No Fear of God
Hi Friends,
Today I am finally writing again! These past two weeks have been so busy, that it has been nearly impossible to write. I am sharing three very important visions, which concerns how we view things, how we view the time in which we live, and how we view the Lord. The first vision has two meanings, for us as individuals and as a nation.
The Visions
1. A Man on a Ladder
I saw a man standing on the very top rungs of a ladder that was in a large open area. The ladder stood alone, not propped against anything. The man on the ladder was reaching out towards a microwave oven that was resting on a swing-arm mount. The swing arm was not attached to anything, but seemingly suspended in the air.
This scene seems to make no sense. Why would a microwave be floating up so high above the floor? A microwave is for the convenience of quick cooking and quick heating. A microwave high above the ground is certainly not convenient. And why would a man want to climb a ladder to use a microwave? Shouldn’t danger alone be a deterrent to climbing a ladder in the middle of an open room? He was standing on the very top rungs and leaning out from the ladder to reach the microwave. This man appears to have no sense at all. Even the microwave was not stable. It was resting on a platform attached to a swing arm, that was attached to nothing!
I must say that as I thought of the meaning of this vision, I knew that it represented foolishness. Immediately I thought of this scripture: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12
In what does this man put his trust? In his ability to maintain his balance? Maybe—if he were a circus performer accustomed to heights and daring feats. Did he place his trust in his ability to hold onto the microwave for support—even when the swing arm is attached to nothing but thin air? Could it be that he is not in his right mind, and totally unaware of his predicament? Could it be that he is deceived?
Actually, I think that this is the point. There is deception in play, as well as foolishness. The vision I believe represents both of these: foolishness and deception.
Someone who engages in foolish behavior, is usually someone who lacks discernment, and does not see or appreciate the facts or the truth. Foolish decisions come from a lack of forethought and understanding that nearly every choice and every decision has ramifications.
Foolishness can be corrected, with training and maturity, and by seeking wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
But deception and trickery are another thing. Anyone can be deceived. Anyone can be tempted. Anyone can be led astray by their own hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9
We can make personal decisions which may seem right to us at the moment, but they can have devastating results. How do we avoid such great mistakes? We must look at the facts surrounding the circumstances, and be able to judge, discern and use wisdom to appreciate the facts. But If we are not careful, we may make decisions based on unproven facts, or facts that we believe to be true, but are not. When decisions are made based on faulty facts we may get the opposite result than the one we had desired.
Very often what drives a decision is the desire to have something, or to avoid something. Fear can enter into decision making as well. For example, the fear of getting sick can motivate someone to avoid people, stay home, wear masks, and wash and disinfect everything with which he comes in contact. And another example is the fear of losing one’s job, or one’s business. This can cause a panic to get back to work as soon as possible. Both of these are real fears. But the facts may be tainted, twisted, exaggerated or completely untrue.
The word tells us that “Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.” Proverbs 4:7
When there is a big decision to be made, it is best to bring it before the Lord.
Jesus provides a perfect example of using Godly wisdom to make right choices. When Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days, seeking the Father in prayer and fasting, the devil came at the end of those days to tempt him. The devil knew that Jesus would be hungry and more susceptible to temptation. But what the devil did not count on, was that fasting and seeking the Father had made his Spirit strong.
“The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’” Matthew 4:3-4
During the Lord’s fast, he chose to suppress his flesh, and spend those forty days in prayer as preparation for the Father’s work. Continual prayer and communion with the Father gave him the authority, and power to resist the temptations of the devil.
This is true for us as well. The disciples show us how prayer and communion with the Lord, prepares us for the work of God. When we spend time with the Lord and put down the desires of our flesh, we gain a stronger relationship with the Lord. And because of that relationship, we have spiritual power for miracles. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”......”What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it.” Acts 4:13, 16
So when we are tempted to do something foolish because of some fleshly desire, we need to stop and seek the Lord. “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 5:17
“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13
There is a second interpretation to this vision which is much more specific. It has to do with what is going on in the political world.
Once again, In the vision, the man was making a poor choice, endangering himself by climbing a tall ladder and trying to gain access to a microwave which was a distance from him and not attached to anything.
This is what I see:
The man on the ladder represents certain men in politics, who are climbing the “ladder of success.” The man in the vision is at the very top rungs of the ladder, so he represents the leaders at the very top of their political party holding the highest of positions. The man reaches out to the microwave which represents power. Every microwave’s default setting is for “High Power.” So these men want political power. They are looking to attain and control the highest office of the land. They can see that it is so close; it is within their grasp. But their desire for power is so strong, that they are not concerned with the risks. It seems very possible that their hunger for power may be their downfall.
The microwave is attached to a swing arm, but that swing arm is attached to nothing. The arm facilitates movement for the microwave, moving in several directions. The arm represents the will of God. It is God who decides who will have power and who will rule over the nation. There are several great examples in the Bible of God selecting leaders over a nation to carry out his will.
One example is the Persian King Cyrus. Isaiah gave his prophecy 150 years before it was fulfilled in 538 BC. Isaiah prophesied that a man named Cyrus would release the Jews from captivity and allow them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their city and their temple. God orchestrated all the events in the life of King Cyrus to fulfill the Lord’s purpose. “I am the Lord who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread our the earth by myself…..who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” and of the temple,”Let its foundations be laid.” ‘ “ Isaiah 44:24, 28
“This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: I will go before you and will level the mountains, I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” and Isaiah 45:1-3
It was God who created and named this man, Cyrus. The Lord placed him on the throne of Babylon and directed his heart to accomplish all that the Lord willed. How amazing that we have these things from history with dates, names and events recorded for us, so that many years later we can read, learn and appreciate what God does with and for our nations, using people to accomplish his will.
The Lord can raise up a leader like Cyrus. And he can bring down a leader like Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar boasted of his great kingdom, giving no thanks or acknowledgement to God. He said, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from the sky, “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoke: The kingdom has departed from you: and you shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field; you shall be made to eat grass as oxen; and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.”
The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar; and he was driven from me, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like bird’s claws.” Daniel 4:30-33
Then at the end of the seven years, Nebuchadnezzar’s mind returned to him, and he was restored to his kingdom. But his attitude had greatly changed:
“At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.”
“His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’ At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” Daniel 4:34-376
With regards to the current vision, I believe that the Lord is listening to the prayers of his people. We have been praying that the Lord will remove from office all those who are using their position for personal gain, and have no heart for our citizens. Those who have aligned themselves against God, and who practice deceit and wickedness will be removed. And those who are God fearing men and women who will do the will of the Lord will take their place.
The vision did not predict their fall, but only that their fall was likely. We the church must ALL PRAY for our nation. Just as we are told: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3
The swing arm I believe represents the Lord’s will. Just as a swing arm can pivot and change its direction, the Lord’s will can also change. Because God has given us free will, to act justly or wickedly, he will allow some latitude in his will to give us room to make mistakes and learn from them. Within his permissive will there may be room for us as a nation to decide the outcome of this election. If we choose to pray, to seek God, and to repent for our nation’s sins, the Lord may honor our prayers for our choice of leadership.
“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
If we do not pray, we may receive leadership that will bankrupt our nation economically and corrupt it morally. We will have rebellious children, excessive governmental control, violence in our streets, and impoverished inner cities. Please pray!
So let’s pray for our nation and its leaders. And let us take this vision on the personal level too. We need to trust in the Lord and seek him for wisdom and guidance in our decisions. We need to seek him to provide for our needs and to give us hope. Let us not fear the virus. Let us trust the Lord for our provision, our work, our jobs and our businesses. I know he is faithful. “And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
2. The Garment Bag
I saw a door with a long white garment bag hanging from a hook at the top of the door. As the door was slammed shut, the garment bag swung back and forth. The bag was white, but empty. It was meant to cover and protect a bridal gown. But there was no gown inside.
For me, there was no doubt as to what this vision represented. The Church is called “The Bride of Christ.” The bridal gown that is missing in the vision represents Christians, believers in Christ.
We know that the Lord will return one day, for his bride. He told his disciples that he was going to prepare a place for them. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:2-3
Just as a bride gets herself ready for the wedding, the Lord prepares his church, to make his bride ready. “...Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27
But the dress was missing-- And the door was slammed shut--
This I believe speaks of the rapture. At the moment that the trumpet call of God is sounded, there will be several things that happen within a seconds: “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53
And also: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
So in the vision, the dress is gone. The person to whom it belongs is gone. The sound of the trumpet has already been sounded. What remains is a door that has been slammed shut, and an empty garment bag.
This part of the vision I believe represents the fate of those who will be left behind at the time of the rapture. For believers that were not ready to meet the Lord in the air, the door was shut.
I have spoken often of the outcomes of the wise and foolish virgins in the Lord’s parable. The wise virgins who carried oil in their lamps, heard the bridegroom was coming and trimmed their lamps. When the bridegroom arrived, they went into the wedding supper, and the door was shut. The foolish virgins had lamps, but no oil, so as they went to buy oil, the bridegroom came. When they returned, they asked the Lord to open the door for them. “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’” Then the Lord finishes his parable with these words: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:12 & 13
The shut door in the vision warns us, the church, the bride of Christ, that we must live as though we were expecting him to return at any moment. The shut door is a very real possibility. Becoming distracted or enamored with things in the world will surely take us away from our devotion to God. If we become too occupied with life’s cares and concerns, or too distracted by things we own or things we do, we will not be ready when he comes. Just as scripture points out: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
There will be an appointed day. Jesus tells that no one knows the day or the hour, but only the Father. We cannot circle the date on our calendar to be prepared. We must simply live in a prepared state. Do you remember the minute men? They had to be ready at a moment’s notice, ready to ride, ready to fight, and ready to warn others that the foe was coming.
We need to warn our fellow church members, because five of the ten virgins were foolish, and not ready. (Notice that the previously mentioned vision is also about foolishness.) If we do not make the Lord a priority, we will not be prepared to meet him.
There is nothing else that I can say - just please take warning and know that he is coming. I believe that we are in the last days. There are two whole chapters devoted to what the Lord has said about the signs of the end of the age: Chapters 24 & 25 in Matthew. Reading these chapters may help you appreciate the times in which we live. If you haven’t given your life to the Lord Jesus, I believe It would be wise to do so right now. And make a promise to yourself and to the Lord that you will spending time with him every day. (I have included a prayer for salvation at the end of this post.)
3. The Balloon
This is a very serious vision: I saw a larger than life colored balloon which looked like Jesus with his arms outstretched. The balloon was high in the sky and just peeking out from the rooftop over a two story house. I could just see his bearded face, and his two outstretched arms.
Not only is this a vision showing us that he will return again, and soon, but also that he is watching over us. But what concerns me is sad. This vision shows how people think of the Lord. It grieves me to think that people are so calloused, so insensitive to God, that they can make fun of him. They make jokes about him, treat him with disrespect, and swear using his name. This is how the Pharisees treated him. They accused him of using the power of Beelzebub to perform his miracles. They accused him of blaspheme. And they despised him and rejected him. They spit on him and nailed him to a cross.
To some people a balloon in the image of Jesus floating in the sky is something to see and laugh at-- to make a joke about. There is no fear of God in their eyes.
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18
Pray for mercy for these people—Jesus prayed for them: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:24
Please pray for those who do not know the Lord, for if they did, they would not say the things they say, nor would they do the things they do. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45
In Summary
God wants us to use wisdom, because foolishness leads to sin and sin leads to death.
God is telling us once again to pray for our leaders, for it may very well be, that our prayers can affect our entire nation and the direction in which it will go.
God also wants us to know that we are living in the last days, and his return should always be in our minds and in our hearts. We must be ready for the Lord.
And please pray for the lost. ”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10
God is good, and he is patient and wants none to be lost, So the message is pray and pray again! “Pray without ceasing!” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
God bless you all!
A Prayer for Salvation
Dear Jesus, I know that you are God. You are a part of a trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit—three in one. I know that you died on a cross to pay the debt for my sins, and the sins of others. I have sinned in my thoughts, in the words I have spoken and the things that I have done and failed to do, I am truly sorry, and I ask for your forgiveness. I know that you rose from the dead and that you are in heaven. I ask that you send the Counselor, the Holy Spirit to come and live in me, and lead me into all truth. I ask that you write my name in the book of life. I ask that you help me to live my life for you, and give me the assurance that I am born again, never to return to my old ways. I am yours, I have been purchased by your precious blood, and I now belong to you. You are my Lord, my Savior and my God. I know that you will never leave me nor forsake me, so help me to be faithful to you. And I ask that you will keep me close to you all the days of my life. And I look forward to spending all eternity with you in heaven. Thank you Jesus! Amen!
