Luke 24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, (the women) went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had made ready.

2 And they found the stone rolled back from the tomb,

3 But when they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And while they were perplexed and wondering what to do about this, behold, two men in dazzling raiment suddenly stood beside them.

5 And as [the women] were frightened and were bowing their faces to the ground, the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among [those who are] dead?

6 He is not here, but has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee

7 That the Son of Man must be given over into the hands of sinful men (men (a)whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God) and be crucified and on the third day rise ((b)from death).

8 And they remembered His words.

9 And having returned from the tomb, they reported all these things (taken together) to the eleven apostles and to all the rest.

10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who reported these things to the apostles.

11 But these reports seemed to the men an idle tale ((c)madness, (d)feigned things, (e)nonsense), and they did not believe the women.

12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; and stooping down and looking in, he saw the linen cloths alone by themselves, and he went away, wondering about and marveling at what had happened.

13 And behold, that very day two of (the disciples) were going to a village called Emmaus, (which is) about seven miles from Jerusalem.

14 And they were talking with each other about all these things that had occurred.

15 And while they were conversing and discussing together, Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them.

16 But their eyes were held, so that they did not recognize Him.

17 And He said to them, What is this discussion that you are exchanging ((f)throwing back and forth) between yourselves as you walk along? And they stood still, looking sad and downcast.

18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, Do you alone dwell as a stranger in Jerusalem and not know the things that have occurred there in these days?

19 And He said to them, What (kind of) things? And they said to Him, About Jesus of Nazareth, Who was a Prophet mighty in work and word before God and all the people—

20 And how our chief priests and rulers gave Him up to be sentenced to death, and crucified Him.

21 But we were hoping that it was He Who would redeem and set Israel free. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things occurred.

22 And moreover, some women of our company astounded us and (g)drove us out of our senses. They were at the tomb early (in the morning)

23 But did not find His body; and they returned saying that they had (even) seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive!

24 So some of those (who were) with us went to the tomb and they found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see.

25 And (Jesus) said to them, O foolish ones (sluggish in mind, dull of perception) and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken!

26 Was it not necessary and (h)essentially fitting that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer all these things before entering into His glory (His majesty and splendor)?

27 Then beginning with Moses and (throughout) all the Prophets, He went on explaining and interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning and referring to Himself.

28 Then they drew near the village to which they were going, and He acted as if He would go further.

29 But they urged and insisted, saying to Him, Remain with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. So He went in to stay with them.

30 And it occurred that as He reclined at table with them, He took (a loaf of) bread and praised (God) and gave thanks and asked a blessing, and then broke it and was giving it to them

31 When their eyes were (instantly) opened and they (clearly) recognized Him, and He vanished ((i)departed invisibly).

32 And they said to one another, Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and as He opened and explained to us (the sense of) the Scriptures?

33 And rising up that very hour, they went back to Jerusalem, where they found the Eleven (apostles) gathered together and those who were with them,

34 Who said, The Lord really has risen and has appeared to Simon (Peter)!

35 Then they (themselves) (j)related (in full) what had happened on the road, and how He was known and recognized by them in the breaking of bread.

36 Now while they were talking about this, Jesus Himself took His stand among them and said to them, Peace ((k)freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin) be to you!

37 But they were so startled and terrified that they thought they saw a spirit.

38 And He said to them, Why are you disturbed and troubled, and why do such doubts and questionings arise in your hearts?

39 See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Feel and handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.

40 And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

41 And while (since) they still could not believe it for sheer joy and marveled, He said to them, Have you anything here to eat?

42 They gave Him a piece of broiled fish,

43 And He took (it) and ate (it) before them.

44 Then He said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything which is written concerning Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.

45 Then He (thoroughly) opened up their minds to understand the Scriptures,

46 And said to them, Thus it is written that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer and on the third day rise from ((l) among) the dead,

47 And that repentance (with a view to and as the condition of) forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

48 You are witnesses of these things.

49 And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain in the city (Jerusalem) until you are clothed with power from on high.

50 Then He conducted them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His hands, He invoked a blessing on them.

51 And it occurred that while He was blessing them, He parted from them and was taken up into heaven.

52 And they, worshiping Him, went back to Jerusalem with great joy;

53 And they were continually in the temple celebrating with praises and blessing and extolling God. Amen (so be it).

After the Passion of Christ, these devout followers of Jesus found themselves wandering about, looking for direction.

Luke tells us that they were walking along the road between cities. John tells us Peter and John and a few others were out on the sea of Galilea fishing. Just as they were when Jesus first called them.

This was an intermission, a period of time during which they wandered aimlessly. While not for long, they were looking for their Anchor. Their lives had been a whirlwind for three years, now the center of that whirlwind was gone. Even as He was sentenced to death, they still somehow believed that He would set up His Kingdom in the earth. Jesus, the Messiah, would then, lead the charge against the oppressive Romans and set them free.

It was not until He unpacked the Scriptures throughout the 40 days between His resurrection and ascension, some of which we just read, revealing the mysteries therein, did they come to understand His purposes in coming to save that which was lost. He spent time unpacking the 351 prophesies about His birth, life, death, and resurrection from Genesis 3 to Malachi 3. All of which they needed as they were in process, being transformed from wandering disciples to warring apostles. These are men who would lead the early Church through an incredible time of revival and wide-spread awakening. This process was necessary as it would give them the strength to endure the persecution that would come in just a few short years.

As Jesus spoke and unpacked His Word, some reported in Luke 24:32 “that their hearts were greatly moved and burning within them while He was talking with them on the road as He opened up and explained the Scriptures.” This is how it should be, the Word of God, when read, when heard, should cause our spirits to burn within us, consuming the unholy to make way for the Holiness found only in His Word.

They were all lost until Jesus found them. They followed Him because they knew they had no place else that brought them the hope of eternal salvation, the passion to save the lost, the truth of God’s eternal plan from the beginning, and ultimately, purpose for their own lives.

They knew He was the Son of the Living God, but the grief over His death threw them briefly off course. They loved Him with all that they had. So, when He was crucified, we can certainly understand why they wandered aimlessly searching for direction. Once again, however, as He always does, He found them. Jesus provided them with their anchor, and they transitioned from wanderers to Apostolic warriors for the Kingdom of Heaven! Within just a matter of days they received their Kingdom orders and were able to cast off the old man, the wandering soul, and rise as warriors for His Kingdom.

They never lost sight of Him again! They were warriors!

They were on fire for Jesus and emboldened to preach the Gospel message until the very end!

In the coming days, we will dig into the book of Acts, but I feel it’s important for us to first look at some of these prominent figures of the early Church. They will help guide us, encourage us, inspire us as we move from Wanders to Warriors working now—2000 years later—to rebuild our nation in the will and the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven!

First Luke: while not a disciple of Christ while He walked this earth, Luke did become a disciple of Christ after the persecutions began. He traveled with Paul, in fact, some church historians believe that Luke is the one Paul saw in the vision recorded in Acts 16:9 when a man appeared in the night, calling him to come to Macedonia and help them. Upon his arrival in Macedonia, Paul saw Luke, the man in his vision, serving as a confirmation from the Lord. They travelled together from this point on. After Paul was martyred, Luke’s ministry work continued. He would eventually be martyred in Greece, hung on a cross until he died. Preaching the Gospel from the cross until he took his last breath.

Mark: the writer of the Gospel of Mark, he was not among the 12, but he was another wanderer searching for an anchor. He was converted by Peter, ultimately writing what some call “Peter’s Gospel”, which we know as Gospel of Mark. Mark was martyred by being dragged by horses through the streets until he died.

Simon surnamed Peter: died 33-34 years after the death of Christ. According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary, there is “satisfactory evidence that he and Paul were the founders of the church at Rome and died in that city. Recognized as the head of the original Christian community in Jerusalem (Israel), he left the city when King (Herod Agrippa I) started to persecute all Christians in Jerusalem and ordered the beheading of the Apostle James (the Great). After escaping from Jerusalem, Peter preached in Judea (originally Palestine) and in Antioch (Syria) where he is historically considered as the first patriarch (bishop) of the Orthodox Church. After staying in Antioch for some time, Peter went to Rome and converted thousands to Christianity. The emperor at the time, Nero, did not like the idea of Romans becoming Christians and used the new members of the group for his amusement (e.g., feeding them to lions or wild dogs, and then burning them at the stake in Rome’s coliseum if they do not renounce their faith). Peter was one of the most prominent victims of this persecution. He was captured and after being forced to watch his wife’s crucifixion, Peter was crucified upside-down at his own request, because he said he was not worthy to be crucified the same way as our Lord. His body lies below the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican City, in Rome.

James (the Great): the son of Zebedee, the brother of the Apostle John. He was captured and condemned to die by Herod the Agrippa 1 to please Jewish leaders who were furious at the rapid growth of the Church. James was put to death by Herod Agrippa I shortly before the day of the Passover, in the year 44 or about 11 years after the death of Christ. From Acts 12: 1-2.

John: For most of his labors, John was with Peter in Jerusalem up until the persecution of Herod Agrippa I. During this period, scholars agree that John escaped and preached for some time in Asia Minor (an area around Turkey). Years later, scholars have traced that he went to Rome where it was believed he was persecuted by other Christians and was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil—he miraculously survived. The Roman emperor at the time, Dominitian, decided after the incident to banish John to the island of Patmos (in Greece). When Dominitian died, John went back to Ephesus (in Turkey) where he spent the rest of his days.

Andrew: Preached in Georgia (Russia), Istanbul (Turkey), Macedonia, and finally Greece. There in Patros, Greece, Governor Aegiatis was angered by the apostle’s preaching and the conversion of his own family to Christianity. He ordered Andrew to renounce his faith in front of a tribunal. When Andrew resisted, the governor ordered that Andrew be crucified. He was tied upside down to an X-shaped cross with thick, tight ropes but Andrew kept preaching to spectators. He was able to convince many to accept Christianity just before he died after suffering for three days.

Phillip: Preached in Greece, Syria, and Turkey (in the cities of Galatia, Phrygia, and Hierapolis). Philip partnered with Bartholomew in his missions. According to sources “Through his miraculous healing and preaching, Philip converted the wife of the Preconsul of the city” of Hierapolis. This event angered the Preconsul and ordered that both Philip and Bartholomew be tortured and crucified upside down. While on the cross, Philip continued to preach and he was able to convince the crowd and the Preconsul to release Bartholomew, while insisting that he (Philip) remained crucified. Bartholomew was released but Philip died on the cross and was later buried somewhere within the city.

Bartholomew: (Nathaniel)—Preached the Gospel in Mesopotamia (Iraq), Persia (Iran), Turkey, Armenia, and India. He was skinned alive and beheaded at Derbent (Azerbaijan, near Russia) on the Caspian Sea by order of a local king after a majority of the people of Derbent converted to Christianity.

Matthew: He must have lived many years as an apostle since he was the author of the Gospel of Matthew which was written at least two decades after the death of Christ. Christian tradition says he preached in Ethiopia (in Africa), Judea (Israel today), Macedonia, Syria, and Parthia (northeast Iran). He was killed with a sword in Ethiopia.

Thomas: Called by most Christians the “Doubting Thomas” for disbelieving the Lord’s Resurrection. But after his doubts were erased by touching Jesus’ wounds, he became a fearless preacher of the Gospel and builder of churches. He was one of the first Apostles who preached outside the boundaries of the vast Roman Empire (out of Europe). He preached in Babylon (present-day Iraq) and established its first Christian church. Then he went to Persia (Iran) and traveled as far as China and India. He was martyred in Mylapore, India when a local king named Masdai condemned Thomas to death. The Apostle angered the Brahmins (high-ranked priests/scholars who served as the king’s advisers) who thought Christianity disrespected India’s Caste System. Thomas was brought to a nearby mountain and was stabbed to death with a spear.

James Alpheus (the Lesser): We know he lived at least five years after the death of Christ because of mentions in the Bible. Believed to have preached in Damascus (Syria) and is acknowledged as the first bishop of the Christians in Jerusalem (Israel). Historians say he was sentenced to be stoned to death by the Jews for challenging Jewish Laws and for convincing some of the members of the Jewish community to convert to Christianity. James died when during the stoning, one person from the crowd approached him and bashed his head with a fuller’s club (a piece of wood used for bashing-washing clothes). He was buried on the spot where he died, somewhere in Jerusalem.

Simon the Zealot: Before becoming an apostle, Simon was a member of the “Zealots”, a political movement rebelling against the Roman occupation of Jerusalem. Identified by some as the second Bishop of Jerusalem after James the Lesser (who was beheaded). He’s also believed to have preached in the Middle East, North Africa, Egypt, Mauritania, and even Britain. His martyrdom is being debated by scholars and historians who claim Simon might have been crucified by the Romans in Lincolnshire, Britain, or sawed-to-death in Suanir, Persia with Jude Thaddeus.

Jude (Thaddeus): He was a partner of Simon the Zealot and together they preached and converted non-believers in Judea (Israel), Persia (Iran), Samaria (Israel), Idumaea (near Jordan), Syria, Mesopotamia (Iran) and Libya. It is also widely believed that Jude traveled and preached in Beirut, Lebanon. He also helped Bartholomew in bringing Christianity to Armenia. He was clubbed to death and his body was either sawed or axed in pieces after (together with Simon the Zealot).

Matthias. This is the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. He was stoned nearly to death, and then beheaded.

Paul. He Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational Doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.

Apart from providing an understanding of the prominent figures in Acts, why should we see this information as important? And why now?

The Awakening is here! And Revival is Enroute! Mom and I both had visions of the flames of Revival falling across the nation in the last month. The Awakening has been here since January 29, 2023. When you couple the Awakening with Revival, you have what we read of in the book of Acts! Healing, miracles, people who sell everything to partner with ministries and become warriors for Christ. Persecution may arise, but lives are so transformed, they will run to be martyred for Christ and preach His Word to everyone within earshot until they too, breathe their very last breath.

The nation changes religiously, politically, and academically. The Light so shines among men, they are drawn into a path of righteousness like a magnet. I’ve seen this, Mom has seen this, so when we speak of returning to the innocence of the 50s, we can see the effect of Revival and an Awakening. It does not just impact the Church; it impacts the entire nation. It is transformed!

My burden right now, is to share an experience I had with the Lord in April of 2023. We need to press in for the Church in this hour, because the Church is the heart of the nation, and it must be purged and ready to receive the harvest that is coming as a result of the coming Revival.

“Ten Explosions Paving the Way for a Revolution in the Ecclesia!”

First released April 17, 2023

Ricci Johnson-Wilson

In February, the Lord took me into a time of prophetic intercession and warfare. After a period, I had a vision of Revival spreading across the Ecclesia, and Holy Spirit compelled me to grab my journal as a release was coming.

I have had some unique experiences with the Lord, but this one was quite remarkable as He downloaded in vision—and through pen—His plans for the Ecclesia in the coming days.

This was on February 19, 2023, eleven days after revival broke out in Asbury. I saw several explosions in the spirit.

It penetrated the minds of the youth setting them free from oppression, bondages, anxiety, bitterness and so on. I saw in living color, our youth ignited for Christ. They were on fire for Him! (Please note this is the tip of the iceberg for our youth, I shared several weeks ago what the Lord showed me was coming for our youth specifically. You can read what He gave me here.)

The experienced continued, the revival was completely uncontrollable, uncontainable, unregulatable, it broke through religious structures and began to penetrate churches across the Nation. Those ready, those prepared in prayer and fasting were hit first with the wave of His Baptism of Fire.

Next, the Lord moved into the Charismatic and Pentecostal realms. Healings began, both emotional and physical healings were seen, it was tangible. I saw walls come down between the races, walls of division and strife came down, reconciliation ensued. The wall of deception brought about by the Elite crumbled before their eyes and people saw the truth and that truth set them free!

The Baptism of Fire came to the Black Baptist Churches across the land. The ripple effect was beyond imagination. They did not run and jump about; they fell on their faces under the revelation of their hypocrisy. They saw their sin and weeping and mourning over that sin broke their hearts for a season. They arose somber but cleansed and then Holy Spirit entered and grabbed hold of them, scales fell from their eyes, and they saw TRUTH! Leaders could not restrain the exodus that began. Men like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson stood stunned by their own lack of ability to control or stop what God was doing.

The Baptist Churches were hit with Holy Spirit! The Baptism of Fire fell and like the tongues of fire that rested on the disciples in Acts 2, they were struck and began to speak in tongues! The fire of God fell upon them, and they received a revelation of the Word unlike anything they’d witnessed before. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among them” became a tangible reality in their midst.

The Stuffy Churches in the nation were hit! Walls came down, time and structure no longer mattered, they were activated! Now, all that concerned them was being a part of what Holy Spirit was doing in the nation!

The Catholic Church was hit by the Baptism of Fire! I saw a mass exodus! Some remained completely stunned over what they were witnessing while others saw the TRUTH and the TRUTH set them free! Friends, they saw Jesus, His work on the Cross and path He created to the Father, the deception they’d been under was instantly shattered! Untold numbers came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

I saw congregants within several church denominations rise from their seats and run to flags reflecting the compromise within that church. LGTBQ+, the Marxist BLM, “inclusive” symbols, and pro-choice flags were torn from their post and ripped in two. People wept over the revelation that they were participating in platforms that represent “death and destruction.” They were broken before the Lord and He restored their repentant hearts.

Divisive denominational walls came crashing down. The Word became LIFE and dwelt among them as revelation poured out in their midst. Truth prevailed and staunch leaders could not prevent what God was going in their midst.

I saw witchcraft attempting to stop this move, but the Lord suddenly brought to my remembrance a word He gave me years ago that I saw occurring here! Revival penetrated this arena. They bowed the knee to Christ and Christ alone! They are so open to the supernatural, so when Christ appears in their midst, they will run from the power of darkness and into the truth found only in His light!

Friends, this is Joel Chapter 2, Peter decrees this himself in Acts Chapter 2. And the Lord told Mom back in 2011 that Acts Book 2 was coming! This is God pouring out His Spirit, restoring what the locust has stolen and bringing forth the latter and the former rain! He is going to visit us in unprecedented ways transforming every level of society, young and old, rich and poor, man and woman, He is coming to invade the nations, and it will pour out upon all flesh, ten explosions filled with the revelation of Who He is!

I ask you to pray into these things with us, pray for the walls to come down, for deception to be broken, and people to be set free!

God is moving, His Spirit is hovering over the nation, I’ve shared it before, He is brooding over our land! He is preparing the land for the great release of His glory, His love, His passion, His healing, His restoration, His revolution in our midst today! Stirring the heart of His followers to run to Him, those who were lost will indeed be found! Wanders are going to be warriors, they will run and not be weary! This is the hour! Press into His calling and prepare ye the way for the coming of the King!

Blessings & love,

Ricci Johnson-Wilson