War and Glory
by Rick Joyner
In August of 1993, I had a vision of the church. It was represented as an island in the middle of a sea. There were many different types of buildings all over this island, each of which I understood to represent a different denomination or movement.
These buildings seemed to clash with each other architecturally as there were very old ones next to very modern ones. There was a war going on between many of the buildings, and most of them looked like bombed out shells. People were still living in the buildings, but most were starving and wounded.
The Controlling Spirits
There were two dark spirits over the island directing this war. One was named Jealousy and the other one Fear. They congratulated each other every time one of the buildings suffered damage, or people were wounded.
I then saw two powerful and frightening spirits rising over the sea. These became storms. One was Rage and the other Lawlessness. They were stirring up the sea and causing great waves to crash onto the island. Soon these storms became so large that they seemed even more threatening to the island than the war.
I felt that the people in the city had to be warned about these storms, and several apparent watchmen were trying to do this, but no one would listen to them. The people only debated and argued about whether the watchmen should be trusted. This was remarkable because anyone who just looked up could see the storms for themselves.
These wars had left so many people wounded that the hospitals were fast becoming the largest buildings on the island. The hospitals were movements or denominations that had given themselves to healing the wounded. As these grew, the other warring factions had no respect for them as being a place where even their own wounded were being cared for, but were instead more resolved to destroy them than the other buildings.
As the war continued, even those who were not badly wounded had the appearance of phantoms, or they became grotesquely deformed from the starvation and disease. Anytime a building received a supply of food, which would attract people, it would become a target. I could not comprehend how even a war could be so cruel—and this was the church!
In the midst of the battle, men were still trying to add to their buildings, or start new ones, but it was futile. Whenever one building would start to rise a little higher than the others, or any time a new building was started, it would become the main target of all of the other buildings, and it would quickly be reduced to rubble.
I was then shown many powerful leaders who were conducting this war. All of them had the same word on their forehead: “Treachery.” I was surprised that anyone would follow someone with that written on them, but they did. I was reminded of II Corinthians 11:20, “For you bear with you anyone if he enslaves you, if he devours you, if he takes advantage of you, if he exalts himself, if he hits you in the face.”
A Remnant
However, there were people who appeared as lights in almost every building. These lights were in almost every building. These lights refused to take part in the fighting, but spent their time trying to repair the buildings, or nurse the wounded. Even though it was impossible to keep up with the damage or the wounded, they did not stop trying.
It was also apparent that each of these lights had the power to heal wounds, and that power was increasing as they worked. Those who were healed became lights just like those who healed them. It was obvious that these individuals who were committed to healing the wounded were now able to do more than the hospitals because of the ruthlessness of the attacks on the hospitals. Understanding this, the hospitals dispersed their people as “healing teams” which spread out across the island and moved in to many of the other buildings. There were also small camps around the perimeter of the island. Some of these were involved in the war between the buildings, and seemed intent on trying to destroy all of the buildings so that they could bring people in to their camps. The leaders of these camps had the same word “Treachery” written on their foreheads.
There were a few of these camps which were not involved in the war, and they too appeared as lights. These were also growing in authority, but it was a different authority than the healing powers that the others had. They had authority over events. They were praying to stop small battles, and to keep small storms away, and it was happening as they prayed. The two spirits over the city and the two storms became very intimidated by these small camps. I felt that these intercessory groups were actually close to having the authority to stop the major battles and big storms, which were obviously the source of agitation of these large spirits.
The Tragedy
There were multitudes of boats and ships all around the island that were waiting to enter the city as soon as the fighting stopped. Many of these boats were full of refugees from other wars, and many were wounded. There were also ships bearing kings, presidents and those who appeared wealthy and prosperous. These were all afraid of the storms, but they could not enter the city because of the fighting. Their groans and screams were so loud I was surprised that no one in the city would hear them; no one even seemed aware that they were out there.
In His Wisdom
Then I saw the Lord standing and watching. He was so glorious that I wondered why I had not seen Him before, or why everyone in the city did not stop to worship Him. To my amazement, no one was able to see Him. I then looked into the eyes of some of the people, and they were all so “blood-shot” that I was surprised that they could see anything.
I then wondered why the Lord did not stop the fighting, and seemed content to just watch. As if He had understood my thoughts, He turned and said to me, “This is My church. These were the houses men tried to build for Me. I knocked on the door of each one, but they would not open to Me. I would have brought peace because I will only dwell in the city of peace.” Then He turned and indicated the people in the ships, saying: “If I allowed all of the these people to come to the city now they would just be used in the war. When their cries become louder than the war, I will build a place for them.”
Then He looked at me with great earnestness and said, “I allowed this to happen so that it would never happen again!” It is hard to convey the power of this statement, but imparted to me a deep understanding that He allowed this conflict to continue out of profound wisdom. He then said, “Until you understand this you cannot understand what I am about to do.”
When the cries of those in the boats became louder than the conflict in the city, the Lord gave a command and the sea was released. Great tidal waves arose and began to sweep across the island until they covered the buildings. The spirits that were storms joined the spirits over the island, and they all grew to almost double their previous size. Then the island completely disappeared under the darkness of the spirits and the raging sea.
The Lord did not move as this was happening. I knew that my only protection was to stand as close to Him as possible. I could not see anything but Him during this great storm. As I looked at His face I could see both hurt and resolve.
The House Of the Lord is Built
Slowly, the storms died down and the tides receded. The individuals who were the lights in the buildings emerged and remained standing where the buildings had once been. Then the Lord, who had been on the edge of the island, moved to the center and said, “Now I will build My house.”
And all of those who were lights started turning toward the Lord. As they turned, they became even brighter, and each group was changed into a living pillar right where they stood. Soon it became obvious that these pillars were the framework of a building which would almost cover the entire island. The pillars were different colors, shapes, and sizes. It was hard to understand how all of these, being so different, would work as a single framework; however, the Lord seemed very pleased with each one, and they did eventually all fit together.
The People Come
Then the ships and boats all started landing on the island. There were multitudes of people. Each ship or boat was from a different country or race of people. Soon I began to think that, even as large as it was, there were too many people for the building. Then the Lord looked at me and said very sternly, “We will build as many rooms as we need-no one will be turned away.”
This was said so sternly that I resolved to never again consider turning people away as an option. I also pondered how the biggest problem before was how to get people to come to the buildings. Now the big problem was what to do with all of the people.
The Cemetery
When each ship arrived, the people on it were led straight to the Lord. He looked into the eyes of each one and said, “If you trust Me, you will die for me.” When one said “I will die for You,” He immediately thrust His sword right through his heart. This caused very real pain. To those who tried to avoid the sword, it was obviously even more painful. To those who relaxed, it did not seem to hurt as much.
They were then taken to a cemetery with the words “Obscurity” over the gate. I felt compelled to follow them. Those who had been stabbed were checked to see that they were really dead before they were buried. Some clung to life for a long time, and were laid off to one side. Quickly, those who were buried began to arise as lights just like those who had survived the storm. I noticed that they were not staying in their tombs the same length of time. Some of them arose before those who were clinging to life were even buried.
When I first looked at this cemetery, it looked like a dreadful place, and I did not think that it fit at all on this now glorious island. As I left the cemetery, I turned to look back at it, and it looked beautiful. I could not figure out what was different, when one of the workers said to me knowingly, “The cemetery has not changed—you have.”
I then looked at the building and it was even more glorious than I had remembered. I then looked at the island and felt the same thing—it had become much more beautiful. I remembered the Scripture, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones” (Psalm 116:15). The worker, who was still looking at me, then said, “You have not died yet, but were changed just by being close to those who have. When you die you will see even more glory.”
Those who were emerging as lights from the cemetery were each being led to their own place in the building, which would have their name on it. Some joined the walls, others joined the pillars, some became windows or doors. They remained people even after they became a part of the building.
The Test
I returned to the Lord's side. Standing in His presence was so wonderful I could not imagine why anyone would not be willing to die for Him, but many of the people coming from the ships did refuse. These would all back away from Him at the request. Many of these went back to the ships, some of which left and some of which remained in the harbor.
A few of the people who refused to die stayed on the island and were allowed to walk about freely, and even enter the House of the Lord. They seemed to love and bask in the glory of it all. Many of these began to shine with a glory too, but they only reflected what was coming from the others.
As I was thinking that it was not right for these to be allowed to stay, the Lord said to me, “My patience will win many of these, but even those that never give me their lives, I love and am pleased to let them enjoy my glory. Never turn away those who love My glory.” These really did enjoy the house, and enjoyed the presence of the Lord that radiated from the house, but they seemed timid, and retreated when the Lord Himself came close to them.
I then watched as those who had refused to die for the Lord began to act as if His house were their own, and had been built for them. I wanted to be angry at their great presumption, but I could not feel anger even though I wanted to. I then understood that it was because I was standing so close to the Lord that I could not be mad. This forced me to make the decision to stay close to Him or move away so that I could be angry.
I was surprised that this was a difficult decision, that I would even consider anything to move away from the Lord, but it honestly was. Out of fear at what was arising within me, I stepped closer to the Lord. He immediately reached out and grabbed me as if I was about to fall off of a cliff. As I looked behind me I was astonished to find that I had been on the very edge of one, and had I taken that step away from the Lord to feel the anger, I would have stepped off of it.
He then said to me, “In this house I can tolerate presumption more than that anger. That anger would start the war again.” I was then overwhelmed with the knowledge that I had not yet made the decision to die for Him either, and that I too had been presumptuously feeling possessive of both the house and the Lord. When I saw this great evil in my own heart I was appalled and immediately begged the Lord to destroy my evil heart with His word.
Resurrection Life
When the Lord pierced My heart, I was surprised to feel so little pain when it seemed to have been so hard on others. He then said, “Those who request death die easier.” I remembered His statement in Matthew 21:44 “And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whoever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.”
I did not remember being carried to the cemetery, but just as if no time at all had passed, I was emerging from it again. Now the glory of everything I saw was unspeakable. I looked at the rock and loved it. I looked at trees, the sky and clouds, and could not believe how wonderful they were. A sparrow seemed more glorious than any bird I had ever seen. I wondered at the great treasure that this little bird was, and why I had not appreciated him like this before.
I then looked at the presumptuous people. Not only did I feel no temptation to be angry, I loved them so much I would have let each one pierce my heart again if it would help them. I then began to think of how blessed I was to be able to meet them and be with them. Now I actually wanted them to stay and could not even comprehend how I was ever tempted to be angry at them—they were much greater treasures than the sparrow!
Then the Lord stood next to me. Though I did not think it was possible, He was much more glorious than before, and I was able to bear it. He said, “This is why the death of My people is so precious to Me. Those who seek to save their life always lose it, but those who lose their life for My sake find true life. Now you know true life because you know love.”
I then looked at the house and all of those who composed it. Everything and every one that I looked at seemed to stir up this great feeling of love that was more wonderful than anything I had ever felt before. I wanted to go look at or talk to each one, but I did not want to leave the Lord's side, Whose presence was even more compelling. Knowing my thoughts, he said, “You need never fear leaving My side, because I have made My abode in you and I will be with you everywhere that you go.”
As I watched the presumptuous people, they were enjoying all of the blessings, and even thought of themselves as the reasons for them, but they really were not even a part of what was being built. Having just been one of them I also knew how shallow their enjoyment was, compared to what it could be, and a great compassion came over me for them. As I continued watching these people, they gradually became thinner in substance until they were just like the phantoms I had seen in the city that had been destroyed. Again I thought of the Lord's words, “Those who seek to save their life will lose it, but those who lose their life for My sake will find it.”
No Limits
Then I looked at how the building kept getting higher, and the higher it went the more glory it exuded and the further it could be seen. This resulted in even more ships and people coming through the storms, which were still raging, but seemed unable to affect the island. As I wondered how high the building could get, the Lord turned to me again and, as if He were answering my thoughts, said, “There is no limit to how high we can build this because I am the foundation and love is the cement.”
This caused me to look at the cement, which was transparent but radiated a great power. I wondered how I had not noticed this before; it was now so obvious and captivating. I then started pondering how I seemed blind to even the greatest wonders of this building until the Lord directed my attention to them. It caused me to turn back to the Lord and watch everything to which He gave His attention.
The Lord then began looking at the people who now composed the building. As I looked at them again I was immediately struck by the fact that they were more than people—I knew that they were the “new creation” that had transcended this creation. They had bridged the gap between the physical and spiritual realms, and were clearly a part of both. They were unquestionably supernatural, which did not mean that they were more than natural, but far more natural than anything” natural” I had ever seen. They were more real than anything I had ever considered “real.” They made everything else seem like a shadow, and this sense increased as they continued to change.
Soon the glory that was coming from them could be both seen and felt. The feeling was not like a touch, but like an emotion. As I walked close enough to this glory, it made me feel so good that the only way that I can describe it is like a wonderful intoxication, not one that clouded the mind, but illuminated it. I felt somehow ennobled, not with pride, but with a powerful sense of destiny. I also felt a profound security, as if I were in complete harmony with the ground, the air and especially the Lord and His house. The feeling was so good I never wanted to move again.
With the addition of each new boatload of people, the transformation of those already a part of the building would continue, and the glory of the whole building would increase and expand. This made everyone in the building greatly rejoice with the coming of each new group of people.
Sharing the Glory
When those who came from the cemetery took their place in the building, those who were already a part tried to give the new ones their own glory. As they did this, the glory radiating from the Lord would increase, and He would give even more to those who had given their own glory away. Those who were the most devoted to this sharing would be the ones used to start the next level of the house, which kept going higher and higher.
I thought of how opposite this was from the jealousy which had prevailed previously in the city. I then tried to ponder the jealousy to understand it more, but it was almost impossible to do. Because I could no longer feel jealousy, I had a difficult time even understanding what it was—it seemed as unreal as if it had only existed in bad dreams. The joy of sharing was so great that not doing it now seemed incomprehensible. The more the glory was shared, the more each one received to share.
The joy of sharing was so great that I knew that all of us would be spending eternity just seeking others with whom to share the glory. I had a strong sense of knowing that the Lord would be creating many new worlds just for us to have new places to share His glory. I then knew that this was why He had created the universe with such diversity, and why He created it to continually expand at a rapid pace. Those who touched His glory were touched by a love that had to share the glory, which caused them to expand. He had given us the universe to share His glory with. He had set in motion a glorious chain reaction that would never stop! There were no limits on time or space, and we would need every bit of it!
The Storms Return
Then suddenly my attention was turned toward the storms that had continued to grow in the sea. To my shock they had grown larger and faster than the house of the Lord, and were now coming toward the island.
Great waves covered the island and the building disappeared from my view, even though I was still very close to it. The fury of this storm was beyond comprehension, but I felt no fear at all. I knew that it was because I had already died to this world and had a life that could never be taken from me. As wonderful as the island had become, I was just happy to die physically so that I would be free to carry the glory of the Lord to the rest of the universe that had so captured my attention. It really would have been hard to choose to stay or go, I just rested and waited.
Gradually the storms abated and the building then re-emerged. Both the buildings and the island were much smaller, but even more glorious. Then I noticed that the storms were just off shore and were returning. This happened several times, and each time the building would emerge it would be smaller, but more glorious. Each time that this happened the storms were also much smaller—they were wearing themselves out on the island. Soon the storms could only generate small waves that posed no threat of any real damage. The glory of the house was now beyond any human description.
Then the clouds dissipated altogether into the most beautiful sky I had ever seen. As I gazed into the sky I began to realize that it was filled with the glory that was being emitted from the house. As I looked at the house I was amazed that there was no damage from the storm, though it was much smaller. Even so, the glory now coming from the house was much greater than before, and was reflected by everything. I felt that it was so great that it must already be extending far beyond the earth. Then the vision changed and I was alone with the Lord. All of the great feelings were gone—even the love. He looked at me earnestly and said, “The war is almost over. It is time to prepare for the storms. Tell My people that no one with His brother's blood on His hands will be used to build My house.”
I was trying hard to listen to these words in order to heed them, while still thinking about the great love I had felt. He then said, “This was a dream, but it is real. You have known everything that I have shown you in this dream in your heart. Now believe with your heart and My love will be real to you again. This is your quest—to know my love.”
Comments
The general interpretation of this vision is obvious, but I do think that many of the feelings that I had during this experience are an important part of the message. In looking at the different buildings which I knew represented denominations or movements, the architectural clash was so striking that it was grotesque. It was as if they were all so intent on being different that the most hideous skyline had been the result. I could not imagine anyone who happened upon such a city having any desire to enter it, even if the conflict was not taking place.
The church is doing much more damage to herself through infighting than the enemies without are able to do. At that time I was consciously surprised that the Lord did not intervene in this destructive fighting. Those who were fighting against the other denominations, or movements, were all disqualified from being a part of the house the Lord built. This reminded me of King David, who, because he was “a man of war and had shed blood” (1 Chronicles 28:3), was not allowed to build the temple of the Lord. This did not disqualify David from salvation, or from being considered one of the great men of God of all time. I felt that many true saints, and even great men of God, were tragically disqualifying themselves from this most wonderful work of all by becoming embroiled in this spiritual civil war. This even caused them to lose the light that hey had; only the peacemakers, and those who to trying to repair and build instead of tearing down, radiated with light in this vision. I think that it was significant that almost all, if not all, of these buildings contained those who were true lights. These may appear as small lights now, but they will be the foundation upon which the Lord will build His house.
Because the sea sometimes represents “mass humanity” in Scripture (see Revelation 17:15), the multitudes are going to rise up in great waves which will destroy much of the present visible structure of the church. Those who are true lights will not be swept away by the waves. Those who walk in this truth have a foundation which cannot be shaken. The Lord's command to release the sea did not cause the sea to rise up, but just removed that which was restraining it. The sea then came with fury against the island, as if it were being controlled by a great hatred. I believe this represented a great hatred against visible, institutional Christianity that will arise, and the Lord will allow it to destroy these institutions.
When these great tidal waves had stopped, there were no Christian institutions as represented by the buildings that men had constructed. However, all of the real Christians remained. I do not think that it is wrong to keep trying to repair these structures, as the Lord honored and preserved those who did, but this vision affirmed deep within me the need to focus on building people, rather than trying to build another institution that will be able to stand in these times—none of them will stand.
Even though these present buildings were destroyed, they each contained those who were to be pillars in His house. The house of the Lord was a brand new building but those who became the main supports in it came from almost every denomination and movement. The Lord is “the wise man who brings forth from His treasures things both new and old.” The Lord does have new wine to serve, but Isaiah 25:6 declares that the Lord will also serve “refined, aged wine.” The Lord will not use either the old or the new, but both the old and new.
The Lord's house was built in the midst of the increasing storms of rage and lawlessness. It radiated as an even greater light because of the storms. I was encouraged that the Lord will build, on this earth, a church that really will reflect His glory, and that this age will not end until He does.
It could not be any other way. Moses contended when the Lord threatened to destroy Israel , that this would only leave the testimony that He could bring people out of Egypt , but could not lead them into the Promised Land. The Lord will have a testimony, through the church, that will last for eternity. That testimony will be that He not only can forgive the sins of His church, but He also has the power and wisdom to deliver her from her sins, and maker her into a glorious bride without spot or wrinkle:
Mt 16:13—When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Rick Joyner, 1993, via here and here. This is not specifically a "Northwest" word, but it clearly and eloquently says several things that Northwest prophets are also hearing and saying.
Prepared for Battle
22. JULY 2010
Kriston Couchey
THE WINDS OF WAR BLOWING, SEEN IN NATURAL SIGNS
I am convinced that the volcanic releases from Iceland and South America that grounded flights on both continents were signs in the natural pointing to spiritual realities. The oil gusher disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is also a natural sign of spiritual happenings. There is a release of demonic inspired defilement into the earth that is meant to poison and cloud the vision and function of God's people. The enemy is attempting to shipwreck the faith and destroy the confidence of God's children. The sound and smell of war is carried on the winds in the realm of the spirit; these signal the final battle of the ages, the full unleashing of worldly and demonic power on the earth. These forces are using every power at their disposal to contend for the destiny of men. Their centers of power are embedded in the political, religious, economic, and military arenas of mens systems.
MOBILIZATION
This is not so much a call to war as it is a clarification to those who are ALREADY finding their places in the army of God. We must understand what is happening. The mobilization of the enemy to thwart the purposes of God is a preemptive reaction to the inevitable manifestation of the greatest army ever seen upon the earth; the sons of God being revealed. The army of God has been summoned and the enemy knows it. Mobilization is the act of marshaling or making ready for action. This truly is the state of kingdom affairs this hour as Father is mobilizing and bringing together sons (both male and female) who are prepared to go forth in strength and purpose. There is a people made ready for this hour that are emerging from the wilderness of trials and testing. They are trained for battle and are going to take the land of promise in obedience and faith. These who know who they are and what Father is birthing within them are prepared for battle and will stand their ground firmly in the place they are called to. The very earth is quaking at the presence of this army set in battle array in their own proper places and ranks.
ASSIGNED PLACES
Being seated in our assigned place is essential for the army of God going forward in this hour. Joel says it like this: They run like warriors. They climb walls like soldiers. They march straight ahead. They do not leave their places. They do not crowd one another. They keep in their own lines. Even when they break through the defenses, they do not break their ranks. They rush into the city. They run along the wall. They climb into houses. They enter through windows like thieves. The earth quakes in their presence, and the sky shakes. The sun and the moon turn dark, and the stars no longer shine.
A sister in the Lord shared with me last week a dream she had about getting into our "assigned seats." In the dream, people were boarding a plane and there began to be confusion among the passengers. Suddenly, over the intercom the captain announced to the people, "Please get in your assigned seats." This was done in an orderly fashion, people who had taken the wrong seats in front or back began to move about the plane going to their specific seat assignment and exchanged seats with those who had been in their seat. When all of the passengers were seated in their assigned place confusion ended and the engines could then fire up.
KINGDOM FUNCTION
Those called to war have already heard the Lord and are already being positioned in their places. They know who they are IN Him and Who He is IN them, they are being given all things necessary to function in the places Father is seating them. There is a peace that is beginning to settle on the camp of the Lord, and the calm before the storm is bringing it's silence before the trumpet sounds and the battle is engaged on a full scale.
The LORD shouts out orders to his army. His forces are very large. The troops that carry out his commands are mighty. The day of the LORD is extremely terrifying. Who can endure it? ~Joel~ The kingdom is not ordered after a hierarchal chain of command like the world. The Army of the Lord is going forth under the direct commands of the king. It is through the leadership of the Holy Spirit to each individual that the plans of the enemy are thwarted and his defenses breached. Father has given each of His sons a function for the purpose that is theirs to fulfill. Each answers to the Lord regarding the administration of their function. Yet this is all done in relationship to each other, receiving and submitting to the function and purposes of God in each others life.
The call of the Lord in this hour is to TAKE YOUR ASSIGNED PLACE and prepare to engage the enemy in battle at His command. We are not all called to the same place and function, and we must have faith that Father has others in place to meet the needs that arise in the midst of battle. Some are medics, some are foot-soldiers, some are captains and some are generals, but they all answer to and take their place by the direction of the commander Jesus Christ. It is important to be about your Father's business and not be distracted by doing what you think needs to be done outside of our assignment, rather then doing what you are told to do. In our places we overcome through faith; outside of our places we falter and have doubt.
FAITH RISING
In the face of increasing darkness there is a light shining. Faith and courage from the very heart of our Commander flows through the hearts of His children in their assigned places and function. Fear is gripping the nations, the hearts of men will fail, but there is a battle cry rising up in God's people. Deliverance is on the way, the army of God is going forth with the presence power of the king. Everything is about to change.
In His Love
Kriston Couchey
Kriston Couchey
THE WINDS OF WAR BLOWING, SEEN IN NATURAL SIGNS
I am convinced that the volcanic releases from Iceland and South America that grounded flights on both continents were signs in the natural pointing to spiritual realities. The oil gusher disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is also a natural sign of spiritual happenings. There is a release of demonic inspired defilement into the earth that is meant to poison and cloud the vision and function of God's people. The enemy is attempting to shipwreck the faith and destroy the confidence of God's children. The sound and smell of war is carried on the winds in the realm of the spirit; these signal the final battle of the ages, the full unleashing of worldly and demonic power on the earth. These forces are using every power at their disposal to contend for the destiny of men. Their centers of power are embedded in the political, religious, economic, and military arenas of mens systems.
MOBILIZATION
This is not so much a call to war as it is a clarification to those who are ALREADY finding their places in the army of God. We must understand what is happening. The mobilization of the enemy to thwart the purposes of God is a preemptive reaction to the inevitable manifestation of the greatest army ever seen upon the earth; the sons of God being revealed. The army of God has been summoned and the enemy knows it. Mobilization is the act of marshaling or making ready for action. This truly is the state of kingdom affairs this hour as Father is mobilizing and bringing together sons (both male and female) who are prepared to go forth in strength and purpose. There is a people made ready for this hour that are emerging from the wilderness of trials and testing. They are trained for battle and are going to take the land of promise in obedience and faith. These who know who they are and what Father is birthing within them are prepared for battle and will stand their ground firmly in the place they are called to. The very earth is quaking at the presence of this army set in battle array in their own proper places and ranks.
ASSIGNED PLACES
Being seated in our assigned place is essential for the army of God going forward in this hour. Joel says it like this: They run like warriors. They climb walls like soldiers. They march straight ahead. They do not leave their places. They do not crowd one another. They keep in their own lines. Even when they break through the defenses, they do not break their ranks. They rush into the city. They run along the wall. They climb into houses. They enter through windows like thieves. The earth quakes in their presence, and the sky shakes. The sun and the moon turn dark, and the stars no longer shine.
A sister in the Lord shared with me last week a dream she had about getting into our "assigned seats." In the dream, people were boarding a plane and there began to be confusion among the passengers. Suddenly, over the intercom the captain announced to the people, "Please get in your assigned seats." This was done in an orderly fashion, people who had taken the wrong seats in front or back began to move about the plane going to their specific seat assignment and exchanged seats with those who had been in their seat. When all of the passengers were seated in their assigned place confusion ended and the engines could then fire up.
KINGDOM FUNCTION
Those called to war have already heard the Lord and are already being positioned in their places. They know who they are IN Him and Who He is IN them, they are being given all things necessary to function in the places Father is seating them. There is a peace that is beginning to settle on the camp of the Lord, and the calm before the storm is bringing it's silence before the trumpet sounds and the battle is engaged on a full scale.
The LORD shouts out orders to his army. His forces are very large. The troops that carry out his commands are mighty. The day of the LORD is extremely terrifying. Who can endure it? ~Joel~ The kingdom is not ordered after a hierarchal chain of command like the world. The Army of the Lord is going forth under the direct commands of the king. It is through the leadership of the Holy Spirit to each individual that the plans of the enemy are thwarted and his defenses breached. Father has given each of His sons a function for the purpose that is theirs to fulfill. Each answers to the Lord regarding the administration of their function. Yet this is all done in relationship to each other, receiving and submitting to the function and purposes of God in each others life.
The call of the Lord in this hour is to TAKE YOUR ASSIGNED PLACE and prepare to engage the enemy in battle at His command. We are not all called to the same place and function, and we must have faith that Father has others in place to meet the needs that arise in the midst of battle. Some are medics, some are foot-soldiers, some are captains and some are generals, but they all answer to and take their place by the direction of the commander Jesus Christ. It is important to be about your Father's business and not be distracted by doing what you think needs to be done outside of our assignment, rather then doing what you are told to do. In our places we overcome through faith; outside of our places we falter and have doubt.
FAITH RISING
In the face of increasing darkness there is a light shining. Faith and courage from the very heart of our Commander flows through the hearts of His children in their assigned places and function. Fear is gripping the nations, the hearts of men will fail, but there is a battle cry rising up in God's people. Deliverance is on the way, the army of God is going forth with the presence power of the king. Everything is about to change.
In His Love
Kriston Couchey
Destruction from the Wave
I was walking along the beach on
the Florida panhandle
during a heavy rain, watching the patterns the rain made in the soft sand and
praying. After about an hour of walking and splashing, my attention was drawn
to the ocean itself.
As I turned to look, I saw a vision
superimposed over the choppy Florida
waters: a great wave rose up out of the sea. As I watched, it rose higher and
higher until it towered eighty or a hundred feet over the sea, and it rushed
toward land. Just as the wave was about to break, the vision froze, and the
wave was suspended.
I watched the frozen wave for
several seconds, and I was able to see it from several angles; the one that
stuck was watching the wave from overhead. After a moment, a voice spoke:
“Shall it continue, or shall it stop?” I answered, “Hunh? What?”
The voice spoke again, “This is me. Shall it
continue, or shall it stop?” I held my tongue and thought about it: that was a
pretty terrifying-looking wave, but it was clearly a vision: I was seeing this
with my spirit, not my eyes.
The voice spoke a third time:
“Shall it continue, or shall it stop?” I had the presence of mind to ask, “Uh,
is that from you, Lord?” and he answered, “It is.”
“OK. I trust you, Lord. Let it
continue,” and the vision un-froze, and the wave continued its rush toward
land. I expected that it would stop or do something symbolic before it struck
land, but it didn’t. It struck the shore, and because if its immense size, it
continued its rush unabated. It was miles inland before the wave was spent and
began to draw back out to the ocean.
As the water washed back out to
sea, it took a great deal of the soil with it (this was in Florida :
the soil was mostly sand). The buildings were undamaged, the trees were
unharmed, but the soil was washed away until every building, every house, was
standing on a thin pillar of sand that looked rather like an apple core
underneath it. The roads were still unharmed, but all the sand had washed out
below their asphalt surfaces, so they hovered between the homes.
As I watched, the water finished
drawing back into the sea, and some of the houses began to shudder, then
wobble, and then they fell from their precariously balanced apple-core of sand,
and were destroyed. House after house fell to destruction, but many homes were
unshaken. I watched carefully to see what was different about the houses that
fell from the houses that remained unshaken, and soon I saw that the unshaken
homes had driveways that were connected to the road, and via the road, were
connected to all the other stable houses. The homes that fell had no driveways
and were not connected.
I spotted some houses without
driveways that were still standing and wondered if my observation was
incorrect, but as I watched, those houses, one at a time, quivered, wobbled,
and fell to their destruction. They could balance carefully for a while, but
the slightest wind, the slightest shift of the people inside destroyed the
balance and they fell and were crushed.
As I thought about the vision and
what it meant, I felt the Lord whisper to me: “A wave of my presence is coming,
and I have given my people the right to stop it if they wish. But when my wave
comes, it will not come gently, it will not leave the world unchanged. Those
people – and those congregations – that have isolated themselves will not be
able to stand in this wave of my Spirit. Only those who have remained connected
to other believers, other houses, will stand, and they will not be shaken. They
will be delivered by those relationships.”
Northwest Prophetic, ±July 1998, Tumwater ,
WA .
The Wave Rises, Revealing the Darkness
I looked up and saw a great wave forming just offshore, rising from the ocean’s surface. As the wave rose up, the water drew back from the shore, feeding the wave; the higher the wave rose, the further back the water drew until the sea floor was exposed.
As the water exposed the sea floor, it also exposed all the dark, dirty things that had bee lying hidden on the sea floor, things which hadn’t seen the light of day for years, decades.
The wave paused, like it was waiting, and I saw people watching the wave and the exposed sea floor. As they water drew back, they walked out toward the sea, wondering what was going on. As they saw the ugly debris that the receding water exposed, they responded in a couple of ways.
Some of their faces showed shame or disgust, even anger, and they tried to cover the hidden things with mud to hide them again, and as they did, they became covered in mud. Some tried to pretend that they had nothing there, nothing to see, and they scrambled back toward shore, talking about football or weather, or anything except the hidden secrets now uncovered. But everyone could tell they, too, were now covered with mud that had splashed up while they were running to get away.
Others saw the hidden things and they owned them, murmuring, “Oh! I remember when that happened!” or “I’d forgotten about that!” or “I wondered where that had gone.” And they picked up the dark messes and carried them back to shore. Some of the people deliberately deposited their dark bundles carefully in garbage cans, set out especially for the occasion. Others cleaned and examined the bundles, removing layer after layer of mud and grime, deposited over the years.
One dark bundle, as the owner carefully scraped away layers of black guck, revealed a gold wristwatch, which he carefully cleaned, then put onto his wrist. Another uncovered a red and white music box, it still played its tune when she lifted the lid. One young man was working on a black mess larger than himself, which eventually disclosed a white surfboard with three short rudders in its tail.
Only after everyone had a chance to retrieve their lost belongings did the wave resume its course, towering over the people as it rushed landward. Many of those who hid or ignored the dark things ran in terror from the wave, screaming or weeping as they did. Those who had brought their dark secrets with them saw the wave, and welcomed its arrival; when it swept past them, it left them clean and bright and refreshed, but it swept the others away, still screaming, still struggling. One young man was seen surfing the wave, dodging people and obstacles, carried farther and higher than he’d ever been before.
For years, God has been speaking of another wave of revival coming to our region, and often he’s used the imagery of a wave, like a tsunami coming towards us.
The wave is now rising from the calm waters in which we live and breathe and go to church, as the presence of God is preparing to rush upon us. But as he prepares, as the wave rises, many hidden things are revealed, and our Father gently, patiently, waits for us to respond to them.
Many people will find hidden sin revealed; others will find character flaws brought to light. And God patiently waits as we repent, as we deal with the issues and prepare to move forward. The wave will come to land, the power and presence of God will descend on our region – though nobody yet knows how or where – but he waits for the darkness to be removed first, because he wants the wave to come in clean, free from the garbage that we’ve hidden for so many years. In this time of anticipation of God’s move, repentance is our faithful friend.
But some of what has been hidden is not sin, though it’s similarly hidden in the depths. Some of us have had callings, visions, dreams, hopes, that we’ve given up, forgotten about. A few were fleshly ambitions that need repentance and disposal. But many are gifts from God that had been abandoned because of fear, doubt, misunderstanding. It’s time to pick these up, wipe away the darkness and grime of our disregard or disrespect, and begin to walk in the callings, begin to dream the dreams again.
This is not a matter of our labor. This is a matter of our simply agreeing with the Father. No, I don’t choose these dark things. Yes, I do choose him over them. Certainly, you may wash me of these things. Yes, I want to choose your Son over them all!
The wave is coming. But it is waiting while we discover what he is uncovering, and make ourselves ready for a move of God, full of power and grace.
northwestprophetic[at]gmail.com
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