In this particular dream, one of my children saw three pairs of mynah birds sitting on a wire. There was a small pair, a medium sized pair and a large pair. After she shared this with me, I began to ask the Lord what He was wanting to declare to the Body of Christ. The Lord answered by giving me three specific phrases. “Apostle/Prophet; Pastor/Teacher; Husband/Wife.”
The larger pair represented the twin ministries of apostle and prophet working together as one. Likewise, the middle pair represented the ministries of pastor and teacher working in communion together as one, and the third and smaller pair represented the twin ministries of husband and wife, in unity, also working together as one.
I believe the Lord is wanting me to share this today because He is about to do a major work of reconciliation within His Church.
As I began to ask God why He used mynah birds to display this context, I believe He showed me it was because mynahs are known to be prolific talkers – indicating the need for truthful, open and frequent communication. I believe what the Lord is doing is bringing the Church or the Body of Christ into alignment with His perfect purposes, but that we are not to do this alone or in isolation, but within the context of the Body of Christ and its specific offices.
I believe what the Scriptures reveal, is that there is to be ongoing and heart-felt communication and agreement between the offices of apostle and prophet on a regular basis. So that each party is willing to submit to the will of the Lord if one is carrying a burden that the other is not.
“Can two walk together unless they be agreed, says the Lord.”
Likewise, pastor and teacher are to be praying and sharing with one-another on a regular basis, so both can be in agreement with the will of the Lord. One may be given a particular strength for that season that the other does not carry and vice versa. Any office that operates in isolation will not be well received without the agreement of the whole.
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” — Matthew 18:10
“But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this in mind, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.” — Philippians 3:13-16
I believe the Lord is wanting to restore unity within marriages first, so that the restoration of His Bride can continue. In honouring marriages we are honouring the Church, for one cannot exist without the other.
“For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 11:2
God’s voice is that He is preparing a Bride of unity. Not a disjointed bride that is battered and bruised or tattered and in pieces. But a Bride that is united, whole and restored. God honours marriage within the Body of Christ. We are to honour it also.
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” — Matthew 19:5 & 6
When husband and wife likewise come into unity, they come into agreement with the power of His word. Not only their gifts are to be honoured but their children are to be honoured as well. We are not to honour one without the other, but all are to be honoured. Likewise, 1 Timothy 5:17 says,
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine.”
The word 'elder' is translated ‘presbyteros’ denoting a senior, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian presbyter. The HNV more aptly translates this ‘zakenim’, describing an elder mature person who can council others, giving sound Scriptural advice, decisions and judgement. The writer of 2 John and 3 John introduces himself thus, as does the Apostle Peter in including himself amongst the elders in 1 Peter 5:1. See also Revelation 7:13 and Revelation 14:3 in the HNV.
Husbands and wives are also to honour one another and their individual giftings as Christ has set in the Church. Again, we are not to honour one without honouring the other.
“And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” — 1 Corinthians 12:28
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:11 & 12
Amen, amen, amen.
