Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

part 1     part 2     part 3    part 4 Addendum    part 5    part 6    part 7    part 8

Introduction to the series.

Introduction, Part 4

My sister, and researcher, Claire Gumbs, who developed the tri-folds in this series, felt impressed mid-way through to address the topic of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit*. Although the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not normally covered in series’ on prophecy, we believe the reader will see the reason—and the immediate need–to address it.

Here.

Now.

But what is an “OODA Loop?”

Survival experts teach a concept called the “OODA Loop”. The acronym OODA stands for “the decision cycle of observation (situational awareness), orientation (what should normally be going on, here; what is different), decision (how should I best respond), and action (proceed accordingly).”

The OODA Loop, developed by United States Air Force Colonel John Boyd for strategic military operations, is now used in many other facets of life where situational awareness and effective response is paramount. We believe there is also such a “loop” in the spiritual realm; such a source of strategic direction, if you will, powered by the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And this set of strategies and empowerments is not just for contending with our real enemy (see next paragraph) but it is also essential for efficient day-to-day operations, whatever our “theater of duty”–home, work, school–and/or actual military TDY. 

If what we “war against” is not “flesh and blood” but rather “principalities…powers…the rulers of the darkness of this age (and) spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places,” and if our “weapons” are not “carnal (wordly)” but are spiritual and “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds,” like military personnel familiarizing themselves with the directives/particulars of the OODA Loop, believers need to familiarize ourselves with the directives/particulars of the “Holy Spirit Loop,” if you will, specifically:

• What they are,
• How to access them,
• Who provides them, and
• How to use them.

The purpose of this tri-fold on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is to address this source of “spiritual observation, orientation, decision, and action,” if you will, putting the information in both prophetic and historical context, citing both Old and New Testaments.

Tri-fold 4, click: Baptism in the Holy Spirit

This tri-fold features:

• What the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is
• Who administers it,
• Where it is foretold in the Old Testament and revealed in the New,
• What the gifts, ministries, and fruit of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit are, and
• How this relates to the “testimony of Jesus (as) the spirit of prophecy,” i.e.,  “discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving, and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; especially by foretelling future events.” (Note the expanded definition and purposes.)

Post Script

Claire and I encourage the reader to “do your own homework” like the Bereans who were praised for their close study of the Scriptures.

We also encourage you to resist the “normalcy bias” of believing things will always go on as they have always gone on.

If our God knows “the end from the beginning,” the thoughtful student of prophecy will consider that there are “ends” to epochs and eras in the spiritual realm even as such are evidenced in the natural realm.

May God bless and inspire you.

May we also impress upon you that the time may be very short until Jesus returns. If you have not yet received Him as your personal Lord and Savior, the time is right, now, for you. Ask Him into your life and your heart today.

~~~~~~~

*The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, like the Rapture, is also a controversial teaching in certain corners of Christendom. We hope the Scriptural evidence will encourage the skeptical believer, or one who has yet to learn about the Baptism, to study this in more depth. In addition to the Scriptural foundation presented in the tri-fold, there are innumerable books, articles, websites, treatises, doctrinal statements, and so on, that offer information.