One January many years ago Bob was ministering in Northern California. One morning on his way to the airport he noticed a great number of beautiful trees along the boulevard were already in blossom. He asked his driver, “What kind of trees are these?” The driver responded, “They’re almond trees.” The Lord then spoke to Bob that he should start a “Round Table of the Prophets” and observe it on this date, January 16th. He was told to quiet himself before the Lord to see what He would say.

Obviously this is an important date to the Lord because in Numbers 17:1-13 it signifies the blooming of Aaron’s rod.  Each leader of the twelve tribes of Israel and Aaron representing the tribe of Levi wrote his name on his rod and they were placed in the tabernacle of meeting before the Testimony. It was in this place God chose one rod to blossom. (Verse 2-5) The following day when Moses entered the Tabernacle the rod of Aaron, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds. (Verse 8)

Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds. (Numbers 17:8)

Bob called together a round table of proven prophets and was always faithful to set aside this day each year for revelation. It was as important to him as the “Day of Atonement” when he received downloads for the annual Shepherd’s Rod.  This year on January 16^thI was ministering out of town but prepared myself in the same manner to wait upon the Lord. As soon as my head hit the pillow that night, I heard the old song, “The Old Lamplighter” from 1960. Many years ago the Lord referred to Bob Jones as “His Old Lamplighter”. So I knew the Lord would come to ignite spiritual fires through my times of ministry on this trip.

Then I had a dream where Bob Jones and Bobby Conner were changing the locks and keys on my door. Bobby never said a word but he totally dismantled my door lock and spread out all the pieces on the floor. It seemed as if he was examining each piece with an eagle eye. Then Bob walked passed Bobby and went into the living room to lie down on the floor. He laid on his right side. As I entered the room, Bob asked me to go to his toolbox and get his triangle from it. It’s an old toolbox yet the tools are in excellent condition. I reached inside obtaining the triangle and placed it in Bob’s hand. (End of dream)

You see the Lord is changing out our old locks. Some Christians have been locked up on their own accord. They have not seen themselves from God’s perspective. They’ve had a downtrodden attitude and see their spiritual walk as insignificant. They have agreed more with the enemy than they’ve trusted God and His plan for their life. But Jeremiah 29:11 says, I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Therefore Christian’s thought patterns must be identified in Christ. Then they will come into agreement with the mind of Christ according to Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

When I awoke I wondered why did Bob ask for the triangle? Although I knew in my spirit it represents the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Years ago Bob helped me solve the mystery of the devil’s triangle through scripture. 1 Samuel 15 gives the account of King Saul and the attack and slaughter of the Amalekites. He was supposed to utterly destroy ALL of them. (Verse 3)  However pride began to set up in Saul’s heart and he took King Agag alive along with the best of the sheep, oxen, fatlings, lambs and all that was good. (Verse 8-9) And the Lord told Samuel that He regretted making Saul king because he turned back from following Him. The following day when Samuel came to Carmel, Saul had set up for himself a monument for his victory. Pride comes in quietly and filtrates our ego like yeast does bread. When pride sets up in a Christian’s heart, they think they are doing God a favor. They can no longer discern right from wrong because their spiritual senses are flawed.

When Samuel confronts Saul’s disobedience, he first defends his action (verse 20) because pride has brought with it deception. Then in verse 21 Saul shifts his blame to the people for taking the spoil. They could not do it without his approval. Then Samuel confronted his sin and its something we must constantly check our self. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice! Quite often obedience will require great sacrifice. And an ultimate pride is the desire to look good in the eyes of others. Therefore placing themselves above the will of God and His desire. (Verse 24) A very important scripture all Christians need to remember is “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. (Verse 22b, 23) And there are always consequences for our disobedience and rebellion. King Saul’s kingdom was torn from him that day and given to David although it would be many years before David would take the throne.

So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. (1 Samuel 15:22-24)

With new locks come new keys. These new keys won’t fit in old locks. We’re in a brand new season and it’s time to do some house cleaning. You’ve heard it said that what worked in the last season won’t work in this one? Well not only will they not work, if you hold on to them they will become a stumbling block and cause you to fall or get totally off course. There are many things the Lord may ask you to give up or part ways with. Houses, jobs, possessions, bad habits, even relationships and money are on this list. Yes, obedience is better than sacrifice and for some of us it’s going to be a stretching of our faith that works by love.

You see we’re in a time of acceleration. Just like the blossoming of Aaron’s rod. Not only did it blossom, it sprouted and put forth buds, produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds. We’re in the time of the greater works. What does this look like? It is what Jesus said we would do. When you speak to that mountain, it’s going to move. No longer will you need a ten-step program for deliverance, you will speak and the power of God will cause the demons to flee. The blind will see and the lame shall walk and there will be no hesitation. I’ve heard it said miracles are instantaneous and healings take a while. Well, get ready for the miraculous! Like Aaron’s rod you will see the fullness of the miracle of God. So when you pray for the person with kidney disease don’t ask God to heal him. Say, “God give him a new kidney!” 

I saw the Lord was giving each Christian a new key. He called it a master key because it was a key from the Master. As I prayed for people they received one but I was shown that they all had many smaller keys coming off of the master just like a key ring. For example; Prosperity was a Master key. From that key ring were keys named spiritual, relational, physical and financial and marketing success. This person will prosper in all these areas. Another Master key was named Promise. And from that key ring were keys named yes and amen, health, blessings, land possession and prosperity. But here is something we all must understand. None of these keys are for us. They are for the kingdom of God and His glory. And this is where we will be tested in our humility or pride. Does this sound contrary? No. God is giving us new keys because we’ve matured to a higher standard. The door in Revelation 4:1 is open and we have an invitation to come up with Him.

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” (Revelation 4:1)

The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” (Psalms 110:1)

The Father is purging every Christian of anything that would come between them and the cross of His Son Jesus. He’s making Himself known this year through Psalms 110:1. So let go of the things that have kept you bound. Don’t let them be a hindrance to you any longer. You can’t take them with you into this new season. Ask the Father what is your Master key? Then wait on Him to show you and all the other keys will fall into place. These are unusual keys. I was expecting to hear faith, healing, love, revelation or peace. Instead I heard such things as unity, matrimony and expectation to name a few. I believe these are individual keys to the house of David in Isaiah 22:22. So don’t squander this precious gift. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) No one else can obtain your key; it is uniquely designed for you alone. Use it wisely.

The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open. (Isaiah 22:22)