Forerunner Message and the Local Church

SCHOOL OF MESSENGERS – STUART GREAVES & DAVID SLIKER

TRAINING PROPHETIC MESSENGERS TO PREPARE A PEOPLE

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I. THE FORERUNNER MINISTRY AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and

understanding. Jer. 3:15

A. Considering current social and global trends, there is a growing interest about the subject of the end

times. Many people are looking for comfort, certainty and making sense of the things that are taking

place. Yet, many believers still have hesitation or indifference towards the subject. The reason for

this response is largely due to the response of spiritual leaders and scholars to the subject and the

strong disconnect between our end-time perspective and our practical day-to-day living.

Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were

stirring up the Great Sea. Dan. 7:2

B. The scripture was designed by the Lord in His perfect wisdom, superintended by the Holy Spirit

who saw to it that every word the authors wrote was true and useful for training and equipping.

There is nothing in the Bible not useful to bring us more into knowing God and obedient lives.

C. There are 150 chapters that focus at least 51% on an end-time theme and show us Jesus’ leadership,

heart and power when He comes to take over the earth. It is important that we become familiar with

these chapters. God gave more data about Jesus’ Second Coming than His 1

. It is designed to equip

the church to walk victoriously in purity, love and unity in the most dramatic time in natural history.

D. There are some who propose that between 15% up to 30% of the scripture covers the subject of

eschatology. Some years ago, I asked the question that if this is true and eschatology is so prevalent

in the scripture, then it should be reflected in the ministry of the NT apostles to the church.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for

correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Tim. 3:16

E. The day of the Lord is a future time period when Jesus will globally fully display the glory of His

Father in judgment, redemption, and vindication. The Bible has at least 80 verses that speak directly

to the day of the Lord, 150 chapters describing the end times in great detail, and nearly 100

apocalyptic verses in the context of addressing day-to-day pastoral dynamics. The day of Christ is a

theme that is spoken of extensively by the prophets and apostles in the Scripture.

F. The Spirit is calling for pastors and ministry leaders to lay hold of grace to prepare and pastor

people with an “eschatological paradigm.” It is essential that believers understand the biblical

narrative of what will be taking place and why. Jesus warned against the allure of the secular

narrative (Mt. 24:4, Mk. 13:5, Lk. 21:7) related to unfolding events. Not understanding Jesus’

narrative could cause many to be vulnerable to fear, offense, lust, and deception. The biblical

narrative will help the church to be better equipped to understand the pressures and thrive spiritually

in love.

G. Henry Nouwen, in The Way of the Heart, asked a piercing question, “How can we minister in an

apocalyptic situation? In a period of history dominated by the growing fear of a war that cannot

be won and an increasing sense of impotence, the question of ministry is very urgent.”

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II. PATTERNS FOR THE APOSTLES: THE PREACHING OF JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at

hand.” Matt. 4:17

A. The Scripture says much about the future of redemptive history and describes in great detail events

surrounding Jesus’ return. There will be unfolding events (Rev 1:1), that will be actively played out

by the Lord for His purposes. We must resist approaching the prophetic Scriptures like a crystal ball

to simply want to know what the future holds with a preoccupation of a Western definition of

happiness rather than discovering the nature of God and turning to Him with all our heart.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are

called according to his purpose.

… to be conformed to the image of his Son… Rom. 8:28–29

B. Jesus is not merely interested in informing us about the future. The 150 chapters speak of the

unfolding of end-time dynamics and events, which are activities administrated by a relational God.

Thus, end-time passages give us insight into how we can respond, obey, and cooperate with Him.

C. The preaching of both John the Baptist (Mt. 3:2) and Jesus (Mt. 4:17) focus on the coming

Kingdom and responding (repent) to God by considering this coming future. George Eldon Ladd

referred to the kingdom as already but not yet. As believers we are encouraged to live in hope and

expectation of the future fulfillment of God's kingdom while actively participating in its present

reality of the kingdom. The future fulfillment is often diminished or under emphasized.

Now faith (present trust) is the assurance of things hoped (future and eschatological confidence)

for, the conviction (evidence) of things not seen (the age to come). Heb. 11:1 (ESV)

D. The events (the day of the Lord) surrounding the coming of the future kingdom to the earth, are

zealously (Bridegroom) administrated (Judge) and executed by the majestic Sovereign (King), the

Holy One of Israel—Christ Jesus. If what the future holds is wisely executed by a real person, then

coming administration of apocalyptic events is an unveiling that demands a response.

Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in

holy conduct and godliness,

looking for… the coming of the day of God … 2 Pet. 3:11–12

E. The pastoral ministry is by nature a forerunner ministry and not merely therapeutic, giving coping

skills, but it is prophetic, focused on preparing people to meet the Lord at the judgment seat and His

return (1 Thess. 2:19-20) with righteous acts (Rev. 19:8) and a heart of wisdom (Ps. 90:12)

F. The Body of Christ, at her core, is an eschatological witness. The first mention of the Church (Matt.

16: 18), ruling body of Jesus, ekklesia, is built on the foundation of Dan. 7:18, 21-22, 25-27. Christ

Jesus is the Son of Man (Dan 7:13-14). Secondly, at the birth of the Church, Peter (Acts 2:17)

makes an allusion to Joel 2. The church is birthed as the solemn assembly (Acts 1:14; 2:1, Joel

2:15) that in light of the ay of the Lord (Joel 2:11), loves Jesus wholeheartedly (Joel 2:1-12), fasts

and prays (Joel 2:15-17), prophesies (Joel 2:28-29) and evangelizes (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21, 38-39).

G. Growing in the eschatological perspective of the church (Daniel 7 and Joel 2) is essential in

understanding the mission of the church globally and the nature of the pastoral ministry locally.

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III. THE FORERUNNER MESSAGE AND THE PASTORAL MINISTRY

A. One of the primary purposes of the NT epistles is to bring pastoral guidance to the church. The

apostles built their ministry on the Person of Jesus, His power and His message. We can see the

ministry and message of Jesus deeply woven into the message of the apostles. The epistles call for a

response that results in the Church being a witness during the greatest time of shaking.

… the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1 Tim. 3:15

B. The apostles follow the pattern of Jesus in calling the church to response (repent) in light of an

eschatological hope (the kingdom). The Apostles used eschatology to address pastoral issues.

C. Call to wholeheartedness and transformation in light of God’s mercy strategy for Israel and the

world –

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God (Rom 9-11), that you present your

bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And do not

be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove

what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Rom. 12:1–2

D. Call to abandon worldly lusts in light of the day of the Lord –

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now, our

salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

The night is far spent; the day is at hand.

Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Let us

walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in

strife and envy.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill

its lusts. Rom. 13:11–14

E. Exhortation to live in unity and not argue over the nonessential because of the judgment seat but

resolve to walk in love and consideration –

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we

shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord,

Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”

So then each of us shall

give account of himself to God.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather

resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. Rom. 14:10–13

F. Pursue the gifts of the Spirit (to build the church) in light of the eager anticipation of Jesus’ return –

so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 1:7

G. Building our ministry on the revelation of Christ, knowing that our work (the people) will be

evaluated at the judgment seat –

For no other foundation … which is Jesus Christ.

Now if anyone builds on this foundation

with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

each one’s work will become clear; for the

Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire. 1 Cor. 3:11–15

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H. Call to unity in light of our eschatological inheritance –

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a

fool that he may become wise.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is

written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;

and again, “The Lord knows the

thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are

yours:

whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or

things to come—all are yours.

And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. 1 Cor. 3:18–23

I. Exhortation to be patient in our evaluations of situations in light of the Lord’s final judgment –

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the

hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come

from God. 1 Cor. 4:5

J. Wise judgment in light of the leadership call in the age to come –

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not

before the saints?

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be

judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

Do you not know that we shall

judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 1 Cor. 6:1–3

K. Call to walk in truth and righteousness in view of inheriting the kingdom –

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be

deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the

kingdom of God.

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified,

but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor. 6:9–11

L. Call to radical discipleship in marriage in light of the urgency of the hour –

But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives

should be as though they had none (Lk. 14:26),

those who weep as though they did not weep,

those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess,

and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away. 1

Cor. 7:29–31

M. Call to stay focused on the race before us in light of our eternal reward –

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such

a way that you may obtain it.

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all

things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 1 Cor.

9:24–25

N. Call to the table of the Lord in light of the Second Coming –

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He

comes. 1 Cor. 11:26

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O. Call to mature love in view of the consummation of all things –

For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect has come, then

that which is in part will be done away. 1 Cor. 13:9–10

P. The call to steadfastness in light of the glory of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:22-58) –

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the

Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58

Q. Call to love the Lord in view of His coming –

If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! 1 Cor. 16:22

R. Understanding commitment to community in light of the day of the Lord –

For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust

you will understand, even to the end

(as also you have understood us in part), that we are your

boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. 2 Cor. 1:13–14

S. Endurance under pressure and persecution in light of the coming glory and resurrection –

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man

is being renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for

us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

… 5

For we know that if our earthly

house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal

in the heavens.

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which

is from heaven,

if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked 2 Cor. 4:16–5:3

T. Not grieving the Spirit in light of the eschatological day of redemption –

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Eph. 4:30

U. The vision of a pure and spotless bride empowering husbands to love and honor each other –

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

that He might sanctify and cleanse …

that He might present her to Himself a glorious church,

not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

So husbands ought to love their own wives ... Eph. 5:25-28

V. Living the Sermon on the Mount in light of the mounting eschatological darkness –

Therefore take up the whole armor of God (Sermon on the Mount life in military terms), that you

may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph. 6:13

W. Prayer to be free from bitterness and compromise in light of the day of Christ –

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all

discernment,

that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and

without offense till the day of Christ … Phil. 1:9-10

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X. The call to humility and like-mindedness in light of full eschatological acknowledgement of

Christ’s leadership –

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name, which is above every

name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on

earth, and of those under the earth,

and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is

Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:9-11

Y. Working out our salvation and walking free from complaint in light of the day of the Lord –

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much

more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

for it is God who

works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Do all things without complaining

and disputing,

that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in

the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain

or labored in vain. Phil. 2:12-16

Z. Intimacy with Jesus, walking in power and embracing His sufferings fueled by understanding the

implications of the resurrection –

… that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His

sufferings, being conformed to His death,

if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection

from the dead.” Phil. 3:10-11

AA. Understanding our citizenship in heaven awakens a desire for Jesus’ return –

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus

Christ,

who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body,

according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Phil. 3:20-21

BB. Hope in the coming age equips the heart to love the saints –

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

since

we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;

because of the hope

which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the

gospel… Col. 1:3-5

CC. Call to live wholeheartedly before the audience of one by understanding our eternal inheritance –

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

knowing that from the

Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

But he who

does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. Col. 3:23-25

DD. Evangelism includes calling people to respond to the return of Jesus –

For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you

turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

and to wait for His Son from heaven,

whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thess. 1:9-

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EE. Pastoral ministry fueled with the understanding that that those who we minister to are our reward –

that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory …

For

what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord

Jesus Christ at His coming?

For you are our glory and joy. 1 Thess. 2:12, 19-20

FF. Hearts equipped in love and free from compromise in light of the Second Coming –

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we

do to you,

so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and

Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. 1 Thess. 3:12-13

GG. Comforting one another with the details of the Second Coming –

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest

you sorrow as others who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even

so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

For this we say to you by the word of the

Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede

those who are asleep.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the

voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then

we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord

in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore comfort one another with

these words. 1 Thess. 4:13-18

HH. Call to sobriety, comfort and edification in light of the day of the Lord –

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to

you.

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor

pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

But you, brethren, are not in

darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

You are all sons of light and sons of

the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let

us watch and be sober.

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk

at night.

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and

as a helmet the hope of salvation.

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live

together with Him.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are

doing. 1 Thess. 5:1-11

II. Ask for grace empowered sanctification in light of the coming of Christ –

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul,

and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. 5:23

JJ. Understanding the vindication of the persecuted church at the Second Coming –

Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the

persecutions and trials you are enduring.

All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and

as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

God

is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you

and give relief to you who are

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troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in

blazing fire with his powerful angels.

He will punish those who do not know God and do not

obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut

out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might

on the day he comes to be

glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This

includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. 2 Thess. 1: 4 – 10

KK. The expectation of the Second Coming empowers the heart to engage in good works with hope –

He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus

Christ.

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to

you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our

Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,

encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thess. 2:14-17

LL. The eschatological deception about food urges us to develop a proper relationship with our diet –

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving

spirits and things taught by demons.

Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose

consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

They forbid people to marry and order them to

abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who

believe and who know the truth.

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be

rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

because it is consecrated by the word of God and

prayer.

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of

Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have

followed. 1 Tim. 4:1-6

MM. Our relationship with exercise and godliness in light of the life to come –

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for

both the present life and the life to come. 1 Tim. 4:7-8

NN. Commandment to be without compromise until the Second Coming –

to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ … 1

Tim. 6:14

OO. Our relationship with finances in light of the coming age –

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in

wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with

everything for our enjoyment.

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be

generous and willing to share.

In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm

foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Tim. 6:17-