Restoration Has Begun
The Holy Spirit has been highlighting a particular name to me everywhere in recent months…it is the name Esther. As we crossed over into the new Hebraic year, I felt a supernatural shift in the spirit, and asked the Lord to reveal to me, on a deeper level, what it is He is speaking and doing right now pertaining to the anointing of Esther. I heard Him say, “This shift was a handover of authority – from Vashti to Esther.” He then led me to study the book of Esther once again, and the fresh revelations I discovered amazed me.
You’re likely familiar with the story, but I want to highlight various points throughout this incredible account in history to show you how they point prophetically to the times we are living in now, and what it means for us in this unique season.
The Watchmen Will Usher in the Decree
Queen Vashti refused to come before King Ahasuerus (Xerxes), and in doing so, she was dethroned. Her crown was taken from her and she was expelled from the kingdom. The following verse stood out to me as King Ahasuerus decided what to do following her insubordination. “The king consulted the wise men who understood the times, for it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice” (Esther 1:13).
Memucan, one of the king’s seven advisors, suggested this, “If it meets the king’s approval, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media, so that it cannot be revoked: Vashti is not to enter King Ahasuerus’ presence, and her royal position is to be given to another woman who is more worthy than she” (Esther 1:19).
It stands out to me that the king sought the counsel of wise men who were experts in law and justice and who also “understood the times.” These wise men, I believe, point to God’s watchmen and women right now, who are as the sons of Issachar – men and women who are in tune with the Holy Spirit and His times. They see beyond the current wars and chaos and are calling forth a new time of godly law and justice. They have been given a heavenly authority to usher in a new crown/mantle that will rest upon the Bride of Christ. This new mantle, I believe, is the mantle of Queen Esther, but we’ll get to that more in a moment.
God’s Decree Over a Land of Division
I find it interesting that one of the provinces is called Media. Though it was referring to a physical province then, I believe it now points to a current province of airwaves filled with strife – the “Main-Stream Media” or MSM for short.
We have been living in a land of division where the enemy’s attempts have been to split and divide, particularly over the nation of America – which affects the nations of the world. However, I believe this is where God’s divine judgment will rule over the strife that has been running rampant in this hour, and His perfect law and righteous justice will be issued as a decree. This decree will issue across these two “lands” representing division and strife, and it will usher in a chain reaction of events, resulting in the crowning of a “new Queen.”
I believe God is ushering in a declaration spoken by His watchmen of the hour. Their decrees are being released into the atmosphere and decrowning and dethroning the demonic narratives filling our airwaves.
Like a hot knife through butter, the watchman’s decrees are ushering in a new narrative, one that declares righteous justice in place of chaos. These declarations will even be decreed over the MSM airwaves – whether the media recognizes what they are saying or not. A new time of divine justice and God’s perfect law are upon us. (Photo via Pxhere)
The Mantle and Anointing of Esther Will Rest Upon the Body
As this issue goes forth, the mantle and anointing of Esther will rest upon the Body of Christ. While I believe this anointing of Esther will crown the entire Body, I also believe we will see it rest in power upon individuals surrendered entirely to their King – both men and women.
Kim Clement released a prophetic word in 2011 about Esther and I was reminded of this recently. I believe the woman he is speaking of is an anointing that will rest upon an individual, but I strongly believe this prophetic word is also pointing to the Body of Christ as a whole – for she has been hated, but she will pour out the oil of healing upon parties, both to Left and Right. Kim declared, “Her eyes shall be so beautiful…” and I wholeheartedly believe this is speaking of the Bride whose eyes are upon Jesus. (To listen to Kim Clement’s prophetic word click here and listen at the 6:40 mark.)
There has been much division within the Bride of Christ, but God is redeeming and restoring her in this hour of shaking and refining, and she will come out with eyes blazing like fire, gazing upon her Beloved.
The Handover from Vashti to Esther
The new Hebraic year of 5781 began with the death of a highly renowned Supreme Court Justice. While I do not celebrate her death in any capacity, I want to highlight how the timing of her death was prophetically significant. She died on the very first night of 5781, just hours into the new Hebraic year. I believe she was a picture of Vashti, and I want to show you why.
The name she was known by, Ruth, means “vision of beauty,” and Vashti’s name means “beautiful woman.” (Ruth’s first name was actually Joan, which means, “Yahweh is merciful.” I believe that meaning points to this handover. God is showing mercy to the nation of America.) In this instance, I believe it points to an earthly vision of beauty that is celebrated by the world. This kind of “beauty” is intoxicating in a negative way. Her worldly values of “beauty” caused a kind of drunkenness, or inability to see clearly. Likewise, in many ways, this Supreme Court Judge’s actions have been perceived by the world as “beautiful,” yet many of her actions caused an intoxication of an entire generation – particularly pertaining to the issue of life within the womb.
However, the Persian name “Esther” means “star.” Esther’s name was previously a Hebrew name, “Hadassah,” meaning “myrtle tree.”
I want to focus briefly on this tree. The myrtle is a fragrant and beautiful evergreen tree with rich, green, polished leaves. The myrtle is said to emit one of the most beautiful fragrances of all trees, which is significant to note when we consider the name definition of Vashti, meaning “beautiful woman.” The myrtle significantly points to a higher beauty, one that exceeds any other. Interestingly, it is also one of the plants that the Jews adorn their booths with for the Feast of Tabernacles.
Both “star” and “myrtle” are pointing to Jesus – the bright and shining light of the Son, and “the Man among the myrtle trees” (Zechariah 1:10). Which brings me to my next point.
The Hebraic Year of 5781
The Holy Spirit led me to focus on Psalm 81 for this new Hebraic year. This Psalm was written for the Feast of Tabernacles. (Remember, the myrtle tree is used to adorn Jewish booths for the Feast of Tabernacles.) It is an amazing Psalm that is an instruction of both praise and obedience, celebration and warning. Just like in the book of Esther, when Mordecai prompted his niece, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish…” (Esther 4:14), there is a warning in this Psalm for us to not be silent. These particular verses stand out to me for right now:
“You called out to Me in your time of trouble and I rescued you. I came down from the realm of the secret place of thunder, where mysteries hide. I came down to save you. I tested your hearts at the place where there was no water to drink, the place of your bitter argument with Me [the Waters of Meribah].” (Psalm 81:7 TPT, emphasis added) (Photo via Pixabay)
I don’t know about anybody else, but this past year has certainly felt like a time of testing. And here we find another connection to the land of Media and Persia (representing discord and strife) – Meribah. Meribah actually means “strife.” While it has been a time of contention and strife, God has come into the midst of this strife to rescue.
Some of you may remember a word I wrote over the year 5780 – The Year of Rescue and Restore. I believe we have started to see the beginnings of that word, where a revealing of hidden evils has begun to take place. The Lion has been roaring to rescue and restore His children. God has pulled back the veil on underlying injustices that have been long ignored or tolerated; racism and sex-trafficking and more are being brought to the light in this year of awakening and restoration. The Lion has been roaring, and indeed, He continues to roar on His mission of “rescue and restore.” I believe that mission is being amplified even more in this hour with the mantle of Esther. God is anointing His Bride to help carry out His mission.
The Spirit of Haman Will Be Destroyed
You are likely familiar with the antagonist in the story of Esther, Haman. A quick study into his name is further enlightening to our present times. Haman was the son of Hammedatha the Agagite. Hammedatha means “he that troubles the law,” and Haman means “to rage,” “be turbulent,” and “tumult” – which means “a loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people.”
It’s easy to recognize that these terms very clearly describe the roof of our society. It is the spirit of Haman that has been unleashed across the land, and the antidote for Haman is the anointing of Esther (which points to Jesus.)
I want to also highlight Haman’s wife, Zeresh. She was behind the scenes plotting with him against Mordecai and encouraging Haman in his schemes. Her name means “star of adoration” or “gold.” This speaks of a “golden calf” of sorts…an idolization and worship of noise, lawlessness and violence. Isn’t it amazing that God released another “star” (Esther) that would represent His heart to overcome their schemes? Esther was a prophetic light, a foreshadow of Christ. The anointing of Esther, likewise, is a bright and shining light that does not worship false idols, but worships the One and only true King, Jesus. The illuminating light of this anointing destroys chaos as it shines and points all men to Him.
“S-O-R-O-S”
In the year of 2015, I had a vivid and unusual dream that I have not felt to share publicly until now. I dreamt I was reading from Esther 7:10 where it says, “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided.” As I read those words, the name Haman suddenly began to glow and transform into another word. It reminded me of something out of a movie where an explorer has discovered a secret code or hidden word in their quest to find a missing treasure. The name Haman transformed into the word “S-o-r-o-s.”
When I woke up out of that dream, I was so confused. I remember laying on my pillow asking the Holy Spirit, “What is a ‘S-o-r-o-s’?” (You have to remember, I’m from Australia and up until that point, I had very little interest in investing any of my time in American politics, let alone world leaders.) I had no idea what this word was, or who it represented. As I researched the name, my eyes were opened.
I want to make something clear, I am in no way suggesting that this dream that God gave me was saying that He wanted the death of this man Soros, however, I believe it was the Holy Spirit igniting my passion to not only pray for his salvation, but to also specifically pray for the exposure and annihilation of his wicked plans. (Photo via Pixabay)
The word “soros” in Hebrew means “a coffin; an urn or receptacle for keeping the bones of the dead.” I feel that this prophetically points to the spirit of Haman that is upon the nation of America in particular, and I do believe it is resting upon this man, but I don’t believe it’s resting upon him alone. His name represents the fruit of the spirit of Haman – division and death – but I also perceive it is a spirit that is stirring many across the United States to partner with its strife and division. It has become an idol – just as the name of the wife of Haman suggests…and it’s time this idol is torn down. We must arise and face it, and come before the King in His courts asking for mercy over this nation. As we do, I believe this spirit will be abated and restoration and redemption will come (2 Chronicles 7:14).
We have been looking to the left and to the right for blame…it’s time we looked to the real enemy (the spirit – not the man) and decree the healing balm of Gilead to restore the United States.
Three Spiritual Tools for the Body of Christ
I want to conclude this word by giving you an arsenal of tools found in the book of Esther.
1. Esther united the Jews across the land to PRAY and FAST.
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)
I believe God is calling upon the Body of the Christ for a time of consecration over the next three months. I encourage you to follow and join Lou Engle’s calls to prayer.
2. She went before the King.
This is not something we can do in our own strength, we need the strength of King Jesus to win this battle. I encourage you, come into His courts daily on behalf of the United States and lay your requests before Him.
I love how the king responded to Esther by extending his scepter to her. The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” (see Psalm 110:2).
3. She laid a feast.
I could never understand the significance of the feast that Esther laid until recently. Feasting in Bible times was a time of celebration. Esther was laying a celebration BEFORE the rescue. I believe the Lord is calling on His people to shake off their garments of mourning and FEAST upon Him right now. Celebrate BEFORE the victory.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5)
We have indeed, I believe, crossed into a time where the anointing of Esther will rest upon you and me, the Body of Christ, as we arise to the call of the hour; to respond to our King and speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. This is an hour of divine justice and righteous rule.
Christy Johnston
Everyday Revivalists
Email: click here
Website: www.nateandchristy.co
Christy Johnston was born and raised in Australia. After living the majority of her life plagued with insecurity and fear, she came to learn the power of her identity in Christ. She now lives with the mandate to breathe fresh hope and life into God’s sons and daughters through her passion of writing, uncovering the truths of living in grace and freedom through our identity in Christ. Nate and Christy have two daughters, Charlotte and Sophie, and currently live on the Gold Coast in Australia. She is the author: “Releasing Prophetic Solutions: Praying Heaven’s Promises Over Your Home, Family, and Nation.” Click here for the Book and here for the E-book.
Source: https://elijahlist.com