Discovering the Rose of Sharon
Category: General Announcements, Prophetic Reports
While on a ministry trip to South Korea, Mike and I had the occasion to take a tour of the Korean Supreme Court building. We noticed the seal of the nation over the judges’ bench and asked our guide, “What is the flower that is on the great seal?” He told us that it is the Rose of Sharon.
With this I got quite excited and began to ponder if there could be any connection between the Jews and the Korean people. We had already queried our good friend Che Ahn as to the possibility. He quipped, “Well, Koreans are much like the Jews! We love to bargain and get a good deal but we are known for our generosity.”
Adding to this interesting prophetic mix was the fact that I had already given a word for the nation that as long as they stayed aligned with Israel as a nation, God would give them supernatural protection from an attack by North Korea. I also shared the prophetic insight that I saw Korea as the “Israel of Asia”.
Other leaders, upon hearing this word, went on to say that they had always felt a connection with Israel, as there had been similar conversations amongst themselves as to the actual geography of the nation.
Later on, David Lee, a pastor and excellent translator, told me that a Christian leader he knew had actually written two books on the subject of the Jewish historical connection between the Jews and Koreans. I had already seen such a book in English and had given thought to the Chinese being linked to the Jewish roots as well.
So, as I stood in the court chambers, looked at the Rose of Sharon seal and found out that it represented the state flower, I definitely could see at least a spiritual connection.
I am told that there are Rose of Sharon trees that grow all the way from Korea to Israel. This is wonderful in light of the Back to Jerusalem movement and the many missionaries that Korea is sending to evangelize throughout the former Silk Road. It seems the Koreans are fearless in their missionary gift and are planting churches in the most difficult and restricted areas.
During the last trip that we made to Korea, I had given a prophetic word about God using President Lee to give guidance to the nations of the world in the coming economic shaking. I also said that Korea would fare well in troubled economic times. This has all come to pass and although they have gone through challenges, they have survived the world economic shaking much better than most nations.
We met with a number of key leaders and were able to give some significant prophetic words that will affect many aspects of Korean society this time as well.
Peter Wagner, Che Ahn, and I also taught in a Wagner Leadership Institute. Che Ahn is the International Chancellor and doing an excellent job there in Asia. Both Peter and I had been impressed by the Holy Spirit to teach on breaking the spirit of religion. I have personally never taught on that subject in all my years of ministry, however, I taught two sessions on the subject, although I had only intended to teach once.
