THIS NEW SEASON

  A 'Season' that Transcends Seasons!

  info@dougfortune.org

  Doug Fortune

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed..." (Amos 9:13)

I recently read an excellent article by Wade Taylor about the Church moving into a new season. I just can't get that phrase, 'new season' out of my spirit... it keeps coming up again and again. So, what IS this 'new season', what IS the significance?

"To every thing there is a season..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Most of us who are now sporting quite a bit of grey hair (that is, if we are fortunate enough to still have hair), remember a secular song in the 1960's that centered around that verse in the Bible. Some of us won't admit that we remember it, because we are getting used to spending time in that large river in Egypt known as "De Nile"... or is it spelled 'denial'? (Sorry, that's my attempt at humor!) At any rate, it went something like this, 'To everything, turn turn turn, There is a season, turn turn turn...' and that's about all of it I can remember.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted... I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 10) Seasons speak of time and measurement, and they also speak of definition. Seasons not only are indicative of measuring time, they also seem to define what happens during a specific time frame. We expect certain things during certain seasons. Where I live in the South in the USA, the Spring season means lots of rain. I used to live in Kansas in the USA and the Spring season meant storms and severe weather. Seasons bring expectations of certain circumstances and consequent behaviors. There is a season to sow and a season to harvest. Seasons are not bad, but they do bring expectations and possible limitations.

As a spiritual example, I have been teaching on the Feasts (seasons) of the Lord for over 25 years now. I say that not to try and impress anyone, nor to give away my advancing age (remember, I am in "De Nile"), I am simply setting a frame of reference for what I am about to say. These Feasts (seasons) of the Lord are shadows of present truth spiritual realities; "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." (Colossians 2:16-17) Yes, they are a shadow, but the 'body' or the present truth reality, the true substance finds fulfillment in Christ. I personally believe that it is important for the believer to have an understanding of the principles underlying the Feasts (seasons) of the Lord, in order to understand Father's present purpose and plan. It is in the application of these principles with regards to the calendar year that we must be careful not to allow our expectations to cause limitations. In other words, 1.) these 'seasons' are merely a shadow, 2.) the true substance is in Christ, and 3.) Christ is totally outside and beyond our time/ space limitations! We cannot allow a perceived 'season' to limit us. Sure, I enjoy celebrating the Feasts of the Lord. If you look at my ministry itinerary each year, you will see that I am usually involved somewhere for Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles... Yet with the understanding that Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles find fulfillment in the Person of Christ!

In the natural sense, seasons are also specific to geographic location in relation to the sun. I remember the first time I traveled to minister in New Zealand, I had an intellectual concept of the difference in season but it was still a bit of a shock when I stepped off the plane! Perhaps in the spiritual sense, 'seasons' are also specific to our location in relation to the Son?

What if we were to experience a truly NEW season that transcended seasons? "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed..." (Amos 9:13) What if we were to lay down all expectations and limitations and fully embrace a season that transcended seasons? Amos has declared that the days are coming... I believe that those days are here NOW!

As I look at much of what seems to be getting attention (and for good reason) in the church presently, I'll admit that it is somewhat 'de ja vue' of what has happened in past 'seasons' with revivals and healing ministries for many years. Examples are the ministries of A. A. Allen, William Branham, Kathryn Kuhlman, John Wimber, Benny Hinn... so, what we are seeing is not necessarily a new paradigm. But, THAT IS OK! I am thankful for what God is doing no matter what paradigm it is manifesting through!

Rather than thinking less of something that doesn't necessarily fit our concept of what 'season' we think the church should be in now, we need to understand that we are in a NEW season that transcends seasons! According to what Amos has declared, we can expect plowing, reaping, treading, and sowing all SIMULTANEOUSLY! Everyone is not in the same exact phase.

I'm not sure I can articulate this very well, but I believe that there is such an incredible spiritual increase, stirring, explosion, awakening (whatever term you can relate to) that has been happening for months now, and it is manifesting in different paradigms and ways according to 'where people are at' spiritually. I say EMBRACE this spiritual increase, this NEW season that transcends seasons, and let your 'season' manifest specific to your location in relation to the Son! If one's spiritual experience is acclimated more toward the Passover/ Evangelical realm, then by all means, experience your 'season' to the full extent but do not allow expectations to cause limitations! If one's spiritual experience is acclimated more toward the Pentecost/ Charismatic realm, then by all means, experience your 'season' to the full extent but do not allow expectations to cause limitations! If one's spiritual experience is acclimated more toward the Tabernacles/ Third Day realm, then by all means, experience your 'season' to the full extent but do not allow expectations to cause limitations!

Don't be surprised if you see Tabernacles/ Third Day people become more evangelistic or operate in the spiritual gifts more. Don't be surprised if you see Passover/ Evangelicals embracing Third Day Revelation and exercising spiritual gifts. Do you get the idea? Your 'season' will look differently than another's 'season'. Don't try to imitate another's 'season'. Cast off the expectations and limitations and run fully into your 'season', understanding that the true substance is in Christ, and Christ is totally outside and beyond our time/ space limitations! Embrace this NEW 'season' that transcends seasons!