The Holy Spirit began the year 2020 with forewarning and ushering us into His dwelling place – into the safety in His temple, tabernacle, sanctuary where He covered us and protected us by the Shed blood of Jesus in preparation for things to come: plagues and pestilence, strife and spirit of hatred and of murder and death and destruction in The Land.

For suddenly it was as though someone shouted “Release the Kraken!” or perhaps somewhat less menacingly “Release the Tagger!” from a new fav program, Ultimate Tag, where Taggers chase the contestants through difficult obstacles courses, with the sole purpose of stopping them from ascending a summit, pressing the winner’s buzzer and proclaiming victory. It was as though the flood gates of peril opened up and the nation found itself being chased by a Kraken (or a Tagger) in relentless, merciless pursuit. And some who had been forewarned and fortified and found refuge were spared the worst. Yet even within the sanctuary of the tabernacle there was still a reckoning for those who had been spared. Although not directly impacted by the menacing whirlwind of events swirling around them, they were confronted with a new level of coping: managing the collateral damage from multiple colliding disasters and the resulting loss, grief, and fear. They came face to face with personal shortcomings, or even sins to be confronted and overcome – within the confines of an incubator. And there was success and there was failure. And we were continually reminded just how frail and insufficient we are before a Holy God even when it matters most; when the stakes were perhaps at their highest and everything was on the line. In those moments those moments in the incubator, we might’ve discovered limitations and weakness where we expected to find strength and maturity. Yet, on the precipice of judgement – we were spared! We are those who remain – not necessarily The Remnant, but in this season, we must acknowledge that we do remain, and that it’s not for, not unto ourselves that we do remain, but for assignment and purpose.

We will be called again into the city; into places in our lives and in the earth starved for Salt and Light. But we’re not to enter in of our own accord – not before we are cleansed and healed and made new. And now in this ninth month of an epic quarantine is such a season of preparation. The stage of the incubation period before the chrysalis becomes a butterfly. What is this preparation about?  What will be this new thing? What will be this new creation? Well its nothing to fear. It’s about transcendence. This is the way of The Kingdom; going from glory to glory. It is about our entry into The New Covenant. This will be the Holy City, but we’ll not enter in without the new dwelling; The dwelling of the Risen Christ in us – in a new way. How fitting that we find ourselves in this Season of Advent – where we must prepare for the coming of the King and for the new birth – yet not a babe’s birth: not primarily the birth of the Christ child in this season (yes we must honor and celebrate that as well), but this time of preparation is the birth of the Risen King, The Risen Lord taking up residence within us – our rebirth. In the time before the coming of The Savior in ancient days – the cry was “prepare ye the way” of the Lord. And in these times we’ve been encouraged to even occupy until He comes. But today, in this season, the cry I hear is prepare ye the temple of the Lord that He may occupy us. That we may claim over and over again this truth:

“We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing power may be of God, and not from us.” 2 Cor 4:7-8

Lift up your heads all ye Gates and be lifted up ye everlasting doors that the King of Glory may come in. Psalm 24:7  

We the redeemed Church need not be as preoccupied about dwelling within or without the gates in this season, but rather to recognize and fully embrace the truth that we are those gates against which our adversary the gates of hell shall not prevail. (Matthew 16:18). Because The Lord strong and mighty in battle is our soon coming King. Hallelujah!!

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”Luke 21:28

Original Image (Modified): Egor M.