Introduction:

Intercession:

NT:5241 huperentugchano (hoop-er-en-toong-khan'-o); from NT:5228 and NT:1793; to intercede in behalf of:
KJV - make intercession for

It is like Abraham interceding for Lot, when the Angels warned him of Sodom's fate.
It is like Moses interceding for Israel when God spoke of destroying them.
It is like Elisha asking God to open the eyes of his servant boy.
It is like Samuel interceding for Saul.

Many, historically, have occupied the office of "intercessor." Their names may not be recorded for men to view their dedication to their task, but their prayers and travail mark time and affect eternity. Because of the need to penetrate the realms of evil domains in order to rescue the perishing, they linger in the place of the Most High. They are well acquainted with the "Secret" place where God's ear is open to their petition. They feel compassion at a level of intensity that most others have never known. Humbly, some traverse to places where sin abounds and there declare the Word of the Lord in prophetic power while evoking heaven's intervention. Some remain closeted, seeing visons of deliverance based on Divine Revelation concerning the "real issues" which may lie buried from view by the human eye. It is the intercessor who takes his position next to Jesus's right hand and garners a view of mankind which alters his perspective in such a way as to give vent to a change of direction. Intercessors know what it means to follow the Spirit into surveillance of the minutest detail, entering a maze of unclear avenues until the Spirit releases them--even though they remain ignorant of the outcome. Intercession requires a strict awareness of the smallest of matters and depends on the Spirit for satisfaction. The road of the intercessor is determined by God, not by his or her spiritual inquiry or religious fervor. To intercede for a nation may seem like a greater duty than standing in the gap for the deliverance of a single soul, but there is no difference. Intercessors observe no time clock, for intercession is a tenacious dedication requiring a commitment to outcomes beyond human boundaries. Time and schedules are not factors of importance. Spiritual tension draws the intercessor into commitment which stretches his/her capacity for prowess. After hours of prayer, their physical bodies seem refreshed. Weeping and rejoicing are companions to travail and shouts of victory emanating from the warrior's frame.

O' we desperately need intercessors! The church needs them today more than ever. The body of believers cannot prevail without them. The lost world needs their tears and travail, for these are the last of the last days. Nations need the intercessors craft as they founder on the rocks of demise.

Perhaps these needs prompted the writer of Hebrews to reveal the great intercessor: Jesus Christ.

Read now the passage in Hebrews that exalts His intercession.

When God raised Jesus from the dead, He brought to man a higher priesthood than the law could possibly afford. Here is a priest with the credentials of a new covenant, who is of the order of Melchizedek (notice the "Zadok" in this diadem). He is an interceding priest. What greater intercessor could there be, but one who offered His own blood at the altar and who knows our every weakness?

(Many believe Melchizedek was Shem, Noah's son. I believe he was God himself revealed as the God of Shalom.)

This Intercessor is unique, for

He opens the door to the Throne of Grace and urges His people to come boldly to it.

Because we have an "understanding" high priest, who is our intercessor, we can confidently come to the throne of grace. He is high priest, minister and mediator. Jesus was acquainted with "vehement cries and tears" thereby understands ours.

Intercessors stand in each of these offices: Priest, Minister and Mediator. Sometimes, they are like a priest (we are a kingdom of priests) and offer up sacrifices (including praise). Sometimes, the intercessor is a minister (even to the point of sharing their understanding with those who need ministry). Sometimes, the intercessor stands as mediator between a person and God or man and man. Any of these offices requires understanding their role as intercessor.

Long before Calvary and the earthly ministry of our Lord, He understood his intercessory position. Jesus' intercessorship was prophesied by Isaiah in the fifty-third chapter of his book. As a matter of fact, the whole fifty-third chapter is about Him. Although I urge the reader to review the entire chapter, I will cite only this portion.

His intercession is unlike all others, for His is based on His sacrifice and His resurrection. Founded on prophecy and determined before the foundation of the world, He has the full attention of heaven when He offers His interceding will.

When we intercede, we join hands with Jesus and the Spirit. I remember vividly two specific occasions when an anointing to intercede was heavy upon me. Alexander Oberodnikov, was sentenced in communist Russia to prison because of his resistance when told as a student to discontinue his Bible study group. He wrote to his mother: "Pray that either I am released or that I die, for I cannot continue living in this place." (paraphrased). Instantly, when I read this letter, the Spirit spoke to me to intercede for him. Night and day, with tears and supplications Betty and I prayed for Alexander. Six months passed and then we read a clip in the Dallas Morning News, "Dissident, Alexander Oberodnikov, was released from prison by the Supreme Soviet today." Joy flooded our souls!

In 1995, out of the clear blue, a vision of a man in a Chinese Officer's military uniform appeared before me. God said, "pray for this man." In the days that followed, I prayed. After a bit, the Lord released me from this burden. I don't know the circumstances surrounding this man or what was his fate, but that was not my concern―I did what the Spirit said do. At the same time, a praying lady was interceding for me (I was facing a serious operation and was hospitalized). I had never met this lady before. She sent word, "You will not be operated on." The day of the scheduled operation, the attending physicians called for x-rays prior to the procedure―they found nothing. They called off the surgery and I was released the next day. After several days, I met this obedient lady who informed me that she fasted and prayed for four days until the Lord told her that her intercession had been completed and her prayer was answered.

I believe every need of the body of Christ would be met supernaturally if all would be attentive to the Spirit and intercede for others.

But there is more--for in Romans 8, further grace is extended through intercession by the Holy Spirit.

What a wonderful scene plays before us. With our groanings and travail, we notice at our side there is heard the groaning and travail of the Spirit in our behalf. His intercession carries our petitions and concerns to a higher level. He works through Jesus' intercession and together they present factors and issues unknown to our finite mind. Our trauma becomes theirs. Our concerns become theirs. Our dilemma becomes theirs. What we cannot verbalize is swallowed up by their intercession. The force of two intercessors (Jesus and the Spirit) prevails, for they have standing. The true intercessor must have standing in order to overcome.

There is never a moment when Jesus is not interceding in our behalf. The devil may tell you that you are in the battle alone, but that is not true. Satan may tell you that no one is aware of your circumstances, but that is a lie. Jesus knows everything you face in carrying out God's will in your life and is continually interceding for you.

Many years ago, I heard a man who made intercession his life's work. He told this account: "All I saw was this yellow truck going down a highway. I began to pray for the driver's protection. I prayed for the family, that a blood line be drawn around them. I prayed for whenever they stopped on their trip there would be safety and provision. After a few days I was released from that assignment. After a couple of years, when I addressed a conference in California and told this story for illustration, a man came to me and said, 'that truck illustration was me in a Ryder van.' He related how he was kept from a wreck during that journey."

Praise the Lord, we need intercession in heaven and on earth. May the Lord increase the number of those whose who intercede and seek the will of God for others. May believers of today invest themselves in what heaven is committed to do: intercede!

Until Next Month,

Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD.

Through the generosity of our contributors this year, Oliver Evangelistic Association has been able to accomplish the following:

• Continuing aid and assistance to the widow of Pastor Singh of Punjab
• Supported 5 Cuban pastors with food provisions for the year
• Aided food help for many poor families in India
• Helped Albert Luepnitz with his healing ministry in Columbia
• Helped fund Ecuador crusade
• Aided Sid Luke Ministries with funds to help cover hospital expenses for Cathy Luke who was severly injured in a head-on collision with a drunken driver
• Helped Doulos Ministrey with repair to a Honduras Church that was damaged by a hurricane
• Paid for half the roof on a Guatemalan church that was damaged by a hurricane
• Funded a new church currently being built in India
• Gave to help finish the missionary's house in Romania
• Freed 7 Brickyard slaves from Pakistan
• Continue monthly support for India missions through Dr. Samuel Karunanithi

Pastor Samuel and Anusuya Karunanithi are working with a project in Mexico building a rehibilatation center. This center called "The Victory Home" provides rehabilitation and education against drug prevention, alcohol and gangs. This service is free to the addict and includes bedrooms and clothing for a minimun of 90 days for both men and women.

OEA has furnished the finishing, doors, windows and bathroom and is assisting with the roof.

Thanks to Oliver Evangelistic Association, the police department in Chiquimula has a chapel!

It took some time to build because they wouldn't let just any construction workers into the precinct. But, Praise God, it is finished and dedicated to the service of the Lord.

There is also a special room for counseling the police officers.