2007 In Review
Robert Holmes
Australia
Review of "2007, The Year Ahead" By Robert I Holmes
Around this time of year we review the words given in the last year, and seek the Lord for the new year. Some years God is good and gives us insight, at other times (and for us that was 2003-2005) he does not give us much forewarning of things. In looking over the word for 2007 it is apparent that some elements, such as "prodigal sons" returning home can only be established by testimony. The year being one of "serendipity" is also hard to test. But a group us has been going over the details to see what else can be established by the witness of news reports.
1. A year of promise and rest
Main Points: 1.1 "Things will come early to us this year"
Hurricane season came early to Southern USA, with subtropical Storm Andrea forming in May. http://wkrg.com/news/article/hurricane_season_2007/7388/ - The tornado season got started very early, with 29 tornadoes were reported in the US in January. It was also the deadliest on record since 1999. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornadoes_of_2007 . Early winter and early snow falls were reported in the US, Canada and Europe. 1.2 "Our communications systems may not work at that time."
Melbourne University was closed to electronic communication for two days due to email failure, cutting off about 5000 staff from students as they finalised enrolments. (23 Feb, 2007) http://www.theage.com.au/
3. The mosaics
3.1 "Large youth rallies will develop, presenting a real passion for purpose"
Jalalabad, India thousands of youth join political rally (April, 07) http://in.news.yahoo.com/070415/43/6elhw.html .
"Passion" concert in Atlanta, GI attracts 23,000 youth (Jan 1-4, 07) http://christianmusic.suite101.com/blog.cfm/passion_07_do_something_now .
"Chosen" national youth gathering attracts 35,000 in Orlando, FL (July 28, 2007) http://lcmsgathering.com/Index.asp .
United Nations youth congress (November 14, Uganda) http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/news.htm
3.2 "Some of the most destructive, rebellious, aggressive behaviour will also start. Youth suicide, murder, rioting and destruction will also be seen" . Guinea Bissau riots (Jan 7, 2007) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea-Bissau_riot,_2007 .
Virginia Tech massacre (April 16, 2007). Seung-Hui Cho murdered 32 people in Blackburg Virginia was the deadliest school shooting incident in US history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech_massacre .
Anhui Military Academy, China rioting by thousands of protesters (Nov 28-29, 2007) http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2007/11/29/china_riot .
French youth riots in Paris (Nov 27-29, 2007) http://www.foxnews.com/ .
20 year old shoots and kills 8 plus himself in a shopping mall in Denver (Dec 6, 2007) http://www.denverpost.com/news/
4. Exposure of double standards
"Corruption will be exposed in a new way this year, to the highest levels." . USA Today conducted a Freedom of Information Act review of Pentagon contracting in the Iraq war. The paper found that more than two-thirds of contracts flagged by auditors as "inflated, erroneous or otherwise improper" eventually found their way to approval, representing over $1 billion. In total, auditors have raised red flags about 10 percent of contracts for about $38.5 billion in bidded-out Iraq funds. (July 17, 2007) http://www.usatoday.com/ .
Razi Ur Rehman, Chairman of the Securities Exchange Commission, Pakistan exposed (30 July 2007) http://pakistaniat.com/2007/04/19 .
Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz' corruption exposed in Malaysia (Sept 19, 2007) http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News .
ICAC exposed $7m Rail Corporation fraud , with 4 senior managers (Nov 20, 2007) http://www.smh.com.au/
5. War, strife and the underground
5.0 "Men, ministries and organisations that presently behave and appear like planets will be dwarfed, or brought down - reduced in 2007." .
Hillsong has copped a beating this year - with the launch of Tanya Levin's book "People in Glasshouses" (13 Oct, 2007), to the jailing of real estate fraudster Robert Orehek for four years (22 Nov, 2007), to the branch staking accusations in the Liberal Party, as Alex Hawke won the seat of Mitchell (23 Nov, 2007). It remains to be seen what effect this will all have on the giant Hillsong. http://www.theage.com.au and http://www.smh.com.au
5.1 "Various ministries engaged in dubious activity will be audited and investigated by government departments." .
Sen. Charles Grassley of the Senate Finance Committee told Kenneth and Gloria Copeland; David and Joyce Meyer; Randy and Paula White; Creflo and Taffi Dollar; Eddie Long; and Benny Hinn that they have four weeks to send him a boatload of paperwork to prove they are in compliance with U.S. tax laws. http://www.charismanews.com/
5.2 "2007 will see rising conflict, war and strife on a global level... somewhere in Northern Africa" .
Sudan faces an ongoing human tragedy in Darfur. China and Russia have been supplying weapons, artillery and planes/ helicopters which has resulting in an escalation of the conflict there since 2006. http://www.time.com/ . Ethiopia and Eritrea will resume their war in the next several weeks. A military build-up along the common border over the past few months has reached alarming proportions. http://www.crisisgroup.org/
5.3 "There will be new strain in Iran"
According to Charles P. Vick, of the Global Security Organisation (Feb 15, 2007) Iran has finalized preparation of the Shahab-3 (meaning shooting star-3), 3A/ Zelzal-3 (meaning earthquake-3) intercontinental ballistic missle, capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to US territories. http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/iran .
US president George W Bush claimed threat of WWIII as Iran progressed toward development of nuclear technologies (Oct 17, 2007) http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/10/20071017.html
5.4 "Internal struggles in Russia will surface."
Vladimir Putin won two thirds of the seats in Russian parliamentary elections. Surprisingly 99.5% of the votes in Chechnya went to Putin's party. Garry Kasparov called the elections "a sham". (Dec 3, 2007) http://www.ap.google.com/
The political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina deteriorated significantly. The reaction of Bosnian Serb leadership to proposals by High Representative Miroslav Lajcak to counter obstructionism in government processes culminated in the 1 November resignation of Prime Minister Spiric. http://www.crisisgroup.org/
6. The rim of heaven
"Some of the denominations will bleed considerably, as people leave the structures" .
According to the official studies of the Assemblies of God, "3 out of every 5 teens will be unchurched in the next 10 to 12 years. At your next youth meeting look around. Chances are most of those teenagers will disengage from church attendance by age 30." http://www.barna.org/ .
There has been a 92% increase in the number of unchurched Americans in the last thirteen years. In 1991 there were 39 million unchurched Americans compared with 75 million currently. (2007) . More than three out of five (62%) unchurched adults consider themselves to be Christian. (2007) http://www.barna.org/
God bless you, and if you have any testimonials just let us know
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The original "Words for 2007" are enclosed below:
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, 6 January 2007 11:20 PM
Subject: [StormHarvest] R Holmes: Words for 2007
Hi List, It used to be that year after year I was given insight before the new year, but the Lord has been rather quiet in that regard in recent times. I have been away much of Christmas and the new year with friends and family, and during that time the Lord shared a number of things with me for 2007 and beyond. It may seem a little late for a "word for 2007", but one can really only share as and when the Lord gives us things to say. You will notice that some of what I share below is based on dreams I received. I usually find that about 80-90% of what we dream is entirely for ourselves, or for our close loved ones. But there are 10% which apply more broadly. These dreams (for me) usually have a different flavour and texture. They are more realistic and spiritual. These ones were such dreams.
I have intentionally split revelation (what I saw or heard), notes on interpretation (with any relevant details about why I interpret it the way I do), interpretation (what it means) and application (what we should do about it). This is because whilst the revelation may seem clear to me, and came with some sense of how to interpret it, alternative interpretations are possible. Application (if offered) is almost entirely up to you! I invite you to ponder and pray through the following carefully, and let your own conscience guide you. The Lord will highlight various things to each of us. More than anything I believe He wants us to draw near to Him in 2007. Bless you! Rob Holmes
2007, The Year Ahead By Robert I Holmes
1. A year of promise and rest
Revelation: On the evening of December 27, 2006 I had a dream. We were down the coast with my parents and my wife was pregnant. Her waters broke and she was going to give birth right away. I wanted to take her in the car to the hospital. But I did not know which way to take her - to Bateman's Bay (North) or Moroya (South). I tried calling my parents on the mobile (cell) phone but there was no reception.
Notes on interpretation: My wife is actually eight months pregnant, and usually runs full term. This is our seventh child, which will be born in late January '07. (There are lots of sevens for us this year!). Seven is the number of oath, or of promise (Genesis 26:33). Shi-bah is the Hebrew numeral for seven. Numerology suggests that it denotes perfection or completion.
Interpretation: Things will come early to us this year - in ways that may seem a little ahead of schedule. Opportunities will be thrust at us, and we may not feel fully prepared for them. Our communications systems may not work at that time. We cannot just call upon those who helped us before. In many ways these opportunities will be decision points "turn left or right". It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of choice. There was a hospital in both directions. It was up to us. But remember - every selection involves a rejection. If you go right, you cannot go left!
In the natural, we believe that our next child is indeed a child of promise - of hope for a better future. Spiritually speaking, 2007 will also be a year of entering into the promise for many. Things that have taken years to bear fruit, will now spring forth. Things that have been waiting, will now begin to come into hand.
Application: Paul told Timothy, "This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare." (1 Timothy 1:18). God is calling us to press on and fight for the very things he has promised us.
2. A year of happy chances
Revelation: The word "serendipity" came to me strongly this last week again and again.
Notes on interpretation: Serendipity is rather an old-fashioned word that is not used much anymore. It came originally from "The Three Princes of Serendip", a fairy tale written by Sir Horrace Walpole in 1754 about leaders in Sri Lanka.
Interpretation: Serendipity means making happy and unexpected discoveries by accident. It carries religious connotations whereby adventurers come across wonderful discoveries by the grace and design of God, in contrast to happenstance or "good luck". 2007 will in many ways be a year of serendipity for us. We will make happy discoveries that cannot be manufactured, manipulated or calculated. They do not come from the strength of men, but from the grace of God.
Application: Keep your eyes out for wonderful blessing and breakthrough at the hand of the Lord. One of the things I think we will observe is that many prodigals will return this year, especially people from Generation X, with their kids.
3. The mosaics
Revelation: The Lord highlighted the word "mosaics" to me on the last day of the year. The concept of light and dark, or contrast and difference was also strong. There was a sense of blessing and of destruction.
Notes on interpretation: A mosaic is a form of art in which pictures or patterns are produced by joining together small pieces of variously coloured things (such as stone, glass, paper etc.). This term has been applied to Generation Y (people born after 1986) because they are so diverse. The Mosaic generation is made up of high speed, sound-byte, SMS communicating people with a consumer approach to spirituality. They are pluralistic, tribal, truth-by-experience sort of believers. They generally do not trust or respect authority. You earn respect by relationship with them. They have a high disposable income and shop around for fun.
Interpretation: The Mosaic generation will be headline news for several reasons. A move of God is forming in this generation - and the Lord is reaching out to them. Large youth rallies will develop, presenting a real passion for purpose and a reason to live.
But sadly, some of the most destructive, rebellious, aggressive behaviour will also start to manifest in them. Youth suicide, murder, rioting and destruction will also be seen in this generation, particularly in Africa.
Application: As a church, we need to understand the dynamics involved with reaching the Mosaics before they self-destruct. We need to focus in on reaching these young people for Christ and give them a reason to live.
4. Exposure of double standards
Revelation: The Lord highlighted to me the last three digits in the new year and made a play on words out of them. 007: Bond, James Bond... secret agent, top of his game, saving the world... but this fictitious character also has a few moral flaws. He has multiple female partners, smokes cigars and has a penchant for Martini's (shaken not stirred). Notes on interpretation: Although this character works the underground for MI-6 in London, I felt the Lord link 007 and the United States of America. The USA has become something of a self-made hero-protector of the free world in recent times. Members of the White House have gone on record about creating a "Pax Americana" or the peace brought by the empire of America. This is a clear reference to the Roman Empire. But the Roman Empire was brought down by moral decay. There is strong moral decay in the US too. Interpretation: Pride comes before a fall. Just as we saw Enron collapse a few years ago, she was just the tip of the greed-is-good financial and business crash in the West. Corruption will be exposed in a new way this year, to the highest levels. Application: The ex-husband of a friend of ours recently went to jail after pleading guilty to charges of white-collar crime. He was not in fact guilty (of those specific crimes) but was complicit in the affair. They imprisoned him for the maximum period. This is indicative of the new law, the new approach to corruption. We saw this cycle in the late 80's and early 90's.
5. War, strife and the underground
Revelation: The Lord really highlighted a couple of astronomical events from the last year to me. In August 2006 the International Astronomical Union reconfigured the definition of a planet. Pluto no longer qualifies, and must now be called a dwarf-planet (along with Ceres, the asteroid). They also bestowed a name on the new dwarf planet - UB313 beyond Pluto's orbit. In September 2006 they officially dubbed it Eris, and her moon Dysnomia. Notes for interpretation: Pluto is an alternative name for Hades, God of the underworld. Romans believed that Pluto had dominion over silver, gold and oil that came from the underworld. Hades came to be synonymous with hell in Christian circles. The name Eris comes from Greek mythology, she was the goddess of war and strife. Her daughter was the offspring of demons. Dysnomia means the spirit of lawlessness. Interpretation: In reference to Pluto being downgraded: there are men, ministries and organisations that presently behave and appear like planets. These will be dwarfed, or brought down - reduced in 2007. Some of those ministries who depend on the resources of the underworld will shrink this year. Various ministries engaged in dubious activity will be audited and investigated by government departments. In reference to Eris and Dysnomia: 2007 will see rising conflict, war and strife on a global level. Areas like Afganistan, Iraq, Sudan, Fiji and North Korea will continue but new areas will also occur. Somewhere in Northern Africa, new strain in Iran, Taiwan and internal struggles in Russia will surface. Application: Christian's relationship with Mammon needs to be strongly reviewed. Our use and abuse of money, our motives about fund raising, our handling of the "underground resources" need to be held in light of the Lords commands to "store up treasures in heaven". We should also keep our eye on international politics and events.
6. The rim of heaven
Revelation: On the evening of December 20, 2006 I had a dream. I was driving a vehicle out of the town we live in, and up onto a new development on the ridge above the town. We drove into the gates of a new home, entering in through two large sweeping stone-walls with a name inscribed there (denoting the name of the property): "Shamayim". I was leading a large black sedan, which looked like a diplomatic vehicle. They had come for advice and prophetic guidance. Notes for interpretation: My family are actually building a new house on Lot 7 of a new road in our town. That road does run along the ridge above the town. It was this house we were driving to in my dream. The word shamayim is a Hebrew word meaning the edge of the sky, or the rim of heaven. Translators used the phrase "the gate of heaven" when speaking in Genesis 28:17 of the experience Jacob had with the ladder. Interpretation: Leaving the city denotes an exodus, a departing from the established structures. Some of the denominations will bleed considerably, as people leave the structures and head for the "outside". There will be new construction, new houses, new allotments for dwelling in the church this year. These will be based on community, not merely building programs. Men and women of rank and distinction will also come to the Lord looking for wisdom from heaven. In many ways the church is camped at the rim, or gate of heaven. We are the world's access to the heavenly realm. This happened in the days of Solomon with queen Sheba and others. Application: We need to be open to exploring fresh ways for the people of God to meet and have fellowship. Leaders also need to be aware and ready for the opportunities of advising those who would come to the church for help and advice. Let us not be like Marco Polo, who missed a wonderful opportunity with Attila the Hun.
7. The widow's mite
Revelation: On the evening of December 22, 2006 I had a dream. A husband and a wife who presently support us financially came to me and handed me $100 cash. The husband said, "This is our last $100." I clarified whether this was their last gift to us, and he said, "No, this is literally our last $100, we are broke, our business is over. We wanted you to have this." Notes on interpretation: The couple I saw are actually business people with a real heart for the prophetic. For the last 12 months they have had a struggle as the business has floundered. But it is coming good again. Interpretation: The Lord quickened the widow at Zarepath to me (from 1 Kings 17). She gave her last food to Elijah. In so doing, the Lord blessed her through the prophet, and her supply of oil and flour never ran out during the drought. There are those who have been sustaining the prophetic, even as Obadiah did during the reign of Jezebel and Ahab. They have risked reputation to harbour the prophetic in their churches. They have given sacrificially to sustain men and women of God. The Lord has, and will sustain them through the drought ahead. The Lord will honour their heart. Application: The prophetic has gone through a dry time, a season of non-acceptance in the Body of Christ. Many have gone into the wilderness, the desert or caves to survive. At this time, church leaders are becoming more tender toward the prophetic, and prophetic people are learning to trust again. We do need to find godly ways to support and sponsor those who do "non paying" work in the Body of Christ.
------------------------------
WEBSITE Storm-Harvest Ministries http://www.storm-harvest.asn.au
MODERATORS Robert I Holmes and Mario Liu email prophetic@storm-harvest.asn.au
To subscribe, send ANY message to: stormharvest-subscribe@associate.com> (Note: Please do not subscribe to Storm Harvest if you have an AOL email address - please register a free Gmail email address and subscribe using that address instead - AOL considers Storm Harvest as spam and emails may not work for these addresses.)