A Ministry to the Few - Part Three

Joseph Herrin (01-27-2010)



























Genesis 45:7-8
And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God...

Is it not amazing that even as far back as the first book of the Bible we read that God had His focus upon a remnant? The above words were spoken by Joseph to his brothers who had sold him into slavery, resulting in years of sorrow, loss and disgrace. Joseph was seventeen years old when God gave him dreams of ruling over his brothers, but until he was thirty Joseph knew humiliation and suffering. He would be thirty-eight years old before his brothers came before him the first time, and the words above were spoken at their second appearance when Joseph was thirty-nine.

Have you done the math yet? That is twenty-two years between the time of Joseph’s dream and the fulfillment of it. For those who want to test this matter against Scripture, I will provide the references for you.

Genesis 37:2, 5
Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth... Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him...

Genesis 41:46
Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt.

Joseph stored up grain for seven years, during a time of plenty. It was in the second year of the famine that Joseph was revealed to his brothers and his dreams realized.

Genesis 45:6
For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.

Joseph had therefore been in Pharaoh’s service for nine years when he was revealed to his brothers. He was thirty-nine years old.

The twenty-two year period between the giving of the dreams of promotion, and their fulfillment, represent that period all the sons of God must pass through in order to be fitted for service. God gave me the understanding of the significance of the number twenty-two some years back as I was enduring a fiery purging, and since that time the meaning of this number has been affirmed in many more instances. In the book Evidence of Things Unseen I shared the following regarding this number.

The Spirit has for quite some time spoken to me through numbers, and I noticed the prevalence of a certain number when we moved to this home. The house number was 2231, and the road we lived off of was County Road 22. When the Spirit showed me I was to use my push mower to cut the large and lush lawn, the first thing I noted was that it was a 22" mower. I began to wonder about the significance of this number, and I was certain it had something to do with cutting grass, that is, removing sinful flesh. Before I was to leave this house, which would be our residence for two months, the Spirit revealed the significance. I did a search in my Bible software for the number 22 and I came up with the following.

Jeroboam, the king who made all Israel sin with the two golden calves he set up reigned 22 years and God cut him off (I Kings 14:30). Ahab, the king who did more evil than all the kings who preceded him because of his wife Jezebel, reigned 22 years and God cut him off. Furthermore, the Scriptures record the following about these other wicked kings:

II Kings 8:26-27
Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri king of Israel. He walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did evil in the sight of Yahweh, like the house of Ahab had done, because he was a son-in-law of the house of Ahab.

II Kings 21:19-23
Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. He did evil in the sight of Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had done. For he walked in all the way that his father had walked, and served the idols that his father had served and worshiped them. So he forsook Yawheh, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of Yahweh. The servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his own house.

The number 22 has a correlation to wicked kings. As saints we are a nation of kings and priests, and there are among the saints those who are also wicked, for they have allowed the flesh to rule in their lives and have not dealt with it as they ought to. The number 22 speaks of cutting off this wickedness from our lives, even as my 22" mower was used to cut the grass that surrounded my new home on County Road 22. Another astounding confirmation of the symbolism of this number came at this time when a sister in Christ who sends out a daily Scripture, was led by the Spirit to send forth the following:

Ephesians 4:22
22 Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion...
Amplified Bible

God often foreshadows spiritual realities with natural symbols, and the pattern is “first the natural, then the spiritual”. My grass cutting in the natural, symbolized a flesh cutting in my life. Whereas I thought I was ready for God to use me in this special ministry toward others, I learned that I still had more flesh to be removed from my own life.
[End Excerpt]

Prior to this, the Father had shown me the relation between mowing grass and cutting flesh. He has used the imagery of grass to symbolize flesh in the Scriptures.

Isaiah 40:6-7
A voice says, "Call out." Then he answered, "What shall I call out?" All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of Yahweh blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.

Joseph had eleven brothers who were at ease in Zion while he was undergoing a difficult stripping of his former nature. It is not coincidental that Joseph, having endured years of suffering, was promoted above all of his brothers and made ruler of Egypt. All the world had to come to Joseph to obtain grain to sustain them in the seven years of famine. When the world was famished, Joseph had storehouses filled, and grain so abundant that it could not be counted.

People of God, this appears as a great paradox, but the way to be filled is by being emptied. The road to famine is a path of fatness.

Luke 6:21, 25
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled... Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Joseph’s brothers chose the path that seemed right to them, and so too are the majority of believers today. They love the doctrine of prosperity, of blessing and ease and comfort. They are pursuing the path of least resistance. Few are the ones who have surrendered to follow the Lord wherever He would lead. Only a remnant are surrendering their flesh to the fiery altar of God that it might be reduced.

Joseph’s brothers did not escape the fiery trials of Egypt. His brothers did not avoid slavery and imprisonment, sorrow and hardship. All the children of God must pass through the fire of purging. Yet those who pass through as forerunners while their brothers are at ease will receive a greater glory. Joseph’s brothers bowed before him.

The invitation is being given by God at this time to follow wherever He would lead. The path passes through Gethsemane and onto Calvary. Christ, like Joseph, is our forerunner. He tasted suffering before His brothers, and He has therefore obtained a name greater than all others.

Christ desires that others might share in His glory. He is inviting His sons and daughters to walk the path He has trod. Some have answered this call, and these will soon lead a larger number through similar experiences. The Spirit has been characterizing these forerunning sons as a “Joseph Company.”

It should not seem unusual that Christ can be symbolized by Joseph, and so too can these sons who follow in His footsteps. Christ and His disciples are one. Christ is the head and we are the body.

Joseph passed through many years of a very difficult preparation to fit him to receive authority and power. Joseph used the things entrusted to him to preserve the lives of others. Joseph never sought vengeance on his persecutors. He was a type and shadow of the Son of God who on the cross spoke the following on behalf of His tormentors who were putting Him to death.

Luke 23:34
Then said Yahshua,” Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

People of God, when the Father revealed that I would be sent to jail by some who were close to me, He began speaking to me of the deep principle of forgiveness. Two of the last writings I posted before being imprisoned were Saviors on Mount Zion - Reconciling the Creation to God, parts one and two.

http://parablesblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/saviors-on-mount-zion-redeeming.html
http://parablesblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/saviors-on-mount-zion-reconciling.html

If you have not yet read these writings, I urge you to do so. They are critical teachings that all who would receive ruling authority and power must embrace.

While in jail I encountered many professing Christians who were eager to testify of the suffering they had known in their lives. Do not be deceived! There is no honor or reward for suffering for one’s own transgressions.

I Peter 2:20-23
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously...

Not only must our suffering be due to obedience to Christ, but in our suffering we must respond after the pattern observed in the Savior. There is no credit in suffering for sin. Neither do we receive favor from God if we suffer for righteousness’ sake while manifesting offense, bitterness, or a spirit of vengeance. We are to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect.

The Spirit is testifying that days of distress and suffering are coming to the body of Christ. Most will seek a way of escape, but a remnant will seek a way through that will honor God. Our Father is raising up shepherds to encourage His people to endure the coming struggles, and I am privileged to be among those shepherds. I have received grace as I have passed through trials, sorrows and loss over the past decade that I might encourage others in their hour of testing.

II Corinthians 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.

Is it not amazing that the Scriptures are so pregnant with this message of suffering, yet it is seldom heard from the pulpits of Christendom today? One must go outside the camp of Christianity to hear the message. Even as the Jews closed the synagogues to the early apostles and disciples, so too do those who rule in the body of Christ shut out those who would proclaim a message of necessary suffering.

Philippians 1:29-30
For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

I do not seek to magnify myself by speaking of the things I have been led to suffer. I share them with you that you might be prepared to experience the same. The Spirit of Christ has testified to me that He has allowed me to suffer the loss of all things that I might speak with all confidence the words of Paul above. My sufferings were not only intended for my perfecting as a son, but that I might encourage others who must experience “the same conflict you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

The early saints experienced the loss of all their earthly possessions. So have I. They experienced the abandonment of family, of brothers, sisters, parents, wife and children. So have I. They experienced hunger and thirst, and being poorly clothed. So have I. They experienced sickness and injury. So have I. They were cast into prison. So have I.

And so too will YOU, if you will commit yourself fully to following the Lord, refusing to shrink back out of fear, or to deliver yourself through carnal means.

Hebrews 10:32-39
But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly, by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence , which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. “For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.

Suffering for obedience to Christ is not some doctrine that I received in a Bible college. It is not theory, but experience. I know that most Christians have not yet suffered for their obedience to Christ. If you have not, do not worry, your opportunity is close at hand. These things are not to be dreaded or feared, but rather to be embraced and patiently endured. It is all intended for your perfecting as a son that you might be granted glory, power and authority in the ages to come.

The apostle Paul encourages the body with these words:

II Corinthians 4:17
For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison...

As I look back over the past decade, it appears as but a moment. So too will the days ahead pass quickly, and all who endure will sing the praises of God who stood by them every step of the way, saying, “You are doing great. Don’t stop now!”

Our Father wants His children to attain to the inheritance prepared for those who overcome. There is a remnant who will have a heart to not fall short that they might not forfeit any good thing the Father has prepared for them. It has been such a desire that has ever kept me moving forward, fearing lest I should fall short and the Father take no pleasure in me.

In this last hour the Father will do a quick work among His people. Because it is a quick work, it must be an intense work. He has put it upon my heart to go forth across the country and encourage His elect to stand in these days. I need only look back at the things I have passed through to know what is coming to many others.

Seeing that the Father has chosen one of His weakest, most timid, physically broken, and fleshly sons and has caused me to stand, I am persuaded that He can lead anyone through the days ahead. There is no son or daughter so deficient, so weak, or bound by sin that He cannot carry them through the coming days. He will not be stinting in supplying you with all that is needful to enable you to stand. Look to Him. He will see you through.

When you look back at the fiery furnace you have passed through, you will realize that the only thing to have been consumed by the flames are the cords that had you bound. What a glorious expectation.

John 12:23-26
Yahshua answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be...”

Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com

Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063

A Ministry to the Few - Part Two

Joseph Herrin (01-25-2010)



























Luke 12:32
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”

I love the above picture. There is a shepherd going before the sheep (staff in hand). There is a straight and narrow path. There is also a little flock.

In America it is drilled into the minds of the masses that “bigger is better.” This mindset has been adopted by the church, but it is contrary to the thoughts of God. Christ never judged success by how many followers He had. Success in God’s kingdom is knowing the Father’s will and doing it.

John 6:38-39
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing...”

The Father did not give the masses to His Son. He gave His Son a little flock. Oh, there were large numbers of people that often gathered around Yahshua, especially when He was performing miracles, or feeding them. Yet, Christ knew these were not given to Him by His Father. He therefore treated them very differently from His disciples.

Matthew 13:10-11
And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" And He answered and said to them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.”

We find that the Lord always made a distinction between those whom the Father had given Him out of the world, and those who had not been given to Him.

John 17:6-9
“I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word... For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them... I pray for them. I do not pray for the world, but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.”

The principles of this fallen world are so ingrained in the minds of all men that it takes a concerted “renewing of the mind” to begin to be loosed from the patterns that we so easily fall into. Let me demonstrate this by sharing a recent experience I had while in jail.

Upon being placed in a wing of the jail that houses approximately 80 men, it became known to me that there was a room in this wing that was at times used for chapel services. I also understood that inmates were allowed to lead services for the men there, and often did so.

I began pondering whether the Father would have me to offer teachings in this chapel forum. I knew that attendance would be good, for any time a service was held there the room was filled with men. At times as many as a third of the inmates in that wing of the jail would attend.

The natural mind would conclude that the more people you can speak to, the more successful you are in accomplishing the ministry of the Father. Yet, as I waited upon the Father and continued in prayer, I discerned that He did not want me to speak to the masses. The Spirit began to lead me to pray that He would bring to me those whom He had chosen to receive the truths of His kingdom.

The very next morning after I had made this petition before the Father, there was a knock on my cell door. A man was standing there who had been in the jail over five months. I knew he was a professing believer, and had been leading services for the men in the jail, having the gift of an evangelist. This man was a trustee, and was therefore given much freedom during the day to go where he wanted in the jail during the day.

This man entered my cell and told me that he had heard I was a minister. He asked if he could speak to me, and began to share some of his present struggles, seeking my advice. The Spirit quickened me to discern the issues he was dealing with, and I was given words to share with him. Immediately, conviction fell upon this man, and I could sense a spiritual alertness come upon him.

This man told me that he had been praying for months that God would send him a minister who could teach him truth. Although he had spent many years attending churches, he had never found a minister willing to mentor him, though he had sought it often. Seeing that I had no other pressing engagements, and the Father had delivered to me a “captive audience,” I agreed to begin teaching this man the truths of God’s kingdom. I was led to instruct him in things he had never heard before in the religious system of this day.

Every day we met during the morning and afternoon breaks, one hour each time. We sat at a table in the large central break area, and other men would join us from time to time. This man, and one other, came to every meeting. These two men were very hungry for the word, while many others came and went. The Spirit instructed me to focus upon these two men, for they were appointed to receive the words of God.

The teachings I delivered to these men were not crowd-pleasing messages. I spoke at length of the cross that all disciples must bear. Our theme consistently was that “the entire purpose of the Christian life is to die before you die.” I was led to lay a foundation of dividing between soul and spirit, of the three resurrections, of distinctions in glory, and the need to run a focused race with our eye upon the prize of attaining to the first resurrection. We spoke to the symbolism of the firstborn, and pursuing the blessing and birthright with the same intensity as Jacob who wrestled with both God and man and prevailed.

I taught these men the fear of the Lord, demonstrating from Scriptures that we will surely reap what we sow. I spoke to them of the call to present ourselves as a freewill offering now, or we will be cast into the Lake of Fire as a mandatory offering later, where there is neither grace nor reward.

These two men were able to receive these words, and repeatedly the man who was a trustee would tell me, “How did I never see these things before? Why did God wait so long to open my eyes to these things?” I explained to him that we must all be broken before we are able to accept the truths of God, and until this time of suffering had come upon him, the soil of his heart had lain fallow. God had appointed the hour when He knew he was ready to receive the implanted word of truth.

Some days there would be as many as six men who would gather around the table to hear those things the Spirit was having me share. Most of the men did not return. The message of suffering and the cross did not appeal to them. A great many men were eager to attend chapel services where a false gospel was proclaimed that was devoid of obedience, repentance, or a focus upon holy living. They wanted to hear a message of salvation by confession alone that allowed them to continue carelessly in sin. Sadly, there were many ministers available to preach such deceit to them.

The entire time I was conducting these teachings the Spirit was bearing witness that He had not appointed me to preach to all the men there, but rather to a remnant. Our Father’s eyes are upon a small remnant in this hour. Many are the called, but few are chosen.

Jeremiah 3:14-15
“And I will take you one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.”

People of God, one from a city and two from a family are not large numbers. It is a remnant that are being saved. Yahweh has always reserved a remnant for Himself, and His focus and desire is more upon this remnant in this hour than upon great masses of people whose devotion and obedience is of a lessor quality.

II Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of Yahweh move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

Do you see the megachurches that fill the land? Some fill sport’s stadiums with tens of thousands of people. Yet there were as many overcomers appointed for salvation sitting at that one small table in the jail as there are in some of these huge congregations of professing Christians. In truth, the shepherds of these megachurches are not feeding the sheep on knowledge and understanding from the Father’s table. The sheep are being led to polluted streams. They are being fed foods that do not profit them.

Hebrews 13:9-10
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefitted. We have an altar, from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

The remnant of Zion have an altar to eat from that those who serve the tabernacle (the body of flesh) have no right to eat. Indeed, those who serve the flesh have no desire for the food that comes from God’s table. Those who are mindful of earthly things respond as did the Israelites when God gave them manna from heaven to eat.

Numbers 21:5
And the people spoke against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food."

People of God, I found two men in the jail who hungered greatly after the food that God was setting on the table before them. I would willingly return there again to be able to feed “the least of these” Christ’s brethren who are crying out for someone to instruct them in truth. All the other men in the jail proved by their actions that they “loathed” the wisdom and understanding coming from the altar of Yahweh.

Christ is “the bread that came down from heaven.” Do you perceive, therefore, the great reproach unto God that was demonstrated when the people of God said that they loathed the manna God sent them. The majority of the Jews 2,000 years ago demonstrated that they also loathed the Bread of Heaven. Few discern, that the vast majority in the body of Christ also loathe that which God is providing for His people to feed upon today. Christ cannot be proclaimed accurately apart from declaring “take up your cross daily and follow Me.”

Philippians 3:17-19
Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

Paul is writing to the church, and about those in the church, in the words above. Paul wept because there were “many” in the church “whose god is their appetite” and “who set their minds on earthly things.” Fleshly Christians are “enemies of the cross of Christ.”

Yes, God sends messengers to warn such carnally minded Christians to amend their ways. However, His chief focus is upon those who are willing to walk after the pattern of Christ. He must bring a firstfruits body of sons to maturity, and He will spare nothing in accomplishing this goal.

Romans 8:32
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

The Spirit is testifying even now that much hardship and persecution and loss is coming to His people. A fiery path must be trod by all those who would attain to the resurrection from the dead. Isaiah testified of the burning that the remnant of God must pass through.

Isaiah 6:12-13
"Yahweh has removed men far away, and the forsaken places (churches?) are many in the midst of the land. Yet there will be a tenth portion in it, and it will again be subject to burning, like a terebinth or an oak whose stump remains when it is felled. The holy seed is its stump."

The holy seed must submit itself to the spirit of burning.

Isaiah 4:3-4
And it will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy - everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem. When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning...

The Spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning lies before the people of God. Only a remnant will pass through. Most will fall away, but those who come through will be recorded in the Book of Life. They will have their filth washed away. They will stand pure and holy before God.

This message of suffering is detestable and loathsome to most. Look at the churches across the land. They cry out for flesh to eat. They want something given to them to satisfy the appetites of their fallen nature. But God has reserved a remnant unto Himself. This remnant esteem the reproaches of Christ to be of greater value than the passing pleasures of this world. These are men and women of whom the world is not worthy. They seek a heavenly kingdom and a reward that is imperishable in the heavens.

The Spirit bears witness that across this land there is a scattered remnant. Large auditoriums will not be filled with true disciples, for the true disciples of Christ must take up their cross daily and follow Him. The masses are not attracted to that which feeds the spirit man. The multitude are crying out for something to satisfy their flesh.

If you are hungry for true food; meat that profits the spiritual man, then I encourage you to pray that God would raise up shepherds for His “little flock.”

This man in prison who came to my cell testified that he had been crying out repeatedly for months that God would send someone to him to instruct him in truth. I have heard similar testimonies from others. They asked the Father to send them someone who would proclaim to them the whole counsel of God. God responded and they were fed in pastures that they had never been led to before. Oftentimes, we have not because we ask not.

I invite you to join with me in praying that God would bring together the sheep and the shepherds appointed to them in this hour. The Spirit is testifying that He would send me forth once more across the nation to teach His people. Please pray that the Spirit might lead me to a people that hunger for truth, and who will not despise that meat that comes from His altar. Pray that God would send true ministers to feed you, if you love, rather than loathe, that which the Father would send His people to feed upon in the wilderness.

Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com

Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063

A Ministry to the Few

Joseph Herrin (01-24-2010)

Note: I appreciate tremendously the outpouring of welcome at my return to ministry. For all those who have written me, please know that I am grateful for your encouragement. I also look forward to seeing many of you face-to-face as the Father sends me out across America once again.

I know that my last blog has stirred the curiosity of many who would desire to know the details of my being placed in jail. As you can imagine, the tendency of the natural man would also urge me to give a defense of my own obedience in this matter. Yet, I do not sense the freedom of the Spirit to do so. Learning to restrain the soul and submit to the leading of the Spirit is a lesson that all who would walk as overcomers must master.

Many things (such as defending ourselves) appear both urgent and needful in the eyes of man, but are not really necessary. Back in the mid 1990's I had my first encounter with a man who had a gift of prophecy. The first words God ever proclaimed to me through another man exercising a gift of prophecy were, “I have seen your obedience and I will make it known.” If I believe God, then I can rest in regard to my reputation. Would it not be better for all of us to have Yahweh make our obedience known, rather than declaring it ourselves?

Over the past ten years I have learned that it is seldom the will of God for a man to seek to persuade others of his obedience. See the writing The Silence of the Lambs.

http://www.heart4god.ws/id285.htm

Christ was oppressed and afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth. Our Lord has testified that ALL who would be His disciples must follow in His footsteps. It seems a small matter to me to have my reputation held in contempt by enemies, or questioned by friends. Walking in humility, and being content to bear reproach, is a part of our training as sons of God. ALL must experience such things, and these experiences need not be bitter and noxious to us. If we will live for the opinion of the Father rather than the opinions of man, we will not be moved when men condemn us, or praise us. I am convinced that the greater danger is when men begin to praise the sons of God.

Yahweh spoke to me some years ago and told me that one of the purposes for causing me to bear so much reproach is that I might not place any weight upon the opinions of man. He testified that a day is coming when men would praise those through whom the Spirit manifests in wisdom and power. That we might not succumb to the temptation to be man-pleasers, it is necessary that God’s sons come to esteem the judgment of men very lightly. It was demonstrated in the life of Yahshua that the same masses who one hour were crying out “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” were so unfaithful that a short time later they were crying out, “Crucify Him!”

Joseph, the son of Jacob, also was trained by enduring years of reproach, and of being lightly regarded by man. This served him well when Pharaoh made Joseph ruler over the land and all had to bow the knee before him. Joseph was not moved by the honor men showed him, for he understood that these were the same ones that had for years disdained him, and shown him no regard. It is hard to get puffed up by something that we know is so unsubstantial and transient as the opinions and judgments of man.

I do understand the curiosity of some who would like to know the details of my being placed in jail. It is truly hard to conceive of anyone suffering such things for the sake of obedience to Christ in our modern society. Yet, if you will press into God’s presence you will find Him testifying that such experiences, though rare now, will become much more common in days ahead. These experiences are intended for the perfecting of the saints, for God must have a purified remnant made ready for the return of His Son.

A Ministry to the Few















Do you see that man standing on a hillside in the regions of Galilee? He has no stage, no props, no ministry center. The religious leaders of the synagogues and Temple seek His life that they might slay Him. Therefore He often retreats to remote places to minister, and the crowds gather to Him.

The mass of people make things exciting for His disciples. Surely, they must be thinking, “He is getting very popular now. If things continue this way all Israel will be following Him soon and not even the envious religious leaders will be able to oppose Him.”

Seeing the crowds, Yahshua opens His mouth to speak. He tells them that they are not seeking Him for the right reasons. They are not seeking the spiritual life He can give them. They have no burning desire to be set free from the bondage of sin that they might please the God they call Father. They are following Him because He multiplied the loaves and fish and they were able to fill their bellies. They are seeking carnal things, rather than spiritual.

His words are difficult this day. Few can receive them. He tells the crowds that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood. They are offended, but He is undisturbed. He has not been sent to the masses, but to that small flock given to Him by His Father. The majority who follow Him turn away that day and follow Him no longer. Many who were His disciples leave. The twelve are left, but they too are disappointed. They do not understand God’s ways.

John 6:66-67
As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore. Yahshua said therefore to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life."

People of God, Christ is today speaking a message that is offending many, even as He did 2,000 years ago. The message He is proclaiming is that all who would follow as His disciples must embrace hardship, suffering, loss and reproaches. Some will even lose their physical lives.

The multitudes on that Galilean hillside were offended by Christ’s words. Note once more that we read that it was “His disciples” who were offended.

John 6:60
When His disciples heard this, many of them said, “This is a hard and difficult and strange saying (an offensive and unbearable message). Who can stand to hear it? Who can be expected to listen to such teaching?”
[Amplified Bible]

Christ is not speaking smooth words in this hour to attract the masses. He is speaking costly words, words that will offend the majority. He will at this time separate those who are willing to pay the cost of discipleship from those who are unwilling. Precious few will continue to walk with Yahshua. A great many will fall away. In the parable of the sower who cast seed upon the earth, we read of those who are compared to stony ground.

Mark 4:16-17
"And in a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away."

Can you imagine the grief of Christ’s apostles when they observed so many departing from Christ that day on the hillside by the sea? Some of these disciples had walked with Christ for a season, but in the end, they were only temporary. Christ’s words were unpalatable to them. The words of the Messiah offended them.

In an hour when the vast majority who name the name of Christ have been raised in ease and comfort, and fed upon a message of prosperity and blessing, they will fall away in great numbers when it is revealed that they must suffer the loss of all things for His name’s sake.

The Father is sending forth teachers and prophets at this hour who are proclaiming a message of suffering and a personal cross. Few have ears to hear this message. Yahweh is telling His elect to prepare to pass through fiery trials, and to ready themselves to endure all things for the sake of obedience to Him.

The Spirit is testifying that it is to this remnant that He would send me out again. There is a “little flock” who are committed to following Christ with the attitude of the three men cast into the fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

There are a few who have the heart of Esther.

Esther 4:16
"Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."

We must be willing to perish, and to suffer many things, in obedience to Christ. Only with such a resolve will the people of God be able to endure and triumph.

Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.

People of God, this message of complete abandonment to the will of the Father, this message of suffering for righteousness’ sake, of loss and trials and sorrow, is a message that offends. Few can receive it, and many will fall away in this last hour.

Matthew 24:9-13
"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name. And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many. And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.”

Observe the connection in these words of Christ between tribulation and falling away. When tribulation comes, “Most people’s love will grow cold.” What love is spoken of here? It is the love of Christians for Christ. Many are the fair weather Christians who sing the praises of the Savior. But let tribulation, suffering, and loss come and “at that time many will fall away.”

The Spirit of Christ has been speaking to me for many months that the eye of the Father is upon a remnant in this hour. This remnant is signified in various ways throughout Scripture. They are symbolized by the 153 large fish that were pulled up in the net on the right side of the boat after Christ’s resurrection. I wrote of this event two years ago, and often since then. I will cite a portion here from that article, for it has great relevance to the coming hour. The article focuses upon the Scripture passage found at John 21:1-14.

http://parablesblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/third-appearance-of-christ.html

Consider for a moment that the question of the identity of Christ is mentioned prominently in all of His appearances after the resurrection... It is mentioned that none dared ask Him who He was, for they knew it was Christ. Is this not strange? If the disciples knew it was Christ, then why even mention that none dared ask who He was? These words serve as a prophecy of that which is to come, for each of Christ’s appearances to His disciples after the resurrection stands for a specific way in which He would appear to His disciples in the next 2,000 years. Many will question as to whether it is truly Christ appearing in this way.

Let me remind you that before I went camping, the last writing I sent out was on the sign given in the constellation Bootes (http://www.heart4god.ws/id655.htm). This sign speaks of Yahshua coming to perform a very specific work of removing flesh from His children. It will be a work of fiery purification to prepare a Bride for Yahshua’s coming as Bridegroom. I believe it is also this same work that is depicted in the form of a parable in the Scripture passage on the 153 fish. John relates that this is the third, and final appearing of Christ before His ascension...

At the end of the age, the Lord will bring His body to maturity. He must have a Bride without spot or blemish prepared for the return of the Bridegroom. What is therefore depicted is a final appearing of the Lord to make complete all that has been lacking in this preparation of the Bride...

In John’s account the disciples, at the Lord’s instruction, cast their nets on the right side of the boat and bring up 153 fish. The right side is indicative of the righteous. In the parable of the sheep and the goats, the sheep are separated onto the right, and the goats go to the left. This haul of fish therefore signifies those who are righteous, the elect and chosen of God...

Consider now the parable of the 153 great fish that were caught. Earlier in the ministry of Christ the disciples pulled a great number of fish up in their nets, but their nets began to break and their boats began to sink. Undoubtedly many of the fish escaped or were lost. At the end of Christ’s ministry the disciples pulled up a great catch of fish once more at the Lord’s command, but this time the nets did not break and no fish were lost. I believe this to be a symbol representing the fact that even as Christ did not lose any of those that the Father gave to Him, that His disciples would not lose that which was given to them...

There is another significant way in which this number relates to the elect of God. The Greek word for fishes used in this passage by John is related to the number 153. Gematria is the study of the relationship between words and numbers. In some languages letters also serve as numbers. For example, most English speaking people are familiar with Roman numerals. The Letter I is the equivalent of the number One; V the equivalent of Five; X the equivalent of Ten; C the equivalent of One Hundred, and so forth. In a similar way, each of the letters of the Greek alphabet are also numbers. When the Greek word Icthus (fish) used by John is rendered as a number its value is 1224 (8 times 153).

Eight is a number representing new beginnings, or the new creation man. Thus, these fish are a symbol of those pulled from the sea of humanity destined to be new creations in Christ. Remarkably, there are numerous other titles for the elect of God that also are multiples of 153. The phrase “Sons of God” in the Hebrew Old Testament is “Beni Ha Elohim” whose value is exactly 153. In the Greek of the New Testament the phrase “Joint Heirs” has the value 1071 (153 times 7). The expression “the creation of God” is 1224 (153 times 8), the words translated “the net” have the exact same value, 1224.

When pondering this parable I considered how it might relate to the ministry of coming days. I was immediately mindful of the fact that the Lord in this appearance has laid fish upon the coals. Fire is the ultimate purifier...

The Lord did not show me these things until after I had cleaned the fish I had caught and placed them over the hot coals to cook. In a recent writing, Joseph - Preparing the Body for Burial, (http://parablesblog.blogspot.com/) I noted that it was the work of the Joseph Company to minister in coming days as they guide the elect through days of fiery trial. The Spirit has used this event as one more testimony during my days of camping to speak of the work to come...

Some further details that are significant are found in the fish I caught and prepared. Randy and I caught and cooked three fish. As mentioned earlier, three speaks of that which is complete, and it is a work that will bring the Bride to complete readiness for the Bridegroom that will be accomplished through the fiery work ahead. The fish were whiting, and the color white is indicative of the Bride who has made herself ready. The first thing I did in preparing the fish was to cut off their heads... Cutting off the head symbolizes having no head of one’s own, but taking Christ as Head in all things...

I will mention once again that there was some question about the identity of Yahshua in John’s account. Peter did not recognize it was the Lord until John told him. I believe this speaks prophetically to the truth that many will question that which will come to the church in days ahead. Some will observe the Lord with fish laid in the coals and will not immediately recognize that it is Him. Many will question whether the Lord could actually be the One who is subjecting His people to the fiery trials that are quickly coming upon the earth.
[End Excerpt]

Saints, I believe that in the days ahead, many of those who fall away will deny that it is Christ who is leading His people to endure fiery trials. Those who are not willing to suffer for Christ will seek to cover their own disobedience by denying that Yahshua is the One who is leading His people to embrace such things. Most Christians today are unwilling to surrender their heads (self-rule and self-direction), and will therefore deny such to be the will of God.

John, in writing the Revelation of Yahshua testifies that losing one’s head is very necessary if one is to walk as an overcomer.

Revelation 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Yahshua and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation is a book of parables. Being beheaded is symbolic of giving up the rule of one’s own life to follow Christ wherever He would lead. From the context of this passage we can see that Christ will lead His elect to suffer many things, yet they will receive thrones and will obtain to the resurrection from the dead to reign with Christ.

There is a Joseph Company who are called to encourage the saints of God, instructing them in the ways of the King of Kings.

Psalms 105:17, 21-22
He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave... He made him lord of his house, and ruler over all his possessions, to imprison his princes at will, that he might teach his elders wisdom.

Do you discern the parable of these words? Joseph became a slave, having no freedom of choice. He was straitened in all his works. He could only do what he was commanded. Pharaoh then appointed Joseph to “imprison His princes” and to “teach His elders wisdom.” All those who would rule and reign with Christ must enter into this experience of imprisonment.

The physical experience of imprisonment I just passed through is a type and shadow of the spiritual experience that God must lead all His sons into. In prison you must eat when they say eat. You have no choice in what you eat. You take a break when you are told. You shower at the time appointed. You sleep when told to sleep. You have no rule over your circumstances, but must accept the restrictions placed upon you. So must all the overcomers in Christ, the princes (rulers) and elders (firstborn), learn to come to an end of all initiative that they might do only the will of the Father.

If you are able to receive this message, and to understand that there is an afflicted path that all overcomers must walk, then I encourage you to pray about attending, or hosting, a teaching series in your area. The Father would have me to share things with His people to help them through these coming days. There is a fiery experience ahead of the people of God, yet it will not be worthy to be compared to the glory to be revealed in God’s people who pass through this season.

Remember Joseph! When his promotion came, he forgot all the pain that preceded it. He named his firstborn Manasseh.

Genesis 41:51
And Joseph named the first-born Manasseh , "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household."

So too will all those who embrace the way of the cross forget all their troubles when the hour of their reward arrives.

If you are interested in attending meetings in your area, or are able to host a small group, please contact me. I anticipate it will yet be a few weeks before I begin this teaching tour, and I am tentatively planning on doing a three day series of teachings in each area, consisting of Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday. There are many things the Father desires to impart to His elect at this time.

Final note: The previous blog, the first of 2010, and the one in which I announced that God was sending me back out across the country, received an unusual testimony of the Father of His will in this matter. I spent a couple hours writing it, losing track of the time, and posted it as soon as it was ready. Later the Spirit prompted me to go back and check the time it was posted. Here is what I saw:









http://parablesblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/hour-is-at-hand.html

It was posted at exactly 1:53:00. I could not have executed such a precise time had I tried. When a number is raised to the level of the hundreds (00 on the end) it speaks of things on a national level. God is testifying that the hour is at hand to go forth to the remnant in this nation and to prepare them to stand in the days ahead.

I am not adequate for such things, but He who called is faithful. He will perform it.

Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com

Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063

The Hour is at Hand

Joseph Herrin (01-21-2010)















We live in an hour of great transition. Perhaps those in America can discern the physical type of this transition that was signified in President Obama’s campaign promise of “Change.” Indeed, great change is being wrought in this nation, but not of a positive kind.

This great change in the natural realm is a symbol of a parallel change that is occurring in the spiritual realm. We are in a great time of transition in the Kingdom of God.

Those who subscribe to this blog will have noted that I have been absent from writing, or having any form of Internet access, for more than two months. Only a handful of people have known the reason for this.

Back in 1999 the Spirit of Christ spoke to me and told me that I was to begin using my first name in all of my writings. At this time I was writing the first book that the Spirit had commissioned me to write. This book is titled The Remnant Bride.

http://www.heart4god.ws/id22.htm

The software I was using at the time assigned numbers to the pages as they were posted, and it is not without significance that the beginning of my teaching to the body of Christ should be marked with the number 22. This number signifies flesh cutting and the cross, as well as being symbolic of the glory to be obtained by those who freely submit to this requisite fiery path to promotion.

From my childhood I had been called by my middle name. My full name is Joseph Bradley Herrin. My parents, family and friends all knew me as “Brad.” However, in 1999 the Spirit told me to no longer be called Brad, but to be called by my first name of Joseph. He testified to me that my name was specifically appointed to me, and I would later understand the significance of it. Little did I know that I would be subjected to the same fiery course of preparation for promotion that the son of Jacob who first bore that name experienced. Before promotion comes abasement. Before authority and power can be bestowed, humility must be formed in the heart of a man.

This past year I have continued to share insights into the life of Joseph, for he is a type and pattern of all those who would attain to the resurrection of the dead. The apostle Paul spoke of this resurrection, and of his own earnest striving to be found worthy to attain to it.

Philippians 3:10-15
That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the (out) resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Yahshua. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Yahshua. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude...

All will be resurrected in their own order, but there is a premier resurrection from the dead that is foreshadowed in all the Old Testament types of the FIRSTBORN. Those who attain to the first resurrection will be the firstborn from the dead. These will be the first to attain to resurrection life, and their preeminence in resurrection will surpass all who follow later.

If you do not understand the three resurrections of the dead, and the surpassing excellence of those who will attain to the first resurrection, I would recommend to you the following two chapters from Christ in You - The Hope of Glory.

http://www.heart4god.ws/id665.htm
http://www.heart4god.ws/id666.htm

Joseph was the eleventh born son of Jacob. Reuben was the firstborn son. Yet Reuben disqualified himself from receiving the preeminence that is the honor of the firstborn. This honor was given to Joseph, the suffering son who lived a separate life from that of his brothers.

Genesis 49:3-4
Reuben, you are my first-born; My might and the beginning of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father's bed; Then you defiled it - he went up to my couch.

Genesis 49:22-26
Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; Its branches run over a wall. The archers bitterly attacked him, and shot at him and harassed him; But his bow remained firm, and his arms were agile. From the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel); From the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; May they be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of the one distinguished (separate) among his brothers.

People of God, there is a high cost to attaining to the first resurrection. It must of necessity be this way, for preeminence comes at a cost. Power and authority and glory can only be given to the humble and obedient, otherwise they would misuse it, or become conceited after the pattern of Satan and fall into transgression. Obedience is only learned through suffering. The first resurrection is an honor reserved for the overcomers in Christ.

Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

Joseph suffered while his brothers enjoyed liberty, ease and many comforts. The right of the firstborn was taken from the one born first of natural order and given to the one born first of spiritual order. How relevant are the words of Christ in this regard.

Luke 13:28-30
There will be weeping and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves being cast forth (banished, driven away). And [people] will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit down (feast at table) in the kingdom of God. And behold, there are some now last who will be first then, and there are some now first who will be last then.
[Amplified Bible]

Only those who love the Father, and fear Him; only those who yearn earnestly to receive a spiritual inheritance imperishable in the heavens, and who will forego receiving their good things now in this age, will pay the cost of attaining to the number of the firstborn, and attain to the first resurrection.

E.W. Bullinger shares a fact concerning the price of redeeming a man that reveals the high cost of being numbered among the firstborn.

The redemption money was ten gerahs, and thus was acknowledged both what God claimed, and what man was responsible to give. Now ten gerahs was half a shekel (Exo 30:12-16; Num 3:47). Every male that was numbered, over 20 years of age, must pay this sum and meet God's claim...
But the first-born were to pay ten times as much; for when God took the Levites instead of the first-born of Israel, there were found 22,273 first-born males, but only 22,000 Levites. So that 273 had to pay the ransom money, which amounted to ten times ten gerahs. Thus, though the five shekels looked like a variation, the significance of ten is sustained, for the five shekels were ten times the "half shekel." (See Numbers 3:12,13,40-51).
[Source: http://philologos.org/__eb-nis/ten.htm]

The cost of being numbered among the firstborn was ten times the cost of those who were later born. The spiritual substance of this natural shadow is that those who attain to the first resurrection must pay a higher cost for the privilege. They cannot walk carelessly, nor remain at ease as their brothers are desirous of doing. They cannot be led of their own soul. They must submit to the will of the Spirit in all things. They must come to an end of self-direction of their life. They must walk in a straitened manner, devoid of personal liberty, doing only what they are commanded to do.

Joseph fulfilled this type, for he was made a slave while his brothers lived as free men. This restriction then became more severe as Joseph was made a slave in prison. When he learned to no longer kick against the restraint; when he began to rest contentedly in whatever God chose for him, then he was ready to be brought out of the prison and entrusted with glory and power and authority.

All who would attain to the honor of the firstborn from the dead; all who would rule and reign with Christ during the thousand years of the millennial kingdom of Christ; all who would stand as priests and kings before Yahweh, must follow the same pattern of preparation for the throne.

Since 1999 my life has conformed to this same pattern. It has been a decade of trials, of sorrows, of suffering and loss. It has been a decade of shame and humiliation, for such is the path all sons must travel to attain to the resurrection from the dead. I will not recount my experiences here, for they are recorded in the book Evidence of Things Unseen, and in the post titled A Testimony of a Dying Son.

http://www.heart4god.ws/id426.htm
http://www.heart4god.ws/a-testimony-of-a-dying-son.html

I have been honored of the Father to pass through many experiences similar to Joseph’s. I have been rejected by family, both natural and spiritual. My fellow ministers (shepherds of their Father’s flocks, even as were Joseph’s brothers) cast me out from their midst. I have walked alone very often, though God has always been with me. Yet one experience of Joseph’s had not yet been my own. He was cast into prison.

I can now testify that this too has been my portion. From November 17th 2009 until January 16th 2010, a period of 60 days, it was my Father’s will for me to experience imprisonment as a criminal (II Timothy 2:9). What others have intended for evil, Yahweh has meant for good.

I am not desirous of stating the details of this experience publicly, for to do so I would have to speak of other people’s transgressions. Nor do I desire to give a defense of self. It is God who must ultimately vindicate His obedient sons and daughters, and my reputation is resting in His hands.

It has been the experience of many more of God’s saints since the day of Joseph to experience bonds and imprisonment. Few were ever placed there with reputation intact. Paul was charged with profaning the Law of God and the traditions of the Patriarchs, as well as being a rabble rouser and insurrectionist. Christ was accused of blasphemy and of declaring Himself to be a King, which the Jews and Romans characterized as treason against the emperor of Rome.

Peter, James, John, Timothy, Jeremiah, and untold other saints throughout time have been placed in bonds and accused of many things. Many were not vindicated until after their deaths. For this reason all who would walk as overcomers and accept with contentment the path to promotion, must as Christ, despise the shame. See the article Despising the Shame.

http://parablesblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/despising-shame.html

Some may remember that last year I posted an article titled Internment Coming.

http://parablesblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/internment-coming.html

As pioneers and explorers, the Father is leading a group of sons and daughters to experience many things before their brethren. Little did I know when I wrote that writing that I would myself be incarcerated before the year was up. The Spirit is testifying that there is a larger remnant of God’s people that must taste of these things before the hour of their promotion arrives. Yahweh would have His forerunning saints to serve as guides and encouragers to those who must follow behind them. This is after the pattern of Joseph and Moses.

Moses was led to dwell in the wilderness for 40 years where God humbled him. He was then sent back to lead God’s people out of Egypt, and they too experienced 40 years in the wilderness where God humbled them.

Joseph experienced captivity in Egypt before his brothers. Later the entire nation of Israel experienced slavery and bondage in Egypt. There are always forerunners, and these serve as guides to those who follow behind them.

Lest some should think at this point that my own estimation of the cost of following the Lord is too high, or that it is a great vexation, or something detestable and loathsome, let me declare that I have come to the same opinion of these trials as did the apostle Paul.

Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us.

II Corinthians 4:17-18
For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The grace of God is such that the unbearable becomes bearable, that which is despised is accepted, and we are able to “count it all joy when we fall into various trials.” Yahshua urged His disciples to have such a mind when they too suffered in their obedience to Him.

Luke 6:22-23
"Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven...”

Brothers and sisters, I share these things with you that you might not only understand my absence from the Internet these past months, but that you might begin to gird up your own minds, being willing to suffer shame and loss in pursuit of the high calling of God. The Spirit expressly testifies that such experiences are coming to God’s elect.

All who would be named among the overcomers in Christ must manifest great patience and endurance before the race is completed. There is great fellowship in the sufferings of Christ, and I can truly testify that many of my most precious times of intimacy with Christ have been in hours of affliction. In retrospect I do not remember the affliction, but rather the sweetness of the fellowship that I knew as Christ walked with me through the fire.

I also want to notify you that the Spirit is revealing to me that He would send me out across the nation again to instruct and strengthen the hearts of His remnant. This is to prepare them for the hour of testing to come. Even as there are 60 minutes in an hour, the Father appointed to me 60 days in jail, symbolizing the “hour of testing” that is to come upon the whole world.

I will write more about this call to cross this nation in my next blog posting. I anticipate spending more time in each place than I did on my trip last year, doing a series of teachings over the course of some days as the Father directs. Please be praying that the Father would make known whether there is to be such a teaching held in your own area, and what your part may be in these things. Hosts will be needed in order to provide a place for small groups to meet.

When Joseph was brought up out of prison we read the following:

Genesis 41:46
And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went through all the land of Egypt.

The Spirit is testifying to me that our Father would at this time send me throughout all the land once more to make preparation for the coming hour of testing. There will truly be a famine in the land, and grain must be stored up at this time.

Amos 8:11-12
“Behold, days are coming," declares Yahweh God, “When I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of Yahweh. And people will stagger from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they will go to and fro to seek the word of Yahweh...”

There must be sons and daughters in that hour who will serve as repositories of the word of Yahweh. These must open up the storehouses and feed a famished people in an hour of great famine.

The wealth of the sons of God is not material possessions, houses and lands and many pleasures. The wealth we receive is the true Manna that comes down from heaven. Taste and see that the Lord is good. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, even the Spirit of the living Christ.

It is an hour for grain to be placed into storehouses in preparation for the days of famine. The Spirit is declaring that the hour to go across this land to lay up this grain in appointed vessels is now.

He who has called is faithful. HE WILL ACCOMPLISH IT.

May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days!

Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
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Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
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Montezuma, GA 31063