Times are changing in our land, and for many, not in the way that we would like to see as we continue to face a myriad of social ills that are impacting us on various levels. In the midst of this though, we find encouragement in the scriptures through the genealogy provided in the first book of the Bible, which we will expound on in this discourse:
Genesis 5
12-14 Kenan lived seventy years, and begot Mahalalel. And all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died
15-17 Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and begot Jared. And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.
18-20 Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Enoch. And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
21-24 And Enoch walked with God. And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
THE KENAN GENERATION
The word Kenan means “tent dwellers” – this generation was marked by their ability to set up and establish homes that would be fit for children, and where the family could be expected to thrive and live in harmony. The word Kenan also means “living prosperously”, and in such a way as to sustain life and an environment where persons are expected to flourish and be at peace in their surroundings.
THE MAHALALEL GENERATION
The generation that succeeded Kenan was that of Mahalalel who emerged as Kenan’s spiritual progeny. Rabbinical teaching suggests that the meaning of Mahalalel speaks to “spiritual searching” and that of “ambivalence towards the things of God”. It should come as no surprise for many that the atmosphere of well-being in one generation typically produces another generation that takes many of the things the previous one strived for and achieved, for granted; leading to eventual disconnection from the Source of true wealth and prosperity, which is the Lord Himself (Jos1:8, Deut. 8:18).
THE JARED GENERATION
The Jared generation followed Mahalalel. The word Jared in Hebrew means “descent” and speaks to overall spiritual depravity. The result of this is not hard for one to see as it is marked by lawlessness and manifests itself in overall dysfunction at various levels in society, where people start to ask, “where is God?” in the midst of the chaos that they see before them.
REVIVAL FIRE
It is at this point that we pause to reflect on our overarching theme of “Revival fire”. According to Bill Johnson in his book “Open Heavens”, “Revivals are the best and most glorious state of the church this side of heaven itself”. Consequently, it is most understandable as to why it would be one of the most sought-after experiences by many in the church, as it represents one of the greatest manifestations of God on earth itself, through the moving of the Holy Spirit.
So powerful is a revival move that it is able to shake and disrupt whole cities, and can be seen as the answer to the spiritual depravity unleashed in this day; since it is able to affect the evil works of men by capturing their hearts and leading them in submission to Christ.
THE GENERATION OF ENOCH – A BLUE PRINT TO THE CRISIS IN JAMAICA
Following the generation of Jared, a curious thing happened: Enoch, which means, “one who walked with God” arose. So, somewhere between the spiritual descent of the Jared generation, came a generation that was able to walk with God: a generation that did not seek to be wholly consumed with the negativity and the spiritual decadence that surrounded them. They, in direct contrast to the prevailing culture, committed themselves to seek God and exalt His ways.
In this respect, the Enoch-blueprint seen here in Genesis 5 provides apt hope for the Believer living in present-day Jamaica, where triple/quadruple shootings/killings have become quite prevalent and almost a daily part of the news offerings; and where debauchery and lewdness are rife.
Hope is not lost. It must now be our earnest desire to see the fire of God’s revival released upon this generation, thereby interrupting the plans of the kingdom of darkness; and eventually, by our faithfulness, expect to soon see the return of Christ and the Rapture. Recall that Enoch had evolved to a state that the Lord saw it fit to take him from this life (rapture him) due to the progress made in his spiritual transformation. It should therefore be our fervent prayer that the church today will relentlessly pursue spiritual transformation, and cry for Elohim, as seen in Psalm 85: 6-8 -
“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.”
So, we wait and pray with great expectation, as our focus is fixed on the only true and living God, YHWH.
Contact Gordon M. Swaby (Engineer by profession and a Kingdom Visionary) at p4cjamaica@gmail.com