And They're Off

When the announcer shouted, “They’re off!” at the beginning of the 151st Kentucky Derby, he likely had no idea how prophetic those words—and his final call—would prove to be. The track was muddy, the tension high, and all eyes were on the favorite horse, Journalism.

The declaration “They’re off” couldn’t be more fitting for the mainstream media. Today’s journalism, marked by brazen bias, narrative control, manipulation, and outright lies, has drifted far from its calling. It’s off course, yet still racing hard to maintain dominance.

Like the Kentucky Derby, we’ve been off to the races with Journalism in the lead until… in the home stretch, the announcer shouted, “Sovereignty to rule” over Journalism. The prophetic implications are manifold and profound. Here are a few worth pondering:

• God Is Raising Up Bold Witnesses

Across sports—from college football and softball championships to the Super Bowl—athletes are publicly proclaiming Jesus. The Derby was no exception. Still seated on his horse, jockey Junior Alvarado declared:

"I gotta thank my Lord Jesus for giving me this Kentucky Derby win."

The Apostles lived in a culture that was hostile to the gospel—much like the one poisoned by the lies of today’s mainstream media “journalists.”  Instead of retreating, they prayed for more boldness—and were filled with the Spirit to declare truth even more powerfully.

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness… After they prayed… they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Acts 4:29–31

“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel… Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Ephesians 6:19–20

Let’s continue to follow their lead and pray for Holy Spirit empowered boldness to declare Jesus without fear or compromise.

• God Is Using Unwitting Vessels

The owner of Sovereignty is a Muslim, yet through him came a public declaration of Christ—through his jockey. This is no accident. God often uses the unredeemed to fulfill His purposes and bring His glory to the forefront.God is raising up more leaders who are not believers like:

Cyrus:

“This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus… ‘I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me.’ ” Isaiah 45:1–5

God anointed Cyrus to fulfill prophecy, liberate Israel and appointed him “to build a temple for him at Jerusalem…” Ezra 1:2

Pharoah:

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Exodus 9:16

Like God using a Muslim to bring forth a testimony of Jesus through his Jockey, the Lord is raising up unwitting vessels to bring deliverance to God’s people again, declare God's glory, and fulfill God's purposes.

• The Odds Are in Our Favor

The Lord is Not a Long Shot  - The odds at the start of the race were 7 to 1, but the payout was $17.96 (9:1)

7 represents divine perfection, covenant, completion, and divine order.

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing”  Genesis 2:2

9 represents the fullness of the Trinity (3+3+3), in stark contrast to 666, the number of the Antichrist.

The payout also echoes 1796, the year of America’s first real two-party election. It signals the return of the foundations of our Republic. It was also the end of George Washington's presidency. Like then, the baton is now passed on for us to carry.

• Victory in the Mud

The muddy track at Churchill Downs reminded us that the race is won by the one who perseveres against the odds, even in the worst conditions - even when the headlines predict otherwise.

As Yogi Berra famously said: “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Or as Marilyn Hickey put it:  “It’s not over until you win.”

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9“Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24

Even if it looks like Sovereignty is trailing behind, if we keep believing and running toward the finish line — God's purposes for us will prevail.  

• Get Ready for the harvest.

Yahoo News declared, “It was a win for Sovereignty over Journalism at the 151st Kentucky Derby” aligning prophetically with:

Isaiah 15:1“This is the divine revelation about Moab. In a single night Ar in Moab is laid waste and destroyed!”

Moab, birthed from incest, symbolizes carnality, immorality, total depravity, and pride—fitting of modern media’s moral decay. Yet God says it will fall in a night.

Some believe 151 points toward 153—the number of fish caught in Jesus’ miracle in John 21. If so, we’re two years from a net-breaking harvest.

• Location, location, location 

  
  

  The Kentucky Derby took place at Churchill Downs—an almost too-perfect metaphor. In many ways, the Church has been going downhill, losing ground to cultural compromise, division, and silence. But God is declaring: “Sovereignty still rules.”

  
  

Kentucky’s motto is  “United we stand, divided we fall.” This is no coincidence. The Spirit is calling the Body of Christ to run united, to stand together, and to boldly lift the name of Jesus in a world racing in the wrong direction.

We’re coming down the home stretch on the verge of a big win. The Sovereign God is moving in unlikely ways, using unexpected vessels, and calling His people to prepare for awakening.  Let’s get ready—for the harvest is near.

Even if it looks like Journalism leads, remember: Sovereignty wins in the end.