Jesus was not pronouncing a gloomy verdict when He asked, ‘when the Son of Man returns, will He find faith on the earth?’ He was posing a challenge, daring us to a faith that sees that ‘the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea‘ (Hab 2:14).
On my way back to the US after a great trip to South Africa, I’m reflecting on the state and the prospects of our ‘rainbow nation’. Many challenges exist including the latest ‘xenophobic crisis’, but seeing the great work that the Lord is doing, particularly among university students, gives me great hope that our best days are ahead, that the goodness of Christ’s Kingdom is expanding and that God has an intention for South Africa to shine His light brightly to the continent and to the world.
I remember as a student in Cape Town that there was a repeated and well known prophetic vision shared by many believers of a revival fire beginning at the tip of Africa and burning on through the continent and to the world. Cecil John Rhodes dreamed of a trail cut from Cape to Cairo to bring the rule of the British Empire, but Christ was planting into our hearts His dream of a blazing trail of redemption bringing righteousness, blessing and true freedom from Cape to Cairo.
Now 25 years later, this plan is in full motion and it’s important for God’s children in South Africa to see it. We need to carry hope that outweighs negativity, to look in God’s light that is not dimmed by present evil and to believe that Christ’s love can ‘cover a multitude of sins’. In the face of every crisis we need to remember the very great power of our prayers. The influence of Heaven’s sons and daughters can shape history – if we use it.
Many believe Zephaniah 3:9-20 to be a prophetic promise for South Africa, speaking of a nation ‘beyond the rivers of Ethiopia‘ (standing at Jerusalem, the prophetic centre). Meditate on the wonderful promises in these 12 verses as you pray for South Africa.
Zephaniah 3:17 ‘The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.’
Hamba kahle South Africa – walk on in peace.
Rob Gerhard 
Without such a promise, such a vision the people will surely perish
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Wonderful Rob,thanks very much.
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I’m quite amazed at how ‘old’ this prophecy about a revival beginning in the southern tip of Africa and rippling throughout the continent is. When I was in 1st year (2011), I first heard this prophecy and I was in awe. I’m in awe now because prophecy has always held so much power and prophecies have almost always been ageless. For instance, when God cursed the serpent after it had caused Adam and Eve to sin, He said (Genesis 3:15) “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel.” -This particular prophesy spoke of the messiah who was to come over 1000 years later. This particular prophecy about beginning in South Africa has played a major role in my life in that my dreams and plans for the future are so closely linked to this prophecy.
I also love what you’ve said about carrying hope that outweighs negativity. When the situation appears so bleak that you have no option but to take the word of God (hope as an anchor). Thank you for sharing this Mr Rob.
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