Where No Moth Can Destroy
Hi Friends,
I hope you are all well. Today is just a few days before Christmas and the Presidential election is still undecided. This is a time when we must be faithful in prayer and patient in waiting for the Lord’s deliverance of our nation, from the hands of corrupt people.
This is also a time to consider getting right with God. It is a time to be fasting and repenting on behalf of our nation and its leaders. I believe that the Lord is soon to return for his bride, and we have to be ready and watching with him even in the night.
Do you remember the night, in the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus asked the disciples to pray with him? Somehow they kept falling asleep. “Couldn’t you watch with me, even one hour? Watch and pray so that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41
We all will be tested. We must remain faithful to the very end. I cannot tell you how concerned I am for people everywhere. I believe the time is very near. Let me remind you once again:
“For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:38-44
I have two visions to share with you today. The first was given several weeks ago, and the second was given today. The last post “Feast or Fast,” spoke about the times in which we are living, and the wealth of our society which is on one hand a blessing, and on the other hand a hindrance to the acceptance of the gospel, and to the realization of a need for a Savior.
Today’s message is about being willing to overcome our hindrances, knowing that God will make a way, and that with God all things are possible.
The Three Green Shirts
In this vision, I found myself standing with three people who were each wearing a green T-shirt. I was wearing a shirt that was nearly white, a pearl grey. I knew that I was different, that I did not fit in.
The color green in the Bible denotes: life, growth, prosperity, new beginning, flourishing and restoration, resurrection and immortality.
The color white symbolizes light, purity holiness, the redemption of sin, righteousness, peace and the Bride of Christ.
Grey generally refers to old age in the Bible. It can represent wisdom and respect.
Grey is one of my favorite colors. in fact my whole wardrobe could have easily been grey, but because I live in New Jersey where the predominant color for clothing is black, that sums up my wardrobe, Nearly everything I own is black or a color whose base is black. I don’t have to deliberate about what to wear, it all appears to be the same.
This vision reminded me of a dream that I had years ago, which I believed came from the Lord:
Going Nowhere
I was walking about a city. I first entered an office of a wedge shape building whose entrance was between two converging streets. As I walked in, I realized that something was wrong, and I didn’t belong there, so I left.
I continued down the street and seeing a restaurant, I went inside. I walked past two waiters sitting at a table having a conversation. Again, I realized that I didn’t belong there, and so I left.
Next I went to a hair salon, where there was quite a hustle and bustle. As I walked in, everyone stopped whatever they were doing and fixed their eyes on me. I felt uncomfortable, so I excused myself and left.
Eventually, I found myself riding on a train. I looked around and saw that everyone looked just like me. We all had the same complexion, the same hair color and were all wearing a color that I call “oatmeal,” a light beige. We were all blending in, riding a train that took us nowhere.
The Lord was showing me in this dream that I preferred my own personal comfort rather than doing his will. I didn’t want to go anywhere I was not comfortable. I was avoiding interaction with people and missing the opportunities that God was making for me to share the gospel. I was simply hiding out on a train that was going nowhere.
In this vision of the three people wearing green T-shirts, I was standing with them, wearing a light grey shirt, but I was not feeling particularly comfortable with them. God does not expect us to clone ourselves to be like others to fit-in. Actually, He wants us to be different, to not be like everyone else. He is looking for us to be like him and to do what he did. He went to the outcasts, the tax collectors, the prostitutes, and the poor. He was not afraid to associate with people of little standing. He said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32
He wants us to do the same and to make ourselves available for his use to reach people who have different lifestyles and different values. I believe that the Lord is reminding me that the time is short. It is not time to hide out. We are all called to be his witnesses wherever we go. We are to be the Lord’s ambassadors, ready at all times to share the hope we have found in him.
The three people wearing green T-shirts were conforming to each another. It is only natural that most people want to be like others, to fit in and to be accepted.
But we are not to be as the world. We are to be the “called out ones.” The word that we use to describe ourselves as the church is the Greek word “ekklesia” which comes from the union of a prefix “ek” or “ex” which means “out of” or “from,” and a root word “kaleo,” which means “to call.” Therefore, the church represents people who are “the called out ones.” By definition, we are called out from the rest of the world. We are to be different; we are a chosen people.
We are told “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
This idea is contrary to human nature. It is actually contrary to all nature. I remember visiting the Islands of Chincoteague and Assateague off the coast of Virginia. There are small horses on these islands which came from a sinking Spanish ship centuries ago. Now these wild ponies are forced to swim each year from one island to the other, in order to examine the herd, take a head count, and attend to any medical needs. Each year they sell off several ponies to maintain a supportable population.
On this occasion, where the ponies were corralled, I noticed one young horse was driven away from the group. He wanted to be a part of the herd and had no understanding as to why he was suddenly ostracized. This bothered me so much to see him mistreated, kicked, bitten and chased off over and over again, with each of his attempts to be part of the group.
It was not till much later that I understood that he was a male and was not welcomed any longer. The stallion saw him as a threat to his leadership and wanted to separate him from the mares. Yet the young horse wanted to be near his mother and those of the herd that he regarded as family. This was a painful rejection.
In the world we live in, we may experience the very same thing when we become born again. Some people must leave their families behind when they come into the kingdom. Muslim women who pledge to follow the Lord, must take their children and run for their lives. If they are caught they will be killed. Some Jewish people who discover their Messiah is Jesus, are ostracized from their families. Some have seen their names written in the obituary column of a newspaper, declaring them to be “dead,” for as far as their family is concerned they are never to return.
Jesus told us that our family members would become our enemies. And to expect persecution. “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law.” Luke 12:51-53
It is because we are Christians, that we see the world in a different way. This makes us different from those we once called friends and family. When Jesus calls us to be his disciples, we are changed; our eyes are open to the truth. Our priorities change, our values change, and we no longer fit in with the rest of the world.
Jesus told his disciples: “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 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 15:19-21
In the vision, the green T-shirts represent the world, the earth, and the natural life. These are people who live as natural people, born of this earth, yet not born of God or of heaven.
The shirt that I wore was not white. White represents purity, holiness, righteousness and the Bride of Christ. I should be wearing white, for the blood of Jesus takes away our sin and purifies us from all unrighteousness. And the Lord is coming for his bride—a bride without spot or wrinkle.
But I believe that the Lord had me in grey to show me that there is still something that is not right. Yes, grey may mean wisdom and respect, but as my former dream from long ago showed, everyone around me, and including myself wore the color beige, (not white!). We were all on the train that was going nowhere.
Where am I compromising?
We are to separate from the world and its values. We are not to conform to the world or be overly consumed with the happenings around us. He wants us to know that the time is short and that we need to be more concerned about people’s spiritual health and salvation. We can be so consumed with the world around us, and concerned for people’s physical and emotional needs, that we overlook their spiritual needs. Without sharing the gospel, they may go to hell.
As I was praying for understanding about this vision, the Lord gave me the second vision, which I believe helps to more fully understand.
The Moth
As I was praying, I opened my eyes and suddenly a grey/beige moth fluttered right in front of me. I do not know what startled the moth, but it fluttered and then sped off. This was not a real moth, but a vision.
A moth is known only for one thing: it destroys by eating. Moths are known to eat holes in sweaters and anything made of wool. People who enjoy wearing natural fibers such as wool, have to store their fine woolens with moth balls, or else they would be destroyed.
Jesus speaks of the moth as a destructive force in several places in scripture. He associates this with the storing up of material possessions:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus speaks again:
“Sell your possessions, and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:33-34
Just as in my former post, “Feast or Fast,” there was a focus on how difficult it is for the wealthy to come into the kingdom of God. Jesus said that it was more difficult for the rich to enter heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.
If the Lord is showing me a moth, and in most passages it is indicating a form of judgment against those that hold onto material wealth, then this must be considered a warning. Here is another passage along the same lines:
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last day. Look! The wages you failed to pay your workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.” James 5:1-6
Again we see the moth, in a passage of judgment coming against those who store up wealth for themselves. I believe that the Lord is showing us that we need to allow him full access to every bit of our lives and every bit of our possessions. Remember we can take nothing with us, but if we hold on to our treasures here on this earth, then we will have no treasure in heaven. Our hearts will have been captured by material things and the Lord will be far from us. Jesus warns us:
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. Luke 12:15
Yet, the Lord is merciful, and he continues to hold out his hands to us, giving us the opportunity to turn to him with a repentant heart. I feel an urgency because the Lord may be coming soon. I feel it. We need to make sure that we are on the right side of judgment. The moth represents destruction and it warns us of God’s judgment. We must get right with him.
“For the moth will eat them like a garment, and the grub will eat them like wool. But my righteousness will be forever, And my salvation to all generations.” Isaiah 51:8
Thank you Jesus, that you are faithful!
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness!” 1 John 1:9 Hallelujah!
Please take heed. And if at all possible, please share this with others! God bless you!
