2012 – A Season Marked by Ripening, Revealing, Reeling, Reigning, and Reaping

In November, 2010, I wrote: “In the Bible, 10 is often a number used concerning testing, and 12 is a number representing fullness or completeness.  I believe many have come to the end of a 10 year time of testing and refining, and that 2011 will be time of transition for them into the fullness (whether for good or bad) of their choices during these past 10 years.  I believe this holds true for nations as well.  So I sense that 2011 is a time where there is still hope for adjusting or aligning to what the Lord has been speaking and dealing with in the past 10 years.  By 2012, patterns will be set that will determine much for the 10 years after that.”

RIPENING

If transition was a key word for what we were facing in 2011, I believe “ripening” is a key word for the much longer season into which we are entering in 2012.   I feel a key Scripture for the next years is the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matt. 13:24-30,36-43).  Jesus explained that wheat and tares could not always be distinguished in their earliest stages, but the differences would be remarkable in the time before their harvest.  Ripening is the “coming to maturity of what has been sown”.
Both the lawlessness of the Kingdom of Darkness, and the Righteousness and Justice of the Kingdom of Light will ripen rapidly in 2012.  I believe certain cities and nations will descend into a state of great anarchy and confusion.  In these, the spirit of lawlessness is rapidly growing as it is steadily being fed.  In stark contrast, other cities and nations will experience the godly fruit of walking increasingly in the ways of the Kingdom of God.
In 1990, I saw a vision of cities in America that had pools of water at their center.  In those cities that were listening to the trumpet call of God to justice and righteousness, that pool became a fountain of blessing.  In those cities that refused God’s call, the pool in the center turned into vomit that was spewed out onto the suburbs, and turned to fire in those suburbs. I believe that this year will see much of that vision coming to pass.  “I will set fire to her cities, and it will consume the suburbs”(Jeremiah 30:52). 

REVEALING IN THE MIDDLE EAST

As there is an accelerated ripening beginning in 2012, this will result in a greater “revealing”.  In the Middle East, this will be a time of a greater revealing of the nature of the spirits behind Islam.  In many nations, Islamic leaders will arise who, in the long term, will be revealed not as “deliverers”, but as “harsh taskmasters”.  Over a period of time, this will actually result in a much greater harvest in these nations, as many of the young people will become disenchanted with Islam, and become more open to the gospel, as is already taking place in Algeria and Iran.

A keyword for this season in the Middle East will be “intimidation”.  This will be especially true of Turkey and Egypt.  In September, I had a vision of huge cobras arising over Turkey and Egypt, which would cast strong shadows and tumult over the Eastern Mediterranean, especially toward Cyprus and Israel.  And I saw scorpions, which are also a symbol of intimidation striking against Israel from her surrounding areas, and striking from Saudi Arabia against America.  A huge scorpion arose in Iran, but it was stopped from successfully firing its weapons, when a huge boot came out of heaven and flattened the scorpion.
Intercessors throughout the world must be vigilant to guard the borders of Israel, and the eastern Mediterranean during this year.

REVEALING IN THE CHURCH

There will be much greater clarity as to whether we are building His Kingdom or our own.  It will become much more evident as to whether we are building with “gold, silver, and precious stones”; or with “wood, hay, and stubble”.  This is actually a blessing, as spiritual leaders will no longer lose time building the temporal, only to realize it too late, after a crisis. 
I believe 2012 will be a significant year for the revealing of a new breed of leaders who are truly functioning as “spiritual fathers and mothers”, and not “professional pastors”.  Many who are now ‘spiritual fathers and mothers” will become “spiritual grandfathers and grandmothers” as their “spiritual sons and daughters” walk in revealed maturity and the godliness of intergenerational respect.
There will also be a greater revealing of those who have not received a love of the truth, and some will go into shocking deception.  This will be a year of greater demarcation of those who are the “sons of Zion”, walking in great love for the Word of God; and those who are “sons of Greece” and allow the spirit of humanism to lead them to stray from the Scriptures into error.
In the great and godly concern for “justice” in this generation, there must be an awareness that true, godly justice will always be based upon truth, and not the lies of humanistic media that would falsely portray certain aggressors as “victims”.  A safeguard in this area is Proverbs 28:5: “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully”.

REELING IN THE WORLD FINANCIAL SYSTEMS

I believe 2011 will pale in comparison to 2012 in terms of confusion and dizziness in the world financial systems.  This will be a result of the “ripening” of unrestrained indebtedness in the pursuit of greed.  Many “houses of cards” will collapse in the West.  The storms will reveal foundations of sand and rock.  These situations will many times be blamed upon the Jewish people, even if they are not to blame, and this will be the start of a season of them coming in much greater numbers from the Western nations back home to Israel.
 
This will be the year of the “release of the Josephs”, who will operate in godly revelation and wisdom because they have been refined and delivered from bondage to greed and Mammon.  These Josephs will be the product of 10 years of testing, and a year of transition.  Especially in Asia, there will be many Christian marketplace leaders who will rise into prominence.  Their godly wisdom will be proven by its fruit.  These Josephs will be greatly used, not only to resource, but to provide godly wisdom for a mighty, student missions movement which is arising out of Asia.
 
 REIGNING
 
 “Josephs” will not only be revealed in the “business mountain”, but also in many other areas of society.  In and from many universities worldwide, there will be an army of young people who have sought God in the “house of prayer”, and who will become significant sources of salt and light for society around them, much like Wilberforce was in England for the abolition of slavery, and the origin of a movement to help the Jewish people to be enabled to return home to Israel.
 
Many young leaders will be suddenly catapulted like Joseph or Esther into realms of major influence upon society in their nations.  These young leaders will operate from a place of revelation.  It will be true of them that “He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught” (Isa. 50:4).
 
Lastly, I believe 2012 will be a significant turning point for Israel.  As “thick darkness” is being increasingly released upon the nations, a great light will arise in Israel, as prophesied in Isaiah 60.  In areas of financial wisdom, and medical and technological discoveries, Israel will abound.  Leaders from many nations will either despise her or honor her, but they will not be able to remain neutral.  Their attitude toward her will increasingly be a source of blessing or judgment for their nations.
 
Rick Ridings
Succat Hallel (24/7 worship and prayer in Jerusalem)
www.jerusalempraise.com