Hi Friends,

Today I have two visions to share with you.  They work together to speak of a very serious topic– Apostasy, or the falling away from the faith.  Please read this in its entirety, even if you have to break and come back.  This is too important to let it go.

The Visions

A Man Carrying a Woman

In this vision, I saw a man wearing a white cowboy hat carrying a woman in his arms.  Her head is dropped back as if she is unconscious, or dead.  The woman is wearing a pair of red shoes.  Her toes are pointing down.  I heard a loud voice declare, “Wake up!”

What I believe the vision means

The man that carries the woman wears a white cowboy hat, because he is a “good guy.”  He is acting as a hero, carrying the woman to safety.  I do not see a worried or a troubled expression on his face.  He is just carrying her without any particular emotion.

The woman is unconscious so she is unaware that she is being carried. The red shoes are a sign that she may have been doing something sinful because red can represent sin.  Shoes usually represent a person’s walk, whether a walk with God or a walk far from him.

The loud voice that shouts “Wake up!”, I believe, is God’s voice, speaking to the one who is unconscious. 

One particular scripture came to mind as I prayed about this vision. In the book of Revelation, John records the words of the Lord speaking to him.

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write:  ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.  Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.  The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life.  I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:1-6

This scripture tells us that within the church of Sardis there are two basic groups of people: a few who have not soiled their garments, and the rest whose works are not complete in his sight.  The few, who the Lord finds worthy, will walk with him in white.  The others the Lord says of them, “You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” 

The woman represents the church of today.  We have churches that have compromised with the world.  Some churches have modified their beliefs to appeal to a greater number of people.  These churches are driven by numbers.  Their model for success is to be exciting, “relevant” and dynamic.  A place where people feel accepted and can make friends with others like themselves.  These churches hope to impress people with their activities, their friendly, all-inclusive, social atmosphere.  In order to appeal to more people, they try to “brand” their church to coincide with the values of the world.

Some churches believe that people want a church that is relevant to them and accommodates their lifestyle choices.  They believe that people are looking for a church that does not bring conviction of sin, for they believe that people will be offended and leave. They are not following the Lord’s example, for he was willing to offend some to save others.  

Some churches believe that they need “killer worship,” coffee, and a relaxed social ambiance in order to attract members.  Some churches would rather compete for members than share the gospel with those who do not know the Lord.  Unfortunately some churches are run like businesses and are most concerned about profit rather than winning souls and equipping the  saints.

The church at Sardis had a reputation for being “alive,” but the Lord found it to be dead, or about to die.  The woman in the vision certainly looked like she was dead or was about to die.  She represents the church that is spiritually dead.  

Jesus encountered people. Some, would professed a desire to follow him, and others he would call, but they made many excuses.

“As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”  To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”  And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead.  But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”  Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”  Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:57-62

Jesus knows our hearts.  He knows whose faith is unwavering and whose faith is easily shaken.  Even so, he wants to give everyone a chance to know him and follow him.  

“A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.”  Isaiah 42:3

The Lord is patient.  He will not casually dismiss these churches, because within them can be true believers.  He does not want to uproot the good seed that is planted.  This can be seen with the Lord’s parable of the weeds.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.  When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

“‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”  Matthew 13:24-30

The Lord will not uproot the wheat, or put out a smoldering wick, but he will bring warning to the churches who need to change. 

“Remember, then, what you received and heard.  Keep it, and repent.  If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”  Revelation 3:3  

The Lord could not be more serious.  He wants the church who is off track to get back on track by repenting, and waking up to his demands to be holy, and faithful to the word of God.  

To another church, the church in Ephesus, John recorded Jesus’ words:

“You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.   But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.   Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.  If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”  Revelation 2:3-5

The things in the world can compete with our devotion to God. The woman in the vision was wearing red shoes which is an indication that she was enticed to follow the world and do what the world was doing.  This is a dangerous place to be for Christians.  Too many are not aware that the world and its values oppose God himself. 

“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.“  James 4:4

Some churches teach that apostasy is not possible, believing in the notion that “once saved, always saved.” But this teaching is not Biblical.  Jesus spoke about falling away from the faith as did the other apostles: (Paul, Peter, John, James, and Jude).  No where in scripture is taught the idea that you can have salvation and live a life contrary to him.  Yet people continue to believe that their loved one is “saved,” even though every life choice that he or she makes, goes against the character of God and his teachings.   How is that possible?  

This next vision’s focus  is on apostasy, and will explain further.

The Turning Cars

In this vision, I was in the backseat of a car, with someone else driving.  I happened to look out the rear view window and see the two cars that were following us, turn at the intersection that we had just passed.  I felt alarmed, that they had just made a terrible mistake.

What the vision means.  

The first scripture that came to mind was this:

“Follow me as I follow Christ.”  1 Corinthians 11:1

These are words from the apostle Paul.  He was leading by example, trying to encourage others to not give up, but to continue in “fighting the good fight of faith.”  Throughout Paul’s ministry, he experienced much suffering for the name of Jesus, but  it did not stop him.  He knew that to follow the Lord was not going to be an easy task, but it was worth the cost.  Because of the great revelation of Christ Jesus, everything that he had valued before was now worthless. Knowing God and following him was all that was important.

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”  Philippians 3:7-11

Years ago, after I was delivered and baptized in the Holy Spirit, the Lord gave me several dreams and visions that had a recurring message.  He showed me that I would always be going against the flow.  The crowds would be going one direction and I would be making my way through them in the opposite direction.  Most people would rather follow the crowd than to go it alone. Most people want to avoid conflict and simply do whatever everyone else is doing.  But that is not the Christian life.

 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

In the vision, I was  in the car with someone else driving.  I believe that the driver is the Lord, for there have been many times that I have told people that they need to give the Lord the steering wheel and be willing to sit in the back seat.  This vision shows just that.

On another occasion, while praying, the Lord gave me a vision of a man dancing with a woman.  I heard a voice say, “Would  you let me lead?”  I was suddenly taken aback!  I didn’t realize that I was not listening to God’s direction, but going my own way instead.  We have very strong wills, and we have habits and ways of doing things that seem right but they are not!

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9 

  Now, going back to the vision, the drivers of the two cars that turned off the road, decided to change their minds and not follow. It wasn’t me they were following, but the Lord.  By turning away, they were choosing to not follow him. 

What causes someone to make a change like this?  There must be something that takes precedence over the Lord.  In the last post, I spoke of  Lot’s wife.  It seems that she did not appreciate being pulled by the hand to leave her town, her friends, her home, and all her possessions.  By looking back, she displeased and dishonored God.  He had sent his angels to rescue her and she did not appreciate it.

People are like Lot’s wife even today.  They are happy with their sports and pastimes on the weekend and think, “Why should I go to church?  Why should I go to a small group?  I already have my friends that I like to hang with.  Why does ____ make such a big deal out of “serving God?”  Don’t they realize that I don’t want to go. It’s boring.”
These people have never tasted and seen that the Lord is good.  They have never felt his presence.  They have never seen the Lord work in their lives.  They have never experienced him or known him as a friend.  But someday, we hope and pray that they will find him.

What about those that have tasted the goodness of God?  What about those who have experienced his presence and then walk away?  Why does this happen?

During the Covid lockdowns we saw habits change.  People became used to going to church online.  They came to like staying home while watching the service, making their own coffee, in their pajamas.  But after Covid, many have never returned.  This served to allow people to comfortably fall away from the faith.  

Sometimes a change in jobs or a new pastime can turn a believer into a “unchurched Christian.”  With others it may be a new love in their life that competes for their time and attention. Eventually their new love displaces their devotion to God.  This happened to a daughter of a friend of mine.

We were praying for my friend’s daughter to get re-married, for that was her daughter’s greatest wish.  So we prayed for her to find a God-fearing man.  However at a wedding, she met an old friend and suddenly they were dating.  Even though he was not saved, she didn’t mind.  We prayed that she would share her faith with him and bring him to church.  But instead, she said nothing and stopped going to church herself.  Now that she is married, neither of them go to church.  My friend believed that her daughter was saved because she had always professed to know the Lord and love him, but we can see by her actions that she is not walking with him now.  

It is possible that sometime in the future, she may turn back to him.  But if the Lord were to come today, would she be ready?  Is her lamp full of oil, or would she have to go buy some?  Would the door be shut upon her return? What would the Bridegroom say, if she asked him to open the door for her? Might his response be like that in the parable of the ten virgins? “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.”  (Matthew 25:12)

She has, knowingly or unknowingly placed greater importance on pleasing her spouse, than on pleasing the Lord. 

“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 anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.”  Matthew 10:37

It is clear in this passage of scripture that we cannot put our loved ones ahead of God.  Nor can we put anyone or anything else before God.  This is idolatry.  What we idolize may not be made from gold, wood or stone, but these are idols nonetheless.  If we consider money, our careers, our families or our indulgences more important than God, then we are not worthy of him.  We then forfeit our salvation, heaven and the presence of God.

Jesus also warned us that everyone that follows him will be persecuted.  Here in the United States we have enjoyed religious freedom for some time, but the political climate is changing and from what I believe the Lord is showing me, persecution for our faith is just around the corner.  This is not the time to compromise, and take a vacation from the body of Christ.  We need to be built up in our most holy faith, which will only happen when we make the effort to do so.

“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: 7-14

Jesus knows that persecution brings the test of faith.  So he prayed for his disciples that their faith would not fail.  And he continues to intercede for us today.

“But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  Luke 22:32

Jesus knew that Simon Peter would deny him three times, but that he would return.  He  also prayed for his disciples and those who would come to believe through their message, that is us!

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.  My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”   John 17:15-21

The Lord tells us that there will be a great apostasy in the last days.  He speaks of it as the falling away or the rebellion. (Greek - apostasia)

“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.”  Matthew 24:10-11 

Today we have many churches whose doctrine and practices accommodate sin.  Some denominations ordain ministers and pastors who openly practice a sinful lifestyle. They place these people in leadership roles over their churches. To tolerate and promote sin is considered rebellion to God.  Through the acceptance of sin, and the accommodation of sinful lifestyles they have departed from true faith. If they no longer follow the word of God, then who are they worshiping? 

One of the names of Jesus is “The Word”

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made, that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”  John 1:1-5  

If they do not follow the Word of God, have they accepted “the doctrine of demons,” as Paul puts forth?

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”  1 Timothy 4:1-3

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths,”    2 Timothy 4:3-4

Apostasy by way of false teachers and false doctrine is common today.  Compromising and/or distorting the truth of God’s word does much harm to a Christian’s faith.  That is why everyone needs to know the word of God for themselves.  Not everyone who stands behind the pulpit is a man of God.  Ministers, teachers, speakers, online prophets, and television evangelists may be promoting a God of their own choosing.  If they depart from scripture or twist scripture to suit their personal beliefs, then they do not represent God.

So please read and study the Bible so that you will discern a lie when presented as a truth.  We are also told to test the spirits, to see if they are from God.  If you have been born again, born of the Spirit of God, then you have a tutor.  He is the Holy Spirit.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.  He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.  All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”  John 16:13-15

I hope you have taken this message to heart.  Please share it with those you love and those who need to be aware.  My prayer is that God will bless you and keep you by His great power, His word, and with the Holy Spirit!