THE HIGH CALL OF GOD

For every dispensation of time, the Saints are called forth to the stewardship of that time, ensuring that God’s will is accomplished, and His intentions fulfilled. Paul declared in Colossians 1:25 that he became: “…a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God…”

The word ‘stewardship’ in the Greek is oikonomia; It is a word related to the stewardship and management of God’s economy. For those chosen to be born and live in these fullness of times—in the Day of His Power, the call to ministry is to the High Call of stewarding and administering the Life of Christ in the fulness of the power and authority intended by the Lord.

The Bible highlights the many great leaders and saints who lived out the principle that God raises up certain people for certain times and prepares and equips them to administer His blueprint for that period.

Joshua was one of God’s most trustworthy and faithful leaders, raised up to cause the people of God to conquer and possess the promised land. Joshua 24:31 is testimony of his great leadership, “Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua…”

There are strategic assignments to be accomplished for every season, and keys brought forth by God to crank the engine, that drives and directs our movement on the journey of ascension to Christ toward the completion of His Divine plan.

Every objective of God to be accomplished in every dispensation, is a vital and crucial part to His unfolding plan. Each becomes a part of the momentum that moves history forward toward the climax of times at the end of the age.

 “In all wisdom and insight, He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him.” Ephesians 1:8-10

The word administration in this passage, is translated as dispensation and also as stewardship in other translations; it is the same word oikonomia, spoken of earlier in Col. 1:25. In the context of this passage, it refers to God’s administration or stewardship of a certain period of history to which Paul described as “the fulness of times.” This passage also takes into account the Lord’s servants appointed to partner with Him in this administration, to carry out His will and execute His Campaign with authority; the ESV describes it as, \”…a plan for the fullness of time.”

God will have an administration suitable for this dispensation, tailored and equipped to meet the challenges of the times—this is our destiny. It is therefore necessary to God’s interests that we: Understand the dynamics of the times; God’s intentions for the times; know the framework and boundaries of the times; the enemy’s limits within the times (Dan. 7:25); and receive directions and tactical assignments to implement the plan of God.

The prophets of Israel were called forth as stewards of the oracles of God and witnesses to the world of the Living God. They lived supernatural lives functioning in gifts and abilities sourced from another realm.  For this present hour, the saints prepared and brought forth to serve God, will be a unique people, bold and courageous, who stand resolute, tethered to the Lord by humility and the fear of the Lord. They are called forth for the stewardship of a unique season of fullness, when everything has matured to its fullness—both good and evil—the season of Harvest!

THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD

The responsibility to execute this stewardship is authorized by a walk of integrity and faithfulness to the Call and undergirded by a resolution of unwillingness to compromise or capitulate.  To such a heart is the high call of God given.

These saints will be moving in heightened discernment and in the fullness  of the administrations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They will be a people who have attained to the glory of sonship the Father intended—a people conformed to the image of the Son.

Philippians 3 is a passage written by Paul toward the end of his life. In it he shares his great longing to know Christ at a deeper and higher level in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings:

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Verses 12-14

Paul’s words reveal that he was pressing on to attain to something far greater than he had thus far experienced in his life—he was pressing on for more! This was captured in his cry to apprehend the fullness for which Christ had apprehended him.  Paul referred to this prize as the high call of God.  What is the high call of God? It seems clear that Paul’s desire was not simply that of a literal resurrection from the dead, confirmed by his words, “…not that I have already attained.”

In the Greek language, the words high call or upward call, means a mandate and an invitation to come up higher. The definition of the word high adds further light as to Paul’s intent:

High: extending above the normal or average level; great, or greater than normal, in quantity or intensity.

Some may say that Paul was moving in great signs and wonders, however the cry of Paul’s hearts shows that there is much, much more for us to experience in God. Paul was straining, pressing and reaching forward for this prize—to grasp and lay hold of the fullness of his inheritance in Christ.

There is a coming level of resurrection power to be released in its fullness in the saints that extends far above a level we have yet seen. Paul’s goal was reaching for this prize of the high call of knowing Christ in this level of resurrection power.

THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION

Paul prayed that the saints would also know this great power and get the possibilities of what the embrace of their true identity as sons of God meant for their lives and consequently for the world.

“…what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power…” (Ephes. 1:18-20).

Resurrection power is the new dynamic and DNA of saints born again in Christ. We are now supernatural beings by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, as the scriptures clearly show:

“Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.” Matthew 9:8:

“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.\” Luke 24:49:

GOD’S SUPER HEROES

The disciples lived a life in demonstration of this indwelling power, administering it in the boldness and courage granted by the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament provides many accounts of those who served God displaying His power; for example, Moses in the power of God parted the Red Sea. Elijah parted the river Jordan and stopped the rain from falling for three years. Both he and Elisha with the help of angel armies accomplished many supernatural feats and miracles. In battle Joshua asked God to turn back time and it was granted.

As a Man, Jesus walked the earth displaying marvelous supernatural power. He healed the sick of all diseases and raised the dead. He walked on water and commanded the storm to be still, demonstrating power over all natural elements.  Yet, Jesus declared to His followers that they would do greater works than He did.

Jesus’ words became a reality for the disciples, who began moving out in signs and wonders, in supernatural power in the gifts of healing, wisdom and foreknowledge of events; some raised people from the dead. Phillip, a disciple traveled from one city to another supernaturally:

“When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.” Acts 8:39-40

SUPERNATURAL POWER

As preparation for moving in the High Call of God, I heard the Lord say the word hone. To hone the gifts and skills given to us means to: sharpen as a blade; refine or perfect something—honing skills; give greater strength or firmness to the body, or a part of the body.

Corinthians 12:7-11 declares that we have each been given power that functions through nine gifts administered in the power of the Spirit of God. In the fullness of time, God will have a people of superior supernatural prowess, moving in the powers of the age to come, above the normal or average level. These are the sons of God the earth is travailing to bring forth:

“…who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age…”

THE CLASH OF TWO KINGDOMS

The clash of kingdoms will be dramatic as God releases His own Super Heroes prepared for the hour—warriors whose faces are set—sons of Zion raised up to war against the sons of Greece, their God has made them like, “…the sword of a mighty man. The LORD will be seen over them…\” Zechariah 9:13-14

For the fullness of time, our God-given supernatural gifts will be released to function at a much higher level than even seen in Scripture. A new breed will emerge fashioned for the challenge of the climax of history.  It is time for the saints of God to get the revelation of the power and great treasures that reside within them through Christ— “Christ in you the hope of glory.” The High Call of God is attainment unto Glory!

 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…”  Ephesians 3:20

The Day of the culmination of all things, is the Day of His Power when the saints volunteer freely, the leaders lead courageously and willingly, and Heaven invades planet Earth with the Glory of the Christ. Of this day, as the armies of Heaven march in unison with God’s army on Earth to take the Promised Land, it will be said, as it was said of Israel when they gathered corporately to advance into the Land. “The shout of a King was among them.”  That King is Jesus!

God is calling the saints to be bold, to come up higher into the Upward and High Call of God, to take our positions in the battle against evil.

(Excerpted from our Online Course The Arising Army of God)