The Great Shift: Apostolic Alignment, The Five-fold Church and the Next Move of God’s Glory
God is initiating a profound structural changing of the guard across the earth, shifting the Church away from business-like committees and back to His original kingdom design. By returning to a true foundation of aligned apostles and prophets, the body of Christ will step into greater spiritual authority and impact needed to sustain a powerful move of God's glory.
The Changing of the Guard & the New Apostolic Move
God is rebuilding His church and we will only be a part of the fullness of this move of God if we properly gather in unity with Him to hear His prophetic word and blueprint, receive His warnings and vision of what to do to bring His blessing, peace, and refreshment to the body of Christ as we gather and go froth to bring liberty to the captives. We need to individually and corporately ask for the Jeremiah 6:16 ancient paths and good way, and then walk in it to see justice and liberty and righteousness established.
There is a changing of the guard taking place. The ones who are being given stewardship to lead in the land and the Church are ones who will shine forth in light with integrity, resilience and a strong foundation with God's kingdom structure. These leaders will bear much fruit, be the generals in the faith who walk in purity to bring spiritual blossoming, growth, renewal and fulfillment of prophecy. This is bringing the shift for God's apostolic government with leaders who are after God's own heart to establish hubs and churches and government that will process the raw giftedness of the body of Christ to be fit for good use.
These teams will release more of God's Glory and make His renown greater as they take account of the land and steward what God is giving. The times of Carmel showdowns are here for the Church and the nation to crossover fully as those who have been ducking accountability and living in muddy waters are being exposed in their embarrassing mistakes, and the Lord is releasing His judgment arrows, extinguishing the fiery darts of the enemy, and establishing those who will watch over His purposes to be crowned victoriously to lead in the Glorious Light of God.
God has been confirming His perfect waiting period to see His divine authority and government established has come and we shall see the manifestation of the overthrow of the cities of darkness as God’s covenant people are protected and preserved. God is putting the enemy in a state of confusion before sweeping them away.
So body of Christ I pray you stand firm, are crowned with victory, and earnestly desire the Lord and His will for your lives and nation. God is breaking off false accusations, not only in believers’ lives but in the highest courts of this land. Those called to finish their God given assignments shall be placed in the roles and positions to proclaim the kingdom of God, the Lordship of Jesus Christ with openness, boldness, being unhindered and unrestrained. So take courage and establish the roots of righteousness in this land o America! This will also accelerate an increase of God’s government and righteousness in the nations.
Restoring God's Order: The Five-Fold Government
To really establish the new and see the increase of God’s government though, we the church need to make that shift back to how God establishes His order through His Church. The Church was always designed to be built on the cornerstone of Jesus and the foundation of the apostles and prophets. This is not a hierarchy of value of one gift and office being better than another, but an order of how God establishes His Church and government on Earth. This is not about a title or a specific leader, but the functions and mantles of the apostle and prophet being in proper position in the Church so the rest of the Church can be fitted together properly by Holy Spirit as we become a unified dwelling place for God’s Glory and Presence. When we are in order and function the ways God designed, there is a greater unity in His Presence to hear and see what He is speaking and then have the gifts and spiritual authority to establish His work and plans throughout the earth, where then every other member of the church and its different giftedness do its portion. We all need each other and need to be connected and aligned properly.
This properly aligned government, the fivefold government of God from Ephesians 4:11-15, is here until we all come to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. We need the fullness of the functions of apostles, prophets, evangelist, shepherds, and teachers today in the Church and until we reach this unity of faith and the full stature and measure of Jesus these gifts will continue to be in operation per Scripture. They did not cease, nor did the gifts of the Spirit that are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-26.
Ministry Function: Basic Role Described in the Article (not exhaustive list of roles and giftings or combination of gift sets)
Apostle:
Establishes God’s order, structure, and blueprints, equipping and getting the right gifts and people in place to execute Heaven's vision and proclaim the kingdom of God. When they teach it comes from a lens of equipping and empowering to commission the body to do the works of the kingdom. Have defined spheres and influences, regions, peoples, localities, or nations.
Prophet:
Receives and releases prophetic revelation of the heart, mind, and will of God, calling for the plumbline of God’s Word, understanding the times to live in transition correctly. Not just personal prophecy but corporate heart of God and direction. When they teach it comes from a lens of the prophetic heart of God and how to access and enter into new depths of the revelation they have received. (I am not referring to new revelation of scripture. Scripture is complete.)
Teacher:
Grounds and renews people in revelation from God’s Word, can impart wisdom to mature and equip the Church alongside Apostle and Prophet. When they teach they will go into a deeper exegesis and break down the complex into more simple application.
Shepherd (Pastor):
Ensures the believers are protected believers from the enemy’s schemes and unsound doctrine as well as soul health and needs not to be neglected in the body. They counsel from a place of walking someone through the trenches. Will help identify what needs to be taught to believer based on felt need and connect them to teachers, apostles, and prophets for activation, renewal of mind, freedom and healing etc.
Evangelist:
Proclaims the gospel of salvation and the kingdom, often accompanied by signs, wonders, and miracles and longs to be with the lost and in the harvest and should connect the lost back to the rest of the gifts within the Church to be shepherded, taught, activated, equipped, and sent out on mission
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 also shows God’s order that God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers. We still need to equip saints for the work of ministry and edify the body, which again still means we need apostles and prophets for today. That we people would be trained for spiritual warfare and equipped for every good work God has by Holy Spirit and God’s Word, both trained in the secret place as well as through the different gifts and functions that Jesus and Holy Spirit have given the Church. Jesus carried all of the five-fold functions, and first modeled to the disciples, then taught them, clarified, and equipped and commissioned them on assignment to go to specific places for specific assignments and report back the fruit as well as debrief and help them grow and be sent back on mission to establish the kingdom and multiply.
Now God has dispersed those five-fold gifts within His body. Not everyone carries an office or function of the five fold, some leaders may walk in a combination like we saw Paul do, and the spiritual gifts from Holy Spirit are different than the gifts Jesus gave. Meaning, all have the ability to prophesy by the gift of the spirit, but just because you prophesy does not make you a prophet. And a spiritual gift of leadership, does not make you an apostle. People can be gifted to lead certain ministries or types of service out of a different gift set, but the function of apostle and prophet are foundational to building the Church and leading the Church forward into what God is doing this hour even as all of the five-fold gifts share certain roles of leading God’s people closer to Jesus to be transformed in His likeness and conformed to His image.
However, God is calling all of the church to arise and shine, for her light has come, and to really step into that level of Glory we must mature as sons of God habitually led by Holy Spirit and welcome all of the gift sets and functions of the five-fold.
Discerning the Times with Prophetic Revelation
The tribe of Issachar understood the times and knew what Israel must do; this is a portion of the prophetic mantle that is available today. We must understand them and the times prophetically to live in this transition correctly. God's plans for our churches will mean profound changes to the structure, vision, personality, and effectiveness of our meeting, missions, training, and discipleship. We'll see a radical change in leadership style and methodology as we pioneer this next move of God, again with that proper alignment.
The prophetic revelation God gives prophets in His Church is meant to be aligned with apostles who can establish God’s order and blueprints and get the right gifts and people in place to execute the vision God is releasing from Heaven. The apostle and prophet are to work hand in hand in unity as two foundational gifts even if the order is first apostles and then prophets. Then come teachers after those foundations to further ground and renew people in the revelation that is needed with the wisdom imparted to carry out the revelation God is showing needs to be taught and equipped for the Church to grow in maturity and effectiveness. This is where these three functions will really function in order and power together. When these gift sets function properly in order and unity we will see a greater advancement of the kingdom of God and Heaven established on earth. (This is just a fraction of the understanding how these gift sets can function together. I will look to give more resources at the end of this.)
The Restoration of David’s Tabernacle and Spiritual Warfare
As Holy Spirit is being poured out in greater measure in the Church in these last days and the Glory of God is being made manifest, we will also see a restoration of David’s Tabernacle according to Amos 9:11-15 in the last days. This was a place of worship, presence, and warring both in the spirit and being sent out of assignment to advance the kingdom and remove the enemy from the land. We need to understand God as Lord Sabaoth, the Lord of angel armies these days and know how to war spiritually from a place of rest, seated in heavenly realms with Christ Jesus. In this place of David’s Tabernacle, it is not just a place of soaking in God’s Presence, but hearing and seeing the revelation to go forth with the build His Kingdom and receive the strategies of heaven to advance the kingdom and be sent out commissioned to destroy the works of the devil and see land and people redeemed and restored.
God will reveal strategies in this place prophetically that need to be apostolically stewarded in time and season with the wisdom to secure the harvest in our regions, states, and nations, and for us to know how to wage war with the prophetic promises God reveals so we can endure to see the will of God accomplished. To do this fully again we need all of the gifts functioning in order, and apostolic oversight to help a body steward what is being entrusted not just individually but corporately. This is why it will be key for us as the Church to become apostolically aligned and for us to know our assignments and fields and how we are to co-labor together, connect together, encourage, and sharpen one another, so we build properly as one plants, one waters, and God brings the increase and gets the GLORY!
So ask God where you need to be aligned and with whom, because we the wrong alignments and covenant relationships can corrupt or delay or even try to diminish and thwart a calling and assignment of an individual or a church.
But as we align with the God given people for this season, and meet and tarry in God’s Presence in one heart and mind, God will pour out His Spirit, His revelation, and clothe us in Power and Glory to go forth and be witnesses, revivalists, reformers, and give corporate blueprints and plans to not just disciple individuals but disciple nations! The nations are Jesus’ inheritance so let’s be filled, equipped and sent where God wants, when God wants, and with whom God wants in teams and see more five-fold expressions of His Church established to increase His government on earth, see more people saved, healed, set free, and then discipled to be sent out in their calling’s and assignments to advance God’s kingdom.
So we need no need to know how to sit together in heavenly places and receive our marching orders from Lord Sabaoth. He will give us a Spirit of Understanding to know what is happening in the heavenly realms and unseen realm to join Him and the angelic hosts and any warfare coming against us to know how to overcome the enemy to advance God’s kingdom. As we learn to sit and function this way together with the apostolic and prophetic mantle in the Church in order, evangelists will also be sent equipped and connected properly. This means not only will they see signs wonders and miracles as they proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, but then become of proper alignment and unity, there is a place for these new believers from the harvest to be discipled as they come into connection with the rest of the five-fold gifts of an apostle, prophet, teacher, and shepherd.
Shifting from Committees to Kingdom Structure
We need all of the gifts as one person was never meant to do it all alone. We need to learn how to recognize the gifts in one another and receive each other for whom Christ has designed us to be, what we excel in, and how we are to build together. But the major shift right now back to God’s original design for His Church is that instead of the church relying exclusively on committees and boards, like a business or non-profit, God is raising up apostles throughout the earth to bring the order of God's government and for the Church to be properly aligned and connected.
This will be alongside elders being raised up to shepherd, and some may teach, and even overseers of larger networks of churches are established again with apostles and prophets advancing the new works and foundations within the Church and into unreached regions so that the gospel not only will be preached to the ends of the earth but God’s kingdom established as the Church foundations are laid and disciples are brought to maturity and equipped and more elders are raised up to make sure the flock entrusted is not being neglected and they are being protected from the enemy’s schemes and unsound doctrine.
And again this is not just to internally be healthy and whole, which a shepherd will have a strong pull to based on their gifting and wiring, but to then be equipped to take territory to pray and worship and war spiritually to see whole communities and territories change as the works and structures of the devil are destroyed, and the Church is sent into the world, culture and its systems, to see people saved and bring transformation and reformation while remaining holy and set apart from the world and it’s patterns.
I pray that you would receive the gift of apostles in your life and that they would be received in your city, county, state, and in the nations. As well as the gift of a prophet, because there's a warning if they're not recognized and empowered to lead as God desires and has anointed them, that the divine government of the city and church won't be in its proper place. Because we need a proper foundation so revival is not just a moment but a sustained move of God and His Glory that is stewarded into awakening and reformation for the transformation of spheres, of territories, of cities, states and nations in Jesus name.
Navigating Uncharted Waters and Gathering Your Tribe
God is leading us down uncharted waters so we need to habitually yield to Holy Spirit to move forward properly and pioneer the new thing. Don’t look back but press on to what you are called to heavenward in Christ Jesus and into the new covenant relationships to advance His kingdom in greater measure. Recognize this time of change, do not become busy, but go sit and pray and wait with the Lord to get His plans and the be bold and obedient to move forward. Once you are in His order and the seat He has for you connected in the right places, know that He will bring you to place to govern in His Glory as His Glory is made manifest and you are sent to secure your harvest fields not just individually but corporately as the Church in the fields He has assigned you.
The Lord's aligning and connecting the gifts of his body so that a new level of maturity ad sonship is displayed in Glory. All creation has been groaning for the sons of God to be revealed to be set free from the bondage of decay. So arise and shine in His Glory, and embrace His glory resting on you, and learn to drink from the river of God’s Glory that flows from His Throne. God will refresh you, heal you, transform you, and then send you out to accomplish His will clothed in Glory as you come be set apart with by His fire that purifies your heart and cleanses your hands so you can dwell with Him and be that living gateway that Jesus the King of Glory moves through.
And when you find your tribe that God is connecting you to that will move in all of this together corporately, there will be proper accountability, not control, but sharpening, encouraging, equipping, and even correction so that we become an overcoming troop of God and body together who displays His Glory in unity that sees revival, awakening and reformation. How we gather will look different as we worship, watch with God what He is saying and speaking, spiritually war, pray, prophesy, and travail to birth and establish what God is releasing from Heaven to Earth.
We are in times of major convergence Kairos appointed times of Glory and harvest in the midst of darkness and structures of the Church and world changing. God is connecting us and forming us not just to people we will pray with and intercede with, but people to build with as He sharpens us not just individually but corporately as Jesus’ builds His Church that the gates of Hell will not prevail against. So I bless you to pray, watch, and ask Him and hear God show you how He is calling you to shift so you are forming and establishing the new things that God wants, how He wants, and with whom He wants, connecting as a troop and body to release and establish all God desires for His namesake and Glory in Jesus’ name.
Scriptural Decrees for Alignment and Wisdom
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6)
Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your Word makes my pathway clear. To live my life by your righteous rules has been my holy and lifelong commitment. Break open your Word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans. Prepare before me a path filled with your promises, and don’t allow even one sin to have dominion over me. (Psalm 119:105-106,130,133)
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:5-8,11)
Further Recommended Resources:
Stop Playing Church: Embrace the New Five-Fold Blueprint - https://youtu.be/-Jrmri5kheY
The Apostolic Mantle: A Strategic Company Arising by Mike Brewer https://a.co/d/00mI2uQ3
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the "changing of the guard" currently taking place in the Church? God is shifting stewardship to leaders who will shine with integrity, resilience, and a strong foundation built on God's kingdom structure. These leaders are acting as generals in the faith who walk in purity to bring spiritual growth, renewal, and the fulfillment of prophecy. This shift is establishing an apostolic government designed to process the raw giftedness of the body of Christ so it is fit for good use.
Why are the roles of apostles and prophets still necessary today? The Church was originally designed to be built on the cornerstone of Jesus, alongside the foundation of the apostles and prophets. According to Ephesians 4:11-15, these five-fold functions are required until the Church reaches the unity of faith and the full stature of Christ. These roles have not ceased; they are essential for equipping the saints, establishing God's order, and training believers for spiritual warfare.
What reading and listening strategies should I use to discern this transition? When studying the Word and prophetic resources, to properly navigate and discern this transition, you must operate like the tribe of Issachar by understanding the times prophetically. Instead of becoming consumed by busyness, the article outlines that you should intentionally go sit, pray, and wait with the Lord to receive His specific plans and blueprints. Furthermore, you must habitually yield to the Holy Spirit, watch to hear what God is speaking, and ask Him individually and corporately for the "ancient paths and good way" to walk in. Ask Holy Spirit for God’s vision for your life, the time and season you are currently in, personal steps of obedience to walk out what He is revealing.
What is the significance of the Tabernacle of David in the last days? The restoration of David's Tabernacle, as seen in Amos 9:11-15, represents a place of worship, God's presence, spiritual warfare, and strategic revelation and assignments and order. It is not merely a place for soaking in His presence, but a strategic command center for hearing revelation, advancing the kingdom, destroying the enemy's works, and seeing lands and people completely restored as God’s Glory is made manifest and the body is set in teams and orders to extend and steward the kingdom of God.
How is the structural design of the Church changing to reflect God's order? Instead of the Church relying exclusively on business-like boards and committees, God is returning the Church to its original design. He is raising up apostles throughout the earth to bring order, properly align the body, and establish new works into unreached regions. This functions alongside elders and shepherds to ensure disciples are brought to maturity and equipped to transform their communities.
Why is finding the correct spiritual alignment so important? Entering into the wrong covenant relationships can corrupt, delay, or diminish or thwart your God-given calling and assignment. Conversely, aligning with the right God-given people for this season brings proper accountability, sharpening, equipping, and correction. This proper unity allows the corporate body to display God's Glory, overcome the enemy, and sustain true revival and reformation, while seeing an increase of God’s government on the earth.
