The 2009 National Spelling Bee winning word
is a prophetic sign of the Time!
-Pastor Terry Wayne Millender
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What do we do and how do we respond when a word spoken is more than just a word? What do we do when the word is a sign? Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church and respond properly in your own heart.
For many years, I have instructed the people of Victorious Life Church to not just watch the news, but to hear the news from God’s perspective. “Hear” what is being said. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your teacher in whatever you are doing.
As I turned on my computer recently, the news headline that flashed only for a moment was as follows:
updated 28 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Cool and collected, Kavya Shivashankar wrote out every word on her palm and always ended with a smile. The 13-year-old Kansas girl saved the biggest smile for last, when she rattled off the letters to "Laodicean" to become the nation's spelling champion.
The budding neurosurgeon from Olathe, Kan., outlasted 11 finalists Thursday night to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, taking home more than $40,000 in cash and prizes and, of course, the huge champion's trophy.
After spelling the winning word, which means lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics, Kavya got huge hugs from her father, mother and little sister.
The first thing I want to point out is the phrase … outlasted 11 finalists. Please don’t miss that statement. This speaks to the providence of God in an amazing way. Only God knew exactly which words were coming up next, and had even one of those participants faltered on even one word earlier than they did, we would not have been given this merciful warning from the God who cares.
When I heard with my spirit the fact that the word “Laodicean” was the winning word for the 2009 National Spelling Bee, I knew that God was yet again, out His mercy speaking to His church. I declare that it is time for the Body of Christ to awaken herself from slumber and seduction. It’s time we shake ourselves like men of war eager to do battle. The hour of hibernation is long past!
Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
The word Laodicea means "human rights" or "the rights of the people". Thus, this was a church governed by the will of the people, rather than the will of God.
Laodicea was located on an important trade route, about forty miles southeast of Philadelphia in the country we know today, as Turkey. It is said to have been named after Laodice, the wife of the Seleucid monarch, Antiochus II during the middle of the third century B.C. The prosperity and intellect of Laodicea was the forerunner to its downfall. The place was most industrious. (Laodicea was the capital of Phrygia.) Known for the production of fine black wool from the local sheep, a medical school, which produced a well-known eye medicine, called "Phrygian powder” and more, Laodicea was prosperous, but only from an external standpoint. Much like America is becoming today. We must remember that true prosperity is from the inside out. Period!
The parallel between America today and the church of Laodicea is heart wrenching. Although I serve as a Senior Pastor, international business consultant and whatever else, I am first and foremost an intercessor. Since Jesus ever lives to make intercession for the saints according to Hebrews 7:25, I know of nothing more important for me to do as a Christian leader.
The Laodicean church in Rev 3:14-22 is the picture of a church that has forgotten that Jesus is the King of Glory! They have forgotten that He is the faithful and only wise God.
The Laodicean church is the most heavily rebuked and deceived church in the history of the church age; however, it sees itself as "the best." It is the only church of the seven in which the entire church will be spewed out. i.e., rejected!
This church is described as lukewarm, indifferent, not concerned with what is right and wrong before the Lord. It has become a god unto itself. The church seems to want to play both sides and the middle. In today’s world, we would call it political correctness. The church has become seekers of peace instead of the wielders of a prophetic sword. The American church needs the sickle in her mouth sharpened once again! Pleasure has purchased her silence and this must not be. If we will simply do what the Word says and seek first the advancement of His kingdom, we can have it all. We can take part in having an eternal impact and we can experience abundance. This can only happen when the desire for impact remains more important than the desire for abundance.
The church must recapture its language. Words like trust, repent, obedience, submission, sin, and serve must be reclaimed by the people of God. Not just the leaders, but the people of God.
We must not personally allow the spirit of the Laodicean church to enter into our hearts. It is clearly the worst of all the seven churches, yet the most confident. They claim they are rich, increased with goods, and have need of nothing; however, God judges them to be wretched. Wow..! What a stark contrast in views. May the Lord have mercy on us all! The state of this Greek word wretchedness, (talaiporos pronounced tal-ah'ee-po-ros) which leads into the next descriptive means of “miserable in His sight” is the result of self deception. It comes from having backed down in ones stance of what truth is according to the Word of God. It comes from wavering on what Biblically sound doctrine is. This church has become miserable, because it has taken heed to the sound of the wind instead of the sound of the Spirit. They are poor in wisdom, in knowledge, in faith, and in the Word of God. They are not zealous for the truth, but are blind to their true condition and to Satan’s schemes. They think their condition is the opposite of what it really is. They gather teachers around them that say what their selfishness, emotions, and deceived hearts want to hear.
As one author on Parentalguide.com commented on the Laodicean church, consider the following: “They are unaware of their true spiritual condition. They are, sometimes, willingly ignorant. They are sometimes so deceived and blind that they do not even recognize that the letter to the church of the Laodicea’s is actually a letter to them. As a result, they do not seek to change or repent. It may be said, these are people that go to church, sing spiritual songs, pray to God, and then Monday through Saturday live as if Jesus does not exist. They behave as if they will never have to face the judgment.”
Hear the prophetic sound. Hear the love of God.
Rev 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodicea’s write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
#2 As you walk before the Lord, be sure to live in a place of spiritual hotness. Stay on fire. Never cool down. Get close to Him and you are closer to the heat. The very fire of God.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
#5 Finally, be sure that the door of your heart to the Lord Jesus and the leading of His Spirit are more open today than it was yesterday.
Continuing to mind God’s Business,
-Pastor Terry
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