Emerging Kingdom Marketplace Characteristics

by Clay Sikes – www.lighthouseprophecy.org

As many know, we are living in a modern day ‘reformation period,’ much like Martin Luther’s time in the past. We have moved into the third third, from the Church Age to the Kingdom Age, from Pentecost to Tabernacles. Much has been written about this transition by many, and I won’t belabor the point here. I will however, begin to highlight changes that this new Age (era of time) demand – new times produce new characteristics. As in the natural, spiritual times produce new aspects for consideration. Just as the horse fell victim to the car, the telegraph to the telephone, the lantern to lights, the fan to air conditioning; all these factors had one common trait – major change brought on by time! Let us not be short circuited by our own traditions: Ignorance often comes disguised as tradition!

My great grandmother was transported by mule and wagon the first 20 years of her life, yet she lived long enough to see a man walk on the moon. She once told me that during those early years there was no way to imagine traveling by air much less jet travel, much less space travel. The characteristics of travel, even from mule and wagon on dusty roads, to the vast Interstate systems she would ride on before her death were far more than she could have comprehended. As the Industrial Age rolled into the Information Age a few years back, so too has the spiritual Age changed. Few are fortunate enough to see the change of a century, the change of natural age (Industrial to Information), and now a spiritual Age, yet those living today have seen all three. Mind and soul comprehend the first two; but only by the Spirit is the third known or seen. Every season has its unique characteristics, and just as we don’t wear warm clothes in summer, or shorts in winter, so too does the season we have entered have its unique characteristics. To know these characteristics and to be vigilant to look for them is to forearm us with some expectation. Let us not be found with oil less lamps.

What is mentioned here is the tip of the iceberg. I see through the glass darkly, and invite comment and understanding as we ask God’s leadership and provision in building His Kingdom (in all spheres on earth).

For years I have recognized being called out of ‘her’ that I might be drawn to HIM, and in the process ESTABLISH! For years I have been instrumental in the local market in breaking break the mold and establishing change by introducing new ideas and new ways, thereby releasing a new paradigm. This preparation and gift, which first started as a natural phenomenon prior to my salvation, has remained; however the ESTABLISHING today is for His glory, not mine! God is establishing a distinct and clear path to His Way, and as with times past, He can be seen and recognized when the times are urgent, as the hearts of men are more open in times of famine and desperation.

I submit the following for prayer, and that you hear God as to the spiritual validity of this writing. This first in a series of articles is written to those ‘called’ to the marketplace. I cannot shake what I believe God to be saying: “Flow into the new wineskin in the marketplace, and in worship and assembly.” I so strongly believe God is calling the elders at the city gate to pray as to how this wineskin is to look. The last thing I desire is another organization; I abhor the thought, but cannot resist the strong, almost compelling thrust to enter the ‘new wineskin.’ Just what that is remains to be seen. This is where the elders (forerunners) will collectively pray and hear what God is saying. This message is to both Kings and Priest.

I believe that this new wineskin will welcome the hurting world and Body of Christ, ministering to them in great love, compassion, and understanding; and further believe that its strong mission field will be the lost world, lost church, and the generations behind us. We are indeed living in Revelation 12 and Isaiah 60 times. What I see in this effort is an amazing spiritual feeding ground for starving people, coupled with an unparallel opportunity to shape the current generation and the generations following – establishing God’s Kingdom over the deeply rooted world’s system, a system in great decline brought on by its on greed, manipulation, and self serving purposes; and which, by the way, is right in the middle of many of today’s churches.

Many of us have been part of, and hence loathed the organizations of men. This exposure and experience happened for a very defined reason – to contrast the darkness from light. The new wineskin will carry the light into the dark world, and while I so strongly sense the wineskin is in both the marketplace (businesses), and assembly (the church), as stated, I will focus here on the marketplace (our business models). The single characteristic that distinguishes this model from those of the world, and even those we call Christian businesses today is the profound unity and spiritual flow in the appointed leadership of these marketplace models. Hirelings will not exist in leadership roles in these businesses, but rather true called sons and daughters – those led by His Spirit. A single hireling in a single place of core leadership will signal a lack of completeness in the work at hand – a little leaven spoils the whole lump.

Other characteristics exists beyond the absence of hirelings. The one man, top down, hierarchical corporate structure will not be seen in these business models, but rather a flow of confirming ideas under the leadership of God’s spirit. Each leader will have a specific responsibility in tandem with his gifting, with checks and balances (by spiritual witness) among core leaders. This model is not absent a leader, as leaders have a specific responsibility for all final decisions, but this leader is a servant to those who serve the ‘calling to the marketplace’ as unto the Lord, and not unto the leader himself. Each member of this core leadership recognizes his assignment as a ‘calling,’ further understanding the vast significance of Acts 17:26. Core leadership never seeks productivity, but rather creativity from those associated with the business. Core leaders are creative and spontaneously produce ideas that are productive, often defying the realm of possibility, whose thinking has escaped the arena of logic and reason and entered the arena of faith. These business models cry for creators, not producers.

The connection to, and trust for God allows this core group to continuously walk in the revelation of Romans 8:28. Nothing shakes their faith, even when it looks like sure destruction is at hand. Like David’s mighty men in the cave, these called one’s are settled in their callings and the places this calling takes them – cave or palace, makes no difference; never judging from the outward appearance.

These unions are taking place today as radical men and women are joining for His purposes. Nothing can stop the compelling urge to meet and gather IN HIS PRESENCE. The joining of those called will be signaled by a miraculous anointing, which will clearly separate those called from the world’s system to the Kingdom’s Way. Many are convinced that they know what the Kingdom’s Way is, but there is much to be learned as this new model will be constructed specifically by the Holy Spirit for God’s glory. Other characteristics of this company are men who despise not small beginnings, extreme transparency, repentance, praise, worship, prophetic and apostolic leanings, courage, no fear of death, premium time with God, and a strong testimony of overcoming power.

This Age will reveal the miraculous and those called to it as they will live in the world of the supernatural as naturally as a fish swims in the sea. Their testimonies are riddled with occasions of Divine Interference, as the Age will produce another unique characteristic – repeated Divine Interference in the affairs of men. Think it not a strange thing when these things begin to happen, first in God’s forerunners, then to the full remnant, and then with the Body of Christ. God’s time to shine in this dark world is upon us, and He will shine within the skin of men, those obedient unto death, who have exchanged their life for His. Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. Watch out for a Kingdom business coming to a town near you

Tags: kingdom