Two Eras Marked by the Passing of Billy Graham by Lanny Swaim
Identity Network
The Era of Personal Salvation
Many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14
Billy Graham was definitely one of the chosen few. Like John the Baptist, Jeremiah and others, his destiny seemed to be sealed before he exited his mother's womb.
There is a catch phrase that has become somewhat of a cliché among Christians, "In God's perfect timing." But I am convinced that everything does actually happen in God's perfect timing. The birth, life and passing of Billy Graham is perhaps one of the greatest examples in modern history.
His simple message of personal salvation was probably the main catalyst that brought into existence a Christian mindset that transcended denominations, establishing a block of Christianity known as Evangelicals; who have not only been influential in the Church at large but also in the American political arena.
Graham was a man born on the timeline of history to dominate an era that took Christianity beyond the advances the Protestant Reformation had brought about, sparking what became the fulfillment of the Great Commission, as recorded in Mark 16:15: Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
The Transition from One Era to Another
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all the things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world [age]. Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20
The Great Commission as recorded in Mark 16:15 seems to emphasize the personal salvation message that Billy Graham preached. Perhaps Jesus was not only giving a command, but prophesying a future time when this evangelical aspect of the Great Commission would be restored to the Church.
However, Matthew's account of the Great Commission seems to focus, not so much on personal salvation, but on the nations.
While personal salvation is extremely important, it's really not the message that Jesus preached. Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom, which focuses more on changing the world than on personal salvation. Actually, personal salvation is but the means to bring the Kingdom in Earth as in Heaven (which Jesus taught us to pray), literally changing the nations of the world, therefore changing the world.
John focused on this aspect of the Great Commission:
For God so loved the world… John 3:16
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus in John 3:3
The Amplified Bible adds to see the Kingdom – experience the Kingdom. This makes it clear to me that the primary purpose of being born again is not necessarily personal salvation, but to gain an understanding of and experience the Kingdom of God.
While the personal salvation message has as its main focus the concept of going to Heaven when the believer dies, the Gospel of the Kingdom focuses on bringing Heaven to Earth; literally a convergence of Heaven and Earth.
The fulfillment of this aspect of the Great Commission will change the world, bringing about the reality of Revelation 11:15: The kingdoms [nations] of this world are become the kingdoms [Kingdom] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.
It has been revealed to me by the Spirit of God, that the passing of Billy Graham prophetically signifies a shift in the focus of the Great Commission, from the personal salvation message to reaching entire nations with the gospel message, ultimately changing the political landscape of the world.
The Beginning of a New Age
I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world [age]. Jesus in Matthew 28:20
The Amplified Bible makes it clear that Jesus wasn't referring to the end of the world but rather, the end of the age.
I am convinced that a thorough study of prophetic scripture indicates that we are now transitioning from the Church Age into the Kingdom Age.
Billy Graham was a forerunner, and his life and ministry represent an era that opened the door to more than a new era. Like John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, I believe Billy Graham prepared the way for the coming of a new age, the Kingdom Age.
Jesus said He would be with us (believers) until the end of the age. I believe that, as we transition from the Church Age into the Kingdom Age, Jesus is not only going to be with us, but is becoming fully formed in us, (see Galatians 4:19 AMP), enabling us to live the Kingdom lifestyle that will change the world.
I also believe, that as many are prophesying, this changing of the world begins with the greatest spiritual awakening the Church and the world has ever known. And, as has been prophesied by numerous prophetic voices for several years now, the passing of Billy Graham marks a line of demarcation on the timeline of history, when this greatest of all awakenings begins.
Saints of God, the time just ahead is going to be the most glorious time in all of history so far! Surely we were born for such a time as this.
Lanny Swaim
