Draw Close to Me
Hi Friends, I wanted to share a vision God gave me just last week. It is a vision about meeting with God. It begins with a key and a door.
The vision is in four parts:
First I see a scene that is somewhat dark, as it is early in the morning, before dawn. I see someone take a key and place it into a lock. He turns the key and the door opens. I step inside. In front of me is vestibule created by a screen, similar to the screen on a tent. The screen is tied back to a post, to allow entrance into an absolutely immense fieldhouse. The fieldhouse is empty and I am alone.
Secondly, I see a small group of "off duty" Roman soldiers. They are making their entrance into what seems to be a crowded restaurant or pub. I see the first one smiling, and speaking cheerfully to one of his companions. The man is wearing his uniform with the chest armour, but he is without a helmet. His dark hair is cropped short.
After this, I look to my right, about 40 feet from me is a scene, that is quiet, more secluded. There is a wooden table and two small benches. On the table is a single coffee mug. A soft light illuminates the table and mug.
In the fourth part of the vision, I see an indoor arena, like a trade show, with cars and various vehicles all around. Between a few of the cars and vehicles I see a pole-style ladder. The ladder is made of metal and painted black. The pole is perfectly vertical. The steps are placed at regular intervals on the pole, so that one would have to climb using the steps for hand holds and foot placement.
After praying about this vision, this is what I believe it means:
The Key and the Door
The key and door represent God's guidance. We often say that, "God leads through open doors." God showed only the hands of the person inserting the key and opening the door. This was an invitation to follow him. The vestibule would have been screened off, but the entrance into the fieldhouse was open. I was reminded of the fact that when Jesus died on the cross, the Temple curtain that concealed the Most Holy Place was torn in two, so that by his death, we are able to enter into the presence of God.
The time of day was early in the morning, so no one was around. I had the place all to myself. There is another scripture that comes to mind, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35
The Fieldhouse
What is a fieldhouse? It is a place for physical training, and sports practice for various sporting events. It is a place of practice. As I thought about "practice," I was reminded of a very old book, I read years ago, written by a monk, entitled, "Practicing the Presence of God." It was a beautiful book, describing how brother Lawrence spent time in God’s presence, communing with him, all day long.
The fieldhouse is also a place of preparation. We need to prepare ourselves for the Lord's return. Whether Jesus comes in the clouds at the second coming, or whether he comes for each one of us at our appointed time (in our death), we need to be ready.
Jesus spoke in his parable, "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” Matthew 24:45-47
The rest of the passage, is rather grim, describing the fate of the wicked servant who lives to please himself rather than the Master: “But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assigns him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing to teeth.” Matthew 24:48-51
It behooves us to be prepared for the Lord’s return, and to expect him at any time. Each of us would rather hear these words, from the parable of talents: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:23
There have been so many visions God has shown me about the rapture, the second coming, and to be ready. It must be so. We must live our lives in such a way as to be prepared for his eminent coming.
The Off-Duty Soldiers
The Roman soldiers in the vision, remind me of the scripture, “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” 2 Timothy2:4
In the vision, these soldiers were entering a restaurant or pub. There should be nothing wrong with going somewhere to get a bite to eat. However, if they were going to the pub, to get drunk, that is another matter. “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1
Instead, the Bible tells us to be sober, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
The scripture, really gives no instruction to the believer to “kick back and take it easy.” On the contrary, Paul gives instruction to Timothy: “Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:3
”Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12
A Cup on a Wooden Table
The wooden table is placed far off to the side. The scene is lit only by a light source from above. The focal point is the single cup on the center of the table. There are two small wooden benches across from each other. The table and benches are very simple, there is nothing fancy or elegant. The cup is an invitation from the Lord to come, and sit down, to speak intimately with him. The place is quiet, and remote. God wants us to draw close to him, to get to know him. Scripture tells us to: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” James 4:8
Throughout the Bible, the Lord encourages us with personal invitations: “Behold! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” Revelations 3:20
“Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
The Lord calls us “friend,”and “brother.” He makes himself so available that it would be an utter shame, to ignore him, and busy ourselves with “good works,” rather than developing a close and intimate relationship with him. In the parable of the ten virgins, the five foolish virgins, were not ready to go into the wedding banquet. After they purchased the oil for their lamps, they returned and knocked on the door, asking the Lord to open the door for them too, but what did he say? “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.” Matthew 25:12
Intimacy with the Lord is paramount. It is really the key that opens the door to true fellowship with him, and with real peace, knowing that you are known by God.
The Pole-Ladder at the Trade Show
The ladder was placed in and among the cars and vehicles on the trade show floor. The rungs centered around a vertical pole. The black pole ladder might represent a means of escape from the hustle and bustle of the trade show, and to go higher with the Lord.
However, I believe instead, that the ladder is a means of escaping temptation. The show of cars, vehicles, and RV’s are all expensive material possessions. Possessions can trip us up in our walk with God. They elicit strong emotions for some people, representing status, affluence, freedom, fun, adventure. They can capture our attention, and turn our heads. Cars, vehicles, and any noticeable material possession, can become idols. Anything for that matter that attracts us, and holds our attention more than God is an idol.
The cars and RV’s can also symbolize the temptation to “go our own way, and do our own thing” Jonah, rather than doing the job God gave him, to deliver a message to Nineveh ran away from God by boarding a ship for Tarshish. The RV, boat, or car represents a means of escaping our commitments, or our devotion to God.
It says in the Bible, that “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
So God provides the ladder to give us a way out or a means of escaping temptation.
Summary
In summary, I believe God wants us to know, that he is more than willing to open doors for us that will lead to intimacy with him. He would ask us to put him first, as in the early morning time to pray with him. To draw close, to let the Lord share with you what is on his heart. He also warns us to be aware of the temptations of the flesh: pleasure or self indulgence that leads us down a path far from God.
Let’s draw close to God, to know him and to understand his heart.
