“After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, [even] as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.” – Acts 5:37
The second revival movement was by a man called Judas (the Graecized form of Judah). He also rose up just like Joseph and Mary in the days of the taxing. Every revival movement requires that we arise from our lukewarmness, lack of prayer, lack of faith and murmuring. God is calling us to arise and shine today!
RISING AGAINST THE TAXING
According to Bible scholars, during the Roman rule people of Israel were facing acute economic distress and a disintegrating political order, this made them to take control of their own lives, under the leadership of popular kings (messiahs) like Judas ben Hezekias in 4 BCE when Herod died.
Judas of Galilee was a Jewish leader who led resistance to the census imposed for Rome’s tax purposes by Quirinus in Judea province around 6 BCE. He encouraged Jews not to register and those that did had their houses burnt and their cattle stolen by his followers.
When Herod died in 4 BCE, peasants in Galilee around Nazareth, having acclaimed Judas ben Hezekiah their king, attacked the royal fortress in Sepphoris. In Galilee the movement led by Judas, son of the famous brigand-chief Hezekias, was suppressed within a few months, with great slaughter and destruction in the general area around Nazareth – SHORTLY BEFORE JESUS CAME TO LIVE AND GROW UP THERE.
The taxing was inconvenient to the people but we can’t go against it because it was God’s instrument to fulfill His prophecy spoken seven hundred years prior that Christ birth shall be in Bethlehem.
This movement was based on the acute economic distress the people were facing and a disintegrating political order, this made them to take control of their own affairs.
Today we have many rising as the messiah in Nigeria and the world because of economic and political issues; they claimed to be doing God and His people a favour but they are missing out in God’s purpose.
Any movement that does not align in God’s revival movement in this last day will be brought down just like Judas of Galilee.
Any movement that does not align in God’s revival movement in this last day will be brought down just like Judas of Galilee.
A father in the Faith, S. G Elton prophesied about the gross darkness in Nigeria and the revival that will break thereafter. We have come to this point.
Nigeria will be known for corruption worldwide but the tide will turn and Nigeria will also be known for righteousness worldwide. Many shall take hold of him that is a Nigerian, saying, “We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’ — A prophecy declared by S. G. Elton
When the taxing was declared, Judas and the couple (Joseph and Mary) rose up about the same time. While the couple left Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, Judas was around there. Judas was wrecking harm to those in Judea that wants to go register for the taxing.
When Judas attacked the royal fortress in Sepphoris, around Nazareth, Jesus and His parents where not there but in Egypt. When the Roman retaliated, the general area around Nazareth was destroyed and there was great slaughter but Jesus was not there.
This was God’s way of preserving His revival. He destroyed false revival movements.
This was God’s way of preserving His revival. He destroyed false revival movements.
Joseph coming to Nazareth was also a prophetic move, but he did not know for he wanted to resort back to the last prophetic place he was instructed to go which was Judea but God warned him and he went to Nazareth that the prophecy might be fulfilled; “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
This revival movement that is breaking upon us requires that we walk continuously with the leading of God’s Spirit per time.
The couple (Joseph and Mary) arose into God’s prophecy but Judas rising drew away much people after him. The first thing that struck me is that this was the same thing the dragon (Devil) did in heaven:
Revelation 12:4 “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.”
Judas drew men to himself just as Lucifer drew angels to himself. Lucifer drew angels to the earth from heaven thus they are called fallen angels. He did this because of the great revival that’s was about to break forth on earth; a man child who will rule all nations with a rod of iron was to be born. He mobilized his armies (angels) on earth to get ready and he stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Just as the serpent beguiled the woman, King Herod deceived the wise men with the intention to know where Jesus was born so he could kill him (devour). Eventually, he killed the children at Bethlehem but God the Father led Jesus and His parent to Egypt.
It is God that draws men for His revival. God drew the wise men from the east and shepherds to where Jesus was born.
Acts 3:11 “And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, ALL THE PEOPLE RAN TOGETHER UNTO THEM IN THE PORCH that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.” Lord please help us not to draw men to ourselves. Joseph was of the tribe of Judah who will birth the Shiloh (Messiah); and the people shall gather unto Jesus the Messiah. Lord help us to point everyone You draw to us to You.
Acts 3:12-13 And when Peter saw [it], he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND OF ISAAC, AND OF JACOB, THE GOD OF OUR FATHERS, HATH GLORIFIED HIS SON JESUS; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go.
In this days, there are many movement, around the world, many people are coming out as though they are the Messiah that will save their country, some even arose as though they are defending God, but BEWARE of them. We need to understand what God is doing this season and pray to God to divinely locate us into His divine purpose just as Joseph and Mary.
May we be divinely located into God’s prophetic move in this end time. Amen
