Hi Friends,

I spent the last week studying, praying and seeking God on a topic concerning the end times.  I was looking for clarification on some point.  But this morning after spending an entire week praying and writing about the topic and what I believe about it, the Lord told me not to post it.  So here I am sharing about the visions that he gave me over the course of the week instead.  “Obedience is better than sacrifice.”  Obedience is everything to God.

I do want to share the visions that I have been given, but before I do, I would like to share a passage from the last pages in the Book of Revelation:

“Then he told me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.  Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.”  Revelation 22:10-11

These words for me are amazing, but I believe that I understand.  As we see the wicked prosper in our nation, we are to continue to pray for changed hearts.  But there will come a time when God will harden their hearts and there will be no more opportunity to change.  God did this to Pharaoh.  He gave him room to change his mind.  But after he continued to harden his heart toward Moses and the Israelites, God hardened Pharaoh's heart:

“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said to Moses.”  Exodus 9:12

Because the time is near, we should not be surprised that wickedness will increase.  I hope that you all prepare yourselves for the troubles that lies ahead.  We need to know the word of God and take comfort under the shelter of his wings.  I cannot share what the Lord has shown me, for I am not to post what I had written.  So I ask you to please read the book of Revelation for yourself.  Read for understanding.  Read and study, not adding to the word nor taking anything away from the word.  Be careful how you listen.  Do not get involved in controversies, and teachings that are questionable.  Be alert, be in the word of God and in his presence.  Guard your heart.  Be careful who you choose to listen to on the internet. There are false teachers, and false prophets.  And there is ample opportunity for the believer to be led astray.

So on that note, I thought I would share the visions the Lord has given me.

The Clear Glass, Pitcher and Water

In this vision, I saw a clear glass tumbler and two hands holding a clear glass pitcher filled with water.  The hands poured water into the glass until it was full.

I believe that this vision was given to me, so that I would know that the Lord would make the scriptures perfectly clear.  We are told by the Lord that no one knows the day or the hour of his coming, but only the Father knows.  That will remain a secret.  But it says in his word:  

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know.”  Jeremiah 33:3

“And if any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God who gives generously without finding fault.”  James 1:5

Perhaps you have a question for the Lord.  Call to him.  He will answer you and make it clear, so that you can understand.  Hallelujah he wants to share his heart with us.  He wants us to talk with him and sit at his feet to learn from him.

A Bicycle

I saw a bicycle in front of a house leaning up against the railing and steps that led to the front door.  I heard myself propose a question - “Does the bicycle have training wheels?”

The bicycle is a means of transportation, getting one from one place to another.  While in prayer, I was asking the Lord for understanding. I was looking to arrive at some conclusion.  The bicycle was leaning on the railing and steps of a house.  The purpose of a railing is to provide support and a safety boundary to keep one from falling off one level to the level below.  In the vision, I believe that  the railing provides a boundary of what to study: Biblical or extra-Biblical material.

The steps that go from the walk to the door are incremental.  One truth creates the foundation for another truth.  The Bible is the word of God.  It provides a strong foundation, because it is truth.

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”   2 Timothy 3:14-17    

In this passage, it is Paul an apostle who certifies that Timothy knows “the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Timothy was blessed to have a mother that taught him the scriptures from infancy.  We may or may not be so fortunate.  But in our day, most people can read, but not all people have access to a Bible, or care to read it for themselves.  Many simply rely on their church leaders to provide the instruction during a Sunday service.  But If we do not know the scriptures, or if our faith is not based on the teachings of scripture, then we can be easily led astray. 

The Lord warned us of shepherds who care nothing for the flock, and false teachers and prophets who will infiltrate the church to cause harm.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?   Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”   Matthew 7:15-20

In the vision, the door represents an opportunity, and a choice.  We can choose to open the door to the Lord and enter into an abundant life of peace, joy and the Holy Spirit. Or we can choose to avoid that door and find a door more to our liking.  But other doors can lead to confusion, bondage and darkness.  

Eve, in the garden of Eden was taken captive and deceived by the notion of having the knowledge of good and evil and being like God.  There are many, even in my own family who have opened a door to false religions, astrology, divination and the occult.  They are terribly deceived.  We must be careful which doors we choose to open.  Many get ensnared by reading extra-Biblical material, and have been taken captive by perverted doctrine and false teachings.

Hence, in the vision, I asked, “Does this bicycle have training wheels?”  We have to be careful whose training and instruction we are under.  The Bible can be twisted and interpreted by people who want to mislead others for their own purposes.

Just this past winter, I wrote on this topic, giving an example of a couple who were  teaching a Sunday school class for the express purpose of drawing people away from the church.  They wanted to start a church of their own, so they would quietly invite them to a special Friday night gathering in a home where they would study the word of God.  It sounded like an ordinary small group gathering and Bible study.  My friend invited me to attend the meeting so I did.  They seemed very interested in teaching the Bible, but I soon discovered that what they were so excited to teach was that “Christians were doing it all wrong!  They were supposed to be following Old Testament law!”  They were so convinced that they were using the scriptures to “prove” their point of view.  I tried to refute their beliefs with scripture, but I could see that the entire room had embraced this notion.  So I took my belongings and left.  Fortunately, my friend’s church found out about this couple and took action to stop it.  Hallelujah!  

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 

The house in the vision can be a house such as this, a house of error.  We are living in times where deceitfulness is rampant.  The devil is doing his best to cause division, discord and sin.  It is the knowledge of the word of God that is our defense against all lies of the enemy.  For lies lead to bondage, but truth sets us free.

A Man and A Woman

In the next vision, I saw an older couple, a man and a woman, looking down at the ground.  They were standing in the middle of a broad grassy area between the lanes on an interstate highway.  I thought what are they looking at?  My first thought was that they could have lost a loved one in an accident at that location, and they were there to mourn.  They did not speak.  They did not look around, they just stood and looked down. Perhaps they were numb with sadness, or depression. They did not move. They were standing between two roads going in opposite directions.  Where were they to go from here?

I thought how many people have given up?  How many people are resigned to mediocrity?  How many people have no hope and no purpose in life?  

These two people represent the lost souls around us.  They don’t even know they are lost.  They don’t realize that they were created to serve God, and that if they simply called to him, he would answer them.  These people need hope.  They need peace.  And they need the Lord.   It is our job to reach people, to share the gospel, and to teach them about God.  It is about fulfilling the great commission:

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20

I believe that the Lord gave me this vision this week, so that I would remember that within the reading audience, are lost people who have no idea who the Lord is.  They may be seekers who have never heard the full gospel message.  So we should always consider how we speak of the Lord, and how our lives reflect on him.  Do we make the gospel attractive to people or are they glad to see us leave?  It is a terrible thing to learn that we have become critical, or hypocritical by our actions towards others.

“For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Romans 2:24

A Cat, a Piano and a Television

In this vision, I was sitting on the floor when suddenly a cat sprang up in front of me, jumping onto the piano.  My eyes followed the cat, and I saw that my piano was draped in a purple fabric.  I saw that my television was also draped in purple.  Both the piano and the television were pulled away from the wall, and out into the room.    

I realized that the Lord wanted me to make a greater commitment.  He wanted me to fast television and other distractions. Then, I remembered mentioning to a prayer partner that a woman evangelist came to our church years ago.  She spent the entire month of October in prayer 8-10 hours every day.  I was so impressed at the time, I thought, well maybe I could do half of that.  I could try to spend four hours every day.  So, maybe now is a good time.  

If we are sincere about going deeper with God, or hearing his voice or gaining understanding or wisdom about a topic in scripture, then fasting, and devoting oneself to prayer is a good idea. 

A White Dog

Then on Saturday, last week I had a vision of a small white dog with cropped hair. Underneath the fur was a dark spot that could only be seen when the hair was cropped.  My friend has a dog like this whose spot is only seen when he gets soaking wet or when he has a recent hair cut.

When I saw this dog in the vision, I knew that the Lord was revealing something that had been hidden.  But just as we always pray, “Whatever is hidden in darkness, come to the light in the name of Jesus!” God will reveal what is hidden.  In my quest for understanding, I knew that the Lord was revealing something.  I believe that it concerns a motive, a dark motive.  For whatever has been hidden has been exposed.  Some teachings are meant to undermine a person’s faith.  Some teachings cause people to become more worldly, and more prone to temptation and sin.  Some teachings take the focus off of what is truly important and shift the focus to something that is extraneous, or unimportant. 

The dark patch is hiding behind the white fur.  There are many dark motives that hide behind things that appear to be good.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”  Colossians 2:8

A Whisk Broom  

After the vision of the dog, I had a second vision.  I saw a whisk broom that was plastic, with yellow bristles and a black handle.  It was being shoved through a keyhole.  Hard to believe but it made it through, by becoming like a semi-liquid. 

This vision came five days after I had begun praying, reading and writing regarding the topic.  I believe that the broom represents my efforts to organize, consolidate, review and edit.  I wanted to present my findings in a concise and clear fashion so that it was readable and well documented.  But I believe that the Lord was taking the broom away saying that I was not ready to post.  I believe that he wants me to spend more time with him and more time in the word.  We cannot force things to work on our schedule.  God will not fit into a box, and he goes by his own schedule.  That is why I am sharing these visions rather than posting what I had already prepared.  God values obedience.  He is our maker, our redeemer, our all in all.  He is Lord over all.  He is Lord over my life, my activities, my time, my minutes.  He is Lord over all, and we belong to him.  

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

I missed my posting last week because I spent the entire week trying to understand and write about this particular element regarding the end-times.  I wanted to hold to a schedule, to post at certain intervals.  I was like Saul, who feared his army would abandon him if Samuel didn’t come on time.  So he offered the evening sacrifice rather than doing what he was told to do –to wait for Samuel.

“And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

 as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.’

Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.’”  1 Samuel 15:22-24

We cannot put our wills and our agenda ahead of God’s.  We cannot worry about what others think or say about us.  We cannot fear others, “What will they think?  What will they say?” Rather we are to fear God.  “What does he desire?  What will please him?”  Looking to please man rather than God is rebellion. 

The Lord wants obedience rather than sacrifice. He comes first!

“....choose this day whom you will serve….But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord!”  Joshua 24:14

Sand

This last vision I received this morning.  I saw a fist that that was held with the fingers facing downward, the thumb facing left and the closed palm facing towards me.  Inside the closed fist was sand.  Someone or something blew into the fist so that the sand came out like a blast, or spray with the sand going forward and outward.

The sand in the fist reminded me of an hourglass.  Because of the narrow opening the sand falls a few grains at a time by gravity.  It  takes a full hour to drain the top chamber of sand into the lower chamber.  It is designed and filled initially so that it will flow in a steady stream and only going as fast as the narrow opening allows.

The fist, held the sand, but the blowing of air through the fist could change the speed.  Both variables, the size of the opening in the fist and the force of the air, by amount, speed and pressure are all controlled by the individual.  I believe that the fist is the Lord’s.  He wants me to know that he controls all variables.  I am to go along with whatever he does.  Fast, slow, open or shut.  His ways are right. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:8-11

In Summary

The Lord wants us to abide in him.  To realize that we can do nothing without him.  He asks us to put him first, to wait upon him. We need to have patience, for God will reveal things in his own timing.  We should not run ahead or become impatient like Saul. For when he became impatient, he didn’t wait for Samuel the prophet but took matters into his own hands.  It cost him the anointing and the presence of God.  A demon came to torment him and when he could no longer hear from God, he went to the witch of Endor and opened a door that he should never have opened.  All because he was impatient, and feared man rather than God.

We need to wait on the Lord.  As we spend time alone with him, not rushing him, not with our own agenda, we will be able to understand his heart and hear his voice.  A couple of months ago, the Lord gave me a message as I was praying.  He said, “Do me a favor, take off your watch.”  We need to be divorced of time, when we come to God.  He is the creator of the universe, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

“Do not be in a hurry to leave the king's presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases.”  Ecclesiastes 8:3  

Well, I learned something.  I hope you did as well.  Please share this post, and get into the word of God today.  Ask the Lord to speak to you.  Open the pages and read.  God is good.  He is faithful.  You can trust him.  Hallelujah!  Praise his holy name!