Time to Get Out!
Hi Friends,
I wanted to let you know why I deleted the last post. I was very excited to share the post with you, having worked on it several days. But the Lord told me that I was to delete it. I had shared in the last post a vision that I believed the Lord had given me as a green light, to share with you what I had been intensely studying in scripture about end times.
But after I posted, I was having doubts about whether or not I should have shared. Not everything that the Lord gives me is meant to be shared. Usually throughout the process of writing, I pray to understand the interpretation. And the last thing I do before I post is to pray once more to make sure that every detail has the Lord’s approval. But something different happened with the last post. After I finished tagging the post with categories, to my surprise, I found that it had already been posted. I never pressed the “save and publish” button. So, I thought to myself, “I guess it must be all right.”
I knew that the topic that I was writing about was very controversial, and I received a vision the day before, which caused me to believe that perhaps, I should reconsider whether or not to post. It was later while I was speaking with a friend, when I realized the meaning of the vision. So I went to prayer again and decided to pull the post and delete it.
Even though I believe that what I wrote in the post was true, the scriptures that came to mind caused me to withdraw the post. The first concerned “endless genealogies” which leads to arguments.
“As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith. 1 Timothy 1:3-4
The second scripture that came to mind was also about avoiding arguments that cause division.
And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? 1 Corinthians 3:1-4
As I contemplated these two scriptures and what I had written, I thought that perhaps posting my beliefs on the topic might do more harm than good. Posting something which is not “main stream” could easily result in causing controversy and potentially division.
I considered that by sharing what I had learned, others might also appreciate what I believe to be true of the “last days.” However, we all know that God’s ways are perfect. His ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts than our thoughts.
So the Lord, knowing my struggle, gave me another vision to direct me in the matter.
The Two Stanchions
I saw two stanchions (used with ropes for crowd control), joined together at their caps. The left stanchion was leaning against the right stanchion. What was odd though, is that they started to fall over together, towards the left, which would not naturally happen. If the left is leaning against the right, then the pressure exerted on the right by the left should cause them both to fall towards the right. However, they both started falling towards the left. Then when nearly half way down, they right themselves without anyone touching them. What is also remarkable is that stanchions were leaning or moving at all, since they are designed to resist toppling, by having a wide, heavy base.
After the stanchions returned to their upright positions, the left stanchion was still leaning on the right.
I believe that the left stanchion represents the view that I hold to be true (the preterist view). The stanchion on the right represents the view that is held by the majority, (the futurist view). It is seen as standing erect for that is what is commonly believed. The left stanchion was leaning on the right stanchion attempting to influence those that hold to the futurist view. However, instead of influencing them, there was push back on their part, causing both to fall to the left. But before either one could crash to the ground, they were both brought back into their original positions.
The Lord was showing me the futility of sharing the preterist view. Whatever positions people hold, they are not likely to change. The Lord is not interested in controversy; He wants us to live at peace and in harmony with one another. Since the views do not affect one’s salvation, it is better to avoid the potential to ruffle feathers. So I deleted the post.
I would like to share two other visions with you today. The first concerns perseverance and the second is an encouragement from the Lord to step out and do the will of God.
The Infant
In this vision, I saw an eighteen month old child, walk towards the edge of a walk that had a single step down to the walk below. The child came to the edge, saw the distance down and jumped. He landed on both feet as if there was nothing to it and kept walking.
The child was not intimidated by the step that was probably 25% of his height. He did not ponder the “what ifs” but just jumped. He did not fall forward, or experience any mishap. He just kept going.
When the Lord calls us, we have to just simply say “Yes, Lord,” and go. There are bound to be roadblocks and detours along the way, but we have to keep going. Sometimes there are trials that will come to test our faith. But the Lord expects us to trust him for his help, to overcome our weaknesses.
The child demonstrated perseverance. It did not look around for help or approval. He did what he thought he could do and accomplished quite a feat for someone so young. But when we experience push back, disapproval or out right persecution, we may change our minds in order to avoid embarrassment or shame or pain and suffering. Whatever seemed important, suddenly becomes something to avoid.
Jesus uses the Parable of the Sower, to show what happens when the gospel is shared under different circumstances and why some people believe the gospel message, but then fall away, and others completely reject it. The enemy knows everyone’s weaknesses and does what he can to interfere with the work of the kingdom of God.
The Parable of the Sower
And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:3-9
Jesus then explains his parable to his disciples:
“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” Matthew 13:18-23
As believers we must be prepared for the trials that will come. If we are not prepared, we can easily fall away from the faith.
“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 24:9-14
Perseverance under trying circumstances builds our character and increases our ability to trust God.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4
Since we will all be tested, let’s prepare ourselves now for that inevitable day. When we are slandered, rejected, or excluded, let us not complain and get offended, which is what our natural selves want to do. But instead let us pray for those who try to discourage or shun us. Let us maintain the joy of the Lord and remain steadfast in our faith. I know from personal experience that it is easy to do otherwise, but we need to follow the Lord’s example, and forgive those who offend us. The Lord knows the trials and the difficult times that each one of us encounter, but he wants us to persevere and overcome.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7
“Be faithful, even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
A Taxi
In this vision I was in the backseat of a taxi cab. The driver stopped the car and turned around and looked directly at me and said, “It’s time to get out.”
This is a clear message, “It’s time to get out of the back seat.” It is time to move out and do whatever the Lord asks us to do. All we need to do is be available to him. When Jesus sent out 72 of his followers, He sent them two by two. Their message was of the kingdom of God: “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”
Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. Luke 10:3-12
“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:16-20
What is it that keeps us in the back seat? Is it fear or doubt? Is it the fear of man? Fear of failure? Fear of looking foolish? Fear of rejection? What if I pray for healing and nothing happens? The Lord wants us all to overcome every roadblock that we create ourselves, by our own internal dialog. This is one very good reason to take our thoughts captive. We have to monitor our own thoughts, questions and responses. We must tell ourselves to not entertain negative thoughts, to not entertain fears and doubts. If we do, then the enemy wins. He stops us from being effective in the kingdom of God.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:6-8
In the vision of the infant, the child saw the step down but did not let it stop him. He persevered. He did not let fear or doubt enter into his mind. He did what was necessary; he jumped.
In the vision of the taxi driver, I was in the back seat when the taxi driver told me to jump–to get out of the car. “Time to get out!” The Lord does not want us to consider the difficulties and hardship, and develop fear. We have to just trust God and jump. It is time for action, to step out and do what may be uncomfortable or challenging. For each of us it is different. It may be that the Lord is asking us to share our testimony, to speak to a group, to visit someone in the hospital or prison. The Lord may ask us to lay hands on someone and pray for him. It may be time to share the gospel with our neighbors, inviting them to a small group or church. It may be to pray for a miraculous healing, or a deliverance. But, no matter what the Lord gives us to do, we are to do everything as if unto Him.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
I am reminded of the Lord’s parable:
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’
And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’
And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46
So let us persevere and step out, be bold and to do his will! Let us not make excuses, or shrink back because of fear. Let’s live for the Lord and be overcomers.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Philippians 4:13
God bless you all. Thanks for reading and sharing with others!
