THE TEACHERS ARE COMING

As I was reading the Word of God and meditating on Mark 6, a verse leapt out at me and I heard the Lord say, “The Teachers are coming.” Mark tells us that “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34).

This verse leapt out at me in the midst of other supernatural events. Jesus would later feed the multitude of thousands with just five pieces of bread and two fish. Yet, prior to this astounding miracle, Jesus’ compassion led Him to do something else. He saw that they were lost, like “sheep without a shepherd.” And His stirring of compassion led Him to “teach them many things.” That’s when I heard the Spirit of the Lord declare that “the Teachers are coming.”

Much has been made in the charismatic circles about the re-establishing of the five-fold ministry. The Apostles and the Prophets had been largely silenced for the past several hundred years. Amidst the current resurgence of awareness of the need for the foundational leaders of the church to be raised up (Ephesians 2:19-20), the teaching gift and anointing has been much evidenced in the new Apostles and Prophets of our time. In fact, the greatest teaching anointing of our day has been resting on the rising Apostles and Prophets.

However, the spiritual gift of teaching and the office of the Teacher must be distinguished, much like the gift of prophecy and the office of the Prophet has been distinguished in the Church. Just as the gift of prophecy is available to all born-again believers, the teaching gift is available to all in the Body of Christ. Hence, it’s been easy for the Church to confuse those who are anointed to teach as being the Teachers. But I believe the Lord is raising up the end time Teachers even as He has been raising up the end time Apostles, Prophets, and Evangelists.

Why? Jesus says in Matthew 23:33, “How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers.” Because of His great compassion, Jesus is releasing a new generation of Teachers who will establish the five-fold ministry on “sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3). The Teachers carry the wisdom and the understanding to discern false doctrine and heresy from the Truth. The teaching gift is evidenced by those who are able to convey a concept so well that the audience understands the intent of the speaker and the ideas being taught. However, the office of the Teacher will be held by those who can distinguish sound doctrine and establish the other offices in the proper understanding and interpretation of the Word of God.

The Teacher will be an essential part of the coming Great Revival as, even now, the Church is being assaulted with all kinds of heresies that deny the power, authority, and the truth of God’s Word. These Teachers may not hold the greatest anointing in the gift of teaching but they will be the first to recognize Truth from lies. Holding to sound doctrine and not giving sway to the “itching ears” will be the main priority of the Teacher. It is important for the Church to understand that there will be Apostles who teach, Prophets who teach, Pastors who teach, and Evangelists who teach. The Teachers will be those who study the Word and teach the teaching Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, and Evangelists. It’s time we earnestly pray for the Teachers to be revealed and that these teachers will have great wisdom, revelation, and discernment regarding the logos and the rhema of the written Word.

“Father, thank you that you are preparing your Bride for your greatest move in history. Thank you that we can read your Word, know your love, and anticipate the Second Coming of your Son to claim the Bride for eternity. Our hope is in you. Thank you that the Holy Spirit, our Counselor and Comforter, will lead us into all Truth. We pray for the rising Teachers. Let them be bold. Let them be courageous. Let them fearlessly establish the Truth of Your Word without compromise and help lead the church into the Great Revival. In the Mighty, Precious Name of our Lord, Jesus. Amen.”