PROPHETIC WORDS

NAMING ENCOUNTERS, PLACES AND SEASONS

by Jill Smith

September 2020

This is a time of revelation and encounter that changes names, identities and purposes to reveal the salvation and redemption of God among the nations. I woke the other morning to read again about Jacob’s encounters at Bethel and other places. In these different locations Jacob encountered God and in response he re-named them according to the revelation of God he’d experienced there. God reveals different aspects of Himself in different times and places.

In one place God gave Jacob specific promises in a dream encounter where he saw a ladder between heaven and earth and encountered angels. He experienced God’s active, powerful, personal presence and involvement in that specific place at that specific time. Out of that encounter Jacob proclaimed, “Surely the Lord is in this place and I didn’t know it. What an awesome place this is! None other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven.”

Jacob received a fresh perspective about God and about the place where he encountered him. He made a stone memorial on the spot and renamed the place “Bethel”, which means “the house of God”. Although it had been called Luz, Jacob gave it a name that reflected the revelation of God in that place (Genesis 28:16-19). Our encounter with God should cause us to rename places and seasons in line with the revelation of heaven.

Another time Jacob was setting out to return home and he saw the angels of God coming to meet him. He exclaimed, “This is God’s camp!” and named the place accordingly. Then, on a third occasion at another place, Jacob lay down to sleep and wrestled with God all night, refusing to let Him go without a blessing. God blessed him and changed his name from Jacob (Which means deceiver) to Israel (which means God fights). Jacob named that place Peniel, which means “face of God”” and he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” (Genesis 32:22-32) There are name changing, identity transforming, wrestlings and encounters to enter into right now, in fact they are happening already all over the place.

Whatever our season or location, whatever city, region, nation or circumstance, it is vital that we name it according to the revelation of God, and ourselves according to how He names us. We are not to just echo the names of history, or principalities and powers, demonic activity or accusation, the media, our feelings, fears and anxieties, or the random river of information flowing through social media. We are to name ourselves, our places and our season according to the revelation of God.

So it follows that in every season, circumstance and place, we need to seek God and encounter Him right there. In that divine encounter we will realise something about that place, season or ourselves that we hadn’t realised before, and out of that revelation we are to “name it” appropriately. Not only that, we are to proclaim it, prophesy it, and set up a memorial so we won’t forget it. It’s all very well to discern problems, demons, and familiar reputations over people, places and events, but it is better to discern God’s presence and activity, partnering with Him to manifest heaven there.

How we name 2020 and how we name Aotearoa is significant right now. As we head into the elections, and continue to address the challenges surrounding Covid-19, let’s seek God’s revelation in this place, to name it properly. Regarding Aotearoa, Isaiah 62 has spoken to me again of late, with prophetic application to our time and place. I encourage you read it, and if you can agree, proclaim it as a word to our nation and a call to prayer.

Aotearoa’s destiny is to be a nation married to God – not Forsaken, not Desolate, but rather, God’s Delight, the Bride of God, The Desirable Place. The eyes of the nations will be increasingly be turned towards New Zealand because of the increasing revelation of the glory and goodness of God in this place. Salvation will surround us like a wall of blazing torches held in the hands of fiery angel armies. The Lord will hold Aotearoa in His own hand, like a crown, for all to see. He is calling sons and daughters home from afar. They will bring their wealth and wisdom with them to bless and honour God and this nation. They will also encounter God and their true destiny and purpose here. People from every nation, tribe and tongue will seek to come, as the Spirit of the Lord draws them for their date with destiny. All around Aotearoa ‘Jacob’s ladder’ encounters are increasing and people are proclaiming, “Surely the Lord is in this place and I didn’t know it. What an awesome place this is! None other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven.”

So let’s not get weary, let’s renew our strength in God, and turn up sharp like good watchmen, prophets and intercessors, faithfully praying heaven to earth and agreeing with the revelation of the Father’s heart for Aotearoa. 

“Because I love Aotearoa, I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for New Zealand, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch. The nations will see your righteousness. World leaders will be blinded by your glory. And you will be given a new name by the Lord’s own mouth” (Isaiah 62:1-2)

BIO