2021 A Year of HARVEST

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D., founding Director of School of Revival

We are in a Kairos Moment

We are in a kairos moment and have an opportunity to reap a radical harvest for the Kingdom of God in this season. Before we dive into the meaning of harvest, let’s first understand the importance of this unique kairos moment we find ourselves in post 2020. Kairos is one of the Greek words in the New Testament for “time.” It is translated as “the right time,” “a set or proper time, opportunity, due season, short time” or “a fixed and definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for.”

The following Scriptures below use the word kairos to describe time.

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15

Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? Luke 12:56

So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. Romans 11:5

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Seizing the day, Harvest time, Esther being born for such a time as this, and us stepping into this moment we were born for all tie into the theme of a kairos moment of time. Another way to describe kairos time could be to recognize that it is a special Window of Opportunity. There is an anointing upon a kairos season in a heightened way. More is available, possible, and accessible during that time than in others.

Window of Opportunity

The Israelites were freed from bondage in Egypt with radical signs and wonders, including watching the Red Sea part before their eyes (Exodus 14). They were led by a cloud by day, and fire by night. Then they had a kairos moment, a window of opportunity to take their Promised Land. Joshua and Caleb came back with a positive faith-filled report (Numbers 14). The other ten spies spread fear throughout the camp because they chose to focus on the circumstances rather than see things through God’s perspective. The Israelites then had a choice in this window of opportunity. They could immediately respond to God’s invitation to take the land, keeping their eyes on Him and trusting in Him, or not.

Instead of stepping into all that God had for them in this unique and special kairos moment in time, the Israelites partnered with fear and hesitated to move forward. Then, when they finally later attempted to obey God’s command, that window of opportunity had closed, and it was too late. Their delayed obedience was actually disobedience. A whole generation still walked with God in the desert, however they missed out on stepping into the fullness of their destinies. Rather than enter the Promised Land, which was their truest destiny, a whole generation died off in the desert. They didn’t recognize the kairos moment they were in. There was a tragic loss. They were never given that opportunity again.

What if we are in a moment where God is inviting us to lift up our eyes to see, respond, reap, and receive the harvest? If we fail to move where He is leading, will we have to painfully wait and watch as our generation dies off before God can raise up a new remnant to swiftly respond to His leading for such a time as this?

The Harvest

Though Scriptures are timeless and speak to us on a daily basis, there are some times when certain words are highlighted and become rhema words to speak directly into our time and situations. I believe that Jesus’ words about the harvest are important for what God wants to do in 2021 and are now words for us today in the unique kairos moment we find ourselves in post 2020. Jesus says,

Don't you have a saying, ‘It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”  John 4:35 (NIV)

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Luke 10:2 (NIV)

The word used for harvest in the verses above comes from the Greek word therismos which means “harvest” or “the act of reaping.” Figuratively, it means the act of gathering people into the kingdom of God and it occurs 13 times in 8 verses. This word comes from therizō which means to “reap” found in Galatians 6:9 that says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (see also 2 Corinthians 9:6). The word for reap comes from primary word theros which means “to heat” or “summer” as used in Mark 13:28 that says, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.”

Heat, reap, summer, all build toward the harvest. In other words, turn up the heat, the summer season is coming to reap a bountiful harvest.

Kairos and Harvest

There is also another word used for Harvest (Karpos) which means Fruit and is used 66 times in 56 verses. It is interesting to note that there are several consistencies of kairos time being linked to the harvest or even being translated as harvest time within both uses of the word for harvest.

When the harvest (karpos) time (kairos) approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit (karpos). Matthew 21:34 (NIV)

At harvest time (kairos) he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit (karpos) of the vineyard. Luke 20:10 (NIV)

Let both grow together until the harvest (therismos). At that time (kairos) I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn. Matthew 13:30 (NIV)

Might there be a specific God appointed time to bring in the harvest like it says in Matthew 13:30? Might God have been waiting for a fullness of time to bring in a billion-soul harvest with one concentrated sweep into the Kingdom? What if Mark 4:29 is a now word for us today?

“As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:29

What if our world post 2020 is ripe, ready to be reaped because the harvest has now come?

It’s Harvest Time in this Kairos Moment

God has entrusted us with this unique season, this kairos moment in history, to bring in and steward this ripe and incoming harvest. He has entrusted us to carry hope to the hopeless, peace to the fear stricken, and healing to the brokenhearted. He has given us the opportunity to extend the invitation to share the love and transformative power of Jesus with the world in a time when there’s no other hope. He has repositioned us to be in perfect alignment for what He’s pouring out all around us, His new wine in increasing measures and a harvest of souls like never before.

There is a time for sowing and a time for reaping. I believe the openness to the Gospel following the 2020 pandemic and shut down will be greater than in seasons before. There is a new grace and a fresh invitation to the Gospel now more than ever. This is a time set apart for harvesting. Though I don’t know much about farming, I do know there is a time for sowing and time for reaping. And if the harvesters don’t collect the fruit during harvest time, it could die off.

Because the revival we’ve been praying for our whole lives is imminently upon us and is already here, there is a need to position ourselves to steward the incoming billion soul harvest well. We can only do this with and in family. We don’t have much more time to prepare our nets before they will be nearly busting at the seams beyond full capacity.

We are in a Kairos moment. 

The Harvest is ripe.

Get your nets ready.

Everyone has an important part to play in this incoming harvest

Some of you had a tough year and need to spend some time in God’s presence and with healthy people allowing Him to heal and restore your soul so that you will be able to pour out from a place of overflow. Also realize that in the act of loving others, your healing will spring forth (Isaiah 58). Others are ready to dive in and will begin reaping the harvest. Still others will be needed to steward and disciple the incoming harvest in family. Some will be able to invest into the harvest at this time. A few great ministries already on the front lines in bringing in the harvest that I know personally, support, and believe in are Heidi & Rolland Ministries, Iris Global, Parker & Jessi Green, and Saturate OC. Ask the Holy Spirit how He wants you to partner with this incoming harvest and then take some risks in this kairos moment and see what God does. You might be surprised by how much He will use your one little act of faith in this unique season.

5 Practical keys to position yourself to steward the incoming harvest

• Remain full of the oil of His presence. Cultivate intimacy with Jesus so you are full of love and immediately willing to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit

• Get connected with a burning tribe of Jesus lovers so that you can stay burning and welcome the incoming harvest into a family. I would love to have you join me and the School of Revival family!

• Write down a list of people of at least 5 people you can begin praying for

• Be intentional to reach out to love, share your testimony with, offer to pray for some on your list

• Reach out to others you know who are already bringing in the harvest, sow into them, serve them, partner with them, learn from them

You are born for such a time as this!

Blessing your new year to be filled with the presence of Jesus in increasing measures, surrounded with a family of burning ones to inspire you toward your destiny, and supernatural faith to step out and fulfill every good work God has destined for you to complete. All for His glory!

---

Join us in our upcoming School of Revival 301 on the theme of The Harvest

For those who want to grow in this area of both reaping, gathering, and stewarding the incoming harvest, join our School of Revival family as we dive deeper into this theme together with activations. Connect with other burning ones from around the world in a small group where you are seen, known, celebrated, and activated to fulfill your God-given destiny from a place of Holy Spirit fire, intimacy with Jesus, and connection with family. Only about 20 spots left. Hope to see you there!

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

This week I had the opportunity to visit the home of Aimee Semple McPherson, a healing evangelist who has pioneered and paved the way for women in ministry. I was like a kid in a candy store when I walked in. So much epic revival history in the same place I was born at. We had a wonderful tour by Jackie who is in her 80s and still as vibrant as ever. So inspiring to see how she partners with the Holy Spirit to welcome people into Aimee’s home. This home in the heart of Los Angeles carries so much peace and glory.

At the end of our tour, we got to play a few worship songs on Aimee’s piano and the presence of God was so thick there. At one point a few dropped to their knees and God ministered beautiful healing and encounter right there in Aimee’s living room. When we walked out of the doors, it literally felt like we walked out of one heavenly glory realm back into the real world. It was such a sharp contrast. I love how God decided to send Aimee all the way over from Canada to dig a deep well in the heart of the City of Angels.

Even though I have studied Aimee’s life and even taught classes on her legacy, this was the first time I made the trip to visit her home. It was also so special to have two passionate Jesus loving friends, Tiffany and Yesenia, join me on this adventure. Here’s some pictures and a little more about Aimee’s legacy below.

“Oh, Lord, I am so hungry for your Holy Spirit. You have told me that in the day when I seek you with my whole heart you will be found by me. Now, Lord, I am going to stay right here until you pour out upon me the promise of the Holy Spirit for whom you commanded me to tarry, if I die of starvation. I am so hungry for Him I can’t wait another day. I will not eat another meal until you baptize me.”

— Aimee Semple McPherson about her 1908 Spirit Baptism encounter

Aimee moved to Los Angeles where she felt called to build a large church with only $5,000 right before the Great Depression. This got finished and fully paid off in cash. She also fed more people than the Red Cross during that time. Aimee became the first woman preacher on the radio. She was also friends with many movie stars who attended her church. She was known for presenting the gospel in a creative way that spoke to the culture of her time. Angelus Temple later released missionaries around the world and birthed the Foursquare movement which is continuing to impact the world for Christ today.

When Canadian born Aimee felt called to plant her roots in California, she tapped into a gold mine of apostolic inheritance deep within this land. So many powerful and radical Holy Spirit movements have since been birthed in this soil. From the Jesus People Movement with Lonnie Frisbee to Calvary Chapel with Chuck Smith to the Vineyard Movement with John Wimber to Iris Global with Heidi & Rolland Baker to Bethel Church with Bill Johnson and so on. And we must not forget what came before all of these in 1906 when a little band of friends hungry to see a move of God in their day who were desperate for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit gathered at a little house in Los Angeles. From that little Holy Ghost prayer meeting led by a one eyed African American man, son of slaves, William J. Seymour, the Azusa Street Revival was born.

I could go on and on about the rich revival history in California but I do want to say that God is doing a new thing in this land of revival for all who have eyes to see and ears to hear. The nations will once again be shaken by the mighty move of God that’s being birthed here in our era. May hunger for more of the Holy Spirit, which was at the foundation of most of these movements, lead us to a place of unyielding courage to run after Jesus with everything inside of us today.

---

*To learn more about Aimee’s legacy, there’s a whole chapter on her life in Bill Johnson’s Defining Moments. And to learn more about the move of God in California at the Azusa Street Revival, see Ignite Azusa below.

Photo by the incredible Annette Biggers (www.acreativechange.com)

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

*this was written in the summer of 2018 when I was en route from Europe to Africa during a severe time of crisis.

This article is dedicated to all of the pioneers on the front lines and those in the persecuted church.

“As long as I am with you my life is the light that pierces the world’s darkness.” - Jesus in John 9:5 (TPT)

If you are reading this right now, it means that you are born for such a time as this. Inside of you, you carry hope and an answer to the world’s problems. God has given each one of us strategies to overcome evil and to bring light into the darkest of places. Each generation is faced with an opportunity to break through and to take more ground for the future. We are called to carry and to be the light of Jesus in the midst of a crooked and depraved generation. We are called to shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life (Philippians 2:14-16).

When storms arise, God’s power also arises. In the face of opposition, we are given the opportunity to be courageous and to act for Christ. We are also being strengthened to steward the greater inheritance we will gain on the other side. The only way through a storm is to face it. Have you ever seen a ship escape crashing waves by trying to avoid them or go parallel to them? The only way to save our lives and to advance against the evil coming against us is to turn our ship head on and go straight through the pounding waves to the other side. We step through fear by clinging to our Father in Heaven, wholeheartedly trusting in Him to lead us through. Receive this promise from God in Isaiah 43:1-2 where He says,

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
  When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.

5 Keys to help dismantle the forces coming against us and to release God’s power

I am in no way saying that I have the answers to the problems are world is facing right now or that if you use these keys your life will be protected. It is important that we remain one with Christ, connected to the Body of Christ, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. He will lead us differently each time so it is imperative to always stay close to Him. With that said, I want to share a few weapons we have access to that can help dismantle the strongholds coming against our generation when the time arises.

In Christ Jesus and under His authority…

1. Love has the power to dismantle hatred and to reveal the nature of Jesus

Love is a weapon of warfare that can dismantle the stronghold of hatred. Because of the intensity of hatred arising in our day, our love must increase and become fiercer. Above all, we must recognize who the real enemy is. Our battle is never against flesh and blood or each other but rather against principalities and powers in which we have full authority and victory over in Christ (Ephesians 6). The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy but Jesus has come to give us abundant life (John 10:10). The weapons of our warfare are not like the worlds. We must take dominion and confront the spirits coming against us by choosing to love people fiercely and realize the hatred aimed toward us is the enemy trying to silence us. By the power of the Holy Spirit alone, we must choose love in the midst of hatred. Love has the power to cover a multitude of sins and melt even the hardest of hearts. The more extreme the hatred, the more extreme our love must be to overshadow it. We must rebuke the enemy and instead bless those who curse us and pray for them (Matthew 5:43-45). When we recognize what battle we are truly in, having the correct perspective, and step out to love, it changes everything. We must be possessed by the Holy Spirit to have the power to love in the face of hatred.

2. Focus has the power to dismantle distraction and to release destiny

Focus is necessary for us to step into and fulfill our God-given destinies. Distraction is prevalent in our day and is a tactic the enemy uses to try to get us isolated from each other because he knows that unity in Christ is an unstoppable force to be reckoned with (Psalm 133). In Psalm 27:3-4 (NIV), King David says that

Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

 One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.

While many of us thankfully do not have to face an army head on, we do face an army of opposing thoughts and distractions that compete for first place in our thoughts. The one thing David sought was to behold the beauty of the Lord. What is our one thing in a world of options? A personal revolution will take place when everything else is stripped away and we wholeheartedly give Jesus first place again in our lives and thoughts. Focusing on Jesus dismantles the spirit of distraction and confusion and leads us into a place of intimacy and peace in Jesus like never before. Practicing being silence with God and waiting upon Him (Psalm 46) can help invite the fire of God’s presence to refine us.

3. Worship has the power to dismantle oppression and to shift the atmosphere

Worship in the midst of a storm dismantles oppression and may even ignite the next Great Awakening. In the story of the Moravians worshiping on a ship in the midst of a storm, John Wesley observed their strength in God and was marked. Influenced by his new friends, he later went on to lead the Great Awakening and start the Methodist Movement. It is crucial to worship God in every circumstance. Fixing our affection on Jesus lifts off heavy burdens and keeps us connected to the all-powerful God who is Lord over all. Our worship should not change depending on our circumstances because God never changes.

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat was facing the greatest army ever known in his generation so he called his people to praise God for His holiness and give thanks. In this situation, while the people offered praise and thanksgiving, behind the scenes, God was at work to dismantle their enemies. In the midst of the greatest battles of our lives, is our first response to seek the Lord and pour out an offering of worship and praise? Worship is one of the most powerful weapons of warfare I have personally experienced. It helps us keep our focus on The One Thing rather than letting fear and anxiety consume us. It also clears the evil around and even creates a well for generations to come to step into the momentum of Heaven in that place. Most importantly, it knits our hearts together with our loving Father.

4. Intercession has the power to dismantle terror and to save lives

Intercession, or focused prayer, has the power to dismantle terror and every stronghold that comes against us. For those who feel called to remove barriers and pave the way for future generations to walk in great freedom and peace, I want to encourage you to study the life of Rees Howells (1879-1950). I believe his life holds keys we need for today in dismantling the evil coming against us. He was a revivalist from Wales who raised up an army of intercessors to lay down their lives on the altar of intercession and cover those on the front lines in prayer. They have marked results of rerouting Hitler’s attacks through their prophetic intercession.

Intercession is huge. If you know any missionaries or others who are giving their lives for the sake of the Gospel in dangerous places, your prayers make such a massive difference and can even be the difference between life and death (Acts 12). Whether you are on the front lines or in a comfortable home, your prayers can literally shift the direction our world takes. It is our responsibility to cover and support our family in Christ who are planted in the darkest places (Hebrews 13:1-3). May the spirit of intercession fall upon us all so that we can more vigilantly stand in prayer with our brothers and sisters afar.

5. Courage has the power to dismantle fear and to advance God’s Kingdom

Courage to step out in faith regardless of what opposition may come dismantles the spirit of fear and advances the Kingdom of God all around us. It’s in those times when everything seems to come against us that God is preparing us to break through into a new level of authority, power, strength, and dominion. Like an eagle, allow the resistance you are facing to let you soar even higher above the storm. This is the time to spread out your wings more than ever before. When fear creeps it’s way at your door, ask the Lord what is really going on and what greater breakthroughs He’s about to lead you into. It’s likely that one small act of courage and following your heart regardless of the opposition can set things in motion to have ripple effects for generations to come.

In the midst of the poverty spirit coming against her generation during the Great Depression, that was precisely the time when Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944) remained obedient to the leading of the Spirit to step out in faith and build one of the largest churches in California. With only a small amount of money to begin with, by the end of the construction, she was able to pay for the whole building in cash. Whenever something is coming against us, we must move in the opposite spirit and continue on following the leading of the Holy Spirit even if it doesn’t make any sense. Our circumstances should never dictate whether or not we remain obedient to follow the voice of God.

Blessing

These keys just scratch the surface and are not to be an exhaustive list. My goal is not to be enemy-focused but rather to equip the Body of Christ to both stand and take more ground for the Kingdom of God no matter what we’re faced with. In Christ, we have authority to face and win any battle the Lord leads us into. May you be stirred to be fiercer in your love, more focused on the face of Jesus, burdened with intercession for those who are on the front lines, and courageous like never before. Keeping your eyes on Jesus always, may you continue to move forward toward all that God has for you no matter what comes against you.

Remember that it’s just after the darkest time in the night that the dawn breaks through. Blessing you with courage to remain standing no matter what you are facing today and to endure until the end. Receive a fresh baptism of fire today. He is worthy of it all. I close with a prayer taken from my latest book Walking on Water:

"I pray that your focus never leaves the face of Jesus. I bless you with a fierce determination to take hold of Him no matter what the cost. May you be marked His presence all the days of your life. May you be ruined for anything less than His satisfying love. I bless you with a life that cannot function or exist without His presence. I pray that you are undone by the one thing and that Psalm 27 becomes a new anthem in your life. I pray that you would burn with a fiery passion and fall deeper in love with Jesus each day. May you receive a fresh impartation of hunger for God. May the Holy Spirit continue to come in even greater power for His name's sake. I bless you with a mighty baptism of love and of the fire of God. May you be utterly swept away in the tender love of Jesus until you are willing to go anywhere and do anything to be closer to Him still."

* See a recent blog post entitled How Revivalists Approached Epidemics and podcast that goes with it entitled Hope in the Midst of the Corona Virus.

**See Walking on Water: Experiencing a Life of Miracles, Courageous Faith, and Union with God and Defining Moments (by Bill Johnson) to get more equipped and to dive deeper into these themes…