Stumble but Not Fall
Hi Everyone,
Today I am writing about another vision the Lord gave me just his past Friday. I was praying with a prayer partner, when we went into a time of silence. This vision is about faith. The Lord is desperate for his creation to know him and to be with him for all eternity. He is a holy God, and cannot look on sin. Sin does not belong in heaven. Only those who have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus will be able to enter heaven and be with the Lord forever.
God is perfect; God is love; God is beyond description. If you have been born again and if you have spent time in his presence, then you will know the heart’s longing to be with him. The relationship we have with God is like no other. You can tell the Lord your inmost thoughts, and share with him feelings that know one else will understand. And how wonderful it is when he shares his thoughts with us!
A Two Part Vision
A Tiger
First I see a tiger coming down a narrow path in a rocky mountainous region. I was looking down upon the tiger from above, watching him pass under an archway made of rock. He was walking towards me, yet seemed to be unaware of my presence, since I was overhead. Then my view changed so that I saw the tiger walking on the path, from a side view.
A Young Girl
Next I saw a young girl’s feet and legs from the knees down. She was wearing water shoes w/straps across the instep. As she walked along the path, she began to slip and slide a bit. However, She regained her footing, and didn’t fall.
What I believe the vision means:
The tiger, I believe, represents the devil. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 The tiger is very much like a lion, in that it is a dangerous predator, capable of attacking a man.
Just a few months ago, I had a similar vision of a bear in a mountainous area. I saw him from a distance. He seemed to be foraging among a few bushes and along the ground. Like a tiger or lion, a bear has no qualms about attacking people. In some of the national parks, tents and soft-sided pop up trailers are not allowed because of the possibility of bear attacks.
I believe the Lord is giving me these visions as a “heads up.” We need to be proactive, to be prepared for what may come our way. In the early days of the church, when people were persecuted because of their faith, it was important for these believers to know the Lord, to be grounded in their faith, and steadfast through their trials. The Lord will allow everyone to be tested. Even though some may not be aware, we have an enemy who uses distraction, temptation, lies, and half-truths to undermine the faith of the believer. The Bible instructs us to “Put on the full armor of God so you will be able to stand against the devil’s strategies.” Ephesians 6:11
Our enemies are not people, but the demonic powers motivating people to do evil. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
When people sin and have no feelings of remorse, and do not repent, they open the door to the evil one, who takes the opportunity to move in. They can become blinded by sin and overcome by the demonic powers. They are no longer free, but are a tool in the enemy’s hand. This is why the Lord asked his Father to forgive them, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
God expects us, his followers, to do the same. When we are mistreated, we are not to return evil with evil, but return evil with good. He wants us to turn the other cheek. We are to pray for those who persecute us, and forgive them. We are not to take offense. This is challenging to most of us as believers, because our flesh wants to fight back. We want to justify ourselves and condemn others. But we are told, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 I believe that this is what God expects of us, and he wants his church follow his lead.
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7
So we submit ourselves to God, and allow his Holy Spirit to take control. We put to death our natural man, who wants to fight back, and take matters into our own hands. To pass the Lord’s test of faith, we cannot deny him. We need to be willing to suffer for his name, pray for our enemies, and forgive them as Jesus did.
However, with regards to the devil, and his demons we need to be prepared. The Lord says to “Resist the devil and he will flee.” James 4:7
We are to stand firm in our faith, trusting in the Lord to deliver us from the evil one. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14
Notice how doing everything in love, is by far different than what the world would advise in a similar situation. When we choose in those difficult moments to do everything in love, the heat, the anger, and the resentment that is aroused, can be diffused. Not always of course. Jesus was still crucified, in spite of extending forgiveness to the wicked. But it is still what the Lord requires: “Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14
The Girl
I knew immediately what this part of the vision meant. The girl represents the church, the next generation, or a future generation. The scripture that came to mind as I contemplated the vision was this: “But, when the Son of man returns, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8
We sometimes describe our faith as standing on a rock - a firm foundation. The rock can be the word of God, or Jesus who is the word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
The Lord is “the Rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1 He is our firm foundation, the one in whom our faith rests.
In the vision, the path upon which the girl stood was slippery. It appeared to be somewhat shiny, as tiny pebbles, or coarse sand laid in a clear epoxy. it could have been slippery as when pavement gets wet. In the vision, the young girl nearly fell, but was able to recover. The water shoes she was wearing, are designed to grip a slippery surface, like a paddle board. So she should have been able to maintain her footing. Now what does this mean? What is the Lord showing us?
A sandy path, is not ordinarily slippery. This path was covered in a shiny film or coating. Could it be that the rock is the Word of God and the sand and pebbles are the words, or scriptures taken out of context. Could it be that the slippery coating is a false teaching or interpretation that is added to cause someone’s faith to waiver or stumble?
There are many passages in scripture that refer to backsliding, and stumbling, with regards to our faith in God. “But to those who do not believe, ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they disobey the message-- which is also what they were destined for.” 1 Peter 2:7-8
“He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” Matthew 21:24
“But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble.” Malachi 2:8
This last scripture shows that some, having first started in the faith, “have turned from the way.”
Not only have they turned from the way, but by their teaching, others are falling away from the faith. “By your teaching, have caused many to stumble.” This is the danger of false teachers, and false doctrine.
There are now and have been in the past, both cults and sects, which take one scripture and make it a focal point of their faith. This leads to bondage, rather than freedom. There can also be teachings which have no basis in scripture, but are added to justify human behavior, or to take sin out of the equation. I can think of two common teachings that can cause people to stumble:
Purgatory
Purgatory is a false belief that some Christians have embraced as truth. It gives its believers a false sense of security. This belief comforts people with the notion, that when a person dies, he doesn’t go to hell. He goes to this neutral zone where he is not tormented, but just held for a period of time, until his loved ones, or family members “pray him into heaven.” Some believe that a deceased person stays in purgatory until he completes his penance, and afterward, earns his entrance into heaven.
If this were true, then why would the Lord have died on the cross for our sins? With this belief, all that would be required of a person to have a life in heaven, would be to simply spend a time in purgatory and work off their debt of sin over time. Eventually their destination would be the same, and the cross would have been unnecessary.
The concept of Purgatory takes away one’s sense of urgency, and removes the necessity to get right with God. People who embrace this lie, believe that they can do whatever they please, during their lifetime on this earth. They do not need to concern themselves with sin, because purgatory isn’t as bad as hell. Purgatory is considered neutral - there is no torment, and no punishment. So those who have believed this lie, have no motive or concern regarding sin or repentance, or even the desire to make Jesus the Lord over their lives.
“Once Saved, Always Saved.”
This is another false teaching that I have addressed in earlier posts. The problem with this teaching is that it is also a lie. No where in the Bible does it support this idea that a person can be saved and then do whatever he pleases - there are no consequences for disobedience.
A friend’s father put forth this explanation as to why he believed this was so: “God knew before the foundation of the earth, that I would sin, so he died on the cross for me and forgives all my sin, past, present and future. So I am saved, today and when I die, I know I will go to heaven.”
Can you see the error in his statement? There is no repentance. If you sin today, you need to ask the Lord to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
If you sin tomorrow or a week from now, you need to ask God to forgive you. It is not an automatic thing. The first part of the scripture above is based on one thing: “If we confess our sins.” If we do not acknowledge our sin and ask for forgiveness and then repent, there is no forgiveness. To repent means to stop and turn from that sin. Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Where are your accusers now?..... Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” John 8:11
Can people lose their salvation? Certainly. It is called apostasy. It is the idea of leaving the faith. It is not merely backsliding for a period of time. But it is demonstrated by those who choose a lifestyle of sin, rather than following the Lord and his ways. It can be that the cares of this world, or the enticements of material success, cause them to walk away from God.
In my post, “He is coming - Are you ready?” I give several New Testament examples of those believers who walked away:
Within the New Testament are examples of personal apostasy: Judas who betrayed Jesus, Ananias and Sapphira who lied to the church and to God, Hymenaeus, and Philetus, who spread lies and false doctrine, Alexander who failed to keep the faith and a good conscience, and Demas who loved the world and so deserted Paul. The Bible speaks of false teachers and false prophets which have lead many away from the faith.
We are instructed, over and over again, in various passages about false teachers and their tainted doctrines. “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” Acts 20:30-31
Going back to the vision, I saw that the path on which the young girl walked was narrow - wide enough for a single person. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13
So the young girl in the vision, was on the right road, yet she stumbled, but did not fall. There is a scripture: “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.“ Psalm 37:23-24
So if we are doing our best to follow the Lord, choosing the narrow path, he will sustain us. Yet, the Lord was showing the action of stumbling. If the young girl represents a future generation of the Church, and we look once again at the main scripture: “But when the Son of Man returns, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8 We see the Lord’s concern. Will those of the faith today, pass their faith on to the next generation? Will true faith be found among believers?
If the girl in the vision stumbles, could it be that the church of the next generation, is not on firm ground? Is the doctrine they hold as truth, misrepresented? What is the basis of this generation’s faith? Do they know the word of God? Can they rightly use the word of God? Will they hold fast to the teachings of scripture, and be able to recognize and refute false teaching? How will the church of tomorrow fare in the face of persecution? Will they compromise and take on the values of the world?
We can only prepare ourselves, and attempt to reach the next generation for the Lord.
The Lord says, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18
So the Lord will build his church. And he will use us to do that. Let us hold onto our faith, and pray for the Church, that in spite of what many be on the path ahead, a lion, a tiger or a bear, that we will be able to stand firm, upon the Rock, and not be shaken or moved. “Resist the devil and he will flee!” James 4:7 For God will be with us in our trials, and he will keep us in his love!
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25
Thank you for reading and sharing this with those you love and with those you want to encourage with the gospel of peace. Be blessed!
If you would like to be notified of posts as they become available, you can give me your email address, by going to the Contacts page. I will hold your address in confidence, and will not share it with anyone. Thanks again!
