Spring
2004
A Present Call
for Intercessors
Wade E Taylor
Today, more than at any previous time, there is an urgent
need for intercessors. During each transition, from one age
into another, there has been a time of intense intercession
to birth the age that is about to begin. As we are presently
beginning to transition from the Church age into the Kingdom
age, which the enemy seeks to hinder and greatly resists,
intense intercession is needed to “hasten” the
day of the Lord.
Intercession is at the heart of the end-time intervention
of our Lord, and is the “enabling” that will release
and make a way for the Lord to enter the affairs of man. Just
as John the Baptist was raised up as a “forerunner”
of the birth and ministry of Jesus, so in our day, a corporate
John – “intercessors,” are being raised
up. These intercessors will become a “gateway”
through whom the Lord will greatly affect and alter the affairs
of individuals and nations, in order to prepare them for their
place and function in the Millennial Kingdom of God.
A ministry of intercession can be compared, in its purpose
and function, to a woman giving birth. Thus, the desired result
of intercession is a birthing - the working out (birthing)
of a burden that had been imparted and carried within.
“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman
clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon
her head a crown of twelve stars. And she being with child
cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold
a great red dragon ... and the dragon stood before the woman
which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as
soon as it was born.
“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule
all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up
to God, and to His throne.” Revelation 12:1 5
“The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall
stir up jealousy like a man of war. He shall cry, yea, roar;
He shall prevail against His enemies. I have long time held
My peace; I have been still and refrained Myself. Now will
I cry like a travailing woman.” Isaiah 42:13 14a
The woman in Revelation chapter 12 is giving intercessory
birth, not to a baby, but rather to a spiritually mature “man
child,” who through direct divine intervention, is caught
up and empowered to rule all nations with a rod of iron. We
are approaching the time when this will take place; thus,
the urgency and need for intercession at this present time.
This “man-child” is a fully matured and qualified
body (overcomers), of whom Jesus had become the active head.
The “catching up” can be thought of as being a
“rapture,” not away from the earth in escape,
but our being “lifted” to rule nation’s
in power and authority.
Intercessors have a vital part in the birthing and bringing
forth, of these spiritually mature “overcomers”
who have been tested and proven as being able to “rightly
handle” spiritual authority and power.
“And he that overcomes, and keeps My works to the end,
to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule
them with a rod of iron.” Revelation 2:26-27a
It may be said that the shortage within the Church of those
who are spiritually mature, is due to a lack of understanding
and concern about the dire need for intercessors, and as a
result, the failure to make room for, and release, those who
are intercessors into the full outworking of their calling
and ministry.
The woman in Revelation 5:1 is clothed with the Sun (Son
- direct revelation). This speaks of the garment of the Bride,
who has “made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7
8). She has the moon under her feet (moon – reflected,
or indirect revelation). This tells us that she is hearing
directly from the Lord, rather than responding to others,
who have heard about the Lord.
The “woman” who gives birth to this man-child”
is a powerful body of intercessors, within the present day
church. This speaks of spiritually mature intercessors, who
are burdened to bring into manifestation the end time purpose
of the Lord through overcomers - those who will be caught
up into a realm of Kingdom end time spiritual authority.
“And he that overcomes, and keeps My works to the end,
to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule
them with a rod of iron.” Revelation 2:26 27a
These overcomers in chapter two of Revelation are doing the
same thing as the man child in Revelation 12:5. Therefore,
it can be said that they are one and the same; but are seen
from two different perspectives. This makes the ministry of
intercession extremely important in the last days.
Intercession is very different from prayer. We may rightly
say at any time, “Let us pray.” But we cannot
say, “Let us intercede.” Intercession is imparted
by the Lord, and is the sharing of a present burden of the
Lord, and therefore, must be responded to when given.
In intercession, we become “pregnant” with a
burden that is given to us by the Lord. Then we travail, or
groan in delivery, until it is accomplished. Thus, intercession
is unpleasant and should be exercised as much as possible,
in private. If a person, while in a meeting, begins to feel
an intercessory burden, if possible without affecting the
intercession, they should quietly slip out of the service
into a place where the “travail” will not disturb
others.
There is no set pattern as to how intercession works in those
who intercede. The Holy Spirit will only intercede “through”
those who are both willing and cooperative.
At this present time, the Lord is raising up those who are
being burdened for intercession, both individually and corporately.
“Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for
we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit
Itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot
be uttered.
“And He that searches the hearts knows what is the
mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the
saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26 27
Are you willing to make yourself available to the Lord for
this urgently needed ministry of intercession?
May each of us prayerfully consider this need, and then make
ourselves available to the Lord to be used in “intercession.”
To do so, simply tell the Lord, in prayer, that you are both
available and willing. Then when you feel, deep within, an
intercessory burden begin to stir, come apart and allow the
Holy Spirit to move upon you, until that for which you are
burdened is birthed.
In “that day,” all creation will rejoice with
you, for your faithfulness to this intercessory calling.