Preparing for the Day of the Lord
I. DAY OF THE LORD: THE 2 EXTREMES RELATED TO JESUS’ RETURN
11 For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it? (Joel 2:11)
A. The Day of the Lord refers to the unusual events (positive and negative) that will escalate dramatically in the 3½ years
just before Jesus returns. The 2-fold nature of this time is seen in the great blessing it releases on those who call on
Jesus and the judgment for those who refuse Him.
B. It will be a great Day to those who call on Jesus’ name because they will experience the greatest outpouring of the
Spirit in history leading to Jesus’ Coming (Joel 2:28-32). In this great revival, the Spirit will release the miracles that were
seen in the Book of Acts and the Book of Exodus combined and multiplied on a global scale
C. It will be a very terrible Day to the rebellious who will experience the most severe outpouring of God’s judgments in
history in the Great Tribulation which occurs in the last 3½ years of this age.
21 Then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever
shall be. 22 Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved (physically preserved); for the elect’s sakes
those days will be shortened. (Mt. 24:21-22)
D. The prophets asked, “Who can endure the Day of the Lord events?” Who can experience God’s favor, deliverance
and power in this unique time? Forerunners will have the answer to this.
II. WHAT IS THE FORERUNNER MINISTRY?
A. Forerunners prepare the way by preparing people to prepare the nations for Jesus’ return.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God…
5 The glory of the LORD shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together (at Jesus’ Second Coming)… (Isa. 40:3-5)
10 Prepare the way for the people; build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples! 11 Say…,
“Surely your salvation is coming…” (Isa. 62:10-11)
B. In Isa. 40:3, forerunners prepare a highway “for God” whereas in Isa. 62:10 they prepare the highway “for the
people”. It is one highway seen from two points of view. Forerunners represent God and His interests in Isa. 40, whereas
in Isa. 62, the intercessors represent the people. The highway God walks on is the voluntary agreement of His people as
they partner with Him.
C. Forerunners are messengers who proclaim “now” what the Holy Spirit is “soon” to emphasize in a universal way
across the nations. They are “one short step” ahead of what the Holy Spirit is about to openly release, so they can
prepare the people to respond rightly to Jesus by making known God's plans so the people can make sense of what will
happen before it actually happens. Forerunners bring new understanding or paradigms of God and His End-Time activity
and plans.
III. SEVEN THEOLOGICAL PREMISES OF THE FORERUNNER MINISTRY
A. Forerunners are “messengers” who function with a specific message in different spheres of life. For example,
they are preachers, evangelists, artists (singers, musicians, actors, etc.), writers (internet), media, marketplace or
intercessors as well as those who disciple people one-on-one in the church, university or home (moms and dads are
some of the most important forerunners).
B. Premise #1: There will be “unique dynamics” in the generation the Lord returns.
1. It will witness the greatest demonstration of power both God’s and Satan’s (Rev. 13). The three “supernatural
generations” in Scripture are the generation of Moses (Ex. 7-10), the generation of the apostles, and the generation
Jesus returns in which the miracles done by Moses and the apostles will be combined and multiplied on a global level.
2. It is the generation most described by God in His Word.
3. It is the generation that is most populated. Some estimate that there will be more people alive in this one generation
in one life span (70 years) than in all history combined. After the Great Harvest, there will be more of God’s people on
earth than in heaven.
4. The greatest number of people at the time of the greatest manifestation of power will require a unique preparation,
focus and understanding. The unique dynamics of the generation in which history transitions to the Millennial Kingdom is
the “new thing”.
18 Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring
forth; shall you not know it? (Isa. 43:18-19)
C. Premise #2: The Spirit is emphasizing the revelation of the Father in bringing God’s family to maturity. God will
raise up those who release the Father’s heart in the home, church, marketplace and government (Ps 68:5-6). The Spirit
is also highlighting care for the fatherless (orphans, etc.).
5 I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6 And he will turn the
hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with
a curse. (Mal. 4:5-6)
D. Premise #3: The Holy Spirit will emphasize 3 facets of the beauty of Jesus as clearly seen in Scriptures that
describe God’s End-Time plans (Rev. 19; Mt. 24-25; Isa. 60-62). There will be no contradiction in Jesus’ heart and
ministry as He manifests His glory as a Bridegroom, King, and Judge. He does not suspend one attribute to exercise
another.
1. Jesus as a passionate Bridegroom: has great tenderness and deep desire for His people
2. Jesus as a powerful King: releases power in confronting darkness and winning the lost
3. Jesus as a righteous Judge: upholds the standards of conduct (holiness)
E. Premise #4: Forerunners will participate in the 3 unprecedented activities of the Holy Spirit:
1. To restore the First Commandment to first place worldwide as the Church is prepared as a worthy Bride
(Mt. 22:37; Rev. 19:7).
2. To gather the Harvest through an unprecedented release of God’s power (Rev. 7:9, 14).
3. To release Jesus’ End-Time judgments described in Revelation (Rev. 6; 8-9; 16).
a. To remove everything that hinders love in preparing the Church as a Bride. The principle of God’s love in judgment:
God uses the least severe means to reach the greatest number of people at the deepest level of love without violating
our free will.
b. To aid in gathering the Harvest by bringing eternity to bear on the hearts of multitudes of lost humanity and by
manifesting God’s power.
c. To release God's vengeance on those who hate Jesus and persecute His people.
F. God’s End-Times judgment will shake 7 spheres of human life. 1) The heavens: the sky, atmosphere, weather
patterns; 2) The earth: earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.; 3) The sea: tidal waves, tsunamis, etc.; 4. The dry land: vegetation
and plant life; 5) All nations: national and social infrastructures will be shaken; 6) Religious institutions: multitudes come
to Jesus as the Desire of All Nations; 7. Economic disruption: commercial turmoil as God transfers wealth.
6 I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All
Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory…8 The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts. (Hag 2:6-8)
G. Premise #5: God is preparing forerunner ministries ahead of time in the wilderness that they may prepare others
for the Day of the Lord activities. It takes a clear sense of mandate and identity as a forerunner to stay faithful long-term
to grow in understanding (Dan. 11:33-35). God is raising up “friends of the Bridegroom” type forerunner ministries like
John the Baptist who will fast and pray as they “stand and hear” Jesus’ voice as the Bridegroom God.
29 The friend of the Bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the Bridegroom's voice.
Therefore this joy of mine (John the Baptist) is fulfilled. (Jn. 3:29)
H. Premise #6: Forerunners must live a fasted lifestyle in the grace of God as seen in Mt. 6:1-18. This is God’s way
to position ourselves to tenderize our hearts to receive more revelation in faster time frames with a deeper impact on our
hearts.
I. Premise #7: Forerunners are best trained in context to the End-Time prayer movement. God is raising up
forerunner ministries in local congregations that are rooted in prayer that flows in the spirit of the Tabernacle of David.
IV. THREE RESPONSES OF THE CHURCH TO GOD'S END-TIME JUDGMENTS
A. Offense (fear, confusion, anger) will be the first reaction of believers with an unrenewed mind.
6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me. (Mt. 11:6)
B. Understanding will be given by the Holy Spirit to the End-Time Church.
19 Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD has gone forth in fury -- a violent whirlwind (Great Tribulation)! It will fall violently on the
head of the wicked. 20 The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His
heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly. (Jer. 23:19-20)
24 The fierce anger of the LORD will not return until He has done it, and until He has performed the intents of His heart.
In the latter days you will consider it. (Jer. 30:24)
33 Those of the people who understand shall instruct many… they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and
plundering….35 Some of those of understanding shall fall (martyrdom), to refine them, purify them, and make them white,
until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. (Dan. 11:33-35)
C. Partnership with Jesus in intercession releases God’s judgments in the way that Moses did.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth… 7 to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the
peoples…9 To execute on them the written judgment (written in the End-Time Scriptures)-- This honor have all His saints.
(Ps. 149:6-9)
20 Rejoice over her (judgment on End-Time Babylon), O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has
avenged you on her! (Rev. 18:20)
V. BECOMING A VOICE AND NOT AN ECHO
A. The Priests and Levites who were sent from the Pharisees in Jerusalem asked John who he was.
22 Who are you…? What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said: "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: make
straight the way of the LORD"… (Jn. 1:22-23)
B. The only way to understand John is to know Who He lived before. John described his heart, motivation, and
forerunner ministry. He lived a “wilderness lifestyle” (in the Word and prayer with fasting) and then went before Jesus “as
a voice” (not an echo) to prepare the people to receive Jesus’ embrace as the Bridegroom God empowering them to walk
out the first commandment as those who love God with all of their heart.
C. We become a voice by hearing His voice and responding to it in faith and obedience. An echo only memorizes the
ideas and repeats them, but a voice embodies them in the reality of their heart. There is nothing wrong with being an
echo. I have echoed many truths for many years. This is how I have learned the truths. A voice speaks about things to
come with clarity, power and boldness. It is a banner of hope.
VI. PROPHETIC MINISTRY IN THE END-TIMES (REV. 10-11)
A. In Rev. 10, God promises to raise up prophetic messengers (forerunners) to bring understanding that helps
people avoid deception. This is an important passage for forerunner messengers.
B. The focus of Rev. 11 is the Two Witnesses (prophets) who will preach with great power and release God’s
judgments against the Antichrist’s systems for the final 3½ years (Tribulation).
3 I will give power to my Two Witnesses, and they will prophesy 1,260 days…5 If anyone wants to harm them, fire
proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies…6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the
days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues…
(Rev. 11:3-6)
C. The Two Witnesses release End-Time judgments by prophetic decrees like Moses. The plagues of Egypt are the
prototype of the End-Time judgments (Exod 7-12) released by intercession (Rev. 8-9; 16). The miracles done by Elijah
and Moses will be done by the Two Witnesses.
D. This will be the Church’s most glorious hour in all history! Joel prophesied of the greatest prophetic move of the Spirit
in the End-Times on all nations that would occur before the Day of the Lord or Jesus’ Coming (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17-21;
Eph. 4:11-13; Rev. 11:10, 18; 16:6; 18:20, 24). This outpouring of the Spirit will be manifest in many ways on national
and regional levels. All God’s praying people will receive dreams and visions, etc.
28 I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…29 On My menservants and on My
maidservants I will pour out My Spirit…30 I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and smoke…
31 before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord…32 whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be
saved. (Joel 2:28-32)
E. The Lord released a down payment of Joel’s prophecy on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16). It was not completely
fulfilled in Peter’s generation. For example, the sun and moon did not grow dark with signs including blood, fire and
smoke. The Spirit in Acts 2 only rested on 120 believers in one city, Jerusalem. The fullness of this prophecy requires a
global dimension.
F. The glory of the Angel (Rev. 10:1-3): the forerunner anointing
1 I saw another mighty angel…clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet
like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little book open in his hand. He set his right foot on the sea and left foot on the land 3 and
cried…as when a lion roars. (Rev. 10:1-3)
G. The angel's authority prophetically pictures aspects of the glory released on God’s messengers.
1. Mighty angel: forerunners will operate in the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Robed in a cloud of glory: forerunners will experience God’s Shekinah glory.
3. Rainbow around his head: forerunners will emphasize God’s promises and mercy.
4. Face shines like the sun: forerunners will receive God’s might in their inner man (Eph. 3:17).
5. Feet are like pillars of fire: forerunners will release God’s holy judgment to establish love.
6. Feet on the sea and land: forerunners will take possession of their inheritance across the earth.
7. Cries out like a roaring lion: forerunners will pray and prophesy in the boldness of a lion.
H. End-Time forerunner messengers: the seven thunders prophets
2 He (angel) had a little book open in his hand. He set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land…3 When he cried
out, seven thunders uttered their voices (messages). 4 When the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to
write; but I heard a voice…saying, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them."
(Rev. 10:2-4)
I. A prophetic book being “open” indicates that its contents are knowable. The angel probably read its contents to
John. This may be the same book with the same prophetic information that Daniel received. Daniel 10-12 is a parallel
passage with Rev. 10-13. Daniel sealed up similar prophetic information with an angel of similar glory (Dan. 12:4-10).
4 Daniel…seal the book until the time of the end…9 For the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end…
(Dan. 12:4-9)
J. John was told to seal the seven thunder prophetic messages until the End-Times. This was similar to what
happened to Daniel. For a book to be opened implies that its prophetic information was made known in a widespread
way. For a book to be sealed implies its info is not to be made known. The angel’s open book was probably the book
Daniel sealed (Dan. 12:4). Many think its contents were what John wrote about in Rev. 11-22 and prophesied to the
nations (v. 11). The little book the angel opened was a different set of prophecies uttered from by the seven thunders
voices.
VII. THE MANDATORY PREPARATION FOR THE END-TIME MESSENGERS
8 Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel…9 I went to the angel and said, "Give me the little book." He
said, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth." 10 I took the
little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. When I had eaten it, my stomach
became bitter. 11 And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings."
(Rev. 10:8-11)
A. John eating the scroll as Ezekiel did (Ezek. 2:10-3:3) is a prototype for End-Time messengers. The principle being
taught is that we must take time to digest God’s revelation of the End-Times. John sees the book open and “eats it” then
makes it known. John saw and prophesied about the Beast (Rev. 11-13). This was, in essence, what Daniel prophesied
about in Dan. 7-12. Daniel and John had unusual revelation and devotion to the Word from their youth. They both had
visitations when older. Daniel modeled fasting, praying and studying (Dan. 9:20-22; 10:1-13).
1 Son of man…eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel." 2 So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat
that scroll. 3 He said, "Son of man, feed…and fill your stomach with this scroll..." 4 He said, "Go to Israel and speak with
My words to them. (Ezek. 3:1-4)
B. Sweet: message of victory, salvation and justice with deliverance to the oppressed worldwide. Bitter: message of
judgment worldwide that brings persecution to the messengers (Lk. 19:41).
C. John must prophesy because God only releases the fullness of His purposes as His people pray and prophesy
their release under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.