Trip Report

Last night we finally returned home from our trip to Sweetwater. In the past two weeks we traveled 3,000 miles and were in 13 states. It took a bit longer to get home than I had planned originally, because we had some extra prayer ministry to be done along the way.

In my weblog last week I shared about the meeting in Pensacola and how this fulfilled 2 Kings 4:1-7 in regard to the filling of the vessels of the temple. I should make this clear that this was a starting point, and not a one-time filling. Yet it also marked an important moment in time, indicating a point where it is now possible to pour out the oil from the vessels. Empty vessels are only good for being filled, but filled vessels are useful in ministry.

Frankly, I do not really know yet what the next step will be in that regard. However, if we look at the next story in the life of Elisha, it is about raising the widow's son from the dead. I don't know yet how this will apply in the days ahead, but it is not likely that it will be a literal fulfillment. We are seeing all these things fulfilled as types and signs at the present time.

The event afterward (at the end of 2 Kings 4) appears to be dated at the time of barley harvest, so I would expect that to be seen at the Passover conference in Manassas, VA next Spring. If that proves to be the case, then we should expect to see the widow's son "raised" sometime between now and next Spring. I have a pretty good idea of the pertinent dates to watch, but I want to see some solid evidence before revealing this.

Also, this story is in two parts, so it may involve two dates as well. Elisha first told his servant to lay his staff on the child. That did not raise him from the dead, so Elisha came personally to do the job. I have always wondered about that story. Why did it not work the first time? Did Elisha "fail," or was there some prophetic reason for this? Perhaps we will get more information in the months ahead.

Sweetwater Conference

The conference in Sweetwater last week end was among the best that we have had. Fran Fisher's presentations were new to most people and provided us with some fresh topics to ponder. She has done much study in the body systems (such as the digestive system, endocrine system, skeletal system, etc.), relating them to the 12 tribes of Israel as well as to various dominant personality traits.

Well over 100 people attended the conference, so the room was packed full. You may order the CD's of the sessions if you want to hear them. I do not have them here, of course, but you can order them from James by writing to:

Stone Kingdom Ministries
PO Box 5695
Asheville, NC 28813

Or you can call him at: 828-277-7733