2020 The Decade of Declaring
As we are entering a fresh decade, I believe the Lord has been giving us some fresh direction and revelation. I wanted to share some things the Lord has been speaking to me about. The previous decade we have come out of (in the Hebrew calendar the “ayin” decade) was the decade of seeing – of discerning – what God is saying/doing. This new Hebrew decade we have entered (the “pey” decade) is the decade of declaring – the decade of the mouth. We must take the revelations we have received and declare them with our mouths so they are accomplished.
The supernatural law of release says that a revelation begins in the supernatural realm and is released to the earth realm. Because man has dominion on earth, in order for a thing to be accomplished it must be then decreed on earth. Once a declaration from earth is received in the heavenly realm (in agreement with the revelation from heaven), it activates the heavenly powers to war in the supernatural realm to fulfill the declaration. This is the power of agreement and declaration.
Daniel was an example of someone who received revelation and spoke it on earth. Daniel prayed for 21 days and the angel messenger came to him and explained that he had been held up by the Prince of Persia (Daniel 10:13). The angel messenger had come to bring the revelation including a vision to Daniel so Daniel would release it/decree it in the earth realm. The enemy did not want it released on earth. With revelation from God comes authority to release it in the earth realm, and the release causes it to be activated. Daniel was obedient and released the revelation.
Joshua and Caleb are also an example. They heard the revelation/promise from God that He would give them the Promised Land and had faith that God would give it to them. They were ready to declare the victory. But most of the people did not receive the revelation. Instead they gave in to fear and unbelief – even though God had provided for them miraculously. Those who would not declare the revelation spent 40 years in the desert until they all died. Yet Joshua and Caleb, who were ready to declare it and take hold of it, had to wander in the desert those 40 years also! But then Joshua and Caleb rose up to lead the people into the fulfillment of the Promise. Their faith and their steadfastness in holding on to the revelation qualified them to lead the nation into the revelation.
Nehemiah was also a man of faith who served King Artaxerxes as a cupbearer. He was an Israelite living in Persia in the captivity. His name means “God comforts”. He was told of the ruins of Jerusalem, the recent rebuilding of the temple, but that there was no protection because the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins. Nehemiah was devastated and prayed. He reminded God of His promises, repented for the sins of his people including his own ancestors, and asked for God’s favor in presenting his petition to Artaxerxes. Nehemiah spoke the promises/decrees of God: if Israel was scattered among the nations God would rescue and restore them if they would return to Him and obey Him (Nehemiah 1:8-9). Nehemiah approached God with humility and repentance. Then he moved forward even though he knew his life could be at stake. Then God gave Nehemiah favor with the king and miraculously used Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
From these examples in Scripture, I believe there are several things God is saying. First, we must be a people of intimacy with God. Intimacy births love and intimacy births power. God wants to release a season of “comfort” (Nehemiah means comfort) which includes signs, wonders, healing, and restoration. But we must have intimacy with God in order to produce the love and power. Holy Spirit infilling produces power (Acts 1:8) but its substance is love. Without love we can do nothing (I Corinthians 13).
Second, I believe God is saying we must pay attention to His voice. We must discern His direction carefully and differentiate it from the voices of our culture and world. We must be people who hear His voice so we can receive revelation.
Third, I believe God is saying we must be people of humility and repentance. We must know we are not greater than another, we all have growing to do, we all have need of God’s grace, and our gifts do not make us better than others. We must be ready at any moment to repent and turn away from our mistakes. We must be prepared to repent for the sins of our ancestors and predecessors in the body who may have created baggage of unbelief, offense or hurt. We must lay new ground.
Fourth, I believe God is saying we must take the revelations/prophetic words we have received and declare them – decree them. Then they will be activated.
Fifth, I believe God is saying we must be aware of the resistance we will face. The enemy will not be happy with what we are declaring and setting out to do. He will resist. We must not be discouraged or distracted. Daniel’s angel faced resistance. Joshua and Caleb faced resistance. And Nehemiah faced resistance. But Isaiah 59:19 says “When the enemy comes in like a flood, God will raise up a standard against him”. We are already victorious because what God declares He will defend, and He will send His holy angels to war with us. We cannot lose if we stay focused and persist.
Sixth, I believe God is saying we must be fully committed, setting aside fear and doubt and unbelief. Some among us may not have the “stomach” for what we are about to do and may exit. We must give them grace, but not enter into their unbelief, criticism or offense. It’s not about salvation. It’s about whether you want to be a part of what God is calling this body to do. If you’re not in the “ship” then you’re not in the “fellowship”. Being in the ship means being sold out. Being in the ship means radical obedience. Being in the ship means taking risks because God has told us to do it.
Guest Post Written by Sonja Josselyn
- Date - February 11, 2020
- Author - Eb Penha