One morning in early June
of 2008, I was awakened by an Angel of the Lord announcing ― revival in the land, revival in the land, revival in the
land. Picture with me if you will Paul Revere running through the streets shouting ― the British are coming, the
British are coming. Well that is how it sounded. I sought Father on this of course, then a couple of days later I received
a Word and what I believe was instruction from God to bring together people to pray for the salvation of the lost, and revival
of the saints. God ended the conversation calling me Cyrus and instruction to study Isaiah 45. Several times over the years
I have been given Isaiah Chapter 45 during my prayer time. I always thought it was as a faith builder or encouragement
and I have always received a miracle or breakthrough when I did however, I never really thought about who Cyrus was until
God called me Cyrus that morning. I know now that this was God's way of getting me to go deeper into this scripture.
I also know from studying
the Bible that God called a person by a new name it was to let them know they were destined for a certain assignment
or destiny. The new name was a way to let them in on the divine plan and to assure them that God’s plan would be fulfilled
in them. Such was the case when God changed Abram’s name "high father" to Abraham "father of multitude" (Genesis 17:5) and his wife’s name from Sarai “my princess,” to Sarah “mother of nations” (Genesis 17:15). We know from history that the descendants of Abraham and Sarah formed many nations, including the Jews and Muslims. God
changed Jacob’s name "supplanter" name to Israel “having power with God” (Genesis 32:28). He changed Simon’s "God has heard" name to Peter "rock" (John 1:42).
Now my name is still Angeline
of course which by the way means "messenger of God" but I believe God was leading me to research Cyrus to give me more insight
and to confirm what He has been telling me since I was child. I feel it is also important here to note that when I was born
my mother named me April because I was born on April 1st, however when she got my birth certificate back it read Angeline.
My mother was upset, but my grandmother in her wisdom convinced my mother to let it stand because God has His reason for changing
my name. So God did in fact change my name when I was a child.
As I researched Cyrus I
began to see that he in fact was a type and shadow of Jesus Christ. A type is a prophetic symbol, usually representing Jesus.
There are dozens of types of Christ in the Old Testament. In the second chapter of Colossians Paul said that many of
the institutions and commands revealed under the Law of Moses were, “things which are a mere shadow of what is to come;
but the substance belongs to Christ” (Colossians 2:17). Hebrews 10:1says,
“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things”. A 'shadow'
is an image cast by a person or object, as that person or object intercepts a light source. The dictionary defines a 'shadow'
as, "an imperfect image or copy".
Cyrus was the King of Persia",
a conqueror of Babylon, and he issued the decree of liberation to the Jews (Ezra 1:1-2). Cyrus was also known as God's "shepherd" and "His anointed" (Isaiah 44:28-45:13). There are specific prophecies about Cyrus,
King of Persia found in the book of Isaiah.
“Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before
him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;”
Isaiah 45:1(KJV)
The word “anointed”
here in the Hebrew text is מָשִׁיחַ (māšîaḥ), which is where we get the English
word ‘messiah’. The Septuagint an Ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible translates it as Χριστός
(khristós), which is where we get the English ‘Christ’. Cyrus is the only Gentile king who has been called “God’s
anointed”.
Isaiah wrote that God would
"dry up" the rivers for Cyrus so that he could subdue nations (Isaiah 44:27). God opened before him the double doors, so that
the gates will not be shut" (Isaiah 45:1). Isaiah 44:28 reads, “That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform
all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.” God
used Cyrus to free the Jews from Babylonian bondage and He used him as a type and shadow to tell of Jesus Christ’ coming
into the world to free mankind from sin and death.
God established and named
the ministry Save My Loved Ones that morning. I would say because that is what He intends to do “Save Loved Ones”. He gave me new revelation into who I am in Christ.
God
continued to impress upon me that morning that:
·
We are in a season where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached again as in the days of Acts and
religious and pharisaic mumbo jumbo is being torn down resulting in the people of God experiencing breakthrough like never
before in every area!
·
The lost will come to Christ in record numbers.
·
Whatever was dead in the lives of believers and their loved ones will be revived, restored and healed.
No other "god" can do this!
Only the Most High God, the Almighty Sovereign God can take sinful man some of whom have never even desired a relationship
with Him and cause them to come to repentance, to do His will and bring about His purpose.
Like
many in the Body of Christ I sense that we are truly in the last days. In John 4:35 Jesus tells us to open our eyes, “…and
look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:38 (KJV)
There is much, much work
to be done in this great harvest. There are many prayer ministries and many intercessors and many more are needed. I pray
that you too will sense the urgency of this Scripture and recognize prayer as a high and mighty calling with the world-shattering
power to change the course of lives, cities and nations. Will you join me as we make a mark for the Lord that cannot be erased? Together with others you can help fulfill God’s heart for the
harvest, and as you do, you will be changed in the process. You will enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you’re fulfilling
God’s will and making a significant contribution to God’s Kingdom.
“As
the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain
and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that
it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me
empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:9-11, NIV).
One last thing I want to
share:
God’s ministers need the prayers
of the saints like never before. I pray that the intercessors in the body of Christ will rise up and recognize the need there
is right now for them to stand in the gap for the five fold ministry. God’s ministers are a gift to the church
and need prayer to protect their souls from the temptations of pride, greed, and self-centeredness. They need prayer to protect
their souls from the temptations of pride, greed, and self-centeredness and prayer for the divine favor and wisdom necessary
fulfill their God called purpose for the kingdom of God.
I pray that you walk in the fullness
of Christ and look forward to working with you in the field. Join us.
God bless us all,
Angeline
