PERFUMERS, COOKS AND BAKERS [1 Samuel 8:13]

1. INTRODUCTION

Once upon a time, there was a newly born, a baby girl.  Later when I passed by, the baby has become a girl.  In a twinkle of an eye, she had become a beautiful maiden, a young woman.  The eyes of the Lord himself were upon her.  He desired her for himself, a virgin espoused to him alone, dedicated completely to him both in body and spirit that she might serve him alone. And it came to pass one day that the Lord’s damsel thought to herself, ‘Why should I be different from all others, why must I not have a king over me as all the others have?  I am getting along in age; I should have a man come into me as it is the custom of all the earth’.  The thing should thought of and desired displeased the Lord.  ‘Daughter is better you remained without a king lording it over you.  When you marry you will face many troubles in this life.  I will like you to be free of these troubles, that you may be concerned about Me alone, how to please Me and handle my affairs with undivided devotion to Me alone.  Be my bride, Me alone and I will be king over you’.

But the Lord’s damsel refused to listen it this counsel. “I want my own king, I want to be like others for a king to lead me, lord it over me, protect me, fight my battles for me, provide for my needs”.  And the Lord answered her prayers and supplication.  He listened to her and gave her a king.  But says the Lord, “Warn her solemnly, and let her know the king’s portion, what the king who reign over her will demand of her.  For he is her lord, in his favor is life but is rage is like the roar of the lion.  And to him you shall be a perfume, cook and baker (Please pause here and read the rest of the story in 1 Sam. 8:5-22, Ezekiel l6; 1-14, Gen. 19:31, Psalm 45:11, Prov. 19: 12, Ecclesiastes 8:2-8, 1 Corinthias7: 25-35 and 1 Corinthians 11: 3).

2. DEFINITIONS

A PERFUMER (an apothecary KJV) is a person who mixes spices to make anointing oil and the incense (Exodus 30:25-35, 37:29).  The anointing oil is used to consecrated and set apart a person (or a thing) for God’s holy use (Exodus 30:22-33). The incense is a rich perfume used in sacrifices to call the attention of God, open the door into his presence and as a vehicle to carry prayer along (See Exodus 30:7-8, Ezra 6:10, Malachi 1:ll, Rev. 8:3-4).

A BAKER (Confectionery KJV) makes and supplies bread and cake, Jeremiah. 37:21. He/she kindles fire (Isaiah 44:15) and stirs up the flames of the oven.

A COOK is one who prepares food, keep portions and serve them in due season (I Sam. 9:23).

3. PERFUMERS

As defined earlier, perfumers are responsible for mixing spices for the anointing oil and the incense to be burnt on the altar.  This speaks of:

1. A ministry of praise, worship and intercession (Rev. 5:7, 8:3-4, Ezra 6:10 and Exodus 30:8). The queen Esther typifies a woman that understood her ministry well.  Contrasted to the willful Vashti, she knew the proper time and procedure (Ecclesiastes 8:2-6) to get the king to do the right thing even if he was on the wrong course already.  Likewise Zipporah (Exodus 4:24-26) knew what to do to save her minister - husband’s life, even when God was about to slay him.
   
   Woman, you have power with men and with God only if you will apply your heart to wisdom and God’s principles.  Through you the Lord can change the decision of kings.  Through your intercession the sword of death and destruction over your husband and family can be returned to its sheath without the sentence being carried out.  When as perfumers, you approach the King of Kings bearing acceptable incense of praise and worship, you will call the attention of the King sitting on his royal throne in heaven, win his favor, have his golden scepter (authority) extended to you (Esther 5:1-2).  The Lord will ask after your problems, he will grant your requests, he will delegate authority to you, seal your prayers with his divine signet (Esther 5:3, 8; 7-10).  Daughters of Zion learn to offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, (that you may) pray for the life of your king | (husband) and his sons (Ezra 6:10, NKJV).
2. Creating a pleasant atmosphere at home.  Ps. 45:7-9, Songs of Solomon 1:12, 3:6 and 4:10-11 describe the fragrance spread at home by the woman.  Proverbs 27:9 tells us that perfumers and fragrant oils (incense) bring joy to the heart (makes a man happy).  When a woman functions in the ministry of the perfumery, she creates a happy pleasant, joyous atmosphere for everyone at home.  A contentious woman on the other hand causes a man to stray from his home (Proverbs 21:9, 221:19, 25:24, 27:8 and 27:15).  Woman you dictate and regulate the mood at home.  If you exude pleasant fragrance your husband, the children, brethren and unbelievers will be drawn to your home, If you pour out the stench of ill-temper, anger, contention or quarrelsomeness, you are closing doors barring gates against even your own (Proverbs 18:9). Pleasant words are a honeycomb sweet to the soul, healing to the bones (Proverb 16:24).  
   
   Daughter of Zion let your tongue be wholesome, bringing healing and life (Proverbs 15:4 NKJV.NIV.TEV). According to the multitude of the heart the mouth does speak. Let your heart be like an alabaster box, your speech like the breaking of the costly alabaster box .Let the sweet smell of your perfume, your gracious speech, fill your homes (John 12:3). Then you can enter into the ministry of intercession, have sins forgiven and an eternal memory on earth and in heaven (Matthew 26:7-13, Luke 7:37-50).
3. Another function of the perfumer is the preservative aspect.  Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of James and Salome anointed Jesus body with spices and fragrant oils (John l9: 40, Matt 26:12 Luke 23:55-56) to prevent the body from going bad.  Sisters, be the salt of the home, striving for peace at all times.
4. Closely related to the burning of incense is the lighting of the lamps (Exodus 30:7-8, 35:28). The ministry of praise, worship and intercession also opens the door for the illumination of God’s word and the knowledge of his will.  Revelation of the word, for you and your minister - husband will come easily as you function in your office as a perfumery.

4. BAKERS

The ministry of the baker is a ministry of hospitality, a restorative and refreshing ministry. Three women- Sarah (Gen l8: 1-7), the witch of Endor (1 Sam 28:20-25) and the widow of Zarepeth (1 Kings 17: 9-16) illustrate this ministry.  Psalm 104: 15c tells us bread sustains (strengthens) man.  Divine bread and water sustained Elijah for forty days (1 Kings 19: 5-8). The reprobate king Saul was revived when he ate the witch of Endow’s bread.  The hospitality of Abraham and Lot (Gen 19) opened the door for divine visitation and intervention in their lives.  So was that of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:8--l7).

Hospitality is the key to divine visitation and intervention.  Hebrew 3:2 exhort us to welcome strangers in your home, as some have welcomed angels without knowing it.  Verse 16 tells us not to forget to do well and help one another, because these are the sacrifices that please God. Another significant aspect of the baker’s ministry is to kindle (stir) the fire in the oven (Isaiah 44:l5, Hosea 7:4-6).  This speaks for the priestly intercessory duty of keeping the fire on the altar burning all night.  (Leviticus 6:8-13).  Daughters of Zion, keep the fire of intercession burning in your homes.  Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.  They that sow in tears will reap in joy.  Fight not in the flesh, with the weapons of men, after the likeness of carnal men.  Rather travail all through the night, and in the morning the flames will blaze, consumes the problems and the enemies of your soul. (See Micah 4:8-13).

One other important function of the baker is to turn the cake during baking so that the cake is well cooked on all sides.  In Hosea 7:8 Ephraim is described as a cake not turned (KJV) or “good-for-nothing as a half-baker cake!” (TLB)  Ephraim is a byword for a wilful, unbroken, proud, wayward person.  Indeed the book of Hosea is a lamentation of Ephraim’s wilfulness.  

Even the prophet Hosea was made to experience the pangs of the Ephraim’s prostitution to God when he had to marry a prostitute.  Ephraim is compared to an unbroken, stubborn calf, a mule (See Hosea 4:16 TEV, Jet. 31:18 Also Ps 32:8-9.

A major function of mothers as bakers is to make sure that children (especially daughters) turn out to be discipline and submissive.  Proverb 10:1 tells us that a wise son makes his father glad but a foolish son is the grief of his mother!  (Also Prov. 17:25 and 29:15).  Little wonder the chronicle of the kings always included a mention of their mothers-especially if the king is a bad one! (See the book of First Kings). Although Eph. 6:4 gives fathers the duty of bringing children up in the training and admonition of the Lord, mothers by the intercessory roles are better place to turn the cake during the night watches.  “To your knees, O mothers, kindle the fire during the night watches, and even though you feel the heat, turn the cake (the children) around, so that they do not end up half-baked, good for nothing, societal misfits and spiritual disasters.

Pertinent to stress here that like begets likes.  If a woman is unruly, non-submissive, unbroken, she cannot rear children that children that are otherwise, for if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy, and if the root is holy, so are the branches (Rom. 11:16).  So cut off the wild olive nature and be engrafted in the root and fatness of the cultivated olive tree.  Purge yourself of the old leaven, that you may be a new lump (Rom. 11:116-25 I Corinthians 5:6-8).

5. COOKS

Apart from the text in 1 Sam 8:13, the other place the word cook is used in the scripture is 1 Sam 9:23-24 where Samuel told the cook to bring the portion given to him to set apart.  The nearest equivalent would be in Luke 12:42 where the word “steward” is used to describe the person the master designated as ruler over the household, to give the other servants their portion of food in due season. One intriguing observation is that in biblical times it was actually the steward not the wife who was the ruler over the business/affairs of the house (see Gen 24:2-10, 39:4, 43:16, Luke 12:42.  

Interestingly, Gen 39:6 exempted “food” (bread NKJV) from what Joseph the steward of Potiphar’s house was in charge of.  In Proverb 31, the virtuous wife gets up while it is still dark and provides food for her family and to tell her servant-girls what to do (verse 5 NIV, TEV) while verse 27 states she watches over the affairs of her household (look after her family’s need).  It appears to me that the woman’s primary ministry is to the man and the household, not to his work or ministry.  Yes she can have her trade (verse l3, l8, 24), her farm (verse l6) her money saving (verse l6) etc. but her primary duty is in giving the household their portion of food and clothing of the family (verses 14-16, 21-22).

6. THE KING’S PORTION

In an age when western humanist ideologies reign, it is necessary that we go to the eternal unchanging Word of God as a standard.  In an age advocating and supporting militant feminism, gender equality, women’s right and the like, Christian sisters, especially minister’s wives must uphold the scripture as the guide. Nowhere in the scripture is functional or hierarchical equality between the sexes ever upheld, modernism or not.  What are present are a king/lord/master/leader and a queen/helper/follower relationship between the sexes (Gen 3:16, 18:12, Psalm 45:10-11, S.O.S 11:4, I Corinthians 11:3-7). “He will rule over you”, my master is old” “honor him for he is your lord”, “the head of the woman is man” etc. are not the language of equality. When like the Israelite asked for a king, a woman asks for a husband, she is asking for a man who will reign over her (I Sam 8:9).  The wedding song in Psalm 45 exhorts’ the daughter to “Listen, consider and give ear”.  She is to forget her father’s house to worship (the husband) for he is (her) lord (verse 10-11).  Whether we choose a liberal or a literal translation of I Corinthians 11:1-10,verse 10 unequivocal states that “a woman should have a covering over her to show that she is under her husband’s authority” (TEV).  Every queen is subject to a king, and functions only in delegated or permitted authority (see Number 30:1-16, Esther 8,Jer 44:19). In those days everyone did just as he pleased because there was no king in Israel (Judge 17:6). There is a king in the home; the queen is not free to do as she wills (see Ecclesiastes 8:2-6).

7. ONCE UPON THE TREES

A relevant and interesting parable is recorded in Judge 9:7-15. In an age when everyone want to be king, the olive tree, the fig-tree and the grapevine rightly rejected the offer to be a king, to concentrate on their primary ministry and function. In order to be king, each would have stopped performing its divine role. You cannot be what you are not meant to be, and still be at the same time what you are meant to be.  When we usurp authority function that is not ours, we stop being a blessing rather we become hurting thrones and thistle (see also Isaiah 34:12-15)

Daughter of Zion,”each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him, and to which God has called him” (I Corinthians 7:17).  Miriam (Num. 12) and King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16-23) become leprous when they went beyond their calls and ministry. May that not be your portion in Jesus name.

8. CONCLUSION

This work has concentrated on the ministry of Christian women to their husbands/households as perfumers, cooks and bakers. It is not an exhaustive exposition on all the facets of a Christian woman’s ministry. Women do function as prophetesses, pastors, missionaries, deacons and church workers. In western countries, 80% of support for God’s work still comes from women (Shepherd’s Staff, WORLD MAP 1993).  But their first call is to minister as performers, cooks and bakers to their king (husband), and then to the household. May you be a Mary (John 122-3, a Sarah (Gen. 18:6-12) and a virtuous woman in your generation. Amen.

HEALING (the waters of) NIGERIA

1.0    INTRODUCTION

Beginning from September 1998, the Lord began to give me understanding from the scriptures about the prophetic significance of waters (rivers) in the healing of a land, its people and the church; and of the sea as a domain of evil forces warring against God’s purposes for a nation. This is the topic of this month’s Lampstand Letter.  As we approach the 21st century and Nigeria approaches 40 years of wilderness experience as a nation, we need to apply relevant spiritual principles to ensure God’s purpose for Nigeria, the Church and our lives are brought back on track.

2.0    WATERS.

The scriptures tell us that before God intervened through creation, the earth was a watery desolation, with darkness and power of evil raging over the earth (Gen. 1:2). During creation, God divided the planet into land (earth) and water (seas) (Gen. 1:10). The earth was placed upon waters, traversed by rivers, brooks, and wells, springs fountains, pools and ponds (Deut. 8:7, Psalms 74:15, 104:5-13). Geography tells us that the planet earth is 71% water and 29% land.

3.0    THE SEA – AN EVIL DOMAIN

The Bible clearly considers the sea a domain of evil. Job 7:12 states that God placed the sea and sea monster under guard on earth. Job 26:12, Psalm 74:13-15, 77:16-19, 104:25-26, Isaiah 27:1, 51:9-10, 15 and Habakkuk 3:8 indicate that God fights against the sea and its monsters (Leviathan and Rahab). Job 38:16-17 links the springs of the sea with the gates of death. Daniel 7:2-28 and Revelations 13:1-7 talk of beasts (the antichrist spirit/human kingdoms) coming from the sea to insult God, to fight and overcome God’s people. When Christ cast out the demons out of the two demonic men of Gadarene into the pigs, the pigs ran violently into the sea (Matt. 8:28-32). Jesus also teaches us to (by faith) cast any mountain (stronghold / fortress of Satan) into the sea (Mark 11:23). When Christ rebuked the winds and the sea in Mathew 8:26, he was addressing the resident demons of the waters. See also Jude 13.

But if the sea is the domain of evil forces, God the creator of all things is still in control. In Genesis 1:2, the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the water, limiting the rage and chaos of Satan, set to intervene in creation. Psalm 66:5-7 tells us of Gods awesome power by which He rules forever, keeping the rebellious from exalting themselves. Psalm 104:6-9 and Job 38:8-11 tell of how God shut in the sea with doors, fixed limits for it and set a boundary which the sea must not pass over.  The rest of Job 38 shoe God use waters for battle and wars. Psalm 72:8 decrees that Christ the Son of David shall have dominion from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth. A similar promise is made to the children of Israel for it is the Lord’s will that we drive out the giants from the Lord’s into the sea (Ex. 23:23-31, Jos. 21:43-44). Indeed in spite of the pompous beast arising from the sea, the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever. The sea and its inhabitants can only roar, while the earth, heavens, fields, trees, rivers and mountains rejoice (Ps 96:10-13, 98:7-9). Amen.

These explain why there is no sea in the new heaven and earth (Rev. 21:1). For by that time, God through the Church must have completely dealt with Satan and his host of demons and beasts (See Rev. 19:17-21 and 20:1-15). We can understand why certain anti-Christ force from the desert vowed to dip their Holy Book into the Atlantic Ocean, and why God had to build a gospel belt across the equator of Africa to limit them.

4.0    RIVERS

The Bible differentiates clearly between rivers and seas. The earth, the seas, the waters (rivers and spring) and the heavens are separately listed as part of the natural world in Revelations 8:6-12. In the scriptures rivers have the following features and characteristics:

• Nations are identified with the major rivers they contain. Hence Egypt is also known as the Nile (Ezekiel 29:2-10, Also Jeremiah 46:7-8 and Isaiah 19:1-19). Assyrian is identified as Euphrates (Isaiah 7:20, 11:15-16, 27:12-13 and Jeremiah 2:18). One could suggest therefore that if Nigeria where to be named in the Bible, it could be simply called Niger!
• The Rivers Nile and Euphrates (Egypt and Assyria) represented the natural enemies of the people of God, their captivity and exile. To deliver his people or reconcile these kingdoms with his people, God had to dry off these rivers to make a way for people to pass over (see Isaiah 7:17-20, 11:15-16, 19:22-25; 51:9 -11, Zechariah 10:10-11 and Rev. 16:12).
• Kings and kingdom derive their power from rivers and seas Ezekiel 29:3, 28:2, 27:3-4
• Rivers serve as natural (and spiritual) boundaries of nations and kingdoms Gen. 2:10-14, 15:18. Joshua 1:2-4 and Acts 17:26b.
• Rivers serve as place of battle, where god judges his enemies. Judges 3:28-29, 4:7, 5:19-21, 2 Kings 23:39, Jeremiah. 46:6 and Habakkuk 3:8-15.
• Rivers are significant for spiritual mapping, and are places to begin to possess the land (Deut. 1:6-8; 11:24 and Joshua 1:3-4)
• Rivers represent/describe different and kingdoms (Rev. 17:1-15, Jeremiah: 46:7-8, Jer.: 51:13, Isaiah 8:6-8)
• Rivers describe invading armies. Isaiah 8:6-8; 17:12-13; 569:19, Jeremiah. 46:7-8).
• Other rivers in the bible each had significance derivable from their names, thus:
  
  • Eden = pleasure or delight (Gen. 2:8-14)
  • Euphrates = Fruitful or fertilizing.
  • Chebar = Abundance, river where Gods speaks or reveals himself; where the heavens are open and visions seen (Ezekiel 1:1, 10:15, 20, 22).
  • Babylon = captivity, confusion place of lost joy. Ps. 137:1
  • Gihon = Valley of grace, eruption Gen 2:13
  • Pison = effusion (of rare gold and precious stones –even crude oil!) Gen. 2:13
  • Jordan: Passage (Joshua 3:12-17), Place of healing (2 Kings. 5:10-14) of death and approval Matt. 3:13-17 These features and characteristics are applicable to the rivers of Nigeria.

5.0    THE ANGEL (S) OF THE WATERS.

Rev. 16:5-7 talks of an angel in charge of the waters while Rev. 9:14-19 describe the ministry of four angels bound at River Euphrates. They are released in response to the prayer of the prayer of the saints (Rev. 8:3-5, 9:13, and 16:7) to execute judgment and vengeance on those persecuting God’s people and thwarting God’s purpose (Rev. 16:5-7).

6.0    THE WATERS OF NIGERIA

It is common knowledge that Nigeria (=Niger area) was named after its major river R.Niger; and that about two-thirds of all states in Nigeria are named after one river or the other.  In other words, whenever Nigeria or any of these states are called, one is invoking the name of the river it is named after, and the power behind it. Etymologically, Niger in Latin means black (See Acts 13:1; Today's English Version and NIV). Hence Nigeria may be Latinized to mean land of the black (which incidentally is the Hebrew meaning of Ethiopia, and one of the meanings of Egypt (Ham/Khemi). However I have read somewhere that the word Niger meant “roaring river” in the local language of then inhabitants of the area around the present day Jebba, Kwara State, Nigeria. It is the same word known today as Warra or Kwara = River among the Nupes/Bussawa of Niger and Kwara States.

The Bible tells us that rivers run from between mountains and hills (Deut. 8:7, Psalm 104:4-13). Geography also tells us that the River Niger originates from the Futa Djallon Mountains of Guinea-Conakry. Futa Djallon is a Fulani word (futa or fetta = Resting place, settlement or habitation). If the river Niger for which Nigeria is named has its source from a mountain named by the Fulani as a Fulani resting place, does it not explain why the Nigeria area (Nigeria) is dominated by the Hausa- Fulani? I therefore submit that if Nigeria has to be healed, we have to prophetically turn Futa Djallon to Eden (Gen. 2:10-14, Isaiah 51:3, Ezekiel 36:35) at its source, reversing every covenant (like Elisha healed the waters of Jericho – See Joshua 6:26 and 2 Kings 2:18-22 ( post-script: This had been done in 2010). Healing waters must flow from the church into the sea, to heal the waters of Nigeria (Ezekiel 47:1-8).

7.0    THE WATERS OF OUR LIVES AND MINISTRY.

The Spirit led life and ministry of a Christian is likened by the Lord to living waters (John 7:37-39; 4:14 and Ezekiel 47: 1-12). But to many Christians, our water is bad, the land (ministry and life) unproductive, barren and suffers physical and spiritual miscarriage (of vision and mission 2 Kings 2:19). Many other Christian lives are producing bitter, poisonous waters.  From seeds and roots of bitterness, rebellion, murmuring, impatience and diverse hurts of such lives, defiling thorns and thistles are produced, grievous to themselves and their neighbors. (Exodus 15:22-24; Deut. 29:18; Heb. 6:4-8 and 12:15). God has given certain principles in the scriptures for healing such lives and ministries (see 2
Kings 2:19-21)

• We are to bring ourselves before God as new vessels, living sacrifices, holy and acceptable in His sight (Romans 12:1-2 Timothy 2:19-21).
• No sacrifice is complete without the salt of covenant/covenant of salt (Num. 18:19, Lev. 2:13, Ezekiel 43:24, Mark 9:49). Salt stands for covenant between man and God. To get and sustain our healing, we must constantly renew our covenant (as a Church, ministry, family or individual) with God.
• Circumcision (obedience) is our part in convenient with God. We must strive to live in reverence and obedience to God (See Gen. 17, and Joshua 5).
• We must get to the root (sources) of our problems/ situation, uprooting them from our lives (Hebrews 12:12-17).  We must cut off the wild nature/vines of our life lest they continue to cause poison and death (2 Kings 5:38-41). We must then be engrafted into Christ, that we bear good fruits, as partakers of the divine nature. (John 15:1-6, Roman 11:17-24 and 2 Pet.1:2-11).
• We must live in holiness, striving to keep the unity of the body in the bond of peace, as we submit to leadership above us, and to one another in love (Heb. 12:14, Eph. 4:1-3, Psalm 133 and Gen. 20:7-17).
• We must be steadfast and diligently heed the voice of God, knowing by faith that just beyond Marah (bitter waters) is Elim with its wells of water and palm tree (Exodus 15:25-27, Heb. 3:7-19, 6:9-12).

8.0    A WORD OF PROPHECY.

My heart breaks because my people are being suffocated. Where good seeds are meant to be planted on good hearts ready for my word, my servants are (deliberately) planting weeds – a gospel that is not relevant, sprouting undesirably.  Not content with planting weeds, others are planting thorns and thistles, messages that ensure my people making them more children of bondage, rather than of liberty and deliverance. While I command my people not to sow among thorns, my own ministers are sowing thorns and weeds in the peoples’ lives. I ask the people to break their fallow ground but they are told there is no need to plough their land, ‘receive the word on your heart just as your heart is’.  What shall come out of such hearts except thorns and thistles? Because of a famine of true words, men are gathering wild vines, serving poison and death for the people to eat. Because of the death of able ministers, wild vines, un-winnowed harvest, un-pressed grapes are ministering death from the pulpit, poisoning and defiling my people. Let my people circumcise themselves. Let those who want to minister in my name allow themselves to pass through the winepress, allow themselves be winnowed, to be purged. Let them pass through the grind mill that they come out as fine flour a presentable offering to God. Let them come into My presence, to receive live coals from my altar, says the Lord.

For the harvest time is at hand when the wheat is to be gathered into the barn, and the tares for burning.”

9.0 LET US PRAY

1. Pray that God will raise a standard against all the enemies of Christ and the church, operating through any river in Nigeria (Isaiah. 17:12-14, 39:19 and Rev. 12:15-16). Prophesy that the earth will open up its mouth and swallow every water used by the enemy against the church.
2. Pray that the waters of Nigeria dry up and be down to execute God’s purpose and counsel for Nigeria (Isaiah. 41:12, 41:25, 46:11, Rev. 16:12)
3. Pray that the angel(s) of the water(s) of Nigeria be released in response to our prayer, to execute judgment and vengeance against those persecuting and opposition the Church in Nigeria (Rev. 8:3-15, 9:13-15, and 16:1-7).
4. Ask that God will take off the breath and crush the head of the sea monster wriggling its tails and causing war and destruction in the Delta region of Nigeria (Ezekiel. 29:1-6, Isaiah. 27:1, Ps. 74:12-14; 104:25-29, Job 41). Pray specifically against the activities of the S.E.A. (Supreme Egbesu Assembly), the spiritual body co-coordinating the Ijaw uprising in the Niger Delta. (Egbesu is the Ijaw god of battle and invincibility).
5. Prophesy that all thrones having their kingdom in the seas and rivers of Nigeria will fall like the King of Tyre (Ezekiel. 27:1 to 28:19). And that no tree (kingdom, throne, power) by the waters will ever exalt itself, against the church in Nigeria again Ezekiel 31.
6. Pray daily that all the rivers of Nigeria including that which the country and its states are named after, will turn into places of battle and judgment of God’s enemies (Judges 5:19; 2 Kings23: 29)
7. Prophesy that all rivers of Nigeria will turn into rivers Eden for God’s People  (Gen. 2:10-14 Isaiah. 51:3; Ezekiel. 36:35)
8. Embark on a spiritual mapping of your area. Find out the significance and the meaning of the names and the source of the river (and of mountains) bordering your villages, town, Local Govt. State or Region. Dedicate them to the lord by casting salt and anointing oil on them, canceling any covenant or curse on the waters and mountains (Gen. 28:18, 2 Kings
   2:19-22)
9. Prophesy and annual any covenant made at the source of River Niger at Futa Djallon mountains The Elishas of today may need to go its source in Guinea Conakry to reverse the covenant, free it and dedicate the river and its area (Nigeria) to the Lord (This was done in 2010).
10. Cancel every covenant of waters working against your life and ministry. Wage war against the effect of marine spirit on your life and ministry.
11. Renew your covenant with God as you enter 1999. Present your life as a sacrifice before him. As Abram fell face down before God (Gen. 17:3) learn to yield to God and obey his voice (Gen. 17:23-27)
12. Pray that you will be counted among those who through faith and patience inherit God’s promises to be healing waters in the years to come, rather than be among the murmurers and rebellious He swore will not enter his rest (Heb. 3:7-12,6:9-12, Exo.15: 26)

10.0 BENEDICTION

Blessed is he who reads the words of this letter and keeps to heart all that is written therein, for the time is at hand (Rev. 1.3)

A TIME TO DIE (A NEW BEGINNING) (Eccl. 3:2a)

1.    INTRODUCTION.

During my quiet time on the 3rd Sunday in October, the Lord led me through a series of scriptures in which the physical death of Terah, Abraham and Uzziah proceeded God’s new move in Abram, Isaac and Isaiah (Gen. 11:31, Gen. 25:11 and Isaiah 6: -8). Two days later, I was in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, Nigeria to attend a National Prophetic Prayer Retreat. As the Guest Speaker shared during the retreat, the Lord impressed upon my heart the theme of this month’s Lampstand Letter. It is a time to die (Eccl. 3:2a).

2. A NEW BEGINNING:

Death is a precursor of a new beginning. It is the cessation of the old life, the breaking of old covenants that a new covenant might be made (Romans 7:2, 1 Corinthians 7:39). A call to die therefore is a call for a new beginning. When God decided to end the world in Noah’s time he renewed the Adamic covenant with Noah who survived (Genesis 9:3 and Genesis 1:28-30). A new beginning is coming on the Church.

3. THE HOUR HAS COME

God is making a new beginning with the Church in preparation for the new millennium. The anointing of Moses, Elijah and Saul is passing away. God is manifesting the oil of the Joshua, the Elisha, and the David generation, to possess all of God’s promises, rule nations and kingdoms, and receive an everlasting dominion over Satan.

4. A LIVING SACRIFICE

The Joshua – David -Elisha anointing comes with the laying down of life. This is the anointing of the resurrected. Joshua led the people over Jordan when it was overflowing its banks. Elisha followed Elijah all the way across Jordan while the sons of the prophets watched afar off. David lived permanently in the shadow of death. This anointing is available only for those see their existence as living (burnt) sacrifice, men ready to lay their life on the altar of death (Genesis 22) It is only to such tried, tested and approved men that God can commit Himself. (John 2:24).

5. THE DEAD SHALL HEAR

Only the dead can receive life. Isaac “heard” from the altar of death, Daniel from the lion’s den, his three friends from the burning furnace, Lazarus and Jesus himself from the grave. Now is the time for the dead to hear the voice of God and live (John 5:25-29).

6. ESTHER’S DEATH

Esther led the Jews to “die” for three days and nights.  During those days there was a contention in the grave between the forces of evil (Haman) and of God (Mordecia). Even the king could not sleep until there was a resurrection of the dead.  Only those with the Esther heart will receive the king’s authority to reverse Satan’s schemes for the years to come (see the Book of Esther).

7. A MYSTERY ABOUT DEATH

Let it be known that death is its greatest enemy. For whenever death claims a victim, death itself is committing suicide. Since Christ through death destroyed the power of death, death has been sentenced to die; death has been swallowed in victory (See Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, 1 Corinthians. 15:26, 54-55 and Hebrew 2:14-15). This is the key to dealing with the fear of death.

8. THE FEARFUL AND UNBELIEVING

Revelation 20:14 talks of a second death. This is the death of death and of Hades, the world of the dead. To share this death with them are the fearful and unbelieving, along with those that did not put to death to works of the flesh (Rev. 21:8)

9. DAVID’S MEN

Contrasted to the above are David’s men (1 Chronicles 11:10-19). Men ready to crown Christ King, ready to cause God’s word to be fulfilled (verse 10), who has voluntarily given themselves over to death (verse 19).

10.  PUT TO DEATH

1 Corinthians 10:1-10, Colossians 3:1-10 and Rev. 21:8 list the things we voluntarily need to put to death to escape the second death of God’s displeasure. The paradox is that anyone that does not willingly and deliberately die to the old nature is digging his own grave (Rom. 8:13, Luke 9:24).

11. A NEW ORDER

Now is the time for the Uzziahs, the Vashtis and the Hamans of this world to pass away for a new move and order of God. The Terahs, the Nabals and the Sauls of this age have to be put away for the destiny of the Abrahams, the Abigails and the Davids to be fulfilled.

12. A WORD OF WISDOM

After voluntarily dying, let God’s people patiently wait for the resurrection. Let the contentions in the grave complete its course (Matt. 27:50-53). Thereafter shall God’s people begin to manifest in power, after the “third” day.

13.0 LET US PRAY

1. Pray that God remove from the scene, the Terahs delaying your moving forward and the Pharaohs stubbornly despising and resisting your manifestations.
2. Ask for a fresh revelation of yourself and of God like Isaiah had in the day king Uzziah died (Isaiah 6:1-8); that you might answer as Isaiah did “Here am I, send me”.
3. Ask for the manifestation of a new generation of Joshua - Elisha - David anointing for the Church today, to lead the Church unto next millennium.
4. Ask that the Sauls, the Vashtis and the Hamans be removed from Nigeria’s political scene that the Davids, the Esthers and the Mordecaihs may manifest.

“How many are your work o Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures” Ps. 104:25.

MISSION 2000 A.D: OPERATION DAVID

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In December 1987, at a National Prayer Conference held in Port Harcourt, the Lord gave a couple of prophecies concerning Nigeria. One of them indicated that there was going to be a Beast Ruler over Nigeria between then and the year 2000 A.D.  Commenting on these prophecies, Rev. (Dr.) Clifford Hill, Editor-in-Chief of the UK magazine Prophecy Today, Who was the Guest Speaker, summarized them as follows:

By the year 2000 A.D. there will be a Christian Leader/Ruler in Nigeria, if the church fulfills the following three conditions:

• Walks in humility and repentance
• Be a listening Church
• Allows itself to be led by the Holy Spirit

It is obvious now that the reign of the beast-ruler ended on June 8 1998, with the death of General Sani Abacha.  It appears to me that the stage is now set for the emergence of God’s chosen Christian Ruler (a David) by the year 2000 A.D. if the church fulfills the conditions listed above.

2.0 WATCH AND PRAY!

Shortly after midnight on Monday 5th October 1998, the Lord woke me up with a bold “WATCH AND PRAY! ringing in my heart. In those early hours the spirit of the Lord gave me the following inspiration on what the Church needs to pray and watch over in order that this promise of a Christian leader over Nigeria by the year 2000 A.D. get fulfilled.

WATCH… (Pay attention! Listen! Observe carefully! Proverbs 4:1, 5:1)

3.0 ENCHANTERS/SORCERERS: ASTROLOGERS/STARGAZERS

It is common knowledge even in the secular press, that during the reign of the last beast-ruler, the ministry of sorcerers and astrologers was promoted to a high pedestal as never before in this country. Like was said of Ahab, he did much more to provoke the Lord God than all kings before him did. (See 1 Kings 16:30-33; 21:25 and 2 Kings 21: 2-6). At junctions of towns and cities, at city gates and entrances, in city centers and cardinal pints, on the heights, high places and seats of authority, sorcerers and astrologers were recruited, to displace wisdom (Prov. 8:2-3), and cast spells on the land and its inhabitants.

Sorcery (enchantment) and astrology (stargazing) are Babylonian spirits (See Isaiah 47 and Revelations 18:23). They are abomination in the sight of the Lord (Deut. 18:9-14). They seek to provoke God against the land and its inhabitants (see Ezekiel Chapter 8, and Numbers chapter 22 to 24 esp. 22:6, 22:41, 23:9, 23:13 and 24:1). The main method of operation of sorcerers is to offer sacrifices on demonic altars in high places (Numbers 23:1, land and its habitants (see Num. 22:41, 23:13, 23:27-29).

Job 3:8 (NIKJV, TEV, and NIV) gives another principle behind these curse and enchantments i.e. to “rouse Leviathan”. Leviathan is a Sea monster; a destructive spirit, fearsome, hardhearted and a symbol of evil and chaos (see Psalm 74:14, 104:25-29, and Job 41). It is also variously described as a piercing serpent, a crooked serpent, a wriggling/twisting dragon, an oppressive sea monster, and the reptile in the sea (Isaiah 27:1, NKJV, TEV, NIV). Isaiah 51:9 also describes it as Rahab, which is a symbol of Egypt = bondage, servitude, oppression).

It is thus clear that the spiritual strategy of the late beast-ruler was to hold Nigeria/Nigerians in spiritual bondage and oppression instigate chaos and war, so that he might have his way. Although he has been destroyed, not by human hands” (Dan. 8:25), the same spirit is being utilized by anti-Christ forces (traditional and Islamic) to prevent the emergence of the promised David (Christian Ruler).

We need to be continually watchful and observant for these sorcerers and astrologers, at city gates, junctions, epicenters, cardinal points, peaks (heights) and seats of authority. Most times they are disguised as beggars, madmen/women, herbalists, mai-guards” (watchmen) mai-tables (petty traders), Mallams, “Holy men” and Prophets at these places.  I have seen them in the North and in Southern cities and towns of Nigeria.

4.0 PRAY!

1. The first task of every member of the body of Christ is to walk continually in humility and repentance (II Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 51:17), building (repairing) altars of worship and prayers to God (like Gideon and Elijah (Judges 6:24, I Kings 18: 20-32). We are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1) of praise and prayers to God
   (Heb. 13:15, Psalm 50).
2. The second task is to embark on prophetic prayer and spiritual walks to pull down throne and alters of Baal in high places.  (Numb. 22:41). This will involve (as led by the spirit) both physical and spiritual reversal/destruction of Satanic dedications and curse (See Deut. 12:2-3), at city gates, junctions centers, cardinal points, high places
   and Thrones/ seats of authority, like Gideon and Elijah did (See Judge 6:25-27.  Also Ezekiel Chapters 6 and 8).
3. Third, we must continually bless the land (see Prov. 11:11, I king 8:21-61) and reverse the enchantment and curses to set the land free of the power of Leviathan and the bondage and the bondage of Egypt. The follow biblical passages will be relevant; Psalm 74 (especially verses 12-17), Psalm 89 (especially 9 –12), Psalm 104; 24-29;
   Isaiah 26:21-27:1, Isaiah 30:1-7; Isaiah 47:1 end, and Isaiah 51:9.
4. Then ask for yourself that the Spirit of Isaiah 62:1-7 comes upon you to do these.

5.0 CONCLUSION

Let us continually remember the conditions God gave the Church in Nigeria for the emergence of the man after his heart for Nigeria viz.

1. We must walk in humility and repentance
2. We must be a listening Church
3. We must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.

The commander of the lord’s host is always at hand to lead us into victory, for us to enter into the promise, as we adopt the attitude of watchfulness, humility, prayer, worship, teach-ability, godly, reverence and obedience exhibited by Joshua. (Joshua 5:13-15). Amen.

THE LAMPSTAND LETTERS MINISTRY

About the Lampstand Letters Ministry

The LampstandLetters Ministry is a calling received by Dr. Olutayo Babalobi, a prophetic teacher and writer. Dr. Babalobi, coordinates the Lampstand Ministry and writes the Lampstand Letters, a calling he received at the Christian Pilgrim Camp, Abuja Nigeria from Zechariah 4:1-8 during a night vigil on the 1st August 1998; while Pastor Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, the Vision Coordinator of ThroneRoom Trust Ministry Kafanchan, Nigeria (who later commissioned him into the task), was ministering. He is married and blessed with three (3) boys Dr. Babalobi is a Consultant Veterinarian and Lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The biblical Lampstand (also known as candlestick and chandelier) is literally a lamp-bearer.  It is the biblical platform, upon which the seven (7) lamps providing the only light in the tabernacle (see Exodus 25:31-38; 27:21).  Located outside the inner curtain of the Most Holy place in the Tabernacle, it sheds light on the shewbread (which represents the Word of God) as well as the two trumpets for declaring the voice of God to the church and the heathen.  It bears seven lamps on seven branches in front of the throne of heaven, the seven branches representing the  sevenfold Spirit of God (see Isaiah 11:2, 3, Revelations 4:5).

The Lampstand is the stand where the lamp is put to shine its light (Mark 4:21; Luke 11:33). The Lampstand of solid gold has a bowl of oil on top of it (Zechariah 4:2). The oil is the anointing, the symbol of the Holy Spirit.  The Lampstand is thus a vehicle, medium and platform of light to illuminate the whole world and the whole word by the Holy Spirit.  The
light is now in human earthen vessels to spread the word to the whole world by the seven-fold anointing of the Holy Spirit.

God's word is the lamp for our feet and light for our path (Psalm 119:105).

LampstandLetters are thus written exposition of God's word, teaching and expounding the word of God, through print and the Internet, so that we may "walk in the light of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:5) each in the context of its environment. Our aim is to supply information, insight, illumination and revelation of his word, to enable the church overcome and lift a standard
against Satan’s end-time flood: - not by might or by power but by His Spirit (Zech. 4:1-14, Revelation chapter 1 and chapter 11) Amen.

In Daniel 5:5 was a divine handwriting illuminated by the Lampstand. It took a man with the Spirit of God, light and insight, understanding and wisdom…a sharp mind and excellent spirit, divine knowledge and understanding, interpretation of dreams and dissolving of doubts, solving of riddles and hard sentences and explaining mysteries; to tell what the writing by the Lampstand was all about (Daniel 5:11-28).

Pray for this seven-fold Spirit of God in the life and ministry for the Author of Lampstand Letters. Amen.