By Susan Ricketts and Joyce Kitano
NOTE: This article was written for the Japan A/G missions newsletter, The Works.
The Malaysian Assemblies of God Youth Department hosted the 3rd Asia Pacific Youth Alive Conference at Glad Tidings Assembly of God in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia from December 10-12. Over 2,000 young people from 29 countries were represented. Asian countries included Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. Joyce, Yuri (Chi Alpha staff member), and I joined the 35-member group from Japan to participate in the conference.
The guest speakers from Malaysia, Singapore, and the UK spoke on the theme “Speak to the Nations” with the desire “to empower Asia Pacific youth with vision for their nation and for the nations beyond…John the Baptist was a voice in the wilderness crying out, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’ Our youth will declare, ‘Prepare the way of the Risen Lord!’ While the nations cry for truth and salvation, let the youth rise up and be a voice to the nations (taken from the conference flyer).”
At the last Asia Pacific Youth Alive conference two years ago, eight people went to represent Japan. We were excited that this time 35 people from Japan were able to attend!. On the second day, after the session “Hearing the Voice of God,” there was a time to listen to what God is saying to the nations of Asia Pacific. We Japan delegates were greatly encouraged as we heard the following prophetic words that were given specifically for Japan. There were more prophecies for Japan than for any other country.
#1 (Pastor Iris Lee, ministerial staff, Metro Tabernacle A/G, KL)
When I see Japan, when I talk to different ones, the impression that I see is that God is going to move Japan among the young people. The old is past. There is a new generation. It will be strong and a lion for Jesus. They will preach the gospel. The old culture will pass away. The new is coming. God is bringing a new season, new direction… to your country. A fresh new(ness) is coming to Japan. God, release newness to Japan.
Young people, take your position to rise up to respond. God hears your cries. God knows you’ve been crying for your nation. God is going to use you powerfully. Believe and trust God. God is going to bring revival to your generation. Be faithful...Your labor is not in vain because God sees your heart and God knows He will bring it to pass. Young people, set your vision and get ready to see the freedom of revival brought to your nation.
#2
I see a tsunami from Japan. Now, Japan, is your time. A tsunami for Japan…Revival… a tsunami from Japan will spread around the nations.
#3
The land of the rising sun, the Son of righteousness has not forgotten you. The Lord has not forgotten you because many people are praying around you and within you. There is a budding forth. I see a budding forth from the land of Japan, the land of the rising sun. There will come an awakening, a fresh awakening within the churches. Many churches will be planted. Many more churches will be planted. It has been a hard ground, but the Lord will say to the believers of Japan, “Do not be disheartened for your day will surely come. Do not give up for the Son of righteousness will rise upon you.”
#4
This word is for Japan also. God is not slow in keeping His promises. The kingdom of God is stronger than the kingdom of darkness. Your prayers can break the bondage of sin and unbelief.
#5 (Rev. Michael Lim, Youth Pastor at Charis Christian Centre, KL)
This word is for Japan. This picture kept coming to my mind. It’s the picture of the flag of Japan. The flag of Japan has a round red circle. What I sense the Lord is saying that this red portion represents that revival will come to Japan. God is going to pour out His holy fire. The red represents His holy fire that He is going to pour forth upon Japan. It is going to keep on falling upon the land of Japan. And I see the white portion (of the flag). God says the white is that He is going to do a cleansing, a cleansing before the holy fire comes. He’s going to do a cleansing. The old tradition shall pass away, and new things shall come and consume Japan. The men will rise up mightily for His glory.
#6 (Rev. Clement Wong, Pastor/Northern District Superintendent/Director of Youth Alive for Malaysia A/G)
During his message based on Ezekiel 37 that night, he prophesied the following to Japan:
The Lord says, “The old has passed away. All things have become new. God is raising a new generation who will take Japan for Jesus. God wants to bless Japan and as He has blessed Japan economically, He will bless you spiritually. Get ready, the Church in Japan, because there will be a great transfer of wealth from the secular to the Church. And when that happens, Japan, rise up, for you will lift up the nations of the world. For too long you have looked within yourself. You have been inward-looking and you have said, “We’ve been too small. We are so few. How can we even touch other nations? We are interested in touching our nation first.”
But, Japan, I am asking you, “Lift up your eyes and see beyond the boundaries of your nation. For when you see beyond the boundaries of your nation and touch other nations around you, God will bless you. God will bring increase to your churches. God will bring increase and bring people into the kingdom of God. The church in Japan will grow.
There is a new generation. There are young people coming into the kingdom and into the church. Young people pastoring churches in Japan. God says, “Rise up and bless other nations. You have sent your Toyotas and Mitsubishis. Now send your missionaries. Now, send your finances. Now, send your people. Do not say, “We are small, for you will do great things.”
…I will live to see the day when men of God from Japan start preaching in different nations of the world. Teach your young people English lessons. I’m serious. Teach them English. Force them to speak English. We have a lot of Toyotas and Mitsubishis. We want missionaries…It’s time for the Church to rise up.
