Moving in the Apostolic

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Moving in the Apostolic

The Ravenous Bird Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure," calling a [ravenous] bird of prey from the east, the man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it (Isa. 46:10,11). God has a plan and purpose He will fulfill. It has already been spoken by the prophets. Nothing will stand in the way of His fulfilling His good pleasure; His counsel shall stand. We have the glorious opportunity of being a part of this plan. As we discover the plan of God, we pray and align ourselves with His will. We are laborers together with God. God calls the ravenous bird of prey to execute His purposes. This is a prophetic symbol of the apostolic ministry. The ravenous bird is the Hebrew word ayit, meaning a hawk. It also means to swoop down upon. The hawk is a symbol of war, representing the militaristic aspect of the apostle's mantle. Another contemporary definition for "hawk" is one who demonstrates an actively aggressive or combative attitude. It is a person who favors military force or action in order to carry out a foreign policy. What a symbol for the apostolic! The Church also has a foreign policy. We are commissioned to go into all the world and preach the gospel. We must have an aggressive, warlike attitude against the forces of darkness that would attempt to stop us. The hawk symbolizes sharpness, keen vision and quickness. It represents discernment and insight into the plans and purposes of God. The hawk is a swift bird that suddenly seizes its prey. It is a ravenous bird. Ravenous means extremely hungry, voracious or greedy for gratification. This bird symbolizes the militant, aggressive and warlike aspect of the apostolic ministry. It is needed to execute the plans of God. As an officer in the Church, the apostle is also an executive. He is a person who executes power in the Church. In other