A Worldwide Youth Movement: The Need for Perseverance
I. REVIEWING PROPHETIC WORDS
A. Why remember prophetic utterances? They are given to strengthen our resolve in prayer and obedience. When
prophecy (Biblical or personal) is neglected the prayer movement is weakened.
18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you,
that by them you may wage the good warfare… (1 Timothy 1:18)
B. The first word that Bob Jones gave to Mike Bickle on March 7, 1983; Bob said, “You will lead a worldwide youth
movement of prophetic singers and musicians that God will release in power evangelism and use to mobilize worldwide
prayer for Israel. This youth movement will be given grace to operate in the prophetic and persist in night and day
intercession with worship.
C. The prophetic invitation that the Lord gave to Mike Bickle in Cairo, Egypt in Sept. 1982
I will change the understanding and expression of Christianity in the earth in one generation.
1. Changing the understanding: speaks of the way unbelievers will perceive the Church. Today, many see the
Church as boring, irrelevant and non-threatening.
2. Changing the expression: speaks of the way the Church expresses its life together as a people of prayer
walking out Sermon on the Mount lifestyles in the power of the Spirit.
D. God spoke to Mike Bickle about four essential heart standards in which the End-Time Church is to function. They
are the four most neglected pillars of New Testament Christianity.
1. Night and day prayer (spirit of prayer in the life of the Church); the lifestyle of prayer is a stumbling block to the
Church because it requires us to soberly face our weakness.
2. Holiness of heart (Sermon on the Mount lifestyles; Matthew 5-7)
3. Extravagant giving to the poor (live simple to give more to the harvest and the poor)
4. Prevailing faith or confidence in God’s prophetic intervention: provision in need (no need to hoard our money,
protection when attacked (no need to be vindictive or fearful), direction in time of darkness, and power in barrenness
(powerlessness in ministry)
E. “I am inviting you to be a part of a work that will touch the ends of the earth. You have only said yes but have not yet
done it. Many have said yes but did not do it (endure for decades in walking out these four pillars). The Lord said, “Beware
lest your brethren steal these from your heart.”
II. BOB JONES SEES A WHITE HORSE (SYMBOLIC OF THE YOUTH MOVEMENT)
A. On Aug. 8, 1982 Bob saw a white horse with a horn on his right foot (Habakkuk 3:4). The horse was in the middle
of a river bed that had very little water in it with rabid dogs on the sides.
4 His brightness was like the light; He had rays flashing from His hand, and there His power was hidden.
5 Before Him went pestilence, And fever followed at His feet. (Hab. 3:4-5)
B. Bob was to help keep this white horse in the middle of the stream as they prepared for the time when God would
pour out the flood of the Holy Spirit on them.
III. CONFRONTING THE FEAR OF MAN (SUMMER OF 1996)
A. Mike Bickle was rebuked by the Lord for yielding to the fear of man in June 1996. God required that I reaffirm my
commitment to the four heart standards that He gave me in Egypt (September 1982)
B. God called us to “IHOP”
1. Intercession: night and day prayer and worship
2. Holiness: the Sermon on the Mount lifestyle (Matthew 5-7)
3. Offerings: extravagant giving (live simple to give more to the harvest and the poor)
4. Prophetic: prevailing faith or confidence in God’s intervention: provision in need (no need to hoard our money,
protection when attacked (no need to be vindictive or fearful), direction in time of darkness, and power in barrenness
(powerlessness in ministry)
IV. GOD’S WARNING ABOUT BEING IMPATIENT (LACKING PERSEVERANCE) (AUG. 84)
A. Perseverance is a sign of a true apostle.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders
and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12:12)
4 In all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in
distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments...in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings… (2 Corinthians 6:4-5)
4 We ourselves boast of you…for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you
endure… (2 Thessalonians 1:4)
18 Praying always…being watchful to this end with all perseverance… (Ephesians 6:18)
B. Patience in perseverance is about follow through (not quitting) as we face obstacles.
1. Righteousness as we face temptation with various lusts
2. Diligence as we face the mundaneness of our daily routine
3. Steadiness when people disapprove of what we say and do (or do not do with them)
4. Confidence in our identity as we face disillusionment and disappointment
5. Extravagant giving as we face the temptation of prosperity
6. Servanthood and lowliness as we face the temptation of increasing influence
7. Endurance unto death as we face persecution (threats, imprisonment and beatings)
C. Paul prayed for patience or perseverance to be imparted to the saints.
10 That you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him...11 strengthened with all might…for
all patience and longsuffering with joy… (Colossians 1:10-11)
5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
D. The “heroes of faith” (Hebrews 11) are those who refused to quit or back down for decades.
36 You have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…
38 If anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:36-38)
1 Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which
so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race…2 looking unto Jesus…who for the joy that
was set before Him endured the cross... (Hebrews 12:1-2)
E. Some may continue in these four heart standards for 5 or 10 years. However, God has called us to patience or to
persevere in these realities for decades.
11 Each of you show the same diligence…until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate
those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11-12)
16 These...are the ones…who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they
have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises
for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. (Mark 4:16-17)
15 Those who having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
(Luke 8:15)
F. Patience or perseverance is central to our heavenly rewards.
21 Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many
things. Enter into the joy of your lord. (Matthew 25:21)
17 Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.
(Luke 19:17)
G. Patience or perseverance is central to being anointed in leadership in this age.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)
12 Who enabled me because He counted me faithful, putting me into ministry… (1 Timothy 1:12)
H. Patience or perseverance is central to the Church in the End-Times.
16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to
death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake…19 By your patience possess your souls.
(Luke 21:16-19)
10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the
sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelations 13:10)
9 If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10…he
shall be tormented with fire and brimstone…12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the
commandments of God. (Revelations 14:9-12)
12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. (2 Timothy 2:12)