~ When, Not If ~

WHEN, NOT IF

Prophetic Message, August 2005

Cheryl McGrath

In the wake of the recent London terrorist attacks a new catch phrase is being heard from the mouths of politicians, authorities and those who are considered experts in such things. "Not if, but when" has become the word of the hour as high profile leaders tell us that terrorist attacks are now inevitable in many of our cities and nations. As the war on terror spreads wider and uglier, our newspapers and T.V.'s daily deliver newer and graver warnings of potential attacks. In Britain, across Europe, in the U.S.A. and here in Australia we are told it's only a matter of time until the next attack takes more innocent lives and leaves us wondering what more can be done to combat this evil. Despite the best assurances of political leaders that they are ready for the next terrorist assault, and regardless of internet websites defiantly proclaiming "We are not afraid", fear IS growing. I've yet to hear anyone seriously stand up and challenge this mindset of "when, not if" now being spoken forth from international halls of power over our airwaves and into our homes.

The scriptures do tell us that in the end times there will be distress of nations with mens' hearts failing for fear, so the fact that fear is rising in the world should not surprise us. However, we who are in Christ are not of the world, and need not receive its mindset. These words, "not if, but when" are indeed prophetic words, but carry a different message entirely for those laying down their lives daily to follow the Lamb. As I have heard this phrase resounding across the world in recent days the Holy Spirit has been birthing a deeper, more significant message hidden within it - a message the waiting Bride has been longing to hear and which I believe is now being trumpeted from Heaven to those who have ears to hear. The Holy Spirit does not imitate the world in any way whatsoever, but the world without realizing it often unconsciously gives voice to things of the Spirit. I have waited on the Lord seeking expression of that which I am sensing in the Spirit. No doubt there are many others hearing this same message, and my prayer is that this word will find witness and confirmation in other maturing, prophetic hearts.

I believe the Spirit is calling the Bridal company to stand up. I believe we are entering a day of both apostolic power and apostolic struggle. There are obviously pioneer servants who have been blazing a trail in that realm for some time now. However, for the majority, that is those who have yielded to the Lord's severe fires of refining and forging in recent years, a new day of corporately expressing the fullness of Christ is emerging. The refinement process will continue as the purest oil is drawn forth from the followers of the Lamb. Remember, it is the Lord's practice to keep the best wine for the end and the best wine is that which has been well matured in the winepress.

In nations where the church does not repent of her slothfulness and love of comfort, persecution is set to increase. For those who have lightly esteemed the spiritual freedom bought for them by the Blood of the Lamb, the civil law of the land shall become as a rod to teach them the meaning of grace. By this I mean that the present trend towards extreme political correctness in Western nations will continue to grow, seriously impacting on the western church's freedom to express her beliefs. Many believers will find themselves in a position of choosing between compromise or prosecution by civil authorities. The Cross looms heavily on the skyline and many in the church will flee from it. Those who have already set their faces to the Cross will demonstrate the Spirit's power in signs and wonders, but just as importantly, the Spirit's power will also be demonstrated through the preaching of the Word of Truth with ALL boldness.

The Spirit says we are not to fear, for though persecution will be great, so will grace. The fires that He will start will not be quenched, for when one fire is snuffed out, another will spring up in a different place. There will be so many Holy Spirit fires burning at once that the world and the antichrist system will be at a loss to know how to deal with them. Imprisoning the firestarters will not stop these fires, nor will killing them. These spiritual fires will spread from one servant to another like wildfire, and there will be so many carrying the fire of the Spirit nothing either from earth or from hell will be able to control them.

At the beginning of 2005 this ministry released a word to the Body called Days of the Spirit and the Bride, in which I stated : "In the days ahead the Spirit and Bride together will go forth across the nations, bearing manifested witness to the resurrection life of Christ. The Holy Spirit will unveil an elect company of living sacrifices that are the true Bride of Christ. As the "wife of the Lamb" yields in total submission to the holy governance and sweet fellowship of the Spirit of God, the Spirit will adorn her with the glorious reflection of the Bridegroom, revealing to the world the treasures of the knowledge of Christ that have been hidden within the Bride."

Manifested witness is the tangible power of the risen Christ. And the Spirit and the Bride say "Come". So be it.

Let us hear now what the Spirit says to the Bride:

WHEN, NOT IF

Received 29 July, 2005

Do you hear what the world is saying, Beloved? They do not know the truth they're speaking and they do not know it's meaning. The real question is this: "Do you hear what the Spirit says to the church?" Don't think it strange that the world echoes the Spirit, for the Spirit of God can cause even a dumb animal to speak for Him if He so chooses. In the beginning the Spirit hovered over the waters. The Spirit now hovers over the waters of mankind, brooding, bringing forth the Word of the Father. A Bride is forming in the nations. A Bridal company arises from the waters of humanity. Tribal borders, ethnicity, diverse tongues and customs - these are no barrier to the Spirit Who hovers, brooding, drawing and giving form to the great Bridal company who follow the Lamb.

This is the "when" of the Spirit. This is the "now" Heaven and creation have long awaited. The word of the hour is "when" - there is no longer any place for "if" among you.

Do you hear, My Beloved? I said "when, not if". Now is the hour of our "when" together. Now is the hour the Father has promised Me. Now is the hour I have spoken of to My Bride - first there to my disciples gathered on the shores of Galilee, and in the desert places of solitude, then down through the ages to trusted and faithful servants, forerunners in My great Bridal company, and now to you. I say to you the "now" has arrived. This is the hour of Yes and Amen. You have known My constraining Hand upon you, but no longer. You have groaned to be sent forth to manifest My fullness on the earth, but no longer. You have wept in hidden places of loneliness and sorrow, but now your sorrow is to be turned to joy.

Now there will be a proclaiming to the nations of My Power and My salvation. Now I say that you will demonstrate the Spirit's power - even the little children among you I shall anoint with miracles, signs and wonders to increase My glory on the earth. The power of My Name shall be shown by My Bride to those who sit in palaces and high places of political power, as well as in remote and isolated tribal villages, for I am no respecter of persons.

I say this world is talking about "when, not if", and I will show the world and those who decree such things the true meaning of those words. I say as My Kingdom manifests among them they shall truly know what I mean when I say "when, not if", for together we shall turn those words to herald the breaking forth of My Kingdom and the rising of My glory on My Bridal company. To those in the world who prophesy fear and doom, I shall show a new kind of fear, for the fear of the Lord will be known once more in the hearts of men. Don't think you shall be exempt from that yourself, Beloved, for if you think you can walk in My glory and not in My fear you are already walking in deception.

I said blessed are the servants who are watching when the Master comes. I said I am coming at an unexpected hour. That's a when, not an if. I said the hour would come when true worshipers will worship in the truth of the Spirit. That when is now. I said the hour would come when the dead will hear My Voice and live. I said the hour would come when you will stand before kings and rulers to give witness of Me. I said you will be beaten, betrayed and delivered up so that My Spirit will speak through you. I said there will be those who think they do God a favor by killing you, did I not? I tell you, it is no longer "if" but "when" for those who follow Me to the end.

I said you will see the Son of Man coming with the clouds in all His glory at an hour you think not. I said the hour will come when men will not endure sound doctrine. I said beware the hour when they say "peace and safety" for sudden destruction will fall on them. And I said when that which is perfect shall come, that which is in part will be no longer.

Now understand, Beloved, this is no longer about "if" you are ready. It is about Me being ready. No more "if" you feel like it, or "if" you don't. It is I that determines times and seasons and I say "if" is finished and "when" is here. Therefore gird yourself, beloved. The days of My knocking, imploring you to open to Me are behind.

The days are upon us when we shall go forth to the fields, for My desire is towards you. Too long you have been dreaming of Me - of being with Me, moving with Me, being fulfilled in all My promises to you. Now I speak words of release to you as I call you to follow Me with joyous abandon, unrestrained and unstoppable. You have sung your songs of love to Me, now I sing over you songs of deliverance, songs that will release you into all I have said to you. You will run with the limp of one who has contended with Me and yielded. You will go forth leaning on Me as one who has surrendered even her very identity to Mine. You shall be known by the seal I have placed upon you. No, my beloved, you may think you are not ready, but I am ready. When you hold back you will lose sight of Me, but when you lose Yourself in Me I will show You Who I Am. Do not hold back. It is the "when" of our running together. Let us show the world together what "when, not if" really means.

"Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?" Song 6:10

Cheryl McGrath, Great South Land Ministries