POSTING FROM
THE WORD OF THE LORD TODAY
Patsy Shelton
Jul 14, 2003
FORERUNNERS OF THE NEW
ORDER ”
David Orton -Jul 14, 2003
The following “pure prophetic truth” that I am encouraging you to completely
read and then, bow in humility to the Father over after reading it, comes from a
dear and godly man, well tested by the fire of God, who resides in Mt. Eliza
Australia. This message was just sent to me from him tonight, and it so
confirmed and validated what the Spirit of the Lord has been pouring into my
heart for days now. I trust that it will not only give you strength, but will
soothe the ache and longing in your heart for the perfect plan of God and His
Kingdom as you read it.
In His Shadow,
Mary Lindow
Director of The International Prophetic Mentoring Council
“ FORERUNNERS OF THE NEW ORDER ” ~ A prophetic teaching from David Orton
"These were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was banished from
the presence of Saul…warriors who helped him in battle." 1 Chronicles
12:1
BEFORE EVERY HISTORIC VISITATION OF THE SPIRIT GOD HAS SENT FORERUNNERS.
John the Baptist set the pattern. As a voice crying in the wilderness he
prepared the way for the ministry of Christ. Likewise, John Wycliffe, the
‘morningstar of the Reformation’, blazed the trail for Martin Luther. Frank
Bartleman, as a prophetic intercessor, for William Seymour and the Azuza Street
outpouring. The Latter Rain and Healing Revivals of the late 1940’s prepared
the way for the Charismatic Renewal of the 1960’s and 70’s.
AND AGAIN, THERE IS A PROPHETIC FORERUNNER MOVEMENT PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE
NEXT MOVE OF GOD – for what I believe will be the greatest manifestation
of Christ that history will ever record. It will be the closest approximation of
the kingdom of God on earth yet. And will be ushered in by an unprecedented
level of the supernatural – in fact it will far exceed what we read of in the
Book of Acts and in revival history – the glory of the latter house will truly
be greater than the former (see Hag 2:9). God has kept the best wine until last
(see Jn 2:10) – and as the scripture declares, "The end of a thing is
better than its beginning" (Eccl 7:8).
BUT HOW WILL THIS HAPPEN? THROUGH THE FORERUNNER SPIRIT.
David symbolises for us the full manifestation of the emerging kingdom of God.
It has been said we relate to Adam racially, to Abraham redemptively, to Moses
corporately, but to David regally. He typically represents Christ and his
kingdom. So, as we study David’s life and reign we learn how the kingdom works
and increases in the earth.
DAVID’S PREPARATION FOR THE THRONE BEGAN IN BETHLEHEM. Here, his first
anointing, through Samuel the prophet, signalled his regal destiny, thrusting
him into the oft-perplexing processes toward its fulfillment.On the heels of
this anointing, and subsequent meteoric rise, David was driven into a fugitive
existence. Pursued by Saul’s jealous attacks he fled to the wilderness finding
refuge in Adullam’s Cave and later in Ziklag. Here he was joined by the first
intake of warriors who became known as David’s "mighty men".
THESE BECAME THE FORERUNNERS OF HIS KINGDOM.
It was they who not only prepared the way for David’s second and third
anointing, but also ultimately turned the kingdom over to him, establishing his
reign over all Israel.
IN IDENTIFYING WITH DAVID
AND THE PROPHETIC WORD OVER HIS LIFE THEY BLAZED THE TRAIL FOR A NEW ORDER, FOR
THE TRANSITION FROM THE SAUL SYSTEM TO THE "NEW THING".
But let us understand the full import of their actions. They were aligning
themselves with a fugitive outlaw. At a surface glance David clearly had no
future. Saul was secure as King. The monarchy was safe in his hands with no
indication of change. At his eventual death numerous family were able to succeed
to the throne as the need arose. A dynasty was now in place and David was in the
cold.
So, in aligning themselves with David these ‘mighty men’, the forerunners of
the kingdom, had burned their bridges – there was no going back. They had
turned there backs on all that the established order promised – security, a
future, a reputation, and promotion.
We must, therefore, ask what motivated them. Admittedly, with the intrigue of
court life and frustrated ambition, some may have defected to David out of less
than noble motives. However, the course of David’s life in relation to his
"mighty men" suggests otherwise. They remained faithful to David and
the kingdom for life. Apart from the betrayal of Absalom (David’s own son) and
his co-conspirators there is no record of division or subterfuge among the
"mighty men" themselves.
SO, LET US LOOK AT THE CHARACTER OF THESE MEN TO DISCOVER SOMETHING OF THE
FORERUNNER SPIRIT. THEIR DEFINING ATTRIBUTE, AS WE TURN TO SCRIPTURE, WAS
"BRAVERY" –
"Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were
brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their
faces were the faces of lions…" (1 Chr 12:8).
AS WARRIORS THEY PROVED THEMSELVES BY OUTSTANDING ACTS OF BRAVERY IN BATTLE.
Jashobeam raised his spear against 800 men and killed them in one encounter (see
2 Sam 23:8 & 1 Chr 11:11). Eleazar, as one of the three mighty men, stood
his ground against impossible odds even when the rest of Israel retreated,
gaining a great victory (see 2 Sam 23:9,10; 1 Chr 11:12-14). Likewise, Shammah,
in the face of Israel’s fleeing troops took a stand, again bringing victory
(see 2 Sam 23:11-12). When holed up in Adullam it may have been these three who,
as a spontaneous gesture, broke through enemy lines at risk of their lives to
bring their commander-in-chief, David, a wished-for drink from the well of
Bethlehem (see 1 Chr 11:15-19). And we dare not forget Benaiah who
"performed great exploits" by striking down two of Moab’s best
warriors, killing a lion in a pit in the snow, and bringing down a spear
wielding 71/2 feet tall Egyptian with only a club (see 2 Sam 23:20-23; 1 Chr
11:22-25).
WHILE THESE MEN WERE POSSESSED OF OUTSTANDING PHYSICAL BRAVERY, MORE
IMPORTANTLY, THEY HAD ALREADY DISPLAYED GREAT MORAL COURAGE IN JOINING
THEMSELVES TO DAVID.
Forsaking the comforts and accoutrements of Saul’s court they faced impossible
odds with David’s outlaw band. They had already selflessly abandoned
themselves to David and, perhaps more significantly, to the word of the Lord
over his life. When it came time for the third and final anointing at Hebron the
scripture says –
"THESE WERE THE CHIEFS OF DAVID’S MIGHTY MEN – THEY, TOGETHER WITH
ALL ISRAEL, GAVE HIS KINGSHIP STRONG SUPPORT TO EXTEND IT OVER THE WHOLE LAND,
AS THE LORD HAD PROMISED…" (1 CHR 11:10; ALSO V 1-3).
Their alignment with David was not just the gung-ho daring-do of youthful men,
but a considered commitment to prophetically revealed destiny. They were fully
cognizant of Samuel’s word over David and the different spirit by which he was
animated.
THIS DISCERNMENT OF PROPHETIC PURPOSE THEN DEMANDED THEIR ALL.
The call of the kingdom wrenched them from hearth and home, from all that was
nearest and dearest. As Jesus said, ‘‘If anyone comes to me and does not
hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and
sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple" (Lk 14:26).
EVERY HUMAN RELATIONSHIP – EVERY SECURITY AND PERSONAL RIGHT, MUST BE LAYED
DOWN TO PURSUE THE CALL OF THE KING AND HIS KINGDOM. IT DEMANDED THE FORSAKING
OF ALL THEIR PRESTIGE AND POSITION IN SAUL’S REGIME.
THEIR BATTLE PROWESS WAS, THEREFORE, ONLY A REFLECTION OF A LIFE ALREADY LAID
DOWN. IT IS SIGNIFICANT THAT REPEATEDLY THESE MEN SWAM AGAINST THE TIDE.
IN BATTLE THEY STOOD THEIR GROUND WHILE OTHERS RETREATED. WHILE ALL FLED IN ONE
DIRECTION THEY WENT THE OTHER. THEY DID NOT GO WITH THE CROWD. NOR WILL THOSE
WHO HEAR THE CALL OF THE KINGDOM OVER THE CRIES OF SELF-PRESERVATION. OTHERS MAY
BUT YOU MAY NOT.
In the face of impossible odds they move into the kingdom animated by a force of
spirit others do not possess – "From the days of John the Baptist until
now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay
hold of it" (Mtt 11:12).
HAVING HEARD THE VOICE OF DESTINY THEY HAVE SETTLED THE QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP. -
They are no longer their own – and so, in the heat of battle they are able
to lay their lives on the line. They are able to offer themselves in sacrificial
feats of bravery, and thereby, see God work on their behalf. God plus one will
always create a majority!
AND SO, WHAT TO THE NATURAL EYE WAS IMPOSSIBLE BECAME POSSIBLE.
God’s providences fulfilled his promises. Men and circumstances, despite
impossible odds, were moved by the hand of providence toward the fulfillment of
David’s prophetic and kingdom destiny. Saul and his system were taken out of
the way and the Davidic order established in its place.
BUT THE CHALLENGE REMAINS FOR US
– will we go with the flow, with the established order, or make the break?
Will we pursue selfish advantage, or the high call of the kingdom? Will we, as
David’s mighty men, "fight the good fight of faith", standing alone
in the face of a system hostile to the heart of God? And will we submit to the
circumcision of heart that tears us away from Saul and his value-system?
Before we conclude I need to explain my understanding of the Saul-system.
“IT IS NOT PRIMARILY A DENOMINATIONAL OR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE – IT IS
NOT SO MUCH HOW WE DO CHURCH, RATHER, IT IS WHY WE DO CHURCH.”
Our structures have only served to institutionalize the underlying idolatry of
self. Saul’s besetting sins were, and ours still are, self-will and
self-preservation. In all human community, including the redeemed, this creates
a false value-system, which is only then served by structure. This was the
motivating force behind Babel – the first community – when they declared,
"Let us build a tower…to make a name for ourselves…" And so, these
sins of the heart motivate and animate the Saul-system – and are therefore
more or less common to all denominations, churches, and ministries. This is the
source of all denominational-ism and sectarian-ism.
THERE ARE MANY TODAY WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THE NEW ORDER – FOR COMMUNITY
TRANSFORMATION AND THE INCREASE OF THE KINGDOM.
But as with David’s kingdom there are two categories of "mighty men"
– those who gathered to David in the wilderness (Adullam and Ziklag), and
those who gathered later at Hebron (see 1 Chr 12:1 cf v 23). The former were a
small band of initially 400 (and later 600; see 1 Sam 22:2; 27:2; 30:9), the
latter numbering many thousands (see 1 Chr 12:23-37). So, what was the
difference? The death of Saul. After his death they came out of the woodwork,
flocking to David’s support at Hebron. But we must ask who will have the
greater reward – the ‘wilderness band’ or the ‘Hebron band’?
LET US BE UNEQUIVOCAL – THE SAUL-SYSTEM WILL ULTIMATELY FAIL.
And when it does there will be an influx of souls into the heart of David’s
camp – into the very heart of our heavenly David himself. These, as in
David’s army, are still described as "mighty men". As warriors and
forerunners they will still be instrumental to the increase of the kingdom –
they are still part of the advance guard. But this ‘Hebron band’ will be
second to those who had already identified with David in the wilderness. While
Saul was still alive – and at the loss of reputation, prestige, and position,
the ‘wilderness forerunners’ were the cutting edge of the advance guard.
They blazed the trail for the less intrepid, for the coming ‘Hebron band’.
In this Third Day of the Church, the ‘third anointing’ at Hebron and the
fullness of the kingdom is imminent – but there is still time.
WE ARE FACING SOME CHOICES -– will I wait for the convenience
and comfort of Hebron, or will I go to David now? Will I hold on to the status
and security of the visible structure, or seeing that which is invisible will I
let go? Am I willing to go to Christ now, and suffer with him outside the camp?
Sure, he is in the wilderness, sure I will lose my reputation, sure this is not
the populist line – but what a joy to know that I have fulfilled destiny, that
I have responded to the heart-cry of God, so that –
"WHEN YOU SAID, "SEEK MY FACE," MY HEART SAID TO YOU,
"YOUR FACE, LORD, I WILL SEEK" (PSA 27:8).
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Copyright © David Orton 2003
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