Faith, Persecution and Apostasy
Hi Friends,
We are seeing political and social events becoming more and more alarming. Things are pointing to difficult times ahead. It is time to cling to God and to all that is true, noble and praise worthy. It is time to know our God and to know our hearts:
“The heart is deceitful above all else. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9
And “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8
Do we have pure hearts, or are our hearts deceiving us? We must ask the Lord to reveal the truth. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
When we have doubt or unbelief, it is better to seek God for wisdom, words of knowledge and understanding. I have several visions to share with you today. Some, I believe, are pointing to end times, so we ask the Lord to put things in the proper perspective for us.
The Visions
The Tattoo
In the first vision, I saw a series of small blue vertical lines, ⅜” in height on a patch of skin. I believe that it is a tattoo, because of its color and located on the skin. A tattoo can be decorative or carry a message that means something special to the person who has it. Those are tattoos which people have chosen for themselves. However, there are also tattoos that are placed on animals to show ownership. My daughter raised rabbits years ago, and she had a tattooing device that she used on her rabbits’ ears. Years ago, I had two design clients, a Jewish man and his wife that survived the Holocaust. They showed me the tattoos that they received while in concentration camps. On their left forearm was a 7 or 8 digit number given by the German authorities to identify them.
In the vision, the small lines were uniform in width and length. Seeing the small vertical lines reminded me of the bar code on various items in stores. However the mark might be more like a brand or trademark, like they used on cattle years ago to show that a steer belonged to a certain ranch or company. In the Bible there are two different marks that are placed on people. The first is the mark of the beast, and the second is the seal placed on the foreheads of 144,000 people, from the twelve tribes of Israel.
I believe that the Lord is warning us about taking the mark of the beast. If you are not familiar with this term, the Bible tells us about it in Revelation. The Antichrist, “the man of lawlessness” or “the beast,” as he is called, is the ruler of the world during the Great Tribulation.
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” Revelation 13:16-18
I believe that this tattoo is a visual symbol of ownership. The Antichrist wants a visual means to identify those who bow down to him and from those who defy his right to rule.
However, if anyone chooses to align himself with the Antichrist, to avoid punishment or hardship, and is willing to submit to his authority, and accept the mark of the beast, he will receive from God eternal damnation:
“And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” Revelation 14:9-11
In Revelation, the churches were encouraged to overcome all the hardship and persecution that they faced continually.
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
Many people believe that the mark of the beast will be a computer chip placed under the skin. All personal records, health records, bank accounts, purchases, employment records, personal relationships, personal property and physical location can all be stored, updated, and available for tracking every individual. When there is only digital currency, it will be easy to control what a person is able to buy. They can control behavior, simply by withholding funds or blocking purchases of essential items as medicines, etc.
Already there are chips placed under the skin for tracking and identifying animals. And some people have opted to do the same for the convenience of accessing health data or personal records. Most likely, they will introduce these as “comforting controls,” for parents to know their children’s whereabouts, or for caregivers to to know the whereabouts of an Alzheimer patient or loved one. However, they may simply make it clear to everyone: “Take the mark and you are free to go about your business. Do not take the mark and you will not be allowed to go anywhere or buy or sell anything.”
Everyday, we are seeing the boldness of government leaders. Many openly state their intentions. At the World Government Summit 2022, (link to video clip - Glen TV, episode 185), held in Dubai, the globalist leaders simply announced their agenda, calling it “The New World Order.” Their boldness must come from a belief that their plans are already in motion and nothing will be able to stop them from achieving their goal of establishing a one world government. They consider it a reality, that everything is in order and progressing as they have planned.
What are we supposed to do? What power do we have?
We have to work with the Holy Spirit, and see things from his perspective. We do not want to undermine what God has established. We have been given wicked leaders because God has placed them in power.
“Every person is to submit to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” Romans 13:1
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, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-3
We are to pray for our leaders, and the leaders around the world, to have the fear of God, to renounce their evil ways, to turn to God and receive his salvation and a heart for their people. We pray that the Lord would direct their paths and lead them with wisdom and peace.
We also need to pray for peace, comfort, provision and for the salvation of all those who are subjects of these wicked leaders. And we pray for ourselves that we would be grounded and established in God’s love, in his word, his will and his ways. We pray that we would be close to him, understand his heart, and know his word, so that we would not be led astray, or be deceived. We look to him for he is our healer, our deliverer and our provider!
The Black Horse
In the next vision, I saw a black horse running. He came from behind and crossed in front of me and continued to the left. The black horse had a long black mane with many narrow golden spikes dispersed throughout.
As soon as I saw this vision, I thought of the black horse in the Book of Revelation, which did not appear until the third seal was opened.
“When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” Revelation 6:5-6
With each seal that was opened, a different horse emerged. The pale horse of the first seal represents conquest. The red horse of the second seal represents war, and this black horse of the third seal represents famine.
I believe that the black horse in my vision is simply a reminder that the time is drawing near. The current news stories are warning us of food shortages beginning to happen. We hear conversations of people making plans for difficult times, purchasing staples and goods and some investing in gold and silver.
Jesus warned us of events and circumstances that point to the end times, one of which is famine.
“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’
“Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah,” and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:4-14
Jesus taught his disciples about the Lord’s provision. And now so many years later, his words give us faith to believe. His words are eternal.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34
Of course, we can prepare for difficult times by buying staples to have on hand and to share with others. But it is most important that we seek the Lord, and trust him for all our needs.
There is a well known story in the Bible that concerns the preparation before a famine.
The story is of Joseph, Jacob’s son who received dreams and visions from God. He was envied and despised by his own brothers who sold him into slavery. But because of Joseph’s devotion and love for God, the Lord protected him even in difficult circumstances. The Lord used Joseph to save the nation of Egypt and his own immediate family from a terrible famine. By the Lord’s design, he was accused falsely and imprisoned, so that one day he would stand before Pharaoh to interpret his dream. God revealed to Joseph the meaning of the prophetic dream: Egypt was to have seven bountiful years, followed by seven years of drought.
When Pharaoh asked what should be done, Joseph told him to save and store the excess from the bountiful years so that when the seven years of drought came to Egypt, they would have enough food to sustain them.
The Lord may have us do the same. We may not be farmers, but we can ask the Lord how we should prepare. We want to be able to provide for our families, and have enough to share with others.
However, we must be careful not to become selfish in our preparations. Jesus told a parable that shows what happens when we become selfish and uncaring towards others.
“And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” ‘Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’”
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21
The rich man was selfish and died without salvation. Because of his greed, he was blinded to what is truly important - eternity. “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?” Mark 8:36
Joseph on the other hand, was faithful in his devotion to God in spite of hardship, and betrayal. The Lord had Joseph promoted to the highest position, under Pharaoh, because he was obedient and loyal to God.
In the wicked and difficult days that lie ahead, we need to seek the Lord for understanding and wisdom, for his provision and direction. This is not the time to be selfish and only concerned with our own family and our personal needs. We need to let others know that the Lord cares for them, and that they too should be ready for potential food shortages, and for his second coming.
Two Holes and a BB
In the third vision, I saw a plank of wood with two small holes, about an eighth of an inch in diameter. The holes were placed about 8” apart along the length of the plank. A small BB (also an eighth of an inch) rolled along the plank, coming from the left towards the two holes. As I prayed about this vision, I believed that the BB represents people in general. I asked the Lord what the two holes represented, and I believe that the first represents “Faith” and the second represents “Unbelief.”
The average person going through life, may be unaware of God, and know nothing about him. He may simply roll along doing his own thing.
But, at some point in time, he may hear the “good news,” the message of the gospel. If his heart and spirit are stirred, he may come to believe that Jesus is God and Lord, and that Jesus died on the cross for his sins and the sins of the world. He may truly believe that Jesus was raised to life on the third day, that the Bible is true and that he has salvation in no other name but in the name of Jesus.
If he remains true to his faith, he will find rest in this first hole, called Faith. However, if he is not fully grounded in the word of God and does guard his heart, the temptations of the world, and the influence of ungodly people can cause him to doubt his faith. When testing comes in the form of conflict and persecution, his faith may give way, and he may choose to conform to the world and its values. The Bible warns us:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” James 4:4
Agreeing with the world is the path of least resistance for many people. Those who wander away from the faith may find themselves in this place of Unbelief. Many people decide to stay here in unbelief, for they find comfort with others that have the same non-committed beliefs. They will not be confronted here, for most of the world resides in this place of unbelief.
However, fitting into the world, alienates himself from God. He is no longer sensitive to the wooing of the Holy Spirit. His heart becomes hard, and he eventually comes to the place of apostasy. Only prayer can change a person who has turned his back on God.
Jesus said:
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up, on the last day.” John 6:44
So never give up on your loved ones—Keep praying and believing that the Father will draw them back to Jesus, that they will repent and receive eternal life!
The Dove - Not a vision, but a sign
Yesterday, I was taking a walk in the courtyard. I love to pray and walk with the Lord early in the morning. As I walked around a lounge chair I saw lying on the ground, a beautiful dove. The bird was pure white, with its wings spread a bit and its beak pointing forward. I was shocked to see such a beautiful bird lying there, lifeless. I don’t know what killed the bird. There was a storm throughout the day and into the night–but there was no clue as to what happened. There was not even a drop of blood. The bird was so beautiful, I had to take a picture.
The dove reminded me of the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus “like a dove.” It happened at the time when Jesus came to the Jordan river to be baptized by John the Baptist.
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’
“Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:13-17
What a wonderful scene from the Bible. We see the Trinity: the Father’s voice from heaven, the Holy Spirit manifesting as a dove, and Jesus, the Son of God. How awesome!
The dove in the courtyard, I believe, is a sign. However, the Holy Spirit is not dead; he is eternal, everlasting, all powerful, omnipotent, all knowing and omnipresent. But the dove was dead. I believe this is a sign warning us again about apostasy. When we once believe and then depart from the faith, our spirit becomes dead to God. We have rejected him. We have chosen the world over God. We have chosen to be rebellious towards him. And without repentance, we will suffer not just the first death, but the second death as well.
“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
This sign of the lifeless dove, is a warning to all the faithful, to not trade our love and devotion to the Lord for anything else.
“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” Hebrews 10:26-27
We have to stand with those who have gone before us, those who have endured hardship for the name of Jesus.
“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:32-36
The Lord is able to keep you. So pray that your faith will be unshakable, that your love for him will be strong and everlasting and that you will remain true to him.
“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’) “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39
A Woman Driver
I must share this vision, because it goes along with the BB, and with the dove. The woman in the vision was in a car, driving from the right to the left. As I have stated many times before, when I see someone coming from the right and going to the left it often means that they are going the wrong way.
In this vision, the woman I believe represents “the church.” Those who profess to be Christians. This woman has tunnel vision, and sees only what is in her direct line of vision. I believe that this woman is going the wrong way, like so many churches today. The gospel is not preached in its entirety, salvation is cheap. There is no call to repentance and to renounce the sin that has ensnared them.
In “worldly churches,” people are not confronted with their sin, especially lifestyle sin. It is either tolerated, or ignored, simply because the leadership is not willing to confront anyone in the congregation, for fear of losing them. These churches are more concerned for their numbers, and their status, as the larger churches in certain denominations receive awards and “perks” for attaining size and monies given. They are working not for God and to build his kingdom, but they work for themselves, to achieve success in the eyes of their peers. Some build a name for themselves by writing books, hosting large conferences, and hobnobbing with the elite of the church. Some churches do not train and release people to build the kingdom of God, but they keep them bound to their own church, giving them a satellite church and a TV screen to carry the head pastor’s messages. They are all about control, and making a name for themselves. They are about making money and all the while “giving God the glory.” This is the sin of rebellion. We must remember that Sin begets sin.
“A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough.” Galatians 5:9
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:12-13
The Church should not compromise with the world. We are to be different. We are to be separate, and to be a light to the rest of the world. But if the Church fails in this, then it is no longer a genuine church. The complacent, compromised church is not the bride that the Lord is coming to take with him. The bride without spot or wrinkle is the faithful church for whom the Lord is coming.
The Lord spoke to the seven church in the Book of Revelation. Some were complacent. Some were lukewarm, and some had lost their first love. The Lord warned them that if they didn’t change that he would remove their lampstands. but he also encouraged each one by promising them eternal rewards for those who would overcome the temptations of the world and endure the hardship and persecutions without denying him.
I see many of the churches of today are like the Church in Sardis and Laodicea.
“I know you deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” Revelation 3:1-3
And:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich ; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:15-22
We must know the foundational truths of the Bible and how the church that we attend conforms or deviates from that truth. We are influenced by the teachers and preachers from whom we are taught. If the congregation or pastor does not conform to Biblical truth, then we are in danger of becoming like them. Compromising the word of God and embracing the world’s views, can only lead to harm. The “god” we serve and worship may be a “god” with the attributes of the world, rather than serving the one and only God as he truly is.
“I Am that I Am.” Exodus 3:14
And:
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6
Thanks for reading. I hope you will take these warnings to heart, for God wants none to be lost. We are his and he is ours. But we must know and worship God in truth.
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” John 4:23
Be blessed! Love to you all!
