Contemporary apostles do not write/speak with canonical authority, meaning, they do not add new dogmas or truths to the completed Scripture, explicitly or implicitly (Rev 22:18,19). They do not have absolute theocratic authority, meaning, they do not commandeer or domineer those under their care (1Pet 5:3). They are not foundations of the universal church, since this was reserved for the twelve apostles of the Lamb written on the twelve foundations of Zion (Rev 21:14); they are, however, the foundation of whatever work they pioneer (Ro 15:20). They do not have interpersonal authority over the personal choices of Christians (Ro 14:5,22, 1Co 7:6,7,35). Beware the wannabes drunk on power! Remember Revelation 2:2 and 6--false apostles are Nicolaitians, seeking to conquer, control, and command the people. Besides the aforementioned, contemporary apostles are functionally identical to the original apostles in seven ways. They...
...are leaders of leaders (Paul-Timothy, Paul-Titus, Peter-John Mark, Barnabas- John Mark, John-Polycarp; Ac 14:23, 2Ti 2:2, Tit 1:5). ...are church developers, whether planting and establishing new churches (Ac 8:14, 11:22, Ro 15:20), or doctoring and maturing existing churches (2Co 11:28, 1Pet 1:1). ...are ministerial pioneers, innovating projects that supply what is lacking in a church, ministry, territory, or system (1Th 3:10, Ro 1:11, Ro 15:20,21). ...are capable mobilizers, skilled at organizing and inspiring groups of people to fulfill ministerial initiatives and necessities (Ac 6:1-6). ...are translocal networkers, connecting and unifying churches, ministries, and leaders that would otherwise remain fragmented (Ac 11:29,30, Ro 15:25-28, 1Co 16:1-4). ...are supernatural dispensers, ministering with remarkable power to accomplish their groundbreaking initiatives (Ro 15:19,20, 2Co 12:12). ...are good sufferers, possessing a special grace to sustain unusual suffering to accomplish their apostolic goals (Ac 8:1, 1Co 4:9-13, 2Co 1:8-10, 7:5, 11:23-33).
(1) AUSTRALIA IS AN APOSTOLIC NATION
Australia is an apostolic nation, she will be prominent in the manufacture and distribution of apostles. The seeds of apostleship are many, yet dormant, all over the country inside multitudes of Australian Christians. But these seeds will germinate. A major apostolic arousal is coming over the next few years, disposing her to fully express her identity as an apostolic nation.
Obviously, there is an apostolic workforce presently operational. However, the good news is, there is a more massive apostolic army still sleeping, soon to awaken, still seminal, soon to germinate, still hidden, soon to be made known, still raw material, soon to be assembled.
She will be an apostolic airport. Concerning this the Spirit said, "I am sending you apostles, and I am sending apostles from you." The nation will see an enormous amount of apostolic arrivals and departures. The departures will be primarily to Asia and Africa, where awesome apostolic exploits will be done. Many Australian apostles will find their God-greatness and inheritance in these two continents.
She will be an apostolic factory. A factory is a place where goods are manufactured on a large scale. From the raw materials of their personal life, Australia will manufacture some of the most potent last-day apostles. She will gather, mature, educate, train, resource, and distribute them.
She will be an apostolic model. Australian apostolic ministry will ascend a high mountain, the global church to see. The older will serve the younger, the Spirit said. The U.S. and other long-established nations will learn from her.
She will have apostolic results. Bona fide apostolic ministry produces exceptional results: lives are drastically changed, groups are spiritually mobilized, climates are totally reversed, new frontiers are secured, the kingdom clearly prevails, and all this fairly speedily. From germination to maturation, Australian apostleship will see intensifying apostolic results. In the area of church development, church after church will effervesce like bubbles surfacing in water. For many, it will seem easy to plant/develop churches.
She will have apostolic authority. Not canonical authority (adding to the completed Scripture, explicitly or implicitly), not absolute theocratic authority (commandeering those under their care), and not interpersonal authority (dictating the personal choices of others).
Authentic apostolic authority is super-relational (1Th 2:6-12, 2Co 1:24, 7:2-4), not patronistic or lordly. It is validated by the seven marks of an apostle (above), by apostolic results, by the persuasion of the Spirit deep in the hearts of those called to be under his oversight, and by his obvious power in the spiritual realm. In the next few years, Australian apostleship will experience a surge of this genuine authority. The Lord will be walking back and forth all throughout the land, reordering everywhere He goes through genuine apostles carrying genuine authority.
(2) AUSTRALIA WILL BE A GLOBAL SAFE HAVEN
Australia--certain parts--will be a refuge and safe haven for many people fleeing from domestic or international crises. Many will embrace the guidance of the Spirit leading them to move there or stay there a while or plan a prolonged vacation--to be protected and even blessed. Certain cities, towns, villages, and neighborhoods will be blessed in wonderful ways as God's canopy covers them for a season in favor of His incoming people.
(3) AUSTRALIA, CHINA, GOD
Australia's relationship with China will become increasingly paradoxical, mirroring a codependent human relationship. Publicly, China will obviously be the stronger and "independent" party, especially as she continues to swell economically and militaristically. Less noticeably though, she will come to desperately need Australia. Why?
According to the Australian Embassy in Beijing, Australia is currently China's 9th largest trading partner. In days to come, however, she will fly as high as China's 4th or 3rd largest partner. This is because God's hand will descend on Australia's exporting industry to China, greatly augmenting her economic relevance and consequence. In fact, God has already begun blessing--Australian service exports to China have grown an average of 20% annually in the last five years. Moreover, to sustain its economic growth, China needs and will need increasing access to Australian materials, services, and technologies. God will continue blessing Asia-relevant sectors of Australia, tricking China into His regional plan.
And what is that plan? To maximize Chinese dependence on Australia, and therefore, make her less protestant to Australian Christian influences, specifically apostles and evangelists. Australian Christians will have unique ministry opportunities and fruitfulness in China, opportunities closed off entirely to Christians from other nations. Many windows, doors, and gates will crack open for Australian saints called to China.
More Christians In China Than People In Australia
God has many more ways to skin a cat than what a cat has lives.
But right now I believe there are more Christians in China than what there are people living in Australia.
I think God uses whateve river he can. What I find strange is how people are always going elsewhere to save others rather than those who live next door.
There are reasons for this, like a prophet being without honor in his own home. But, then, it is my observation that Christians are always being watched by others if their lives are in line with what God says they should be, and these ones have a habit of winning their next door neighbors to Christ.
Maybe it is easier for Caucasians to win Orientals to Christ than orientals to win orientals, but in many parts of the world it is more difficult for caucasians to win people to Christ because of the arrogant attitudes that are associated with previous dealings with people from the first world.
Having said this, I know of one person who has been divorced, had an affair with another woman as a missionary in a south american country, suffered psychiatric illness, and commands no respect among Christian leaders where he lives and is known, but then went to China and saw 200 people give their lives to Christ as a result of his preaching efforts. He then got married to a Chinese girl.
From a logical view, it would make sense to head to populous nations to find converts for Christ. However, as Paul stated, it would be disastrous to do so many things in the name of Christ and see people get saved only to miss out oneself.
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