A Red Mug
Hi Friends,
I hope you are well. Today I have a four part vision to share with you. What God speaks about today, can be a reminder of the things he has spoken of in the past. This is a bitter-sweet message from the Lord. The truth can be difficult to accept, but it is the truth nonetheless. And the truth shall set us free. This is a message that everyone needs to hear. I hope you have room in your hearts to accept it.
The Four-part Vision:
A Desk and Computer
I saw a desk with a computer on top. There was nothing else, not a chair, not a person, not a thing. The vision began as a close up view of the scene. Then the view zoomed-out to give a bird’s eye view.
A Woman and Blue Chips
Next I saw a woman taking a backpack from someone in a group of people. She asked them, “Do you want to play a role?” Then she gave each of them a small, square, blue plastic chip.
A Baby in Red Pajamas
I saw a baby dressed in a red “onesie,” which is a one piece outfit for infants, covering the body from the neck to the toes. The baby was looking up and to his right.
A Red Coffee Mug
I saw a red mug filled with coffee.
What I believe the vision means:
The Desk and Computer
I had been praying for a very long time now, for a family member to give up her business, to honor God and be saved. I believe that this vision came in response to my prayer. At first, the desk was seen close up. This is how we usually see things, from a natural point of view. The desk and computer represent her business; they were there by themselves. There was no chair, no papers, no people, nothing except the desk and computer. It appears as if they were abandoned. For me this is good news, it is an answer to prayer. I would love for her to recognize that the business that she has chosen, is in reality, a practice in divination, certainly an abomination to God.
As I saw the view zoom-out, the desk and computer became so small and insignificant. God’s view is higher than ours, yet he sees with infinitesimal detail and accuracy. God knows every hair upon our heads. He knows every star in the sky and every piece of sand on the shore. There is nothing that goes without his notice. God sees all and wants to give us a second chance. I am not allowed to say anything to her, but to simply pray, for he had said to me years ago, “Do not go where I have not sent you. Give her the same chance I gave you.” And now I see that God wants me to have faith in him that his arm is not too short to save, and that none will be lost of those we place in his hands! Hallelujah!
If we see the vision as having to do with all of us, not just my relative, then we see that God calls all of us away from the things in the world that stand against him. We are called to abandon our passions, and indulgences and anything that takes us away from the Lord, even our careers, and livelihood. He will not compete with the things in our lives to which we have become devoted. He is a holy God and deserves hearts that are undivided and completely true to him.
Let’s look at the first three of the Ten Commandments:
1. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.”
2. “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water below. You shall not bow”down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
3. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Deuteronomy 5:6-11
The Lord considers the things that we do that take us away from him, as idols. When we spend most or all of our free time doing as we please, and giving no thought to the Lord, making no time for worship, prayer or ministry, we will be held accountable.
If we want to please the Lord, we must put down and abandon the things that interfere with our total allegiance to him.
The Woman and the Blue Chip
Next I saw a woman taking a backpack from a person in a group. She then addressed them saying, ”Do you want to play a role?” Then she gave each of them a blue chip.
I believe that the woman represents the Church who presents the word of God to others, giving them an opportunity to hear the Gospel message and to become believers. It is the invitation in the following passage of scripture, that the woman in effect presents, when she says, “Do you want to play a role?”
“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” Matthew 19:21
The woman in the vision took away a backpack. I believe that it represents the valuable possessions that we own, and must give up if we want to play a role, or have a part in what the Lord is doing.
Years ago, about three months after I was born again, and baptized in the Holy Spirit, God asked me to give up my design business. I did so, without hesitation. Because I was so enamored with God, it was easy for me. Six months later, the Lord asked me to give up my Master’s Degree. That was harder, because I was nearly finished. It was so upsetting to my husband, that he nearly divorced me. But I gave it up nonetheless. God wants the total sum of our being. If we want to be included in what God is doing, we have to be willing to give up what interferes with his plan for our lives.
The question proposed, “Do you want to play a role?” is God’s question. He is asking us: “Do you want to see what I can do with your life, if you give yourself to me?”
And if we love the Lord, we will respond: “Yes, Lord, you can have it all. Every part of my world.” (a link to a beautiful worship song!)
Jesus wants us to participate with him in building his kingdom. He wants us to display his glory by sharing our testimonies and the gospel, and through the signs and wonders that will manifest, when we follow his lead.
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’” Mark 16:15-18
These are the powers that the Lord is willing to give us, when we place ourselves in his hands. Through his work in us, his glory is seen. He wants us to volunteer to carry his authority, and present the gospel to those around us, offering the Lord’s free gift of salvation, healing, deliverance, and a right standing with him.
In the vision, the blue chip represents that power. As I have mentioned before, the color blue can represent God, or service to God. The blue chip is the gift of God, himself, as the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus said to his disciples, “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city, until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49
Jesus was speaking of the empowerment of God, as the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, which gives us the power to overcome the darkness in the world. “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4
Not everyone, not every believer, is baptized in the Holy Spirit. But it is something of great value. When the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples in the upper room, they had already received the Holy Spirit as it comes with being “born again.” Just at the time when Jesus showed them his hands and his side, he said, “‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” John 20:22
But at that time, the disciples were still afraid of the authorities. They might never have accomplished much for the kingdom of God, being fearful as they were. But once they were baptized with fire and the Holy Spirit, they were able to overcome their fears. They spoke the Word of God boldly. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
God is asking us to do the same. We need to give up our complacency, our “go with the flow” mentality, and make some waves! You may have been one to say, “Don’t rock the boat!” But if you choose to follow the Lord, upsetting the boat, is sure to happen. Jesus said, “He who is not with me, is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” Matthew 12:30
We must say, “Yes, Lord, I want to be empowered with the Holy Spirit, to fulfill the calling on my life, to be an over-comer. I want to fulfill the Great Commission, and win souls for you, Jesus.”
The Baby in the Red Pajamas
In the vision, the baby was dressed in red. Red can represent sin, bloodshed, and war. When there may be multiple interpretations, as there usually are, we have to pray to understand God’s intention. So after prayer, I believed that the red represents bloodshed.
The baby does not represent a certain person, or people group, but instead I believe that the baby represents the early church. The church was given birth on that first day of Pentecost, when the believers received the baptism in fire, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. On that day the disciples spoke with boldness, declaring the good news of the gospel to those who were in Jerusalem. Many had come a long distance, to celebrate Passover, and now 50 days later were still there to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. The Feast of Pentecost or Shavuot has many names in the Bible: The Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Harvest, and the Latter First-fruits.
“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Are not all of these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?” Acts 2:5-8
Peter explained that what they were experiencing, was the outpouring of the Spirit of God, as the prophet Joel had spoken of centuries before. (Can you believe it! I just turned to Joel, to the very page of his prophecy, just as I am typing this! Wow! God is good!)
My study Bible places the prophecy of Joel as 835-830 BC
“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved…”
Joel 2:28-32
On the day of Pentecost,
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call.’” Acts 2:38-39
“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:41
So with the power of God working in a few believers, 3000 people came to the Lord in that one day. It was the day the Church was born. And it so happened that these new believers were the First-Fruits of God’s Harvest of Souls, coming on the very day of Pentecost! Again I say, Hallelujah!
Just as there was much to celebrate with the birth of the Church, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with signs and wonders, and miraculous healings, there was also the beginning of a stirring up of the powers of darkness. A full scale movement to persecute people of The Way began. Suffering, accompanied the tremendous growth of the Church. With the power of the Holy Spirit, people did not run from persecution, but they continued to speak boldly. The Lord had spoken of persecution and suffering to his disciples long before. “Remember what I told you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.’” John 15:20-21
The Red Coffee Mug
The coffee mug was also red. The red color of the mug coincides with the meaning of the red pajamas. It represents bloodshed, or persecution. The mug I believe represents the church of today, an older church, no longer a baby. A baby drinks milk, and coffee is considered an adult drink. The coffee or drink inside represents suffering.
Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42
Jesus was suffering, knowing that scourging and death were before him. “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:44
We know that the Lord suffered on our behalf. He carried our sins to the cross. He took our punishment, and with his blood purchased our salvation. Because of his suffering, he defeated death itself. He was raised to life, and became the First-Fruit of those who will be raised to life with him. Another Hallelujah!
Jesus spoke of his love for us, and demonstrated that love by laying down his life, in atonement for our sins. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:12-14
There is no doubt that persecution will come to believers. The Lord does not candy coat anything, but says what we need to hear. His words can be a bit foreboding, but being a Christian is not an easy road. If we truly live for him, we will go against the flow. To everyone in the world, The Christian’s ways and convictions will always be in opposition to theirs. This inevitably brings conflict.
How often have you heard a pastor preach on the topic of persecution? It is not a popular topic, so many pastors avoid it. But it is the truth, and if Jesus warned his disciples, we need to take warning as well. He speaks the truth, for that is who he is: “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
So I want to remind you of these passages, because persecution will come to you from the very people that you once trusted. “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.” Matthew 10:21
But we cannot shrink back, and succumb to the ways of the world, or compromise our faith in order to please others. “But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:33
”If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life-- such a person cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26
“For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:35-37
Persecution is coming. It is already here. If we choose to deny Jesus and his cross, and follow everyone else’s example, in order to save our family relationships, our jobs, or to conform to the world’s idea of success, we will lose what is so precious — our eternity with him. “What does it profit a man to gain the world, but lose his soul?” Mark 8:36
We have a choice — Please make the right one!
And please share this message with someone who doesn’t really appreciate, or is oblivious to the fact, that the stakes are high. “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us!” Hebrews 12:1
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