THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Scripture: John 20:19-23, Revelation 11:6

John 20:19-23 says, “Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’” Isn’t it interesting that when Jesus ministered the Holy Spirit to His disciples He made this declaration. What is being established here? The beginning of judgment is being established by the authority to retain sin. Most of us have never heard a message on retaining sin. There is only one reason why we would retain sin. The goal is repentance. The way that God deals with man throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is consistent. God doesn’t desire mankind’s destruction. He desires man’s repentance. Over and over again God will ramp up affliction from one level after another until man repents. Affliction has to be discerned. The devil also afflicts to destroy. God afflicts to save. God’s goal is repentance leading to salvation. The foundation for that is the retaining of sin. In the retaining of sin, we maintain our authority to execute the judicial anointing of Christ which has the potential for salvation. That is one of the reasons why authority is given to every mature, prepared believer. God doesn’t leave us on our own in assigning us authority. He gives us the Holy Spirit to lead us in taking appropriate action. If we are going to move in this realm we better really develop our relationship with the Holy Spirit. His leading is absolutely essential in guiding us to apply judicial authority. We won’t be able to walk confidently in the last days without it. The Bible is very clear on this! The question is, are we willing to grow into this? Walking in the freedom of our redemption and forgiveness is an important part of it! It will bring us into the maturity to hear the Father and in obedience to represent Him. In Revelation 11:6 all the witnesses pray affliction in an attempt to save by gaining repentance. The anointing to afflict is in our future if we are living in the anointed confidence as God’s son!