TD Jakes: 2010 will be a year of double portion

|PIC1|Dallas megachurch pastor and entrepreneur TD Jakes does not usually make declarations or predictions for the new year. But the year 2010 is different, he believes.

In a video message, The Potter's House pastor said he expects 2010 to be a year of "double portion".

Considering the global economic slump that many have suffered through over the past year or so, Jakes sees light at the end of the tunnel.

"The Bible is not mystical about loss. It's just the modern day teachers that we have today that led us down the wrong path to thinking that there would be no challenges," he noted. "The Bible has always been clear that there would be losses. But He promised to restore the years [of] cankerworms."

Alluding to a biblical passage in the Old Testament book of Joel, Jakes said 2009 had been a year when cankerworms, palmerworms and locusts had eaten into people's resources, retirements and homes. But just as Joel prophesied in the Bible, Jakes believes God will restore in the new year what was taken away.

"When you look at 2010, I believe it is time for us ... to look at the fact that we have been through enough things, been through enough turmoil that now we're ready to move to the next level," he declared in the video message, while noting that 20 is "10 carried into a double dimension".

"Whenever God pulls back a bow, the arrow is going to go further than it's ever gone before," he said. "I believe that the turning point is going to be 2010.

"I believe because we have crossed this Jordan like Elijah and Elisha that we are now eligible to step into a double portion. Financially, yes. We need it; our country needs it; our world needs it. But beyond that, wisdom, inspiration, a new development of faith; I believe new ministries are going to burst wide open."

Tens of thousands are expected to see in the new year with Jakes, who is often identified as a prosperity gospel preacher. The charismatic preacher recently announced a "historic Watch Night" service that will involve multi-site technology. Along with a New Year's Eve service at The Potter's House worship centre in Dallas on West Kiest Boulevard, the megachurch will also be hosting the service in two other locations via satellite.

"Open your arms up to God and receive your blessing," Jakes says in his invitation.

While optimistic for the new year, Jakes articulated that the year of blessing and restoration will come to those who are prepared and have a strategy in place and to those who have been dealt setbacks but refused to die.

"If no strategy is in place to propel yourself forward ... you won't be prepared to move forward to the next dimension," he emphasised. "If you're planning to use all the struggle of 2009 to propel you for 2010, I believe you will be blessed."

He noted, "I've been teaching our church to plan to be blessed. It's not accidental; it's not a mistake. There's a strategy to it. Sow your seed now."

The Potter's House is one of the largest churches in the US with more than 30,000 members.