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| 28.1 | Gideon's Army | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri Feb 07 1997 20:44 | 241 |
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From: "James Rule" <jrule@kconline.com>
Subject: Revelation & Prophecy of Gideon's Army
The revelation and prophecy is a combination of what the Spirit
gave another brother in 1967, and myself in the 1990's...
______________________________
Revelation and Prophecy of Gideon's Army
The Spirit of the Lord said that Gideon and his army are a type
of the end-time army that He is preparing that will go forth in the
fulness of Christ and the fulness of the Spirit's anointing, preaching
the gospel of the kingdom and delivering His people. That which is
spoken of in Judges, chapters 6 and 7 is a description of the end-time
army that He, the Lord, was calling out and preparing.
In Judges, chapter 6, the Word says that Israel the people were found
to be in sin, that is, they "did evil in the sight of the LORD," (Judges
6:1). "So also, said the Lord, have My people who call themselves
the Church of Jesus Christ done evil in My sight. For in the ways of
man have they gone, and My ways have they forsaken. They have
forsaken the fountains of living waters. Yea, they have forsaken the
Lord, the fountain of living waters," (Jer 17:13).
The Spirit of the Lord spoke again and said that as He had delivered
Israel into the hand of Midian seven years, so has He has delivered
many in His church into the hand of the enemy. And like Israel which
found itself in great distress with the enemy encamped against it,
destroying the increase of the land, and being greatly impoverished
(Judges. 6:2-6); so too is the Church and its people in these last days.
"Because they have done evil in My sight and sinned in all the ways that
Israel sinned, and because they have done as Israel, in that "every man
did that which was right in his eyes" (Judges 17:6); so too have I
repaid them, saith the LORD with the wages of sin. For as a man
soweth, so shall he reap, saith the Lord!" (Gal 6:7).
The Spirit spake and said, That the pattern and cycle of sin and evil
spoken of in the book of Judges, is a perfect picture of the lives of
the multitudes who profess the name of Jesus and make up the Church.
If you want to know their condition, or even your own condition, then
read in My Word the history of Israel in Judges; for saith the Lord,
"Know ye not that all these things happened unto them for examples:
and they are written for your admonition, upon whom the ends of the
world are come," (I Cor 10:11).
After this the Spirit revealed that in the last days the church of
Jesus Christ would come to the end of itself, and like the children
of Israel will cry out unto the Lord for deliverance from its enemies
(Judges 6:6). Again the Spirit spoke and said that like He heard
the cries of Isreal, so again in these last days He will hear the
cries of the Church and will send forth deliverers to judge and
deliver His people.
The Spirit then revealed that these judges and deliverers will have
a supernatural calling which will be the same calling that Gideon
received. The Spirit then said that like Israel heard His voice
through the prophets, His Voice will be heard through the Gideon
army He is calling and perfecting. He said, "For I will speak to
them with My "prophetic word", yea the deeper word and mysteries of
God, which will declare unto them My ways and My truth wherein they
shall walk, and be enabled to be prepared."
The Spirit said that as the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon,
so He will I reveal Himself to His Gideon army, for they will know
Him in a supernatural and direct way. "Yea, they will know that I
AM is the God of miracles; yea, that the Lord hath sent them; yea,
that He will be with them and they shall smite the enemy as one man,"
(Judges 6:7-23).
The Spirit said, "Hear My people the Word of the Lord. As I called
Gideon to go forth before the great battle to throw down the altar
of Baal and cut down the grove that is by it (Judges, 6:25-32); so
too hath the Spirit called His end-time Gideons to do the same."
The Spirit said that as it was with Gideon so it must be with this
new Gideon's army. Its members must throw down and cut down all the
ungodly altars and groves of man's doctrines and ways that that
characterize their lives. "Though you may fear the wrath of your
father, mother, family, friends, brethren and the religious
institutions of Christendom; yet saith the Lord, like Gideon you
must do this, for only then will you be enabled to meet the great
conflicts that lie ahead."
The Spirit said forcefully that this will be a painful process
but that it has to be done. For the Spirit speaketh expressly that
"now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees" (Luke 3:6).
Then the Spirit of the Lord said that the end-time Gideon
army is to learn a lesson from Gideon. Gideon, the Spirit said,
"asked of Me a fleece to know if I had really called him to save
Israel by Mine hand. Know that My Word in Judges, 6-7 is to be
received by faith, as I reveal and bring it forth now, for have
I not called you to walk by faith and not by sight?" (2 Cor 5:7)
"Believe ye My Word and ye shall prosper, saith the Lord."
Then the Spirit of the LORD referenced Judges 6, verses 33-35 and
said that even as the call of Gideon went out to Israel, "even so
My call has gone out in the last days for a Gideon's army. For
many years I have been calling to the Spirit-filled in My
church, telling them, revealing to them in one way or another, that
the enemy has come in like a flood and I have called My people
to gather for the battle." The Spirit then revealed that the
"32,000" have heard and gathered; but the Lord has a mighty work of
preparation and separation that must be accomplished.
The Spirit said, "Do you understand the meaning of My Word in Judges
7:2-7? Do you not know that all who have received the Spirit in
this great latter day outpouring are called, but by no means will
the majority be chosen." The Spirit then showed why the Lord will
pass over the majority of His Spirit-filled people. Like the 32,000
gathered with Gideon, so too, the multitudes of Spirit-filled
believers today are relying on their numbers to defeat the enemy.
The Spirit said that His Word is filled with examples whereby He
used just one man, one woman, or a small group of people to defeat
the enemy.
"Have you not read of Jonathan, Samson, Deborah, David, Abraham and
Moses? And what of the Lord Jesus, Himself, Paul, Peter, John and
My apostolic church," He said. "My people are trusting in their
large numbers, their abilities, their organizations, their programs,
their united churches. They have sinned as David did when he
numbered the army of Israel, wherein then I visited great judgment
upon Isreal," (2 Sam 24). "Even now," saith the Lord, "many of those
who have been called to Gideon's army think and act this way; and
like Israel, they only vaunt themselves against Me, saying, mine
own hand hath delivered me." (Judges 7:2).
The Spirit then said that many will not receive this rebuke for
it will strike at the very heart of their pride. "But, My Word
shall stand; and even now many have been rejected for this reason!
It is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit," saith the
Lord! The Spirit then said that He must also reject and separate
the "22,000" for they are "fearful and afraid" (Judges 7:3).
"My people are afraid and fearful," saith the Lord. "Many are
afraid of the enemy for they fear man, they fear trials, they fear
persecutions, they fear the cost of holiness and forsaking all to
follow Me. Because they do not walk in My fear, and in total love
and faith in Me and My Word, I must separate them; for in the
great conflicts and battles that lie ahead they would only fail Me."
The Spirit revealed very emphatically that because many Spirit-
filled believers are in such a state of unbelief in God and His Word,
they are in no position to wield the "sword of Gideon", the Word of
the Lord; nor are they "vessels fit to be broken" whereby the light,
the glory of the Lord shall shine forth through them!
The Spirit spoke again and said, "My work of separation must continue
for I will bring the "10,000" down to the water, for there will I
try them, as I tried the 22,000." The Spirit revealed that the true
Gideon's army will reveal themselves by how they drink. They will not
do as the 9,600 who "bowed down upon their knees to drink" (Judges
7:6). The Spirit revealed that the "9600" are a picture of many
Spirit-filled believers who want to be a part of end-time ministry
or the Gideon army, but like an animal which drinks with its head
beneath the water, they have failed to watch and prepare.
The Spirit said, "Many of My people are not watching as commanded
in My Word and so they are being overcome by the enemy in many ways;
yea, they have fallen prey to ravening wolves, false ministers and
doctrines of demons. By this they have revealed their heart to be
desirous of drinking from the cisterns of men and enduldging in the
pleasures of sin and easy believism. By their conduct and actions
they have disqualified themselves from My end-time army. Some have
drunk the water of Life and My Word, but they have not been watchful
to believe and obey My Word."
But then the Spirit of the Lord explained that the men "that lapped
of the water with their tongue" (Judges 7:5-7), were the ones who
received the end-time water of the Word with all watchfulness. The
Spirit said that it will be by the conduct and actions of those who
receive His Word in these last days that He will select, prepare,
equip and anoint His Gideon's army.
The Spirit of the Lord said that the "300" are those who are chosen of
the Lord because they have submitted to Him, His Word and the Spirit
in all things. They are those who follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Like Jesus, their Master, they will walk and live in total faith,
obedience, holiness, love and submission to the Father and the Word.
They will walk in the Spirit and be overcomers in all things, having
come to maturity because they first prepared and were faithful to the
Lord in all things. This "remnant" will be those who have paid the
price to walk in victory by death to self, prayers and fastings; and
in absolute knowledge of their sonship position and authority.
The Word of God will be their meat and drink, and they will be those
who have the Truth and will speak it in the power and demonstra-
tion of the Spirit. Then the Spirit said that just as Gideon and the
300 had only a trumpet and empty pitchers with lamps therein for
weapons. (Judges 7:16-20) So it will be with the end-time Gideon's army.
"The weapons I have given them will appear as foolish and base to the
world and most of My church for the Church relies upon fleshly and
carnal weapons; but My weapons are mighty through God to the pulling
down of strongholds," (2 Cor 10:3-5).
The Spirit said that the church has substituted many "carnal" weapons
of denominationalism, colleges, seminaries and religious education;
"yea, they have multiplied to themselves presbyteries and boards; they
have substituted men and boards as a covering for Jesus' Blood and
Headship; yea, they have exulted their organizations and theology over
the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord God Almighty; they even think that
the ways of the world when united with My Name will give them victory;
for have not My people substituted the carnal weapons of psychology,
medicine, counseling, political activities, worldly music and such?"
The Spirit said, "Have not I given you Divine and supernatural weapons?
My weapons are the gifts of the Spirit, the Name of Jesus, the Blood
of the Lamb, the dunamis of My Spirit, the sword of the Spirit - the
Word of God, and the spoken word of faith! I challenge you, saith the
Lord, to search My Word, be as the Berean's and see if you can find any
other weapons that I have given My church!"
And then the Spirit said, "My army shall minister and speak in the same
realm of faith that the Lord Jesus did, for theirs will be a ministry of
the spoken word of faith, for it shall be even as the Master said, That
whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast
into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that
those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever
he saith," (Mat 11:23). The Spirit then said that Gideon's army will
speak the Word of faith and like Joshua, Elijah, Elisha and Paul they
will decree a thing to come to pass and they will boldly command in
the Name of Jesus (Job 22:28, Isa.45:11). "For have I not said," saith
the Lord, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do
also; and greater works than these shall he do also; because I go unto
my Father," (Jn. 14:12).
"O My people, believe ye in the Lord and His Word! Many, yea most
of My people will stumble and be offended when they receive this, but
it must be this way! Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men;
and the weakness of God is stronger than men," (I Cor 1:25). The
Spirit said, "Read My word in I Corinthians, chapter 1 verses 27-29;
for there you will see My ways!" He said, "Read My word through My
anointed apostle in I Cor 2, verses 1-6 and there you will see My ways!
Then the Spirit said that even as the Spirit of the Lord came upon
Gideon and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered to him; "even
so have I sounded forth the trumpet in this last hour. For as the
light doth shine unto darkness," saith the Lord, "So hath My Word
revealed unto you My will for this hour. Be not a doubter but a
doer; do not hesitate, do not wait; but in all earnestness move into
the place of spiritual development and faith I would have you to walk
in, to live in, to move in, to minister in, in this hour," saith the
Lord!
|
| 28.2 | Face into the Wind | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Feb 10 1997 16:12 | 70 |
| Turn Your Face into the Wind
A Prophetic Word by David Minor
Published in the Intercessors for America newsletter, June 1988
The spirit of God says that the wind of the Holy Spirit is
blowing through the land. The Church, however, is incapable of fully
recognizing this Wind. "Just as your nation has given names to its
hurricanes, so I have put My Name on this wind. This Wind shall be named
Holiness Unto The Lord," saith the Lord.
"Because of a lack of understanding, some of my people will try to find
shelter from this Wind. But in so doing, they shall miss my work. For this
Wind has been sent to blow through every institution that has been raised
in My Name. Those institutions that have substituted their name for
Mine shall fall by the impact of My Wind. They shall fall like cardboard
shacks in a gale. Ministries that have not walked in uprightness before
Me shall be broken and fall," saith the Lord.
"This is My wind. For this reason, man will be tempted to brand this as a
work of Satan. But do not be misled, this is MY Wind. I cannot tolerate My
Church in its present form, nor will I tolerate it. Ministries and
organizations will shake and fall in the face of this wind, and even though
some will seek to hide from the Wind, they shall not escape. It will blow
against your lives and all around you will appear to be crumbling, and
so it shall," saith the Spirit.
"But never forget this is MY Wind," saith the Lord. "With tornado force it
will come and appear to leave devastation. But the Lord says, "Turn your
face into this Wind and let it blow. For only that which is not of Me shall
be devastated. It is necessary."
"But be not dismayed. For after this, My wind shall blow a second time.
Have you not read how My Breath blew on the valley of dry bones? So it
shall breathe on you. This Wind will be equal in force to the first Wind.
This Wind too will have a name. It shall be called The Kingdom of God,"
saith the Lord.
"It shall bring My government and order. And along with them, it shall
also bring My power. The supernatural shall come with this Wind. The
world will laugh at you because of the devastation of the first Wind,
but their laughing will not continue for long. For the second Wind will
come with a force and power that will produce the miraculous among My
people and the fear of God shall fall on the nation." saith the Lord.
"My people will be willing in the day of My power," saith the Lord. In my
first Wind, I will blow out pride, lust, greed, competition, and jealousy,
and you will feel devastated, but have you not read, "Blessed are the
poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven? So, out of your
poverty of spirit I will establish my kingdom, for by My Spirit My
Kingdom will be established and made manifest," saith the Lord.
"There will be those who will seek to hide from the first Wind and
will also try to partake of the second Wind. But, they will be blown
away by it. Only those who have turned their faces into the first Wind
shall be allowed to partake of the second Wind," saith the Lord.
"You have longed for revival and a return of the miraculous and
supernatural. You and your generation will see it, but it will only come
by My process," saith the Lord.
"My Church cannot contain My power in its present form. But as it turns
to the Wind of the Holiness of God, it shall be purged and changed to
reflect My glory. This Wind of Judgment which has begun in the House of
God is not the end. When the second Wind has come and brought in My
harvest, then shall the end come," saith the Lord.
Prophecy received Midnight, April 6, 1987
Updated August 18, 1996
|
| 28.3 | The Mantle of Elijah | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Feb 10 1997 18:27 | 105 |
| The Elijahs of God will Arise
by Howard Pittman
------------------------------------------------
There are at least three men of God in history who have walked
under the mantle and anointing of the great prophet Elijah:
Elijah himself, the prophet Elisha, and also John the Baptist
(who came 'preparing the way of the Lord' at His first coming).
Now that we are approaching Christ's return, the Bible states
that we can once again expect God to raise up such bold and
anointed messengers who will go forth "in the spirit and power
of Elijah" just prior to His return.
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming
of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn
the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the
children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with
a curse" (Mal 4:5-6). Jesus Himself stated that, "Elijah comes,
and will restore all things..." (Mt 17:11). The task of these
end-times Elijah ministries is to "prepare the way of the Lord"
and to "make straight a highway for our God" (Is 40:3). These
are to be the spiritually 'violent' new ministries that God has
been speaking about over the last few years or so. What glor-
ious days these will be, when such ministries arise to defend
the name and the honour of the Most High once again.
The following is an extract from the book "Placebo" by Howard
Pittman. Mr Pittman was a Baptist preacher who, on 3 August,
1979, went into a near-death coma following the sudden rupture
of the main trunk artery in his body cavity and the collapse of
his veins through blood-loss. He was brought back from the dead
twice by the doctors who were working on him in the hospital,
and it was during this period that his spirit was transported
into the heavenly realm and he was shown much about his own
life, the state of the church, and significant events that lay
in the immediate future by God.
One of the startling facts that God first placed before him was
that his self-righteous life of Christian work, passing out
tracts, etc, was an 'abomination' in God's sight, as it was all
done from selfish, pharisaical motives. This was a complete
shock to Howard (as you can imagine) but he realized that it
was absolutely true. Another thing that God told him to tell
others when he got back to earth was: "For those who call them-
selves Christians, this is the Laodicean Church Age in which we
live. A high majority of so-called Christians are, in fact,
living a deceived life. They talk Jesus and play church, but do
not live it... Because of this our Lord said He would spue them
out of His mouth. The Bible describes the condition of this
type Christian in Revelation 3:14-22."
God also spoke to him about the coming 'Elijah' ministries.
He was to share with others that, "God is now in the process of
recruiting an army with which He will shake this old world one
more time. By working through His soldiers, God will produce
great miracles that will shake the established hierarchy of the
so-called organized religion that is in this world today. These
soldiers that God is now recruiting will demonstrate the power
of God to a greater extent than did the disciples in the Pente-
costal age. Some will be even greater demonstrations than that
of Elijah... God's recruitment for this army has been going on
for some time. Some of these soldiers have been brought up to a
certain level of faith and placed in a "holding" position where
they shall remain until He has brought all the new ones up to
that level. Remember, the Bible says that He is the author and
finisher of our faith. It is going to be through the faith of
the soldiers that God will demonstrate His great power. As was
stated earlier, for a long time He has been recruiting a few.
Now the recruitment has begun in earnest because God is about
to perform the great miracles through His army that He promised
us He would do in the Bible. John the Baptist brought the spir-
it of Elijah into this world and he did not even know he had
it. He denied it, but Jesus confessed that it was so. The pur-
pose of that spirit was to make straight the paths of the
coming of the Lord.
"I declare unto you that you the soldiers who are being re-
cruited now to join with those who have been recruited in the
past, will bring to this world the spirit of Elijah. Again the
purpose is to make straight the paths of the coming of the Lord
for He is about to come again! You that sleep, now is the time
to awaken! You that have been in that "holding" pattern for
years, look up! You're about to be put to work! To the new re-
cruit, I would say study the Bible diligently and seek the
Lord's will in every aspect of your life. Time is short for
your spiritual training, but you will be used in ways you never
thought possible if you seek the Lord FIRST in your life.
"You who are to be chosen will be the soldiers of the latter
rain as referred to in scripture. This recruitment is for the
end of the great revival spoken of by the prophet Joel and be-
gun on the day of Pentecost. The end-time of that great revival
is the beginnning of the latter rain, so you must prepare for
the battle with the discipline of a professional soldier.
"Know this also. There shall be a time or process of "culling"
those who are not qualified to be a member of this "Gideon's"
army. Just as in Gideon's army in the Bible, only a select few
will be fit for service in the army of Christian soldiers the
Lord will use in the battle of the latter rain."
Howard Pittman. PO box 107, Foxworth, Mississippi 39483, USA
|
| 28.4 | The Dark Night of the Soul | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Feb 10 1997 19:40 | 154 |
|
The Dark Night of the Soul
author unknown
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall
humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn
from their wicked ways, then will l hear from heaven
and will forgive their sin and will heal their land".
- 2 Chronicles 7:14.
________________________
At no other time does God express love more than
when He allows this time of total emptiness. God risks
being misunderstood. He faces the potential of one of
His children walking away frustrated and confused, but
He believes the good it will produce is well worth the
risk.
Why does God allow this dark night? I strongly believe
that our Father realizes that those through whom He works
receive great praise from the church and awesome attacks
from Satan. A person lacking humility won't survive the
praise of men. A person without perseverance won't overcome
Satan.
If the children of God demonstrate that they won't go by
what they see or feel, God will know that He has vessels
that will not rely on circumstances or feelings to keep
them on a straight course. God wisely observes that anyone
who survives this night is rightfully suited to invade enemy
territory.
Again we see this fifth stage in our key verse,
2 Chronicles 7:14, "...will humble themselves and pray,
and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways...'
It would seem that by this stage, God would know we
have abandoned our sin. The issue, however, is something
deeper; it deals with our ways. Our repentance has dealt
with what we have done; now the purification focuses on
what we are.
The psalmist distinguished two aspects of God: His acts
and His ways. "He made known his ways to Moses, his
deeds to the people of Israel" (Psalm 103:7).
The children of Israel only knew God from miracle to
miracle, but Moses knew the deep intentions and the
long-range plan of God. Moses understood the essence,
heartbeat and direction of God.
To turn from our wicked ways doesn't just mean to
repent of our sins. Hitherto, we have repented of our
acts, now we need deliverance from our ways.
Gethsamane was the dark night of the soul for Jesus
Christ; it was the test of His ways. You wonder if
Jesus had to repent. The answer is no, but He had to
be examined in His Father's court of justice.
The dark night of the soul is a very baffling test, for
it comes at a least expected time and with special
conditions. The inner nature must be surprised, caught
off guard, in order to be exposed and conquered.
In the many records of revival, there is an almost
uniform description of this crucible... on the mountain
top one moment, feeling run over by a train the next.
Joseph, barely recovered from a glorious dream, is
thrown into a pit by his brothers. David, still hearing
the chant of the throng saying, 'Saul has slain his
thousands and David his ten thousands,' wakes up in a
cave being hunted like an animal. Even Jesus, with the
hosannas still ringing in His ears from the triumphal
entry into Jerusalem, now prays alone, cold, tormented,
sweating blood, and surrounded by sleeping disciples.
The battlements of heaven are waiting for that
unmistakable ring of genuine obedience where the
dragon of human nature has been met and beheaded.
"Not my will but thy will be done!" Before the crown
comes the bitter cup. It must be swallowed to the bitter
dregs.
So then, what is the Lord really looking for? A
servant who knows that the cup cannot pass. Take
heart if you wish that it would pass. Even Jesus asked
if it was necessary to drink. But He did not ask to
escape because of fear of pain or selfishness. He asked
because, for the first time in eternity, He would be
separated from His Father. He knew that the plan to
save man would have to break His Father's heart. Only
Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah could begin to
understand the grief.
Herein lies the truth that releases the g]ory. In
repenting of sin, we rid ourselves of evil but in the
dark night of the soul, we surrender the things we
dearly love, things we can't readily identify as being in
conflict with God. Here the issue is not right and wrong,
but high and low purposes of living. Spiritual awakening
is not simply getting rid of sin, it is giving God what
He wants.
For fire to fall and consume the sacrifice, it must be
innocent and without blemish, but, most of all, it must
be on the altar to stay. Under every other circumstance
our nature can hide, but in this dark night it screams
for its way, and its many tentacles are exposed.
The protest was immediate. "Why this waste?"
screamed the apostles, led by Judas Iscariot. Their
outrage was almost convincing. The ointment was
worth a year's salary (maybe $12,000 today). It could
have been used to have fed the poor, they argued
(actually, Judas wanted to steal it). Mary knew it
was time to do something to God.
The time has come to pour out our best on God. Jesus
said, "The poor you have with you always." Good deeds
are always available. America is spiritually dying
because God has sales reps and not channels of His glory.
We feverishly do the right things, almost as a bribe
to postpone the needed pouring out of ourselves as a
living sacrifice.
Again we must no longer see the bad things as barriers
to revival, but the seemingly good. We can't dole out
precious ointment to the poor in doses that don't cure
them or honor God. We must be poured out on God!
Spiritual awakening means that the faithful become
fiery, the decent become dynamic, and the acceptable
become excellent. But, most of all, we become disgusted
with our evil, and totally dissatisfied with our good.
We realise that now is the time to pull out all the
stops. No program is sacred, no worthy project is
worth enough. None of the ointment can be spared. It
is revival or death!
Revival comes out of nowhere by sovereign timing. Jehovah
detects that special quality that can be rewarded with revival.
An eviction notice falls with a loud crash on the porch
of the local satanic supervisor. Angels receive their
invasion orders. The prayer core looks up and sees the
glory coming. The roar of God is about to be heard in
the land once more....
|
| 28.5 | Author Unknown? | MELEE::PMCCUTCHEON | | Mon Feb 10 1997 21:31 | 9 |
| Re: .4
I could be wrong and there could be 2 "Dark Night of the Souls" out
there, but I believe the author is a 16th century Carmelite monk, St.
John of the Cross. I'll do some checking to see if any of those
paragraphs can be found in his book.
Peter
|
| 28.6 | y | MELEE::PMCCUTCHEON | | Mon Feb 10 1997 21:39 | 9 |
| Re: .5
After looking a little more closely at the post in .4 I see that it
is not the same. Interesting that that title was chosen though. St.
John of the Cross did write a piece called "The Dark Night of The
Soul". Oh well.
Peter
|
| 28.7 | Tommy Hicks Prophesy | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Tue Feb 11 1997 19:16 | 255 |
|
The following is a stunning vision given to American preacher
Tommy Hicks
(who was a major figure in the powerful 1954 Argentina Revival).
VISION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST AND THE END-TIME MINISTRIES
My message begins July 25, about 2:30 in the morning at Winnipeg,
Canada. I had hardly fallen asleep when the vision and the reve-
lation that God gave me came before me. The vision came three
times, exactly in detail, the morning of July 25, 1961. I was so
stirred and so moved by the revelation that this has changed my
complete outlook upon the body of Christ, and upon the end-time
ministries.
The greatest thing that the church of Jesus Christ has ever been
given lies straight ahead. It is so hard to help men and women to
realize and understand the thing that God is trying to give his
people in the end times.
In the book of Acts we read that "In the last days," God said,
"I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh." I wonder if we real-
ized what he meant when God said, "I will pour out my Spirit upon
all flesh." I do not think I fully realized nor could I under-
stand the fullness of it, and then I read from the book of Joel:
"Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your
God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he
will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and
the latter rain -" (Joel 2:23). It is not only going to be the
rain, the former rain and the latter rain, but he is going to
give to his people in these last days a double portion of the
power of God!
As the vision appeared to me after I was asleep, I suddenly
found myself at a great high distance. Where I was, I do not
know. But I was looking down upon the earth. Suddenly the whole
earth came into my view. Every nation, every kindred, every
tongue came before my sight from the east and the west, the north
and the south. I recognized every country and many cities that I
had been in, and I was almost in fear and trembing as I beheld
the great sight before me: and at that moment when the world came
into view, it began to lightning and thunder.
As the lightning flashed over the face of the earth, my eyes
went downward and I was facing the north. Suddenly I beheld what
looked like a great giant, and as I stared and looked at it, I
was almost bewildered by the sight. It was so gigantic and so
great. His feet seemed to reach to the north pole and his head to
the south. Its arms were stretched from sea to sea. I could not
even begin to understand whether this be a mountain or this be a
giant, but as I watched, I suddenly beheld a great giant. I could
see his head was struggling for life. He wanted to live, but his
body was covered with debris from head to foot, and at times this
great giant would move his body and act as though he would even
raise up at times. And when he did, thousands of little creatures
seemed to run away. Hideous creatures would run away from this
giant, and when he would become calm, they would come back again.
All of a sudden this great giant lifted his hand towards heaven,
and then he lifted his other hand, and when he did these crea-
tures by the thousands seemed to flee away from this giant and go
into the darkness of the night.
Slowly this great giant began to rise and as he did, his head and
hands went into the clouds. As he rose to his feet he seemed to
have cleansed himself from the debris and filth that was upon
him, and he began to raise his hands into the heavens as though
praising the Lord, and as he raised his hands, they went even un-
to the clouds.
Suddenly, every cloud became silver, the most beautiful silver I
have ever known. As I watched this phenomenon it was so great I
could not even begin to understand what it all meant. I was so
stirred as I watched it, and I cried unto the Lord and I said,
"Oh Lord, what is the meaning of this." and I felt as if I was
actually in the Spirit and I could feel the presence of the Lord
even as I was asleep.
And from those clouds suddenly there came great drops of liquid
light raining down upon this mighty giant, and slowly, slowly,
this giant began to melt, began to sink in the very earth
itself. And as he melted, his whole form seemed to melt
upon the face of the earth, and this great rain began to come
down. Liquid drops of light began to flood the very earth itself
and as I watched this giant that seemed to melt, suddenly he be-
came millions of people over the face of the earth. As I beheld
the sight before me, people stood up all over the world! They
were lifting their hands and they were praising the Lord.
At that very moment there came a great thunder that seemed to
roar from the heavens. I turned my eyes toward the heavens and
suddenly I saw a figure in white, in glistening white - the most
glorious thing that I have ever seen in my entire life. I did not
see the face, but somehow I knew it was the Lord Jesus Christ,
and he stretched forth his hand, and as he did, he would stretch
it forth to one, and to another, and to another. And as he
stretched forth his hand upon the nations and the people of the
world - men and women - as he pointed toward them, this liquid
light seemed to flow from his hands into them, and a mighty an-
ointing of God came upon them, and those people began to go forth
in the name of the Lord.
I do not know how long I watched it. It seemed to go on for days
and weeks and months. And I beheld Christ as he continued to
stretch forth his hand; but there was a tragedy. There were many
people as he stretched forth his hand that refused the anointing
of God and the call of God. I saw men and women that I knew. Peo-
ple that I felt would certainly receive the call of God. But as
he stretched forth his hand toward this one and toward that one,
they simply bowed their head and began to back away. And each of
those that seemed to bow down and back away, seemed to go into
darkness. Blackness seemed to swallow them everywhere.
I was bewildered as I watched it, but these people that he had
anointed, hundreds of thousands of people all over the world, in
Africa, England, Russia, China, America, all over the world, the
anointing of God was upon these people as they went forward in
the name of the Lord. I saw these men and women as they went
forth. They were ditch diggers, they were washerwomen, they were
rich men, they were poor men. I saw people who were bound with
paralysis and sickness and blindness and deafness. As the Lord
stretched forth to give them this anointing, they became well,
they became healed, and they went forth!
And this is the miracle of it - this is the glorious miracle of
it - those people would stretch forth their hands exactly as the
Lord did, and it seemed as if there was this same liquid fire in
their hands. As they stretched forth their hands they said, "Ac-
cording to my word, be thou made whole."
As these people continued in this mighty end-time ministry, I
did not fully realize what it was, and I looked to the Lord and
said, "What is the meaning of this?" And he said, "This is that
which I will do in the last days. I will restore all that the
cankerworm, the palmerworm, the caterpiller - I will restore all
that they have destroyed. This, my people, in the end times will
go forth. As a mighty army shall they sweep over the face of the
earth."
As I was at this great height, I could behold the whole world. I
watched these people as they were going to and fro over the face
of the earth. Suddenly there was a man in Africa and in a moment
he was transported by the Spirit of God, and perhaps he was in
Russia, or China or America or some other place, and vice versa.
All over the world these people went, and they came through fire,
and through pestilence, and through famine. Neither fire nor per-
secution, nothing seemed to stop them.
Angry mobs came to them with swords and with guns. And like Je-
sus, they passed through the multitudes which could not stop
them, but they went forth in the name of the Lord, and everywhere
they stretched forth their hands, the sick were healed, the blind
eyes were opened. There was not a long prayer, and after I had
reviewed the vision many times in my mind, and I thought about it
many times, I realised that I never saw a church, and I never saw
or heard a denomination, but these people were going in the name
of the Lord of Hosts. Hallelujah!
As they marched forth in everything they did as the ministry of
Christ in the end times, these people were ministering to the
multitudes over the face of the earth. Tens of thousands, even
millions seemed to come to the Lord Jesus Christ as these people
stood forth and gave the message of the kingdom, of the coming
kingdom, in this last hour. It was so glorious, but it seems as
though there were those that rebelled, and they would become an-
gry and they tried to attack those workers that were giving
the message.
God is going to give the world a demonstration in this last hour
like the world has never known. These men and women are of all
walks of life, degrees will mean nothing. I saw these workers as
they were going over the face of the earth. When one would stum-
ble and fall, another would come and pick him up. There were no
"big I" and "little you," but every mountain was brought low and
every valley was exalted, and they seemed to have one thing in
common - there was a divine love, a divine love that seemed to
flow forth from these people as they worked together, and as they
lived together. It was the most glorious sight that I have ever
known. Jesus Christ was the theme of their life. They continued
and it seemed the days went by as I stood and beheld this sight.
I could only cry, and sometimes I laughed. It was so wonderful
as these people went throughout the face of the whole earth,
bringing forth in this last end time.
As I watched from the very heaven itself, there were times when
great deluges of this liquid light seemed to fall upon great con-
gregations, and that congregation would lift up their hands and
seemingly praise God for hours and even days as the Spirit of God
came upon them. God said, "I will pour my Spirit upon all flesh,"
and that is exactly what was happening. And to every man and woman
that received this power, and the anointing of God, the miracles
of God, there was no end to it.
And then again, as these people were going about the face of the
earth, a great persecution seemed to come from every angle.
Suddenly there was another great clap of thunder, that seemed to
resound around the world, and I heard again the voice, the voice
that seemed to speak, "Now these are my people, my beloved
bride." And when the voice spoke, I looked upon the earth and I
could see the lakes and the mountains. The graves were opened and
people from all over the world, the saints of all ages, seemed to
be rising. And as they rose from the grave, suddenly all these
people came from every direction. From the east and the west,
from the north and the south, and they seemed to be forming again
this gigantic body. As the dead in Christ seemed to be rising
first, I could hardly comprehend it. It was so marvellous. It was
so far beyond anything I could ever dream or think of.
But as this body suddenly began to form, and take shape again,
it took shape again in the form of this mighty giant, but this
time it was different. It was arrayed in the most beautiful gor-
geous white. Its garments were without spot or wrinkle as its
body began to form, and the people of all ages seemed to be gath-
ered into this body, and slowly, slowly, as it began to form up
into the very heavens, suddenly from the heavens above, the Lord
Jesus came, and became the head, and I heard another clap of
thunder saying, "This is my beloved bride for whom I have
waited. She will come forth even tried by fire. This is she that
I have loved from the beginning of time."
As I watched, my eyes suddenly turned to the far north, and I
saw destruction: men and women in anguish and crying
out, and buildings in destruction. Then I heard again, a
voice that said, "Now is My wrath being poured out upon the face
of the earth." From the ends of the whole world, the wrath of God
seemed to be poured out and it seemed that there were great vials
of God's wrath being poured out upon the face of the earth. I can
remember it as though it happened a moment ago. I shook and
trembled as I beheld the awful sight of seeing the cities, and
whole nations going down into destruction.
I could hear the weeping and wailing. I could hear people cry-
ing. They seemed to cry as they went into caves, but the caves in
the mountains opened up.
They leaped into water, but the water would not drown them.
There was nothing that could destroy them. They were wanting to
take their lives, but they could not.
Then again I turned my eyes to this glorious sight, this body
arrayed in beautiful white, shining garments. Slowly, slowly, it
began to lift from the earth, and as it did, I awoke. What a
sight I had beheld! I had seen the end-time ministries - the last
hour. Again on July 27, at 2:30 in the morning, the same revela-
tion, the same vision came again exactly as it did before.
My life has been changed as I realised that we are living in
that end time, for all over the world God is anointing men and
women with this ministry. It will not be doctrine. It will not be
a churchianity. It is going to be Jesus Christ. They will give
forth the word of the Lord, and are going to say, "I heard it so
many times in the vision and according to my word it shall be
done."
{Reprinted from "To Heal the Sick", pg 8-16, by C. & F. Hunter. (Hunter
Books, City of Light, 201 McClellan Rd, Kingwood, Texas 77339, USA.}
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| 28.8 | View of the Harvest | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Wed Feb 12 1997 18:32 | 85 |
|
Scrolls and Sickles.....by Prophetic Pastor Pat Hodges
Spirit of Grace Church * Houston, Texas
Visitation into Heaven
by Pat Hodges on May 1, 1996
---------------------------------------------------
I was taken into the third heaven where I saw a great winged angel; the
Angel of the Lord with a quill pen and a large parchment scroll. On the
scroll he was writing prophecy over the United States and over many other
countries around the world.
As I observed the Angel, He would look down upon the earth and write on the
scroll, look down upon the earth some more and write on the scroll. He did
this repeatedly.
I asked another angel that was nearby what He was writing as I was not
permitted to speak with the Angel of the Lord directly. The other angel
whom I spoke to explained that the Angel was writing out the final plans
that have been made in the heavenlies and the final commission for this
last great harvest of souls. As I observed the Angel that was doing the
writing, the quill pen He was using suddenly run out of ink!
As I looked at the angel whom I had spoken to with a question in my face,
he turned to me and said, time has run out! There is no more time for the
prophets to continue to play with the giftings and callings of God that
rest upon their lives! There is no more time for the prophets to dream
about building their own ministries and their own futures! They must lay
aside their own dreams and get their dreams from the Throne!
As I watched, suddenly at the wave of the hand of the Angel of the Lord, a
portal opened up over the United States through the established
principalities and powers of the enemy and out of Heaven came thousands of
angels pouring through the portal that had opened. They all carried
scrolls and sickles to bring in a harvest with.
First, the scrolls were handed out, one to each prophet. This involved
thousands of prophets around the world, but many prophets looked at the
scrolls that they were given, not bothering to open them; and losing
interest in them, they tossed the scrolls by the wayside, still caught up
in their own dreams and plans. The myriad of angels went around the earth
twice handing out scrolls, signifying two years of commissioning. Next,
they began to hand out the sickles, one to each prophet, the sickles
signifying the power to harvest souls. As the sickles were handed out,
fields ready for the Harvest suddenly appeared before the prophets.
Many of the prophets began to play with the sickles as if they were toys.
At the sight of this, the Angel of the Lord grew angry and instructed the
myriad of angels to redistribute the sickles to those who were using the
instruments for what they were meant for. Some prophets ended up with as
many as five sickles in their hands.
I then watched as the prophets who had already begun to thrust their
sickles into the harvest began to weep with intercessions and groanings for
the prophets who had tossed aside the scrolls and for the prophets who had
just played with the sickles like they were toys.
As the intercessions continued, I watched as some prophets who had been
stripped of their equipping come along side the working prophets and began
to try to bring in the Harvest with their bare hands, but to no avail.
They did not have the strength to pull up the wheat with their bare hands.
One by one, they stood back with regret in their eyes and were powerless
only to watch as the other prophets brought in the harvest. I watched as
some prophets tried to put sickles into the hands of the prophets who had
been stripped, but they did not know how to use the sickles, nor had power
to wield them because they had not read the scrolls and grew frustrated
and eventually gave up. This was the end of what I saw.
My interpretation: At the time of this writing, we are in the beginning
of two years of commissioning. The scrolls are given sovereignly of the
Lord. It is through prayer that we find out what is written on the
scrolls. If we do not take the Word of the Lord seriously, He will be
forced to give what was meant to be our part of the harvest into the
hands of others, something we dont want to happen! The Lord has called
us all in one measure or another to be a part of what He's doing and is
going to do. If we allow Him to do His work in us, we will be empowered
to do the work for Him.
In His Service, Rev. Pat Hodges, Pastor of Spirit of Grace Church,
Inc., Houston, Texas.
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| 28.9 | Live By Faith | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Thu Feb 13 1997 18:48 | 128 |
|
My Righteous Ones Shall Live By Faith
Prophetic Word Given to Jane Williams
Edited by: Larry De Groff
October 17, 1996
"But He answered, and said, 'Every plant which My heavenly
Father has not planted will be uprooted."' Mat 15:13
"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch
and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into
the fire and they are burned." John 15:6
There are many in this day who will be uprooted. Many who will be
pulled up and cast aside for they were not planted by the Father and
only His seed will remain.
But what of those He did plant? They will remain and grow. Some are
in very unlikely places. Some would seem to have limited resources,
but, nonetheless, they will grow. For the Lord will sustain them and
ensure that they prosper. Did He not feed a multitude from a few
loaves and fishes?
Is your church in a remote area? Does it seem to have limited talent
or spiritual presence? Are funds lacking to expand? Have external
forces impeded your growth? Do not worry about such things for if
the Lord is the initiator of the work, it will prosper. That which
is outwardly evident mean little. Does He not make a beautiful
cactus to bloom in the desert and wild flowers on a rocky hill?
How can one be sure that the Lord has begun a work? When times are
discouraging it is easy to feel that it was a human plan - that
perhaps the whole endeavor was conceived in the heart of man. If
times are difficulty and results delayed, do not assume that a
mistake has been made. Do not assume you misunderstood the leading
of the Lord. In these last days many churches have been allowed to
flounder, to become divided, and in some cases, finances have been
scarce. These circumstances are not necessarily meant to be signs
that the work is not from God, but rather they are trials by fire to
strengthen and purify us.
Are you following the leading of the Lord? Did you believe in your
heart that God wanted to do a work through you? Then, rest in your
original confidence. The Lord is neither slow nor is his timing less
than perfect. Rest assured that if your heart is focused on Him,
then nothing has changed since your first commissioning. You may
simply be being prepared for something much bigger than you originally
thought. A greater work which will require that you become a
vessel capable of being used in a much more powerful way.
Do not feel constrained by your present calling; and do not worry
about missing what the Lord has for you. He is speaking in many
ways to make Himself abundantly clear in these last days. If, by
chance you have been mistaken it what the Lord has called you to do
and need a course correction, He will make that clear. It is
unlikely that such a change will come through trial, though that
is possible, but it is much more likely that it will be
communicated through a loss of burden for the ministry which you
are now engaged in.
Many changes are about to take place. Soon, there will no longer
be concerns about where we should be, or even where we are. Instead,
we will begin to question whether or not we can handle the job which
the Lord is about to give us. For many who now pastor 50 to 100 will
soon be pastoring double and triple that number. Those who now
pastor 1,000 will be moving their meetings to stadiums and arenas. Our
most pressing concern will not be how to fill existing space or
pay your bills but what to do with all the people you will have
in our congregations.
How does the Lord intend to prepare for such a harvest? Will it be
through a gradual increase in the number of new Christians or by an
increased provision so that we can "ramp up" our staffs and build
new buildings? No, that would allow us time to consult the wisdom
of men, to create plans and programs, to copy what others are doing.
In this "last days" harvest, the Lord wants us to know only one
thing, total dependence upon Him. His righteous ones are to live by
faith, being totally reliant upon the Lord for all their needs,
even life itself. Rest assured that He who fed the multitudes with
just a few fishes and loaves is able to supply over and abundandly
more than you could ever need or imagine.
What God is looking for in these last days is a walk of faith. What
He is training us for is too great to be accomplished any other way.
If we continue to think that we can accomplish His work in our
own strength, we will be crushed by the weight of the work ahead.
All we need to know and appropriate by faith is that we can do nothing
apart from Him. Begin training yourself to hear the voice of God
and to walk by faith. Spend time with Him standing upon the promises
He has made to supply all your needs, to give wisdom to those who
lack, to not only have entrusted you with a work, but also to have
committed Himself to accomplish it through you. Acquaint yourselves
with the promises He has made, but in doing so, be aware that many
are conditional upon our abiding in Him and His word abiding in
us.
Some who are prospering now will be uprooted and cast aside, but
many who seem to be only tiny shoots, easily blown and trampled
upon, will spring up overnight as sturdy trees to offer shade to
many. If you feel you are in a ministry that was established or
has been operating in the power of the flesh, if you feel you have
been serving the Lord out of ignorance or pride rather than by the
Spirit of God, it is not too late to change. It is not too late
to ask Him to plant you beside the Living Water. Come to Him and
ask Him to create in you a new heart and He will come, and with
pruning shears and tender hands, set things straight.
But woe to those who will not come, who continue on in the their
own strength. They will not be able to withstand the crushing
winds of purification that lie ahead. The religeous institutions
created by man and devoid of His Spirit will surely wither and die
for He will uproot all that is not His. He will destroy all that is
without His life, all that is based upon legalism. He will discard
the selfish and the prideful. For too long, these have taken up
space in His garden. From now on righteousness, peace, and joy
will prosper and cover the earth.
The garden of the Lord was never meant to be planted in neat rows
with markers separating each kind of plant. His design is much more
creative being made up of many different and unique flowers which
man could never create. His message is clear, "It is His garden
no group is pre-eminent and there will be no glory other than His."
By His grace,
Pamela Ingram
Christian Fellowship Church
Columbia, Missouri
PamKSI@,aol.com
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| 28.10 | '2000 - A spiritual Crisis | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Tue Feb 18 1997 14:49 | 450 |
|
Spiritual Implications of the '2000
Computer Crisis
From: "c.ivan strand" <istrand@indiana.edu>
I will try to share as best I can what I understand about the Year 2000
Computer Crisis. I want to note early that for those wanting to learn
more about the technical side of this crisis I recommend the following
URL: http://www.year2000.com
While I am quite well prepared to discuss the crisis in a professional
sense, I am far less prepared to discuss this issue in a spiritual
sense. And as I wrote initially, I believe it is the view of this
crisis as seen through God's eyes that really matters. What is He
saying to us? How are we to respond?
I am greatly encouraged in the Lord! I believe we are on the verge of
the shaking and sifting that you and your subscribers describe. We may
have to pass through the war zone before this is done but I do believe
we sit on the very edge of Eternity and Christ's return!
I believe we will have a most astounding opportunity to see the idols of
this earth system vanish in smoke. I believe we must be spiritually
determined and willing to ask God to do everything that is necessary to
sever any cords that bind us to this world. To teach us to trust in
Him.
I am inspired to read your messages and the special prophetic insights
that you and your subscribers are sharing about these last days. I do
sense that God is going to do something beyond our greatest expectations
in this final harvest. I want to be a part of that. I want to see
sin destroyed, hurts healed and relationships mended.
Week One may be very quiet. Week One is the first week after Midnight.
Midnight is December 31, 1999. We are three years from Midnight.
What is this thing called the "Year 2000 Problem"? What is the big
fuss? Aren't there any solutions?
The Problem:
Thirty years ago second and third generation computer systems began to
arrive in the accounting departments of government, education and
industry. In 1967 I watched the first IBM System 360 being installed in
the Indiana Corporation where I had just finished training to be a
computer programmer. Computers were new, the software was new and
everything having to do with computers were *very* expensive,
particularly storage.
My Indiana company performed all the primary accounting functions in
these early years on computer systems that contained 16,000 bytes of
computer program memory! One inch of 3/4" wide computer tape would
store 500 characters of information! We programmers did our computer
programming on a word-processor that didn't have a back-space key! It
was called a key punch. One computer card for each line on this page.
The mindset of the programmers and computer managers was heavily
skewed toward efficient usage of computer storage. Each character of
information that had to be stored for each transaction could have major
effects on the accounting expense for the organization and thus on the
profitability.
The "Year 2000 Problem" was born in the design of computer systems in the
1960's. The design choice was to represent the date with six numeric
positions. YYMMDD: Year, Month, Day. January 4, 1966 was 660104. And
today is 970215, February 15, 1997. Accounting departments,
programmers, managers, CEO's and the directors ignored the correct
design and stored dates in the computer files without the century.
I believe it is quite fair to say that many of the above people didn't
even think through the issue. Or for some unknown reason were not
'permitted' to think through the issue.
Most if not all of the computer data planet-wide that stores date
information based on the Gregorian Calendar uses this abbreviated form
of the numeric date. We refer to this as the "six-digit date". Two of
the most common uses and troublesome problems with the six-digit dates
are 'time spans' and 'ordering'.
Time spans are calculated in the computer by subtracting two dates.
Thus my age is calculated to be the current date minus my birth date.
Today is 970215: Feb 15, 1997. My birthdate, stored in the computer
records is 420201: Feb 1, 1942. Using the year from each date, my age
is 97 - 42 = 55 years old. On the same day in 1999 my age will be
calculated as 99 - 42 = 57 years old. On the same day in 2000 my age
will be 00 - 42 = -42. Minus 42 years old! Feb 15, 2000 will be
stored as 000215, if no changes are made to the current data formats and
computer programs. Calculations that have dates in two different
centuries will not work properly with a six-digit date!
Time span calculations are undoubtedly the most pervasive and largest
issue that must be dealt with to "solve" the Year 2000 Computer
Problem. Expiration dates, eligibility dates, financial interest
calculations, payment due dates, anniversary dates, re-stocking dates.
All these examples and many more depend on the correct number of days,
months, and years between two dates. For any calculation involving
dates after January 1, 2000, the current computer programs create
errors like the example of age shown above. Many inventive people are
attempting to devise a way around this deficiency. And there have been
some very clever and helpful solutions! But as I will show later, the
"technical" side of this problem is not the major challenge, important
as it is.
Ordering of data is the second most troublesome problem with six-digit
dates. Dates are used very frequently to sort computer records into
ascending, descending or identical-date order. And this ordering is
important. Computer programs expect to find the records containing the
dates in the correct place.
Computer records are created, for example, for a student's expected
tenure in a university program. In 1996 we created date-based records
for each of four years for a student entering the undergraduate
program. Records were created for years 96, 97, 98, 99. These were
the years associated with each of the years in our four-year programs
beginning with the current year, current semester. Since some students
begin in the Spring semester, we did the same thing in January of this
year. For these students we created date-based records for the years
97, 98, 99, 00. And of course "we" know that the last two years of the
students date-records for this student represent the years 1999 and
2000. But the computer doesn't see it that way.
At many points in our system we will order or sort information based on
these and many other dates in our computer files. Asking the computer
to sort the first set of records in ascending order results in 96, 97,
98, 99. Student records presented in that order will look right and be
handled properly. No surprises. Asking the computer to sort the second
set of records for our newest student, the computer will do exactly
what it is told. The order of our student records sorted in ascending
order by year will be 00, 97, 98, 99. Student information for the year
2000, the '00' record, will come *before* the information for the year
1996, the '96' record. This incorrect ordering or sorting is the
second-most common underlying problem that needs to be changed in our
computer systems. And the impact is enormous.
Are there any solutions?
Yes there are solutions. This is not a complex technical problem. The
solutions are straight forward. The changes to repair the sick programs
are reasonably simple. As our examples above suggest, this is not the
stuff of rocket science!
Solving this is really a major management problem. Or if you will, a
"business problem". We know what the technical deficiencies are and how
to fix them. The question is "will we". Do we have the stamina and
resolve. This is where the story gets difficult. I have tried to create
a metaphor or analogy that will help describe what it looks like to an
"insider". To a person who can see the people, problems, the arguments,
the denial, the anger, the procrastination, the disbelief, the scoffing.
To a person who has for the last twelve months been working on a
S.W.A.T team whose goal is to plan a way out of this crisis for our
university. A team whose major challenge is *not* technical. It is
working with others to convince those who can help and others who should
be involved that the problem is real, the problem is big and the problem
is complex. I believe the following analogy will help describe the
nature of the Year 2000 problem and why the solution will be difficult.
Your MUST leave town in three weeks!
All members of your community *must* leave town in three weeks! You don't
know why, you don't know where. You only know two things. First, that you
*must* leave town within three weeks and secondly, that each part on your
car must be inspected before you can safely set out on the trip. If there
are bad parts, they must be replaced or repaired. To be sure of the safety
of your family you must inspect, or have inspected, each and every part.
This is going to be an extremely rough trip and you *cannot* leave without
subjecting your vehicle to a complete review.
My father, who is an amazing mechanic informed me there was 10,000 parts
between the two bumpers on an average car some number of years ago. So
imagine, if you will, the task before you! Each of those parts in every
car in your community must be removed, inspected and if faulty, replaced
or repaired. A daunting task.
After only a little time passes you realize there are wrinkles in the
plan. It isn't going to be as straight forward as you thought. Or were
told by the local radio announcer who told you what you needed to do!
You have a job. You realize the importance of getting out of town, but
you can't simply stop working on everything else! You just can't.
Besides, it is winter and you have to finish cutting and splitting the
wood. You have to stay warm the next three weeks. And you sure can't
find anyone else to do the work of cutting and splitting the wood!
They are all busy trying to inspect their cars.
You are qualified to do some of the work on your car but in many areas
you will need help from a mechanic. One who can correctly evaluate the
piece and help you make a decision. Or possibly who can help you remove
the piece so *you* can inspect it. Or possibly help you order a
satisfactory replacement because the piece you took off is no longer
available. Or possibly who can help you weld the piece you took off
because it would have been ok but because it was rusted in place you
broke it when you removed it from the car. But remove it you must!
And to complicate matters, you may or may not have all the specialty tools
to remove the parts much less analyze their reliabilty. And to make
matters worse, you noticed that two days ago the sign on the window of the
local auto tool store said. "CLOSED: No More Tools To Sell. Left town
yesterday."
Quite soon you become aware that there are 500 cars in your little
community and only 10 mechanics! Now normally, that would be ok. Cars
don't need mechanics all the time. Supply and demand selects the correct
number of mechanics for a community over time. Given a little
scheduling freedom, there will be enough experts to get the work done.
Even when a person has an emergency and needs it done quickly. But
now? Everyone needs the mechanic! And at the time, of course, when
everybody else needs the mechanic. In reality there may be enough time
to complete the task for all concerned. There may be enough specialty
tools. The mechanics may have enough time to give to all who need
their help. If.. If... everybody stays calm. If as the critical day gets
closer, everyone concentrates on their job and doesn't *panic*. As long
as greed doesn't set in and mechanics start accepting bribes for
favoritism that the heads of the household are more than happy to pay to
assure that their family at least has a chance to escape.
If the parts the mechanic orders get there on time, if everybody does
absolutely all they can to help themselves, if they will just get
started! If anyone who has any skills at all will get under the car
and get dirty if they can be of help! If the mechanics are not easily
discouraged by nervous customers, don't give up, throw up their hands
and just head out of town before the critical date! This is a very
close description of the Year 2000 "crisis".
The date is fixed: Jan 1, 2000, at the very latest, all computer
programs must have been inspected and either approved as "ok" or fixed.
This is the *first* time in the history of software engineering that
the due date could absolutely not be changed.
The trip will be rough: When the clock moves us into the beginning of
the next century, all computer programs will undergo the most stringent
and threatening test of their life! The computer rooms across the
globe will *not* be happy places to be on Saturday, January 1, 2000.
At the very *best* it will be a rough trip!
Resources are limited due to the time remaining: There are a lot of
parts. At our university we have 3,000 different admistrative computer
programs consisting of 3,000,000 lines of computer instructions. Each
line (part) must be inspected one way or another and approved as "ok"
or replaced or repaired.
There are enough computer programmers, managers and experts to solve
this problem. But.. it will be an incredible juggling act to manage
these people in an environment that is both unfriendly and under immense
pressure to meet an impossible schedule. There will be no resources to
spare. The fires in Kuwait were put out in an "amazingly" short amount
of time after the war. Reason? Experts were brought from around the
world to this *one spot on the globe*. Everyone concentrated and
heroically accomplished the task. Now? There are "computer" fires in
every nation, state, province, town and city across the globe. There
are no extra resources.
Replacement parts may not be available: Much computer software is 10
or 20 years old. It performed a specific task when it was written and
still does. It can be a complex technical problem to recreate some of
these working applications from scratch. In some cases it is almost
impossible.
Documentation is not available for all automobiles or software: It can
take time to come up with the documentation for an unusual car that is
quite old. Additionally, there must be documentation for *every* part.
Or if not, the mechanic must be smart enough to understand, diagnose
and certify that the part is ok and ready for the long trip. Now it may be
that a neighboring mechanic or programmer might accept a call from an
associate to help on a sticky issue. To share knowledge. Particularly
on an unusual car part from an odd manufacturer. Or an accounting
package from a software supplier who may or may not still exist. But if
the other mechanics down the streets are too busy to sleep? If there
are angry customers continuously on the phone and standing in the
waiting room wondering "when will it be done"? Nerves will shatter,
bribes will be common: The environment of computer professionals is
tense this very day. And the change from day to day is *not* linear!
As nerves are frayed and programmers and managers throw up their hands
and say "I can't take it!" each remaining day contributes less to
completing the task on time. Early retirements, career changes and
simply walking away from the workplace and worse will occur. These
things are beginning to happen already.
I have worked for several great managers over my thirty years in this
profession. I know the characteristics of a good software manager, the
types that are needed to manage this project. Fact: Some of the very
best are saying: "No thank you." I don't want to be a manager for this
project." Some of the best programmers and analysts are hiding in the
corners hoping they won't be 'volunteered' for this project.
But some experts will accept bribes! Whether or not governments draft
experts to meet their needs, the supply/demand factors for these skills
could drive salaries crazy in 1998 and 1999. If a person is committed
to staying where they are until all the cars are inspected, it will be
increasingly hard to turn down offers that will pay three years salary
in one year!
And a good mechanic is hard to find. Someone who knows the car inside
and out. Who doesn't need to refer to the manual to understand the
function of each part. The best most productive mechanics will be
hired away by the neighboring companies to be sure that *their* car will
be serviced in time! So *they* can escape the town before the time is
up.
And unfortunately, many organizations and companies will delay and
delay and procrastinate. It will be costly. They will delay hoping
that the problem will magically go away. They will procrastinate
hoping that someone will announce that the warning to "get out of town!"
was a hoax.
But, there are differences...
The most glaring difference between the analogy and the real crisis
is this: Unlike the separate cars in our story above, each computer
system is in some way dependent on another computer system. Whether it
is the intra-office network of 10 computers, the entire Internet, the
vast network of defense and international computer links, satellites
and monitoring facilities, the problem is this: ALL, repeat ALL of these
computers must "speak the same language". They must understand clearly
the incoming and outgoing data on which they operate. And today, for
the most part, they do "speak the same language". But it is the wrong
language for dates later than December 31, 1999. And that language must
change for all of them.
If these intertwining computer systems work in the future it will be
because they have all been changed, they have all been tested, and
they all work correctly. The weakest link in the chain when it
breaks will cause the chain to quit functioning as a chain.
Books could be, and possibly will be, written on the above two sentences
alone. They represent, I believe, the single most serious challenge we
face in moving past Midnight, December 31, 1999.
Why is this happening?
Indeed, why? I believe the answer is in the question. Let me explain.
The technical dimension of the problem is reasonably clear. The problem
is real, the problem is big and the problem is complex. The time frame
is to repair the computer systems is fixed, technical resources are
limited. Humanity sits on the brink, hostage to a computer that can do
no more than move, add and compare 0's and 1's. Can this be true?
Technically, it is. But spiritually? Is God trying to tell us
something in no uncertain terms? Has God permitted us to paint ourselves
into a corner by our pride and greed? So that we can see the cost of
ignoring the Designer? So that we can see the consequence of "leaning
on our own understanding?" Will this crisis reach into the depths of
every heart, every nation, every culture, because of the global
penetration of this techno habit. Would we survive one day without our
binary "fix"? Have we finally gotten to the end of our rope of
cleverness and ingenuity?
I believe we have come to the end of our rope. I believe we will come
to the point of acknowledging the depths of our poverty. I believe that
deep down, *everyone* will eventually acknowledge their emptyness. And
I believe that it is this awareness of our deep poverty and emptyness
that is the answer to the "Why?". Why has this come about and why is
it so difficult to solve.
Knowing that we have a problem and acknowledging our inability to solve
it is one thing. Choosing the way out is quite another. Will mankind
continue to shake its fist at the Creator and reject His plan of
salvation? Will we defy any solution that requires our idols to be
destroyed? Will we hold on to the last shred of human hope at the
expense of our soul?
Sin is like that, isn't it? But is the hour of decision that may be
upon us limited to those who blatantly reject God's gift of salvation?
I'm not so sure.
Are we as Christian believers being shown the incredible subtlety of
Satan's deceit? Will we see truth mixed with error as never before?
Are we being trained through this crisis to discern clearly the source of
the messages and words that we hear?
Will this crisis which creates so many questions that have no answers
point us to The Answer? To our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Will
we very soon understand the full weight of Jesus words:
"Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is
in heaven." Mat 7:21.
I believe this crisis will help us as Christians know whether or not we
trust God for *everything*. Whether or not we believe that God can
still open the windows of heaven and feed us. Whether or not we
believe God can cause water to pour out of the rock. Whether or not
we believe God can provide for us when all lines of earth-based
communication are cut and when the semi-trailer trucks, the tankers and
the locomotives sit idle. Whether we believe God can protect us from
and in the ensuing riots, plagues and burning cities.
One way to test our belief system is to deny us access to our treasures.
To permit an environment of confusion among the computer professionals,
to permit the record systems of the world to die in their tracks. To
bring us to the point of understanding that all that we have lived for
on this earth, all that we have invented, improved, struggled for and
built is worthless. The pensions, the profit-sharing, the savings
accounts, the equity in our homes. It is all gone. Or worse yet, not
"accessible".
I wonder. What would I do if the last paragraph actually came true
tomorrow morning? Am I truly ready to count on nothing other than my
relationship to God? Do I really trust Him like I say I do? I believe
the true nature of our trust in God is going to be the primary
test we will undergo in the near future.
It is quite difficult for me to relate to many of the visions and dreams
that appear on this Prophetic list and elsewhere. I think there is a
clear reason. I don't think we have what it takes to come close to
imagining the massive outpouring of the Spirit of God and the massive
conflict with the Spirit of Satan in the final scenes of time. I am
grateful that God has given me the opportunity to learn about you and
your gifts. Your visions and dreams. The message God has given you to
share with us who have hearts to hear. Messages that describe events
and scenes beyond the reach of our hearts and minds. Messages from
Brother Andrew and the many gifted subscribers who share the insights
God brings to their hearts.
I believe we speculate out of our experience at a level of reality that
in no way approximates the awesome forces that will be unleashed in the
very near future. It was a precious and special blessing to read the
responses of the readers of this list and Brother Andrew regarding the
MLM organization dedicated to promoting the ownership of gold. And
while responding described money, business or different stores of value
as, in and of themselves, harmful, but rather the focus and motivation
of this method of preparedness was pointed out to be man-centered and
contrary to the direction we should be looking for our provision and
safety.
In a similar way I believe the man-centered responses to this computer
crisis clearly argue for some very rough times ahead. I believe what I
have attempted to share with you today may well describe another warning
sign that God is giving us to help us keep our Spiritual guard in place
and to increase our thirst for His voice. Maybe it is to help us discern
the subtle deceptions that are closing in around us and would ensnare
us. Maybe it is to bring us increasingly to our knees humbly before
Jesus seeking His wisdom and judgement as we walk through the mine field
of these last days.
------------------
I thank you for the opportunity to share this with you. I would be
greatly blessed to hear the words and insights that God brings to you
on this subject. I am willing to respond and clarify where I can.
I want to acknowledge clearly to you that while I have a reasonable
level of confidence in my technical analysis of the computer crisis,
trying to put words to my sense about the God-focused dimension of this
issue was very difficult. And maybe that is as is should be.
For as I stated at the beginning of this section, I believe the
question "Why" is, in fact, the answer. In my opinion there are *no*
earthly answers that describe the way out of the crisis. I believe
the reason for that is that God, in His great mercy is giving us an
enormous chance to see that He is the only way out. That He is the
only Way. That He is "The Answer".
|
| 28.11 | The Apostle of Faith | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Tue Feb 18 1997 15:56 | 178 |
| The Apostle of Faith
by Andrew Strom
Smith Wigglesworth was without doubt one of the most anointed men
of God that has lived in recent times. He was known as the Apostle of
Faith, and if anyone deserved to be described as "full of faith and of
the Holy Ghost", it was him. He lived and walked continually in the pres-
ence of God. And the miracles that accompanied his ministry were of the
sort that have seldom been seen since the days of the apostles. People
born blind and deaf, cripples - twisted and deformed by disease, others
on death's door with cancer or sickness of every kind,- all were healed
by the mighty power of God. Even the dead were raised.
Born in 1859 into poverty, Smith Wigglesworth was converted by the
Methodists at eight years of age. Even then, he was hungry for God and
hungry for souls. He was in the choir of the local Episcopal church.
"When most of the boys in the choir were twelve years of age they had
to be confirmed by the bishop. I was not twelve, but between nine and
ten, when the bishop laid his hands on me. I can remember that as he
imposed his hands I had a similar experience to the one I had forty
years later when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. My whole body was
filled with the consciousness of God's presence, a consciousness that
remained with me for days. After the confirmation service all the other
boys were swearing and quarreling, and I wondered what had made the dif-
ference between them and me." (Stanley Frodsham, 'Smith Wigglesworth,
Apostle of Faith', pg 13. -Most of the following quotes are also taken
from this excellent book).
Later, Wigglesworth was fully-immersed in water by the Baptists. But
please remember that all of his early years of ministry and seeking God
came well before the 'Azusa Street' Revival and the early Pentecostal
movement. Smith had a hunger after God, and he experienced many break-
throughs into new levels of anointing even well before he experienced
the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. He was already
renowned for his healing ministry, and had seen God move in great power,
even well before the new Pentecostal experience was being talked about.
Unlike us today, who basically begin with Baptism in the Spirit as our
first real anointing, for Smith this was the culmination of years of
seeking and hungering after God, and so it was much closer to a real
New Testament enduement of "power from on high".
Smith Wigglesworth: "I had the grounding in Bible teaching among the
Plymouth Brethren. I marched under the blood and fire banner of the
Salvation Army, learning to win souls in the open air. I received the
second blessing of sanctification and a clean heart under the teaching
of Reader Harris and the Pentecostal League. I claimed the gift of the
Holy Spirit by faith as I waited ten days before the Lord. But in Sunder-
land, in 1907, I knelt before God and had an Acts 2:4 experience..."
(Pg 119). He described this experience as follows: "She [Mrs Boddy, a
minister's wife] laid her hands on me and then had to go out of the room.
The fire fell. It was a wonderful time as I was there with God alone. He
bathed me in power. I was conscience of the cleansing of the precious
blood, and I cried out: 'Clean! Clean! Clean!' I was filled with the joy
of the consciousness of the cleansing. I was given a vision in which I
saw the Lord Jesus Christ. I beheld the empty cross, and I saw Him
exalted at the right hand of God the Father. I could speak no longer
in English, but I began to praise Him in other tongues as the Spirit of
God gave me utterance. I knew then, although I might have received
anointings previously, that now, at last, I had received the real Baptism
in the Holy Spirit as they received on the day of Pentecost." (Pg 44).
After this experience, there was no stopping Smith Wigglesworth. He was
a flame for God, and the fire fell wherever he went. He said: "I believe
God's ministers are to be flames of fire. Nothing less than flames.
Nothing less than mighty instruments, with burning messages, with hearts
full of love. They must have a DEPTH OF CONSECRATION, that God has taken
full charge of the body, and it exists only that it may manifest the
Glory of God. A Baptism into death in which the person is purified and
energized..." He was certainly possessor of an audacity, a daring, a
boldness the like of which has rarely been seen in Christendom in modern
times. It was not uncommon for him to announce in his meetings: "Every
sermon that Christ preached was prefaced by a model miracle. We are
going to follow His example. The first person in this large audience that
stands up, whatever his or her sickness, I'll pray for that one and God
will deliver him or her." And the first person to stand, even if they
were the most deformed cripple, would be healed!
On another typical occasion, a man came forward for prayer for stom-
ach pain, and, commanding the pain to be gone, Wigglesworth punched
the man in the stomach so hard that he was sent half-way across the
room (completely healed)! This kind of thing happened more than once.
Wigglesworth believed in COMMANDING the sick to be healed in Jesus'
name. His was an aggressive, holy faith. He was a "violent" man, taking
ground from the devil by force. And yet he was also a man of great com-
passion, as well as of great authority. The devil certainly felt it when
Smith Wigglesworth hit town!
A number of people were also raised literally from the dead under Smith's
ministry. Here is his own account of one occasion: "My friend said, 'She
is dead.' He was scared. I have never seen a man so frightened in my
life. 'What shall I do?' he asked. You may think that what I did was ab-
surd, but I reached over into the bed and pulled her out. I carried her
across the room, stood her against the wall and held her up, as she was
absolutely dead. I looked into her face and said, 'In the name of Jesus
I rebuke this death.' From the crown of her head to the soles of her
feet her whole body began to tremble. 'In the name of Jesus, I command
you to walk,' I said. I repeated, 'In the name of Jesus, in the name of
Jesus, walk!' and she walked." (Pg 59). Not only was this woman raised
from the dead, but she was instantly healed from a terrible illness also.
She began to testify to people of her death experience and restoration.
It has been recorded that Smith Wigglesworth raised 23 people from the
dead in total, over the years of his ministry.
One time when Smith was waiting at a bus-stop, a woman was having trouble
getting her small dog, which had followed her, to go home. First she
tried sweet-talking it, and asking it to please go home. But after awhile
of trying this to no avail, the woman suddenly stamped her foot and said
severely: 'Go home at once!' The dog immediately took off home, with it's
tail between it's legs. 'That's how you have to treat the devil', said
Wigglesworth, loudly enough for all those waiting at the bus-stop to
hear. And this was his attitude toward the devil, every moment of every
waking day. He literally travelled the world in the 1920's and 1930's,
and thousands were saved and healed everywhere he went. Often he would
arrive in a place almost unknown and unheralded, but within days there
would be thousands thronging to hear, the power of God demonstrated in
his meetings was so great. God was truly glorified everywhere he went.
He was a man who walked and lived in the very presence of God. And yet,
in many ways he was a very natural, down-to-earth man. And neither
was he afraid of issuing the odd stern rebuke. His object was to be in
constant, unbroken communion with the Father. He had spent hours and days
fervently seeking God in his early years, but later, "Although his life
was a combination of incessant prayer and praise, and every word and
work was an act of worship, he was not given to protracted periods of
fasting and prayer." (Pg 122). Instead, he had learned the secret of
being in continuous, intimate communion with God (sometimes withdrawing
quietly into himself for this purpose), even when he was in a crowd of
people. He walked by faith, and he was "in the Spirit" at all times. This
was one vital secret to his success. He said, "There are two sides to
this Baptism: The first is, you possess the Spirit; The second is that
the Spirit possesses you." (See 'The Life of Smith Wigglesworth' by Jack
Hywel-Davies). He had counted the cost, and everything was God's. He was
a man who truly understood GODLY AUTHORITY, and he WALKED in it by faith.
He said, "'Be filled with the Spirit,' ie., be CRAMMED with the Spirit,
so filled that there will be no room left for anything else." That was
the way he lived. Full of audacity, full of daring, "full of faith and
of the Holy Ghost."
On one occasion, he recalled, "I was travelling to Cardiff in South
Wales. I had been much in prayer on the journey. The carriage was full
of people whom I knew to be unsaved, but as there was so much talking
and joking I could not get in a word for my Master. As the train was
nearing the station, I thought I would wash my hands... and as I return-
ed to the carriage, a man jumped up and said, 'Sir, you convince me of
sin,' and fell on his knees there and then. Soon the whole carriage of
people were crying out the same way. They said, 'Who are you? What are
you? You convince us all of sin'..." (Stanley Frodsham, 'Smith Wiggles-
worth, Apostle of Faith', pg 80). This episode reminds me very much of
another bold, forthright and anointed evangelist - Charles G. Finney, who
had found after a mighty Baptism of the Holy Spirit some years before,
that even passing comments that he made pierced people to the heart with
conviction of sin. He had gone on to become one of the greatest Re-
vivalists of all time. (He died in 1875).
Smith Wigglesworth placed great emphasis on purity and holiness, like
all true Revivalists. He said, "You must every day make higher ground.
You must deny yourself to make progress with God. You must refuse every-
thing that is not pure and holy. God wants you pure in heart. He wants
you to have an intense desire after holiness... Two things will get you
to leap out of yourselves into the promises of God today. One is purity,
and the other is FAITH, which is kindled more and more BY PURITY." (Pg
125). This one statement contains what is probably the key secret to
Smith Wigglesworth's outstanding success in God. And it is obviously a
key that is well worth remembering for us also. Another point to remem-
ber is that Smith was very aware of the dangers of money, and guarded
himself carefully against the possibility of covetousness entering
in. He was truly beyond reproach in this area also.
It is my belief that Smith Wigglesworth was a kind of direct "forerunner"
of the kind of ministries that are about to arise in our day. I believe
that the coming apostolic ministries, who will be bearers of true Revival
in these last days, will combine the daring, miracle-working faith of a
Smith Wigglesworth with the deeply convicting 'repentance' preaching of
a Charles Finney. And they will move under a mighty anointing that com-
bines the best of both of these types of ministries. What glorious days
these will be! Smith Wigglesworth himself died in 1946 at the ripe old
age of 87, a flame of God to the very end. May he be an example to us all.
|
| 28.12 | Reconciliation, Wisdom, and Maturity | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri Feb 21 1997 12:54 | 163 |
| From: Robert Holmes <rnkholmes@accsoft.com.au>
Subject: A Ministry of Reconciliation, Wisdom, and Maturity
Dear Friends,
I have been really blessed by the discussions on the coming revival, and
of dealing with rejection and leadership. I wanted to pass on a word from
the Lord, relating to a passage of Scripture about Issachar which ties it
all up for me...
THE OFFSPRING OF ISSACHAR
By Robert I Holmes
At the time of census (Numbers 26:23- 24), the children of the four sons
of Issachar numbered some 64,300. Issachar, Zebulun and their offspring
were instrumental in the battles of their nation. Issachar's offspring had
great effect in the battle of Deborah and Barak (Judges 5:15) and in fact
their home territory was the scene of several key battles in ancient times
including those of Gideon (Judges 7) and Saul (1 Samuel 28). An interesting
thing is said of these two men's offspring which contrast well with each
other. Among the descriptions of the children of Zebulun we find that they
were: "Expert in war with all weapons of war, stout-hearted men who could
keep ranks" (1 Chr 12:33). Among the descriptions of the offspring of
Issachar we find them as "men who had understanding of the times, who knew
what Israel should do. (1 Chr 12:32).
KNOWLEDGE OF THE TIMES
The offspring of Issachar had understanding of the times, knowing what
Israel ought to do. I would venture to suggest that today they might be
called secretariats or diplomats. Knowledge of the timing of vital
decisions is going to be paramount in the days to come.
In my experience there is a lack of soldiers in the rank and file of God's
army who are able to understand the times, and wisdom to advise and bring
counsel to the leaders about what they should do. The Psalmist cried out
"We do not see our signs: there is no longer any prophet, nor is there any
among us who knows how long" (Psalm 74:9). Jesus also lamented the lack of
understanding among those He knew personally, saying "You know how to
interpret the appearance of the sky, yet you can not interpret the signs of
the times!"(Matt 24:1.)
Another area this applies to, is using wisdom and perceptiveness, to
understand God's timing of prophetic seasons in the church, and the timing
of His word to the church. One of the short falls of the current
prophetic movement is that, for all the zeal, many times the word of God is
thwarted because prophetic people miss the timing of God in delivery of
His word. It is a painful thing for us to be sure of the calling of God
and know His word, yet see Him resist our ministry. And resist it He will
if we have been presumptuous to give His word out of season. What a
wonderful testimony we have of at least one of God's servants who had
wisdom: Samuel. Here is a man who was not only a leader and prophet of
the Lord, but also a judge for Israel, and in regards to his prophetic
insight... he got it right 100% of the time! The Lord trusted this servant
and "let none of his words fall to the ground" (1 Sam 3:19.)
God is not so often in as much a hurry as we are. He does not care to
'empower' ministries He cannot trust and neither can He give words to those
who will try to 'establish' their own authenticity in ministry! As it says
"have you not heard what I determined long ago? I planned from days of old,
what I now bring to pass?" (2 Kings 19:25). The Lord does reveal His plans
to His servants the prophets, things which he planned a long time ago (Amos
3:7), but he will only act on those plans revealed in His time. The Lord is
less concerned about establishing the servants reputation as a trusted
vessel, as He is about establishing His plans in His time. He would rather
we give the right word at the right time and glorify him, that run around
saying 'I'm a prophet- my calling is that office'.
WISDOM, REVELATION AND HUMILITY.
There is a real need to couple our faith and enthusiasm with wisdom and
understanding. We are found so often to be running ahead of God. Proverbs
comments latter that "An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will
not be blessed at the end" (Proverbs 20: 21). To know Gods timing is
paramount to success. In the coming battles, the Lord will again promote
those who know the timing of the Lord, who know what the Church should do-
and when! As Paul prayed, we need to couple our revelation with wisdom (Eph
1:17). We need to understand the judgements of the Lord- as Jeremiah
lamented "The stork in the heavens knows her appointed times, and the
Turtle- dove, swallow and crane observe their times of coming, yet my people
do not know the judgements of the Lord." (Jer 8:7).
Knowing the judgements of the Lord is a hard thing, knowing what He will do
at one time or another, discerning His hand on the events of a persons
life or in the church. This truly takes wisdom. We do need to couple
revelation with wisdom. We need to be in less of a rush, and slow down to
hear God more clearly. What I mean here is, wait on God for the
interpretation, and the application instead of spouting out to eveyone
your revelation! Just because you had a vision, saw an angel, went to
heaven in a dream, does not mean it will be helpful to share it, unless
you know what it meant, and know how to apply it, that is coupling
revelation with wisdom! We can have wisdom that is bourne from above, if
we just ask... Scripture promises that "If any of you lacks wisdom, he
should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and
it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not
doubt" (James 1:5 )
WHAT ABOUT HUMILITY?
There are three Character traits which I think are vital to any ministry,
if it is going to survive in these final days, and bring lasting goodness
to the Body- Wisdom, Revelation and Humility. I have discussed the first
two, but humility is the clincher! Especially for those who are gifted in
some revelatory way. Prophetic people MUST master pride. The need for self
promotion, the need to be heard is, at the core, PRIDE. The need to be
heard is a flaw, a weakness which is debilitating. We must master it if
we are to be brought to maturity in Christ's gift for us.
James chapter four states that "God opposes the proud but gives grace
to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he
will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash
your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to
gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."(Jas
4:6-10 cf 1 Pet 5:5)
We should be looking to promote our brother. To make room for ourselves
speaks of a deep seated insecurity and immaturity. This evidences itself
in our trying to be known and be seen to be the prophet, instead of
finding our security of purpose in Christ. Indeed God will resist our
pride, but promote that which stems from humility. He is right now
searching the whole earth for a habitation in which to dwell- and this
he finds in a humble heart: "It shall be said, "Build up, build up,
prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way. For thus
says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite
and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive
the heart of the contrite." (Isa 57:14, 15 NRSV)
THE KIND OF LEADER CHRIST RAISES
Christ teaches us that to lead in the church you must be a servant of all
and any who would go to the places of leadership, must first sit at the
lowest place on the table. Paul reminds us that God will exalt only the
humble and He will destroy the proud. To be an apostle or a prophet means
to be at the bottom of the ladder, not the top, to be ones who serve all,
not Lord it over others. Do not deceive yourself, if you set you heart on
selfish gain, you will not be trusted with this ministry.
The church needs wise leaders (young or old) who will father the church.
Those whose heart is set on building up and promoting other, not
themselves. Those who will solve dispute, and teach and reprove. In the
land that Issachar inherited was the town of Abel- which king Joab had
besieged and was about to destroy. A wise woman in this city came
forward to declare this wonderful account of this city- "then she said
'They used to say in the old days- Let them inquire at Abel; and so they
would settle a matter. I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful
in Israel; you seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel; why
will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?' " [emphasis mine]
(2 Sam 20: 14- 22 esp 18).
The region had a spirit of reconciliation, wisdom and maturity that had
become a mother in Israel. People would resolve their differences and
unity would grow because of their ministry. They would inquire of the wise
children of Issachar about the matter. This is this kind of ministry the
Lord loves to bless, one that is devoted to unite his people. Not striving
to lead, but wisely counselling. We should seek to serve, not lead. To
bear one anothers burdens, not make more. To provide wise counsel which
unites, builds up and encourages our brothers and sisters.
God bless you all.
Robert I Holmes
|
| 28.13 | Twenty - The Number of Expectancy | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Feb 24 1997 13:34 | 78 |
| Date: Thu, 20 Feb 1997 06:16:51 -0800
From: Brenda Imus <imus@alltel.net>
[Forwarded from vanguard@webcom.com].
I've been debating about sharing a recent dream... I believe the dream
has significance. . .so, here goes:
There was a group of twenty people (don't ask me why I know it was
exactly 20--I just do. . .insight into that number would be appreciated)
who were all excited because they were asking for, and receiving,
healing from this voodoo-type spirit. Yet the spokesman for the group
was adamant in his insistence that they were all Christians. I was
trying to reason with these people, explaining that we cannot accept
anything from this kind of spirit and expect to remain in the Lord's
good grace.
The spokesman got angry with me, and said, "Look, we're ALL getting
healed here. . .we're getting everything we ask for. When we asked God
to heal us, we never saw anything come of it. So don't tell us we can't
get healing here. At least IT WORKS!" Inherent in his words was a
challenge to prove that Christ was as sufficient as this other spirit.
Oddly, there was the continued insistence that these folks were all
real Christians.
I tried in vain to explain that the Lord could never trust such an
impure body of people with His power. . .that it would be devastating,
not only to us, but to the world. I tried to make them understand that
He is in the process of preparing us, of sanctifying us. . .and that
when that work is complete, we will know power as never before.
Nevertheless, these "Christians" didn't want to wait any more, and
turned a deaf ear on my pleadings.
Then I was in another place, looking at a huge bull-dozer. There was a
group of people waiting to be allowed to get up in the seat of this
earth-moving vehicle. (I think I was one of them.) I knew that it was
going to bring complete destruction to everything in its path. In fact,
though no one was in the seat, I had a "vision" in my dream where I saw
how the earth (and it was red-dusty. . .) would be leveled before this
great machine.
May God keep and prosper you all!
Brenda Imus
*******
From: "Wayne Taylor" <wayne@scican.net>
Subject: Re: Of deception & aliens
Dear List,
I thought that Brenda Imus's dream was very interesting because in
studying King Saul and his kingdom which I believe represents much of
the carnal church today, you can see a parallel. Saul by his disobedience
in slaying Agag the Amalakite (a type of the flesh) plus other things
ended up going to the witch of Endor to try to receive what He wanted
from God.
In her dream there were 20 people. Twenty is the number of expectancy,
Twenty years Jacob waited to get possession of his wives and property,
Gen 21:38,41. Twenty years Israel waited for a deliverer from Jabin's
oppression, Judges 4:3. Twenty years Israel waited for deliverance
through Samson, Judges 15:20; 16:31. Twenty years Solomon was waiting
for the completion of the two houses, 1 Kings 9:10; 2 Chron 8:1.
These are just four instances of many which show that the number twenty
represents expectancy. I believe that many of God's people are and
have been expectant to receive healing, plus other things from God and
because of impatience and not submitting to His dealings in their lives
come to believe that God will not give them what they WANT.... therefore
much of the Church have turned to witchcraft and seducing spirits
believing that this IS God. These people only care about GETTING
WHAT THEY WANT!!!
God bless you all.
Wayne Taylor
|
| 28.14 | Loss of Power | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Feb 24 1997 13:38 | 29 |
| Date: Thu, 20 Feb 1997 09:08:54 -0600
From: bryanh@igateway.net (Bryan L. Hupperts)
Subject: Loss of Power
Dear Andrew and List of saints!
A strange thing happened today. I went out to start my car to take my
son to school and head for a job interview. My car wouldn't start.
I tried everything I knew to start it but the battery finally died. All
the while my 4 year old (who sees angels) kept telling me, "I want to
stay home with you today". This situation was frustrating.
I suddenly sensed the Lord use this as an illustration to me that we
were about to lose power. I live in Missouri on the New Madrid fault line.
In my spirit I heard the phrase "Killer Quake Coming". Several weeks
ago while praying for an elder in my church I saw him standing in a
wooded enclave instructing a large group of young people in the use of
firearms and a hatchet. We have homegroups called kinships at our
church. He appeared not to be a kinship leader but a clan leader. He was
surrounded by rusted washing machines, computers, etc. In the vision I
knew it was because there was no power to run these things any more.
I feel that God is going to use this impending disaster to throw my
part of the country back 100 years and we need to prepare to live by
faith. My sense is that this is close.
Please pray for mercy for us.
Bryan Hupperts
|
| 28.15 | Impending Destruction | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Feb 24 1997 13:42 | 27 |
| From: Sandy & Rick <isaiah61@northlink.com>
Subject: Destruction dreams
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 97 15:04:08 PST
Hi all,
I felt led to share two short dreams I had especially after the Missouri
dream. First I live about 80 miles southwest of Flagstaff, Arizona, The
Lord showed me that the San Francisco Peaks (which are volcanic) are
going to blow. Months after this dream, my husband and I came home one
day and just happened to get the Flagstaff news and they were talking
about all the activity at Sunset Crater ( one of the cones in the area).
Second I had dream that I was standing on the edge of one of the
Great Lakes as if I was standing on a map and yet it was like I really
was there. I was very saddened and said in the dream,"Oh no, the
water is level with the ground and it is all just going to flood
everywhere."
There is so much going on here. I know it's coming. We need to
know our parts in the plan of God.
as an editor once wrote back to me once:
IN HIS GRIP,
Sandy Mauck
|
| 28.16 | Cancer in the Church | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Feb 24 1997 13:51 | 54 |
| From: "Dale J. Morris" <dalemo@bendnet.com>
Subject: Cancer in the Church.
Greetings to you all!
I had this dream in the early morning of February 23, 1997. I dreamed
of this women who had cancer in her body and a tumor in her head, I
woundered why she wasn't in pain. A doctor walked into the room and
said, "Why don't you have any pain?" The women said, "Because of this,"
and she showed the doctor a needle, an acupuncture needle, then she said,
"I have an acupuncture doctor take the pain away. The doctor said, "No,
you mustn't continue to see this doctor, you need to feel the pain,
it's part of your treatment.
Then the dream split into another dream. The same women with the
cancer and the same doctor was in this dream, I saw a crowd of people
all around the women and the doctor was protecting her, holding back the
crowds, for some reason they wanted to hurt this women. The crowd was
angry, there was a riot going on, there was also military soldiers
there. Then all of a sudden the doctor was taken away, and the lady
with the cancer was left for the crowds, I was worried what was going
to happen next. The women with the cancer, was in a daze, non respondant,
almost like sleep walking guess. The growd then grabbed her, and the next
thing I new was the soldiers were shooting her with bullets, they killed
her.
I prayed this morning, sought the Lord on what this dream might mean,
and the Lord told me that the women with the cancer was the church, the
church doesn't want the pain, the cross, which is the treatment that will
rid her of the cancer, so she is allowing herself to receive treatment
from another doctor who will take the pain away, so she doesn't have to
be reminded through the pain, that she has cancer, she wants to avoid
it all together. "The doctor in the dream is My Spirit, her treatment
is the pain. Only through the pain will the cancer be exposed and dealt
with, allowing My Spirit to remove it and heal her."
The second part of the dream is where the women refuses the treatment
from the doctor (Holy Spirit), remains numb to the pain, non respondant,
in a daze, sleep walking. The enemy of the women comes in like a flood,
the doctor (Holy Spirit) who was protecting her, was removed, and the enemy
was allowed to come in and consume the woman, and she perished because of
it. The stone crushed her.
WHOSOEVER SHALL FALL UPON THIS STONE SHALL BE BROKEN, BUT ON WHOMSOEVER
IT SHALL FALL IT WILL GRIND HIM TO POWDER, (Matt. 21:44).
May we all earnestly pray for the refining of the Lord, and may we find
the grace that we need to endure it, that we may be presented as a
Bride without spot or wrinkle.
God Bless You All!
Debora Morris
|
| 28.17 | The Star has fallen | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Feb 24 1997 17:27 | 30 |
| Brothers and Sisters
I have not placed any of my own communications from the Lord in
this Notes File because they are personal and limited in application.
However, the message the Lord gave me this morning is something that
I feel should be shared.
At 2:00 AM this morning, the Lord awakened me to say that, "The Star
has fallen into the sea." Followed by, "BEWARE THE FROGS." The
capital letters were His, not mine. Prior to His awakening me, He
showed me in a dream that the frogs are evil spirits and that they
will use human beings to do much of their work.
This warning follows attacks against both myself and two of my
children (that I know of) on Friday which sent one to the hospital
with a sudden illness while the other having left his car in a "no parking
zone" to deliver a message to some friends at their apartment returned
after only a few minutes to find a tow truck preparing to tow the
vehicle away. Later Friday night, someone stole the car's windshield
wipers. The Lord's message to me was clear. No violation of God's
Law, no matter how trivial, will be overlooked. His protection of
the Church will soon be lifted.
In Christ,
Larry
|
| 28.18 | RE: .17 | ROCK::PARKER | | Mon Feb 24 1997 17:36 | 13 |
| So, Larry, does that mean you don't see the pre-trib rapture of Christ
church? :-)
Or do you see God's removing protection from the church as something
unrelated to the great tribulation?
Or is your desire that we receive your words at face value without
reading other things in? :-)
I appreciate that you would risk sharing your heart with us. Thank
you!
/Wayne
|
| 28.19 | REF: .18 | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Feb 24 1997 18:16 | 5 |
| The world will no doubt continue to dwell on the terms tribulation and
Great Tribulation, however I believe that the heart of God is focused
on the Great Harvest and preparing the Bride to meet her Lord.
Larry
|
| 28.20 | Yes! | YIELD::BARBIERI | | Mon Feb 24 1997 18:37 | 10 |
| re: .19
AMEN!!!!!
We'll survive the final birth pang and the newborn it produces
will be so beautiful!
We'll just see the fulness of our sin, that's all.
Tony
|
| 28.21 | RE: .19 | ROCK::PARKER | | Mon Feb 24 1997 18:43 | 5 |
| Larry, I believe you've spoken truly!
Thanks again.
/Wayne
|
| 28.22 | The Sea | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Tue Feb 25 1997 12:15 | 45 |
| From: "Linda L. Evans" <levans@netw.com>
Subject: The Separation Ahead
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 10:52:13 -0800
Friends, I would add a Word that Lord gave me on September 1, 1994
about the Separation that has been taking place for many of us...
separation with organized religious structures... structures where the
Holy Spirit of God is no longer welcome to minister to the body, but men
are in control... or think they are! The Lord showed me the 'sea' was
the organized religious church in the world and the 'sea captains' and
the 'sailors' are the "Professional" ministers and teachers in the body...
who do the work of the ministry... for a paycheck, power and prestige!
They make their living from the Sea...but they are not dependent upon
the Lord! Rev. 18: 4-24 The Separation Ahead Know and be warned, yea
sea of people.. there is about to be that separation that was foretold
by John. The Sea is about to be violently shaken and what can be
separated, will be separated.
Woe unto you merchants of the great city... who have turned My Body
into a house of commerce... who have turned My Gospel into a source of
revenue.... who have covered yourselves not in the Royal Robes I bring,
but instead in the finery of Pride. Woe to you who have led others into
the errors and deceit of Pride. 'For vengeance is Mine' saith the Lord.
'Vengeance is Mine' I say, vengeance for those out-called ones you have
rejected.. you have excluded.. you have down trodden in your race for
glory!
I say, ye sea captains... ye sailors of the Sea.. ye users of the
Body... Repent for the Kingdom of God is near! Repent, ye abusers, turn
from your wicked ways. Repent, now, in this last minute. Repent now
with the death bed repentance you so scorned! Give thanks to God for His
Grace... His Patience... waiting so long for you to turn. Separate
yourselves from the money-changers.. from the oppressive sea captains.
Separate now from all those who are rich and arrogant.. in the splendor
of this life... this arrogant, prideful life of luxury that you call
"religion" and "truth."
Come out, oh peoples. Come out and separate, ye people who belong to
Me. For I will set you free. Come to the Cross. Come in a state of
repentance and I will forgive... I will restore a right spirit in you.
Woe to you who do not hear, for you will already have received the
comfort of life... Woe to you who harden your heart.. for yours is the
death that is spoken of. Repent! Repent! For the Kingdom of God is at
hand!
|
| 28.23 | An Intercessor | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Tue Feb 25 1997 12:40 | 87 |
| From: GramaDonut@aol.com
Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 23:19:56 -0500 (EST)
One night as I sat worshipping the Lord the Holy Spirit came upon me
and He and I began to weep for His church. We mourned for God's people
with groans and tears...then I saw a long line of people...it was very
dark and they were all bent over as if weighed down by a heavy weight..
they were clothed in rags and there were chains on their feet. I asked
"Who are these people, Lord?" He answered "These are my people. Those
who have been wounded and broken. THEY ARE THE BACKSLIDERS." I cried out
"IT'S THEM! IT'S THEM! IT'S THEM!"
For weeks I have been interceding for the backsliders and the Lord
had told me HE WAS GOING TO BRING THEM HOME! Now, in the Spirit, I see
them. I see that Jesus is weeping for this part of His Bride that is
hurting. I look and there is a WEDDING RING on Jesus' hand. He says
"I am married to the backslider. Most of them never left Me. They left
the church. THEY HAVE BEEN WOUNDED IN MY HOUSE." As we weep (Jesus and
me and the Holy Spirit) and pray, they begin to straighten up and their
rags and chains are falling off.
Soon they are standing in WHITE ROBES totally free. THEY ARE COMING HOME!
I begin to call out the names of some of the backsliders I know, and as
I call out their names, the Holy Spirit is laboring hard for their
deliverance. There is a release, with great joy! Thank You, Lord. It
is happening just as You told me.
I want to begin to instruct you in intercession - a little at a time.
John 10:3 says "The watchman (the intercessor) opens the door for this man
(Jesus) and the sheep (the redeemed both present and future) listen to His
voice and heed it, and He calls His own sheep by name and brings them out."
As an intercessor, you open the door between Jesus and those for whom
you pray, so that Jesus can bring them out. How do we do this? John
16:20-22 says "You will be sorrowful (the mourning that takes place
during intercession) but your sorrow will turn to joy (the release of
joy that comes when you have "prayed through"). A woman when she
gives birth to a child ( a "baby" in the Kingdom) has grief because her
time has come, but when she has delivered the child (birthed them into the
Kingdom in the Spirit) she no longer remembers her pain because she is
so glad that a child has been born."
In intercession you will experience that "birthing" with great mourning-
you are literally feeling Jesus' pain for the people for whom you
intercede. I weep so deeply that sometimes I think I will die from the
pain of it - the Lord told me "I gave you My tears." (awesome) I cry His
tears for the lost, the backslidden, the hurting, the religious, the sick,
the weary. It is the price that is paid to "birth" someone or something
in the Spirit. Be sure you are willing to pay the price before you ask
for the spirit of intercession and travail. It will cost you a great deal.
But the joy of it is not to be compared with the suffering.
For years I had always wanted a nice home. I din't even realize that
the desire had become a "god" to me. Two years ago the Lord began to give
me burdens for the lost. I would walk through a shopping mall or down the
street and see people I didn't know. Later, at home, the Lord would
bring their face before me and and I would begin to weep and mourn - I
didn't know why - I didn't realize I was interceding by the Holy Spiirt.
I would cry out to God to have mercy on them and grant them salvation.
I prayed in the spirit and the natural. I began to ask God to grant me
souls for His Kingdom.
One day I was driving through a new subdivision where there were beautiful
big homes being built. I said to the Lord "Lord, why has this always been
denied to me? Other people have nice homes. Why couldn't I ever have this?'
I had owned a couple of homes but never anything nice. In my ear I heard
His voice. "You can have this - I will give it to you - or you can have
the souls." I pulled to the side of the road and sat for a while. Somehow
I KNEW that He would give it to me if I asked. (but remeber the story of
the Israelites who insisted on having their own way and getting meat? He
gave them their request, but sent leaness into their souls.)
I took a long look at those beautiful homes and then said "I'll take
the souls." I turned away from there and never looked back. I have never
again longed for that home. I live with my husband in a little apartment in
an old building - the world would say we are failures. But God was true
to His word to me. In the Spirit I have birthed many souls. Next time I
will share a vision with you on the birthing of a nation! Immediately after
my choice was made I had such joy and peace and God began at once to bring
more and more burdens of prayer to me and more an more people for me to
minister to. It is a holy priviledge, and I am so unworthy to receive
such a gift.
To become an intercessor will cost you something - God will ask you to
lays down the other "gods" in your life. The Lord has said "I sought for
a man to stand in the gap..." ...but remember..It will cost you your life!
Lorraine.
|
| 28.24 | A Weather Report | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Thu Feb 27 1997 12:19 | 94 |
| Subject: Re: Weather of prophetic proportions
From: spoonerman@juno.com (David P Spooner)
To the watchmen,
There may be a storm on the horizon. Scripture is being
fulfilled in the signs of the heavens and on earth. For those who
have been watching this article will be of interest. This article
was printed in the Minnesota Christian Chronicle on Feb. 6, 1997.
The,author's name in Jan Markell. She speaks and writes on Biblical
prophecy and the Middle East. If you would like to talk to her call
(612) 941-1605 (U.S.).
WE 'RE HAVING WEATHER OF PROPHETIC PROPORTIONS
by: Jan Markell
The winters of 1995-'96 and 1996-'97 have been the "Mother of all
winters." They have unleashed fury, causing complete white-outs,
wind chills of -80 degrees, snowdrifts consuming homes, stranded
vehicles leaving drivers with "no wheel drive," closed down air
ports, bus depots, obscured fire hydrants with disastrous results,
collapsed roofs, raised tempers, and taken a toll in loss and human
misery that is beyond comprehension. What on earth is happening?
Scientists at the World Watch Institute blame Pacific Ocean warming
known as El Nino, or global warming and the "green-houseeffect."
For those of us who are meteorological illiterates, they would
probably be just as accurate by telling us the problem is because
warm, moist air is hitting cold, arctic air. But the story really
does go beyond that if we add apocalyptic overtones. Reporting that
he Upper Midwest (U.S.) had plowed 20 millions tons of snow this
winter-just through January- and that disaster and casualty insurance
companies are going bankrupt faster than the next blizzard, seems to
be more hard-hitting news.
Real answers to the dilemma are available to scientists who pull
themselves away from their computer models long enough to consult
the ultimate source of truth - the Bible. Jesus said cataclysmic
events would increase like "birth pangs" over the earth in the
"latter days." You can find a description of our day in Matt. 24;
Luke 21:11,25-26; Mark 13:8; Joel 2; Rev. 6:12; Rev. 8:5; Rev.
11:13; Rev.19; and Rev. 16:18, just for starters. We read of
disasters that will make man's hearts fail for fear . Signs in
the sun, moon and stars are to bring distress to the world. Sea
waves will roar. The power of Heaven shall be shaken. Blood,
fire, smoke, the sun darkened, the moon to turn blood red. The
list goes on.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
the hard-hitting facts are not limited to the U.S. London had its
hottest summer since 1659. Tropical storms and hurricanes in the
last two seasons have been the worst since 1933. Mexico City saw
its first-ever snowfall. Europe is baking in hear and drought more
deadly than in 300 years! The same with Australia. Unprecedented
snowfall in Japan. Maybe you would like to move to Moscow, which
just had its warmest year on record, even in Siberia.
The largest insurance underwriter in the world, Munmich Re in Germany
(also facing bankruptcy), points out that there have been 70 "major
natural catastrophes" during the past 10 years. There were only 16
in the 1960's and 29 during the 1970's. The most devastating of the
disasters is the earthquake - also highlighted by Jesus in Matthew 24.
An there's a whole lot of shaking going on! Earthquakes reaching 6.0
on the Richter scale totaled 51 in the 1940's; 475 in the 1950's; 1,085
in the 1980's and a projected figure of nearly 1,600 in the 1990's.
No serious student of the Bible would deny that the key word here is
"intensification" of the "birth pangs." Don't expect the pattern to
diminish. What's being billed as the STORM OF THE MILLENNIUM" may be
dead ahead. This will be in January of the year 2,000, beginning with
a display of the Northern Lights. Scientists say the rare appearance
of aurora borealis so far south is likely to be produced by a billion-
ton wave of super hot, electrically-charged gas from the sun, crashing
into earth's magnetic field at over 600 miles per second. It will send
compass needles askew and a surge of charged particles shooting into
the ionosphere, disrupting radio and TV communications (something that
has already happened this winter due to extreme weather conditions),
power lines, satellites and radars. This from the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration in Colorado.
And for you skeptics who still disbelieve that God's hand is at work
here, either as judgment or simply more "signs of the times" to
foreshadow His return, keep in mind the following: On Passover eve,
1996, there was a total lunar eclipse, and the moon turned blood red.
On the eve of the Feast of Tabernacles in 1996, there was another
eclipse during which the moon became blood red. On the eve of the
Feast of Purim this March, Hale-Bopp's comet will be passing the earth
at its closest distance. We are told it will be a remarkable sight.
The rabbis say that signs in the sun are for the Gentile nations;
signs in the moon are for Israel. It is written in genesis 1:14 that
God made the sun, the moon and the stars (and their effect of earth)
"for signs." It would seem God is trying to get our attention. Among
non-believers, is anybody listening or watching?
|
| 28.25 | The Latter Rain | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Thu Feb 27 1997 13:36 | 338 |
| J. R. Stevens on the Latter Rain
I don't know when John Robert Stevens preached this sermon; it was
probably some time in the 1960s. I heard the tape in 1975. Stevens
was one of the most prolific, eloquent, and anointed preachers this
century has ever seen, in my opinion. As I mentioned in a note to
Dennis Johnson, while he was still alive, he was coming out with
sermons faster than I could read them or listen to them, even when
I was following his activity on a nearly full-time basis during the
academic year 1975-1976. The following tape, entitled "The Latter
Rain," was designated tape #RN-02-A035RC by his "Living Word Tape
Library":
"Now tonight we're going to talk to you about the latter rain outpouring.
Or it's called the latter rain revival. I want to add just one little
note to it, in case some of you during the last ten, fifteen years
became acquainted with the Latter Rain movement. It was a movement
that called itself Latter Rain. This term, latter rain, has been used
many, many years. In fact, the Pentecostal publication in the Assemblies
of God, wasn't it the LATTER RAIN EVANGEL originally? And then they
called it the PENTECOSTAL EVANGEL, and so forth. So the term "Latter
Rain" has been used a great deal. Let us get away from using it as
a name referring to a movement, and go back to see the spiritual
significance of what the latter rain is, as far as the Bible is
concerned. And if it's a term that has fallen into reproach, well,
that's too bad. But still we have to go back and see exactly what
was meant. Because if the term 'salvation' came to be a term of
reproach over the way people used it, it still is a Bible term and
we still want to know what the Bible meaning of salvation is, you
see what I mean? So the same is true of the Latter Rain outpouring.
Now during the course of this, as we study it, we should be able to
answer the first question: 'Will there be any spectacular revival in
the last days?' Yes, there will be. There will be many revivals and
outpourings and movements of the Spirit connected with this latter
rain that the Lord is speaking about. When do these things occur?
And in what event do they culminate? And we must see it as the
prelude to the tribulation period. We must see this as the prelude,
also, to Armageddon. And this is going to be rather astonishing to
some of you, when you read the prophecies as they occur in the word. . .
In Joel 1 the prelude to this prophecy comes in verse four. . . . He
probably lived in the days of Elijah and Elisha. There was a great
famine. And the Holy Spirit uses the picture of the whole gospel age
and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit here typified in this famine that
had occurred and what God was going to do to break it by sending the
rain. The famine had been occasioned by the locusts destroying
everything. This is not unusual. In fact, back in the history, it is
said that 80,000 people in Libya and Syria and Egypt perished in one
plague of locusts according to one of the historians. Some commentators
said that these insects would just come over in such swarms that they
would blot out the sun and just strip everything before it. So this
came like a devastation; like an army from the Lord, it came and swept
through the land. It had stripped the vineyards down so that there was
no way that those vineyards could be fruitful, except the Lord said,
'I will pour out the former and the latter rain in the first month.'
In other words, when the fall season had ended, the new year had begun.
You remember that this is speaking of their agricultural year which
is also now the Jewish New Year at this time. It occurs at that time,
about September or so. When this outpouring of rain would come, the
former and the latter rain would come in that one month. It would be
all the seasons of rain in one. It wouldn't be spring rains or just
fall rains, it would be a whole season of rain poured down upon these
stumps to revive them and cause them to flourish right at a time they
were ready to die because of the famine. Now, understanding what had
gone on, this analogy, or parable, that took place as a historical
event has significance when you see the prophet begins to come down
to a time that the Holy Spirit is going to come like rain on the
vineyard of the Lord. And we're His vineyard. See, we're His vineyard.
At a time when the stripping down of God's vineyard had left them
desolate. This, in other words, becomes one of the great passages
of the Old Testament about the restoration of the Church. How God
would pour His Spirit upon His people when they had been stripped
down by invasion and satanic forces that brought the Church down to
a point of dark ages, to a point of desolation. Then, the rain would
descend upon them and bring forth again the great blessing of the
Lord. Because, the church has been desolate. But slowly, but surely
the rain is coming in order to bring the Church out again into its
period of fruitfulness. . . . Joel 2:23 ...
This is actually more or less mid-season. The harvest has just been
completed in one sense (but in this case there was no harvest) and
in order to get a harvest that was almost out of season the rain was
to come down upon it, the former rain and the latter rain. Now the
former rain is called the teacher rain in the Hebrew. The teacher
rain, because it is the rain that teaches the seeds to grow.
Interesting the way the Hebrew was. It teaches the seeds to grow.
Comes down and coaxes them and teaches them how to grow. Have you
ever noticed how spring rain can cause things to just spring up so
fast? And the latter rain was the pre-harvest rains that would
bring the fruit right up to full maturity, and especially where there
were so many vineyards that was most important, because water and
rain then would bring forth the grapes into the freshness and
juiciness that they would need at the time of maturity and their
sweetness.
Now, he said he was going to send both: both the teaching rain, and
also the finishing rain. So it goes to show that what God was going
to do in pouring out His Spirit was bring people into God, at the
same time would bring God's people into perfection, or into the
maturity that we're to have spiritually. Oh, what a beautiful type.
Former rain and latter rain, meaning the Holy Spirit coming down for
two purposes. To make seeds germinate, and to bring forth fruit to
maturity. And that's the whole purpose of what God will be doing. The
revival we will see will be two-fold. It will bring Christians out of
their immaturity, but it will also bring sinners into the kingdom of
God. These are two objectives that God has in mind. . . .
Plenty is promised here, because the floors will be full of wheat and
the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil and in the restoration
of everything that had been destroyed in the vineyard. Now if you use
the vineyard to refer to the Church, and we can certainly refer to it,
'cause in I Corinthians 3, didn't Paul say that ye are God's husbandry?
Ye are God's vineyard. You are God's vineyard. You are God' husbandry.
You're the field or garden in which He is working. And we are likened
in John 15 to the branches. He is the vine, and we are to bring forth
fruit. So, many times the vineyard has been used as a comparison--in
the Old Testament to Israel, and in the New Testament to the Church.
So, here he says, 'I am going to restore. I'm going to restore the
vineyard.' It's going to be like it was before the great spiritual
desolation came over us. We could look dead if we interpret that quite
literally. That the Lord is going to restore the church to its former
purity and power.
That there will be nothing lacking in the Church when He comes for
it again, and we'll show you why we say that. It said, 'You shall
eat of plenty and be satisfied and shall praise the name of the Lord
your God that hath dealt wondrously with you, and my people shall
never be put to shame.' Two things--you see, the day will come that
we can make claims for the Lord that will really be backed up. But
if you noticed what a selling job people have to do because of the
limit of restoration and power and authority that has come to the
Church up to this point. And sometimes there is a sense of shame
upon the people of the Lord, for they want God's presence so much.
They want people who come into the assembly to be so blessed by the
Lord. It would be like you invite somebody to come and eat and when
you sit down to the table, the fare is rather simple, maybe it's
filling, but you wish there could be all the fancy frills. Everything.
You wish there could be beautiful silver and all kinds of courses,
the loveliest service set before your guests. So sometimes when they
want to eat aplenty, the day will come when you will eat aplenty
and be satisfied. And God's people will never be put to shame.
Because there will be days of such spiritual abundance, that there
will be no lack for me to set before my neighbor and my friend. Don't
some of you feel sometimes, "I don't have much that I can give,"
that's the idea. But the day will come when the storehouse of God
is just going to overflow. And you won't say, 'I don't have anything
to give,' but you'll say, 'I have plenty to give.' "(v.28) . . . Now
this is an outpouring upon all classes of people, and there is to be
the supernatural in abundant evidence: there are to be visions, there
are to be prophesyings and all of these things that are going to take
place at this outpouring. So you see that while the rain that came
upon the vineyards in the time of famine was the first in the picture
in the prophecy, it was referring to a spiritual time when the Spirit
of the Lord would be poured out. And the vineyard would be the people.
You would be the people. You would prophesy. You would see visions.
". . . Now, verse 32, 'And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall
call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered. For in Mt. Zion and
in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape as the Lord hath said.
And among the remnant those whom the Lord doth call.' Now the King
James gives you almost the same idea where it says that 'in Mt. Zion
shall be deliverance and in the remnant whom the Lord thy God shall
call.' It indicates that there is a remnant of people that will stand
in that day and in them, inherent in them, by this outpouring of the
Holy Spirit, will be the deliverance so that whoever calls upon the
Lord during this time of tribulation shall be saved. Sure doesn't
sound like a rapture has taken this elect out. But it shows that the
power of God, rather, to the contrary, is so great, that there is
deliverance in the remnant whom the Lord God shall call. That remnant
is standing in the earth to deliver, and the promise that Peter quotes,
'It shall come to pass that whosoever shall call upon the name of the
Lord shall be saved,' has its greatest fulfillment in the days when
the wonders in the heavens and the earth, blood and fire, smoke, and
the sun is turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the
great and terrible day of the Lord comes.
So you see these great signs, catastrophes apparently taking place in
the heavens, all the rest, these things result that it shall come to
pass that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
delivered. For in Mt. Zion and in Jerusalem are going to stand those
that escape. They're going to be the ones that have escaped. They have
escaped a lot of this tribulation. And whoever calls upon the name
of the Lord can be delivered because the deliverance is found in this
remnant, that the Lord God has preserved. Now isn't this a somber
thing to consider? What does the next verse say, Joel 3:1, 'For
behold, in those days and in THAT TIME when I shall bring back the
captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and will
bring them down into the valley of Jehosophat and I will execute
judgment upon them there for my people and for my heritage Israel,
whom they have scattered among the nations, and they have parted my
land, and have cast lots for my people, and have given a boy for a
harlot and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink.' Now, what is
the valley of Jehosophat in its significance? Have we not interpreted
that through all of the prophecies of the Old Testament and through
the New to refer to the battle of Armageddon? Isn't this a great
time of disaster and catastrophe that everyone uses it as a figure
of speech. 'Armageddon,' and they know that this will be the great
war of all wars, and so forth. Some of the pictures of this in
Zecharaiah show how in that day, when men stand how that their eyes
melt away in their sockets and the skin and flesh falls off their
bones, and so forth. You can't picture anything else except a war.
Maybe something similar like Hiroshima or someplace like that where
the blast was so great that those within a certain range literally
were just almost dissolved by the heat.
" . . . Related to this is a revival first. An outpouring first. Well,
you say, 'I'm really worried about that Armadeggon, that's really got
me worried.' Don't worry about that, you get in on the first thing.
You get in on the revival, because there's the remnant that will be
delivered. There are the people that God is going to preserve. This
is the thing for us to be concerned about. What God is doing now, and
how closely related the outpouring of His Spirit that is just before
us, we're in the preludes of it. We're like the coming events of
bringing the sprinkles, what does that song say, 'Many drops around
us are falling, but for the showers we plead.' And we're calling upon
the Lord for those things. We're in the prelude of it. And if we know
there is going to be this kind of a revival, we know what the Lord
said in Matthew 24, 'And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached
to all of the world for a witness, then shall the end come.' There's
going to be something outstanding done for the people of God again
in this generation.
"In Acts 2:14-21, Peter quotes Joel 2, 'this is that which hath been
spoken through the prophet Joel.' He did not say, 'this is the
fulfillment,' or 'this is the answer,' but he said, 'this is that.'
We get the idea that this prophecy is a vast prophecy, and Peter very
carefully wording it, so that it does not mean it was an exhaustive
fulfillment--I'll show you why--because James is still quoting it over
in the fifth chapter of James, 23 years later as still being a prophecy
that was still to be fulfilled, in its main fulfillment, in the end time.
". . . Now, if we wonder, 'why are we believing for ministries?', why
are we contending to get you people to the place where you can move
in the Spirit, with spiritual perception, and prophesy and so forth?
Because this is just the prelude to things. This is not an end in
itself. God is preparing you people for something far greater than
has faced any other generation of believers since the apostolic days.
This is a very significant thing that God is preparing us for. And
I'm glad I'm in it, aren't you? At least I'm glad I'm getting my feet
wet. I don't think any of us are in it like we're going to be. But
these are the things that are going to come to pass.
". . . This early and the latter rain is going to be poured out upon
the earth. And it is done for a distinct purpose. It is to bring forth
to maturity the precious fruit of the earth. Do you see that? That's
us. See, the great problem of the outpouring is to take the fruit
that is not yet ripe, and bring it into maturity. Now do you wonder,
'what on earth will help these Christians to grow up?'--don't you feel
that sometimes when it comes to churches? What would really help them
to mature? Just an outpouring of the Spirit. There isn't any other
thing. See, its a spiritual growth. Just let the Holy Spirit move upon
them. You say that, 'Oh, sometimes I get so discouraged with myself,
and I wish I could do better at this, and I wish I could move into
this, I wish I could do that.' All right, why don't you just open
your heart and let the Holy Spirit just rain upon you? Let God just
bless you. It's God's cure and answer for immaturity. For every
problem. Just let Him bless you. That's why worship is so important,
and why we must never, never turn away from worshipping the Lord. As
we learn to worship the Lord, and sing in the Spirit and so forth,
and really get with it, we are placing ourselves not only in a place
where we are giving praise and worship to the Lord, but we are receiving,
Oh, the flow of the Holy Spirit comes down upon us. We must learn to
drink in of the Holy Spirit by faith. So this opens the door.
"In Zechariah, it says, 'ask of the Lord rain in the time of latter
rain.' And the Lord will make the lightnings and give those showers
of rain to everyone--grass in the fields. In other words, the grass
springs up as a result of the rain. If you understand, then, the thing
that you seek for is fruitfulness. The thing you seek for in growth
and spiritual abundance and victory is not the thing for which you are
to pray. You are to pray for the cause of these things, you are to ask
of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain, and in order for you
to get the rain, He'll make the lightning. And that will make the rain
and then He'll give to everyone the grass in the fields, in other
words, the fruitfulness comes from it.
All right, now you want the blessing on your life. You want the
blessings. You want the help that's going to come to you. Then ask
the Lord for the cause of that. Ask the Lord for rain. How does He
make the rain? Well as you wait before the Lord, you are like one
charge of electricity, and the cloud of blessing that's prophesied
is overhead, another charge. And when you begin to pray, then God
will send the lightning, and releases the rain that's in the cloud.
It condenses it sufficiently so that precipitation begins to fall.
This latter rain that I'm teaching you is not going to come to just
anyone who is going to sit around and say, 'well, that's all going
to come to all of us.' No, it isn't. It's going to come to those that
ask of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain. There's human
initiative involved. The other passage in Hosea implies the same
thing. Hosea 6:3. 'Then shall we know if we follow on to know the
Lord. His going forth is prepared as the morning, and He shall come
unto us as the rain. As the latter and the former rain onto the earth.'
And if you have a Scofield Bible, even the Scofield Bible comes up
with this--amazing thing--it says that this is the cry of the remnant
in the last days. That's quite a confession. It's the cry of the
remnant in the last days that there's going to be a rain.
Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord, now His going
forth is prepared as the morning, and He'll come unto us as the
latter and the former rain unto the earth. See, He comes to us first
in the great parousia, in the presence of the Lord, the first real
coming of the Lord is in the rain. He comes to us as the latter and
the former rain. So don't look for the visitation of the Lord
necessarily to be in visions, or many things, but look for it to be
in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The outpouring of the Holy
Spirit in its basic function is to reveal Christ in you. He will come
unto you in the rain. Do you get that? But how do you get it? Then
shall we know if we follow after . . . It says, 'know the Lord.'
There's a desire in your heart to know the Lord. It is following on
and pressing in. Almost the same thing as you found in Zechariah. 'Ask
of the Lord rain.' You're following on to know Him. And He'll come and
reveal Himself to you in the outpouring of His Spirit.
Well, there are some great things before us. How many have seen
something here for the first time--that when we preach a revival in
the end time, it has real foundation to it. It is one of the great
events. In fact, it is a thing culminating in such magnitude that
it's closely associated 'in those days' and 'in that time,' comes
all these amazing signs, and on into Armageddon. So God has this
whole thing, I think, well in His hand. I've studied it very
carefully. I've come to the conclusion that God hasn't failed at all.
I don't think He has, I think we should give Him a vote of confidence.
And it looks like that He's going to keep on being exalted and
glorified, and it's all going to come out just the way He says. But
in the meantime, what do we do? Shall we look for antichrist or shall
we look for Christ coming to us in the rain? Shall we look for the
signs in the heavens and all of the troubles, or shall we look for
the Lord as the husbandman is patient over us and blessing us and
bringing us forth? What is the outstanding thing we're to look for?
I think to be the remnant of God through all of these days. To be
filled with the Holy Spirit. To be anointed and pressing on with
everything that's within us and saying, 'Lord, this is the thing.
This is the thing for which you raised me up.'
Richard M. Riss
|
| 28.26 | Wilderness Training | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri Feb 28 1997 15:20 | 42 |
| by Andrew Strom.
In Acts 2:1-4, we read of the tremendous initial outpouring of the Holy
Spirit upon 120 of Jesus' followers at Pentecost. However, soon
afterward we also read of the gathering of believers in Jerusalem (now
numbering in the thousands), where they prayed for boldness and SIGNS
AND WONDERS, that God might be truly glorified (Acts 4:29-30). And
we read that, "When they had prayed, the place was SHAKEN where they
were assembled together. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,
and they spoke the word of God with boldness" (v 31). There had already
been one mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but now they received
another, just when they needed it most, and now more than ever, SIGNS,
MIRACLES AND WONDERS followed them wherever they went.
Jesus said to His disciples: "HEAL THE SICK, CLEANSE THE LEPERS, RAISE
THE DEAD, CAST OUT DEVILS: freely you have received, freely give" (Mt
10:7-8).And He also told them, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread
on serpents and scorpions, and OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY" (Lk
10:19). "He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also;
and GREATER WORKS THAN THESE shall he do." (Jn 14:12).
As the Scriptures and also Revival history clearly show, a man or woman
of God must often spend years in a "wilderness" of obscurity before
they truly come into their ministry. This will often be a place of barren-
ness, "WAITING" and preparation where they must overcome and endure -
all the while being molded and trained by God - if they are ever to reach
their godly potential in anointing and empowerment from 'on high'. While
others concentrate on their careers, or busy themselves with building tidy
little ministries along the usual predictable lines (which often need
little of God to succeed), these men and women are called away into the
secret place with God, from whence they will emerge broken but fired with
an unshakeable resolve, humbled but never cast down. There have always
been many called, but few chosen. As the apostle Paul wrote: "This one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth
unto those things which are before, I PRESS toward the mark for the PRIZE
of the HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS." (Philipp 3:13-14). God
often prepares such vessels for many years, largely hidden from view,
before unleashing them upon the world. And then suddenly they appear,
as if from nowhere, to bring glory to their God, to rout the devil in His
name, and to raise His standard in the earth once again. From such
'mighty men and women of valour', true Revivals are born.
|
| 28.27 | John Alexander Dowie | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri Feb 28 1997 15:44 | 170 |
| by Andrew Strom
John Alexander Dowie was born in Scotland in 1847, but spent much of his
early life in Australia. He was a fighter in the true sense, boldly batt-
ling the sin and compromise he found all around him - even as a young
minister in Australia. In later years, particularly after his move to
Chicago in the United States, he became probably the most renowned pio-
neer of Divine Healing worldwide, and by the turn of the century had
become known to millions around the world. In his early years of out-
standing success in Chicago, where the power of God was being constantly
demonstrated, and hundreds were being healed of every affliction, it
seemed as if the devil was summoning every demon from hell to attack and
somehow bring him down. He was arrested over 100 times on trumped-up
charges, ceaselessly attacked by the most prominent media men in the
city, and he even suffered street-riots and attempts upon his life.
(-On one notable occasion, when he had been suddenly warned by a voice
from God to leave his office, he narrowly averted being blown to pieces
by a powerful bomb that had been planted there). Eventually, he won
through, with credibility intact (in fact, greatly enhanced despite
all the controversy), and became God's most effective champion of
Divine Healing in America up to that point.
Tragically however, when the early years of constant battle were done,
and a time of relative peace and prosperity settled in upon him, this
daring fighter who had brought healing to America, ended up being de-
luded by the devil into dressing in High-Priestly robes and thinking that
he was Elijah the prophet. After this, the end could not be afar off, and
John Alexander Dowie died in comparitive ignominy several years later,
an ill and broken man - a shadow of his former self - having lost his
ministry and literally everything he owned. How one of God's greatest
fighters could come to such a tragic end, is something that should be an
object lesson to us all.
The quotations used here are almost all taken from the book, 'John
Alexander Dowie - A life story of Trials, Tragedies and Triumphs' by
Gordon Lindsay:
As with many men of God who are being prepared for a mighty ministry,
God had used the early years of Dowie's Christian walk as a "toughening-
up" or training period. Dowie's many struggles and pitfalls, plus the
harsh spiritual 'wilderness' and obscurity of Australia, were used to
mold and break him, bringing a great hunger and seeking after God. As
Gordon Lindsay wrote in the Introduction to his book on Dowie, "when any
man is chosen of God to be used in an unusual manner, God permits him to
go through a training period, which sometimes includes trials and tribu-
lations of the most severe nature." He said that when Dowie first set
foot on American soil at the age of 41, he was almost completely unknown,
but that when the healing anointing that he had received from God was re-
cognized, and God's perfect timing came, John Alexander Dowie rose to in-
ternational prominence with astonishing abruptness, as one of God's great
leaders of that period. Lindsay wrote of the decline of Dowie that, "it
was at that moment when he began to engage in secular activities, and de-
parted from the simplicity of his earlier days, that his decline began."
John Alexander Dowie is described as, "a reformer who, fighting against
the greatest of odds, single-handily challenged the apostasy of his time,
and succeeded in bringing to the attention of the Church visible, if not
to its acceptance, the message of the Gospel of healing - a message of
deliverance for the whole man, body, soul and spirit... Against over-
whelming opposition, a hostile press, bitterly opposed clergymen, antag-
onistic city officials, unscrupulous lawyers... he fought for and main-
tained the right to pray for the sick. Despite the fiercest persecution,
numerous illegal arrests - as many as one hundred in a year - he outwit-
ted and foiled his enemies, and succeeded in bringing to the attention
of the world, the great truth that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,
and today, and forever." (Pg 3-4). And all through this period, numerous
documented, outstanding miracles of healing were taking place under his
ministry.
Please remember how NEW all this was at the time. Today, the things
that Dowie fought for are taken for granted throughout the Christian
world, but in those days there were basically NO SUCH THINGS as
healing ministries or healing evangelists. Dowie was a pioneer, an
instrument of God who paved the way for what was to follow, just
like many Christian Reformers down through the ages.
However, the days of needing to constantly battle gradually drew to an
end, and because of his newfound success and the relative prosperity of
his ministry, Dowie eventually made the tragic mistake of relaxing his
guard. As Gordon Lindsay noted, "Middle age is a dangerous period and
not a few succumb to the temptation at that time of life to spiritually
relax (something quite different to physical relaxation). The great dif-
ference between Dr. Dowie and others was that he had become a world
leader whose actions were watched by the eyes of multitudes." (Pg 195).
"In the days of adversity, John Alexander Dowie learned to lean heavily
upon God. When every other resource failed him, he abandoned his life
to the mercy and graciousness of God. But AFTER SUCCESS HAD COME,
when thousands of people ALMOST IDOLIZED HIM, he apparently did not
feel so strongly that same need. He allowed himself to become so very
busy... A fateful mistake! How many sorrows would John Alexander
Dowie have saved himself had he taken the time to get the mind of God
on decisions which were so all important? How many fatal mistakes men
of God have made because THEY DID NOT PAUSE TO TAKE COUNSEL WITH
THE LORD WHEN THEY HAD SOME VITAL DECISION TO MAKE?" (Pg 194).
As Paul Billheimer wrote, "The sands of time are strewn with the wrecks
of the broken lives of many, who were once mightily used of God, but
who suffered shipwreck upon the rocks of SPIRITUAL PRIDE."
In his early days in Chicago, certain people had approached Dowie with
what they claimed as a "direct revelation from God" that Dowie was, in
fact, 'Elijah the Restorer', the great end-times prophet. For their
trouble, Dowie immediately rebuked them soundly and dismissed them from
his presence, warning them never to mention such things to him again.
However, the suggestion that had been planted that day kept ringing
inhis ears. "According to his own testimony, he tried to rid himself of
it, but could not. A voice seemed to say, 'Elijah must come, and who but
you is doing the work of Elijah?' Time passed. Then one day there came
flooding into his consciousness a strange and intense conviction that he
was indeed Elijah - the one spoken of by the prophets who was to come
and restore all things. The impression came with such overwhelming
power, that his entire personality became absorbed with it." (Pg 188).
In June 1901, Dowie took the fateful step of publicly announcing that he
was indeed Elijah the Restorer. (A claim which was immediately chall-
enged and denounced by religious leaders all over the world).
By this time, Dowie was also heavily involved with land development.
Having purchased over 6000 acres of land near Chicago, construction
was already underway on what would become 'Zion City', an entire
large town to be occupied by Dowie's followers, and to be run accord-
ing to "Christian principles". Sadly, no-one seemed to remember that the
New Testament never advocates separating ourselves from the world in this
way, but rather of living IN the world, but not being OF it. Initially,
Zion City was a resounding success, both financially and in every other
respect. But eventually it was to lead Dowie to financial ruin, and there
can be no doubt that it contibuted greatly to his overall decline. One of
his great dreams was to build 'Zion Cities' all over the world - no doubt
part of his supposed mission of the "Restoration of all things" - from
which he and his followers would begin to exercise rulership in the
earth. What fateful days these were.
For many years John's wife had been content, along with John, to live
almost in poverty, trusting God. However, it has been reported that "when
prosperity came to the Dowie family, she lost her simplicity of life:
she bought gowns in Paris and indulged in extravagances..." (Pg 200).
All of this would have been unthinkable to them only a few years earlier.
"But with the prosperity that came to him in America, eventually the sim-
plicity of his life was altered. He came to the conclusion, and apparent-
ly Mrs. Dowie abetted his proposals, that it would be to his advantage to
build a costly executive mansion in which he could entertain important
personages. This large edifice when finished was elaborately appointed
with expensive furnishings." (Pg 201-202).
In the end, it seemed almost as though the very things that Dowie and his
wife had stood against all their lives, were the very strategies that
Satan now used against them, to destroy them. And to help the tragedy
along,- "at the crucial time of Dr. Dowie's life when he needed help so
desperately, it does not appear that his wife was a spiritual reservoir
of strength that he could fall back on." (Pg 201). At times, especially
during this latter period, there were those who tried to warn him of the
dangers of what he was doing. But he refused to listen. Even when his
daughter died tragically as a result of a fire in 1902, he hardly paused
to reflect on his headlong forward momentum.
The last days of John Dowie were not particularly good. He had fought a
great fight for many years in his early period, but he was defeated in
the latter part of his life. As is so often the case with great Revivals
or great men of God who fall from the path, the harm that they can do and
the ridicule that they can bring upon the Gospel in the end, can almost
undo much of the good that originally came from them. How delighted the
devil must have been, not only to deceive and sideline this great man of
God, but also to use him to bring ridicule upon the very truths that he
had originally proclaimed so effectively. God could not afford to have
John Alexander Dowie continuing in this state for much longer. He had
to take him home. Dowie died still believing he was Elijah, an ill and
broken man, crippled in a wheel chair. His ministry was gone, Zion City
was almost bankrupt, and he had lost everything that he once thought of
as his own. "How have the mighty fallen!" He died on March 9, 1907.
|
| 28.28 | William Branham | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri Feb 28 1997 17:11 | 384 |
| by Andrew Strom
William Branham was another evangelist this century who was mightily
used of God for a number of years. In fact, there can be little doubt
that he was endued with power to a degree that has rarely been seen since
the days of the apostles. And there is still a great deal of controversy
surrounding his life, death and teachings. To some of his most ardent
followers (who are still around today), he seemed to assume almost semi-
divine status,- a damaging and tragic fallacy that has frightened many
sound Christians away from studying his life. On the other hand, even in
his heyday some believers were sceptical and suspicious of the tremendous
power and unusual signs and miracles that accompanied his ministry.
There can be little doubt that Branham went astray in his ministry in the
latter part of his life. (The fact that God took him home early, and that
the cause of death was a car-crash in which his body became horribly
tangled in the wreck, though he lingered on for a few more days - bears
this out). However, it is my belief, and the belief of many who have
studied his life, that in his early years he was one of the most anointed
men of God that has ever lived in modern times.
As Gordon Lindsay wrote in his 1952 biography of Branham's early life and
ministry: "The story of the life of William Branham is so out of this
world and beyond the ordinary that were there not available a host of
infallible proofs which document and attest its authenticity, one might
well be excused for considering it far-fetched and incredible." (G. Lind-
say, 'William Branham - A man sent from God', pg 9). Even his birth and
childhood had unusual aspects to them. Born in 1909 in Kentucky, his fam-
ily soon shifted to the state of Indiana, where they eventually settled
not far from Jeffersonville. Branham's family were the "poorest of the
poor". When he was seven years old, he experienced the first of many
godly visitations: "It seemed to be a very still afternoon. I stepped
back from the tree and noticed that in a certain place about the size of
a barrel, the wind seemed to be blowing through the tree leaves. Then
there came a voice saying: 'Never drink, smoke, or defile your body in
any way, for I have a work for you to do when you get older.'" (Pg 30).
Branham obeyed these strictures, but he had still not been truly
converted. When he was about twenty years of age, the death of his
brother Edward caused him to again turn his thoughts toward God's call
upon his life. However, he carried on the way he was going (essentially
running away from God) for a couple of years. Finally, he ended up ser-
iously ill - at death's door, in a hospital. And suddenly God visited him
again: "Closer the wind came, louder and louder... I heard that same
voice that said, 'Never drink or smoke.' And the leaves I heard were
the same that blew in that tree that day. But this time the voice said,
'I called you and you would not go.' The words were repeated the third
time. Then I said, 'Lord, if that is you, let me go back again to earth
and I will preach your gospel from the housetops and street corners.
I'll tell everyone about it!'... When this vision had passed, I found
that I felt better." (Pg 40-41).
However, Branham was not completely healed at this time. But he was
now filled with a great hunger after God. "I started out to seek and find
God. I went from church to church trying to find some place where there
was an old-fashioned altar call. The sad part was I could find none...
One night I became so hungry for God and a real experience that I went
out to the old shed back of the house and tried to pray... All at once
there came a light in the shed and it formed a cross, and the voice from
the cross spoke to me in a language I could not understand... as I pray-
ed it appeared again. Then it seemed to me that there had been a
thousand pounds lifted from my soul...
"I knew then that if God wanted me to preach he would heal me, so I
went to a church that believed in anointing with oil, and I was healed
instantly. I saw then that the disciples had something that most of the
ministers do not have today. The disciples were baptized with the Holy
Ghost and so could heal the sick and do mighty miracles in His name.
So I began to pray for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. One day about
six months later God gave me the desire of my heart. He spoke to me
in a great light telling me to preach and pray for the sick and He would
heal them regardless of what disease they had. I then started preaching
and doing what He told me to do." (Pg 41-42). Branham began tent
meetings in his home town of Jeffersonville, and for a 24-year-old who
was just starting out, these were astonishingly successful, with up to
3000 people being attracted to the meetings at one time, and scores
of conversions.
Afterwards when Branham was baptizing 130 converts in the Ohio River,
a heavenly light, like a blazing star, appeared above him just as he
was about to baptize the seventeenth person. This was witnessed by the
vast 4000-strong congregation that stood on the banks of the river look-
ing on. Some of them ran for fear, while others shouted or fainted. A
report of this unusual event appeared in the local newspaper shortly
afterwards. It has also been reported that a voice spoke from within the
light, saying, "As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the first coming
of the Lord, so you are sent to forerun His second coming..." What is
certain is that a heavenly light was seen, and it seems likely also that
something along these lines was spoken over him.
It was in this same year of 1933 that a number of significant visions
were given to William Branham. In June 1933 he was given a series of
seven visions relating to world events that lay immediately ahead (and
he told his congregation of these visions at the time). In the first of
these he saw the Italian dictator Mussolini successfully invading
Ethiopia, but eventually coming to a terrible demise - murdered and spat
upon by his own people. In the second he saw America being drawn into a
world war against Germany, which would be headed up by an Austrian. The
war would overthrow this leader, and he would come to a mysterious end.
The third vision showed the three 'isms' in the world - Fascism, Nazism
and Communism, and that the first two would come to nothing, but that
Communism would flourish. He was told, "Watch Russia. She will be-
come a great world power." In the fourth vision he was shown some of
the tremendous advances in Science that would come after the Second
World War.
The fifth vision showed the rapid moral decay in the world, relating
especially to women. He was shown this decline from the beginning of
the feminist "liberation" movement of the late 19th century, and the
gradual gaining of worldly power by women, to the eventual election of
a 'boy president' (probably Kennedy - known to have been elected be-
cause of the women's vote) and after this the progressive decline in the
way women dressed - deliberately exposing their bodies more and more
in an ever-increasing display of brazen sensuality. With true womanhood
so little valued, a terrible decay of all flesh came upon the earth, and
every form of perversion arose, just as is prophesied for the Last Days.
In the sixth vision there arose in the United States a beautiful woman,
clothed in splendour and royal robes - a woman given great power, and
beautiful - yet cruel, cunning and deceitful. She dominated the land with
her authority. Branham felt that she represented either an actual person,
or else a particular organization. However, surely there is also the
possibility that she represents a great "Jeze belic" spirit that utterly
dominates the landscape? In the seventh and final vision, he witnessed
a great explosion that rent the entire land and left America a smouldering,
chaotic ruin, with no humanity in sight.
This final vision then faded away. (This last one reminds me of another
Branham vision/prophecy, which he referred to often in later years, that
showed that the day would come when the entire state of California west
of the San Andreas Fault, would be wiped out and sent into the Pacific
Ocean by a massive earthquake).
The amazing thing about this series of seven visions is that they were
given at a time (June 1933) when Branham had no way at all of coming
to these conclusions through mere guesswork. In 1933 Germany was
by no means ready for war, Russia was by no means a dominant world
power, and Communism was a relatively minor force in the world. Some of
the details given in the visions were just too extraordinary to pass
off as mere coincidence. (See 'The Acts of the Prophet' by Pearry Green,
pg 48-51, for a fuller description). Also, the fact is that these visions
were given to an uneducated, simple man in the back-blocks of Indiana, a
man who had little understanding at all of political complexities. And
the fact that at least five of these visions have now been precisely
fulfilled, means that we should surely take the others seriously also.
After the baptisms, a church was built for Branham to pastor in Jeffer-
sonville. The next few years were a fruitful time in his life and minis-
try, during which he married a lovely Christian wife and they had two
children. However, several years later Branham came to a crossroads and
made a serious error of judgement that was to have serious repurcussions
for his family and ministry. After attending a Pentecostal convention
for the first time (up until then he had been an independent Baptist),
Branham was invited by these Pentecostals to become a travelling evangel-
ist for them, and he felt that this was definitely a call from God.
However, he allowed himself to be persuaded by friends that the Pente-
costals were "trash" (they were known as 'holy rollers' at the time -
the lowest of the low), and he drew back from joining with them.
"It was at this time that the anointing of God which had come upon me
left me. It never really returned until five years later... Everything
went wrong. With my church going down, I didn't know what to do. Then
began the dark period of my life when the Ohio River flood that took so
many lives, came, and was responsible for the death of two of those that
were the dearest to me in all the world." (G. Lindsay, 'William Branham
- A man sent from God', pg 51). The great Ohio River flood of 1937
claimed the lives of Branham's wife and baby daughter, and Branham
was left heartbroken, with only his infant son left. This was only eight
months after he had drawn back from obeying God and joining with the
Pentecostals, and he himself acknowledged the tragic connection.
For a number of years after this, Branham continued to preach and also
work at various jobs. He remarried, and when a new visitation of the
angel of God came in 1946, he was working as an Indiana state game
warden. This was to be the beginning of his international miracle minis-
try: "I must tell you of the angel and the coming of the Gift. I shall
never forget the time, May 7, 1946, a very beautiful season of the year
in Indiana, where I was still working as a game warden. I had come
home for lunch... and while walking around the house under a maple
tree, it seemed that the whole top of the tree let loose. It seemed that
something came down through that tree like a great rushing wind... My
wife came from the house frightened, and asked me what was wrong. Trying
to get hold of myself, I sat down and told her that after all these
twenty odd years of being conscious of this strange feeling, the time had
come when I had to find out what it was all about. The crisis had come!
"That afternoon I went away to a secret place to pray and read the Bible.
I became deep in prayer; it seemed that my whole soul would tear from me.
I cried before God...I laid my face to the ground...I looked up to God
and cried, 'If you will forgive me for the way that I have done, I'll try
to do better... I'm sorry that I've been so neglectful all these years in
doing the work you wanted me to do...Will you speak to me someway, God?
If you don't help me, I can't go on'... Then along in the night, about
the eleventh hour, I had quit praying and was sitting up when I noticed a
light flickering in the room... the light was spreading out on the floor,
becoming wider... as I looked up, there hung that great star. However, it
did not have five points like a star, but looked more like a ball of fire
or light shining down upon the floor. Just then I heard someone walking
across the floor...
"Now, coming through the light, I saw the feet of a man coming toward
me, as naturally as you would walk to me. He appeared to be a man who,
in human weight, would weigh about two hundred pounds, clothed in a
white robe. He had a smooth face, no beard, dark hair down to his
shoulders, of rather dark-complexion, with a very pleasant countenance,
and coming closer, his eyes caught with mine. Seeing how fearful I was,
he began to speak. 'Fear not. I am sent from the Presence of Almighty
God to tell you that your peculiar life and your misunderstood ways have
been to indicate that God has sent you to take a gift of divine healing
to the peoples of the world. IF YOU WILL BE SINCERE, AND CAN GET THE
PEOPLE TO BELIEVE YOU, NOTHING SHALL STAND BEFORE YOUR PRAYER, NOT EVEN
CANCER.'" (Pg 76-77).
The angel told Branham that he would now have two special signs or
gifts operating in his life, given to him by God. The first would enable
him to detect or discern illnesses in people - a visible violent reaction
in his left hand which would make it red and swollen whenever it came
into contact with sickness. The second sign would be a gift that would
enable him to discern the thoughts and deeds in the past life of the ind-
ividual - specific sins that needed to be repented of, etc. It was often
found that as Branham challenged people over such specific sins, and they
confessed them to God, they would regularly be healed of whatever ailed
them even before he had a chance to lay hands on them.
This angelic visitation marked the beginning of Branham's incredible
international miracle ministry, and also led directly to the great Ameri-
can Healing Revival of 1947 through 1955, in which many well-known min-
istries were raised up, and thousands upon thousands of people were
saved and healed. As Branham himself said, "The great things which
have taken place during these months are too innumerable to ever be
recorded, but God has confirmed the angel's words time after time.
Deaf, dumb, blind, all manners of diseases have been healed, and thous-
ands of testimonies are on record to date. I do not have any power of
my own to do this... God always has something or someone to work
through, and I am only an instrument used by Him." (Pg 78).
Right to the end of his life, William Branham was renowned for his trans-
parency, his simplicity and his genuine humility. No doubt this was due
in part to his early life of hardship, brokenness and poverty - a great
advantage when it came to his eventual ministry. I have read several of
his early sermons, and they often appeared to be little more than person-
al testimonies accompanied by a simple (yet effective) gospel message.
There was little sign of the somewhat strange, divisive and controversial
teachings of his latter years. After all, the angel had told him that
part of his commission was to help UNIFY Christians of differing back-
grounds. Speaking of Branham's "outstandingly humble spirit", one observ-
er wrote: "There is nothing boisterous or arrogant about him. He is a
meek and humble man... He is a man loved by all. No-one begrudges him any
of his success or is envious of his great popularity." (David Harrell Jr,
'ALL Things are Possible', pg 39).
Over the following months and years, Branham travelled widely in the
USA, and also to Europe and South Africa, etc. Thousands came from
far and wide to hear him preach and to witness the many outstanding
healings, miracles and 'words of knowledge' that accompanied his
ministry. Often, he would call out the name, city of origin and back-
ground information of people in the audience whom he had never met,
who had come to hear his preaching or to be healed. Of all the thous-
ands of such 'words of knowledge' that he gave, none was ever known
to be wrong or inaccurate. His gift was reportedly "exactly 100%". The
deaf were healed, the blind received their sight, and even the dead were
raised. There were also a number of meetings where Branham was photo-
graphed with bright 'haloes' or strange lights around him. It became
standard for Branham to have the angel of God standing beside him as
he ministered, and he would often wait for the angel to arrive before he
began. It was also commonplace for Branham to see specific miracles
enacted before his eyes in vision form several days before they actually
occurred, so that when he found himself in the precise circumstance pic-
tured in the vision, he would know exactly what to do. Astounding! And
everywhere he went, God was glorified in the most profound way.
There can be no doubt that Branham was the initial pioneer and the key
leader of the great Healing Revival of 1947 through 1955. During this
Revival, literally dozens of healing ministries were raised up all over
America, some well-known and others less prominent, but all of them
inspired by the example of Branham and others. Thousands were saved
and healed, not just in America, but in many other nations also. And the
mighty 1954 Argentina Revival under Tommy Hicks (with meetings of
up to 400,000 people) also had strong links with this Revival. Even
amongst the better-known evangelists who came into prominence at that
time William Branham was acknowledged as something special - something
extraordinary. "The younger deliverance evangelists viewed him as a
man set apart, like Moses. 'He was number one,' said Richard Hall, 'of
the common run of evangelists that we have now, put twenty of them at
one end and William Branham on the other; he would outweigh them
all.'" (Winkie Pratney, 'Revival', pg 220-221).
Later in the 1950's, when a number of healing evangelists were drifting
into showmanship, hype, 'prosperity' doctrines and begging for money,
Branham would have none of it. He was unchanged in his attitude to-
ward these kinds of excesses right to the very end. One observer wrote
of him in 1959: "On my last visit I mentioned how 'car conscious' Amer-
ican preachers are, almost judging a man's success by the car he drives.
At this particular conference, where Brother Branham was the principal
speaker, they all came up in their nice cars, the picture of elegance,
but Brother Branham drove up in a truck. He doesn't seem to worry about
these things..." (D. Harrell Jr, 'ALL Things are Possible', pg 162).
However, there were crucial weaknesses in the practices and ministry of
William Branham, which tragically began to manifest themselves in the
mid-1950's. In 1955, largely through his own carelessness and lack of
good management, Branham fell into financial difficulty. He had always
been nonchalant, almost naive, toward all business matters. "He some-
times missed scheduled meetings and was totally unconcerned about
business details. Some of his business associates came to feel that he
was culpably irresponsible. At any rate, Branham came to write: 'For
nine years, the Lord met every need without my having to pull for money.
Then, in 1955, in each of three of my greatest meetings, the income fell
far short of expenses and others stepped in to make up large deficits'...
Branham's difficulties became more complicated in 1956 when the Internal
Revenue Service filed a tax evasion suit against him... The unsophistic-
ated Branham, apparently little interested in personal wealth, had made
no systematic effort to account for the thousands of dollars that flowed
through his ministry." (Ibid, pg 39-40). For the remainder of his life,
Branham worked under the burden of a $40,000.00 debt to the IRS. (Which
was an enormous amount of money in those days).
It is obvious that God was little able to financially bless Branham's
ministry any longer, due to the careless and dubious state of his finan-
cial management. This had clearly become a "legal gateway" through which
the devil could now disrupt and tie-down Branham's ministry. And one
of the most devastating results of this was that when most of the other
prominent healing evangelists were called into large, mobile tent minis-
tries (which God used very effectively at that time), Branham was unable
to make this jump, due seemingly to the parlous state of his finances.
Thus, his ministry immediately began to lose momentum, and it seemed
that he was no longer on the 'cutting edge' of what God was doing.
By 1958, William Branham (along with many of the other healing evangel-
ists) was deeply re-assessing his ministry. It was clear that the great
Healing Revival was now well and truly over, and there can be little
doubt that the decline in Branham's own ministry had contributed to
this. You can never afford to lose such a leader in any move of God, as
history clearly shows. It was after this that Branham began to gradually
withdraw into his own little circle, where he had an adoring and loyal
following. (Essentially this circle was made up of "Oneness" or 'Jesus-
Only' Pentecostals). And instead of his previous unwillingness to speak
about contentious or divisive 'minor' issues, he now gradually began to
emphasize such things more and more in his preaching. Slowly, these
teachings became ever-more alarming and extreme.
As early as 1957, Branham had received a dream in which he was minister-
ing in a 'white disk' above a pyramid. A voice from heaven proclaimed
that no other man could stand in the disk "unless he die or be killed",
and that Branham was "the only one who can and will stand there." Bran-
ham apparently considered this dream to be of 'spiritual significance'.
(Ibid, pg 41). By the 1960's, he had clearly become convinced that he
was the end-times "Elijah" and the true "Messenger of the Covenant".
And the adoring followers in his tight little circle were certainly not
going to contradict him. A number of writers believe that it was when
Branham took a 'teaching' ministry upon himself that he fell into error.
It is clear that he had been anointed and commissioned by God to have a
prophetic / evangelistic ministry, but never one of teaching. And as
soon as he got into this area of teaching doctrine, he began to trespass
into realms to which God had never called him, thus opening himself up
to ever-increasing deception. It has been reported that towards the end,
some of his teachings almost bordered on the occult. However, the orig-
inal sign-giftings that God had given him never left him, right up until
the time of his death in 1965.
There were a number of men who tried to warn Branham, and to bring
him back into some form of balance, including his respected colleague
and old friend, Gordon Lindsay. But Branham would not listen: "Brother
Lindsay said, 'I begged him not to teach. I said, "... Leave the Bible
teaching to the teachers. Just go ahead and preach and exercise the
word of knowledge and gifts of healing as the Spirit wills, and be a
blessing to the Body of Christ.''' This prophet said to Brother Lindsay,
'I know I'm not a teacher, but I want to teach. And I'm going to teach!'
Two years later, when driving to Tucson, Arizona, William Branham
was involved in a head-on collision with a drunk driver. His wife was
badly injured in the smash, and Branham's body was horribly tangled in
the wreck. He lingered on for a few days in hospital, though his head
became terribly swollen and a tube was placed in his throat to assist his
breathing. William Branham died on Christmas Eve, 1965, just before the
turn of the year, exactly as the prophecy had predicted. Once more -
"How have the mighty fallen". Satan had again succeeded in 'taking out'
one of God's great servants. And there can be little doubt that God's full
purp oses for Branham's life and ministry remained at least partially
unfulfilled. There was talk amongst a few of Branham's followers that he
might rise from the dead after several days, but it is clear that only a
relatively small number believed this. (Such Branham-followers can still be
found around the world today, some of whom adore him with a fervour
bordering almost on idolatry - a sad and tragic epitaph to a once-mighty
man of God).
|
| 28.29 | fyi | PHXSS1::HEISER | Maranatha! | Fri Feb 28 1997 17:44 | 4 |
| Branham also claimed that the doctrine of the triunity of God was
satanic. He's covered in Hank Hannegraff's "Christianity in Crisis."
Mike
|
| 28.30 | Sin and Deception | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri Feb 28 1997 17:48 | 385 |
|
by Andrew Strom
Some people believe that the coming move of God will be so powerful and
so awesome that it will be almost impossible for the ministries
involved in it to fall into error or into sin. I simply cannot go along with
this. History clearly demonstrates that the greater the power, the greater
the potential for subtle pride and error to enter in. This is why God has
taken so long in preparing His future (now hidden) ministries for the
coming move. Please remember that Satan himself was once one of the
most splendid and powerful creatures in all of Heaven - an 'anointed
Cherubim' of the highest order, who walked in the very presence of
God. The Creator Himself said of him: "You were the ANOINTED CHERUB
who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were PER-
FECT in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found
in you" (Ez 28:14-15). "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son
of the morning!" (Is 14:12). If such a creature as this - walking in the
very presence of God - can fall from grace, then so can we, even at the
height of a powerful God-given ministry.
It is important also to realize the strength and the cunning of our ad-
versary. The devil has had literally thousands of years to study mankind,
and to learn how to manipulate human beings in the most effective way.
He has seen Revivals come and Revivals go. He has caused great men of
God to fall, and others to stumble or to not fulfill their potential. He
is a past master at the arts of spiritual war, and he plays HARD, with no
conscience and no mercy. He has had thousands of years to perfect his
techniques for causing good men to fall, of setting snares that sometimes
take months and years to bear fruit, but eventually lure men to the de-
mise of their lives or their ministries. He has seen it all. And yet, by
the power of God it is still possible to beat him, and to beat him well.
But we must not be ignorant of his wiles or devices to trap us. And we
must learn well the lessons that history has to teach us.
SPIRITUAL PRIDE
Spiritual pride is the major, but often very subtle underlying root of
much deception, and the fall of many once-promising ministries. A friend
from America who has studied this subject recently told me that over the
past 21 years, he has personally known of at least a dozen anointed men
of God who have lost their anointings and ministries. He says that a num-
ber have even ended up dead or in prison. "To whom much is given, much is
expected." To repeat Paul Billheimer's words: "THE SANDS OF TIME ARE
STREWN WITH THE WRECKS OF THE BROKEN LIVES OF MANY, WHO WERE ONCE MIGHT-
ILY USED OF GOD, BUT WHO SUFFERED SHIPWRECK UPON THE ROCKS OF SPIRITUAL
PRIDE." As the Scriptures declare, "PRIDE goeth before the downfall"
(Prov 16:18). If Satan cannot destroy us from without, then he will
destroy us from within.
It is usually through our THOUGHTS - through our MIND - that such at-
tacks come, with temptations to pride disguised as our own thoughts
and feelings, etc. The devil will happily take a long-term approach with
such attacks, slowly building on what he has been feeding into our mind
until he can sway us into making bad decisions and judgements - blinded
by subtle pride in that one crucial area. His object is to get us to 'BE-
LIEVE THE LIE', and in that process this prideful deception travels from
our mind down into our heart, where it is much harder to dislodge. Like
a seed, it will then grow, and begin to manifest itself in our lives,
until eventually, if it has not been dealt with, God may be forced to
remove us from the ministry He has called us into. We are told in the
Bible that we are to have the "mind of Christ", and that we are to bring
"into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor 10:5).
We are to be full of His Spirit, so that we may have A MIND CONTROLLED,
a MIND DIRECTED, and a MIND FIXED ON GOD. I have found personally that
such 'roots' or strongholds of pride, or anything else in our lives,
can be dealt with very effectively by RENOUNCING them, from the very
depths of our heart and soul, in Jesus' name, and casting them away from
ourselves as hated things. (This applies to bad habits and any other
form of 'stronghold' also). "For the weapons of our warfare are not
carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds"
(2 Cor 10:4). We do not have to let the devil dominate any area of our
lives in this way.
Obviously, those who are involved in powerful ministries are particular-
ly susceptible to pride entering in, because of the amazing things that
they see happening every day in their ministries, and the temptation to
begin taking some of the glory for themselves, or to start to think that
they are something 'special' - forgetting that every gift they have is
from God. Such pride can be incredibly subtle, and the devil delights in
placing such ministries under as much 'pressure' of this kind as he poss-
ibly can. However, it is important to remember that God will not allow us
to be tempted more than we can bear. (1 Cor 10:13).
It is significant to note that William Branham was apparently still a
truly humble man in many ways right up until the time of his death, and
yet the devil managed to introduce subtle pride into his mind and heart
in a couple of crucial areas. He presumed to become a teacher when this
was obviously not his calling, and he eventually came to believe inflated
"Elijah"-type revelations about himself and his 'special' position, pro-
claiming these to his followers. As the apostle Paul wrote, we are not
to think of ourselves "more highly than we ought to think" (Rom 12:3).
Speaking of the fall of Lucifer, God said, "Your heart was lifted up
because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of
your splendour." (Ez 28:17).
It is also important to remember that it is often when we have won our
greatest victories in God, that we are most susceptible to attacks from
the enemy. As Paul wrote, "let anyone who thinks that he stands take
heed lest he fall." (1 Cor 10:12). We see this particularly in the life
of John Alexander Dowie. It was when he had won through into a period
of comparitive success and prosperity in his ministry that he apparently
relaxed his guard, and became deceived into "BELIEVING THE LIE" that
the devil was trying to sell him.
It is clear from the Scriptures that in the Last Days, there ARE to be
ministries who will go forth in the 'spirit and power of Elijah'. How-
ever, as Gordon Lindsay wrote in his biography of Dowie, "HAD HE BEEN
THE VERY ELIJAH, WHAT AN UNFORTUNATE MISTAKE WAS MADE, IN PROCLAIMING
HIMSELF AS SUCH! John the Baptist was satisfied in declaring himself 'a
voice crying in the wilderness'. When they asked John if he were Elijah,
he said he was not. Yet Christ later said that he was! (Matt. 11:14)
Jesus commended the humility of John who said, 'He must increase, but
I must decrease', and declared that none born of women was greater than
he." (G. Lindsay, 'John Alexander Dowie', pg 190). It is often when such
DECLARATIONS of being a 'last-days apostle' or an Elijah are made, that
things begin to go off the rails. The devil's first priority is to get us
to 'BELIEVE A LIE' (usually some inflated or prideful view of ourselves,
or some excuse why a certain sin is 'OK for me') or even to publicly de-
clare an EXAGGERATED TRUTH, and then to ACT ON IT. After this, as the
deception grows and our blindness in that area deepens, surely only
disaster can result.
However, one of the alarming things about such deception is that THE
GIFTS, THE POWER AND THE CALLING OF GOD already operating in one's
ministry up to that point will usually continue to operate just as
powerfully, often right until death. "For the gifts and calling of God
are without repentance" (Rom 11:29). In other words, God will usually not
take away such giftings, even if a ministry falls into deception. And so,
they will continue to exercise such power, often thinking that "all is
well" and ignoring all warnings, until it is too late. A fatal, but oh-
so-common mistake. And history is littered with with the shattered
remains of such ministries, who refused to heed God's writing on the
wall until it was too late.
FINANCES
You will notice that with both Dowie and Branham, errors of judgement in
the financial area certainly helped to precipitate their downfall. With
Dowie, his problem was becoming too caught up in financial dealings and
the 'cares of this world' (almost certainly as a result of his "Elijah
the Restorer" revelation). And there can be no doubt today, that God
will deal harshly with anyone who uses their anointing and giftings as
a means to wealth and luxury living. As G.H. Montgomery wrote of the
decline of the Healing Revival, and of a number of evangelists at that
time: "Men who preach the meek and lowly Nazarene to a lost and dying
world, and yet live in palatial homes built on money contributed by
God's poor people, cannot call themselves followers of Jesus."
With Branham, it was the opposite problem, as he obviously couldn't
care less about his finances, and perhaps presumed that "God will take
care of it - I don't need to arrange or give heed to anything". Again, a
fatal form of presumption. I have no doubt that God quietly warned
Branham many times about his finances and lack of accounting or basic
organization, but in the end it took a disaster to make him sit up and
take notice - and by then it was too late, and his ministry was deeply
mired in a financial pit from which it never truly recovered.
I have met a number of men and women of God in recent years who are also
"anti-organization" to the point where if they were in a Revival minis-
try, they could very easily suffer the same financial fate as that of
Branham. Their theory is that essentially, "God will do it all", and many
of them see any form of organization almost as a sin. But my question is
this: If God doesn't want humans involved in such ministry-related organ-
ization, then why did he invent the giftings of 'HELPERS' and "ADMINIST-
RATORS"? (1 Cor 12:28, RSV. The King James refers to these as 'helps' and
"governments", and they are found in every translation in the list of
spiritual giftings for the church). It is also important to remember that
the Early Church appointed seven men to administrate the funds collected
by the apostles for use amongst the poor, etc. (Acts 6:1-7).
Obviously, such organization does not have to be too similar to today's
churches, but it does need to be streamlined, efficient, and above all -
transparently honest, open and above-board. The last thing we need is
shifty financial dealings bringing reproach upon God's people. The early
Salvation Army, which was a true Revival movement for at least it's
first 40 years, had just such an operation. Obviously, the whole move-
ment was modelled on a mobilized army, with a central command post in
London (from whence General William Booth ruled with a rod of iron!),
and supply lines reaching out into every corner of the world. Like the
early church, these people cared for the poor, as well as for God's min-
istries, and thousands of people were clothed, fed and housed (as well
as thousands more saved) right around the world. The early Salvation
Army was one of the most long-lived anointed Revival movements that the
church has ever seen, and there can be no doubt that this was greatly
helped by the effectiveness and godliness of their organization. Revival
literally followed them wherever they went. It is very clear then, from
this and other examples, that ORGANIZATION DOES NOT HAVE TO BE OUR ENEMY.
In fact, under God, it can become one of our most helpful friends.
MARRIAGE
We have already mentioned how that in Dowie's latter years, when he was
in desperate need of some balanced spiritual input into his life from
people who were close to him, it seems that his wife was of little help
(in fact, probably quite the reverse). This illustrates just how import-
ant a strong and godly marriage is for God's servants, especially those
who are being continually bombarded by the devil because their ministry
against him is so effective. Those who are married, and who underestimate
the importance of their marriage to their ministry are extremely unwise.
The devil will be searching for any chink in their armour, and if there
are weaknesses in their marriage, he will exploit these to the full. It
is interesting to note that in a survey of the reasons why many divorced
women in the U.S. left their husbands, a large proportion of them answer-
ed that it was because of "NEGLECT". Their husbands had got so busy with
their work, etc, that they had neglected their wives. And sadly, this is
true of many Christian ministries also. A tragic and fateful state of
affairs.
More than ever, I believe that in these Last Days, God desires to em-
ploy ministries in which there is a deep love and an obvious spiritual
partnership between husband and wife. And this gives those of us who
are married the added advantage of having someone to "watch our back".
Remember, Paul wrote concerning the qualifications for eldership
or leadership in the church, that a man must be "the husband of one
wife... He must manage his own household well, keeping his children
submissive and respectful in every way; for if a man does not know how
to manage his own household, how can he care for God's church?" (1 Tim
3:2-5). Our family life is far more important to God than many of us
realize, and it gives real insight into whether or not we are truly
suited to being in ministry at all.
DELUDED INTO SIN
As stated earlier, spiritual pride has been the underlying root cause of
the fall of many ministries. The fatal presumption that "all must be
well" (despite whatever sin or deception they're involved in) just be-
cause the anointing is still there, and the miracles are still happening,
is oh-so-common. And it is clearly this subtle pride which gives the
devil a 'legal doorway' through which he can begin to deceive them in
other areas also. You would be amazed at the excuses that such deceived
individuals come up with as to why a certain sin is "OK for them",
even though it is certainly NOT OK for everyone else. The devil managed
to delude and defeat a number of prominent ministries involved in the
American Healing Revival. He got to some of them with love of money,
ease and comfort, others through selfish ambition and envy, and some
even became drunkards. And yet many of them were still performing mir-
acles right to the end. But eventually, they lost everything. Speaking
of the decline of the Healing Revival, Gordon Lindsay observed that many
ministers had stopped "fasting and waiting before God." He said that many
of the ministries had declined, "largely because of a lack of humility
and because of a tendency to self-exaltation." He was reportedly
sickened by the increasing emphasis on money. "Lindsay later concluded
that even at the height of the revival many of the evangelists 'hadn't
prayed through, they hadn't touched God for their ministry, they just
put up their banner.'" (D. Harrell Jr, 'ALL Things are Possible',pg 139).
One of the most common of the devil's lures down through history, of
course, has been sexual sin (sometimes of a perverted nature, but usual-
ly simple adultery). Please remember that the devil will be literally
throwing everything at such ministries (though usually in a disguised or
subtle way). They are hurting him, and he will not just stand idly by. He
will search and probe for that one chink in their armour. This is why in
the past God has often spent years training and preparing such ministries
in obscurity, before giving them their anointing and their commission. He
had to test them - to see whether or not they could survive the attacks
of the enemy, and the temptations to pride, etc. He had to feel confident
that He could entrust them with His anointing. And even then, He knew
that some of them would let Him down.
In his book, "Set the Trumpet to thy Mouth", David Wilkerson uncover-
ed some very interesting facts about the reasons why pastors and other
ministries in America were falling into adultery. A survey had been done,
and it became obvious what the number one strategy of the devil was. In
the vast majority of cases, these men had developed a close 'spiritual'
relationship with a woman other than their wife, and this is who they
ended up committing adultery with. They would often pray or discuss
the Bible with this spiritual woman, until eventually they became close
and intimate, and would be sharing things with her that they should have
been sharing with their wife. How 'spiritual' it all was! Wouldn't it be
wonderful to be married to a woman like this! (Not that they ever tried
to share with their own wife in this way). What subtle and cunning dec-
eption. And Satan has had vast success in 'taking out' many promising
ministries just through this one technique alone. Then there's the old,
"I'm allowed more than one wife at a time" deception. (Despite what the
Bible says in 1Tim 3:2, etc). As I said before, it's amazing what the
devil can get us humans to believe at times.
Almost every deception plays on secret desires or strongholds deep
within us. Part of us wants to believe that the deception is true. This
is why we must be so searingly and brutally honest with ourselves in
RENOUNCING such deceptions and strongholds, if we are ever going to be
truly free of them. ('Self-pity' is another subtle yet deadly one - the
true cause of much depression. Many people quite enjoy having the 'blues'
or feeling sorry for themselves, and this can be a most debilitating
stronghold in one's life. Don't make a "pet" of it - RENOUNCE IT!)
Another thing I also want to briefly touch on here is the danger of
"ENVY" entering into one's ministry. This too can be a very subtle yet
immensely destructive evil. (The Pharisees had Jesus killed due to
'envy', after all - Mk 15:10). If you ever find yourself feeling like
attacking or murmuring against a leader who operates in more power or
is better-known than you, just check your motives very carefully to see
that envy or selfish ambition is not one of the causes of your antagon-
ism. You would be amazed at the number of team ministries, etc, that
have been destroyed through this kind of envy of the leadership (whether
coming from without, or even worse - from within the group). Who knows
what motivated Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus? (Remembering that Judas
was one of the Twelve HAND-PICKED disciples). For some time now, I have
wondered whether or not the Antichrist that is to arise at the very end
of the age could be one of God's genuine end-time apostles - gone astray.
Does not the Bible call him the 'son of perdition', just like Judas? And
will he not move in powerful signs, wonders and miracles, just like the
genuine Last Days apostles? A frightening thought! (However, God's people
will discern the truth when the time comes). The pattern of the devil's
own fall seemed to be: Spiritual Pride, Envy (& selfish ambition), then
Rebellion. And of course, this same pattern is now constantly found
amongst fallen humans also (even Christian ones, sadly).
For God's true ministries, the secret to surviving the coming Last Days
period is basically the same as it's ever been. They must have a deep
hatred of sin, a genuine fear of God, a searing honesty with themselves,
and a heart after God's own heart - just as His servant David did. Only
then can they truly be sure of "enduring to the end". This is why God has
spent so long preparing and 'breaking' these ministries, before sending
them forth to lead His people out of bondage and into His glorious light
once again.
GOD NEEDS LEADERS!
While I have no doubt that the coming move of God will be even more
incredible than the great Healing Revival, and that the outpouring of His
Spirit will be far greater than anything that has ever been seen before,
I do believe that many of the same dangers and the same principles will
apply, just as they always have. We must learn the lessons from history,
or we are bound to repeat them.
One thing I do want to emphasise here, is that just like every previous
move of God, this one will need LEADERS anointed and raised up by God,
to advance and establish His Revival. Some people believe in a kind
of "leaderless" Revival, where God "does everything" and human leader-
ship is almost obselete. But from everything God has been saying about
the coming move, I would have to be frank and say that such people are
deluding themselves. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN, AND THERE NEVER WILL BE
A "LEADERLESS" REFORMATION-REVIVAL. Tell me this: Would there have ever
been a Book-of-Acts Revival without anointed apostles to lead it? And
would the Jews have escaped Egypt without an anointed Moses to lead
them? Would they have ever taken the promised land without a Joshua?
And could they have defeated the Philistines without an anointed David
or a Gideon? The answer is: NO - NEVER! God has always been, and
still is, utterly committed to USING MANKIND as His instruments and
leaders of Reformation and Revival in the earth. In fact, it would be
fair to say that for God NOT to use such human leadership, would be to
GO AGAINST THE ENTIRE BASIC NATURE OF HIS DEALINGS WITH MANKIND. As with
every Reformation-Revival, God simply must have His leaders.
I can well understand why a number of Christians today have become
disillusioned and disenchanted with much of today's church leadership.
But I cannot understand why they would want to do away with the
whole concept of "leadership" altogether. The fact is, God may very
well want to use THEM as leaders in the coming Revival. But I have found
that a number of them hate the idea of leadership and authority so much
that it is doubtful if they would ever heed God's call. (I have to ask:-
Couldn't this just be a form of subtle 'Rebellion'? What is the true
motivation behind such a dislike of godly authority?) This whole thing
has been of great concern to me for a number of years now. It is my be-
lief (backed by much that God has been saying right around the world)
that He has been secretly preparing a company of future Revival leaders
for many years now (hidden, as always) - the Joshuas and Davids who will
suddenly arise in God's perfect timing to lead His people into Revival.
If some of these men and women do not heed God's call, then we are in
big trouble, surely? But on the other hand, perhaps this is just another
example of the truth of the old saying, "Many are called, but few are
chosen"? (I urge you to pray and think about these things).
What God has clearly spoken to me is:- "NO LEADERS - NO REVIVAL". And
He has also said that "WHEN THE NEW APOSTLES ARISE, REVIVAL WILL
BEGIN." Just like the early church, it will be the new apostles who will
carry the genuine Revival anointing in these Last Days, and it will be
when they arise that Revival will truly start. (This has been so with
every true Reformation-Revival). These will be men of enormous godly
authority and power. They will certainly not abuse such authority, but
neither will they be afraid to "reprove, rebuke and exhort" where neces-
sary. And these powerful ministries, along with the many prophets and
evangelists who are also about to arise, will go forth under a mighty
anointing - an army 'terrible, with banners' - "destroying the works of
the devil" in Jesus' name. Many of these leaders may seem rather 'rough'
by outward appearance (just like the ex-fishermen and tax collectors of
the Book of Acts), but they will walk in total heart-purity before God.
And I also believe that though they may not be 'apostles' as such, God
is going to use CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS in a tremendous way in the coming
Revival as well (often in a way that may even put the adults to shame).
What glorious days these will be.
|
| 28.31 | A Clean Heart | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Wed Mar 26 1997 12:35 | 133 |
| by Dr. Ralph Bathea
.... Linda - in her servant hearted way - said "Well - honey -
have you prayed about it? Now I'm a Ph.D. from cemetery -
I mean seminary. And I'm ashamed to say friends but I was really
a little irritated by it. I said, "Linda, you know I've spent twenty
years in preparation." "I've been to Southern Baptist College -
Masters, Ph.D. - we've studied missions - we've been trained by the
best minds - best mission minds." I said, "Of course - we're
missionaries! Missionaries are known as people of prayer! You know
we pray! We pray all the time!" She said, "Well I just wondered
if you asked God for HIS WAY TO WIN THE CITY FOR HIM"
And I went out the next day got beat up spiritually - black and
blue - came back in belly-gripping. She said, "Well - honey -
have you prayed about it?" This went on day after day and finally
I just became so desperate that I opened my ears to what the Holy
Spirit was saying - the truth is we hadn't prayed about it - not
really. Not really. Not really coming and just saying "Lord - this
thing has just gotta have Your touch. We're just going to have to
start with a blank page. You are going to have to write on it Lord."
We went into the churches and asked for all those who would come
and pray with us against the spiritual covering - the spiritual
citadel of evil that was over that city - that had been over it for
a thousand years! If they'd come and just commit themselves as a
group to pray until we saw a spiritual breakthrough for the Lord
Jesus. We were so disappointed that so many of the wonderful
leaders that we thought would come didn't come.
But God led fourteen believers together and my wife and I. They
were the most ragtag bunch of folks you ever saw. I mean there
were a couple of young people there that had just gotten saved.
There was one old man who couldn't see and had arthritis in his
back. It would take him a couple of hours just to walk a couple of
blocks. There was one guy who couldn't see out of one eye.
Another guy that stuttered. Not a one of them had more than
a third grade education. Nobody had over fifty dollars to their
name, except Linda and I, and we didn't have much more than that.
One guy I'm not sure his elevator went all the way to the top - he
just said, "Yes" to everything you'd ask him.
We were led of the Lord - to this widow women who said, "You
come and use my home." It was a one room - mud-walled hut. She
said, "You come and pray. My family and I gonna camp out under
the palm tree until you get this spiritual victory that you are
praying for." We began to pray together. But I remember before the
prayer, of looking over there and saying, "Lord, You are going to
bring the first Muslim city in history to their knees before Your
Throne with this group of folks?" And the folks the Lord had
gathered together to pray with us confessed to me later on that
they had complained to the Lord saying, "Lord, we know You want
to bring spiritual victory to this city - but Lord we asked You
for a decent missionary, and this is the best one You got?" And
we kinda complained about each other a while until we suddenly
realized that, "Look folks, the truth is that we are not going to
do anything here unless God does it. Unless God does it".
And we began to pray for revival. And the Lord rebuked us! He
told us, "I DON'T WANT YOU PRAYING FOR REVIVAL. YOU ARE NOT READY
TO PRAY FOR REVIVAL. THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU NEED TO BE PRAYING FOR.
The Lord began to show us the problem with that great city of
Mombassa - why there hadn't been a spiritual breakthrough in a
thousand years for that city, of a mass turning to the Lord - it
wasn't because there weren't plenty of lost people - there were
hundreds of thousands of them - just like there are in your own
county and near your own churches. And the problem wasn't- as
many thought- that the Gospel just wasn't effective among Muslims -
dear friends Jesus said, "If I be lifted up I'll draw ALL MEN to
Me! [John 2:32]" The Gospel is effective among every man - rich/
poor, black/white, American or Iranian, Chinese and Russian. The
problem was - the Holy Spirit showed me - and I was so shocked -
that the THE HOLY SPIRIT DID NOT HAVE A CLEAN HEART IN RALPH BATHEA!
THAT WAS THE PROBLEM!
And I said, "Lord, I thought my heart was clean before you?" And
He said, "No, you love too many other things". The Holy Spirit
began to show me my life - the things that I loved - things that
maybe most people would say were not that bad. Material things
that just took up a lot of time. Things that maybe were part of my
obligation - cutting the grass, painting the house, getting this done
-that done.
But the Lord began to show me, "Ralph, are you really led by My
Spirit? Do you wake up in the morning and mentally reach for your
checklist? What if My Will was for you to go three houses down and
talk to the fellow down there? Are you sensitive enough to the Holy
Spirit that when you pass by the hospital - My Spirit can lead you into
the hospital to talk to one of My God-fearers who wants to know Me?
WHOS' YOUR DADDY? " That word by the way - ABBA - is literally meant
to describe the relationship between a father and small child, like
3,4,5 years old that can't even do ANYTHING that day unless he is
led by his parents.
I wonder what would happen tonight if this great group of men - if
even 10% of this group of men - would come and say, "From here on,
we're going to be led by Your Spirit Lord Jesus whatever it costs"
"Costs us our job, costs us our house, whatever it takes - it's
Your's - we're just going to die to ourselves tonight. We are going
to surrender it all." I tell you there were times in that mud-walled,
little hut - when the Holy Spirit would come and just hammer and
convict my heart so much about these things that had just stood in
the way of me loving God and knowing Him and adoring Him and being
led of His Spirit.
BUT THE HOLINESS OF GOD WOULD COME AND FILL THAT LITTLE HUT! AND
IT WOULD SEEM AT TIMES THAT OUR HEARTS SIMPLY COULDN'T STAND BEFORE
HIS HOLINESS. AND WE WOULD FIND OURSELVES ON OUR FACE PUSHING BACK
THE DIRT WITH OUR FINGERNAILS TRYING TO HIDE FROM THE GLORY OF GOD!
And we would beg and cry for the Lord to come and cleanse our hearts
that we would KNOW HIM! And He put a longing in our hearts for Him!
AND THEN LIKE SOME MIGHTY GIGANTIC TIDAL WAVE OF HIS LOVE -THAT
WOULD JUST SWEEP THROUGH THAT MUD HUT, it would come and it seemed
like it would shoot through the cracks of the mud walls.
AND WE'D FIND THE CLEANSING OF THE LORD COME AND HIS HOLINESS AND
HIS LOVE AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS COME AND CLEANSE US! AND PRAISE WOULD
COME! AND WE WOULD LOVE TO READ HIS WORD! And friends there were
times when the sun was beginning to set over the western palm trees -
AND IT WOULD SEEM LIKE TEN MINUTES LATER - we'd see the sun rise
again over the Indian Ocean! We'd been with the Lord-all-night-long!
And it seemed like a few minutes.
The Holy Spirit told us this was not going to be (I hope this doesn't
offend any of you) a Baptist revival. It's not going to be a church
revival. It's not going to be a mission revival! IT'S NOT GOING TO
BE A CONVENTION REVIVAL! IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A PROGRAM REVIVAL!
THIS IS GOING TO BE A REVIVAL THAT HAS ONLY ONE NAME ON IT! HE SAID IT
IS GOING TO HAVE THE NAME OF MY SON - JESUS CHRIST! It was a strange
thing. We weren't given freedom to preach or to testify. BUT JUST
TO PRAY.
Dr. Ralph Bathea
|
| 28.32 | The Role of the Watchman | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Wed Apr 23 1997 14:55 | 269 |
| Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 20:10:01 +1000
From: Robert Holmes <rnkholmes@accsoft.com.au>
Subject: Re: A prophetic early warning system
A Prophetic Early Warning System
By Robert I Holmes
Paul uses the analogy of the body to explain how Christians are
supposed to function together. In the church we often see
illustrations of this Body life, and the way various parts interact.
We see pastors and teachers working together. Evangelists seem to
relate well with those operating in the gift of healing. Given a
little license, one might suggest that hands represent (in Paul's
metaphor) those with gifts of healing or helps, or the feet (being
shod with a preparedness for the gospel) as evangelists. Paul might
have considered his own apostolic teaching ministry as the brains
and the pastors as the heart. Doctrinally it does not really matter.
The point is this: Prophets are elsewhere referred to as being the
eyes and ears of the church (Isa 29:10).
Now, if the prophet is the eye of the body, what then happens to a
church which does not have functioning prophetic individuals? One
might say that though alive, thinking and well- she can not see.
She can make her way through obstacles slowly (with the odd bruise
or two) but is of little use in battle. Church history records for
us the decline of the prophetic ministry. In my own studies I have
traced it through to about the 7th century. But early in the 3rd
and 4th centuries the church became very wary of this ministry- even
though it had been such a blessing to Jesus and the early church.
This was because of the rise of heresy in the new churches, and
especially because of Gnosticism and Montanism.
Where did the church (and the society she dragged down with her)
end up? Well secular historians label the period following as "The
Dark Ages". This is a remarkable label when you consider Christ's
warning that: "the eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is
healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy,
your body is full of darkness." (Luke 11:34). In this context, this
particular description seems quite appropriate. We must conclude
that if the gift of prophetic insight is not alive and well in the
church, the whole body will be in the dark, or at best partially
blind.
How the prophetic can help us see the dangers coming
Recently there was a movie in the box office called "Twister". This
movie was an education to me, not because of the movie, but rather
because of what the Lord taught me about the eyes and ears of the
Body. In one scene a town was destroyed by a tornado. A woman was
talking to her 'twister chasing' niece and she remarked, "Jo, we
just didn't have any warning. No broadcast, no phone call, nothing!
The sirens went off and seconds later we were hit...you've got to do
something to give us more time!"
Nothing could have been more profound for the church. Our early
warning system is the ministry of the eyes and ears. The prophetic
is defined in several places in the Word as being a "watchman"
ministry. I wept openly in the auditorium, ashamed of the damage
being done to the Body of Christ because its watchmen were not
providing enough warning to the church of danger. So many fall
under spiritual attack, and even under the judgments of God because
they are not prepared. God lamented so long ago to his servant
that, "I sought for anyone among them who would repair the wall
and stand in the breach before me on behalf of the land, so that
I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have
poured out my indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the
fire of my wrath; I have returned their conduct upon their heads,
says the Lord GOD." (Ezek 22:30,31) Is it still not true today?
An early warning system
I believe the Lord is earnest in His desire to restore the eyes
and ears to the church, to set up a 'prophetic' early warning
system in the church, to raise up prophets and intercessors who
will stand on the battlements and watch. These men and women, in
a local context, should be giving early warning of impending
judgment from the Lord, as well as impending attack from the enemy.
The Lord told Ezekiel, "If I bring the sword upon a land, and the
people of the land take one of their number as their sentinel;
and if the sentinel sees the sword coming upon the land and blows
the trumpet and warns the people; then if any who hear the sound
of the trumpet do not take warning, and the sword comes and takes
them away, their blood shall be upon their own heads.... if they
had taken [or been given] warning, they would have saved their
lives. But if the sentinel sees the sword coming and does not
blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword
comes and takes any of them, they are taken away in their iniquity."
(Ezek 33:2-6). The same is true in our day also.
Things which hinder the establishment of an early warning system
There are several things which stand in the way of a local church
setting up an early warning system. First, many people do not even
know their calling in life. When asked in meeting after meeting,
people generally respond that they believe they have a gift, but
do not know what it is. If they do know what it is, they do not
know how to exercise it. They are either not trained to understand
what they are seeing (discernment and interpretation) or do not
have enough experience in discernment. Those who do understand what
they are seeing may face problems with local leadership.
The onus on leadership
'Upcoming' watchmen may not have authority with the leaders. That
is, they are not given a place on the wall to watch, or they are
not allowed to report what they see to the leaders. The Scripture
above clearly places the requirement on the people of God to rouse
the watchmen and to take note of their report. Note it says, "and
the people of the land take one of their number as their sentinel."
Sadly many churches have not done this.
Other leaders ignore the constant warnings given them by the
messengers, redefine the messages they are given, to make them
sound better than they are, or worse, may gather about them those
who only bring good news! Otherwise they may persecute or destroy
the prophetic person in their midst, and this is truly tragic. In
the account of Jeremiah we read of a report he brings from the
watch-tower to the elders of his city, "Blow the trumpet through the
land; shout aloud and say, "Gather together, and let us go into the
fortified cities!" Raise a standard toward Zion, flee for safety,
do not delay, for I am bringing evil from the north, and a great
destruction." (Jer 4:5,6). Sadly the leaders of Israel at the time
took Jeremiah's report rather poorly. One has a picture of young
Jeremiah standing on the battlements, seeing prophetically, a brown
cloud rising in the northern quarter. He is given insight, that
this cloud has under it a great army from Babylon. He runs to the
elders and tells them of this.
But the elders preferred the report of those who tickled their ears
and told them what they wanted to hear. There were other watchmen
evidently, who saw the same cloud rising, but took it merely to be
a storm cloud, or a wind squall- a sand storm in the desert. They
told the elders "You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have
famine, but I will give you true peace in this place." (Jer 14:13)
and the leaders chose to listen to these false prophets. We'll
look at the danger of prophesying falsely later. Both Ezekiel and
Jeremiah faced a problem with local leadership. Their reports were
sometimes not well received, because the leaders did not want to
hear bad news. The judgement would then move from the prophet to
the leader, because the prophet had discharged his duty. But we
should take note, to ensure that we do not treat the Lord's
messengers in this way.
Things which the watchmen should look out for
There are other reasons why the early warning system is not
working. These have more to do with the 'eyes' themselves rather
than the leadership, or the rest of the Body. The watchmen may be
too timid, or may not 'get up' on the battlements and stand in
the breach. God declared to Ezekiel "You have not gone up into
the breaches, or repaired the wall for the house of Israel, so
that it might stand in the day of battle" (Ezek 13:5).
Spiritually speaking, today the watchmen are supposed to edify
the body of Christ, by repairing the walls of faith damaged by
sin and the stumbling blocks so many have tripped over. Some of
today's servants also are not going up in to the breaches to
repair them for the day of battle.
Seduction- the love of men
Another danger is being seduced into speaking what we know the
leadership wants to hear. This need for respectability, for
recognition, for a place or position can sometimes be
overwhelming. The need to be seen to have a word can lure the
immature into prophesying the 'party line'. But judgment falls
upon the watchmen who speak lies, or who misunderstand the signs
and give false hope to the people. As the Lord reiterated to
Jeremiah, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name; I did
not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are
prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the
deceit of their own minds.... By sword and famine those prophets
shall be consumed." (Jer 14:14-15).
This is worse than just not going up to the battlements. It
means falsely reporting what is seen! This is white washing over
the problems in the church, and ignoring sin. A false prophet
could not care less about the breaches in the walls, because
they could not see them! While judgement is coming they are
proclaiming "God loves us, there will be no attack". False
prophets build a false wall of security, when in fact the wrath
and judgement of the Lord may be coming, and a time of
retribution at hand. These prophets falsely whitewash over the
iniquity and preach a false "peace and prosperity" message so
absolutely inappropriate to the day of battle. "Come and take
another drink" they declare revelling in the 'party spirit' of
the times.
Overstepping the mark
Another tendency is for prophetic individuals to overestimate
their role in the Body. They often feel that their word is for
"the greater body" when quite often it is not. Just as Jo's
auntie needed a local warning of a local danger like the tornado
which devastated her town, our local congregations and gatherings
need just such a system of intercessors and prophetic ministers.
Or, as the green lobby has taken to saying, "Think global, act
local". God wants us to start where we are. It is wrong to despise
the day of small beginnings, for as He taught in the parable of
the servants, he who is faithful in a little, will be put in
charge over much.
Why we need each other
There are two other things the 'eyes and ears' need to understand,
as they relate to the Body. The eye and the ear (anatomically
speaking) cannot actually 'see' or 'hear'. The eye is only a prism
through which light is focused onto the nerves of the retina; the
ear only the funnel down which the sound is focused on the ear
drum, and nerves therein. The eye and the ear, without the nerves
and the brain, are nothing. They are useless, or worse than useless.
Isaiah underlines the helplessness of the eyes and ears of the Body
when he said, "Who is blind but my servant, or deaf like my
messenger whom I send? Who is blind like my dedicated one, or blind
like the servant of the Lord? He sees many things, but does not
observe them; his ears are open, but he does not hear" (Isa 42:19).
The prophetic person has need of the 'nerves and brain' to
coordinate what they are seeing and make it of use to the rest of
the Body. Paul warns the church elsewhere that whilst a prophet
may share a message- it is up to the body to test the message
(1 Cor 14:29). He also says that every word is to be tested, not
despised, but held onto for its benefit (1 Thess 5: 19-21).
Prophetic people must do away with their loose cannon philosophy.
Away with sectarianism and aloofness. They must be done once and
for all with high mindedness- prophets need the pastor, the teacher
and other Christians to help make sense of what they are 'seeing'
and 'hearing'.
Employing natural ability
This anatomical evidence points to another pitfall for the prophetic
minister, who must be careful not to exercise any natural ability to
perceive naturally the things of the spirit. Such use of natural
inclination to 'pick things up' is bordering on the occult
(clairvoyance and mind reading). It may be well and fine for an
orator, a preacher or pastor to 'employ the fullest extent of his
mental prowess' in preparing a message, but not so the prophet! The
ability to hear in the spirit realm can easily be mistaken for
hearing the Lord, and it is in this way we may fall into error. Our
constant cry should be 'I am nothing Lord, you are everything, use
me if you will'.
Enjoying authority
There is also a tendency for prophetic people, who can hear God for
themselves, to question the authority of the leaders in the church,
to grate with them, and to even rebel against the yoke being placed
on them, because they feel they know better than the pastor. The
root of this is spiritual pride. Paul clearly taught that we (all
Christians) are to respect those over us in the Lord. "Let the
elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour,
especially those who labour in preaching and teaching" (1 Tim 5:17).
The prophetic person is to honour the pastor and teacher just the
same as everyone else.
Let us look forward to the time when local congregations can say,
"We are in fear of nothing for the Lord has appointed watchmen for
our walls, and they provide good testimony of the coming of God
and the movements of our enemies. "Leaders, servants, prophetic
persons and all the Body must work together in this effort if it
is to succeed. To use Paul's analogy, we should pray that eye
salve be brought, that we may restore sight to the blind, remove
our hands from over the eyes and prepare for the incoming reports!
Regards
Robert I Holmes
Storm-Harvest Ministries
Sydney, Australia
|
| 28.33 | This is England in 1997 | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Apr 28 1997 16:10 | 58 |
| From: "Stafford and Sharon" <1036charis@mailhost.charis.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 10:23:35 +0200
Subject: Arrest of Christians in Bradford, England.
Dear Andrew and friends on the list.
Perhaps we see prophecy beginning to be fulfilled before our eyes.
The following is happening in the UK right now. I'm enclosing a
letter written by a local minister which has just been published in
Prophecy Today - the British magazine of prophecy. This letter is
substantiated by news reports and an article in the magazine.
Bradford in Yorkshire, England is a major centre for Muslims.
Dateline early April.
It was reported in the 'New Christian Herald' that,
"A spokesman for North Yorkshire police has stated that they will
continue to arrest street preachers who bring about an aggressive
response in their hearers. Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said that if
a passer-by threatens violence in response to a preacher, the police
are bound to intervene. 25 Bible Preachers have been arrested and
charged with criminal offences in Yorkshire. There have been 102
arrests of Christians attempting to share their beliefs with the
general public in the Yorkshire area."
It is my view that the present attitude of the police is a 'Thug's
Charter'. The lads on the Street are being taught that all you need
to do to silence a Bible preacher is to be violent towards the
preacher. The preacher will then get arrested and be given a criminal
record by the courts of Britain. The 'City Thugs' will be delighted
that violence and aggression have been given 'Legal Excuse.'
In the run up to the General Election, if the city youth pelted an MP
with eggs would the MP be put in jail for 2 days? But this is what is
happening to the preachers in York City! City drunks abuse the
preachers. Then the preachers are arrested and imprisoned! A passing
Bible College student who acted as a Good Samaritan towards the
Christians being arrested was also jailed for 2 days without trial.
Also locked up was an elderly woman who was praying. After their
arrest and before their release from jail, the police require the
preachers to sign a 'Bail Condition' forbidding them from entering a
particular city centre. In Wakefield this week a 73 year old
Grandmother was locked up in jail for 6 hours. Her crime was praying
for the preachers.
The Yorkshire Police response is a policy of 'Containment' rather than
'Protection'. To say that if there is an aggressive response in your
hearers you have got to be arrested, is corrupt. On that basis every
blunt speaking Yorkshireman must be locked up in jail. It will soon be
a crime to be a plain speaking Northerner.
Rev R Parsons. Gloucester. England"
YES - this is in ENGLAND in 1997!
Love in our Lord Jesus Stafford.
|
| 28.34 | You Will Have All That You Need | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Apr 28 1997 17:41 | 108 |
| From: "Betty Hamalainen" <ehamala@mail.portup.com>
Subject: A message that I received from the Lord a while back
Jesus Christ loves you. He gave His all for you.
Dear Bro Andrew
I would like to share some things that I have received from the Lord and
would want it to be judged as well.
As I was reading the Word one day, and I saw something that caught my eye
in 1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the
[sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead
[in Christ] will be raised .....
I thought wow I wonder what is in the last trumpet. So I went over to
Revelations to see what I could find. and I saw some startling things that
frightened me. I was looking at all the things that were happening during
the trumpets. And as I was reading all the way up to the 14th chapter and
this verse pierced my heart, In this chapter, verses 8-12 The Holy
Spirit is saying that those who worship the beast and permit his mark
to be placed upon their hand or forehead will have to drink the wine of
God's indignation and wrath, and He shall be tormented with fire and
brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the
Lamb. And He goes on to say and the smoke of their torment ascends
forever and ever, and they have no pause, or rest, no peace night and
day for those who worship the beast and his image and whoever receives
his mark in their forehead or hand.
Verse 12 is what got me. Listen to what verse twelve says. It is so
important that we have our ears opened to the word of the Lord God
Almighty. Here [is a call for] the steadfastness of the saints [the
patience, the endurance of the people of God] those who habitually keep
God's commandments and their faith in Jesus.
When I read that verse I cried out, oh the children, the children. Oh
Lord, and then He told me distinctly. Remined my people about the Hebrew
children's faith. Before they went into captivity they knew their God.
They did not have to muster up their faith when they were brought into
captivity. And as I was continually crying over the children. The
Lord went on to say. Many are not walking with me the way they should,
and when things happen to them, they quickly get offended. But as for
the faith of the Hebrew children, they knew their God was a deliverer and
that He could deliver them. but they also settled it in their hearts
that if He chose not to deliver them, they still would not give in.
We must be ready at all times to be where God wants us to be. When
these Hebrew Children would not bow when they heard the music, but kept
their eyes upon their God, and were brought before the king, the king
gave them another change to be obedient to his decree. But the Hebrew
boys said no, we will not obey Your word, we will not bow. We know
o king that our God is able to deliver us out of your hand, but if He
chooses not to, we still won't bow, and that saying made the king
furious and he order the furnace to be made seven times hotter as usual.
The Lord says. Listen to the faith of the Hebrew children, "but if He
chooses not to deliver us we still won't bow." And He told me to remind
His people, not the people of the world, but His people about their
faith. Do you really know Your God. Do you think you are going to
escape what is coming on the world? Are you ready to remain steadfast,
with patient endurance, or are you still doing your own thing, thinking
that you have a lot of time. Time is running out and it is getting close
to the time. There has to come a time when we settle in our hearts that
we will obey God rather than man.
There are many that are thinking that they won't be around when that time
comes. A young lad said to me one day. Oh those poor people who are
going to be left behind to go through the tribulation, and then he made
this remark, "I wish I could be here at that time." I spoke up and said,
"What makes you think you will not be here when that happens?" His face
turned white and he said, "But we are going to be gone when that
happens." Then, I told him what God had shown me, and I told him he
better get his faith settled right now, that God is able to deliver out
of the enemy's hand, but if He chose not to, we still better not bow.
I just pray that this will help some that are hearing. So many are
thinking that they will escape persecution. Many come back with the
verse that says that we are not destined for God's wrath. Yes that is
true, but there is also a wrath of man and that we will have to face.
Then, I said, "Do you think that a God who has allowed precious
brothers and sisters to suffer at the hands of cruel men throughout the
ages is going to let this godless country that we are living in not to
go through any persecution?
We must be awake, and rise up and shake the dust off of us. Dust is
Satan's food. When man sinned, he turned back to dust. That is what
flesh is- getting your feelings hurt because someone offended you. We
must grow up into the very Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Another thing that I got from the Lord. I was worried about whether I
would have the strength to go through the persecution. I said, "Lord
I don't know if I have the strength to go through the persecution." He
told me something that I could rest upon. He said, "Why are you worried
about the persecution. When the time comes, you will have all that you
need."
Finally, He revealed to my heart Revelations 3:10. The scripture which
many take to mean that they will be gone before any persecution happens.
When He revealed Revelation 3:10 to my heart. I said, "Lord, what does
it mean?" He replied, "I'll keep you from denying me in that day."
I said, "Thank you Lord."
I just want to encourage you and to let you know that there will be
strength provided for each one that is trusting Him with all of their
heart.
With Calvary's Love
Betty
|
| 28.35 | It Is Finished | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon Apr 28 1997 18:20 | 96 |
| The Filing Room
Author Unknown
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in a files
room. There were no distinguishing features except for one wall which
was covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in
libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order.
But these files, which were stacked from the floor to the ceiling and
were seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.
As I drew near this wall of files, the first to catch my attention was
one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping
through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I
recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told,
I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small
individual files was a catalog system of my life.
On these cards, was written my life, every moment- big and small- in
a detail my memory couldn't begin to match. A sense of wonder and
curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began to randomly
open files and explore their content. Some brought joy and sweet
memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I looked
over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends"
was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I
Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have
Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I
Have Yelled At My Little Brother." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things
I Have Done In My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath At My
Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there
were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I had hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it
be possible that there was enough time in a life to experience the
contents of each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But,
each card confirmed the truth that they were all mine.
Each was written in my own handwriting. Each was signed with my
signature. When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened
To," I realized that the files grew to contain their contents. The
cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't
found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the
quality of music, but more by the vast amount of wasted time the file
represented.
While I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill
run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing
to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed
content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind:
"No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an
insane frenzy I yanked a file out - its size didn't matter now. I had
to empty it and burn those cards. But as I took one end and began
pounding it on the floor. I could not dislodge a single card. I became
desperate and pulled out a card only to find it to be as strong as steel
when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning
my forehead against the wall, I let out a long self-pitying sigh.
Then I saw it. The file with the title "People I Have Shared The
Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer- almost
unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three
inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on
one hand. Then the tears came. I began to weep with sobs so deep that the
hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I feLl on my knees and
cried.
I cried out of shame- from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows
of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever
know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But, as I
pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here.
Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to read the
cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. When I could bring
myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He
seemed to go intuitively to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read
every one?
Finally, He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked
at me with pity in His eyes, but His was a pity that didn't anger me.
I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands, and began to cry
again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so
many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then
He walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room,
He took out each file and, one by one, began to sign His name over
mine on each card.
"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, No,"
as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards.
But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of
Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the
card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the rest of the
cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but
the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back
to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is
finished."
|
| 28.36 | Prophesy for May 1st | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Wed Apr 30 1997 19:28 | 118 |
| From: DUNAMOUS7@aol.com
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 1997 00:07:38 -0400 (EDT)
In preparation for this Thursday the Lord ( I believe it was the Lord)
began to minister to my heart concering some things which I believe are
about to come to pass and will begin on May 1st. I don't usually do the
'date thing' but the Lord has placed a number of dates on my heart
concerning some upcoming events and this is one of them. Let those who
read this prophesy discern what I am about to say. That which is of the
Lord, Praise His Holy Name! That which is me... just throw out and pray
for grace and mercy upon me.
The Lord showed me that on May 1st there will be a hole punctured in the
heavenlies as the cries of His people go forth from the nation. He
showed me that through this hole He will begin to pour out His presence
in a whole new and terrifying way. He has brought forth His Grace and
we have experienced it. He has brought forth His love and mercy with
the Jesus Movement and such. Now He is about to bring forth His Holiness
among His people.
The Father is coming and judgement is in His hands. He does not do this
merely for the sake of wrath, rather for love. He is overwhelmed and
grieved with the sins of His people. We have invited the World to
infilitrate and become part of the Church. The Bride has become a Harlot
sleeping with every demon and wave of doctrine and drinking the wine of
sin and corruption. She has become 'drunk' in rationalization and
justification, her eyes are heavy as her lust consumes her being and
clouds her mind with the thoughts of perversion and purity no longer is
seen among her. Her dress is stained with the blood of the Saints and she
mocks the blood of her bridegroom. Her conceit and arrogance go out as
the stench of cheap perfume in place of the aroma of humility before
the nostrils of the Most High and she blasphemes His Name with every
move as she goes about professing her 'right' to iniquity.
"ENOUGH! CRIES THE FATHER!!! MY SON SHALL NOT MARRY A HARLOT, HIS BRIDE
SHALL BE PURE!! THIS SIN SHALL BE BROUGHT LOW!! I SHALL NOT STAND FOR
HER HAUGHTY ARROGANCE!! I SHALL BRING FORTH THE CLEANSING FIRE!! THE
INIQUITY AND STAIN SHALL INDEED BE STERILIZED!! I SHALL BRING DOWN THE
HIGH PLACES AND THE POWERS OF THIS WORLD SHALL NOT CORRUPT OR INTERRUPT
THAT WHICH I HAVE ESTABLISHED FROM THE FOUNDATIONS OF THIS WORLD.... MY
WORD HAS GONE FORTH AND SURELY ALL ALL WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE TRUE GOD
OF ISRAEL..... ALL SHALL SURELY SEE THAT I AM NOT ONE TO BE MOCKED!!!
YOU O BRIDE HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD!!!!! I AM COME DOWN, SAYS THE
LORD YOUR GOD!! I BRING THE FIRE OF JUDGEMENT IN MY HAND AND THE
WIND OF CLEANSING. OUT OF MY MOUTH SHALL COME THE TIDAL WAVE OF LIVING
WATER WHICH SHALL DROWN YOU AND CLEANSE, FROM MY NOSTRILS SHALL COME THE
HURRICANE OF MY BREATH WHICH YEA SHALL BLOW UPON YOU THE WIND OF MY
HOLINESS... TRULY YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED AND THE DRUNKENNESS AND
HAUGHTY LUST SHALL BE REMOVED AND YOU SHALL SEE YOUR INIQUITY BEFORE
YOU.... TRULY, TRULY THIS DAY YOU SHALL FALL UNDER THE UNDERSTANDING AND
CONVICTION OF SIN WHICH YOU BLATANTLY PERFORM BEFORE MY EYES!! NO MORE
SHALL YOU HAVE ANY PLACE TO HIDE FOR ALL THE CAVES AND WALLS AND HIDING
PLACES SHALL BE BROUGHT LOW AND YOU SHALL BE EXPOSED!!
JUSTIFICATION AND RATIONALIZATION SHALL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE AS YOU
SHALL HAVE NO PLACE TO SHIELD YOURSELF FROM MY PRESENCE! AND AS YOU CRY
OUT BEFORE ME AND YOU REPENT BEFORE THE LORD YOUR GOD I SHALL AT
THAT TIME CALL FORTH THE BLOOD OF MY SON JESUS AND ITS SHALL BE POURED
OUT BEFORE YOU AND UPON YOU!! SURELY YOU SHALL BE CLEANED AND SCRUBBED,
YOU SHALL BE WASHED IN MY WORD AND I SHALL DRY YOU WITH MY BREATH.
CLEANSING FIRE SHALL SEAL THE WORK WHICH I DO. YOU SHALL INDEED BE THE
SPOTLESS BRIDE FOR MY SON AND I SHALL BREAK YOUR PRIDE BEFORE ALL MEN
AND THOSE ABOVE AND BELOW THE EARTH!! SURELY YOU SHALL COME TO KNOW
HUMILITY AS NEVER BEFORE AND YOU SHALL BECOME CLEAN AND SUBMISSIVE
BEFORE ME! YOU SHALL BE ANOINTED WITH THE SWEET PERFUME OF TRUE WORSHIP
AND ADORATION BEFORE ME
AND YOU SHALL BE PURE THROUGHOUT AND THROUGHOUT. SURELY ALL THE WORLD
WILL TRULY SEE MY AUTHORITY ON YOU AND SHALL FEAR ME FOR THEY SHALL
EXPERIENCE MY SOVEREIGNTY FOR I AM THE ONE TRUE GOD, I SHALL NOT BE
MOCKED NOR SHALL I STAND AND SEE MY PEOPLE SCATTERED. I GRIEVE FOR MY
CHILDREN... THEY ARE SCATTERED WITH NO DIRECTION, CONFUSION IS BEFORE
THEM AND THE WOLVES COME AND ATTACK MY SHEEP! THE VULTURES AND DARK
BIRDS COME FROM THE NORTH AND PECK AT AND DEVOUR MY HURT AND WOUNDED
PEOPLE. WHERE ARE MY SHEPHARDS?? WHERE ARE MY WATCHMEN?? WHERE ARE THOSE
WHO I HAVE SET UP TO PROTECT AND GUIDE??
WHERE IS MY ARMY, WHERE ARE YOU O SOLDIER - PROTECTOR OF JERUSALEM??
I NOW AM BRINGING FORTH MY NEW SHEPARDS AND WATCHMEN!! MY NEW ARMY SHALL
NOW ARISE AND BE BROUGHT FORTH IN THE POWER AND HOLINESS AND KNOWLEDGE
OF MY PLANS IN SETTING MY PEOPLE FREE, SHE SHALL BE FREE FROM THE ENEMY
CAMP AND SURELY ALL THE WORLD WILL KNOW THAT DELIVERANCE IS IN MY HAND
AND HEALING AND RESTORATION IS BEFORE ME!
ARISE!! ARISE TO ZION!! FROM THE NORTH, THE SOUTH, THE EAST, AND WEST I
CALL FORTH MY PEOPLE TO COME NOW UNTO ME!! WOE IS HE WHO DOES NOT HEED
MY VOICE!! HE WILL BE CRYING AND ANGUISH AND GNASHING OF TEETH SHALL BE
THE FRUIT OF HIS CHOICE. SURELY HE SHALL SAY WITHIN HIMSELF I HAVE
BEEN A FOOL!! BE READY OH PEOPLE! BE READY CHURCH I COME DOWN NOW!
THE KING IS COMING!! PREPARE FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE GROOM, HIS RETURN
IS BEFORE YOU AND ALL CREATION IS IN EXPECTATION OF HIS RETURN!
I feel we are about to go through a mighty cleansing in the body,
personally and corporately... The Lord has spoken forth many warnings
to His Church and I sense that the warnings have come to an end and He
is now ready for ACTION!
I am sensing more as I continue in prayer... I ask for the Lord to
bring insight and discernment to me as much of this is new.
MAY ALL GLORY AND HONOR AND PRAISE BE GIVEN TO JESUS CHRIST
AND MAY HIS KINGDOM SURELY BE ESTABLISHED! MAY WE, HIS BRIDE TRULY BE
CLEANSED AND NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES FOR THAT TO HAPPEN MAY WE BE OPEN
TO RECEIVE THAT CLEANSING, EVEN THOUGH IT MAY HURT, MAY WE GO THROUGH THAT
PAIN THAT WE MAY BE MADE WHOLE AND HOLY BEFORE OUR PRECIOUS JESUS. LET US
BE BROKEN BEFORE THE LORD AND ALLOW HIM TO PLACE HIS ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
UPON US AS WE WALK IN 'HIS' RIGHTEOUSNESS ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT IS ONLY
THROUGH THE CROSS OF CALVARY AND JESUS' BLOOD SHED FOR US THAT WE CAN COME
BEFORE OUR MOST HOLY FATHER AND BECOME SPOTLESS BEFORE HIM-- BECAUSE OF
WHAT JESUS HAS DONE FOR US! LET US HUMBLY COME BEFORE THE THRONE OF
GRACE THIS THURSDAY AND CRY OUT FOR OUR NATION, THE CHURCH, AND OURSELVES
AND OUR FAMILIES.
Humbly submitted to you,
Eric
|
| 28.37 | | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Thu May 01 1997 18:24 | 166 |
|
DR. BETHEA - AMAZING EVENTS IN MOMBASSA.
This old man, carrying his daughter back down that aisle, it just
seemed like, IT JUST SEEMED LIKE - THAT SHE WAS MY OWN LITTLE CHILD.
THOSE DARK EYES PIERCING INTO MINE! IT SEEMED LIKE THE WHOLE LOST
WORLD- THOSE CRYING OUT TO KNOW HIM! THAT LITTLE GIRL, QUESTIONS IN
HER EYES, WHO WAS THIS ESA (JESUS)? WHO WAS THIS MAN WE JUST PRAYED
ABOUT? WILL I EVER KNOW HIM? WILL I EVER HEAR ABOUT HIM AGAIN?
I PRAYED - LORD JESUS ! - IS THERE SOME WAY YOUR LOVE CAN BREAK
THROUGH TO HER? ALL OF SUDDEN, SHE JUST PUSHED HER DADDY BACK -
SHE JUST JERKED HIM BACK! AND HE LOOKED SHOCKED AS HE HELD HIS
DAUGHTER OUT. HER BLACK BOOIE BOOIE GARMENT FELL TO THE CARPET!
SHE KEPT PUSHING HER DADDY - PUSHING HIM AWAY. HE BEGAN TO LOOK
BOTH EXCITED AND SHOCKED - HE SET HER DOWN AND HIS EYES GOT AS
LARGE AS SAUCERS AS HE FELT THE WEIGHT OF HIS EIGHT YEAR OLD
DAUGHTER LIFT FROM HIS ARMS.
TO THE GLORY AND TESTIMONY OF OUR LIVING LORD, IN A SHIITE MUSLIM
MOSQUE IN MOMBASSA KENYA, A LITTLE SHITTE MUSLIM GIRL STOOD FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE! Somebody stoodup and said, "ESA IS ALIVE!!!"
Someone else said, "LOOK - ESA LIVES!!!" Another person said,
"PRAISE BE THE NAME OF ESA!!!" Revival broke out in a Shiite Muslim
mosque, FROM WALL TO WALL - FROM CEILING TO FLOOR - THE NAME OF JESUS
WAS PRAISED !!!! Man lost control and God took control! That's the
way it always happens. If you want God to take control of your
churches, TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF OF THEM !!! Call your congregation
together FOR PRAYER!
Friends, we prayed for three months. That's not a spiritual sign of
honor or anything. That just shows how DIRTY our lives were; it took
that long to clean them up! As that little group of 14 believers and
my wife and I prayed, I don't know of a minute - day or night -
during that three months that a least half that group wasn't on their
faces before the Lord or praying for somebody, or reading Scripture
to someone.
I don't know what's it going to take - just maybe, from this
night on - it's going to take prayer like we've never seen it coming
out of our churches. Friends, we need a million people praying!
Can you imagine what would happen tonight if God put together and used
this great association of men right here tonight to be the cornerstone,
to be the beginning, to be the thermonuclear, spiritual nucleus of
an explosion that would begin with prayer!
DO YOU KNOW WHY IS HAS GOT TO BEGIN WITH PRAYER? BECAUSE THAT'S THE
ONLY WAY THAT GOD GETS ALL THE GLORY!!! NO MAN PUTS HIS MARK ON
WHAT GOD DOES! And when God gives it to us through prayer, brings it
together - we all know it's a supernatural movement of God. It's
going to happen in no other way then christians coming together, I
believe, and just humbling themselves and saying God be a [judge].
Praying in our churches and just not turning loose! It will start a
spiritual war I guarantee it. One like you've never seen before, it
will cost you something. It may cost you a bunch. It may cost you
like it cost my precious wife. But you know the truth is ...THE ONLY
DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE AS A CHRISTIAN IS OUTSIDE OF GOD'S WILL! THE
ONLY DANGEROUS PLACE. Anywhere else is in the arms of Jesus.
"FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST," Paul said, "AND TO DIE IS GAIN!" Do we
really, honestly believe that? I mean - in all honestly - do we
REALLY believe that today? Wouldn't it be a privilege to die and
go to heaven today. The old Muslim Emmon took me by the shirt,
some of the elders came up while the Muslim Emmon was standing off
to the side, awed by the Glory of God. They grabbed me by the arm
and said, Missionary - thank you for coming, but you need to leave
right now.
THERE'S ALWAYS SOME LEADER SOMEWHERE THAT WANTS TO TAKE BACK
CONTROL. They ushered me outside; the old man went out with me.
He grabbed me by the arm and walked me to my car - he said,
"Missionary, I'VE NEVER SEEN THE GLORY OF GOD LIKE THIS! I started
to tell him, "Man, I haven't either!" He said, "I want to know more
about Esa! Can you give me the teachings of Esa?" I had a 50-cent
New Testament supplied by Baptists in my back pocket. I pulled it
out and gave it to him and said, "Sir, here it is!" He said, "Oh,
that's a that Biblia (Bible)." He said, "NO, NO! That is a Bible,
that's heresy. We don't believe it - we're not allowed to read it.
I just want the teachings of Esa."
I said, "Oh, excuse me sir, I'll try to do better." I went home,
prayed for forgiveness for desecrating the New Testament and tore
the covers off each side. I cut pieces of cardboard and taped them
on either side. I then wrote on them - "TEACHINGS OF ESA". Well,
a Ph.D. ought to be good for something. I took it back to him; he
looked at it and said, "Kinda a cheap copy isn't it?" I said, "Well,
it was the only one I had just like that, Sir." He said, "Welllll,
anyway, thank you very much."
For months after, he called me on the phone - he would call me
Dough-Dough, which means "little squirt" - he'd say, " Andough-dough
-little squirt - you come down here, you Christians have misunderstood
the teachings of Esa. I'll argue with you on the streets of Mombassa."
I'd go down in the evening and sometimes, he'd have hundreds of men
come out and we'd go to it, just arguing and debating. It did my
heart good to see men out like this because we're so outnumbered over
there. And he'd make his point and all those men would clap and
say, "Iandoazay, iandoazay, bequalie peeheya, peeheya! which means,
"IT'S RIGHT OLD MAN - IT'S RIGHT OLD MAN, GET HIM OLD MAN - GET HIM!"
I'd try to make my point from a Christian perspective and they'd say,
"Ah ponanagezza to nagezza. Ah, no, no - He's just in darkness,
he's just in darkness."
I asked the Lord to release me from the debating because no one
ever got saved, we'd just argue. The Lord would not release me. I
think it was because whenever we'd finish, the old man would turn to
me and say, "Now I know I beat you tonight little squirt, but it's not
because you really are so stupid! It's just because you got
darkness and we got the light.. But so you don't go home mad and
upset and everything - PRAY FOR US IN THE NAME OF ESA BEFORE YOU GO
HOME! You can't be upset and hate people if you pray for them. THE
ONE GREAT METHOD OF EVANGELISM WE HAVE YET TO EMPLOY IN OUR
GENERATION IS SIMPLY LOVING PEOPLE INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY THE
POWER OF GOD !!! LOVE IS THE MOST POWERFUL FORCE ON THE FACE OF THIS
EARTH!!!
One morning, he called me on the phone and said, "An dough- dough,
little squirt! HE'S TRUE!" I misunderstood what he had said. I
replied, "Old man - I don't know that what you're saying is true and
I don't have time to come and argue with you in the streets You
don't treat me fairly - you play all these political shenanigans
and games. But, the Holy Spirit wouldn't let me put the phone down!
"Anyway, what's true old man," I asked? He said, "YOU YOUNG FOOL!
I DIDN'T SAY IT'S TRUE, I SAID HE'S TRUE!!!" I replied, "Man, are
you at the mosque? Stay right there! DON'T MOVE!"
I went out and tried to start my mission car - it wouldn't start
which wasn't unusual so I high-jacked a boy's bicycle, put him
on the backend and peddled down to the Shiite Muslim Mosque. There
was the old man, sitting in the middle of the carpet WITH A
CARDBOARD BOUND TATTERED `TEACHINGS OF ESA' IN THIS LAP! TEARS
ROLLED DOWN HIS CHEEKS as he said, "Missionary - I've read HIS
WORDS! I PRAYED TO HIM! I CAN'T DENY HIM ANY LONGER! HE IS TRUE! HE
IS TRUE! HE IS TRUE !!!" He said, "Do you think missionary - do you
think that your Esa would allow even a 70-year-old, Shiite Muslim
Emmon to become His follower?" I said, "I know He would LOVE to
have you as His follower." I shared with him how to become a
Christian.
It was a wonderful experience as a missionary. He said, "OK that's
Step 1, what's Step 2, what's Step 3." I said, "You can do those right
here by yourself in the mosque." He said, "MISSIONARY! YOU HAVEN'T
TOLD ME THE TRUTH!" HE REBUKED ME! I WAS OFFENDED; I STARTED TO
TELL HIM - I HAVE A Ph.D.! But, he was right! He said, "I thought I
read in the teachings of Esa Missionary that when He came, He taught
before all the people! Some loved Him, some hated Him, but He taught
before all of them. I said, "That's right." He said, "I thought
that when He died on the cross for ours sins, He died for those who
loved Him, those who hated Him, those who crucified Him, those who
just ignored Him and didn't understand!" I said, "That's right!"
He said, "I THOUGHT THAT WHEN HE AROSE FROM THE DEAD, HE APPEARED
BEFORE 500 PEOPLE, MANY OF THEM HIS OWN FAMILY, WHO BECAME HIS
FOLLOWERS." I said, "That's right!" He said, "I THOUGHT I READ IN
THE TEACHINGS OF ESA THAT WHEN HE COMES AGAIN HE'S GOING TO COME
BEFORE KINGS AND THE PRINCES AND ALL THE NATIONS OF EARTH! I said,
"That's right!" He said, "I THOUGHT I READ IN THE TEACHINGS OF ESA,
MISSIONARY THAT HE SAID WHOEVER WOULD CONFESS ME BEFORE MEN - HIM -
WILL I CONFESS BEFORE MY FATHER WHO'S IN HEAVEN!" I said, "Old man,
forgive me; your right." He said, "WELL WHAT ARE WE DOING IN HERE
THEN - COME ON!!!"
He grabbed me by the arm and led me out of the mosque and out into
the streets of old town Mombassa. He stopped both the traffic and
pedestrians along the street and got up a crowd of people. He then
turned to me and said, "NOW MISSIONARY, I AM READY TO CONFESS HIM
BEFORE MEN AS MY LORD AND MY SAVIOR!!!"
|
| 28.38 | Civil War in the Church | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon May 05 1997 14:05 | 67 |
| From: <life@icanect.net>
Subject: Are we next?
Hello Brother Andrew and List,
The problem with CRI and Hank H? is this -- "Today it's Pensacola and
tomorrow its you." Not to be disgracious, but CRI would have a field
day and probably a "Special Inside Addition" after reading some of the
Prophetic List postings.
Respectively submitted
Jonas Clark
Moderator writes:
Yes, you are probably right!! But seriously, this whole topic
does illustrate something that we have looked at before on this
List, and that is the possibility of all-out 'Civil War' in the
church (particularly in America). There can be no doubt that Hank
Hanegraff is seen as something of a 'leader' of what could be termed
the extreme "Right Wing" of the church. (In other words, the ultra-
conservative, anti-just-about everything camp). And likewise there
can be little doubt that there now exists a very real "alliance of
the Left" in the church - involving the Toronto / Pensacola movements,
part of the Vineyard, and sadly much of the American prophetic
movement also. (Together making one huge "Joel's Army").
In many ways, the all-out WAR between these two camps has
already been raging for some time. Many believers in America are
already lining up on one side or the other, and there is tremendous
ENMITY and bitterness between these two extremes.
As I have stated in the past, part of our vision is to stake out
a piece of ground that is actually in NEITHER of these two camps,
but rather takes the best of both of them and leaves the rest. In
other words, we reject entirely the "manifestations" movement
based out of Toronto and Pensacola, but we certainly do NOT
reject the concept of God raising up new prophets and apostles,
dreams and visions, 'new music', massive Revival, etc, in these
last days. We strongly advocate and support these things, while
hopefully rejecting the 'flakey' and the weird. I would like to think
that men such as David Wilkerson would be found somewhere
close to this same position. (Though he may be a little more on
the 'conservative' side?).
What is certain is that massive 'Civil War' is definitely in the cards,
and some have even advocated this as a good and necessary thing!
All I can see is that it will bring tremendous JUDGEMENT upon
the church and all who partake in it's bitterness. The TRUTH is
important, but bitterness need have no part in it. May God have
mercy on us all.
Please, my friends, do not become allies of one camp or the other
in this conflict. God is about to bring true Revival, and we
certainly don't want to be caught up in something like this. In fact,
He has warned strongly that we are to have no part of this bitterness,
though of course we are always to stand for TRUTH - especially as
these days are prophesied to see deception so great that if possible
even the "very elect" would be deceived. Truth is at a great premium
in times such as these. But without 'war' or bitterness, please.
God bless you all.
Kindest regards in Christ,
Andrew Strom.
|
| 28.39 | The Second Mile | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon May 05 1997 14:17 | 60 |
|
From: bryanh@igateway.net (Bryan L. Hupperts)
Subject: Two Visions
May 2, 1997
Dear Andrew & saints,
I was driving today and the Holy Spirit showed me two pictures that
speak to the church both corporately and individually.
First, He showed me full-grown adults playing on a schoolyard playground.
There were people squealing and jumping about playing games of hop scotch,
jump rope, and so on. They were acting exactly like preschoolers at play.
Right next to the playground I saw a largely unfinished construction site.
There were many magnificent power tools just sitting idle. There was a
foreman calling to the people, "Quit playing. It's time to join the work
force. We need laborers to finish the jobs". He was being largely ignored.
My understanding was this: the adults were the church at play. The foreman
was the Holy Spirit being ignored and His gifts, the power tools, were not
being unused. The construction site was the kingdom of God.
The second picture was of myself as if I were a lawn made of grass.
There were dandelions growing out of me. I could suddenly see inside myself
and saw the vast root systems of these seemingly innocent, harmless plants.
I was so full of these roots that it seemed there was no room for anything
healthy to grow EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS LITTLE MANIFESTATION OF THEM VISIBLE
TO THE NAKED EYE.
Each flower had a tag on it, labeling what it was. One was, "The Fear Of
Man", another "The Need To Be Admired", and there many others. The Holy
Spirit showed me that he was calling me individually and the church
corporately to a place where He would sanctify us IF we would submit to
the cross by choice..
He promised me that IF I would let Him continue the breaking process, He
would rip these weeds out BY THE ROOTS so that my heart would be fertile
soil that could produce 30, or 50, or 100 fold for the kingdom of God.
Weeds choke out the root systems of fruit. For fruit to grow, the weeds
HAVE to go.
Friends, that is a big IF. The Lord showed me today that His "external"
chastening on me was over because He had compelled me to walk a mile
with Him and I have obeyed so far. Any additional chastening would be
because I choose to submit to Him. This is the second mile, the Love
mile. We must, OF OUR OWN WILL, choose the cross, deny self, and follow
Jesus no matter where he leads. (No roadmaps provided!).
To really walk in the reality of God's kingdom, which is a kingdom of
Love (God is love), we have to walk the second, or Love, mile. This is
true Christlikeness.
It's time to quit playing church and ignoring the call of God. There is
work God wants to do in us so he can do work through us.
Respectfully,
Bryan Hupperts
|
| 28.40 | The Field | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon May 05 1997 14:42 | 92 |
| From: Phil Hanson <philh@dayspring.com>
Subject: The Vision by Don Cobble
A vision given to Don Cobble at the Christian Teaching and Worship
Center, January 6, 1997.
In my heart's mind I saw a picture of an old familiar farmhouse in the
southern United States. Next to the farmhouse was a small field where
a young man was hoeing in the hot sun. He was working the same small
garden his father had worked before him. With sweat pouring down him,
from time to time he would stop work, lean on his hoe and look across
the road to a much greater field where there was a large tractor
plowing in a swirl of dust. As the young man continued to observe the
huge field and tractor, this thought came to mind, "Why do I have this
little field and they have that big field?" But he said nothing; he
just continued working.
As he continued to work his small field, I saw the young man become
older, and a young boy ran out to him. It was his son. Aware that his
father was looking at the large field and tractor, the son said, "Daddy,
how come they have that big field and tractor and we have a little
field that we work by hand?" The father did not answer his son right
away, but this Scripture came to mind, "People who compare themselves
among themselves are fools" (2 Cor 10:12). Then the father responded,
"Son, that's not for us to know." So the man continued to plow the
field with his hoe growing older and older until finally he fell down
and died right in the middle of his field.
Upon his death, the field began to grow thick with trees, so much so
that the limbs extended beyond the edge of the field. The trees began
to drop seeds of fruit and the growth was so abundant that it became
greater than the man's little field. This brought these things to
mind: It is through our death to self that the fruit comes (John
12:24). It is God who gives the increase (1Cor 3:6-8).
The next thing I saw in the vision was the farmer standing in line in
heaven, waiting to appear before the Lord (Judgement Seat of Christ).
As it came closer to his turn, he could see that people were presenting
their gifts to the Lord. Standing in his overalls, the man began to
get nervous as he watched angels take the people's gifts in what
looked like a treasure chest and lay them before the Lord. The man
began to realize how much the Lord had done for him. Nervous, scared,
and brokenhearted, feeling like a failure, he wanted desperately to
get out of the line, as people laid their treasures of gold, silver,
and precious stones before Him, and then go their way.
"What a waste! What a waste!" he said of his little field in comparison
to what the Lord had done for him. Finally the farmer's turn came. He
looked but the Lord did not say a word. The man spoke up and said,
"Lord I am so disappointed that I do not have anything to give you." The
Lord continued to say nothing to him but spoke to His angels and said,
"What does he have to give me?" The angels came over with a chest.
They opened the chest and smoke came out of it. Lying in the middle
was a large, red ruby. As they picked up the ruby the man began to
say, "Lord, that's not mine." Then Jesus showed the man his little
field and said, "This is your living stone and this is your field.
This stone is your field." The rejoiced as He lifted the stone from
the chest and it began to float through the air to a specific spot that
had been made for it on a pillar.
The man fell down and began to worship Jesus. He had no idea that the
little field he had been working on all his life was building a great
stone that would be set in the Kingdom of God forever. With a full and
happy heart the man left that place and went out. In the vision, I
continued to see people presenting their gifts to the Lord. From time
to time, the Lord would look up and point to the great stone and speak
about it. As He did, this came to my mind, "Good thoughts that God
has about you everyday are more numerous than the sands of the sea"
(Ps. 139:17).
Again the Lord would look at the stone and begin to rejoice. As He did,
the man would fall down and worship Him wherever he was, for the man
knew that the Lord was talking about his stone. As I watched the joy
of the Lord over this man's small field - his life's work - and all it
became in Kingdom terms, I began to weep as I have never wept before.
I saw how foolish we are to compare ourselves with each other, and how
foolish we are to measure spiritual works by numbers or size or seeming
importance.
The message was clear: Faithfulness to our own field is how God
measures greatness. We are not to worry about whose field is larger or
better. When the Lord rewarded the man with the little field, he never
compared him to the man who had the huge field. Another's work was
never part of the equation. Whatever the Lord has asked us to do,
whether we think it is big or small, it deserves faithful, joyful
diligence. In the eyes of God there is no big or small work - only that
which He has asked us to do. God has placed a field in front of each
one of us. If we keep focused on our calling, one day we will see our
life's work set in place in God's Kingdom and perhaps Jesus will
rejoice and over what He was able to accomplish through us.
|
| 28.41 | | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Tue May 06 1997 16:41 | 163 |
| The Most Powerful Force on the Face of the Earth
"Well, I've got bad news for you," he said. "I found out that it's true.
There are rumors that there is a hit team here in the city and they
are going to be looking for Americans on July 4th for revenge."
"I guess that means that you are going to leave this city like all of
the other Americans have been advised to do," he continued. It wasn't
just Americans who were leaving. Anyone who could was leaving for
safer upperland places or hotels. I was just about to agree
with him because of my rational, western upbringing when he
added something else, "I guess that means you're going to have to
take your sign down over there at Laconi - Jesus won't be coming
on July 4th."
That hurt, but I could still rationalize it away. I was just about
to tell him that we might just delay it a little while when he added
something that I've never forgotten. He said, "After all missionary,
YOU FAITH IS NOT WORTH DYING FOR IS IT?" I looked down into the eyes
of the two new believers who were with me, - wide as saucers - a big
question mark in each one. ALL RIGHT MISSIONARY YOU TALK THE TALK!
DO YOU WALK THE WALK!!! IS IT REAL IN YOUR LIFE!!!
I went home; Linda and I prayed together. We asked the Lord to
release us from the commitment to start the crusade on July 4th. But
the Holy Spirit just simply wouldn't release us! Staying was against
the counsel that we had been given! It was against our advisor's
recommendations! BUT, THE HOLY SPIRIT JUST TOLD US, "TRUST ME I HAVE
A PLAN!"
July 4th came and it was a hot day. It's always a hot day in Mombassa.
I tried to pump up my spirit as much as I could. I read missionary
letters, anything I could think of. But, when it came time to leave
for Laconi, I put on the biggest coat I had, turned up the collars
over my ears, put on a big, old floppy hat, dark glasses, parked my
car in an inconspicuous place and boarded the ferry surrounded by local
believers. It was so crowded that we were standing shoulder to shoulder
as we went accross. I was going to scout the area to make sure that
it was all right - corner some of the nationals; do some preaching, and
then go home.
And as we crossed to the other side, I was hunkered down, trying to be
inconspicuous - kind of a hard for someone like me in amongst
the thousands of natives, but I was trying my best. As we approached
the other side my worst fears came true! There, on the bank was a
group of Muslim militia. Muslim hats on, in one hand they held
roongoons, head knocking sticks. In the other hand they had pongas,
machettes. A big, tall, strong-looking man was surveying the occupants
of the boat as they disembarked. I just knew that God was telling me-
that the Lord was saying ......"RALPH - SWIM SUCKER! SWIM!!!" And I
was just about to make my way to the back of the boat to jump off and
swim to the other side WHEN HE SAW ME MOVING AND YELLED TO THE CROWD,
"STOP THAT MAN! STOP HIM!!!"
Well, the people over there love Americans, they're wonderful people.
They wouldn't dare hurt us, but they were so excited to see what the
man was talking about that they crowded in so close that I couldn't
move. THE MAN CAME ON-BOARD KNOCKING PEOPLE SIDEWAYS WITH HIS
ROONGOON, CAME UP - GRABBED ME BY THE SHIRT - AND SAID, "ARE YOU THE
MISSIONARY THAT'S GOING TO BE PREACHING ESA UP THERE ON THAT HILL!!!"
My parents taught me always to tell the truth in every situation. I
was just about to tell him, "You know, I heard he lives over there
somewhere. I imagine you could find his house if you went looking
for him," when one of the new believers piped up and said, "Yep!
that's Dr. Ralph! You got him right there! He preaches Esa!"
FOLKS - NEW BELIEVERS ARE DANGEROUS! DON'T LET THEM INTO YOUR CHURCH
IF YOU CAN HELP IT! THEY'LL RUIN A MEDIOCRE CHURCH. The man,
trained in cold, hard, ungodly combat, anger flooding up into his
face, pulled me up to his eyes and said, "TELL ME MISSIONARY ARE
YOU GOING TO PREACH ESA UP THERE TODAY!" "Yep! that's what he's
gonna do - that's why he's here," one of the new believer's said.
I said "Gee whiz, thank you friend - you just gave me a one way
ticket to glory!" He said, "Your welcome man!, your welcome!"
They don't understand sarcasm over there. The man - anger
flooding into his face - his eyes bulging, pulled me up into his
face again and said, "TELL ME MISSIONARY - ARE YOU READY TO DIE
FOR YOUR ESA?"
We dealt with the possibility of dying in a seminary class. We
discussed many different scenarios, but I never really thought
that it would happen. Not in this country - not to me. I was
I'm ashamed to say - unprepared for it. I WASN'T WALKING IN THE
SPIRIT. I WASN'T RIGHT WITH THE LORD JESUS. I WASN'T READY. My
knees became weak. Panic started rising up inside of me. I started
sweating and stuttering. BUT, YOU KNOW THE GREAT, VICTORIOUS,
TRIUMPHANT THING ABOUT BEING A CHRISTIAN IS THAT YOU AND I DON'T
HAVE TO SUCCEED. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO TRY BECAUSE IT'S JESUS
CHRIST IN US WHO DOES THAT!!! II Corinthians, Chapter 2 says,
"Now thanks be unto God WHO ALWAYS CAUSES US TO TRIUMPH THROUGH
JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!"
The Holy Spirit spoke. In the scriptures, Jesus said that when you
are delivered up before the kings and the princes for His namesake
DON'T FEAR BECAUSE HE WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO SAY! The Holy Spirit
said, "Now Ralph, you're going to mess this thing up good son.
Just get out of the way." Then I heard the Holy Spirit, in
response to the man's question, say, "Tell him that you CAN'T die!"
I said, "WHAT LORD???" Again, the Holy Spirit said, "Tell him that
you can't DIE!" I said, "LORD, THAT'S GONNA MAKE HIM MAD!!!"
"TELL HIM THAT YOU CAN'T DIE," He said again.
I got up all the courage I could and said, "Sir, I can't die!"
He said, "WHAT?" He couldn't even hear me, there was so much noise
from the harbor around us. The Holy Spirit began to give me a
little more boldness. I began to feel the Holy Spirit take over.
Prompted by the Spirit, I said, "Sir, I CAN'T die!" HE SAID,
"WHY CAN'T YOU DIE? THERE'S 36 OF US AROUND HERE - YOU DON'T
THINK WE CAN KILL YOU!" The Holy Spirit gave me a little more
boldness to say, "No Sir! I don't! Because Sir, I'VE ALREADY
DIED! THAT'S WHY I CAN'T DIE!"
He said, "WELL, YOU DON'T LOOK DEAD TO ME! "Well Sir, I said,
"I don't look dead because as an 18-year-old boy imprisoned for
being with people I shouldn't have been with while living in
the central part of Africa, having been given every opportunity
that a boy could ever have, and thinking that I was so smart, too
smart, thinking I had all the answers - I realized that I didn't know
anything. BUT, JESUS WAS STILL GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO COME AND TO
AND TAKE MY SINS AWAY AND TO CLEANSE MY LIFE. AND, WHEN I CAME,
WHEN RALPH BATHEA CAME, AND DIED TO HIMSELF, IT WAS THE GREATEST
DAY OF MY LIFE! SIR, THE REASON I DON'T LOOK DEAD NOW IS BECAUSE
I'M NOT DEAD. BECAUSE THE ESA THAT YOU BELIEVE IS A PROPHET IS
MORE THAN A PROPHET! HE DIED ON THE CROSS FOR MY SINS, BUT HE
DIDN'T STAY DEAD!!! HE ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY BY THE POWER
OF THE HAND OF GOD!!! HE CAME ONE NIGHT INTO THE PRISON CELL AND
HE CLEANSED MY LIFE!!! AND WHEN I DIED TO MYSELF, HE BIRTHED
INSIDE OF ME A SPIRIT AND A LIFE THAT NO MAN CAN TAKE!!! NO ARMY
ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH, NO POWER ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH CAN
EVER TAKE THAT FROM ME!!! I'M GOING TO LEAVE WITH HIM. I'M GOING
TO BYPASS HELL. I'LL NEVER SEE THE DEVIL! I'M GOING TO SEE THE
LORD JESUS FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER! AND NEITHER YOU NOR ANYONE
ELSE CAN TAKE THAT FROM ME!!!"
THE HOLY SPIRIT BROKE OPEN THE MINDS, FETTERS AND SCHACKLES FROM
THEIR MINDS!!! REMOVED THE PLUGS FROM THEIR EARS AND THE BLINDERS
FROM THEIR EYES. SOME OF THEM, GENERATIONS UPON GENERATIONS, HAD
NOT HEARD THE GOSPEL. SUDDENLY, SUPERNATURALLY THE SPIRITUALUAL
BONDAGE WAS BROKEN AND THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL!!! THE MUSLIMS AND THE
TRAVELLERS WHO WERE THERE ON THAT FERRY BEGAN TO CRY OUT AND SAY,
"CAN JESUS DO THAT FOR ME? CAN YEHSU DO THAT FOR ME? I WANT THAT
KIND OF LIFE!!!"
The captain of the ferry boat came out and shut off the engines,
no one left the deck of the ferry boat! Even on the bank, people
tried to crowd closer to see and hear what was happening! But,
there just wasn't room for them! People were falling on their
knees and saying, "CAN I HAVE THAT KIND OF LIFE! WE'VE NEVER
HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THIS!" REVIVAL - THE TOUCH OF GOD - NOT OF MAN
THE AUTHENTIC TOUCH - THE POWER OF GOD ALMIGHTY - FELL ON THOSE
PEOPLE! God did in ten minutes time what we couldn't do in a
thousand years!
I felt the strong arm of the Muslim leader of the terrorist militia
grab my shirt again. He yelled into my ear, "ENOUGH MISSINONARY!
ENOUGH!" I thought the end had come (or for Christians, the real
beginning!) I Knelt on the iron deck of the ferry boat with the
other believers, fully expecting to feel the crushing blow of a
roongoon to our skulls and the stab of a poonga in our sides.
INSTEAD, I FELT THE SOFT TAPPING OF TEARS ON THE BACK OF MY NECK!
I looked up into the blue Swahili sky. THERE I SAW THE HARDENED,
WEATHER BEATEN FACE OF A MAN TRAINED IN UNJUST, CRUEL COMBAT TOUCHED
AND CONFRONTED WITH THE MOST POWERFUL FORCE ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH
THE LOVE OF GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!
|
| 28.42 | Renew a Right Spirit in Me! | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Wed May 07 1997 14:41 | 48 |
| From: "Betty Hamalainen" <ehamala@mail.portup.com>
Subject: Renew A right spirit
Date: Mon, 5 May 1997 18:36:39 -0400
Edited by: Larry De Groff
I would like to share what happened to me so that many others can
benefit from what the Lord has shown to me. This may help many who
cannot control their tongues from complaining, especially in their
thought life. There is victory to be had as we allow the Holy Spirit
to control our every thought and tongue.
One night, I could not sleep; I tried everything. I didn't think
about praying, or even reading the word. I got out of bed and
thought that if I exercised, maybe I'd become sleepy. This went on
all night. When the alarm rang in the morning, I was just about
ready to grumble, when I said, "Lord, renew a right spirit in me."
Instantly, I felt a sensation from the top of my head to the bottom
of my feet and I felt like I had had a good eight-hour sleep. I
said, "Wow! Lord you are so wonderful."
Instead of grumbling, He taught me to immediately ask Him to renew
a right spirit in me. Believe me, this works every time because
we have such a powerful God, and He is more than willing to meet
His children's needs. He hates grumbling and complaining. In fact,
grumbling caused the destruction of many in Israel. God has given
us the priviledge of entering His presence thru our praises and
believe me it works. When we lift our voices to sing His praises,
we will defeat the enemy every time.
It is time for all of God's people to awake from their slumber and
walk in the power that God has made available to us. How His heart
must ache at the way we use our tongues. There is a way out through
our Lord Jesus Christ. The judgment of God is coming and we must be
prepared to take captive our thoughts and words. Many Christians
may unknowingly fall under God's judgment during these times because
of their judgemental attitutes towards other Christians and non-
Christians. Jesus said that we will be judged by every idle word
that we speak.
Proverbs 18:20-21 says that a man's moral self shall be filled with
the fruit of His mouth, and the consequence of his words he must be
satisfied, whether good or evil. Death and life are in the power of
the tongue and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it, for
death or for life.
I felt this needed to be shared.
With Calvary's Love
Betty
|
| 28.43 | | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Thu May 08 1997 17:20 | 117 |
| The Making of a Missionary
One of the government leaders called me to his office. He said,
"Dr. Ralph you're in deep trouble now boy!" I said, "What else
is new Sir. I'm always in trouble with you guys." The Muslims
had tried several times to get us thrown out of the city. The
central government had protected us, our mission and our religious
freedoms.
He said, "No - I'm really serious. They're talking about killing
the old man; they're talking about rioting! The old man's influence
is so strong- they're saying that you confused him. Would you go
down and talk to his family." We had intended to do that anyway
as we would any new believer. So, we went down to talk to his family.
I listened with a broken heart as the old man pleaded with his sons.
The women, as was their tradition, sat off to the side and listened.
He pleaded with them to open their hearts - to consider the claims
of Christ. But the spiritual blindness over their lives hadn't been
broken yet! After a while, his oldest son turned to his father and
said, "SHUT UP OLD MAN!" This is very uncharacteristic of a society
which is both polite and respects old age. The son turned to me and
said, "If you baptize the old man, my father, I'll kill him!"
I took the old man outside and said, "Sir, they said they'd kill
you if we baptize you. What are we going to do?" He said, "I don't
know what your're going to do, but I'm going to be baptised." I
said, "Man, they'll kill you!" He said, "Yeh, isn't it wonderful!"
I said, "Old man you're crazy! You're insane! Your not healthy!"
He rebuked me, saying, "Ah no, endogo, ah no little squirt! For the
first in my life I know who God is! If you had known the days that
I sought as a young man and even into my older years to
know God. Oh, the books I have read concerning this longing of
my heart. To simply know Him and make my life complete. If you
knew how much I've longed to know him. For God to be so gracious
to me, to one who has persecuted His people all these years. To
accept me, an old man, to forgive me and allow me to know Him
through his son Jesus." He continued, "Missionary, for the first
time in my life, I am whole. For the first time in my life I am
healthy. For the first time in my life I am free! I'm really
alive! To meet Him face-to-face tomarrow would be wonderful."
I said, "Old man - we're so outnumbered. I know; I know - I just
don't know what to say. We need your witness so much right here.
Would you just let me ask the Lord to give us some creative solution
so that your life and witness could be extended for awhile?" He
said, "Do you have to? I said, Sir, I'd like to." He said, "Well,
as a favor to you - OK." I knelt down and asked the Lord to extend
his life.
A few minutes later, for the first time calling me Dr. Ralph, he
picked me up and said, "You're right! God does have something else
for me to do! He wants me to be a missionary like you!" I said,
"Like me?" He said, "Wellllllllll - better than you!" I said, "Man
you can't just go out and be a missionary; it's not that simple!"
He said, "Why not?" I said, "Well, first I'd have to disciple you!"
He said, "Man! I don't want you discipling me - YOU'D RUIN ME!"
He was right. I said, "I mean that we'd have to teach you the
teachings of Esa - we'd have to teach you the word of God!" He
said, "Listen, you know that cheap copy of the `Teachings of Esa'
that you gave me? I JUST FINISHED MEMORIZING IT- WORD FOR WORD!"
He said, "Have you done that yet missionary?" I said, "OK! OK!
You're a disciple! You passed! But where do you want to go? We
don't have any money!" He said, "Ah, the teaching of Esa says
through the apostle Paul that we will have everything we need
according to His riches in Glory. Are you saying that God's not
rich enough or what missionary?" I said, "OK! OK! Let's drop that!
But where do you want to go?" He said, "Oh! I want to go back to
my home country, to my teachers! The ones who taught me about God!
They had some light about God, but they didn't know about salvation;
they didn't know about Jesus!" I said, "Where's that, old man?"
He said, "Ah! It's a country far away that you don't know much about.
A COUNTRY BY THE NAME OF IRAN!"
I said, "IRAN! MAN, THAT'S WHERE THEY KILL CHRISTIANS!" He said,
"Oh! You know the country do ya?" I said, "No, I don't. I just
heard about it!" He said, "Well, that's why I want to go back, to
take the Gospel to my teachers in Iran, to my people." He said,
"There's darkness there! There's no Light there! There's no Gospel
there! There are no Bibles there!" He said, "Would you pray that
God would make His way possible?" I said, "Old man you give me a
`spiritual headache'. I've got to go home and pray."
After my wife and I had prayed for awhile, she received peace from
the Lord and went on to bed. I fretted most of the night. The
next day, I went back to the mosque. There was his son with an
arrogant smirk across his face! He said, "Missionary! The old man
is not here; he's gone!" I said, "Did you kill him?" He said, "No,
we were going to if you had baptized him today. We tried arguing with
him again, but his mind was made up." I said, "No, his heart has
been changed, he has became a new person!" He said, "Whatever.
We couldn't change him so we brought all of his family together
and took up a collection. We decided that there's only one answer
to this problem. We decided that we were going to have to send him
back for a RE-EDUCATION!" I said, "That's terrible! How could you
do such a thing!" He said, "We sent him some place you'll never
get to him! We sent him back to his teachers in Iran!" As I left,
rejoicing at the almighty hand of God and embarrassed at my lack of
faith, one of the house servants came up to me and slipped a note in my
hand which said, "Dear Dr. Ralph. Sorry I couldn't see you before
I left, but God was in a hurry! Pray for me! Send me Bibles when you
can! I'm going to preach the Gospel to my teachers in Iran! I'm
going to preach the Gospel even to the Ayatollah Khomeni!"
Do you think that you're strung out for the Lord, laid out, suffering,
giving all that you can give! Think about this. A seventy-three year
old Shiite Muslim has turned his back on his faith, his friends, his
family, his Mercedes Benz and all the comforts he enjoyed. For a
Muslim, becoming a Christian means being dis-owned by your family- to
be baptized means death. To carry the gospel to a country like Iran
invites certain torture, imprisonment, and probably death. Yet, I
know that despite these obstacles, God has a faithful servant in Iran
today.
The task is humongous! But, somehow, with God's help we're going to
put the New Testament teachings of Esa in at least every Muslim
major family in every Muslim hamlet on the face of this globe!
|
| 28.44 | | CPCOD::JOHNSON | Peace can't be founded on injustice | Thu May 08 1997 20:33 | 8 |
| Who is Esa?
Leslie
>> I said, "I mean that we'd have to teach you the teachings of Esa - we'd
>> have to teach you the word of God!" He said, "Listen, you know that
>> cheap copy of the `Teachings of Esa' that you gave me? I JUST FINISHED
>> MEMORIZING IT- WORD FOR WORD!"
|
| 28.45 | Jesus? | CUJO::SAMPSON | | Thu May 08 1997 21:00 | 7 |
| Leslie,
My guess would be that Esa is an Arabic or Farsi rendering of the name
"Jesus". It sounds a bit similar to the Greek Iesous.
HTH,
Bob Sampson
|
| 28.46 | | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon May 12 1997 15:47 | 39 |
| Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 22:26:50 -0500
From: bryanh@igateway.net (Bryan L. Hupperts)
Subject: It's time
Hi Andrew and God bless His saints!
My, what an exciting time we're in for. Like many who have just been
waiting on the Lord, (they that wait upon the Lord shall...wait, and
wait, and wait some more and keep on wa...)well, it's time! The
outpouring is at the brim of the pitcher and about to overflow from
the table of heaven till our cups are flooding over with the glory of God!
I have been shaken and broken till it seemed nothing was left. My
family has been in DIRE financial straits for months due to some unforseen
disasters (OK, God saw them). I finally contracted to remodel a
restaruant for a "brother" and was shouting with joy for my deliverance.
After two months, the "brother" turned out to be a career criminal who
has not paid me. Those he did pay got bad checks.
I used to minister to the poor. Now I am poor :) It's gotten to really
trusting the Lord (oh no! We're really down to that ?!) Anyway, after
regrouping from this rather stunning blow, I just made up my mind that
either God was God or we're dead. Last Saturday I was mowing my
yard when it felt like Jesus suddenly walked up behing me and put his
arm around me in a heart to heart sort of way. I was startled almost out
of my skin.
He asked, "What was one of the last blows I took before my crucifiction?"
I replied, "I don't know". The answer, "I was betrayed by one numbered
among my brethern." The Spirit began to give me insight into the coming
days and told me squarely that the Lord had finally prepared me for the
ministry He had for me and that in the next few weeks the doors would
fling wide open. The betrayal from my personal Judas was the final blow.
Be ready to move.
I sensed later that this wasn't just for me but for many of those "on
hold". Get ready! The ride gets bumpy and glorious from here on out!
Bryan Hupperts
|
| 28.47 | | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon May 12 1997 16:05 | 24 |
| From: "The Mauck Family" <isaiah61@northlink.com>
Date sent: Sun, 11 May 1997 08:15:35 -0700
I felt compelled to share what I have been seeing in the last
few days. On Sunday last week I went to visit my mother. As I was
going, the Lord said stop the car. I obeyed and right then my husband,
who was not with me, called on the mobile phone and said that my mother
said not to come. So I turned around and headed back home. I was
headed NORTH and the clouds were what are called standing linticular;
they look like disc-shaped flying saucers. They were spread out over
the northern sky in different shapes and sizes like an army. It truly
looked like we were being invaded. As I passed by our airport (a very
small airport), four military eggbeaters (helicopters) flew over me.
A few days later, my husband and I were coming home at was dusk. The
northern sky was black. It looked like a mountain in front of us and
was truly eerie. As we passed through our town it was like a different
town. We were both feeling very strange. I felt the Lord say "It is
going to be different soon." Two days later, I was headed south and
watched as thunderheads from every direction surrrounded our area. I
asked the Lord but knew already what the answer was- Judgement is
coming-prepare.
In Yeshua, Sandy
|
| 28.48 | exit | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon May 12 1997 16:13 | 24 |
| Date sent: Mon, 12 May 1997 11:20:51 +1200 (NZST)
From: brett.hyndman@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (Brett Hyndman)
Greetings in the name of Jesus
Well, things are heating up I believe. God has rolled up his sleeves
and is purging the church. Judgement begins with the house of God. He
is asking us to ether be hot or cold. No longer will He tolerate
luke-warmness. If we sit on the fence, He will spew us out of His mouth
Make your decison; don't play games with God. It is a DREADFUL THING
TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING GOD! Luke 9:23-25 sums up what
God requires of us. We have asked God to bring revival to our churches
but, do we realise that in revival God reveals Himself in all His GLORY
and sin cannot dwell in the presence of a HOLY GOD. SELL OUT for HIM
remember the price Jesus paid for your sins. Everything; give HIM
everything- your good as well as your bad.
He wants us to be consumed in HIS HOLY FIRE so none of US is left and
the world will see JESUS, not our petty attempts at good works. JESUS
WANTS TO BE LORD OF ALL. Let him. HE loves you. You can trust HIM
with all that is you. Phi 1:6 Ehes 4: 3-8.
Yours in Jesus
|
| 28.49 | | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Mon May 12 1997 16:21 | 40 |
| Date: Fri, 09 May 1997 14:42:51 -0400
From: Brenda Imus <imus@alltel.net>
Subject: Prophetic word
Last night as I joined with our small home group for prayer, the Lord
stirred, and this word came forth. Though it is a difficult word, it
came with a bubbling sweetness, quite unlike the usual feeling of
prophetic words regarding judgement.
I saw a huge wave, rising up and getting ready to break upon the whole
earth. Then these words came: "My children, judgement is about to
break upon the entire earth." Then, I saw the children of Israel
huddled in their houses in Egypt, and the sign of blood on the lintels.
"Only those who do not forsake the covering of My blood will be
protected during this judgement. Do not forsake it! Let nothing tempt
you out from under the covering I have provided for you--for every one
who comes out from under My covering will be broken in judgement."
It seemed the word was finished, so we began to fellowship in worship
songs again. Suddenly the prophetic word was stirred within me again,
and this came forth: "Just as I brought the children of Israel out of
bondage immediately following my judgement upon the Egyptians, so too
will I bring those who remain under my covering out of bondage after the
judgement of these days is completed."
I feel that this is an important word to the church. We are looking for
revival--but this is NOT a time for revival, but is rather a time for
judgement. Stay in the secret place, you and your family, with Jesus,
until the judgement has passed. THEN the Lord will lead us forth out of
Egypt, by His own word. Do not be hasty to believe every 'word,' but
test them carefully against the scriptures. Many, many false words are
going out in these times. Trust only the anointing within to teach you
unleavened truth. Cling to Jesus--not to a fellowship, not to a doctrine,
not to a movement, not to a leader, not to your own understanding.
Cling, I say, to Jesus!
Yours in Christ,
Brenda Imus
|
| 28.50 | Oh Man... | YIELD::BARBIERI | | Mon May 12 1997 16:25 | 6 |
| re: .47
Oh boy, its all happening, isn't it? Man, it really bothers me
to see what our country has become.
Tony
|
| 28.51 | | ACISS2::LEECH | Terminal Philosophy | Wed May 14 1997 18:26 | 43 |
| This is not a prophesy or vision, per se, but was a dream that really
disturbed me last night. It's not my normal kind of nightmare at all.
I couldn't find a dream topic, so I'll put it here. I'm not sure if
there is any significance to it at all, only that it isn't a "normal"
nightmare. I've had only one other dream that bothered me in the same
way, and it was one regarding the coming antichrist.
The oddest part was that I was in a really good mood last night upon
retiring, and can't remember a time when I've ever had a nightmare when
I was in good spirits (other than "tornado" dreams when I go to bed
during bad weather, but they don't count 8^) ).
FWIW...
I was outside in a wilderness setting, exploring. I came upon a dark hole
- a cave-like fissure of some kind. There was movement at the bottom of
it, though I couldn't tell what it was. Something big. I felt a tug to
climb down into the cave, but was afraid. It was dark, and I kept seeing
movement. I kept feeling like I needed to go into the cave, that a bad
storm was coming, but couldn't get past my fear.
About this time it started to sprinkle, storm clouds were
moving into the area. The cave was really a good spot to weather the
storm, but I was still afraid to go into it. I knew that there was
something I needed to find in it, but still wouldn't go. I decide to turn
around and make a run for it. I knew the storm was coming in fast, and
I ran for all I was worth.
Before I turn, though, I see a HUGE "spider" crawling out of the cave,
but it wasn't really a spider. As it climbed up the rock opposite me,
it took on an appearance of a gargoyle-like creature (well, more like
"morphed into")... not one, but several creatures fused together. I
bolted.
I was running like mad, when it started storming really hard. Not 10
seconds into my run, a HUGE bolt of lighting struck very close to me
(or hit me), sending me flying. The odd part of this was I was not simply
flying through the air, but it felt as if my very being was being torn
apart. As I was being hit by lightning, I realized it was a dream,
and then woke up.
Odd. Maybe someone might have some insight to this nightmare. I guess
I'll not eat popcorn before bedtime again. 8^)
|
| 28.52 | | PHXS01::HEISER | Maranatha! | Wed May 14 1997 18:37 | 2 |
| Sometimes these dreams can be spiritual metaphors for what we are
experiencing in life or what might happen in the near future.
|
| 28.53 | | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Wed May 21 1997 16:30 | 127 |
| Dreams and Visions part 1
by Linda Newkirk May 17, 1997
dnewkirk@aristotle.net
Dear Friends,
The following are a summation of the DREAMS, and VISIONS I have experienced
in recent days:
05-10-97...All through the night I dreamed that I was walking with my
husband, Dennis, through great darkness. An individual appeared with
powerful eyes and urged me by his thoughts to read psalms. I did not
know what chapter in Psalms I was to read when I awoke about 4:00 AM, but
when I asked the Lord, he told me to read Psalms 18. David writes
this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from all his enemies,
and from the hand of Saul. In Psalms 18, David says to the Lord, "For
thou wilt light my candle: the Lord, my God will enlighten my darkness."
I know that in the days, months and years to come this verse will give
us all great strength.
05-10-97 In a dream, I witnessed an earthquake. I saw the earth rise and
buckle over on itself. Then, I saw the word, "Mississippi".
05-11-97 In a dream I saw row after row of doctors offices, empty and
dark. There were no lights or people. The land was desolate. There was
no grass, no trees, no leaves. The earth was cracked open with deep
crevices. There was no sign of life, but of destruction and devastation.
I knew upon rising that I was glimpsing great destruction to come.
05-15-97 I was riding in a car on I-630 east. I was coming back from
an appointment, when I saw Jesus up in the clouds. His arms were
outstretched toward me. He was surrounded by such Light and Love. His
compassion flowed out to me. He came and touched me and draped a shawl
of Light around my shoulders. He blessed me. I could not stop praising
Him and worshipping Him. My heart glowed with His Light and Love. Oh,
how precious the name, Jesus! I heard angels singing glorious songs in
praise of him. For a time I was caught up in such greatjoy. The moment
stays in my mind, my heart, and soul. The joy of His Light is my
companion. Praise be to Jesus!
05-16-97 during meditation, I had a vision. I saw Jeeps and armored
personnel carriers coming up out of the earth in the desert. The soldiers
wore light colored uniforms which bore the insignia of the UN on their
arms. The year, which appeared was 2,000. The earth shook mightily.
Earthquakes and volcanoes were abounding. The noise of the tanks and
military was awesome. The people were shocked. They were angry and
afraid. Jesus said to me, "Do not fear, you will be given many
visions. Walk with me."
05-16-97. It was about 7:00, and I was still praying and talking to the
Lord, Jesus. I looked up and saw a tall, bright angel standing before me.
This angel had a tray. On this tray was a square object, and it was
covered loosely in a cloth. This object was partially uncovered on one
end. As this glorious angel stood before me, I began to get the following
visions. These visions tear at me, even as I write this to you.. But,
the Lord has said to me, "Do not fear, for I will provide for my people."
I see a large fireball fall from the sky and hit New York City. It flashes
and spreads fire across the city with great swiftness. It hits in the
darkness. It is early morning. The tag over the bomb said USSR. It came
from the North Atlantic Ocean. The Russian coalition is collaborating
with the Arabs. The year flashed up as 1998. It is cold out. The city is
aflame. One third of the populace dies fast terrible deaths. The majority
of the remaining die more slow agonizing deaths. I hear the Lord, Jesus,
speak from the heavens, "This is the first great disaster! My fury is
aloft. I rock mine enemies. Their days are numbered!"
Across the Russian continental alliance, many bombs go off. I see many
fires, and hear bomb alerts. Many are protected by underground areas of
refuge.
Atlanta, GA....a bomb goes off in the air and fizzles. Not the destruction
they had intended.
A large bomb explodes in the desert of the USA, The smell of burning flesh
is terrible. The earth rumbles and shakes. Toxic clouds are afloat.
Another atomic bomb hits South Chicago. Fire and fury.
The Russian continental alliance is hit many times. The red flag flies.
The earth rumbles and cracks through Alaska. A large volcano erupts in
Alaska.
Japan is almost gone, ripped asunder by earthquakes.
The moon is red. Around the world, the earth is angry, spewing volcanoes.
Africa takes a deep split up the eastern one third.
The earth rotates. It cracks. It splits. It rolls over on its axis. I
see the year, 1999, emerge. The cock crows for three days. The birds,
losing their way, fall into the ocean. I hear the Lord say, "Yet, my fury
hath only begun!" Bodies, billions of them, floating upon the sea. The
stench is terrible.
Russian continental alliance, great areas swallowed up. A long line of
mountains is pushed up across this terrain. It is split into three pieces.
An eagle flies over the Russian alliance.
The USA has lost one third of its land mass. The people are broken and
lost of spirit. But, many, many come back to God. Large numbers of these
are beheaded. I see long lines of believers awaiting guillotines and
firing squads. The fake christ has emerged. I see the year, 2001, and
these will not worship the fake christ or take his mark.
The fake christ has cloned men in black who head up the death squads.
They have been created part human and part alien to serve him, to kill
and to murder without conscience. They are cold, cold-blooded, and
merciless. There are many thousands of them on every continent.
Yet, Gods miracle workers go forth. These are the "anointed ones." Some
of these will choose to die, but the majority (2/3) will make it through,
to the return of our Lord, Jesus. These hide out and supply one another
through the Power of God. Great miracles abound. The antichrist seeks
to destroy these anointed ones. But, he cannot, as they are given power
over the clones.
As I was feeling so overwhelmed with all of the above, the Lord told me
to take a while from this. He also told me that there are more visions to
come.
Praise be to Jesus! Praise be to Jesus! Praise be to Jesus! Jesus is
Lord!
Linda Newkirk
|
| 28.54 | Feed My Sheep | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 23 1997 17:16 | 81 |
| Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 16:52:31 -0400 (EDT)
From: remnants@gwi.net (Remnants)
Dear Brother Strom,
I read the letter by Kevin Powers, and would like to share what the
Lord has been doing here.
About 3 years ago the Lord led us to "Feed His Sheep." We started working
with the churches, and after a few weeks, the people in the church started
complaining about the ministry, the noise, the mess, etc. Now this was
not the people outside of the church, but the members of the congregation.
I got a call from the pastor one morning, voicing his concerns about
whether the food belonged in the church or not. Immediately as he was
speaking, the Lord said, "Ask him if he would like to move the food
ministry to your home." I was not sure that God would say this so I
asked, Lord, are you telling us to get the ministry out of the churches,
and God said "Yes."
I asked the Pastor then, would you like the ministry moved from the
church into individual homes, and the answer was YES. It was then the
Lord showed us to do the work in communities out of christian homes,
recently God gave me a vision of "sustainable communities," which I will
share very soon with you.
It had been three years since we have worked with churches, and one day
a couple of months ago, we received a bonus of an extra tractor trailer
load of potatoes. We decided to call the churches in our area to see if
they would like to bless those in need in their communities with free 50lb.
Bags of potatoes. (We had seven hundred 50 lb. Bags to give away.)
We got out the trusty phone book and started to dial churches. The
response was amazingly sad. There was one church with at least 200
members, who told us that they did not know anyone in need. I WAS
SHOCKED!!!!!! Another offered to give us a donation, but stated that
they let the local soup kitchen "handle that." (I worked in a soup
kitchen a few times, and when I asked if we could say a blessing over the
meal, the answer was no!!!!)
Now I could continue on with the comments, but I think you have the general
idea. I could felt Jesus crying as I spoke with these pastors. We called
50 churches that day, and only two churches took potatoes to give to the
needy, and one was a catholic church, and one was a non-denominational.
I believe the Lord let us make those calls, so we would be aware of exactly
where the churches are in this present hour. Deceived, and unprepared__
This is spiritual warfare my fellow brothers and sisters. Jesus was
specific when he said, "Do you love me?" "Feed my Sheep." Jesus often
says to me, when I get discouraged, "Do you love me, as much as I love
you?" And there is a time of refreshing, as I realize the price He paid
for me and you.
The Lord then told us, "take the potatoes to the streets," we did, and
guess what? We have seen amazement on the faces of the people as we go to
a poverty striken area, and give them out in the name of Jesus free.
They say why are you doing this, or what's the catch? When we tell them
that Jesus wants them to have these because He loves them, they are amazed.
We have seen people weep and start to praise God, and others just grab and
run, but God is God, and he showed us that He is in control, not man.
This is a time of great awakening and outpouring if we listen to the voice
of God. He will water the seed He planted in us to do His will. God has
showed us that He wants to be part of our lives, not apart from them.
If we understand this, his yolk truly is light, and His burden easy.
Our ministry is six days a week, in two to three homes a day, and currently
feeding 1500 to 2000 people per week in different areas of Maine. (USA).
We pray over the food, and those in need before the food leaves the homes.
We have seen people come to the Lord, and many lives have been changed.
We have seen people healed, spiritually and physically. We arrange it
like a farmers market where people are welcome to take anything they like.
We tell them the food is freely given to them by Jesus Christ, who loves
them.
But do you know who receives the real blessing from this? We the ones
who the Lord has chosen to serve receive the blessing. We have forgotten
that Jesus was the greatest servant the world has ever seen.
In His Service,
Mary Stimson
Remnant Ministries
|
| 28.55 | A Living Sacrifice | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 23 1997 17:31 | 88 |
| Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 21:38:47 -0400
From: yaelg@juno.com (Yael Grauer)
I want to write about revival, and about what God has been showing me.
I believe that God is really raising up an army, and I believe that the
youth are going to be more involved than ever in it. I went to the March
for Jesus in Cleveland, which was awesome, but God showed me that there
would be more marches. And not like that one. He showed me that there
would be marches where people would be boldly preaching on the streets
and crowds would follow. Not just in Cleveland but in Philadelphia and
New York City and Chicago, etc. That homeless people or people on the
streets would get up and follow them. And there will be great opposition
to it.
I don't know how many of you went to the March, but if somebody opened
fire, would you keep marching? WOULD YOU KEEP MARCHING??? God is going
to bring revival to the streets and people WILL be healed, delivered and
set free. People will hear the word, and I'm not just talking about
singing praise. I'm talking about people preaching about judgement and
on how Christ can set the captives free.
The Lord showed me a vision of a huge hospital or clinic, but it was
actually an empty warehouse, and there were tons of them, FILLED, with
people, with the sick and wounded, people who had to be set free...this
was a hospital for the soul. And people were staying there all night,
praying, interceding and spiritual warfaring for the homeless, with
people off of the street who had just received Christ. The hurt and
wounded WILL be healed, delivered and set free in these huge buildings.
If God calls you, are you willing to join in and help? We need you!!!
We need you!!! God will NOT use people who refuse to make a commitment,
God will not honour any excuses. This isn't just about driving people
to church once a week. God said to his disciples to teach new believers
*everything*. If God calls you to that, will you do it? The world is
sick of people saying "God loves you" and turning their back.
There are people on the streets with no place to go that WILL be saved.
If God leads you, are you willing to open your home to somebody who is
homeless or abused or gets kicked out of their home for their faith?
OUR HOMES ARE NOT OUR OWN. They are God's. We were bought with a price.
We have no rights, we have no belongings, they are the Lord's. Can you
ask for God's protection over your house and not let him use your house
to help another one of His children? Are you willing to share your
food or possessions with those who need it? Are you willing to stay up
all night with a new believer to do deliverance? Are you willing to
give things up, things that YOU WANT so that others may come to know
Jesus? Will you give up prestige and popularity? Are you willing to
be called a radical by your church? Will you intercede for others and
share their burdens even when you REALLY don't feel like it? Or do you
want Jesus and the world also? Will you give God your all (He gave His all
for you!!) or are you holding back, do you want your "comfort"?
This is no game, this is NO joke, Satan is DEADLY and HE WANTS TO
KILL!!!!! To destroy and murder this world. The world is under such
oppression and only Jesus can set them free. But they are dying. Are
you going to sit back and let him, will you watch your nation die so
that you can be comfortable? Will you watch your friends and family
and schools and workplaces and cities and nation perish? PEOPLE ARE GOING
TO HELL BECAUSE CHRISTIANS DON'T WANT TO STEP OUTSIDE THEIR COMFORT
ZONES!!!
In the blink of an eye, thousands of people get sent to hell, forever and
ever. And they burn. They BURN! They weep in anguish, their pain is
unbearable, they have eternal separation from God. and some of them could
be in heaven. It's not enough that we're saved! It's not enough that
our friends or family are saved! God's will is that no one should perish.
NOT ONE! This life will be over in the blink of an eye, and we will be in
heaven FOREVER. The period at the end of to his sentence is our time on
this earth. Compare that period to the whole universe, and that's not
even an accurate analogy. Don't you understand that you'll be in heaven
FOREVER?! That God will pour His riches and glory upon you FOREVER?!
Our days are numbered. Let's give God our all starting right now. It's
not enough to go to church twice a week and do all the right things. It's
about living radical on fire lives for Christ NOW and dying to ourselves,
and committing ourselves to Him and doing ALL that He wants us to. Being
a living sacrifice to Jesus. Surrendering completely to Him. Giving up
friends and family and jobs and EVERYTHING if necessary. It's about
worshipping Jesus to DEATH and letting nothing stop you.
One last thing: at the March, while the people heading things up were
praying, the temperature dropped 10 degrees and a huge fog came down...it
was awesome. God is sending His whirlwind!!! And He has work for us to
do! Praise the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Yael
yaelg@juno.com
|
| 28.56 | Revival and Judgement Intertwined | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 23 1997 17:42 | 81 |
| JUDGEMENT OR REVIVAL??
by Andrew Strom
Lately, the question has been asked: Is there really any true Revival
coming? Isn't it JUDGEMENT that God seems to be speaking to the churches?
And indeed, it seems clear that massive judgement is on the horizon,
especially for today's tragically Laodicean church. However, many
prophetic people have always believed JUDGEMENT to be right at the heart
of the REVIVAL process that God is about to bring. In fact, if we look at
Scripture and also church history, we see that there was very often a
tremendous element of Judgement involved in the Revivals that God has
brought down through the ages. And the more of a "Reformation" it was,
the more JUDGEMENT was involved.
A classic example of this was the Revival that occurred during the
confrontation of Elijah with the priests of Baal. In fact, judgement had
already begun in this situation 3 1/2 years earlier, when God began to
withold rain from Israel. But now here was Elijah confronting the evil
priests who had led Israel into Baal worship. And what was the result?
There was a REVIVAL - the people fell down on their faces proclaiming
"The LORD He is God", but there was also JUDGEMENT - the priests of Baal
(spiritual leaders) were immediately beheaded and the evil queen Jezebel
became certain to soon suffer a similar fate now that her priests were
gone.
Do you see what I am saying? At the very heart of Revival there is a
very large element of Judgement. The more of a 'Reformation' it is,
the more Judgement will be involved. This is why I called my book,
'The Coming Great Reformation', NOT 'The Coming Great Revival'. I wanted
to bring in the concept, right from the start, of a REFORMATION (judgement
and the overthrow of the old order by God), rather than some happy-clappy,
feel-good wave of froth & bubble in the church.
I think it is really more of an American thing - the concept of revival
being some big hyped-up extravaganza. The truth is, real Revival has
always brought MASS REPENTANCE AND SORROW FOR SIN. In fact, as I have
quoted in my book, "Revival is not the top blowing off, but rather the
BOTTOM FALLING OUT". This is what we can expect from the coming crop of
true Revivalists. This is why I believe that the whole 'Elijah' thing is
to be repeated in our time. We are in a similarly dreadful situation,
after all.
So it is important that we do not dismiss the word 'REVIVAL' in this,
it's true sense. What I believe these Elijahs will bring is REVIVAL AND
JUDGEMENT at the same time, just as Elijah and John the Baptist did.
Those who repented in those times were saved, those who didn't were
judged. This is what true Elijahs bring: REVIVAL AND JUDGEMENT. Please
do not give up on the word 'Revival' in this context.
But I can see what people are saying about a 'false revival'. Robert
Holmes saw this in his dream as "Joel's Army" - the great alliance of
the blessing movement worldwide (Sunderland, Toronto, Pensacola,
Howard-Browne, etc) plus much of the prophetic movement worldwide.
What a tragedy! And yes, they are ready to march off and have their
Toronto-ish 'revival'. But this is not what we are talking about when
we speak of Revival. We mean repentance, judgement and transformation -
a great Reformation with many leaders losing their former position.
(For true Reformation has always been "the kingdom being taken from one
and given to another")
The Revival we speak of is an 'Elijah' Revival - very different to what
is happening today in America. In fact, I really wonder if what we are
seeing right now is the beginning of the 'Judgement' that has been
promised upon the Laodicean church for so long. Derek Prince and others
have prophesied about America having her 'candlestick' removed, and
judgement falling - with the U.S losing her place of cultural, political
and spiritual pre-eminence in the world. Are we now seeing the beginning
of this in the churches? A false revival designed to deceive and bring
judge ment upon the Laodicean church? This seems very possible to me.
Either way, the time is certainly ripe for God's Elijahs to appear on the
scene. Revival and Judgement intertwined - this is what I believe is
coming.
God bless you all.
Kindest regards in Christ,
Andrew Strom.
|
| 28.57 | The Wave | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 23 1997 17:46 | 37 |
| Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 21:25:03 -0700
From: Dave Rectanus <"rex@tusco.net"@tusco.net>
I want to confirm Kim Walker's reply concerning the tidal wave coming
to America. I am a prayer intercessor also. In 1983, the Lord gave me
an open vision concerning the revival coming to America. I saw a tidal
wave rushing in on the East Coast and sweeping across the land taking
everything in it's path. It was massive and powerful. It created a
churning, stirring up the sin, filth, and wickedness from the bottom of
the depths of the earth.
All was brought to the surface, exposed by the Spirit of the Living God.
These things were exposed to give all men the opportunity to repent and
be saved. For God is not willing that any should perish, but that all
might come to repentance. So the warning was given that many might be
saved.
Next I saw many people caught up in the wave. Only those pure and holy
trusting in the righteousness of Jesus were saved alive!! They remained
afloat. They rode out the wave of God. Those with sin, those that love
the cares of the world, self, were weighted down, and perished in the
wave. I saw some people in white robes with lead sinkers tied to the
bottom of the robes that pulled them down. I saw that these were church
people!!
WE really need to get ourselves ready before the Lord. Only the church
without spot, or wrinkle will remain. A man ought to examine himself. I
really felt a warning from the Lord about this. The vision ended with the
LAMB riding the crest of the wave of glory. It is a fearsome thing to fall
into the hands of the living God! America and the church should take
heed to the vision. I pray this vision will draw many closer to Jesus.
God Bless always!
A prayer intercessor for Jesus.
Pam Rectanus
rex@tusco.net
|
| 28.58 | The Pope and the Earthquake | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 23 1997 17:51 | 51 |
| Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 12:35:56 -0400
From: Brenda Imus <imus@alltel.net>
Dear fellow list members,
I am fully blessed with a husband who has a true Watchman's ministry,
and sees the events in this world from a clearly prophetic point of
view. It amazes me how often he can predict what is about to happen next
on the world scene--and then go on to say how (and sometimes even where)
the Lord is going to bring judgment for that event. There are days he
comes into the house much excited and burdened, and switches on CNN
immediately in order to confirm something the Lord has spoken into his
spirit during the day.
I'm also surprised at how few Christians have a prophetic world view.
We're strong on 'personal prophecy,' but short on the kind of prophetic
view demonstrated throughout scripture, whereby God shows His hand in
the world at large. Since no one else seems to have noted the events of
this past weekend, I felt that I should share what the Lord showed Hugh
and me this weekend regarding the Iranian earthquake.
Pope Paul was on the Syrian/Lebanon border publicizing a new decree of
religious tolerance and unity that has been made between the Catholic
church and 18 other world religions--including Muslims, Islams, etc.
This decree was published in a thick gilt-edged book that closely
resembles a Catholic ceremonial Bible. The Pope held this 'bible' up
over the crowd (1/2 million people!) of mixed religious folks--many who
were ecstactically weeping, worshipping, etc., and gave them a
benediction-type blessing with it.
As he did so, the crowd sang Happy Birthday to him in a spirit of
adoration and praise. What 'Birth,' exactly, was being celebrated,
spiritually speaking? Could it be the true birth of the anti-christ
religion, overseen by the 'false prophet' spoken of in the book of
Revelation?
Whatever transpired, God was not pleased. At the time that the Pope was
appearing, the Spirit of the Lord was also appearing--in the form of a
massive earthquake in Iran. So far, over 2400 people are known dead, and
6000 more seriously injured. Tens of thousands more are homeless and
hopeless. CNN newscasters at one point gave the news about the
earthquake, and then said: "Meanwhile, Pope Paul is breaking new ground
in the world. . ." Folks, these are earth-shaking events!
I adjure my brethren to PAY ATTENTION, and to take these things seriously,
so that 'that day' does not come upon us as a thief in the night.
Watching and Waiting in Christ,
Brenda Imus
|
| 28.59 | More on the Pope's Visit | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 23 1997 18:07 | 120 |
| Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 11:00:50 -0500
From: Clark Hay <clark.hay@wcom.com>
Dear Brenda Imus (et al),
Just wanted to add an amen to your recent posting about the Pope's
activities in Lebanon, and God's response in Iran. While I do not think
that this Pope is the antichrist, I do think that he is unwittingly helping
to prepare the way for his arrival.
This Pope is quite aware of the liberal reformers who have infested
Catholicism, even going so far as to say that "the smoke of satan fills
the tabernacle". He has tried to take precautionary measures to ensure
that the next pope elected will be a conservative by nominating a host of
conservative cardinals to the consistatory that elects a new pope
(whenever the old one dies). That, in itself, may not be enough.
I beleive it was back in the late 1800's, during an International Masonic
conference, that a certain proposal was adopted - namely "the Permanent
Instruction". This proposal outlines the desire of the Masonic
fraternity to corrupt the Catholic Church (their long-standing enemies
since the 1300's) from within - the culmination being the enthronement
of one of their own masonic brothers to the Papal chair. They nearly
succeeded in fulfilling this "Permanent Instruction" in the early 1900's,
when a Mason was indeed elected Pope. He was discovered and promptly
rejected when a former ally of his exposed him as a Freemason. Undetered,
the Masonic philosophies and values have continued to infest Catholic
schools & universities, church boards, and clergy.
Then there was the Banco Ambrosia affair in Italy during the 1960's
where the powerful Masonic fraternity called Propaganda Duo (P2) had
a good measure of control over the Vatican Bank and some officials
within the Vatican. To this day, Communist and Masonic involvement in
Italian media, police, education, banking, big business and politics
has continued.
It is not just Catholicism which has been targeted by such demonically
inspired groups as the masons, humanists, deists, new-agers, pagans,
(deleted) and liberals, etc. In 1993 (I think that's the right year) the
Southern Baptist National convention was plagued by a major scandal
involving Masons in high places who were attempting to subvert its more
conservative Christian policies. This is merely an example - just the
tip of the iceberg.
While there is much that I enjoy and respect about the current Pontif,
I must balance my respect with the knowledge that some of his own
thoughts and actions betray the influence of corrupt doctrine and false
expectations. Before I illustrate this, let me hasten to interject that
I am not anti-Catholic, nor am I encouraging Catholic "bashing". Not long
ago, I expressed my concerns to Andrew Strom in New Zealand when I
detected such anti-Catholic (and anti-intellectual) tendencies in the
letters he was posting - albeit to no good effect that I can see.
Despite its grave errors and mistakes of both past and present I
acknowledge my indebtedness to the Catholic Church for its faithful
preservation of the teachings of Christ, the apostles, and the early
church fathers. In addition, I know of many good Catholic brothers and
sisters who are serving the Lord in a variety of capacities throughout
the world. I encourage and support all those who are faithful to the call
of our Lord regardless of their denominational affiliation. We should
always refrain from painting others with too large a paint-brush, or
throwing the baby out with the dirty bath-water.
With that in mind, however, I am gravely concerned that this Pope is
unwittingly helping to pave the way for the rise of the antichrist.
1) John Paul II seems to believe that the Christ will one day reign
over the earth through the Catholic Church rather than via a literal
second coming. 2) For a number of years, John Paul has (as you have
rightly pointed out) all but placed his stamp of approval on other
(false) religions by treating them as different but equal - even
compatible. This whole inter-faith movement has sent the wrong message
to people on both sides - something I am sure that satan will capitalize
on in the coming years. 3) Towards that end, John Paul announced (a
few years back) that he (or whomever is Pope), will either host or
participate in the next "World Parliament of Religions" (or something
similar) scheduled for some time around 1999 or the year 2000. One of
the goals of this parliament (shared by new-age, masonic, various liberal
religious groups, and the UN) will be a global ethic - the basis of a
new world common religion. 4) John Paul has also put the Church's stamp
of approval on evolution. While I have not been impressed by much of
the "science" on either side of the evolution debate, this papal approval
most certainly plays into the hands of the opposition. 5) The Vatican
and the EU have both expressed an interest in mediating the Middle-East
disputes - especially where the fate and state of Jerusalem is concerned.
The Pope's speech in Lebanon (and many other signs), as you have
stated, has indeed been overlooked by many, and you are quite right
when you say that there are few who have a global view/awareness
when it comes to prophecy. Most people seem to be unaware of what is
happening in various areas outside of their own interests or countries.
Thankfully, though, the Lord has raised up a number of people who are
more aware, and who can rightly discern the signs of the times. Thank
you (and your husband) for being among those few.
I would also like to ask you to remember my wife (Patty) in your prayers.
Her cancer (non-hodgkins lymphoma), which is throughout her body and
bone marrow, has now spread to her central nervous system (brain and
spine). She has stroke-like symptoms in her face - the 7th cranial nerve
is most definitely affected and the cancer cells are found in her cerebrial
fluid. She also is having pain in her back and right leg, and numbness in
other areas.
This is a very aggressive cancer (fast growing)... We have to abandon
the treatment of the cancer in her bone marrow so as to attack the
cancer in her brain and spine. It is like being caught between a rock
and a hard place.
She is having a hole drilled in her head today and a special tube and
plastic bulb inserted under her now bald scalp that will help deliver
the toxic chemotherapy drug directly to her brain. It is very toxic, and
we were told to expect her IQ to drop, some memories to dissappear, and
possibly the loss of some motor skills.
Overall, they give her a 40 to 50% chance of survival. It has almost been
a year since this all began. God has been good to us, but we are both tired.
Please share this letter and/or prayer request with whomever you feel led.
Your brother in Christ,
Clark Hay
|
| 28.60 | A Tidal Wave in Coming | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 23 1997 18:52 | 29 |
| From: "Kim Walker" <nfn02572@naples.net>
Dear Group,
I would like to add a confirmation to what is recently being written on
the list. Seven years ago, in 1990, while in intercession for our nation
I saw a wall of water, a tidal wave coming. It was still far out at sea
but then I saw that it would break upon our country. I saw that when it
did it would come like a great flood and cover everything, wiping out all
resistance and everything in its path.
I told the intercessory group at church and when I did the Lord said,
"Tell my people that the GLORY OF THE LORD IS GOING TO PASS BY" This
word was received with much rejoicing, and yet in my spirit I perceived
that they did not understand it. Because it was not about merely blessing
and goodness. It was going to wipe out those things resistant to the Holy
Spirit, yes, but also, it would be a judgement.. But this was one of
those "through the glass darkly" seen things, and I myself did not fully
comprehend it.
I believe that now, it is not so far out at sea. May the Lord be merciful
to us. Let us cry out to the Lord for mercy for the sin of our nation.
We know what time it is. It is NOT time for laughter. It is time for the
priests and the ministers of the Lord to howl and weep between the porch
and the altar.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim
|
| 28.61 | An Open Letter | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 23 1997 19:19 | 72 |
| From: Kevin Powers <kpowers@awod.com>
Brother Strom,
The following is a copy of an open letter written to some of the
leaders of the 'denominational' church. This message was written as a
'letter to the editor' type message, but the source was Jesus. The
Lord had me to write it in such a way that maybe it would at least be
read by some. The Lord did not want me to put it in the "thus says the
Lord" type format because it would have been blown out without any
consideration. I truly believe that the Lord is now going to get very
frank with us in our individual lives as well as the life of the church.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Kevin Powers
NATHAN Ministries
An open letter to the leaders of the church,
I have prayed long and hard about whether or not to send this letter to
you, however in my desire to be obedient to Christ, I feel that I must.
I am sure that in some theological methods of thinking what I am going to
say will be 'blown off' because the subject matter hits the most sensitive
of church areas; the pocketbook. I am also sure that a typical reaction
to this letter will be one of assault upon me and my walk with Christ.
That's fine. I am nothing. Jesus Christ is everything. I have no
reputation to be assailed. But in so doing, you reveal the truth of why
I write this letter.
The subject of this letter is the overall church's reaction to an
opportunity from the Lord concerning the government's Welfare program
changes. There was an editorial cartoon depicting the placing of
Welfare back on the steps of the church with someone inside the church
sticking their head out of the church door to see what is going on. I
have heard very little from the church concerning these changes, except
that no one knows where the money is going to come from to support these
people.
Really???? How about all those multimillion dollar building programs?
Oh, no we can not touch the building programs! Really? Think Jesus is
going to care about your building programs? If I am not mistaken, Jesus
said, "go and sell all that you have, give it to the poor, and come and
follow me". How is building a multimillion-dollar church giving anything
to the poor? Ever build one of those magnificent churches in the ghetto?
Of course not!! And there is always the excuse that "we have to provide
nice churches so people will come". That is called the old 'butts in the
pews and dollars in the offering plate' routine. No wonder America is in
the 'post-Christian' era!!! It is because the so-called church is no
different than corporate 'money is god' America!!
The real truth of the matter is that we as leaders of the church would
not even dream of doing anything which would upset those in the church
who are the big money contributors. If we did our operating budgets would
suffer, so instead we bow in obedience to the almighty god of America;
money. If we dared to actually be the church as Christ instructed us
to be there would not be finances for all the many wonderful programs that
we use to pander to people to get their 'butts in the pews and their money
in the offering plate' and keep our salaries and benefits competitive with
other corporate careers. Maybe it is time to realize that the ministry
is NOT a career, it is a calling from God and God alone!
If finances are so critical to the church, why is the persecuted church
in China growing so fast? why are miracles and salvations occurring in
the most poverty-strickened areas of the world? why are Christians from
third-world poor countries more like Jesus Christ than most of us pious,
religious Pharisees? It is past time to stop being Pharisees and start
being believers as Christ called us to be!
God is giving us, HIS church, as second chance to be the church that He
has called us to be. We had better not blow it! There will not be
another.
|
| 28.62 | No Compromise | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 23 1997 19:24 | 53 |
| Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 09:40:04 -0500 (CDT)
From: jterry@cswnet.com (John Ludlow Terry, III)
Bro. Andrew:
I felt prompted to visit a neighboring church this past Sunday morning,
Mother's Day. The pastor preached a powerful message on the need and
importance of intercessory prayer.
During the sermon, the Lord took me to the story of Lot and began to
speak to my spirit about coming judgement on the earth. As I read
Brenda Imus' prophetic word, I believe there is a confirmation here...
The wickedness of the people of Sodom and Gommorah was a seed that
brought forth their own destruction at the time of harvest.
Before the judgement fell, God sent an angel to remove the Godly from
the coming destruction. Here's what God showed me on that...
(1) As the Angel of God searched the populace, there were only a
remnant of believers who were faithful to the Lord. The vast majority
of people were pursuing the satisfaction of their own personal lusts.
Many were deceived in their "own" righteousness.
(2) Even those of the "Household of Faith" were dabbling in the things
of the world and some were not fully committed to the things of God.
As the children of Isreal longed to return to the ways of Egypt, Lot's
wife tuned back as she left the coming destruction, longing for the
things of the world she left behind. She, too, was consumed in
judgement as her heart was not pure.
(3) Rather than fully obeying the Lord, Lot asked to go to another
city. "It's just a small city..." he said. He, too, was not willing
to fully follow the Lord and His ultimate plan for his salvation and
deliverance.
The Lord spoke very clearly to me...
THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH IS NOT PURE. THERE ARE MANY WHO
HAVE NOT FULLY COMMITTED THEIR WAYS TO ME. THEY ARE SO
CONSUMED WITH THE THINGS OF THE WORLD, I HAVE BECOME A
SECOND-PLACE CONSIDERATION IN THEIR LIVES.
I, THE LORD, WILL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME. JUDGEMENT
IS COMING...AND ONLY THE PURE IN HEART WILL SEE GOD. RETURN
TO ME...AND I WILL RETURN TO YOU. CLEANSE YOUR HEARTS OF THE
ATTRACTIONS OF THE WORLD AND HIDE YOURSELF IN MY WORD. ONLY
THE PURE IN HEART WILL BE PROTECTED IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE.
There can be NO COMPROMISE in the Household of Faith.
Respectfully submitted,
John Terry
|
| 28.63 | The Lord is not Slack Concerning His Promise | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 23 1997 20:22 | 75 |
| From: Brenda Imus <imus@alltel.net>
Subject: Time for birth
As this is being written I have a mare that is nearly three weeks
overdue to foal. Since she has very large babies, and has needed help in
the past--and horses foal quickly and can get into big trouble within a
matter of minutes--I've been sleeping in the barn, waiting for that baby
to be born.
It's been very cold here, and the 'bed' I've rigged up isn't long on
comfort. While the first few nights were cozy and special, the novelty
has now worn thin. The last couple of night I've gotten very discouraged,
almost angry, as I've lain awake in the cold, dark, uncomfortable barn
waiting for the tell-tale sounds of birth to begin, only to be
disappointed once again. To make matters worse, two people I know had
horses who were due to foal weeks after mine--and both of them were born
YESTERDAY!
Last night as I lay awake, absolutely sure she would have her baby at
long last, the Lord spoke to my spirit. He explained to me that much of
the birthing process actually takes place before we can see or hear any
outside evidence of it. That the body is softening, the baby being moved
into position, the milk glands being made ready, etc. He said that there
is never a time during pregnancy when things are static--and this is
more and more true as the time for delivery approaches.
As He spoke to me, I imagined He was saying that these things were all
being made ready even as I lay there--and so I expected to hear the
sounds of actual delivery begin any second. I dozed on and off, waking
from time to time to listen to the Lord, and to the mare (who has always
foaled just before the break of dawn).
Come 8 a.m., there was still no foal--and I knew that, once again, there
wouldn't be one this day. So I dragged myself into the house, feeling
forsaken and forlorn.
As I took myself to the Lord, I sensed Him bringing a Scripture to mind,
so I looked it up. It was in Isaiah 66:9. (The combination of 6,6 and 9
has ALWAYS spoken to me of nearness of time): Isa 66:9 Do I bring to the
moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD. "Do I close up the
womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God.
As I meditated upon this, the Lord spoke very sweetly to my spirit. He
reminded me of all the years I've been in a cold, dark and uncomfortable
place, spiritually (in relation to the church), waiting and expecting
something special to be birthed by God's Spirit. He reminded me of all
the 'false alarms,' those times when I thought, "Aha! AT LAST, I've got
it!" only to be disappointed and disillusioned.
Then He spoke to me about King David, in the cave of Adullam with a few
hundred others who were outcasts of their day--those in distress, in
debt, or discontent (I Sam. 22:1-2). In other words, those who were not
able to prosper under the rule of Saul, who would rather live in a cave
with David, and trust the anointing upon him, then compromise with the
current system of rule. These were all mighty men of valor, and God
would eventually be with them and use them mightily--though it certainly
didn't seem so during their early cave days, when they were chased down,
mocked and persecuted.
But the day of delivery came for King David and his men. Not by his own
hand--in fact, he refused the temptation to kill King Saul himself--but
by God's hand, when the time was right, and all things had been properly
prepared. Just so, there is an appointed day of delivery for my mare--and
for me and all others who have been waiting 'in the cave of Abdullam.'
God is doing an invisible work of preparation, and will bring to delivery
all those things which He has conceived, if we will but be patient, and
not attempt to bring them to pass in our own strength.
Better a live, overdeveloped healthy foal--than a partial birth
abortion.
Still watching, waiting (and praising!)
Brenda Imus
|
| 28.64 | Apples! | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Tue May 27 1997 18:49 | 124 |
| by Linda Newkirk
May 26, 1997
Dearest Treasured Before God,
I am writing this plea with an urgency, which tears at my heart.
The suffering, which is fast upon us is like nothing we have ever seen
in this country,...ever. Before it is done, it will consume the world. I
am begging you to get it together, spiritually. Many, who think they are
among the elect, walking without blemish are in denial. They walk in the
hands of Satan.
PLEASE, PLEASE read the following. And, PLEASE, PLEASE help in the
dissemination of the "JESUS SPEAKS"...WORLDWIDE, messages. These are
not my messages. I am only a vehicle for these messages. They must go out
to the people, and they must go out worldwide, as Jesus has said, This
MUST BE DONE! I do not know how many of you will be vehicles for the
dissemination of these messages. But, I pray that many of you will wake
up to your role in getting this done. Oh, how treacherous the time.
We have so little time.
These messages will soon be shut off on the Internet and will go out no
more in this way. The Bibles will be taken away right here in The USA,
and the churches will wither up to produce no more fruit. Darkness will
sweep across the eyes of the people, and upon this country. Once this
darkness falls, it will be so hard for anyone to get Gods truths. The
oppressive foot of Satan will fall so quickly and with such oppression
that the average person will not know what has happened. There will be
no time to recover from one disaster when another hits.
The spiritually grounded, who know God, will be tried and tested to the
core. Those, who do not know God, will be in a horrible quagmire.
Please, while there is still a very short time, GET HOLD OF THESE
MESSAGES AND GET THEM OUT. THE WORD OF GOD GOES OUT TO THE PEOPLE IN THE
SEA. THEY THIRST! THEY PERISH! I BEG OF YOU... SEND THESE OUT AROUND
THE WORLD ON YOUR COMPUTER. GET BUSY AND MAKE COPIES, COPIES. We live on
meager means, and do not have the wherewithal or knowledge to do much of
what must be done to get these out. Jesus depends upon you!
The alarm clock went off this morning at the usual, 4:00 AM. I was so
very tired, as we had gone on a short trip yesterday. Because I was so
tired, I thought I would sleep in a little. The, fire alarm then started
beeping in the kitchen. Then, it developed into a series of low ongoing
groans. Both my husband and myself got up. He checked the alarm, and
even put in a new battery. No matter what he did, the alarm only got
louder. (Later, this morning, I plugged the alarm up again, and no alarm.
Read on!)
By this time, I was wide awake. I sat down and began to pray to God for
protection all around ourselves and around this property, and the
neighbors properties. In the spirit, I could "see" nothing, which was
out of the ordinary. So, I began to beg Jesus for guidance and for the
Power of The Holy Spirit. Within a short time, the Power of The Holy
Spirit had fallen upon me and God led me back to a dream, which I had
gotten in the early part of the morning, and had forgotten.
I am sharing this dream with you, and once you read it, if you ask with
a deep sincerity of purpose, believing, The Holy Spirit will give you the
feel for the urgency of the space in time we are now walking through.
Take this urgency to heart. Grab onto this urgency, and you will understand
why I am pleading with you to help in the dissemination of these "JESUS
SPEAKS"...WORLDWIDE messages. God is giving prophecies to His People
that they might not be lost in the darkness. Our space in time is SO
SEVERE!
In the early morning hours of 05-26-1997, this is the dream I had, and
I am recounting it to you to the best of my ability.
I looked around me and I saw apple trees in peoples yards, where they
were fenced in. Most of these apple trees were older, but they were
producing very little fruit. The fruit, which was on them was very small.
The apples were either red or, green and very knobby. They were all
streaked with brown blemishes. These trees were all fenced in and were
inaccessible to me. I was not interested in them, as my heart led me
elsewhere. I went still searching for apples. My heart was set upon apples.
Suddenly, I came upon an apple tree. It was out in the lush green of
the country. There were no houses or people, only the lush green of the
country. The tree was a relatively young tree but it was a healthy tree. It
flourished in the country amidst the green. It was not nearly so tall
or old as the other trees I had seen, but the fruit was the most
beautiful.
Upon the tree, were ten or twelve apples. They were perfectly round,
golden apples. The apples were all without tarnish or blemish. They were
exceedingly large for the small tree, yet the small tree bore them well
without bending or swaying. A friend accompanied me to this apple tree.
This friend watched as I picked all the apples from this tree. I took
them home to my family, and we all shared in the sweetness of the apples.
They were as sweet as honey, and full of juice. They were exceedingly
delicious...full of flavor.
I warned them, "AN EDICT IS COMING!" I looked and I could see the dark
grayness as it was to fall...a straight, sharp line. Then, it fell in a
sharp line! It separated with swiftness the area of light from the area
of grayness. The edict: "There shall be no apple trees on anyones
property!"
I looked, and I saw what was to come...houses in the darkness of early
evening. All was gray. And, the limbs of the apple trees were twisted
and gnarled. Fungus was growing on the limbs. The trees were dried up. They
could produce no apples. I thought, we must eat these apples now, for
soon these shall be forbidden, and there shall be none.
Let him with the eyes to see,... "See!"
And, let him with the ears to hear,... "Hear!"
The time of this grayness is so close that its approaching shadow falls
already upon us. GOD HAVE MERCY UPON US. Let us eat of Your Fruit while
we can.
This message goes out with a plea to you: God needs every person on the
face of the planet in His service. But, this is not to be. For, there
is coming upon us a GREAT FALLING AWAY. Do your part to get Gods messages
out. He needs you. And, as you work for Jesus, The Holy Spirit will
empower you! May the miracles of Jesus abound in your life!
"Jesus be glorified! Glory be to Jesus! Glory to His Precious name!...The
Name above all names!
Linda Newkirk
dnewkirk@aristotle.net
|
| 28.65 | The Puppet Master | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Tue May 27 1997 19:21 | 194 |
| by Linda Newkirk
May 25, 1997
As Master Jesus talked to me this morning and The Holy Spirit enveloped
me, He said, "Now, Precious Child, sit and record. And write, as it is
written." And, the same angel of great Light with golden hair and eyes
like fire all dressed in a most beautiful, ornate white robe, took the
book from the tray and laid the tray aside. On the tray beneath
the book was written, "MOST HOLY WORD,", as if the tray were for the
carrying of the book, only.
The angel took the book, and bending before me showed me the book once
again..., a large white book with golden writing across the front. It
read, THE BOOK OF LIFE. I heard the Lord, Jesus, say, "Open it up!".
The angel opened the book, and before me the title read, "The Beautiful
Way." Beneath the words, a pathway, most narrow bathed in golden, white
Light, surrounded by golden plants, and golden trees led off into the
distance. The pathway was alive with The Light of God, and most narrow.
It went forward for a while, and I could see it as it went straight
up to the top of a very tall mountain. The mountain danced with a Radiant
Fire of golden White Light. And, all that was on it danced with this
Light.
Then, I heard a voice reverberate through the heavens, and it said,
"Behold, The Son of Man!" And, all bowed, even the plants and bushes fell,
and the pathway trembled. And, my heart was carried away with humility.
I was both caught up in great compassion and awe.
The same voice spoke again and the heavens shook as before...,all still
bowing as before. And, the voice said, "For God so loved the world that
He gave His only begotten son!"
High upon the mountain at the very top was Jesus. His Radiance was a
White Light of Fire. He shone with such Radiance! His Glory touched me
and I wept. He looked upon me, His voice as soft as the most gentle wind,
and His compassion as powerful as the greatest love. And, He said to me,
"Child, why do you weep?"
I said, "My Lord, I weep for all mankind, and I weep for myself,...my
frailties before you, I am a tattered coat before such Glory. Except
for your mercy, My Lord, I, too, should be lost."
In an instant, the vision was gone from the book. Even as I write this,
tears stream down my face, for I am a weak vessel, a lowly person, and
Jesus is Most High God.
The angel stood before me, and I could not look again upon another page
as tears flooded from my eyes and rolled down my face and onto my clothing.
"Jesus, have mercy. Have mercy upon our souls. For, even the trees and the
grass bow before your Glory, but mankind stomps your name. Except for your
mercy, we all shall be lost. No, not one of us is worthy, My Lord, to
behold your Glory. Not one,...except through your grace, your love and
compassion for us.
We stumble and fall in our own darkness. And, we go amidst our lies to
our very selves that we are worthy. Lift us up, My Lord. Lift us up that
each of us may get a glimpse,...that even as the grass and the trees I have
witnessed,... may we never stop praising you."
The angel stood before me and turned the page, and Jesus said, "Behold!"
And, I looked and the title at the top of the page read, "Wormwood."
"My Lord," I said, I do not understand," for the page is blank. But, as
I watched, lettering, which I could not understand, began to appear on
the page. It seemed to be Hebrew or some other unknown language. And, I
heard a loud explosion and cracking and popping, and the page went up in
flames. The edges were charred, burning, and from the center of the page,
I saw fire shoot up and heavy smoke poured from the page.
And beneath the fire, I saw an angel of light, even Satan, himself. And,
he wore a brightness, but a dull brightness. His brightness was like that
of the moon. (And, the brightness of the Lord, before, like that of the
sun.) The old Devil, Satan, himself, shined in all his glory... a
reflected light. For, he had no light of his own. Inside, he was as the
darkest night.
Then, I saw him stand above the Earth, a great puppet master. He had
puppet strings attached to the leaders of the world...even, and especially
to The United States of America. One of the darkest and heaviest puppet
strings was attached to The Congress of the United States of America..
another to The United Nations, one to Russia, one to Germany, one to China,
one to Mexico, to Africa, to Cuba, and to The Arab Alliance. These were
all very large, dark and heavy strings. Then, I saw smaller strings
attached to countries like England, Canada, and various countries in South
America, to Australia and others.
Then, I saw the devil reach down and blow across Australia with a fury,
and the land rolled up in one area of Australia like a jellyroll. And the
people were caught up in his darkness.
And, then, Jesus, said, "Look!"
I looked and saw a cloud, red and noxious emerge from Russia, striking
out across the Atlantic Ocean. It settled beneath the sea. Then, I looked
and beheld submarines, black and dark, lurking all around the United
States. And, I saw a man in a watchtower, and he said, "We are ready."
The writing beneath the watchtower read, "USSR." The soldier in the
watchtower was watching the USA.
And, as he watched, dark storm clouds gathered over the USA, and Satan
pulled the strings of those with the heavy, dark puppet attachments, and
they came together to form a line against the USA.
Then, Jesus said, "Behold!" And, I looked to see a mother carrying a new
babe. On the mothers feet were chains, and on her wrists were chains.
The chains had no locks, and she could be free if she wanted to be. But,
the woman still saw herself as in chains, and in bondage. The baby was
crying for milk, but the mother's breasts were dry.
The mother was a giant among mothers, and stood tall. But, her knees
were those of a puppet. Her legs were wooden. And, above her head, the dark
puppet strings of Satan, heavily attached. Her eyes were blinded with a
heavy dark gray covering. And, where there should have been pupils and
irises, there were none. She wore the eyes of the blind beggar. And, across
her chest, a flag...the USA flag. The baby wailed, wanting milk, but there
was no milk. The mother seeking direction could find none. She could find
no milk, and the baby was perishing.
Then, I heard the voice of Jesus say,..." And, lo, behold!"
Suddenly, from the sky appeared a hangmans noose. But, as I looked, I
could see that it was attached to (coming from) all those, who had the
dark, heavy attachments to the puppet master. Yes, they were all attached
to the hangmens noose, controlling it. And, the noose was fitted tightly
around the neck of the woman. It was tightened, and the eyes of the
woman bulged, and the pupils and the irises returned. She was near death.
She dropped the baby, and as it was of clay, it broke into 1,000 pieces.
Jesus then said, "Behold!"
And, as a thief in the night, the submarines began to fire upon the USA,
and these are the areas I saw hit by the bombs they released, but not
necessarily in this order:
1. Los Angeles;
2. a desert area;
3. Houston;
4. Dallas;
5. some place in Minnesota;
6. Little Rock;
7. New York City;
8. Chicago;
9. Mobile;
10. St. Louis;
11. Cincinnati;
12. some place in Pennsylvania;
13. Washington DC, several times;
14. Virginia;
15. Atlanta.. one fizzles in air..., but thats not all;
16. Florida ..several locations;
17. New Orleans;
18. Kentucky;
19. Ohio, again;
20. Tennessee...two places;
21. Michigan...four places;
22. Oklahoma City;
23. Cheyenne, Wyoming;
24. Alaska;
24. Hawaii.
These are not all. But, they are the majority, and most of these receive
several atomic bombs.
The woman has fallen to the ground, and great numbers lay dying, and
dead. Yet, in many areas, the bombs killed only the living and left the
buildings, as the devil had a planned use for the mighty buildings of
Babylon. But, the soil and the water were contaminated and the food was
not fit to eat.
"Wormwood,...Wormwood...," Jesus said. "Yet, this is just the beginning,
My Child. The puppet master forges ahead. And, as you will see, he turns
all upon each other until only he and I remain.
Now, Precious Child, I see that you grow weary with seeing what lays
before you. Stay close to me, all who seek salvation. For, I am the rock.
I am the salvation.
Be fearful, one, who attempts to change what is written herein, for My
Word will burn you. And, these visions will sear the one, who attempts to
alter them. For, I hold the High Spot of leadership for the Earth, And, I
will rock mine enemies!.
Listen up, children, who love me! Loose yourselves of the material
hold, and listen to my voice! I will carry you on my wings to the
wilderness. And I will feed you for three and one half years.
Be ready to go, for the time is at hand.
I am Jesus, I am Jehovah, I am Lord of this Earth.
As witnessed, written, and dictated this early morning of the 24th day
of May, 1997.
Linda Newkirk
|
| 28.66 | How Much Do You Love Me? | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Thu May 29 1997 13:30 | 84 |
| But God asked, __. (a love story)
Author Unknown
One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah the
beauty of God's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised
God for His beautiful work.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me. He asked me, "Do you
love me?" I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior!"
Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still
love me?"
I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my
body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the things
that I took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but
I would still love You."
Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"
How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought
of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God
and His creation. So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would
still love you.
The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my
word?" How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood.
Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts.
I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."
The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"
How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants
us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound
like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are
persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered,
"Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name.
And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?" With courage and a strong
conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the
one and true God!" I thought I had answered well, but God asked, "THEN
WHY DO YOU SIN?"
I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect." "THEN WHY IN
TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO
YOU PRAY IN EARNEST?" No answers. Only tears.
The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek
Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things
so unfaithfully?"
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks. "Why are you ashamed of Me?
Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, do
you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses
when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name.
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give. "You are blessed
with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you
with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have
revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken
to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but
your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by
as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered
them all."
"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?"
I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had
no excuse. What could I say to this? When my heart had cried out and the
tears had flowed, I said, Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your
child."
The Lord answered, " That is My Grace, My child."
I asked, " Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You l ove me
so?" The Lord answered, " Because you are My creation. You are my child.
I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with
you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down,
I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are
tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I
will love you forever."
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How
could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love
me?" The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands.
I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time,
I truly prayed.
|
| 28.67 | Missions Update | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Thu May 29 1997 13:44 | 83 |
| World Missions Update -
C. Peter Wagner
Via Doug_Demick@WYCLIFFE.ORG
I would like to summarize portions of three messages delivered by Peter
Wagner of the Fuller School of World Missions. His area of specialty is
church growth. These messages were given at the Living Way Christian
Fellowship in Greensboro, North Carolina, on April 25 and 26, 1997.
Because they were such a blessing and encouragement to me, I want to
pass that on to others. I am writing from my notes and memory; if I
misrepresent Peter in any way, I apologize in advance.
Peter proclaimed that we are ALREADY living in a time of a greater
outpouring of God's Spirit than Pentecost. The reason that we in America
don't realize that is that most of the activity is in other parts of the
world, notably the third world. Some facts:
We are having a greater HARVEST than ever before.
* 140,000 people a DAY are coming to the Lord. This is 46 times the
number that believed on the day of Pentecost. In China, a country
officially closed to the Gospel, over 20,000 a DAY are turning to the
Lord. In the Fungao area of the Hunan province of China, over 90% of the
people are Christians. Significant mass conversions are happening in
Hindu and Buddhist countries.
* Over the last 10 years, more people have become Christians than in
all of church history prior to that.
We are having more MIRACLES than ever before.
Again, this is happening more in the third world than the western world.
The messages contained many inspiring examples. My favorite:
Wagner became aware of an African pastor who pastors a church numbering
70,000, which has spawned FIVE THOUSAND other churches. Since his
specialty is church growth, he invited this pastor to California to speak
to the faculty and students at Fuller.
When asked how his church had achieved such phenomenal growth, the pastor
replied to the effect that "miracles help a lot". As an example, one of
the satellite churches of the "Deeper Live Bible Church" was having its
Thursday night meeting. (On Sundays, the churches focus on Bible teaching;
on Thursday nights, they pray for the sick).
During prayer for the sick, the pastor became burdened for the friends
and relatives of those present who were too sick to come to the meeting.
He asked those who had very sick friends and relatives to hold up their
handkerchiefs while he prayed. (By the way, there is a Biblical precedent
for this: Paul in Ephesus). They were then instructed to take those
handkerchiefs home and lay them on the sick people, proclaiming them
healed in the name of Jesus.
Unknown to the pastor, there was a Moslem man present who was headman of
his village. This man had never been in a Christian church before. He
could not think of any friends or relatives who were sick; however, not
wanting to miss a blessing, he held up his handkerchief anyway.
The headman went home. Some time later a couple in his village came to
him, saying that their 9 year-old daughter had died. The headman came to
where the body had been washed and laid out for burial, and was comforting
the mourners. Then he remembered the handkerchief, and went back to his
house to retrieve it.
When the headman laid the handkerchief on the girl, and proclaimed her
healed in the name of Jesus as he had been instructed, she came back to
life! The elders of the village had a meeting and decided that even
though this village had been Moslem for hundreds of years, they would now
convert to Christianity. Small wonder!
This is only one of many exciting stories of God showing his glory to
folks traditionally closed to the gospel, resulting in their conversion.
The efforts over the past 5 years of focusing prayer on the "10/40 window"
are showing positive results.
Another exciting fact: the church is now TRULY GLOBAL in scope. The third
world is now sending out more missionaries than the western world. Some of
the top leadership in the church is coming from the third world.
The above are only brief excerpts of Wagner's talks. The tapes are
available for $6.00 by writing to: Grace Presbytery Missions Office
5117 Cliffdale Rd. Fayetteville NC 28314
|
| 28.68 | The Joshua Generation | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Thu May 29 1997 14:01 | 55 |
| Open Heavens in '97
by Bill Hamon
God is doing a double work of perfection in 1997, by bringing two major
works of the Holy Spirit (the restoration of prophetic ministry and the
refreshing of the Lord) to a level of fullness and completion to prepare
for apostles to be fully restored. This years Biblical setting to make
application for what the Lord wants to do is Joshua chapters 3 through 5.
God is starting to give miracles to the Joshua generation just as He
gave miracles to Moses' generation. We are going to see God show the world
through His power that Jesus and His Church are the mightiest force in
the universe. God is going to roll back your Jordan to demonstrate His
miracle working power in the earth.
There are six major things I believe God wants to do in His church in
1997:
1. Circumcision of the heart of God's end-time Joshua generation army.
When circumcision of the heart of all of God's army is accomplished, then
He will make the declaration to us as He made to Joshua's army in Josh.
Chapter. 5:2-9. He will remove our reproach (vs.9). As you personally
obey this word, you will see reproaches rolled away from your life, family
and ministry in 1997.
2. The Holy Spirit has been commissioned to cut us free from every weight
and sin which has so easily beset us. There will be much shaking and
purging so that we can be free in Him! (Heb.12:26-28, Dan. 3:17-30)
3. Once we have eaten the new, the old will no longer do, (Joshua 5:11-12)
In 1988, God began having His Church cross Jordan. Now we must make full
transition from wilderness manna to Canaan food. Many are starving and
defeated because they have refused to give up manna for Canaan food. We
are to arise in warfare and destroy the 'ites of Canaan. There is no
other option for those who have crossed over Jordan.
4. The Joshua Generation Leaders must face God personally. (Josh. 5:13-15)
Those who are leaders in Canaan land must meet Christ face to face in 1997.
It will bring a new and greater intimacy with Christ! We will receive
divine strategies just like Joshua did. We must come to know Jesus as King
of Kings, Lord of our lives, and Commander of His army in addition to
knowing Him as Savior in order to be His leaders in the end-time Army of
God!
5. No past generation of the Church has passed this way before (Josh.3:
1-17) No other generation has been challenged to do what we are called to
do because we have never functioned with all five-fold ministries actively
being fulfilled. We must sanctify ourselves for in 1997, God will do
signs and wonders among us like we have never, ever seen before.
6. Recognition, Acceptance, & Promotion will come in 1997 (Josh. 3:7)
This year (1997) God will begin exalting His Joshua generation leaders in
the sight of all Israel (the Church). God is assuring this generation of
the Church that we can drive out and subdue the "isms" of this world as we
co-labor with Christ!
|
| 28.69 | | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 30 1997 15:21 | 30 |
| Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 08:00:42 -0500
From: bryanh@igateway.net (Bryan & Cyndi Hupperts)
The Spirit of the Lord says this: my enemy has performed many lying signs
and wonders in your midst. You have been taken captive by deceit and
bondage. I will arise in your midst and show myself strong. By the power of
my Spirit and the faith of my faithful I will move in power in your midst.
I will open the eyes of the blind, heal the lame, and raise the dead. I
will topple the idols you have served and you will then know the
"unknowable Holy One".
As the Jews in the day of my Son's sojourn....some will see the Father's
face in His and some will not. Some will look in faith and be saved and
some will not. I will divide your house and my faithful ones whom I have
scattered already in your midst will plunder the enemy and bring a harvest
of true worshipers to my very throne where I will joyfully receive them
into evelasting glory.
By the preaching of my word and the unstoppable power of my Spirit I will
be known. No longer will you gaze in wonder at lying signs or be befuddled
by the doctrines of demons. I will not be painted in your minds any more
as a God who is far off. I shall come both as Emanuel and as the Lion of
the tribe of Judah...both to be with you in your midst and to show myself
strong on your behalf.
I shall save and heal and you shall know me. Do not reject me. Receive me
and hear my faithful ones as they share my Word. I myself shall back up
their testimony with power.
Bryan L. Hupperts
|
| 28.70 | The House of Clinton | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 30 1997 15:29 | 33 |
| Date: Wed, 28 May 1997 10:14:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: songbird@interpath.com (C. Alan Martin)
The courts have decided that Paula Jones does not have to wait until after
the president leaves office to persue the sexual harrassment charges.
Presidential advisers and pundits continue to not take these charges
seriously, which has proven to be a mistake (the court decision was 9-0
against the president). If you will recall, the "fall" of this president
(in my 1971 vision of the night) was the key event that would serve as a
sign for us. When we see this happen, we can know that the period of
trouble and the great revival are at hand.
In that "Vision of the night," I saw a row of houses. It was not until
1994 that I learned that each represented a presidential administration.
The house of Clinton was the center image of the vision, and upon looking
at that house, I saw the star fall. This meant that this president would
fall. IMMEDIATELY after the fall of this star I saw the USA enter a
terrible time of judgement and shortly after the start of this judgement,
a great move of God swept across the land.
Unless my interpretation is way off, I think we will see these events
unfold very quickly. To date, the events of the house vision are right
on, including: The capture and restoration of Jerusalem as the capital of
Israel. The political turn to the right, and turn toward ecomcomic trouble
during the Regan administration. The many problems and time of trouble
being experienced by the Clintion administration.
It is significant also that on the same day the court handed down the
decision, Clinton was signing an accord which gives Russia limited
inclusion into NATO!!!...
C Alan Martin
songbird@interpath.com
|
| 28.71 | A New Song | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 30 1997 15:45 | 56 |
| Date: Wed, 28 May 1997 11:01:07 -0400
From: "Weaver, David W." <david_weaver@merck.com>
Last night I had a dream. Now you'll have to excuse me I am new to this
area. I believe I have the interpretation of it but would welcome more
experienced insight.
In the dream I was in church, I was standing in the congregation praising
God. The band was playing a song in the Spirit when the presence of God
filled the place. I was drawn to the altar and found it three deep with
people crying out to God. "This is it" I said to myself "This is the
start of revival" The presence of God was so strong, I fell on my face and
cried out to God.
But then suddenly the band started playing another song (as if moving on
with the service) "NO" I said to myself "don't stop, God is not finished
yet" I then looked up and saw that I was the only one left at the altar.
Everyone else had gone back to their seats and were clapping and praising
as normal with the band.
I remember feeling grieved because they cut God off when He was moving by
His Spirit. Then as I was sitting there some kids came up eating cake
and ice cream and talking to each other. I was aggravated that no one did
anything with these kids so finally I grabbed their plates and threw them
in the trash and told them this is not how you act in the presence of God.
Then more kids came into the service riding bicycles through the
sanctuary. Still no one did anything to stop them. Finally, I rose up and
ran after them and chased them out the door. The pastor ran up to me and
tried to stop me. I shouted "The zeal for my God has consumed me, How can
I just stand by like this?" The Pastor said "it's OK, come with me" He
then led me downstairs to the basement of the church. There was another
band down there. "They were playing a new song," I said to myself.
They offered me a microphone and asked me to join them in the song of the
Spirit. The Pastor told me to stay down here for a while until I "Cooled
off". I awoke in a sweat.
I believe the interpretation is that God's revival is going to hit the
Laodicean church and they aren't going to be prepared or know how to
handle it. They will at first get a taste of it but then go back to
their comfortable place. The leaders will also want to keep the "order
of service".
The kids I believe are a picture of how the people in the church are
acting and treating the Spirit of God, with a selfish, lack of respect
attitude. The cake and ice cream is what the church at large is feeding
on "junk food" making herself fat. The Pastor is going to want to keep
control of His flock and service so those who do speak out against the
blatant disrespect of the Spirit or want to keep the revival going. He
will try and silence them by placing them somewhere else. It can be seen
that the Pastor knows what's going on because He is trying to keep me in
the church basement out of sight.
In His Service
David Weaver
|
| 28.72 | DEAD MEN DON'T WORRY | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 30 1997 16:18 | 45 |
| From: "Betty Hamalainen" <ehamala@mail.portup.com>
Date: Wed, 28 May 1997 14:41:05 -0400
Jesus Christ Loves You, He gave His all for you.
Dear Brother Andrew
Here is something I believe needs to be said, and that we don't fall into
the trap of pleasing men, and not to be afraid of offending the world.
Too many times there comes a temptation to become anxious about what man
would think of you.
Once I had to go through something that I did not want to do, I laid on
my living room floor crying and asking God if there could be some other
way. Then, I screamed, "Not what I want but what you want done. Oh
Lord I don't want my own will here and only yours." Then, I heard these
words, "I UNDERSTAND. The Cross looked like defeat but it was UTTER
VICTORY!"
I jumped up from the floor and I screamed, that's right You went through
the same thing, yes you do understand. I was rejoicing in the Lord; I was
elated. I felt no pain. All the hurt that was given to me was gone; the
offense was gone. I sat down and wrote a letter to the women and told
them about the Gethsemane experience. How Jesus Christ understands
everything that we go through because He has experienced it. The sorrow
and the wanting not to go that way, but was asking His Father if it were
possible, Let this cup pass from me; Nevertheless, not what I will [not
what I desire], but as You will and desire"
I was so happy as I was writing this letter, and after I finished writing
the Letter, the thought came to me, Your going to look like a failure,
and I grabbed those words and said out loud, "What will people think about
me?" No sooner did I say those words when the Spirit of the Lord spoke
right back and say. "DEAD PEOPLE DON'T WORRY WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
ABOUT THEM".
When we are obedient to the Lord God Almighty we will not try to be people
pleasers. If we are people pleasers we are going to offend the Lord God
Almighty and we are going to grieve the Holy Spirit of the Living Lord God,
and Our Lord God says, that if we are afraid of offending men we are going
to offend Him. And I believe this is going to be a test in these last
days, whether we will accept honor from men or honor from God.
With Calvary's Love
Betty
|
| 28.73 | Vision of the Night | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Fri May 30 1997 17:22 | 173 |
|
In 1971, I received a vision of the night in which I was shown a row
of houses. It was not until 23 years later that the Spirit gave me a
dream which held the key to the meaning of these houses. They represent
presidential administrations, starting with Truman in 1953, and extending
into the future for two more presidents (beyond Clinton).
"We were fleeing the persecution and calamity of the day. A brother was
fleeing with me. He fell and I paused to help him up. We prayed "Lord
Have Mercy". My friend vanished, and I looked around to see that I was at
the top of a hill overlooking 12 houses. As I looked to the west, I noticed
dark and ominous clouds gathering over house #10 and proceeding through to
the last house, #12.
I looked into the sky over #12, and saw an arc of what appeared to be six
stars in the sky. One of the stars fell to the earth like a fig that was
shaken off a limb. A voice came to me and said "look to the east!". I
began to turn to the east, fully expecting to see the Lord coming in the
clouds. The dark clouds opened up in two places and I saw the sun
darkened and the moon turned to blood. As I looked to the east, instead of
seeing the Lord in the sky, I saw an army. This army was made up of
ancient armaments such as battering rams, catapults and siege ramps.
I ran down and joined the army at house #5. Instantly I was transported
into the future, and found myself before what I can only call a "temple
fortress". The city was gray, in ruins, and desolate. A man had just
emerged from the huge double doors of the temple fortress. He was dressed
in a suit. A voice said to me "he says he is god, but he is of devil".
The the vision ended.
I waited for 23 years to receive a clue as to the meaning of these houses.
In another dream in 1995, I was in the back yard of house #3. I looked
down at my feet and saw a LIFE magazine, with a picture of JFK on the
cover, and the words "In Memory of Dead Presidents". Each house
represents a presidential administration.
House 1 Truman: nothing significant revealed about this house.
House 2 Eisenhour:
In a related dream, a model rocket was launched into the air and was
drifting down into yard of this house. The rocket then turned into a
glider and glided into the yard. My aunt used to refer to me as her
"rocket boy" because of my early interest with model rocketry. It was
in the Eisenhour Administration that I was born. (1954). It was during
this dream as I ran through the back yard of house #3 to retrieve the
falling rocket that I was shown the Life Magazine with Kennedy on the
cover. It was then that I knew that these houses represented presidential
administrations.
House 3 Kennedy:
The yard in which I was shown the key to the meaning of the houses. The
Life Magizine with JFKs face on it with a caption stating "In memory of
dead presidents".
House 4 Johnson:
This house was occupied by a family of Jews named Levi. It was during
the administration of JBJ that Jerusalem was returned to Isreal during the
1967 Arab Israel war.
House 5 Nixon:
It was into the yard of this house that I ran down and joined the army
of God which was marching forward through time (the backyards of these
houses). It was also in the Nixon administration that I was saved,
filled with the spirit, and had the vision I am now describing. Everything
up to this point had already happened in time. However, everything
recorded in the remaining houses had not yet happened. It is significant
to remember this president, since it will be (according to the falling
star and darkened house #10) the 6th administration after Nixon that will
endure the beginning of judgement on America, including the fall of that
10th-house president.
House 6 Ford: Nothing significant
House 7 Carter: Nothing significant
House 8 Reagan:
A Major shift occurs in the time of this president. The house sits on a
corner lot, and the row of houses changes direction TO THE RIGHT. It can
be noted that the nations' politics is said to have taken a sharp turn to
the right during the Reagan administration. Right or wrong, This shift
undoubtedly was in the plan of God for the series of events leading up
to the last presidents and the fate of the nation.
House 9 Bush: Nothing significant in this administration.
House 10 Clinton:
It is this administration that is the main focus of the vision of the
night. Over the house was a very dark cloud, so dark that it seemed like
night. The cloud was very low so as to almost touch the rooftop. There
was something very significant about the "back door" of this house that
may have some meaning. The lights were on in the house and they stood out
brightly in the darkness created by the cloud. As I looked at this cloud
hanging low over the 10th house, I also saw an arch of 6 stars in the sky
to the west. The stars were of different colors, and the last (sixth from
Nixon) of them fell to earth like a fig that was shaken loose from a limb.
I have taken this to mean that this administration will preside over some
very bad times in the USA, and that this administration will "fall".
House 11 President: Gore?
If my understanding of house 10 and the six stars is correct, then Gore
is in line to succeed Clinton as president. Assuming some tragedy does not
strike them both down. In the yard of this house is a large weeping willow
tree. This tree represents mourning and sorrow. But under the draping limbs
of this tree are children playing. SOME HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THE PICTURE
OF THE MAN WHO WAS SHOWN TO ME AT THE END OF THE DREAM IS GORE!!
House 12 President: Yet to be determined.
This is the last house that I saw in this vision of the night. After this
house was a dirt path that lead toward a collection of boulders arranged
in a semi circle which reminded me of a place where a trial was held and
judgement rendered. In another dream which took place during the millennial
age, I was standing among these rocks looking at the ruins of a world
rocked by the tribulation. In the ruins of these boulders I found a witch
doll. I knew immediately that one of the reasons that the USA was judged
was because she had gone after the occult and witchcraft.
Across from the path after house #12 was a new row of houses stretching
off into the distance. These I believe are the rulers of the land that
Jesus will set up during the millennium.
In the vision of the night (after I saw the star fall to the earth), I
heard a voice say "Look to the east". I began to turn and fully expected
to see Jesus coming in the clouds. As I turned I saw the clouds part and
I saw the blood moon and the dark sun. Both of these are symbolic of
judgement being levied on a nation and the fall of a nation. I continued
turning to the east and saw the ancient army approaching from the east
through the yards of all the houses of the presidents. It was then that
I ran down to join this army in the yard of the house of Nixon. This
was 1971, the year I was saved. Immediately the scene changed and I was in
the middle of a city in grey ruins. I saw a man emerge from what I
perceived to be a "temple fortress" who was dressed in a diplomatic suit
and carrying a briefcase. A voice said "He claims to be God, but is of
devil". Then the dream ended.
Perhaps the greatest miracle concerning this vision of the night, and the
hardest to concieve, is that the neighboorhood described is an actual
neighboorhood from my childhood in Massena New York!!! The street was
called "Washington Street" ( for presidents?). The houses are just as I
describe them, and were that way long before I had the dream.
There really was a family of Jews named "Levi" in house #4. The street
did (and still does) take a right turn at house #8. House #11 really
does have a weaping willow tree under it, and children did play there..
because I was one of them in my early childhood (early 60s). There
really is a path leading up from house #12, and there really is a
collection of boulders at the end of that path! There really is a row
of houses stretching off into the distance on the other side of that path.
These facts can be verified with little effort, as the streets and houses
exist today as they did 25 years ago.
Can you see the miracle that God somehow manipulated the houses, events,
and even street names so as to coincide with this vision of the night!!!!
This in an undeniable, verifiable miracle where God used (and is using)
an existing neighborhood to lay out His plan for America and the
manifestation of the Antichrist. We are in house #10 now.
Hold onto your hats, because the next few years are going to be a roller
coaster ride!!!
C. Alan Martin
songbird@interpath.com
|
| 28.74 | Be Careful... Take Heed! | CSC32::L_DEGROFF | | Thu Jun 05 1997 13:58 | 38 |
| From: Al & Dawn <billyb@mail.bright.net>
Feburary 20, 1997 3:00 P.M.
I am seeking worshippers in this time.( John 4:22-23) Worshipping will
bring forth true repentence and believers will bow and tounges will
confess that I am Lord. Other "things" will confuse. It has to be true
worship and true bowing down of the heart. My children the time has come
for truth to be spread forth throughout the world and abroad about my
soon coming. The time has come for the mouths of those who wil take heed
and hear and speak my word in truth to speak it boldly. It will not be a
time of exaltation of self serving idolism. It will be a time and period
of truth from my word that will penetrate the hearts of those hearing it
and will cause those hearing it to run and hide because of their sin.
Many will try to hide their faces because they will know they have heard
a true word from Me. Don't be deceived in these last days because of
those " so called " phenomenal happenings ". My word is the line. The
plumbline that is a measurement to that. Take it out and devour it and
consume it with your very being. Don't let Satan deceive you and he
will try. Be obedient to walk in my ways, heed my voice, obey my commands
to you.
I will fill you like you have never been filled before. But time is
of the essence. When you hear...take heed. Take no thought.. you know
what I mean..take heed, hear and take heed.
Many have risen up to say they are prophets so take heed. Don't hear
them! Get out that measuring stick of the word. Many will call themselves
prophetic ministries but take heed. They are tools in the hand of the
enemy.. take heed of it. Many will deceive... many will bring decay to
the Body by bringing deceit and destruction. They will destroy churches,
ministries and deceive many by lying signs and wonders..but you take heed!
Be cautious and do as I say and not as you want. Be careful. Take heed..
take heed..take time in my word..be cautious.
In Christ,
Dawn
|