Four months and twenty days into the turn of this century, the Lord woke me up at five o’clock in the morning to notify me of my job description for the next season of my life and ministry. I was living in Denver (and realized later that day was the first anniversary of the Columbine school shooting) when He said to me, “Rocky, tell my people that I want to be their Jonathan!” Until I read the first several verses in 1 Samuel chapter eighteen, the whole experience sounded kind of strange.

The scripture brought understanding of how David was a type of true corporate Christianity in scripture. The anointing he received from the prophet Samuel represented a shift in God’s plan for the nation of Israel. David was called to be the next king, and what he lacked only Jonathan could give! The willing sacrifice of one in a greater position of authority, power and provision was all that was needed in David to begin his development into the role God had for him. After much persecution, David became the ultimate prototype of the modern church, functioning as a Prophet, Priest and King and leading the church of his day into previously unknown dimensions of worship and service to God.

Jesus is preparing His people today for a similar calling. He, like Jonathan, has already given us everything necessary for us to rule in His kingdom here on earth (see verses 2-5), and to be cared and provided for at the King’s table. Now, He is calling us onward in our advancement into the next season of God’s plan for our generation.  The days of the “Saul” experiment are numbered.  In original Hebrew this name means “demanded”, which is what the Israelites did.  They wanted to be like the world more than they were willing to follow the Lord!  Sound familiar?  The church has a decision to make but its procrastination has ensured He is moving us forward into a true experience with the Kingdom of God here on earth – ready or not.

Where we are exactly on His timetable I do not know, and that is not primarily what we need to find out. What I do know is that there is a greater heavenly dimension available to those who will trust God, walk humbly, and not grab for themselves what only heaven can bestow.  I think it is time for the “Tabernacle of David” to rise as predicted in these last days according to Acts 15:16 (see my article, “TAU Tabernacle”).  This demands that we let God do the demanding so we can  concentrate on getting back to the basics of letting Jesus be the focus of our fellowship.

We are obviously at a critical place in history.  The Lord is calling for a greater ‘spiritual leadership’ that will help the Church find its heart again and lead it toward God’s master stage of heavenly development. After living through a second massacre in Newtown, CT up close and personally, I believe that people everywhere must repent before the Lord and believers must realize that their relationship with Him demands a kingdom-level response.

As a new era of terrorism has infiltrated our world during this past 2 decades, the “Prince of Peace” has told me to remind you to focus on His plans for ultimate conquest. So today, be encouraged in your pursuit of God. He wants to BE your “Jonathan,” so BE His David and let Him “knit” your soul to His own…in preparation for Jesus’ return!