Word of the Lord for 2023 (ACPE): “The Year of Bountiful Blessings and Turmoil”

The Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders was convened 24 years ago under the leadership of C. Peter Wagner and steered by Cindy Jacobs of Generals International. For years, this council has met together to seek the face of God for a collective word of the Lord for the coming year(s) for the body of Christ, the United States, and the nations of the earth. This is one of many prophetic roundtables that exist.

This relationally-based council joins the generations, represents various ethnic backgrounds and includes a wide diversity of those with a prophetic gifting: mature prophets, seers, prophetic intercessors, and men and women. I am honored to be one of the founding members of the ACPE.

The following is a summation of words presented at the annual ACPE gathering deciphered by our International Director of the ACPE, Dr. Cindy Jacobs titled, “The Year of Bountiful Blessings and Turmoil.”

James W. Goll

“The Year of Bountiful Blessings and Turmoil”

From the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders (ACPE)

As we enter into the year 2023, it is important to see the full spectrum of what the Holy Spirit is doing, both locally, and internationally. This year’s theme, Bountiful Blessings and Turmoil, may seem to be contradictory! How can we have both bountiful blessings and turmoil? The explanation is that we will see blessings in the midst of turmoil.

As the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders, we have set our hearts to issue prophetic words, warnings, and admonitions, as well as calls for prayer. Prophetic intercession is an important part of our meetings as we both hear from the Lord and intercede.

When we were founded twenty-three years ago, we agreed to release words that we have consensus about. Individual members may have their own prophetic take upon what they are hearing. However, we have chosen, according to the Acts 13:1-3 model, to only write in this record words that the “Holy Spirit” has said which we all agree upon.

Looking back in our collective history, we see that the words we have issued have been remarkably accurate. One year it was that the European Union was going to fragment. This was before Brexit was announced and the United Kingdom left the EU. Another word was that a virus was coming upon the earth that would seemingly be incurable, and that, of course, was COVID-19.

One significant word that one of our elders gave us over ten years ago was that there was Satan would try to escalate regional conflicts into  going to be a regional conflicts into a premature world war. This was something that Satan would try and do to stop the great harvest in the earth. This actually happened around the beginning of the 1900s with the Student-Led Volunteer Movement, in which 20,000 university students pledged their lives for world missions. However, World War I stopped this great move of God and numbers of young people died on the battlefields. From that time, we have been praying during regional conflicts, such as the Arab Spring, to quell a coming world war.

Here are significant words for this new season:

Goshen

The Lord has spoken to us that He is going to help each of us establish ourselves as a Goshen. Goshen was the land given to the children of Israel when Joseph was the Prime Minister, in effect, of Egypt. It was the choice land. This land provided for them during the lean years of famine. There are some lean years ahead, and God will reveal to us how to establish our Goshens for the days ahead. There was an admonition given not to let the enemy feed our fears, but to trust in God for our well-being. How this is to take place will vary. Some will plant gardens. Getting out of debt is important. Others will physically relocate to areas where a Goshen is already established. Still, others will stay and establish their Goshen in the midst of great darkness.

There will be cities of refuge that will be Goshens and experience supernatural prosperity. They are already in the process of forming now.

Psalm 23

Psalm 23 will be a very significant scripture passage for the days ahead. The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies.

Around the table this coming season will be restored families. Prodigals will come back to the Lord. Family unity is going to be restored. Another important part of this will be the restoration of hospitality, where believers invite non-believers to dine with them in their homes.

Generosity is going to be poured out as we come to the table of the Lord. Sharing of goods and finances will bless many. This will also manifest through the taking of Communion around the table of the Lord.

Covenantal friends will sit around the table and dream God’s dreams, and then go out and manifest them together throughout the earth. They will form companies together and will literally be “companies of people”. People who have felt lonely and out of place will find lasting friendships. These friendships will provide “nets for harvest.” This will be the harvest of souls and the coming together of disconnected people around the table.

God is going to reveal Himself as the Good Shepherd to us, Who will lead us beside still waters and green pastures. The admonition is to stay very close to Him, and He will lead and guide us in troubled times.

A Time of Fruitfulness and Bounty

Businesses that have struggled will have their breakthrough. Bounty in the hands of God’s children will be a sign and wonder to many.

This bounty is not just for personal security and safety, but to eradicate poverty and misery in others.

Isaiah 60

This chapter is thematic as to what God is doing worldwide today, and especially inIsrael today. Gross darkness will encompass the earth, but the glory of God will shine out of the midst.

Provisions are coming for God’s people. We were given the analogy that the “camels are coming” with all we need for our financial harvest.(Is. 60:6). As the Body of Christ drinks deeply of the Word of God, revelation will flow to show the directions we need to take in our lives. A cursory knowledge of scripture, of the milk of the Word, will simply not be enough to release you into what God wants to show you.

World War III

World War III is going to take place in the future. The word of the Lord was that it can still be delayed.  Prayer teams had already independently planned to go to Taiwan and Wales, to the school that Rees Howells founded to pray about war. They have also subsequently gone to Israel to pray against a world war started by Iran.

Again, over ten years ago, the Lord showed us an alliance of Russia/China/Iran would form as an axis power in a war. Already this has formed on many different levels, and we continue to pray against this alliance that would embroil the world in a horrible war.

(Note: While the teams were in Wales, a bomb fell in Poland that could have started WW3.  This was a spill over from the war in Ukraine. However, after the team prayed at the school in Swansea, the news was, “War delayed!” Thank God for intercessors!)

During the future world war, the harvest will still take place, although many of the potential harvesters could fall on the battlefields. The Billion Soul Harvest will still happen, although a great cost will be paid as a result of the war.

The war will go nuclear although it will not affect the whole world with its destruction.

A word was also given about a fight around the North Pole and potentially from space itself. The world as we know it will experience great change.

The empire-building spirits want their territories back! Some unknowing rulers are being manipulated by these powers of darkness. Territory belongs to God, however, and we must pray that all false alignment of nations be broken apart.

Global Reset

While the world has declared a global reset, God Himself is resetting the world for the great end-time harvest.  The Isaiah 19 Highway of Holiness is forming right before our eyes. This was hastened by the Abraham Accords. There is indeed a highway forming from Egypt, Assyria, and Israel!  Many missionaries are going forth to this significant Middle East region. Prayer gatherings are taking place all across the region and revivals are breaking out.

In fact, many nations in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon and others, are experiencing a great harvest of souls in the midst of terrible persecution and unrest. Egypt will experience a great and powerful move of God as the governmental anointing of Joseph is released from its borders once again to shape nations. God is up to great things in the midst of turmoil!

Watch North Korea and its threatening of South Korea and Japan. Massive prayer needs to take place for the whole region, including China, Taiwan, and Indonesia. The “Ring of Fire” nations will experience new turmoil as well.

There are warnings of new terror attacks in Europe and the US. The watchmen must get on the wall.

Many prophets have focused on Haggai 2:6-8 as God shakes nations and releases the wealth of nations.

The whole economic system of the world is in a reset. God is warning that Satan will take advantage of this reset to persecute the church economically. The spirit of anti-christ has loosed on a level we have never seen as we are marching into the end-time hours.

We are in the midst of a global meltdown of nations. Jeremiah 1:10 states it well: it is a time of tearing down, and then there will be a time of building up.

Great exposure of corruption will take place across the earth during this global reset. Man thinks that he is resetting the nations, but God has an over-arching plan that He is working out behind the scenes.

Divine Recovery

This is the season of “recovering all”, as God divinely intervenes to restore lost finances, property, relationships, and other seemingly impossible situations.

Demonstrations of Power

We are on the eve of the greatest demonstration of God’s power in the earth! This is what has been called the “Saints Movement” where ordinary Christians do extraordinary things. This power demonstration will capture the news and make headlines. Persecutions will arise against these moves of God and the leaders. Don’t besurprised by this, but keep persevering in the middle of turmoil. Satan is going to try and bring divisions and separate close friends, but remain steady in the work of the Lord.

Seemingly small moves of God will grow big, like what happened in the Welsh revival under Evan Roberts. We will be surprised and delighted at the hot spots of revival here and there. There will be a renewed interest in the history of revival as a new generation cries out for God to “do it again!”.

Instantaneous healings will take place and will come like the lightning of God. People will be delivered from mental illnesses, addictions to drugs and pornography, and all manner of terminal illnesses.

The power of God will come in waves of glory. It will be like a tsunami wave of revival.

The Spirit of Offense

There is a spirit of offense that has been loosed in the earth. This is not a low-level type of spirit.  It is very high-level. God is working in the hearts and minds of believers to be “unoffendable.”  There are testings taking place to see whom God can trust to steward this coming great move of God. Even those who feel that they cannot be offended are going to be surprised at the level of offense they are capable of in the coming days.

Pride is a stumbling block. It is usually the root of offense. God admonished us that He is purging and testing the prophets first, as we are called to steward the fresh word, along with other ministries, into the earth. Don’t be caught in the snare of offense! If you are, quickly repent and do not let yourself be separated from those God is calling you to walk with in a close way.

We received a strong admonition not to get caught up in a war of words. Even though we are right, we should not get in a protective defensive mode where we try to justify ourselves. We have one justifier, and it isn’t any of us!

The Leviathan Spirit

The Leviathan Spirit will work with the Spirit of Offense. It causes your words to be twisted and used out of context. When it works against individuals, you will manifest it by becoming defensive and even belligerent. Don’t fall into its snare!

The Cluster Anointing

God is raising up teams who will work together on a covenantal level, such as the Clapham Group with Wilberforce in England. There are reformers who will work together to bring about the marriage of righteousness and justice. (Ps. 89:14)

These teams will have the “cluster anointing” such as given in Isaiah 65:8 which says that “new wine is found in the cluster”. Reformation teams will see the needs of nations on many levels which will lead to their transformation.

The moral reformation is going to take place as even the Hollywood industry swings the pendulum to more family-friendly entertainment.

Part of the “cluster anointing” will see the partnering of the Apostle/Prophet/Evangelists. There will be a deep relational partnering and love for each other that will greatly advance the Kingdom of God.

A beautiful partnering of worshiping prophets will arise that will lead in the new song with a new sound for the new day. Choirs will once again sing. This will help release the fulfillment of the Tabernacle of David being rebuilt in our day.

The east and west coasts of America will be shaken by the power of God and new teams will go out to both plow the ground for revival and steward it to keep the rivers of revival flowing.

The relationship of different gifts working together will give momentum to furthering the gospel, as well as great advances in releasing God’s will in the earth.

The Prophetic Movement

It was prophesied by Bishop Bill Hamon in the 1980s that God would raise up 10,000 prophets in the US and 100,000 around the world. We have certainly seen an escalation of this in recent days. There were very few recognized prophets even in the ‘90s, but now there is an abundance.

A cautionary word is important here, as we saw revivalists who were prophets veer off into deception in former days. God is requiring prophets to be aligned with local churches and other mature leaders in order to avoid this deception from getting into the prophetic movements.

Satan will bring a false prophetic movement that will “smear” the real prophets and try to take away from their integrity. We were given a warning to guard our hearts and not be on the attack, but to walk in love. Great discernment is needed to know who is a false prophet and who is simply prophesying in a manner that occasionally misses the mark.

Many prophets have been in seasons of distress. We are in a Jeremiah season where it will not be easy to be a prophet; but it will be glorious!

The Ekklesia

The understanding of the ekklesia is going to cause the local churches to shake off old wineskins and move into seeing the establishment of apostolic centers. Great spiritual authority will come into manifestation, and these centers will become discipleship centers to heal the nations. Revival and Reformation will be the theme of the day. The Body of Christ will move from the sidelines to the frontlines.

Ekklesia leaders from many countries will form multinational alliances and respect and esteem each other’s strengths. One prophet likened the weaknesses in nations as ‘soft spots” that we need to work together to cover. The ekklesia leaders in nations will celebrate one another and not be in competition.

The prophets, in particular, need to celebrate and cover one another as we manifest our different callings. For instance, we need to rejoice at what is happening with the prophetic evangelists and their role in revival and the harvest.

Some churches will be divided in the coming days. Churches will persecute other churches and the polarity will increase. Some churches have even made science what they bow down to rather than hearing what God is saying. There is a religious spirit that will raise its head and try to tear down the new moves of God. The next generation must be protected by the ekklesia leaders and not let them become jaded by infighting in the church itself. Beware of a marriage between the religious and political spirit.

God will give solutions to weighty problems through the ekklesia. In order for this to happen, leaders must have these Three Cs:  Character, Competence, and Capacity. God spoke to us that great ethics and character cannot necessarily solve the problems of the earth. We need the power of God to solve the earth’s problems. God’s power through understanding these Three Cs will equip us to be reformation leaders.

Humility was deeply stressed for the coming days. The word that came to us was, “Bend low, for the sword of the Lord is coming.” Part of this humility must be to give the glory to God, and not look for credit for what we have prophesied. Do we require credit?

God warned us that there is a divine urgency in the coming days to be holy and prepared for what is to come. Not to be afraid, but to walk in holiness.

Part of the move of God among the ekklesia will be the importance of honoring Israel and an understanding of God’s timetable through the feasts.

The ekklesia will see the raising up of “Architectural Forerunners” who have a building gift and see the vision and help make it happen, while honoring those who have come before them.

Prayer Movements

We received another important admonition for the prayer movements of the earth to not grow weary and lose hope as if their prayers were not being heard. God is moving whole civilizations around and it is a process. Keep praying during God’s process, for though the answers seem to tarry, they will not be late! God’s timetable seems to be “wait” and “suddenly.” Your prayers are availing much.

The next generation is going to catch the fire of intercessory prayer. All night prayer meetings on college campuses will become normal. These “boiler room” prayer meetings are birthing rooms for campus revivals. Universities across the world will see great moves of God likened to the Jesus People movement in the United States.

New England, in the United States, is going to feel the rumbling of God’s power as the wells of revival are opened! Look to Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, as well as others to experience God’s power and presence. God is preparing His “firebrands” who will be instruments of stewarding these moves of God; just like Whitfield and Wesley.

Nations

Nations must be discipled and taught of the Lord. The 7 Mountain teaching is one structure that will help the ekklesia do just that. This movement is no longer in the “early adopter” phase, but now in the mid-adopter phase where many people in nations are understanding their role as believers in seeing that their nations are righteous.

New power sources will be released into Europe and the nations of the earth with technologies that will cause many to marvel.

Global Josephs and Daniels

In looking at the world’s powers, we see that the war over nations is also an economic one. For instance, Taiwan is the world’s largest chip manufacturer. Although the sand from Egypt is imported to build the chips, the nation that has the chip production is largely Taiwan. Therefore, it is a critical part of China’s desire to rule the world economically. It was noted that Arizona is becoming an important part of Taiwan’s production of the chip industry. Chips are used in computers, smart-phones, and other technology.

As mentioned earlier about the Josephs, God is anointing Daniels as well, who will work internationally with the cluster anointing to release funds into the Kingdom. Nations, such as Kenya in Africa, will be the recipient of the bounty being released through international entrepreneurs. Look to Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda, and other African nations to begin to move into transformation economically because of the leaders of these nations.

The Josephs and Daniels will be in the lead in East Africa as a great revival will break out in the region again.

The United States

There is already an awakening happening in the United States. Many fires are burning bright, including what is being called “face down glory,” in which people are falling on their faces and weeping before a holy God. Tears water the seeds of harvest. God spoke to us many times from prophets of various nations about powerful moves where the glory of God would be manifested.

The pressure on the Church will increase. Further persecution is coming, but there is a remnant arising with great power. There will be pockets of light even in the political sector and they will be given great power even in the midst of a wicked generation.

The US is going through a reset meant to shake even its very roots, but God has His righteous remnant through the ekklesia who are going to be able to release godly legislation at the state levels. It is now obvious, even as we have been prophesying for many years, that there will be sheep and goat states; or those who will be holy and following God, and those who will be more and more wicked. The economies of the righteous states will grow and grow, but some goat states will be practically bankrupt. However, God has a remnant even in those states and revivals will break out which, over time, have the ability to turn these states toward righteousness.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade gave some breathing room to the nation that stayed God’s hand of judgment. However, it also exposed what was in the hearts of many state governments.

Having Done All, We Stand!

Cindy Jacobs, James W. Goll, and the ACPE (Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders)