Love Your Enemies
Hi Everyone,
I hope you are well. I am writing about two visions that I received this past Sunday morning while in prayer. I believe that the Lord is asking us to pray and fast for the nations around the world that are experiencing turmoil and unrest. Our nation needs prayer especially for political conflicts. My favorite prayer is “Lord whatever is hidden in darkness, bring to the light.”
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11
The Visions
In the first vision, I see a blue tarp, made of a heavy fabric, with large grommets across the top. The tarp was perfectly flat and vertical. There were no folds as would be seen in drapery.
Hanging in front of the tarp, was a black and olive green knit top that was displayed perfectly flat and unsupported. This happens to a piece of my clothing. It is a top that is long enough to be a short dress, but because of modesty, I wear it with pants.
In front of the dress or top is a can of kidney beans that has been opened, and tipped forward so as to display its contents. The depth of the can is short like a tuna fish can.
In the second vision, I see a very large outdoor sign. It is a portrait of a man. The sign is placed on a large building right in the middle of a busy city. It is so large that it takes up the entire background. The street is crowded with people. A single white car is in the center of the scene, driving towards the portrait.
These two visions should be viewed together, because they occurred only a minute or two apart.
A Tarp, a Dress and A Can of Beans
The Blue Tarp
In the vision, the vertical blue tarp could be thought of as a screen or room divider. There are no ropes holding it up, it just maintains its position. As a room divider or partition, it divides one space from another.
The color blue generally represents God, or pertaining to God, so the divider must be spiritual, or supernatural in nature. The tarp or divider is thin, not like a wall or permanent structure. Room dividers are movable to allow for change or access to either side. I believe that the tarp is used in the vision to represent the separation of the physical world, where we live, from the heavenly realm where the Lord resides.
In the Bible, there have been people who have experienced the heavenly realm though visions. When he lifts the veil, or opens the heavens we get a tiny taste of heaven. “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” Psalm 34:8
The divider is like the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the temple. The very moment Jesus died on the cross there was an earthquake, and an eclipse of the sun. The veil or curtain in the temple was torn in two.
By the blood of animals, the priest entered the Most Holy Place one day each year. But by the blood of Jesus, we can now enter into fellowship with Him, because the curtain was split from top to bottom! Hallelujah!
In my vision, the tarp is not torn, but still we are not prevented from meeting with God. God is all about fellowship. It seems that many Christians don’t really get this. They believe that the Lord is like the king in the story of Esther. No one was allowed into the king’s presence unless they were called by him. The ramifications for seeking him unannounced was death.
The Lord is not like that at all. He wants us to call upon him, and to walk with him - just like Enoch, who pleased God. “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” Genesis 5:24
What a wonderful thing it must have been for him, to be so loved by God, that he was taken to be with him. Jesus said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2
We simply know that he hears our prayers when we call. He invites us to come close: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and wonderful things that you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” Revelations 3:20
The Dress or Top
The dress or top may represent us - me and you. For the Lord, gives me visions so that I can share them with you. The dress is on one side and the Lord and his heavenly realm is on the other side. I believe that the Lord wants us to see that between ourselves and Him is only a thin barrier. When we seek him in prayer, he reveals himself to us. He speaks what is on his heart, if only we incline our ears to hear his voice.
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
The dress or top in the vision can also represent self-consciousness. When we are self-conscious, it impedes our ability to be God-conscious. Almost twenty years ago, God spoke to me about being overly concerned with what others thought about me. He told me, “As long as you are fearful of man, I cannot use you, for you are already being used.” God was saying that if I were to care more for what others thought, than what the Lord thought about me, then I was allowing the devil to use me. How can I glorify God if my fear, keeps my mouth shut, my hands bound, and my feet in cement boots? Fear is a tactic of the devil.
Let me give you an example: On Sundays I would sing, and shout, dance, and praise God. But on Mondays, I would hear a familiar voice say to me, “Who told you to be the cheerleader? Boy you looked stupid in front of the whole congregation!” It was the devil trying to make me focus on what others might be thinking, attempting to undermine my faith, and worship of the Lord. After the voice and condemnation would overwhelm me, I would simply tell the Lord, “I can’t help myself. I love you, and I don’t care-- I’d rather be a fool for you than to please everyone else.” It is hard to believe that this went on for quite a long time. It was hard for me to ignore the condemning chatter. But now, I can appreciate what the devil was trying to stop, was the very thing God wanted, so, when a voice comes to condemn me now, I take authority over the voice and send it back from whence it came. “Resist the devil and he will flee.” James 4:7
Now, I found a church that encourages worship. It is not just three songs, announcements, the message, and the dismal. Hallelujah! “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
If we want to draw close to God, we have to give up our self-conscientiousness and become focused on him.
The Can of Beans
In the vision, the can of kidney beans was smaller than a normal size can. To me, a vegetarian, I consider beans a primary source of protein. The smaller portion of beans, offers the idea of cutting back or depriving oneself of food. I believe that this vision is calling us to fast.
Why does God want us to fast? Why is fasting valuable to the Christian? Fasting is a discipline whereby we ignore or override our body’s survival instinct by denying the body food. When we dote on the body giving it every thing it wants, we become sensitive to its desires. The desires of the flesh can lead directly to sin. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of he flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want.” Galatians 5:16-17
When we fast, our flesh is put down, and our spirit is made stronger. It is necessary to fast regularly, if you want to live in victory over sin, and at the same time become more sensitive to the Spirit of God.
Jesus expects us, as his disciples to fast. “Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.’” Matthew 9:15
We need to fast, to develop a closeness to God, to be intimately connected to him. When we fast, we become more aware of God; we become God conscious, and sensitive to his voice. By denying our bodies of what they require for survival, our flesh is put down, and our spirits rise to become stronger, When we humble ourselves in such a way, his communication to us by way of dreams, visions, words of knowledge, or his voice, is more readily received. So through fasting we become more aware of him, and more sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
That is really our primary goal as a Christian, to know God and to have an intimate relationship with him.
II. A Portrait, a Car and a Foreign City
The Portrait
In the second part of the vision, I believe God is giving us directions regarding the focus and subject of our prayers. I believe that the overly large portrait is that of a political or religious leader. When a leader exalts himself in this manner, plastering his face on a building for all to see, he is declaring that he is supreme. “I am most important. You must bow down to my rule. My word is law.” That is the definition of a dictator. I know that in many totalitarian states, leaders use these graphic images to show that they have all authority and absolute power.
I believe that the Lord is asking us to pray for these regimes, and the leaders of these nations. God often raises up harsh rulers to cause people to seek him. In the Old Testament, God caused evil leaders and their armies to overtake, capture, deport and scatter the Israelites. God brought judgement against them because of their unfaithfulness to him, and the practice of idolatry.
God expects us as the church, to understand his heart, since he has revealed himself through the life and teaching of his Son. “Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father?” Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.’” John 14:9
Even as Jesus returned to the Father, he did not leave us as orphans, but gave us the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer. It is the Spirit of God, who leads us into all truth. We also have the inspired word of God - the written word - the Bible.
Yet, there were new teachings that Jesus introduced, which truly show the heart of God. Because of the Lord’s death as an atonement for our sins, and his coming to the earth as God in the flesh, he was able to teach us as friends, as brothers. He had greater expectations for us, because we no longer rely solely on our consciences to control our actions. We now have the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower us to do what our flesh doesn’t want to do. This is an example:
“It was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,’ but I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than they? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Mathew 5:38-48
God expects us to not curse our enemies, but to pray for them. We are to pray for their hearts to turn to God. And of course we are to pray for those who are under their authority, that they would call out to the Lord in their pain and affliction. “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’” Isaiah 65:1
We know that the Lord is revealing himself to non-believers in dreams and visions. He wants people from every tribe, nation and tongue to know him. “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4
“Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
The White Car
In the second vision, there is a white car, that is heading in the direction towards the portrait. White, means purity, righteousness, and holiness. The white car represents the Lord’s message that he wants to bring to these lost nations. This message is really the gospel. We call it the Gospel of Peace, because, gospel means “Good News.” Jesus’s death on the cross brought us peace with God.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
The message of the Gospel is a message of reconciliation with the Father through the Lord’s death, and the promise of eternal life with him. by his resurrection. When we repent of our sins, the Lord responds with forgiveness. When we are downcast, and full of despair, the Lord raises us up and fills our hearts with peace and hope.
The white car also represents our prayers and intercession for those who are “enemies of the cross.” We pray and intercede for them because they are lost. Jesus prayed for those who persecuted him, and nailed him to the cross. “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 We must do the same. When we are offended, or excluded, or mistreated, we must forgive. “If you do not forgive men their sins when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will not for give you your sins.” Matthew 6:15
For those who are wicked, and harm others, we are still required to pray for them. “For they know not what they do.” They are captives of the devil, and need to be set free. So we pray for divine intervention and deliverance from the demonic influences. We pray for changed hearts, and a knowledge of the truth. We pray for their salvation and for healing. When we offer these prayers in faith, on behalf of people, nations and leaders, the Lord is pleased.
He also asks us to pray for those who are imprisoned, and mistreated for their faith in Christ, (the Messiah). I remember years ago, God gave me a vision of a person behind bars. I only saw hands reaching out between the bars, in the act of pleading for help. God was asking me to pray for the persecuted church. I wrote a post about this that you may want to read: The Persecuted Church
I also wrote about a miracle that God brought about through praying for Asia Bibi. Asia was a Christian woman who was accused of the crime of blasphemy, in the country of Pakistan. After years behind bars, and appeal after appeal, she finally stood before the Supreme Court of Pakistan. People around the world were praying for her, even the American legal group ACLJ were meeting with leaders at the UN to put pressure on Pakistan to release her. She was wrongly accused, and was facing these charges, simply because she was a Christian. There was much publicity about this case in Pakistan. People were marching in the streets and calling for the death penalty. There were threats against the justices should they ruled in her favor.
As I was praying for Asia, God gave me a vision of the court, and the justices. I saw three justices behind a desk, and I saw Asia standing across from them. Then I believe that God was showing me what he was revealing to one of the justices: Where Asia had been standing, he saw Jesus!
I had been praying for her throughout her incarceration. I believe that the Lord revealed to me, what the judge was seeing: Jesus standing in her place. I knew that the Judge would have to realize that if he condemned Asia, he would be condemning the Lord. This judge, was in the same place that Pilate had been.
Wow! God answers and moves with our prayers! This is why we pray! Only God can do what he does! This was no less than a miracle. The judge, having such a vision, was able to convince the two other judges, that to rule against Asia, would be the same as condemning Christ.
I will never have the chance to confirm this vision in a conversation with the Pakistani judge, but I know that something great happened. They ruled in her favor and granted her mercy and her freedom! No one would have expected them to have shown her mercy! “But what is impossible with man is possible for God!” Luke 18:27
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord. You can read this post if you are interested: Mercy!
Prayer for nations and all people groups, is really important. There are so many places around the world right now that are experiencing tremendous suffering, and oppression. God wants us to pray, not simply because of suffering and oppression but because he may be returning soon. Our job is to share the gospel and to keep watching and waiting for his return. We must be like John the Baptist who said, “Prepare the way for the Lord!” (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1 Matthew 3:3)
He will not come this time as an infant, but in the clouds, with all the heavenly hosts, as a “Victorious King.”
Before that day, he will call for his church. We do not want anyone to be left behind. We do not want anyone to suffer for all eternity in hell. We must speak out and get the church ready.
I have spoken often of the Parable of the Ten Virgins. We know that only five of them were ready to meet the Lord, and the other five were left outside. We know that the time is short, and we must pray that the church will get herself ready. We have to pray for those who are complacent and lukewarm, and for those who have fallen away.
Our prayers are powerful. Many believe that the Berlin wall came down because of prayer. Many believe that the USSR broke up because of prayer. Only God knows what your prayers and the prayers of others can accomplish!
If we are to truly please the Lord, we must know his heart, and to understand his ways. And when he gives us an assignment, like this, to pray for the lost, and to pray for the nations, we must be obedient. Let’s put a smile on the Lord’s face. Let us all long to hear those words, “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 25:21
Thank you for reading. Please pass this on to a friend. Let us reach the world for the Lord! Remember it is in seeking, that we find Him!
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