A Rotting Branch
Hi Friends,
Today is the day of salvation! “Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Psalm 95:7-8
I want to share four visions that the Lord gave to me this past Friday.
The Visions
The Gorilla
In the first vision, I saw a very large gorilla sitting on the ground, hiding behind trees and bushes in a jungle. I could see mere hints of his face and body through the small openings between the leaves of the trees and bushes.
The gorilla is a large and powerful animal who for the most part is considered a gentle creature. He is the leader and protector of his group. And when danger comes, he unleashes his fierce power to fight off an attack by a predator or anyone who challenges his leadership role in his group. He is constantly aware of what is going on around him.
In this vision, he is hiding behind the leaves. Is he fearful or simply cautious? What does he see? The gorilla is an animal, a beast of the jungle. As I prayed about these visions, I was reminded of this scripture: “But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.” 2 Peter 2:12
The men in this scripture that Peter was referring to were false teachers and false prophets. “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them –bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
Peter continues:
“For they mouth empty boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity– for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed onto them. Of them the proverbs are ture: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,’ and ‘A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.’” 2 Peter 2:18-22
Jude also spoke of false teachers and false prophets in a similar manner, describing them as unreasoning animals: “Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals–these are the very things that destroy them.” Jude 1:10
We know that in the last days there will be many false teachers and false prophets who lead people astray. It is so important to know the Bible and to understand it. You can see how powerfully the apostles oppose false teachers and false prophets. False doctrine is extremely damaging. People that are led astray can lose their salvation and spend eternity in hell. This is no small thing. We need to be like the gorilla in one way, watching out for these predators that would cause harm. And should they present themselves, we should be willing to call them out on their teaching, and warning others of the danger of listening to them.
In the Old Testament, false prophets were to be stone. False teachers are equally dangerous. We do not stone people these days, but we are to turn them out of the congregation. “Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 5:5
It is important to follow scripture on this account. And I am very glad to see that one church in our area did just that. We must see that by removing them from the congregation, we not only protect the congregation from these predators, we give them a chance to repent and return to the Lord. If we ignore what they are doing, then we will be held accountable for our negligence and the damage they do to the congregation. We will also be held accountable for the souls of these prophets and teachers who would fail to come to repentance if they felt accepted by the congregation and its leaders.
I have written on this topic before giving examples that I have personally experienced. If you would like to read more, here is a link to my post on the topic: “Be Alert to the Enemy’s Schemes.”
An Officer and a Bride
In the next vision, I saw a military officer in full dress uniform holding the hand of a woman dressed in her bridal gown and headpiece. He had a determined look on his face and was walking swiftly through the grass pulling the woman to keep up. She had to nearly run to stay in step.
The look on the face of the military officer showed that he was not pleased. The scene made me think of a father preparing to discipline his child. I asked myself, if the woman represents the Bride of Christ, the Church, then who is this man in military dress uniform? As an officer, he is dressed for a special occasion–like a wedding. Could he be the bridegroom who has found his bride to be unfaithful?
There are two scriptures that I would like to have you consider: “My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12
And: “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17
We must consider that Jesus is the bridegroom in this vision, and that he disciplines those whom he loves. Jesus is also the bridegroom in his parable of the ten virgins. In the story he invited all the virgins to the wedding banquet. But only those that were faithful and fully prepared to meet the bridegroom, were able to enter. The foolish virgins that were not prepared with oil in their lamps had to go and buy oil for themselves. When they returned, they found the door to be shut. They asked that the door be opened for them. But the bridegroom said to them, "Truly I say to you, I do not know you." Luke 13:27
All ten virgins represent the Church in the Lord’s parable. They were all expecting to meet the bridegroom, but only those who were ready with oil in their lamps, representing the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, we allowed to go in to the wedding banquet. The five foolish virgins are people who may call themselves Christians, but who have not been born of the Spirit. They do not have the Holy Spirit indwelling them. Therefore, when the bridegroom stated, “I do not know you,” he was saying “we do not have a genuine relationship.” Those people who have not been born again, may only have a “religious” notion of who God is. We might compare them to the Pharisees who could recite the scriptures, and did all the outward expressions of faith but who never heard the Lord’s voice, and did not understand his heart. “They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Matthew 15:8 (Isaiah 29:13)
The bride in the vision, could also be like the unfaithful of Israel who the Lord likened to an adulterous bride or adulterous wife, for they were continually leaving God for the worship of other “gods.” Today, the “other gods,” can be the things we consider more important than him. We can consider our spouse, child, job, pastime or hobby, more important than God. This is spiritual adultery.
Jesus said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:37-39
Jesus wants us to desire him more than we desire anything else. He wants us to place him first in all things. This may be hard for a lot of people, but we have to see things from an eternal perspective. “What does it profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul?” Mark 8:36
All the time spent perfecting your game, or all the time you spent training to win a championship or an award that leads to fame and fortune, can help you achieve that dream. But if you haven’t made any effort to seek the Lord, and to know him, then what do you have? You have nothing. The awards, the money, and the fame is meaningless in light of eternity.
Solomon, the wisest, most wealthy man in the world, considered all things and indulged himself with every self-gratifying pleasure, finally came to the realization that the fate of the wealthy and the poor is the same. We all will die. He wrote the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible. This is his final statement on what is truly important:
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Jesus spoke about judgment as well: “But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” Matthew 12:36
We must live our lives for the Lord, letting nothing come between ourselves and him.
Two Shopping Carts
In this vision, I was following behind a line of cars in a shopping center while having a thought that I wished that the cars moved a bit faster. Suddenly off to my left were two shopping carts on a narrow island in the parking lot. Rather than placing the carts in the corrals where they belonged, they were left on the small strip of ground.
I believe that this vision addresses our motives. In the vision, I was in a shopping center parking lot behind a string of cars that wanted to traverse the lot or wanted to find a parking spot. I was feeling impatient with the slow movement of cars. What was so important? Did I need to pick up something and hurry home? Why do we do what we do? Do we see our own motives?
Do we go shopping to get in and get out? Do we go shopping to kill time? Do we go shopping because we are bored? Do we go shopping because we enjoy shopping and we enjoy the things we bring home? In a nutshell: Do we shop out of need or out of desire?
What do the two shopping carts represent? I believe that the carts represent abundance, and material goods. The other day my husband and I went to the Costco, and went to the self-checkout with our purchase. It was a package of mushrooms. The friendly employee started joking with us saying “That’s it? Only one thing? How can you only buy one thing?” Well, we live so close to the Costco, it’s like going to the corner store.
But for the most part, we see people coming out of Costco with their carts weighed down with all kinds of housewares, foodstuffs, clothing and electronics or supplies. Where we live there is an abundance of material goods, food and household supplies. There is no lack.
What I believe the vision is about is over indulgence or gluttony. Our economy is based on gluttony. So much of our economy depends on people spending money on themselves. Advertisers create demand by enticing ads. We are encouraged to indulge ourselves in the latest styles, and the need to get the fastest and best electronic gadgets. People spend their money on everything that improves their self image, or makes them feel important. They shop for pleasure, they bring home their treasures and their delectable treats, and rich foods. They spend their money on every vitamin, health aid, and beauty product that promises to help them live longer and look younger. We buy things to impress others. We buy things for personal comfort, and spend money on our pleasures and pastimes. The products available and the services that are provided reflect our indulgences. There is no doubt that we are a hedonistic culture. God is not pleased with our gluttony. It is synonymous with idolatry, for we place our own comfort before God. Our bodies are more important, our health is more important, and our pastimes and pleasures are more important than God. No wonder our nation is in moral decline. No wonder our churches are not filled, and many close every year.
“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Ephesians 5:5
In the vision the two carts were placed on an island in the parking lot, rather than in a cart corral. What does this mean? Is it about laziness. Someone didn’t want to walk across the lot to put the cart where it belonged. Laziness is doing only what is necessary, and perhaps choosing not to do it at all! You may ask, why is any of this important?
Just as God is concerned for gluttony, he is also concerned for laziness. “Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.” Ezekiel 16:49
I believe that God is very concerned with the motives of our heart. We know that Sodom was also known for their sexual perversity, something that the Lord detests, But in the scripture above, we see that the sins of pride, gluttony, and laziness were on his list of offenses. We have to see that what is happening to our nation is judgment, for we can easily see “the height from which we have fallen.” (Revelation 2:5)
Our nation was once a predominantly Christian nation. What made our nation great was really our reliance on God and the Protestant work ethic. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
And: “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15
When our motivation is to please God, then we will see all our jobs and tasks as being important. We will do our jobs with excellence. However, if we complain, and only do what is the bare minimum, then our quality of work will be mediocre at best, and far less than it should have been. If we only work when someone is watching, then we cheat our employer out of a full day’s work. This is the same thing as stealing.
What does God think about laziness? In the Parable of the Talents, the servant who was given one talent and did nothing with it was considered by his master to be lazy: “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:26-30
Laziness is something the Lord detests. Let’s make every effort to remember that we should do everything as if unto the Lord!
The Dead Branch
In the last vision, I saw a good size branch of a tree lying on the ground in a forested area. It was about 4” in diameter and its coloration was patchy. The light and dark patches made me think of a sycamore tree. From the left and at a slightly higher elevation than where I stood, I could see someone’s arms reaching through the leaves taking hold of one end of the branch. As the person pulled on the branch it broke in two, for it had been rotting for quite some time. The person took the half branch away leaving the other half on the sloped ground.
The Lord speaks of branches and vines in a well known portion of scripture: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:5-7
In the vision, the branch that I saw was rotten, dead. It had dried or withered quite a while ago. Perhaps it came off in a storm and lay on the ground to rot. This branch was large, probably coming off of a tree. As the scripture states, a branch that does not remain on the vine (or tree in this case) would wither. It is then to be picked up and thrown into the fire and burned.
Of course the Lord’s example is given to us so that we will remain in him and bear the fruit that he would like to see in us: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
But the branch in the vision was on the ground detached and rotting. It gets picked up and taken away. I do not see where it is taken, however, we must assume that it will be thrown into the fire. This is a warning vision. Warning us to remain in him. If we are so caught up in our own lives and become separated from God either by choice or by neglect, then we too can be picked up and thrown into the fire.
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
I understand that these visions are serious and perhaps hard to take, but it is better to choose to change our ways right now while there is still time. But not a lot of time. In my last post, of a nine part vision, the last part showed an angel who declares, “It is time to go upstairs.” I know that the angel was telling us that the rapture could happen momentarily - or just simply soon.
Please take these visions seriously– Not one of us knows when the Lord will return for the Church. So let’s make a commitment right now, that we will reach out to our friends and families and share the love of God through his message of salvation.
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2:
Please share this post and the last post (It’s Time to Go Upstairs) with your friends and families.
God bless you all!
