned to strengthen his brothers. Jesus saw beyond the obvious failures and immaturity into the destiny of the person. In order to help people, prophetic or not, we must become more like Jesus. We must be spiritual. We must see others through the lens of the Spirit. 

You make mistakes.

I make mistakes.

Only One never made a mistake and neither you nor I am Him.

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Seeing Beyond this Age

Seeing Beyond this Age

Understanding of the Millennial Age has greatly stirred my heart. In the Millennial Age we rule and reign with Christ for 1000 years (Revelation 20). It is exciting to think about what we’ll be doing during those 1000 years. Seeing beyond this age has increased my passion to serve the Lord with wholeheartedly faithfulness.

  

Having studied Eschatology for a long time and looking at it from many different theological positions, I have concluded I am a Near-end tribulation pre-millennialist. And a futurist. In the scriptures I see that the resurrection of the dead, those who are alive and remain, and the return of Jesus happen at the same time – at the last trumpet sound (1 Corinthians 15). This last trumpet (“last” in the Greek means: last of the last) corresponds to the last of the 7 trumpets in Revelation 11:15:

Then the seventh angel sounded [their trumpet]: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

Consider that after this last trumpet sounds that the kingdoms of the world are changed. They are turned over to Jesus Christ. This is the end of the dominion of Satan on the earth and the end of worldly governments: the end of the world as we know it. Praise to our God!

We know Jesus will sit on His throne, the throne of David, in New Jerusalem (Jeremiah 3). The City will have a wall around it (Revelation 21). Kings will bring their wealth into her (Isaiah 60) as they worship their King. These are some dynamics of the Millennial Age and we get to enjoy them with the Lord Jesus, as we rule and reign with Him. But where does the Bible talk more about this age and our ruling with Him? What will we be doing?

A couple days ago I came across exciting things I hadn't seen before in the Bible. Jesus in Revelation 2 had just evaluated the Thyatira church. They had a lot that was good and then there was Jezebel. Jesus sternly warned them to repent of allowing her to continue to influence the church. Then He said:

“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine [of Jezebel], who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations — 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ —  as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’

Scriptures 26-27 are a quote from Psalm 2:8-9:

7 “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”

10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling.

Though we don’t fully grasp what we will be doing during this 1000 year reign, we do know that …he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations …as I also have received from My Father. Ruling the nations with an iron rod and dashing them to pieces. Wow! That sounds like we will be doing a lot during the millennium. We will be ruling nations and bringing them into submission to the King on the Throne.

It is likely that the parable of the minus in Like 19 is insight to the millennium too. 

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem when He spoke this parable. Interestingly, straight away after the parable the Bible again states that Jesus was headed to Jerusalem. Why? I gather the Holy Spirit wants us to understand that the meaning is about Jesus establishing His Throne and rule in New Jerusalem, which is during the millennial age. It beings: Now as they [the disciples] heard these things, He [Jesus] spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. So this is in the context of straightening out the disciples as to the timing for the establishment of the Kingdom on Earth in Jerusalem. The parable’s context is: “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.” In the parable servants were given money to put to use. Some did; one didn’t. The faithful servants were given cities to rule over when the nobleman returned from his journey. Possibly, probably, this is the speaking directly of the millennium. 

One may wonder, “Why care about the next age?” In my opinion, understanding the next age adds fuel to our fire for the Lord. It gives us greater purpose to see beyond this age. Consider that Abraham left everything because he saw a City with foundations whose builder and make is God (Hebrews 11:10). This City is the New Jerusalem the Book of Revelation talks about — a city with foundations! Revelation 21 has great detail of New Jerusalem’s foundations. Each one is a precious stone. How magnificent!

I ask that the Lord open our eyes so we too see the City with foundations whose builder and maker is God. And that we too will leave everything to find His City.

Live for eternity.

"Father, give us eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches."

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Martyrs and Martyrdom

Martyrs and Martyrdom

News flashes often display the utter depravity of mankind.

As we hear about the slaughter of Christians all over the world, what should we as fellow believers do? What can we do?

Some of us have open doors to speak to leaders, but all of us have been given an open door where we can boldly go before the Leader—The Sovereign King of Kings.

Many times when I see news reports I also see revelatory videos or pictures of people to pray for: specific individuals He is directing me to pray for in that moment. We find this kind of Holy Spirit revelation in the account of Ananias and Paul in Acts 9. I trust He is directing them as I pray according to His revelation.

Throughout the Bible we read of martyrs: people who were put to death for their allegiance to the One true God. Hebrew 11 summarizes many of their stories. Some of these martyrs were offered deliverance, but instead chose martyrdom:

Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Hebrews 11:35

There is a unique resurrection and reward awaiting those who suffer martyrdom for the Lord Jesus. It is a mystery as to what exactly this unique resurrection is, but these martyrs in Hebrews saw something we only read about.

I pray for deliverance for our persecuted brothers and sisters; I pray for strength to endure; I pray for routes away from those who seek to kill them; I pray for those who will be martyred to be given grace to see beyond their pain and fear into the glory that awaits them. In this way we can give them a cup of cold water in His Name.

As you see news reports, pray. And as you pray watch. Is there a specific person or group of people the Holy Spirit is directing you to pray for? Let’s pray with eyes wide open to God who sees and hears.

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Boredom in Paradise?

Boredom in Paradise?

There is no other place on earth like the assembly of the believers—a place where God promises He’ll be in their midst. A place where Jesus Himself said He would be. There is no other place where His body comes together. This uniquely belongs to the gathering of believers, for this is where God is in her midst.

If this is so (and it is), why is there so much boredom? How is it that people can come and go without their needs, whatever they may be, being met? With so much boredom, how is it that we should expect others, whether boomers, millennials, or Gen-Zs, to come and become a part of the assembly? The world is exciting, but shouldn’t God be more exciting? 

Boredom easily paves the path to sin. Maybe this is why there is little difference between believers and those who don’t know Christ. David was bored and look what happened:

It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"

2 Samuel 11:1-3

David was supposed to be in the battle, but he was disengaged in the things he was supposed to be doing. Hence, his feet took him to a place he should not have been—a place where sin was crouching at his door.

Am I just venting or is there a point? 

I have never experienced anything more beautiful and worth giving my life for than the interaction of the Holy Spirit. I don’t mean just for the exercising of spirit gifts, but the real manifest Presence of God interacting with me. Though gifts often result from this interaction, especially in the midst of the assembly, they are not what I live for.

When He isn’t manifesting and when I am not encountering Him, I miss Him.

As New Covenant believers, He is everything to us. Without His anointing and manifest Presence we are bored—I am bored.

Church becomes a club.

Teaching becomes stale bread.

If the Holy Spirit was given proper place in His church, people wouldn’t want to displease the One who is so awesome. There would be a greater reason to live. People would share this Beautiful One with those around them. They would have an anointing to minister to others in power, rather than just talking from their head. They would get words of knowledge and prophecies as they spoke and the hearers would experience the reality of God.

The remedy for boredom is God! God Himself interacting with us. 

Pursue Him.

Encounter Him.

Love Him.

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Balaam's Doctrine

Balaam’s Doctrine

Revelation 2:14 and Numbers 31

In Jesus’ letter to Pergamos He writes about those who hold to Balaam’s doctrine. Have you ever wondered what Balaam’s doctrine was that Jesus references? Revelation 2:14 was a mystery to me for years. I was always looking for a way to fit it into Balak trying to incite Balaam to curse Israel. Although it’s on the fringe of that story, it isn’t what Revelation 2:14 is about.

Isn’t it interesting that the key to Revelation 2:14 is found in Numbers 31?

Some history: Balak, the Moabite king, was afraid when he saw Israel coming towards his land. Balak first went to Midian for help against Israel, then sought out Balaam. Balaam wanted to help Balak because Balak promised to pay him a lot of money. However, God would not allow Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam acknowledged that he could not go against God and could only bless Israel for they were blessed by God.

Here is where it ties into Revelation. After Balak and Balaam went their separate ways at the end of Numbers 24, Numbers 25 starts off with the sin of adultery and idol worship with Baal of Peor.

Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel. Numbers 25:1-3

God was so angry that He sent a plague into Israel’s camp. 24,000 people died in that plague (Numbers 25:9)! Notice the wording in 25:18 below says that the Midianites schemed against Israel. It wasn’t that they happened upon Israel and fell in love with each other. No, it was a plot to take down Israel.

“…for they [Midian] harassed you [Israel] with their schemes by which they seduced you in the matter of Peor and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a leader of Midian…” Numbers 25:18

Numbers 31 describes that payment God required from Midian for their treachery towards Israel was death. Israel was instructed to kill everyone who was not a young virgin. As Numbers 31 looks back and recollects upon the account, it gives a generous amount of detailed insight into understand Revelation 2:14:

“Look, these [Midianite] women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.” Numbers 31:16

With this in mind, look at Revelation 2:14:

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” Revelation 2:14

But why does this matter to us, you may be thinking? Let’s revisit the story:

Balak hated Israel, so he tried to destroy them through, first Midian, then Balaam. Neither worked. Then Balaam had an idea: I can’t curse them, he thought, so how about inciting them into idol worship and sexual sin? That will get God to work against them. And it worked! 24,000 Israelites died through the plague God sent. It only stopped because Phinehas drove a javelin through an Israelite leader and a Midianite leader’s daughter, likely while they were having sex.

So, how about our enemy, the devil and his entourage? Here in the Pergamos church, they had a lot going for them. God seems to commend them for their works and their faith, even while some were martyred among them. Jesus acknowledges that they dwelt where Satan’s throne and dwelling was. Yet He rebuked them for:

“…those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.”

Jesus identifies Himself, in the introduction to Pergamos, as the One who has “the sharp two-edged sword” and at the letter’s close, as having a “sword of My mouth.” Likely paralleling the javelin Phinehas used. So intense was Jesus’ determination that they repent of these sins that He said He would literally fight against them with that sword of His mouth, if they did not repent!

This sounds an awful lot like someone is inciting people to sin against God. Isn’t that the doctrine of Balaam, according to Numbers 31? And this is where Satan had his throne and dwelling.

As I think about all this in view of the rampant sexual immorality, idolatry, and worldliness consuming the church of today, it becomes clear that the enemy himself is deliberately beguiling and deceiving God’s people into these same sins of Balaam. The prosperity doctrine is idolatry masquerading as spirituality.

How long has it been since you, dear reader, have heard a message about any of these sins?

I ask that the Lord would help us and send revival, lest Jesus fight against us with the Sword of His mouth.

  

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Lessons in the Prophetic: Judging Prophecy

Lessons in the Prophetic: Judging Prophecy

The other day I read an article of an interview with a nationally recognized Christian leader. This leader is called an apostle, a pastor, a prophet, and an intercessor all in the same article. In the interview, as this leader was talking about prayer, they said prophetically that the bowls in heaven are about to be poured out.

If the bowls are ready to be poured out, if what he said is true, this is a huge statement. Though I will with certainty say this apostolic pastor prophet intercessor’s statement it is not accurate. If the bowls in
heaven are about to be poured out that means we are in the tribulation, and rapidly approaching the 16^th chapter of Revelation. Chapters 1-15 are in the past.

Here is why his prophecy cannot be accurate:

1. The bowls which contain the prayers of the saints are found Revelation 5:8. There are at least 28 golden bowls filled with prayers (4 living creatures + 24 elders = 28 bowls) and they are never said to be poured out:

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 

Revelation 5:8

2. The bowls that are poured out are in the midst of the days of the 7^th (and last) trumpet blast. The Greeks means the last of the last trumpets. Within the 7^th trumpet blast the mystery of God will also be finished:

… but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. Revelation 10:7

3. These bowls are described as bowls of wrath:

Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever… Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” Revelation 15:7 and 16:1

Following this statement 7 bowls are poured out, all occurring in Revelation 16.

This is why it is so essential to know the Bible and not fall for everything you hear. Don’t be afraid to make judgments about seemingly high-level prophetic people’s prophecies. In fact, we are commanded to make judgments:

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 
1 Corinthians 14:29

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. 
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:15

These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 1 John 2:26-27

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