YEARS
OF PLENTY AND
FAMINE
"Let me
speak to you, my people, concerning the days that
are just ahead, when I will move in the earth in a
way that has never been seen before. Am I not now
preparing for that which is coming? Am I not now
fulfilling that which is portrayed in the scriptures
in the life of Joseph? Consider and I will show you
that which I am doing and that which is shortly
coming to pass. It is even this.
I gave to Joseph a vision of that
which was coming by showing him the meaning of the
dreams of Pharaoh. Joseph saw seven years of
plenty followed by seven years of famine. Is this
not a type, says the Lord, of that which is
to take place on this earth at the close of this
age? For Joseph is a type of the Christian
dispensation, even as Benjamin is a type of the
Kingdom age which is now at hand. Because of
Joseph's faithfulness, he was given wisdom and
authority which was recognized by Pharaoh. Even so
does Joseph also represent those to whom the Lord
will give wisdom and authority at the close of
this age to do a work which has never been done
before.
Joseph was shown that during the years of
plenty a certain portion was to be laid up or stored
for future need. The part that was to be laid up was
one-fifth of the total (Gen. 41:34). Then during the
years of famine this would be the portion which
could be drawn on by those who were hungry and
needy. Now hear my word! That which is an abundance
in the flesh is a dearth in the spirit, and that
which is an abundance in the spirit is likewise a
leanness relative to things of the flesh. The seven
years of plenty represent an abundance in the flesh,
but the one-fifth part which was laid up during that
time is a type of that which is spiritual. For one
is the number of life and light, and five is the
number of grace and
freedom.
Even so does this portray that time at the
end of this age when there would first be an
abundance of the things of the flesh, and most
people would be engrossed therein, even as in the
land of Egypt. During the seven years of plenty most
of the people were little concerned about the years
of famine which were coming, for they had little or
no knowledge of it. They were not aware
of the special maneuvers which were taking
place by Joseph and those working with him. They
were only interested in that which they were
enjoying in their fleshly ways. They were
unconcerned about the one-fifth which was being
stored up by Joseph. Even so is it in this day.
People are generally unconcerned about true
spiritual realities. Even the churches are reveling
in abundance of the things of the flesh which are
provided by a materialistically-oriented
civilization. Abundance is everywhere, and the
thought of what is coming little concerns the masses
of people, and is relatively unimportant in the
minds of most
Christians.
But there are others that I have prepared,
like Joseph, who have been shown the vision of that
which is coming. They know that the present
abundance of fleshly and material ways and
things is not going to last. They know that
trying days are coming, such as have never been
seen before. They know that what is coming is going
to bring about conditions symbolized by the
seven lean years of Pharaoh's dreams. They know also
that many people are going to turn to their
God in those days of distress and trial. They also
know that the Lord is now providing a special
portion of revelation and understanding, as
well as an added measure of His grace and spirit,
for a special work in their hearts. They know that
this is for a preparatory work during the years of
plenty, that the one-fifth, representing the
spiritual, may be stored up within them. For even
now is a Joseph company receiving my instructions to
lay up in store that which I am making known to
them.
Again hear my word! The years of plenty in
the realms of flesh and material things shall be
followed by the years of leanness, and that which
has been in abundance shall largely disappear.
For conditions of privation and famine shall stalk
the earth; and those who had previously reveled in
worldly pursuits and fleshly pleasures in
materialistic affluence, shall find themselves
in conditions where they cannot fully give vent to
the ways of flesh. Even in the churches, which
reveled largely in materialistic and fleshly
programs and pursuits, there shall come the stark
realization that the things which had formerly
received their interest and attention are no
longer available. For everything that contributed to
an affluent society will be drastically reduced as
the world faces conditions of trial and testing such
as have never been seen
before.
It will be during this time that those of the
Joseph company who have been faithfully prepared by
their God shall be used mightily to give to
those who will be crying out in their desperate
need. For many who had been previously engrossed in
that which is fleshly and material shall turn
to the Lord, and they shall seek out those
who have bread to give, even as Joseph was sought
out. For there shall be an abundance of that which
is spiritual. Many shall receive the one-fifth part
from those prepared of their God. Many shall partake
of the one of light and life and the
five of freedom and grace. They shall enter
into that which is spiritual during the days of
leanness in material and fleshly
things.
Now when, says the Lord, shall these
things be? I say to you, that the years of
plenty are rapidly drawing to a close. Before long
shall the conditions represented by the lean cows
and lean ears of grain begin to manifest. For
you shall consider the symbolism, says
the Lord. Among ancient nations the cow was always
an indication of wealth; it was the basic animal
on which man depended for work as well as for
providing certain basic necessities. Therefore the
lean cows represent that time when the buying power
of wealth [shall] largely be sapped through
inflation and spiraling prices. It [will] take most
of what men are able to make just to meet living
expenses. Because of shortages brought about by
famine conditions in many parts of the world, war
preparations, internal disturbances and chaotic
civil conditions in many nations, prolonged strikes,
and increasing demands by the population explosion,
prices on almost everything shall skyrocket. The
affluence represented by the fat cows will be a
thing of the past. Also the lean ears of grain
represent the great shortages in food which are
coming - for grain is man's basic food - and are
thus symbolic of diminishing food supplies around
the world. This will be brought on, not only by the
population explosion, but by unprecedented
conditions of drought, crop failures, pestilence,
and unusual weather conditions including many freak
storms. Channeling of food resources for war will
also cut down on available supplies. Let me warn
you, says the Lord, that these
conditions are drawing near!
This is why it is so important for those whom
I have called and chosen, like Joseph, to give
themselves unreservedly to me at this time,
that I may continue to store up in them that which
will become available to many in the coming
days. For many shall be turned to that which
is spiritual, and I must have a people who are
prepared to give forth in that hour, says the
Lord.
You will notice, says the Lord, that
Joseph was thirty years of age when he was raised
out of the dungeon to begin his work (Gen. 41:46).
The Levites under the Law of Moses were also thirty
years old when they began their service to
the Lord. (Num. 4:3). David was also thirty years of
age when he was made king over Israel (II Sam. 5:4).
All of this is in harmony with the fact that Jesus
was about thirty years of age when He began His
ministry (Luke 3:23). Is this not to show,
says the Lord, that there must be a time of
preparation in the lives of my people before I can
begin to use them in power? For in the number 30, we
have the three, which is the number of the
Word, in the second placement - that of
soul. So must my Word be stored within the depths of
your soul by the revelation and working of my
Spirit. Joseph was used by me even during the years
of plenty to do a certain work, but his main task
was the giving out of the food during the lean
years. Even so, my people, I am preparing
you for a great work that is coming. Many of
you are being used now to make known my Word, but
you are still in a time of preparation. Therefore
give yourself wholly to me that you
might be a ready vessel during the days of
tribulation that are ahead."