‘Rise’ – A Prophetic Declaration
Written by Morné Smit | 12th March 2022
I was recently reading Acts 10 and it tells the story of a Roman centurion, Cornelius, who by God’s grace had a vision while praying. In summary, God told him to find the Apostle Peter who was at that time at Joppa, approximately 30 miles from where Cornelius was in Caesarea. The scene shifts to Peter going onto the rooftop to pray and sees the famous vision. A sheet lowers from heaven which holds multiple unclean animals, and a voice from heaven commands Peter to ‘rise, kill and eat’. Peters responds in a Jewish, traditional, religious way; refuses and says ‘no’. This repeated three times! Peter is confused but at that very moment three travellers arrive and stand at the boundary of the property. Who are they? Two servants and a roman soldier sent by Cornelius.
As I read the following verse, I immediately felt this was relevant for the Rise team and what this incredible woman’s work will accomplish. God speaking to Peter:
Verse 20 - Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
You see, the instruction to Peter to RISE, was more than getting up onto his feet. The encounter with God had a profound impact; Peter was not only to rise from his seated position but to rise into mission; a calling. Something profound happened on the rooftop – Peter had an encounter with God that transformed him, and he was to rise and transform the world around him.
HOW?
Immediately, being set free from tradition and religion (though we know this was ongoing battle for him), he was able to bring others into that freedom. He leaves the rooftop, and does something countercultural, he invites the two servants and a roman soldier into the house to have lunch with them. Peter’s transformation was transforming them. If you continue to read the passage; you find them leaving for Caesarea and while speaking to Cornelius and his household, the Holy Spirit is poured out on the Gentiles, and we witness the gospel spreading across cultures into all the world.
This story has many facets, but for the RISE women I see the following:
The call to Rise is to be women who encounter God’s presence
When this happens you will be women who transform your worlds
You will break traditional and religious thinking
You will break cultural barriers
You will bring courage and freedom to many
You will be gospel proclaimers
