"I WANT YOU TO BE WITH ME!"

11/27/2024

Dear Friends,

As I prepared to mentor a group of prophetic believers last week, I asked the Lord what His greatest desire was for them. In response, He said, “I want them to be WITH ME where I am.” (John 17:24)

I sensed a deep longing in the Lord’s heart for His people - especially His prophets - to ABIDE in the hidden place where He lives, which is high above earthly chaos; far above palaces, politics, and powers.

AN EAGLE IN THE THRONE ROOM

A few days prior, the Lord had taken me into a throne-room encounter, showing me the four living creatures with eyes all around (Revelation 4:7). He had asked me to focus on the fourth creature: the eagle, which symbolizes the prophetic nature of Christ.

While multiple aspects of the eagle are important for believers, the key feature highlighted to me during this encounter was the eagle's eyes.

THE COMPANY OF EAGLES

The Lord emphasized that long-range vision is critical for His Body right now, especially for prophets and watchmen. As chaos increases around the world, spiritual “eagles” must remain with the Lord constantly in a posture of throne-room worship, the only sure place of vision and insight for the days ahead.

Eagles’ eyes are known to lighten as they mature, turning from a dark brown to light yellow. This is a natural illustration of a spiritual principle found in Psalm 119:130: eyes full of light will bring messages of truth and healing to the entire Body. (Mt. 6:22/Is 40/Ps 103)

Not only this, but the Lord then took me to the summit of a very high mountain in the Spirit, where it seemed I could see the top of every mountain on earth.

From the Lord’s perspective, every nation is visible and immediately accessible. Nothing is hidden.

Using a natural analogy once again, the Lord showed me that Israel’s highest point, the 9200-foot summit of Mount Hermon, has a military outpost known as the “eyes of the nation.” From this perch, Israel’s army watches and reports enemy movements on the borders of Syria, Lebanon, and the Golan Heights.

Prophetic “eagles” are able to watch, pray, and decree from the summit of the Mountain of the Lord, which is higher than every other mountain (Isaiah 2:2).

I watched in this encounter as eagles of all kinds (prophets to the nations, “7 mountains” prophets, and prophets in various spheres of influence) flew up, down, and around their mountains, noticing key meetings that took place out in the open as well as those in hidden caves.

The eagles’ ability to soar made them God’s “early warning system” for the Body of Christ. When necessary, their shrill cries warned others of enemies or danger ahead. The eagles’ sharp eyes discerned wicked schemes that could then be uncovered and broken apart like prey.

Filled with throne-room visions, eagle prophets are released to serve and impact various spheres of influence on every mountain. They expect their gifts to make room for them among even the leaders of the world (Proverbs 18:16).

Like Daniel, Jeremiah, and Paul, eagle prophets bring trusted, non-partisan counsel that exalts Christ’s Kingdom alone. They champion no association but their association with Jesus (see Joshua 5:13-14).

They speak the truth in love even to perceived enemies, bringing salvation and powerful change for the better (Acts 9:15; 1 Samuel 16). They know that without love, their greatest gifts of discernment mean nothing.

Yet above all, eagles know that their true “sphere of influence” is with the Lord Himself. They soar at the Lord’s command (Job 39:26). Their ministries are from Him, through Him, and to Him.

POWER THROUGH HUMILITY

The year 2024 has been linked prophetically to Psalm 24, a psalm of ascent. Within the psalm is a caution: to soar or “summit” in the Spirit will always require that believers submit to purification, humbling themselves and leaving the flesh at “base camp.”

Spiritual flight begins counter-intuitively in places of stillness, rest, and subjection to the will of Christ (Isaiah 40:31). Strength is renewed by waiting in the Lord’s Presence. (Psalm 103:5.)

Many “eagles” have been through a time of intense purification which has brought either godly humility or great humiliation. I believe the Lord wants to encourage those who have submitted to this fiery process and allowed God to build humility within.

Although it feels like you are being deeply crushed, your humble response causes you, imperceptibly, to ascend to higher ground in the Spirit. As you stretch your wings, you will feel a new level of protection. You will catch the fresh winds of the Spirit and soar once again.

DAVID AND ITTAI

The Lord highlighted a prophetic picture in 2 Samuel 15 which embodies many peoples’ experiences in this hour. Through this passage, Jesus reiterated the need for vision, faithfulness, and humility in times of accusation, betrayal, or what seems like the death of a dream.

Although David had finally become king of Israel, his son Absalom usurped the kingdom temporarily through treason.

David left Jerusalem barefoot, weeping and mourning. He was falsely accused yet preserved his integrity. Why? He held a long-range vision in his heart. Trusting in God’s sovereign plan, David conceded Jerusalem to his enemy in order to avoid a bloody battle in God’s city.

Family, friends, and even his most trusted counselor, Ahithophel, turned against David.

2 Samuel 16:23 reveals that the counsel of Ahithophel was respected in those days "like that of one who inquires of God." To have such a wise and prophetic counselor betray an anointed king was second only to a son's betrayal!

David was also cursed by Shimei as he crossed the river Kidron and went up the Mount of Olives; a journey Jesus would retrace hundreds of years later during His own betrayal and crucifixion. By this time, only ten women remained at David’s palace.

Yet an old “battle buddy” from David’s Philistine days, a foreigner named Ittai, remained faithful to David throughout his painful journey. Ittai was from Gath, meaning “the winepress.” Ittai’s name means “with me.”

David urged Ittai to return home; after all, why should a foreigner with no skin in the game remain faithful to a defeated king?

But Ittai answered the king, saying: "As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be."’ (2 Samuel 15:21 NASBS)

Like Ruth to Naomi, Ittai pledges that he will go with the one who carries God’s true anointing and authority wherever he goes, never following an imposter.

It is a poignant moment in scripture meant to remind us of Christ’s sacrifice. Christ is God with us, even in the form of a servant.

When David’s kingdom is later returned to him, he sings:

"Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. They have bowed down and fallen, But we have risen and stood upright." (Psalm 20:6-8 NASBS)

“WILL I FIND FAITH?”

Through present trials and circumstances, the Lord is reminding us of His humble faithfulness. I believe He is encouraging those who carry the authentic anointing of His Spirit but are enduring difficult trials.

Yet I hear a question in the Lord’s heart as well: will His "eagle company" remain faithful?

Will we say like Ittai, "As the LORD lives, and as my Lord the King lives, surely wherever my Lord the King may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be?"’

To fulfill Christ’s greatest desire, prophetic believers must choose daily to “be with Him where He is.” For it is only in the highest place near His Throne that eagles see His glory.

This was Christ’s prayer and His wonderful reward all along:

“Father, I want those you have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory you have given Me because you loved Me before the creation of the world.” ~ John 17:24 NIV

My prayer for you is that you may have the eyes of an eagle; the integrity and long-range vision of a king; and the heart of a humble servant. May you be the eagle who seeks to ascend higher and higher into the realms of glory Christ reserves especially for you.

~Deborah