Beautiful Feet Bring Good News
Hi Everyone,
Today I am sharing a vision that the Lord gave me concerning the commissioning of the Church. As followers of Christ Jesus, we are to follow him, doing what he did in obedience to his word.
The Vision - The Feet
In this vision I saw a young woman’s feet. They were exceptionally beautiful. There was someone attending to her feet, adorning them with a ring placed on the toe. As with many visions I receive, the Lord brought a scripture to mind:
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7
This vision shows the feet of a young woman. If the young woman in the vision represents the Church which is the bride of Christ, and the feet in the vision represent our walk with the Lord, then the vision primarily concerns the Church and our faithfulness in following him.
Two Dancers
Years ago, I remember a vision the Lord gave me showing a man and a woman dancing together. She had a long gown and he was dressed in formal attire. I heard the Lord’s voice asking me, “Will you let me lead?”
There was no doubt what he meant by that. I was going my own way and doing my own thing. And I was supposed to be following him. If two people are to dance together then one has to lead and the other has to follow. If two dance together often, they develop an ability to move as one, becoming unified, flowing beautifully, and perfectly synchronized in their movements.
This is what the Bible describes as unity in the Spirit:
“For in him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28
In the vision, I saw someone attending or preparing the feet, to make them beautiful. So the woman, as the Bride of Christ, is to make herself beautiful for her bridegroom, the Lord. The word of God tells us that not only does she prepare herself for the Lord, but He prepares her for himself as well.
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Revelation 19:7-8
As the bride, makes herself ready, the Lord prepares his church for himself.
“...just as 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
The idea of preparing the bride is actually three-fold: first there is what we do to prepare ourselves for His return, and secondly what he has already done by way of the cross, and thirdly, we have the continuing work of the Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth and keeps our feet on the narrow path leading to eternal life with God.
On an evening near the time of the Lord’s betrayal into the hands of evil men, Jesus got up from dinner and began to wash his disciples’ feet. Peter was confused by the Lord’s actions because he believed that it was inappropriate for the Lord to humble himself to wash his feet. But Jesus said to Peter:
“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” John 13:8
Jesus took the posture of a servant when he washed their feet. It was demonstrating humility for his disciples to do the same. Secondly, he wanted them to appreciate that just as he washed their feet, and removed the dirt, the death that he would soon suffer on the cross would cleanse them from the stains of sin that marred their souls. He also demonstrated the willingness to serve and be obedient to his Father’s will. The Lord expects us to do as he has done.
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Philippians 2:7-10
So Jesus instructed them to follow his example:
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:14-17
A Ring
In the vision, in preparation, or as adornment, there was a ring placed on the woman’s foot. The Lord considers believers to be betrothed to him, awaiting the wedding supper of the Lamb, which is to come upon his return. In our western culture, an engagement ring is given to the bride to wear on her hand as a pledge of faithfulness and love, and as a promise of marriage. But the ring being on the foot can instead be a sign of ownership.
“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
A ring can also be a sign of authority, as a signet ring:
“’On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord,’ and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” Haggai 2:23
Jesus gives us his authority to do his will:
“And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:29-30
The ring placed on the foot, I believe also represents a commissioning to share the gospel of the kingdom of God.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
So the ring represents a relationship that is based on faith and promise as an engagement ring, as well as a relationship that is based on ownership, a toe ring. And now we see that because of these relationships, we are commissioned and given authority to preach the gospel, to make disciples and perform miracles, signs and wonders. Mark records this commissioning with details concerning authority.
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:15-18
Luke records this account of the commissioning of the disciples, with the added instruction of waiting in Jerusalem for the anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit to fall upon them, which took place on the Feast of Pentecost several days later.
“Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:44-48
So let’s return to the first scripture:
“‘How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” Isaiah 52:7
The good news in the scripture above is the gospel. It is the proclamation of peace between man and God made possible by the Lord’s sacrificial death which atones for all sin: past, present and future. When we bring the good tidings of salvation for all who will believe, we declare the magnificence and love of our God. Our God reigns! So beautiful are the feet of those who are commissioned by the Lord and follow in his steps, bringing good news of salvation to all people!
So He asks us a simply question:
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
That should be our response. The Lord wants us to be his volunteers, and to go wherever he sends us.
Are You Coming?
Just a few years ago, I shared a vision of a circuit riding preacher on horseback. In the vision, this 19th century man wore a heavy wool coat, a tall hat, leather boots and thick sideburns. He turned around on his saddle and looked me directly in the eyes and asked, “Are you coming?”
I knew that he was speaking directly to me, so I responded with, “Yes Lord.”
But so far, I have no idea where, and how this is to happen. I asked the Lord if he wanted me to be a chaplain in a hospital or nursing home going from room to room, and from one location to another. But that was not it. I asked if he wanted me to go back to school and get a divinity degree or become a pastor. But that was not it either. I thought to be a circuit riding preacher, I must go from one group of believers to another. So I thought, “Do you want me to belong to several churches and participate everyday of the week?” I could go from a Bible study to a prayer group, to a worship night, to a small home group, and just pray with anyone who needs healing and salvation. I even thought of starting a home church without any other credentials except “disciple of Jesus.” Well, so far, I have heard from the Lord on all other matters, but there are still these questions that I am waiting for answers.
It may be that God just wants us to say “Yes,” no matter where or when or how he sends us. We are to simply be ready. Regarding the same subject, this is what Paul told Timothy:
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4
So for now, I believe that by writing this blog about the visions that the Lord shows me, that I am fulfilling his desire and plan for my life. I try to encourage people to read, to understand and to share God’s heart, his promises and his commands found in scripture. I hope that by reading all will come to know the Lord in a deeper way, and be able to discern truth from falsehood. I pray that all become more devoted to the Lord and to his word. I hope also that people will see the importance of true worship and spending time in intimate prayer, in anticipation of hearing his voice.
I pray that the great commission will be embraced by all Christians. And that believers will not become sidetracked or distracted like the Levite who was too busy to stop and help someone in need. We should become like the good Samaritan who out of love and concern for his fellow man, took pity on a wounded man and helped care for him. Let’s not make excuses, let’s make disciples of all people! Everyone needs to know the Lord!
God bless you all! Keep looking up, for the Lord could return at any moment! Please share the gospel and this message with others! Come Lord Jesus!
