And just a word of explanation: there isn't anyone who's going to ascend to the pulpit in the coming days that has not been crucified.  If you would reign with me, if you would reign with me even here and now upon this planet, if you would have my anointing upon your body, upon your life, upon your calling before God, then you shall suffer with me, saith the Lord.

 The keynote of ministry in the future will be those who have been crucified where the blood can be seen upon their hands and their feet, those who know the agony of walking with the Savior, those who know the sufferings of God will be those that the mantle of gentleness, and kindness, and love falls upon.

 Many of you wonder, "Why have I suffered so much in my life?"  Even many of you from the time you were children have walked through great, great, great valleys of suffering, confusion, darkness.  It has been preparation, saith the Lord. 

 For my hand shall come upon you; darkness shall flee.  Some are sent ahead of the Body of Christ to receive suffering before their time.  And they are laughed at and they are jeered, and they are mocked by their brother.  'Tis not the first Christian to go into deep suffering.  'Tis not the first saint of the Old Testament to be sent into a camp of Hell. Long before the Body comes, long before the deliverance from Egypt happens many have suffered, many have gone forth under the hand of God for preparation. 

 Fear not, saith the Lord when you walk into these deep valleys of trial.  You do not understand what is happening - I am preparing.  I am preparing you, as I prepared my Son.  You will walk as He walked; you will talk as he talked; you will teach as he taught, not as current fads of theology teach, but you will teach, you will teach as the Son of God taught: that if you follow me, you will walk in my footsteps, you will endure persecution, you will endure suffering, you will endure being misunderstood.

 But in it all you will find your Heavenly Father.  You will find an anointing that no one can touch, no one can break, and no one can stop.  You will not care anymore if they jeer at you; you will not care anymore if they laugh at you, for your Heavenly Father smiles upon you.

 Fear not, saith the Lord, for the coming days.  You have a cord with Me that cannot be broken.  You are not alone: the Father is with you, the Son is with you, the Holy Ghost is with you; you are not alone.   

 ~ a prophecy by Don Franklin 8-17-00 ~