The Vision

In the book of Habakkuk 2: 2 we read these words…..
“ Write down the revelation (KJV –vision) and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” (NIV)

In order to “write down the vision” GOD has given to date, concerning Lytham Christian Centre and to ensure that members of the fellowship adequately grasp it, I feel prompted to share some of the ways in which GOD imparted and brought the revelation.

From the early eighties Ros and I both knew that GOD was preparing us for the “full time” ministry and that it would involve us leaving Zimbabwe and in fact the African Continent. However, it was not until the beginning of 1986 that GOD disclosed His chosen destination for us, namely England.

Our understanding of GOD’s plan and purposes for the United Kingdom, in particular for the Church that H e would direct us to and involve us with, began in October 1987, some eight weeks prior to our “count the cost” ministry visit to England in the December of that year.

In that October, during a time of preparation before the LORD, the Holy Spirit gave me a “rhema” from the bible (quicken a scripture verse to me) which became the cornerstone of the vision that GOD has continued to unfold at different times and in various ways.

The scripture verse in question was:

Jeremiah 1:10 “See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." (NIV)

Two things that immediately strike one in this verse of scripture are, firstly, the awesome privilege of the promise and the call and, secondly, the tremendous responsibility it requires one to shoulder.

Ever since receiving this word I have, over the intervening years, meditated on it countless times, as it was and still is firmly rooted in my heart.

Over the years, GOD proceeded to give us a fuller comprehension of the vision. He confirmed through numerous prophetic utterances, some of which are shared below in condensed form, that the ministry He had called us to would be significant in both size and influence.

Before listing three prophecies which have special bearing on the vision, may I say that it is never easy to share personal prophecies because of the possibility of appearing to boast in oneself or one’s ministry. However, I trust that what is written in this document will in no way be thought of in such a manner, for our thoughts and hearts most assuredly concur with the apostle Paul’s words to the Galatians when he said “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Gal. 6:14 NIV).

Also, please appreciate that although these prophetic words were spoken over myself and Ros, nevertheless, they do apply in one way or another to every person GOD has called to be a member of the Body of Christ at Lytham Christian Centre. No GOD given vision relating to a local church is able to be fulfilled by any one individual but requires the involvement and effort of every member … “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Eph. 4:16 NIV)

I now list the three aforementioned prophecies:

1. On the 5th of December 1990

At an “Operation Friendship” meeting held at the Fencegate Inn near Nelson, a missionary who attended the meeting, prophesied that GOD had a greater ministry which He was preparing us for and that if we remained faithful in that which He had entrusted to us, He would place us over and cause us to take charge of “TEN CITIES”

2. On the 29th August 1992

At a “North West Celebration” weekend held at Lancaster University, Brian Houston, the Senior Pastor of a large Church in Sydney, Australia, came off the platform during the delivery of his message, pointed me out from the crowd and began to prophesy. Amongst other things was this instruction… ”Whatever you are believing GOD for, cancel it and triple it.”

3. On the 24th August 1996

Again at a “North West Celebration” meeting at Lancaster University, Russell Sage, an itinerant minister and international conference speaker, also from Australia, said that GOD was going to... enlarge my vision which was already recorded as a two page document in GOD’s book of visions in heaven. Up to that point, he said, I had read only the first two lines of the first page but GOD would reveal more of the vision to me at each appointed step along His path. In the vision, Russell saw Prophetesses, Prophets, Pastors, a building, nations and travel.

According to the word from Jeremiah 1:10 and the above mentioned prophecies, the LORD has called us to take authority “over nations and kingdoms” and to oversee “Ten cities”. He has instructed us to be radical in faith, in that which we are believing Him for. He has clearly shown that the vision is greater than our first comprehension of it.

To facilitate and achieve the vision, GOD said He would raise up people with Five-Fold ministry gifting to equip or prepare the people of GOD for the ministry or works of service. (Eph. 4:11 & 12).

He also stated that He would provide a building, a facility, to enable all the different ministries within the church to function correctly.

Furthermore, He said that travel would be involved, which stands to reason if the influence of the Church is to go beyond our “Jerusalem” to the nations.

Reverting now to the mandate given in Jeremiah 1:10, we see that the task before us requires that we “uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow.” Some thought I believe quickened to me by the Holy Spirit in this regard, indicate that this will involve…traditions of men…man made structures… works of the flesh and of the devil...demonic strongholds, principalities and powers of this dark world….and all that “sets itself up against the knowledge of GOD”…(2 Cor. 10:5)

This spiritual warfare is the prerequisite to completing the mandate which ultimately calls for us “to build and plant”. This will entail being sensitive to GOD’s instruction and leading to ensure that we build on GOD’s foundation with Godly materials and plant ONLY the good and imperishable seed which is the living and enduring WORD of GOD.

We have been called to impact our neighbourhoods and communities, the nation and beyond with the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. This requires a true representation of the LORD Jesus Christ by every member of the local Church not only in our corporate gatherings but also in our homes, schools, employment centres and public places.

It further requires that we not only support various missionaries and ministries but also become actively involved in missions ourselves, both as individuals and teams, as GOD gives opportunity.

The LORD is building His Church and much could be said about the type of Church GOD desires. What I list below is by no means exhaustive but simply conveys something of what I believe is on GOD’s heart for us at Lytham Christian Centre:

To establish: a strong, healthy, vibrant & victorious local >>>>>>>>>body of believers

• who are wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD GOD Most High, the ONLY living and true GOD who created the heavens & the earth who has revealed Himself in the persons of GOD the Father, GOD the Son & GOD the Holy Spirit

To establish: a people of faith

• who are totally committed to one another in brotherly love serving, caring, sharing & submitting to each other in the fear of God.

To establish: a people of praise & thanksgiving

• who are fully involved in the work, ministry & function of the Church both internally & externally - a people that can fulfil the LORD’s command to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt. 8:19)

To establish: a people of glory

• who will manifest, through Holiness of lifestyle the treasure of GOD deposited within their earthen vessels in order for GOD alone to receive ALL the glory as they live as “the salt” & “the light of this world.” (Matt. 5:13&14)

To establish: a people of unity

• who will “stand firm in one Spirit” contending as one man for the faith of the Gospel…” (Phil. 1:27) so that in all our endeavours for Him, GOD’s Grace & Favour may be upon us at all times

In conclusion remember that: YOU ARE DEARLY LOVED BY GOD and that the plans He has for you are good plans, plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and to give you a future.

Therefore:

1. Love and serve GOD above all else
2. Live a life worthy of the Gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ
3. Be filled with the Holy Spirit on a continual basis
4. Seek GOD with all your heart through His word & in prayer & fasting
5. Be consistently faithful in your commitment to the LORD, spiritual, physical & financial, expressing through the vehicle of your local Church
6. Be willing & available for GOD to use you, both in the Church & in the community at large
7. Pray for ministries to be raised up within the Church
8. Pray the new building GOD has for us into being & thank Him for it
9. Pray for revival & a true visitation of GOD
10. Pray for those in leadership
11. Expect the miraculous

The LORD Jesus Christ is coming very soon; the time for us to act is now. May we, like King David of old, serve GOD’s purposes in our generation – AMEN.

Mario & Ros Mariani
26th June 1997