Apostolic Covenant
June 6th, 2004 12:12 am
prophetic word through Priscilla Van Sutphin
Mal 4:5-6 NKJV Behold, 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."
2 Cor 12:11-12 NKJV Signs of an Apostle
I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
“I made a covenant with the world that before the day of the Lord, I would
send Elijah to restore the hearts of the children to the father and the hearts of fathers and mothers to the children. Hearts are restored when they know the truth of MY LOVE ! Hearts are restored when they have embraced forgiveness and let go of bitterness and pain, grief and sorrow for all that they have been through.
I have come to set men free – FREE to WORSHIP ME ALONE ! I am the Father and it is MY HEART the lost need to understand and to be reconciled to ! It is MY heart that those in the CHURCH need to be restored to ! Then I can restore to them all that has been destroyed in their lives. If they are yoked to man, and not to ME, then they continue to go in circles. They continue in a cycle of dependency that is NOT on ME. Independence from ME is NOT the goal of the church. Many are pursuing a dream that is a lie. Many are pursuing self-sufficiency, and success in the way the world means success. THIS IS NOT MY PLAN ! It is your plan. It is the way of the world.
Even now, I am loosing the reigns on many of My chosen apostles. They will not come to you wearing “ apostle” on their T-shirts and claiming to be what they are not. Many false apostles have gone forth luring people unto themselves. But I send apostles to lift ME up…When I am lifted up, I will draw all men to Myself. The apostles and prophets POINT to the KING. The apostle does not laud himself and hoard riches unto himself. He uses the riches to build the kingdom, so that all will SHARE in the necessities of life…and so that none are in LACK.
They are presecuted because they bring a message of REPENTANCE like the early apostles did, and as I MYSELF DID ! They are persecuted for calling my children to repent and to cast aside the ways of the world. It is not a call that many would want to take on. If you look at their lives, you will see that their way was not the easy way. They took the narrow path.
They stood for HOLINESS and RIGHTEOUSNESS and they lived that holiness and DEMONSTRATED the Kingdom. They didn’t just talk about it, but people’s lives were changed when they prayed for them. They established true doctrine. And it is this FOUNDATION that I am restoring. The church is built on the blood of the apostles and prophets. Never were they loved but by those who were truly Mine. They endured hardship, as true soldiers of the Cross. They took up their cross and followed ME. They didn’t hesitate. They didn’t hesitate to GIVE THEIR ALL TO ME and for My Kingdom !
They walked in HOLINESS. They did not walk according to the ways of the world and their own desires. Without holiness, no one will see GOD !
2 Cor 7:1 NKJV Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
1 Thess 4:7-8 NKJV For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
Heb 12:14-16 NKJV Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Apostolic power comes with apostolic holiness. THAT is why you are meandering through roads of faith and trials My beloveds. You must be willing to lay down your life if you want to keep it ! You must be willing to lay down all the hidden sins, and all the hidden sinful attitudes that keep you from the holiness I WANT for you ! I am perfecting you in holiness that you might receive the power I want to pour into you.
I AM THE SOURCE of all you need. So what it takes is coming to ME. RECEIVING FROM ME. Laying down your life, will cause you to save it !
Sanctify yourselves with the TRUTH ! Know that if you want all of ME, to be filled with the fullness of ME, that you must know MY LOVE in great DEPTH and to know the beauty of MY HOLINESS ! Worship Me and I will lift you higher My loves. WORSHIP ME through the pain. Worship ME through the loss and sorrow, through the trials and temptations ! For I AM RESTORING. AND, I am building greater FAITH to show you that I will take you through anything. So that when MY judgments fall, you will be able to lead others into the TRUTH of My covenant.
Many of you are walking on water. You are in a walk or test of FAITH, because you have ASKED ME for greater faith. How can you gain more faith without it being tested My love ? Cling to the sweetness of MY WORD. SPEAK IT INTO THE HEAVENS. SPEAK IT TO THE DEMONIC REALM, that they might know that you are clinging to ME, and not to sorrow over circumstances ! Shout from the rooftop what you hear in your ear !
REJOICE in ALL THINGS, and you will overcome all things !
The one thing all my true apostles knew, was the power of MY LOVE. They walked and talked with ME. They knew ME. They knew My heart. And they learned to demonstrate it to others through all they went through on My behalf. They suffered WITH ME, and they received MY GLORY ! They learned to grieve over what I grieved over. They learned to rejoice in all things, and prison doors opened, and ways of escape from death were realized due to their learning to PRAISE ME IN ALL THINGS and under all circumstances. PRAISE is the key to LIFE, and authority. The enemy comes but to steal, rob and destroy your joy, peace and happiness in Me. If you can show him, that you will not ALLOW IT TO BE ROBBED, then you will walk in more power and authority than you have ever known, rather than getting into complaining and self pity and sorrow !”
1 Thess 2:6-8 NKJV Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
1 Cor 12:28 AMP So God has appointed some in the church [for His own use]: first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators; [speakers in] different (unknown) tongues.
Eph 2:20-22 NKJV having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
James 5:17-18 NKJV Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Luke 11:48-51 NKJV In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs. 49 Therefore the wisdom of God also said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,' 50 that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.
Luke 9:10 NKJV Feeding the Five Thousand
(Matt 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; John 6:1-15)
And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
Mark 6:30-31 NKJV Feeding the Five Thousand (Matt 14:13-21; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14) Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.
Eph 4:11-13 NKJV And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ —
2 Peter 3:2-9 NKJV that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Jude 17-19 NKJV But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Rev 2:1-5 NKJV The Loveless Church
"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Eph 3:2-7 NKJV if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
Gal 1:15-17 NKJV But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
1 Cor 4:9-14 AMP For it seems to me that God has made an exhibit of us apostles, exposing us to view last [of all, like men in a triumphal procession who are] sentenced to death [and displayed at the end of the line]. For we have become a spectacle to the world [a show in the world's amphitheater] with both men and angels [as spectators]. 10 We are [looked upon as] fools on account of Christ and for His sake, but you are [supposedly] so amazingly wise and prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are [so very] strong! You are highly esteemed, but we are in disrepute and contempt!
11 To this hour we have gone both hungry and thirsty; we [habitually] wear but one undergarment [and shiver in the cold]; we are roughly knocked about and wander around homeless. 2 And we still toil unto weariness [for our living], working hard with our own hands. When men revile us [wound us with an accursed sting], we bless them. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure it. 3 When we are slandered and defamed, we [try to] answer softly and bring comfort. We have been made and are now the rubbish and filth of the world [the offscouring of all things, the scum of the earth]. 14 I do not write this to shame you, but to warn and counsel you as my beloved children.
2 Cor 11:1-6 AMP
1 I WISH you would bear with me while I indulge in a little [so-called] foolishness. Do bear with me! 2 For I am zealous for you with a godly eagerness and a divine jealousy, for I have betrothed you to one Husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. [Hos 2:19,20.] 3 But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ. [Gen 3:4.] 4 For [you seem readily to endure it] if a man comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the [Spirit] you [once] received or a different gospel from the one you [then] received and welcomed; you tolerate [all that] well enough! 5 Yet I consider myself as in no way inferior to these [precious] extra-super [false] apostles. 6 But even if [I am] unskilled in speaking, yet [I am] not [unskilled] in knowledge [I know what I am talking about]; we have made this evident to you in all things.
2 Cor 11:12-33 AMP But what I do, I will continue to do, [ for I am determined to maintain this independence ] in order to cut off the claim of those who would like [ to find an occasion and incentive ] to claim that in their boasted [mission] they work on the same terms that we do. 13 For such men are false apostles [spurious, counterfeits], deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles (special messengers) of Christ (the Messiah). 14 And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light; 15 So it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. [But] their end will correspond with their deeds.
16 I repeat then, let no one think I have lost my wits; but even if you do, then bear with a witless man, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I say by way of this confident boasting, I say not with the Lord's authority [by inspiration] but, as it were, in pure witlessness.
18 [For] since many boast of worldly things and according to the flesh, I will glory (boast) also.
19 For you readily and gladly bear with the foolish, since you are so smart and wise yourselves!
20 For you endure it if a man assumes control of your souls and makes slaves of you, or devours [your substance, spends your money] and preys upon you, or deceives and takes advantage of you, or is arrogant and puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.
21 To my discredit, I must say, we have shown ourselves too weak [for you to show such tolerance of us and for us to do strong, courageous things like that to you]! But in whatever any person is bold and dares [to boast]--mind you, I am speaking in this foolish (witless) way--I also am bold and dare [to boast]. 22 They are Hebrews? So am I! They are Israelites? So am I! They are descendants of Abraham? So am I! 23 Are they [ministering] servants of Christ (the Messiah)? I am talking like one beside himself, [but] I am more, with far more extensive and abundant labors, with far more imprisonments, [beaten] with countless stripes, and frequently [at the point of] death.
24 five times I received from [the hands of] the Jews forty [lashes all] but one; [Deut 25:3.]
25 three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. three times I have been aboard a ship wrecked at sea; a [whole] night and a day I have spent [adrift] on the deep;
26 Many times on journeys, [exposed to] perils from rivers, perils from bandits, perils from [my own] nation, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the desert places, perils in the sea, perils from those posing as believers [but destitute of Christian knowledge and piety];
27 In toil and hardship, watching often [through sleepless nights], in hunger and thirst, frequently driven to fasting by want, in cold and exposure and lack of clothing.
28 And besides those things that are without, there is the daily [inescapable pressure] of my care and anxiety for all the churches! 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel [his] weakness? Who is made to stumble and fall and have his faith hurt, and I am not on fire [with sorrow or indignation]? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that [show] my infirmity [of the things by which I am made weak and contemptible in the eyes of my opponents].
31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ knows, He Who is blessed and to be praised forevermore, that I do not lie.32 In Damascus, the city governor acting under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus [on purpose] to arrest me, 33 And I was [actually] let down in a [rope] basket or hamper through a window (a small door) in the wall, and I escaped through his fingers.
2 Cor 12:10-12 AMP
10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).
11 Now I have been [speaking like] a fool! But you forced me to it, for I ought to have been [saved the necessity and] commended by you. For I have not fallen short one bit or proved myself at all inferior to those superlative [false] apostles [of yours], even if I am nothing (a nobody). 12 Indeed, the signs that indicate a [genuine] apostle were performed among you fully and most patiently in miracles and wonders and mighty works.
1 Cor 15:10 AMP But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me.
1 Cor 12:29-31 AMP Are all apostles (special messengers)? Are all prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God)? Are all teachers? Do all have the power of performing miracles? 30 Do all possess extraordinary powers of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all--love].
1 Cor 9:5 AMP Have we not the right also to take along with us a Christian sister as wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas (Peter)?
Rom 16:7 NKJV Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Acts 5:17-20 NKJV Imprisoned Apostles Freed
Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."
Acts 2:37-39 NKJV Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
Acts 2:42-45 NKJV And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
Acts 4:34-37 NKJV Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
Acts 5:12-14 NKJV Continuing Power in the Church And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. 13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
