Beloved Bride of our Lord Jesus Christ, I write today before travelling to Nepal to encourage the church and continue to support the work of Call2Come in the nation. We are living in incredible times, unprecedented, with increasing destabilisation and shaking — everything Jesus foretold in the last of the last days we see unfolding before us. I don’t know about you, but I find myself continually recalibrating to the time in which we’re living, to ensure that I’m not operating along either an outdated paradigm or have unknowingly been diverted off course. With the increase of prophetic voices around the world, and let’s face it, often they seem diametrically opposed, “whose report will you believe?” It remains, as it always has, to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, abiding in the love of God, enabling His Word and His Spirit to guide us from within. As I write, the words of Paul come readily to mind: “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV This is my prayer, that whether in Nepal or any other nation, I may love as Jesus loved. Not resting any confidence in my own ability, but entirely depending upon Him and His heart for His Bride.
With all that is going on around the world, and I speak here for the UK, as born-again, spirit-filled believers, we are called to be salt and light in the world, but there is a vast difference between the Gospel Jesus modelled and the restless discontent that cries for action in His name. There is no place for elitism in the Body of Christ, nor are we called to restore any denomination. Make no mistake: the Bride does not walk the path of political reform or become entangled in civilian affairs. As Veronika West (see comment) shared a few days ago, the spirit of Korah (Numbers 16,17) will manifest in these times. We must remain vigilant to discern what I believe are “soapbox” prophecies that agitate and incite insurrection. It is one thing to receive a “word” from the Lord, but remember this:
Prophecy is not authenticated by the truth it contains, but by the heart from which it flows. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. More than the words, it is the heart that validates a Word from God.
Many so-called “words” may appeal to reason, to a sense of injustice, or spiritual ambition. They may even be supported by scripture. But assembling a patchwork of verses or a fine-sounding argument does not create a new wineskin unless it carries the heart of God. This is the mark of a true prophet, not clever reasoning or fine sound arguments, but one whose words are saturated with love.
Consider Jesus’ teaching on new wineskins. This often-quoted passage (Matthew 9:14–17) was given in response to a question about fasting from the disciples of John the Baptist. To grasp its meaning, we must see the interpretive key in the preceding verse: “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” Jesus framed the concept of new wine within the Bridal paradigm.
If you believe you carry “new wine,” remember two things Jesus taught:
- Do not attempt to pour new wine into an old wineskin.
- The new does not replace the old—both are to be preserved.
This is a powerful lesson for discernment. When so-called new wine criticises, slanders, or dishonours the old, it reveals the spirit of elitism and the rising rebellion of Korah.
Ultimately, the Lord alone knows every heart and motive. Let us therefore guard our own — immersed in the Word that washes and the blood that cleanses — so that we may speak not only truth, but truth with the love of the Bridegroom.
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8 NKJV
