The Forgotten Way of Yeshua, with Bill Vanderbush – SOZO EP0003

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Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure Rediscovering The Forgotten Way of Yeshua

In this podcast we are talking with Bill Vanderbush who cowrote with Ted Dekker on their Magnum Opus, The Forgotten Way. (Bill is responsible for the Meditations in the book and the Study Guide.) This book is very significant to the Awakening that is (and has been) coming to the body of Christ!

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I started to notice a change in Ted Dekkers Novels when Outlaw came out. “Wow, this is different. What happened to Ted?”

It seemed a shift had occurred in Ted’s life and I told my wife at the time, “Ted Dekker is going to be a critical player in the next Great Awakening”.

The following novels, the Outlaw series, encouraged me even more. And then A.D. 30 and his follow up book A.D. 33

Finally I had the opportunity to meet Bill Vanderbush at a conference and picked up a copy of The Forgotten Way. We hit it off right away, went out for coffee, and had some great conversations.

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He taught on how to listen to Holy Spirit and “prophecy” – to reveal Jesus by strengthening, comforting and encouraging others as we speak the same thoughts God has for someone.

You want to see something fun?

My wife Catherine and I went to the 2017 Kingdom Culture Conference in Green Bay. After teaching about prophecy most of the sessions, and especially on the last day, the speaker Bill Vanderbush decided to put it into practice by calling some people up front to “prophecy”. My wife Catherine was one of the first to share that night. Then our good friends Kyle and Emily prophecy over Bill!

Here is the whole definitely-worth-your-time talk with Catherine sharing at about an hour in (link to where she starts):

“Earnestly pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you might prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 Berean Literal Bible

What Is Prophecy?

REVEALING THE HEART OF JESUS!

Well, Paul explains just a verse or so later:

“But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.” 1 Corinthians 14:3 NIV

Prophecy then is a divinely inspired word of revelation (which literally means unveiling – WOW! – that’s the very word Catherine received in her prophecy!) straight from the heart of Jesus that “strengthens, encourages and comforts”.

Would you be surprised if I told you that Prophecy has little to do with “telling the future” or “the end times” or giving a “thus saith the Lord”? (I would highly recommend not trying the last one. It is bad practice for New Covenant saints).

Revelation 19:10 actually tells us that Prophecy is to “reveal or unveil Jesus”, to speak what he is saying. It is giving a clear witness of Jesus. Listen to this:

“Worship God, because what Jesus is saying is the spirit of prophecy!” Revelation 19:10 ISV

Here are some other ways the verse is translated:

  • “…the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.” NLT
  • “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” NASB
  • “For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” NIV

Bill Vanderbush tells a story about how he once told a meeting, “You all have Jesus THE Prophet living in you. That makes you all prophets.” The empowered people of God he then brought up from the crowd to minister amazed him with the heart of the Father revelations they brought by the Spirit.

So, how can we learn to hone and use this spiritual gift? Well, desiring it seems a great place to start!

“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives–especially the ability to prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT

Here is where you can pick up The Forgotten Way on Amazon: