Moving in the Apostolic

104 Moving in the Apostolic

as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me" (Acts 26:17,18). These are the words of the Lord Jesus to Paul. The apostle was sent to open the eyes of the Gentiles and to turn them from darkness to light. This was Paul's commission. He knew his purpose and was focused on what he was sent to do. Multitudes of people live in spiritual darkness, groping about under the dominion of Satan who has blinded their minds (see 2 Cor. 4:3,4). They are in need of deliverance from spirits of blindness, darkness and ignorance. The Lord, in His mercy, sends apostles with an anointing that will destroy the yokes of bondage (see Isa. 10:27). Satan savagely opposes the apostolic ministry, persecuting it because of the massive damage it inflicts on his kingdom. The apostolic anointing penetrates the darkness and removes the veil that is spread over the nations (see Isa. 25:7). An apostolic church is a threat to the spirits of darkness that control a city, region or nation. The apostolic dimension begets unveiled believers— believers who can see and will walk in the revelation this ministry brings. One of the distinguishing marks of true apostolic ministry is revelation. By revelation the Lord makes known the mysteries of His kingdom. Paul understood the secrets of the Kingdom because he received revelation. Resident within the apostolic anointing is the spirit of revelation; those who receive and walk in this dimension will receive a strong measure of revelation. You can measure the apostolic dimension by the extent of revelation in which an individual believer or local church walks. Where the apostolic dimension is lacking, so is understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom of God. "Revelation" in Ephesians 3:3 is the Greek word apokalupsis, meaning a disclosure or manifestation. It comes