Battle Preparations: Relax, He's Got This.

Last night I had several things on my mind as I got into bed. I listened to an audiobook for a while, trying to quiet my mind – worry isn’t great when you are trying to go to sleep. Not at all!

I had a dream that we were going into a battle or some type of war and all our soldiers were infants or toddlers – not battle-worthy in the least. This “war” wasn’t necessarily about bombs and guns but it was something coming up that would need to be fought for – and I was worried we would not be ready. I fretted about how this army could even begin to help the situation. I woke up then went back to sleep.

I’m not sure if I actually woke up or if that was part of the dream but some time had passed, like maybe a year. I took another look at our “army” and they were totally matured and ready to fight. They were all even in matching uniforms…black if I recall correctly.

I was astounded! How did that happen? My worries and fretting completely disappeared, to be replaced by encouragement and actually enlightenment. I suddenly know that we would win and my worries had been groundless. I was sure there would be no problem, it would be handled and would be successful.

I needed to trust and not have to figure everything out, it would be okay and everything would work out. There was a plan.

I (really) woke up and knew that this was, at least in part about some things I had been worrying about before going to sleep. I also think this dream was a reminder for some other things people might be concerned or worrying about. God has a plan! I “heard” the Digital Warriors will be ready -they look young and too immature but they WILL be ready when they are needed.

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He knows the end from the beginning. He is outside of time as we know it and is moving the chess pieces around to where and when they need to be, whether we know it or not.

Breathe, He’s got this! And He’s got you.

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Ginny Wilcox, September 6, 2019
Ginny is a trusted prophetic voice and a friend of the NorthWest.

HONEY – WAKE UP…I THINK THERE’S SOMEONE IN THE HOUSE

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My dream life continues to increase and change with His directions and I am continue to be amazed by the depth and breadth of His plans for us. Last night I had a dream both for me as an individual, but for those who have been struggling to see their worth in Him

In the first scene I was asleep – dreaming about a situation – when my wife reached over and woke me up with those words that no one really wants to hear. Honey wake up I think there’s someone in the house.

I reached under my bed to my pistol storage safe and removed my 1911 45 ACP, flashlight, and opened the door.

There was light filtering down the hall \way from the living room area, and as I began to step out into the hallway I saw potato chips spread out along the carpet. I knew right then that this was serious – the chips were meant to be an alarm to alert the prowler that someone was up and moving. Little did they know that I had Samuel Peter – my 14 year old Sheltie and champion chip remover (his nickname is Hoover because no food stays on the ground long).

I quietly moved down the hallway, turned the corner and confronted a bushy headed white male squatting down working on one of my small safes.

I pointed the gun and light at him and directed him to stop, put everything down, and put his hands behind his head. I then told my wife to call 911.

Then it began to go from bad to scary…my wife froze and couldn’t call 911, and the bad guy refused to respond, and in fact turned around and with a smile said “I don’t think you appreciate your situation…”

He was right, but I called 911 and the voice strangely answered “Hi Dale, what can I do for you”. First my name is not Dale, and second this is not how 911 operators are trained to respond. I tried to give the operator the information, but something told me that my expectation of law enforcement showing up any time soon was overly ambitious.

As I confronted the burglar, I heard sounds to my right – around the corner towards the kitchen, I backed up to take a better position to cover both individuals and a youngish woman (late 20’s) came around the corner, addressed the burglar, and then saw me.

At that point all heck began to break loose, and as if in slow motion, I saw other members of their team out by my garage and storage shed breaking in, and realized that there must be at least a dozen bad guys – my next thought before I started shooting was –

But I don’t have that much stuff to make it worth this big of a team to steal…..

Another one of their team came through the side door with a pistol in his hand, and at that point it became a them or us situation. I told him to drop his gun, he refused and began the motions to raise his pistol and shoot – I shot before he could finish hitting him square in center body mass. He stumbled but didn’t go down.

Other team members began to converge on the house and I kept shooting, with the same results – for some reason the 45 wasn’t effective and I needed a bigger weapon.

I moved along the back wall when another one of our dogs (looked like a cream colored Afgan hound) came bounding to my defense – but then began to play with one of the bad guys (ok, I’m thinking this is not really working) I gave the “kill’ command and the dog became a bit more aggressive but not to the level needed to protect us.

I managed to get to my hidden gun safe, pulled out the AR-10 and began to engage both the up close and far off targets. I was accurate with my fire, but still they wouldn’t go down. And of course the police hadn’t shown up yet – which I had anticipated.

At that point I woke up and began to have a conversation with Holy Spirit.

The first thing He said was

“Natural weapons - no matter the size - are ineffective in the supernatural battle. The team invading your home was not natural, but supernatural – along with their human helpers (the 911 operator). My children need to quickly understand a couple of things

1. You truly are in a serious life threatening battle –but it is not against flesh and blood

2. The enemy sees your TOTAL spiritual treasure that you are often not aware of (your current and future inheritance) and his goal is to kill, steal and destroy

That’s why he sent such a big team into your house – your spiritual treasures are simply beyond your ability to fully grasp – and his goal was to disrupt the plans I have for you.

BUT I have a better plan, to take this and to increase even more beyond your current understanding, to create a situation where your awareness of your spiritual authority will be without question, and instead of the enemy attacking you – YOU WILL TAKE THE BATTLE TO HIM!

The police represent the current church structure, they can be effective in some situations when mobilized but they have to be notified. The 911 operator represent those Pastors and leaders who have forgotten their first love and their mandate from Heaven and willingly or not – have chosen to hear the wrong voices and refuse to train and mobilize those I have given them.

THIS IS ABOUT TO CHANGE - but for now understand – that truly the Battle Belongs to the LORD – and I’m going to be showing many of My children new weapons and strategies for the days ahead and I’m training those to use the BIG GUNS...”

Martin Best is a prophetic voice in the Northwest.

http://www.whirlwindministries.org/

Front-line Leaders and Forerunners Are Shifting!

Editor's note: This word is neither from the Northwest (Lana is from Australia), nor specifically to the Northwest. But I felt Father breathing on this word, and my sense is that a number of Northwesterners are going through what she's describing. If you are one of them, then grab hold of this word and use it in your prayer, in your battle, on your own behalf, and on behalf of other forerunners in your region! ~nwp

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There is a great assault and attack against many front-line leaders and forerunners right now. The enemy is working hard to ‘shut down’ these ones and hinder them from moving forward and stepping into what the Lord is about to do in and through them.

I had a vision where I first heard the Lord say, “Front-line leaders and forerunners, batten down the hatches.”

I then saw many front-line leaders and forerunners all together and bent down on their knees with their shields held up in front of them, sitting behind their shield of faith, and there was a barrage of arrows being thrown at them. Every time they have thought the “assault” had ended they stood up and the arrows would begin again. Many front-line leaders and forerunners have felt like they are in a moment of complete ‘assault’ from many directions. I saw many front-line leaders and forerunners weary from the battle.

In this vision, I was in front of these front-line leaders and forerunners and I could see the enemy and his demons which were shooting arrow after arrow at them attempting to wound them. In the ‘weariness’ many of these front-line leaders and forerunners were facing at times they put their shield down out of discouragement and weariness from holding it up, and were “hit” and “wounded” by these arrows that had come against them. So they were then holding their shield of faith up again but finding it harder than before because of the “wounds” they had received.

I then saw Jesus walk up behind many of these front-line leaders and forerunners, and I saw Him place His hand on their backs one by one and He was praying for them, interceding for them. As I watched, I saw Him moving His hand all across their backs in different spots. I walked over to have a look and saw other wounds these front-line leaders and forerunners had received were on their back. But the enemy was in front of them, so I was perplexed by these wounds on their back.

Suddenly, this “knowing” came over many. Not only were many of these front-line leaders and forerunners being hit from the front and the enemy coming on strong with his assault, there has been an assault against many of these ones from the ‘back.’ Being “stabbed in the back” by people they trusted, even other believers, judgments, curses and jealous words that had been spoken against them.

I could see Jesus was healing these wounds and praying for their strength in the midst of their battle. As He prayed His Words of truth and love were bringing such deep healing. A deep strengthening was happening in these front-line ones.

“And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 52:12, MEV).

The Lord then spoke, “A refreshing heavenly oasis (a fertile spot in a desert, where water is found.) is opening up before you. An invitation into deeper intimacy in the midst of this battle. Many of you have felt you are in the desert; the battle has been so intense that weariness has left you in a place of feeling dry and exhausted. Before you I am opening up a fertile spot, a place of life and heavenly waters of refreshing in Me.”

Places of incredible encounters with Him are opening up for front-line leaders and forerunners right now.

Suddenly, I saw pools of water forming around these front-line leaders and forerunners in the midst of the battle. Nothing had changed from the “arrows” coming against them, but there was a new level of intimacy being opened up for them as they remain steadfast in faith. Encounters with His heart like they have never had before while in the chaos of the battle. A deep refreshing was coming to these ones. An increase of visions, prophetic dreams and encounters that was seeing them begin to stand up in the midst of this battle and walk forward in boldness.

As these ones began to walk forward in boldness I saw Jesus walking with them. I could see Him behind them, beside them and before them all at the same time. They were holding their shield of faith in their hands and a determination in their heart and eyes to see the enemy and his demons overcome by the authority that was theirs.

As they moved forward, the enemy began to retreat, farther and farther back. I then noticed that as they were moving forward in boldness and a deep refreshment that had taken place in these encounters, I saw the body of Christ as a whole and in the middle I saw a clock. It looked like a normal clock face with numbers and clock hands, but then also on the clock face were various quadrants which represented seasons the body of Christ was moving into.

I saw the hour hand was seconds away from midnight, but still in the “contending season” quadrant. As these ones moved forward they began to speak out declarations and heavenly revelations the Lord had given them in these encounters and suddenly the clock began to shake. It was like an earthquake was happening in the middle of the clock and suddenly I saw the clock hand move to midnight and then again suddenly forward into “harvest revival increase time.”

The “knowing” then came over me that many of these forefront leaders and forerunners have been under such assault because the Lord is releasing through them the revelations and kingdom keys to shift the body of Christ into “harvest revival increase time,” but at an accelerated pace. Moving the people of God into a time of great revival within the body of Christ and releasing revival to the world.

What they were “fighting for” behind their shields was not only for their personal breakthrough but also fighting on behalf of the body of Christ to see one of the greatest shifts the church has ever seen before. Paving the way, breaking ground for the body of Christ to move into the greatest time of harvest, revival and increase they have ever experienced.

Suddenly as this clock hand moved past midnight into the “harvest revival increase time” I saw physical ailments, unexplained sickness and diseases, heavy financial burdens and word curses suddenly disappear off these front-line leaders and forerunners. Much of what these ones had endured through this season was sent from the enemy to stop them from moving forward and shifting the body of Christ into her new season. There was sudden restoration.

I saw Jesus approach these leaders and forerunners who had stood firm and moved forward, and hand them a huge kingdom key.  As He placed it in their hands they spoke, “Thank you Lord, I receive and believe.” I saw this key labeled “double recompense.” As their declaration and thankfulness met with His provision, suddenly “double doors” were unlocked around them and that released “double recompense” upon them for all that had been taken and broken in the ‘assault.’

Forefront leaders, and forerunners, there has been great assault against many of you, and the enemy has been screaming, “give up.” Do not give up, for you are not only fighting for your personal breakthrough but the shifting of the body of Christ into the greatest season we have seen thus far. You are but steps away from breakthrough. The Lord is with you. He is bringing healing to you.

Some of the greatest encounters with Him are upon you in the midst of the battle. He is opening up a heavenly oasis of refreshing before you in the midst of the battle. You will receive GREAT wisdom and revelation in these encounters and great strengthening that will not only set you on your feet again, but give you the keys to shift the body of Christ into this new season.

The Lord is walking with you, behind you and before you. It may seem that things have been lost and broken in this season, and it may feel like you have been under a constant barrage of arrows, but you are moving forward in greater strength, courage, fearlessness and revelation. Not only will you see tremendous breakthrough in your life, and receive double recompense but a huge corporate breakthrough and shifting across the body of Christ.

“I honor you for fighting. Jesus honors you for fighting and standing. I am proud of you front-line leaders and forerunners. Jesus is proud of you front-line leaders and forerunners. Thank you for standing! Jesus thanks you for standing. Your faith, obedience and sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. Great is your reward.”

Jesus stands before you welcoming you into your “harvest revival increase time” with the body of Christ following after you.

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Prophecy by Lana Vawser

Rack Up

Recently I had a series of dreams that I feel have significant spiritual perspectives. This is a bit long but please bear with me.

In the first scene I was observing a group of men in various locations around a coastal community. It was if I had infiltrated their group and was able to see and hear what they were discussing.

In this scene there were several meetings were these meeting were discussing jihad and were clearly residents/citizens of this community (i.e. not somewhere in the Middle East). They were discussing ways on how to spread their message of Islamic jihad and their responsibilities to wage jihad. There were several very strong willed individuals who were able to persuade the majority of the men, even those who were not sold fully on the concepts of waging war on their neighbors, friends, and in some cases family.

In the second scene I was a recently discharged military member from appeared to be Special Forces. I was at an outside coffee café, sitting at a table with a couple of friend, just chatting and enjoying the nice weather. We watched as a couple of UAVs (drones) flew overhead towards the beach area when all of a sudden two gray, unmarked, fighter jets flew in and attacked and destroyed the drones from a rear attack and then flew off.

In the next scene we jumped up realizing that we were under attack by forces with significant power (i.e. jet fighters) and that they were able to launch attacks unexpectedly and with precision.

I yelled at the men with me “We need to RACK UP – go get your gear (weapons) and meet back at this corner in 20 minutes”. As we ran to get our gear we encountered other groups of similar soldiers – some in 2s and 3s, others in 10 – 20, and I yelled the same thing at them “We need to RACK UP – go get your gear (weapons) and meet back at this corner in 20 minutes”.

I then saw the men in their BDUs (battle dress uniforms) with their automatic weapons, extra ammo magazines, etc – in other words – we were ready for the war that was being brought upon us.

While many of you will see things in this from your conversations with Holy Spirit, this is what I got when I spoke to Him. Some of this I have had in previous dreams and shared with certain individuals – but Holy Spirit has released me to share in a wider venue because of the impending circumstances.

This is representative of the battle that is being brought upon the land by the spirit behind Islam. It is a battle that has been developing for centuries and only since the recent decades have this circumstances and opportunities been provided to this spirit to bring this war to America and the rest of the world. This is a primary element in satan’s strategy to destroy Israel and God’s plan.

Holy Spirit shared that the reason America is in the cross hairs is because of its historic support of Israel…but the spirit of Islam (jihad) has only been able to obtain a beachhead in America because the “church” has lost its focus and has allowed spirits that support the spirit of Islam (i.e. progressive liberalism – yes there is a spirit behind this) to significantly reduce the churches ability to be an effective force for good.

If you have not already seen or felt it, in the days ahead you will see a shift in the way the church operates. The first battles have already been lost, but we are in a war so the Lord has been realigning many individuals out of the institutional church environment into the organic church environment – and now He is establishing the foundations of the underground church here in America.

This war is a reality, it is going to be messy, it is not going to be fun as we have known it – but we will win and overcome. HOWEVER, we ALL need to RACK UP all of our weapons (peace, joy, praise, giving, loving, healing, setting captives free, etc) and we need EVERYONE to rack up.

The days of just pastors doing ministry stuff are over.

from Martin Best

“FOCUS” – a word for 2015

Over the years Abba has taken to giving me “a” word for the upcoming year. In the beginning they were paragraphs and now they've come to be a single word and over the time Holy Spirit provides dreams and visions to support the word.

For 2013 the word was “TRUST” and I must say that if I knew everything that was going to happen in 2013 and into 2014 (Abba gave me a two year for one word deal) I might have asked for a new word.

But HE knows what we need before we ask so I've learned over the decades to simply TRUST (there’s that word again).

For 2015 He gave me the word FOCUS

As I meditated on the word the first part of the lesson Holy Spirit gave me was a flash back to the first “Karate Kid” movie.

The scene is just before Danielson’s final opponent - Daniel has been beat to heck, he’s hurting, he can barely stand, and HE IS AFRAID.

Mr. Miyagi, in his typical fashion – sternly looks and speaks

“Focus Danielson, Focus…the battle is not there (pointing to mat)…it is in here (taps Daniel on his head)…focus…”

Daniel had the skill, the training, the knowledge but he had lost his focus on his sensei.

Daniel struggles back to the mat, assumes a crane stance to the wonderment of his opponent and then as the opponent proceeds to attack him he leaps into the air and delivers a snap kick to his opponent’s head and wins the match.

Many of us have been through many matches and battles in prior years – just like Danielson – and we are approaching the point of the final battle in this tournament and we’re tired, hurting, and can barely stand. And fear has found its way back into our mindsets after being absent for many years.

Yet we have a battle that can and must be won – we must FOCUS on our sensei – Jesus our Rabbi and teacher – and we need to stand up and firm no matter what is going on around us and FOCUS on everything He has taught us and like Danielson in the final match – we may be called upon to take a stance that is different than what we have used before, that is different than what our opponents are expecting, but what He has been training us for all along.

So for 2015 – FOCUS on Jesus - knowing that the battle has been won and we are to fear not.

Martin Best
Whirlwind Ministries

The Elijah Season

I was first introduced to the Pentecostal church environment during the early 1990’s. It was fun, vibrant, and exciting…you could feel God doing things and it was SO different than the church environment I grew up in. Finally, I thought I’ll find my destiny that God gave me when I was 7 years old.

During this decade and beyond it seems that everyone was a prophet…there are even lines in songs about it. This was ok as God’s abundance was splashing on everyone and besides Paul tells us that we should all prophecy – right?

Then one weekend I had three different leaders come up to me and call me a Prophet – to be honest I wasn’t sure what the heck they were talking about because Papa had shown me this was only one facet of what He had set in place for me…but what the heck and it was a great learning season for me…

But as many have noticed when He pours out there is a “correction” that almost immediately comes from the main stream denominations…some of it well deserved – but more of it was due to a power and control issue…can’t have anyone but the Pastor hearing from God you know…

So there has been a noticeable drop-off, a quiet almost in the prophetic. It hasn’t stopped for there are still those that God continues to speak through and they continue to share – but it’s been “different” for almost 12 – 15 years.

So yesterday afternoon Holy Spirit and I were chatting and I was reminiscing on some of the past times and He took me in a vision to the creek and cave Elijah was in following his battle with the priests of Ahab and his escape from Jezebel…it was a time in the land following a great demonstration of God’s power that the push-back from the leadership caused many to flee (sound familiar?)…

But it was also a season of great preparation for the coming power demonstration of God…

Then God shared with me:

“This Elijah Season that has been upon my prophets is ending and soon it will be like a volcano of truth of the Word of the Lord – as it flows forth with power and might and fire it will be like nothing ever seen or heard on this planet before…for the times of hiding are over and the times of preparation are over and the times of testing are over now the times of battle in the truth of my love have begun…and watch as MY LOVE moves MY Prophets as never before…

Selah.

Martin Best

Whirlwind Ministries.

Quoted in a prophetic community on www.mewe.com.

Come join the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/northwestprophetic and at https://mewe.com/join/northwestprophetic. 

2014: Look Again. This is the Year of Psalm 67

Editor’s note: This is not a Pacific Northwest word, but it is a word for the Church, including the Pacific Northwest.

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By Bob Hartley

Going From a Retreating, Misery Christianity to a Hope-Filled, Reforming Christianity

I experienced a series of visitations in the past few weeks that revealed God’s jealous and hope-filled heart of love for His people and plan according to this passage:

“The LORD goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war He stirs up His zeal; He cries out, He shouts aloud, He shows Himself mighty against His foes” (Isaiah 42:13).

God has extensively spoken in past revelations that have laid the foundations for this understanding of God’s zeal to displace what has hurt His children. He has called it “misery Christianity” versus “a hope-filled Christianity.” By this second reformation He will activate and empower 50 million “Hope Reformers” to usher whole cities and nations into great blessings and manifestations of the Kingdom of God in every arena of life.

This is our first report of what the Lord said regarding a 2014 “word in season” with some context and comments added to aid the understanding.

The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary... Isaiah 50:4

Not the Spirit of Terror Year But the Psalm 67 Year

On a number of occasions, I have been taken in the Spirit into a “reformation room.” Situated within is a table of communion where the Lord reveals His manifold faces and nourishes us with the bread of His presence.

In this encounter I was seated at the corner of the table on the Lord’s right side. He strongly corrected us concerning speaking from areas where we were weary, wounded, disappointed, or Hear the clock ticking hopeless. The Lord said, “Stop it! Wait and listen again until you get the hope, the love, and see My solution.” He was in pain over this and desired to help us.

He said that 2014 is the year for Psalm 67:

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You! The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him!”

The Lord said that He will progressively reveal facets of His nature to us that will help us progress in His purposes this year and beyond.

• He said, “There is an epic battle presently raging over Who I am.”

As we continue to look up to Him (see Psalm 121), greater building wisdom and favor will allow us to discern His hopeful ways more clearly than ever before. The Lord linked this experience to the account of Moses praying to see His glory and to know His ways and presence in an ongoing fashion in Exodus 33.

“Now therefore, if I have found favor in Your sight, please show me now Your ways, that I may know You in order to find favor in Your sight...” Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.” And He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you My name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy [compassion] on whom I will show mercy [compassion].” Exodus 33:13, 18-19

They will bow their knees God spoke from Psalm 67 that He is going to open up His face and His ways so that He will be seen and known, not only among His people, but also among whole cities, and even nations, that will open their gates to Him. I saw specific nations invite Him, with His gifts and building plan, into their cities. These cities will become radiant with joy and pulsate with the presence of God. They will receive and enjoy many breakthroughs in every area of life. Jesus has also shown me how thrilled He truly is that these people and places are welcoming Him to bless and lead them.

• The Lord spoke, “Psalm 67 is the fifth scene.”

With this, the Spirit took me back, as He has many times, to one of my initial heavenly encounters in January of 1982 in Fort Collins, Colorado, when I was just newly converted. It was so dramatic! After being “taken up,” I saw four visions of earthly situations that were only filled with sorrow, tragedy, despair, and death. I was disrupted and deeply burdened by what God showed me. But, then I saw “The Fifth Scene”!

The first four scenes were real, but the fifth scene was the even greater reality. I saw the Lord high and lifted up like Isaiah did – even though I had never read the passage at that time. The Lord Almighty was higher than the sky and the brilliance of His indescribable presence filled my whole view. He was filled with joy, celebrating and, yes, belly laughing.

I was so perplexed by the contrast of the fifth scene to the first four I had witnessed. I asked Him, “Lord, what about all the terrible evils and human suffering you just showed me?” Then I saw a small dark dot enter the lower left corner of the vision. It floated up a ways and then suddenly disappeared. The Lord authoritatively announced, “That dot represents all the evil of all beings and of all history combined. It’s temporary and fleeting compared to Who I Am. So what are you going to magnify?”

The Lord is going to been seen as “The God of the Fifth Scene” or the “Psalm 67 God.”

• At the communion table He declared, “I Am God All Powerful”:

“Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and lovingkindness...” (Nehemiah 9:32).

• He said, “I am the celebrating, covenant-keeping, sovereign God, and I will bring forth radiant cities and nations of the earth.” (See our most recent Elijah List article.)

He is first offering to us “the Gift of Himself.” This hope reformation is all about a healed and expanded view of God, and what then happens is we feed and feed others on this deeper knowledge of God. This revelation caused me to weep for joy. Though we do truly know the Lord, and yet surely there are many, many things about Him that we have yet to discover.

He told me that we presently know 1% of the 100% of the knowledge of God that He wants to reveal to us in this life, not to even mention what the future age will reveal about Him. It’s not that the divine attributes revealed in Scripture will be contradicted by what we learn, but it’s that we so easily misunderstand and misjudge His great heart and His manifold wisdom and thoughts regarding the people and situations in our world.

As a result, we often unwittingly misrepresent the Lord to the people and the watching world around us. However, Jesus wants to be more accurately “re-presented” in our day by His sons and daughters to a needy and spiritually hungry world. Psalm 67 speaks of causing His face to shine upon us. And He is promising to help us if we humbly acknowledge our need to learn and grow.

Wrapped up in this Gift is a revelation of “The God of the Fifth Scene,” and also a “pattern” for our worship, and a “building kit” for our service. He will unfold to us a practical, stage-by-stage plan for the extension of His Kingdom like He did for Moses, Solomon, and Nehemiah. Psalm 67 speaks of the revelation of His ways. God will reveal a blueprint about specifically how He is seeking to dwell among us here and now, and how this union with Him will lead to a truly apostolic reformation that will eventually lead to the restoration of all things referred to by Peter in Acts 3:19-21.

Psalm 67 speaks to the nations singing for joy and salvation coming to the earth. As we unpack this Gift, we will also experience how divine hope will “heal and expand” our view of God, and our own hearts, too. (We will say more about these things in our coming reports, because Jesus has spoken important and hopeful details about them to us.)

• The Lord said, “I will progressively reveal 12 of My faces that will cause you to advance in My Hope Reformation. This is a year for the Issacharian Reformers to arise.”

“...Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do...” 1 Chronicles 12:32

• He also declared, “They will reflect Zechariah 10:3”:

“My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD of hosts cares for His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like His majestic steed in battle.

We will be transformed from “sheep” into “war horses.” The Lord instructed all of us to continue to sit at the table, and to keep watching and listening, so that we could see through the dark clouds. He said, “Wait, wait, wait for My Father’s hopeful view,” because He had more things yet to reveal to us...

A New Lens For a Hopeful Prophetic

At the very beginning of this visitation, the Lord held my face in His hands for two hours and repeatedly affirmed that He was delighted in me. I saw Him also holding the faces of others at the table. He kept saying, “I am delighted in all of you.” He kept imparting the essence of Zephaniah 3:17 to my heart...and to theirs...again and again:

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”

It was so good that He did that because I didn’t know at the time how much I would need that deep and warm fatherly affirmation and delight to handle the rebuke over hopeless prophecy and speaking throughout my life.

As this divine encounter took on a more serious tone, He took a fiery coal and put it to my lips to purify my speech. He said this was needed so that I could blow the trumpet He has put to my mouth to faithfully declare His nature.

He then took me, and many others, on a journey through a number of scenarios in our histories where we spoke out of a wrong frame of spirit, heart, or mind. He showed me the damage and discouragement I had caused...even in relation to people I love the most. It was so painful and humbling to rehearse.

• The Lord said, “The words I have given you to speak are a ‘holy sacrament.’ Speaking ‘hopeless words of negation’ only serve to ‘resurrect’ the enemy that I have already ‘obliterated’ for you.”

He took me back to a very dramatic experience I had years ago when He powerfully defeated a terribly intimidating demonic spirit of negation and hopelessness that had tormented me. I witnessed the heat of this battle with my eyes wide open! When had He vanquished this demon by His mighty power, He asked me in an audible voice, “Whom do you fear now?”

Now, in this recent visit, He proclaimed again with strength, “I am your Victorious Warrior.” He said, “You have a choice to ‘resurrect’ this old enemy, but it is not My plan.” Then He showed me times when I had chosen to do this. Ugh!

• The Lord declared, “I intend to bring you into the goodness and blessing of Romans 5:17 so that you may reign in this life:

“‘For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.’“

God spoke He wants to raise us up as true Hope Reformers who partner with Him to “reign in life”...to prevail over the darkness and misery of this world and bring the hope of the true Gospel to the cities and nations of the earth that He so deeply loves. The Holy Spirit said, “God has ‘lifted you up’ out of the ‘miry clay’ of Psalm 40 so that you can ‘mount up on wings of eagles’ to declare Isaiah 40:31 – ‘the glory of the Lord’ that ‘shall be revealed’ and how ‘all flesh will see it together.’“

• The Lord was shouting, “Soar with Me. I want to take you to a place in Me where the enemy’s voice ceases.” I was aware that this era could become like the time of Solomon in which all of his adversaries were subdued on every side. Then He said, “Destruction is not My answer. I have a redemptive plan.”

The Honorable Prophetic

To help me understand an even fuller context for and properly steward the prophetic, the Spirit took me in a vision to the tent of Noah to observe the correct behavior of Shem.

Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. Genesis 9:20-23

Shem covered his father’s nakedness, and the Lord promised us, “I will cover your shame and nakedness with My mercy,” and He instructed me to make sure that I do the same for my prophetic comrades and the Body at large. He made me aware of the “seeds of superiority” that the enemy would try to sow within us. We were being called to be vigilant to speak from His heart and not allow this to happen. I would have to first embrace the Lord’s correction to me in order to be able to declare to others what He wants me to offer others as a spiritual father.

He instructed me to honor those who are speaking for the Lord for being fathers and mothers in the faith. They have accomplished many good and great things in and for His Kingdom through the years. However, the Lord is saying, “Stop it with the negative words that have not been filtered through a lens of a heart that has been healed by the power of hope.”

The Rebuke

Jesus is issuing a word of correction to many of His beloved leaders in the land. This also extends out to segments of the people of God in general, for as the prophets and leaders go, so go the people. It is a word for all, from the greatest to the least. I saw some dark and heavy clouds of trouble, despair and depression roll across the hearts and minds of God’s people and leaders in all the arenas of life...even more intensely over the last quarter of 2013. I had personally encountered this satanic opposition during these past few weeks, but Jesus kept insisting to keep watching for the breakthrough in the clouds.

Then He warned us all with a very firm, but still loving, tone:

• “Do not speak until I lift you up out of the miry clay, and put a new song in your mouths.” He also declared with intensity, “I do not use the enemy to spank My children!” He said, “I intend to turn the enemy’s assaults and attacks into opportunities for you to partner with Me to transform them into portals of hope.”

He spoke this passage:

“...I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt” (Hosea 2:15).

The Lord decreed,

• “You must continue to watch until you can see and speak from the silver lining, the hopeful place with My hopeful solutions, versus speaking from the dark clouds that release the dark humidity of doubt and despair. Indeed, I have already positioned and am empowering both My angel armies and My Hope Reformers to discern and apply these divine answers.”

• “I will raise you up above the clouds to see My heavenly perspective of these negative situations and challenges and turn them into opportunities to advance in amazing ways and bring reformation to cities and nations. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

• “Can you hear Me? I am giving you My blessing without reproach. Can you hear Me? Nehemiah did! I have a blueprint...a building kit...to birth the Kingdom Church...an apostolic reformation and the restoration of all things. Can you hear Me?”

The Lord said to stop being like Sanballat...a professional accuser...who twisted the truth by magnifying the challenge instead of magnifying the Lord. Like in the time of Nehemiah, the Lord is commanding us to be happy and rejoice with His plans to build and rebuild.

Questions And Answers: Then the Lord spoke to me about 2014 in response to my questions:

• “Civil war?” “No! Not to worry, hope peacemakers are rising up. Be praying for peace on all sides. Go forth and have fun. It is time to build.”

• “U.S. currency failure?” “No! Not to worry. I have some good plans. Therefore go and build.”

• “Protect ourselves to survive tribulations?” “No! I have you protected and covered like the cities in Goshen. Freedom is granted to live more generously than ever and bring reformation. Go, build and have fun!”

• “Need to hoard food?” “No! However, there will be a few various places where there will be need for food assistance, so be wise. Go and build, have fun, so that you can feed people. See your food multiply, and there will be supernatural and providential miracles in these days. I have My Hope Reformers ready to step in to help alleviate the hunger.”

The Lord continued on:

• The Lord said to all of us in a very kind but very firm tone, “Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it! Stop spreading this misery, this evil humidity that you have been spewing out that settles upon the mountains. If you cannot speak out of life, do not speak out of death. Look again from a better view, from My perspective. You are to get above the clouds. To fear Me is to see what I see.”

• “It is harming, confusing and wounding My people...it puts My cities and nations under a dark cloud. It is speaking out of your own wounds...or your warfare, or your weariness, or your sense of rejection, or your isolation, or your disappointments, or your despair. I am bringing a healing model and restoring My joy to all those who have suffered pain in this life, and it is beautiful.

• “Let Me tell you how to fight with hope and love.” (At this point He laughed and lightened the mood.) “Ask Me this, ‘What would it be like if My servants simply focused on hope and love until the very end? What kinds of amazing solutions would I bring into this world?’“

• The Lord said, “Let’s fight against this enemy together! I do not want both sweet and bitter waters to proceed from the same source. I do want to go with you! But follow Me with joy, love, hope, and adventure in your hearts. Band together and reveal to all ‘The God of the Fifth Scene’ and call them into the Hope Reformation...the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (See James 3:11; Daniel 11:32.)

The Hope Reformation Plan

• God said, “This is a Psalm 67 year.”

God is giving us a divine blueprint and a building plan. He is engineering a “new exodus” for God’s people to come out of “misery Christianity” into a hope-filled reformation. The Lord said,

• “I will release My people to leave the bondage and drudgery of religious agendas and traditions and the merely human expectations that require them all to just make brick after brick. I will commission them to go forth into all of life to worship Me in the beauty and wonder of the diversity I have created. They are to give back all their amazing gifts, talents, and daily works in the neighborhoods, streets, schools, and marketplaces as an acceptable offering to Me and I will then use them to glorify Me in all the earth.”

• The Lord said that we will see ourselves, our journey, and comprehend our story within the ancient story of Moses and the children of Israel.

I saw the Lord open up a hope-filled reformation blueprint where He magnifies Himself in supernatural and providential miracles this coming year. He will continue to trump evil with good and cause hope to be the anchor of our souls as we major on adoring Him well.

Bob Hartley (scribed by Michael Sullivant)

Deeper Waters Ministry

Email: deeperwatersofhope@gmail.com

Website: bobhartley.org

via The Elijah List

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Matt Sorger: 13 Prophetic Insights and Decrees for 2013

I respect Matt Sorger quite a lot, but I don't often post his words on this blog: I don't often discern that his words have specific Northwest application. In this one, he is not specifically addressing our region (nor is he prophesying from our region), but I hear an anointing on this word that includes those of us in the Northwest region.

As I waited upon God, going into 2013, I received these words from the Lord. Some came in the form of impressions, others came as visions and some came as Scriptures that God was breathing on for this season. Prophetic words are an invitation from the Lord. I sense the following 13 prophetic insights are to be decrees that we aggressively pursue for 2013. 

They are invitations for us to lay hold of. 

13 Prophetic Insights and Decrees 

1. Stagnant waters will be stirred in a fresh way. I saw pools of Bethesda stirring again and a fresh healing stir being released. God wants His people to lay hold of the divine healing anointing in a fresh way this year. I saw deep seated, lingering disorders being healed, even down to the chromosome level. I saw stubborn areas within the soul and flesh being healed that people have battled with for years. 

In John 5:2-5, 9, Christ performs a healing on the Sabbath. Jesus never did anything by chance or accident. He was very purposeful in His intention. God is calling His people to access His healing and power from a place of rest. The Sabbath is more than just a day of rest. It's a spiritual position of rest. In Christ we enter into the Sabbath. We receive because of the finished work Christ has done on the Cross. Rather than begging God for what He has already done, we are to simply step in and receive the finished work. A new level and substance of faith is coming into the heart to receive the finished work. God is highlighting the spirit of faith and understanding the finished work of Christ. Living from the Sabbath position will be crucial in obtaining all God has for us. 

2. A prophetic ear will be given to not only hear but to also listen and comprehend. This hearing will also occur from a position of rest in His presence. Key Scriptures are 1 Samuel 3:3, 10. In a time of no widespread revelation and where the eyes of the high priest Eli were growing dim, the light was still burning in the temple near the ark. As Samuel rested before the ark in the presence of God, the voice of God speaks to him. After several times of hearing but not understanding, Samuel is instructed by Eli to say, "Speak Lord for your servant is listening." 

There is a big difference between hearing and listening. God is refining the prophetic ear and the prophetic movement. He is calling His prophets and His people to come into a place of rest in His presence in the light of revelation. From that place the voice of God will speak. Not only will His voice be heard, but it will be listened to and comprehended. A new clarity of hearing and perceiving God's voice is coming. It will not be by self-effort or striving; it will be from resting in His presence. Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. 

3. New language will be given by God to properly and clearly communicate truths God is highlighting and speaking. For example, the term "soaking" was not used until the outpouring of God's Spirit in the 90s. This term helped explain the concept of being filled with God's presence. New language will be given by the Spirit to more deeply and clearly understand truths God is bringing forth of spiritual realities. 

4. God is giving the blueprints for the new wineskin He is forming. In Joshua 3:3-6, the people were to follow the ark into a way they have never gone before. As we follow the moving of the presence of God, He will lead us by His Spirit into places we have never gone before. The walk of sanctification will be vital in preparation for the wonders God will do. God is saying to be ready to pull the tent pegs up. When the cloud of His presence moves we need to move with Him. We have to be willing to fold up old structures and ways of doing things in order to stay current and fresh with God. God's marching orders will be given. There will be new alignments and relational structures to facilitate the move of God. 

5. We will not continue to do things the same way. The cloud of God is moving and with that our activities will shift. Our focuses will shift. Some old structures will have to adapt and morph with the new way God is moving. There will be fresh Spirit-led activity. God doesn't want us to be busy. He wants us to be fruitful. Forms, structures and even activities we have done in the past may shift as God moves in new ways. Be prepared to let go of some things and to embrace and step into some new things you haven't done before. It will be vital to go where the Spirit is breathing. Don't hold onto something God isn't breathing on any longer. Be fruitful by moving and being led by the Spirit. 

6. God will be highlighting and deepening within His people an understanding of the true identity of the Believer. Revelation of how to live out of union with God will come forth. We will understand our oneness with God and live out of our inner spirit man. For those who are one with God are one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17, 19).

7. God is going to bring revelation into foundational, spiritual truths. Things we thought we knew and understood, God is going to have us look again and He is going to give us deeper revelation and understanding into things we thought we knew for years. Look back upon foundational truths, and new light and revelation will be shone upon them bringing the manifestation of true spiritual realities. 

8. The understanding of spiritual warfare is shifting. We are moving from "warfare" breakthrough to a "decreeing and establishing" breakthrough. This will occur with a deeper revelation of who and where we are. Rather than fighting into the second heaven from being under, we will rule and reign from the third Heaven being over. I understand that we wrestle not with flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), and that even Jesus experienced personal warfare when He was tempted by the devil and overcame by the spoken Word of God. This warfare will not be fought to obtain victory, but will be fought from a place of victory. 

Christians will live from a third Heaven reality, understanding how to establish on earth as it is in Heaven. A new perspective, a new revelation and with it a new manifestation of Kingdom authority will be released. God is bringing people into a new level of spiritual authority.Ephesians 2:5-6 are key Scriptures. The Church will shift from an Old Testament model of spiritual warfare (Daniel 10:13) into a New Testament revelation of establishing what has already been won (Colossians 2:15). 

9. This is the season of the fulfillment of dreams. Many are being brought from a time where the word of the Lord tested them. The second dream to Joseph was highlighted to me in Genesis 37:9-11. In it Joseph sees eleven stars and the sun and the moon bowing down to him, speaking of his promotion into a position of authority and influence. Eleven plus two is thirteen, the number of this year. People are going to step into the manifestation of unfulfilled dreams. The warfare of the last season is being washed away and a new heavenly perspective is being granted. Just as Joseph's betrayal and trial maneuvered him into his assignment and destiny, so will the trials and testings in our lives propel us into our destinies. Key Scriptures are Genesis 37:9, Genesis 45:5-8, Psalm 105:17-24. 

10. God is delivering people from burdens. But it's not just the removal of burdens. As Psalm 81:6-7 says, He will remove our shoulder from the burden and bring deliverance. This is different than the burden being removed from us. It's us being removed from under the burden. Get ready for divine shifting that will maneuver you out from underneath burdens into a place of deliverance. In other words, situations or people may stay the same, but you will be maneuvered out from underneath them. It's a season of deliverance for those who call on the name of the Lord. 

Psalm 105:37-44 show 10 promises accompanying this deliverance. These include financial provision, divine health, fear of the Lord on the enemy, the covering of His presence, light in the darkness, food, dry places refreshed, joy, lands and nations, and reaping where you haven't labored. Lay hold of these promises for you, your family, church, ministry and business. 

11. There is a generational convergence taking place. It's a season for new, young leaders to be mentored and raised up. Generations are converging together and will function together in relationship for the purpose of multiplication. Generational wells and new wells will open together. Fathers and mothers will take their place and sons and daughters will come into their place. Those that have not been fathers will now step into a fathering role. Genesis 26:18-24 are key Scriptures for this. 

12. I saw a vision of an open door. This is the year of the open door. As we run through it we will come intodivine acceleration. New favor, new opportunities and new advancements. Key Scriptures are Revelations 3:7-13. God will keep us from the hour of trial coming upon the whole earth. It's time to hold fast what you have so no one robs you of your crown. Have patient endurance. The name of God will be upon us. 

13. I saw a vision of the Lord blowing upon a flickering flame. Usually when someone blows on a candle the flame goes out. But as God breathed upon the flame within us it got brighter and hotter. It will be a season of renewing our first love for God (Revelation 2:2-7). God is bringing both an encouragement and warning that if our works are not done from the place of first love, the candlestick can be removed. Ministry work must be done from the place of first love for Jesus. God is calling people back to the simplicity of worship and living a life in His presence. This will also bring deeper consecration, holiness and divine fire as a result. A key verse is Matthew 12:20, A smoldering wick He will not snuff out. 

I encourage you to pray over these 13 prophetic insights and decrees. Meditate on them and apply them to your lives as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Matt Sorger
Matt Sorger Ministries
Email: info@mattsorger.com
 

A Field of Dreams or Nightmares?

Note from NWP Editor: It's our judgment (per 1 Corinthians 14:23) that this has application to Northwesterners.

NOTE FROM RICK JOYNER: This is a word that was first circulated in The Morning Star Journal, Volume 6.2. Because so many have reread this and felt that it addressed our present situation, we decided to re-release it. With the exception of a few word changes for the sake of clarity, this is exactly what was circulated in April 1996. I still agree with the interpretation included.

     While praying about the future of our economy, I was given a vision of a long, lush green field. I felt that this represented a long period of economic prosperity, which has generally been the case since that time. While praying in August 1995, I saw this field in a vision again, but with much more detail. The end of the field was covered in fog. Not far into the fog there was a very steep cliff. In the middle of the cliff, there was a narrow, twisting, steep path that appeared like a descending bridge. It had the same green grass on it that the field did and went all the way to the bottom.

     Those who walked into the fog almost all missed the little path and fell over the cliff. Some of these died, but nets below the cliffs caught many of them. However, these nets were not there to save the people but to trap them. Others entered the fog carefully, dropping to their knees and searching for the path, which they seemed to intuitively know was there. Most of those looking for the path were able to find it and carefully started down on their knees. A few people had parachutes, and they jumped off the cliff into the fog.

     At the bottom there was a sea with four kinds of ships in the harbor: slave ships, warships, luxury liners, and hospital ships. Most of the ships were slavers. The next greatest number was warships. There were only five hospital ships, all of which were on clean, well-kept docks right in the middle of the harbor. The two luxury liners were docked at each end of the harbor. An abundance of supplies were on their docks, but both the docks and ships looked filthy and poorly maintained. No warships were docked, but all kept moving about in the harbor.

     The people who fell into the nets were put on the slave ships. Most of those who made it down the steep paths headed for the hospital ships, but many did head for the luxury liners. Of those who headed for the luxury liners, some were captured and made to board a slave ship.

     The luxury liners were closely guarded, and obviously under the control of the warships. The warships occasionally took people from the slave ships and luxury liners, and they were taking whoever they wanted—they could not be resisted.

     Those from the hospital ships were also taking people from the other ships. However, they only took the weakest or those who were so sick or wounded and not expected to live.

     The crewmen of the hospital ships were shown respect because they wore brilliant armor that seemed to confound everyone else. Those who were jumping off the cliff with the parachutes were all landing on the hospital ships or their docks.

     When a slave ship would fill up it would depart, making frequent turns as if it knew where it was going. The warships were also making so many turns that it seemed impossible to tell which way they would go next. Any ship that happened to be in the way of a warship when it turned was blasted and sunk by the warship. If the warships turned toward each other, they started shooting at each other until one was sunk.

     Because of the fog, many ships collided with other ships and sank. The water was filled with sharks that quickly devoured those who fell into it. The confusion, despair, and fear over the harbor were as thick as the fog. When the fog thickened, these fears would intensify. When the fog would thin a little, hope would begin to rise in the people. When the fog lifted enough so that the open sea could be seen, the ships would begin heading for it.

     The hospital ships were also the only ones who seemed to be sailing as if they knew where they were going. They could sail right through the chaos in the harbor and into the open sea at will. One or two of them were constantly going out to sea, disappearing for a time, and then they would return. Then another would go and do the same.

     As I followed one of these ships to the open sea in the vision, all of a sudden it was as if I was standing on the bridge of the ship. The farther out we went, the more the sky cleared. Soon it became bluer than I had ever seen it, except when flying in a high altitude jet. I was so intrigued by the sky that I had not been watching the sea. When I looked back at it, I saw that we were actually flying at a very high altitude.

     I thought that we were going out into space, but soon we descended toward what appeared to be a whole new world. It was composed of islands, each with a different culture of people on it. The wounded on our hospital ship were placed on several of the different islands, so that each wounded person was placed with those from his or her own culture.

     These islands were at perfect peace, and there were beautiful white bridges connecting them to one another, with a constant flow of people on the bridges. On each island vast foundations were being laid for a great city.

     Even though each island was very different, and different from any place that I had ever seen, I felt immediately at home on each one. They were each like paradise, and though they seemed to be on a different world, I knew that they were somehow very close to the one I had just left.

Interpretation and Insights

     That I can now see the end of this field indicates that the end of our economic prosperity is now in sight. What I saw at the end was much more catastrophic than I had ever thought. There are some very dark times ahead, but at the same time there is a whole new world being built right in our midst that is more wonderful than we can even imagine.

     To the degree that we have built our lives and faith on the economy of the world, we have built on a very shaky foundation. We know that the time will come when everything that can be shaken will be. The time that we have been given until that happens is for the purpose of preparation. Let us build our hope and trust on the kingdom that alone cannot be shaken.

     Those who kept walking into the fog just as they had been walking in the open field, not discerning or not acknowledging the change, either perished or fell into slavery. Those who immediately fell to their knees found a safe way down, but it still led down. They had to stay on their knees all the way; no one could have stood up on that slope because it was too steep and narrow. Falling to our knees speaks of prayer. As soon as we see the fog, or confusion, we must pray for every step we take thereafter.

     That no one ascended, but all went down to the bottom of the cliff, spoke to me that the economy of the whole world was going down. Many will survive what is coming, but not at the level they are presently. Much of our present standard of living has been built upon credit, borrowing from the future, and the future is now here. We are fast approaching the time when the bills will have to be paid. That will cause a drastic reduction of our present lifestyles.

     I felt that the slave ships were banks. During the Great Depression, banks were so over extended that most of them failed. Somehow, they have now positioned themselves to not only survive another economic collapse, but will actually be in a place to enslave those who are in debt to them.

     The warships were all different sizes, and I felt represented different powers. Their efforts were not coordinated, but they all seemed to be in as much confusion as everyone else, and all seemed to be at war with one another. They lived by plundering the other ships and each other. I believe that in the times ahead, small wars will be flashing up almost everywhere and without apparent reason. Anyone who gets in the way of those with some power will be in trouble.

     The luxury ships were so filthy that it seemed only slightly better to be on one of them instead of a slave or warship. It was obvious that the luxury of the future will not be as we know it today. Also, the luxury ships were constantly being plundered by the warships, making them almost an intolerable place to be. Even a hint of luxury in the future may only serve to make us targets.

     I knew that the hospital ships were the church. They were glistening white with red crosses on them. They were so bright and clean that they stood out dramatically in this vision. White speaks of purity, and the red crosses spoke to me that they were bearing the cross. Red is also the color of sacrifice. These ships were so beautiful that anyone would have wanted to be on them. The church will become the most desirable place in the world to be, and the church will become the pure vessel she is called to be when she takes up the cross, committing herself to the life of sacrifice. In the times ahead, the life of sacrifice and service to others will be the most desirable life in the world and will actually be a glorious place to dwell.

     The people on the hospital ships each wore brilliant, silver armor. They, too, stood out dramatically whenever they appeared, and this caused everyone to show them great respect, even the warships. This spoke to me that when believers learn to wear their armor, they will command the whole world's respect and have authority because of it.

     The docks of the hospital ships were also spotless and were overflowing with supplies. There was far more wealth on them than on the luxury ships, but the wealth was being used for service, not luxury. Because the individuals with the armor and the hospital ships commanded such respect, no one was trying to plunder their great stocks of supplies, even though they were obvious to everyone.

     When a hospital ship pulled between two warships that were fighting, they would stop fighting and give them their wounded. It seemed that this was one of the primary purposes of these ships, to simply stop the fighting whenever they could.

     In the midst of the chaos of this place, the dignity, resolve, and purpose that the Christians and their ships moved with was stunning. The greatest feeling came over me when I stood on the bridge of the ship leaving for the open sea. That feeling was freedom. As soon as we entered the open sea, we ascended into the heavenly places. Once out of the fog, we did not travel on the earth. When we came back down, it was to a seemingly new earth, even though I knew somehow that it was right in the middle of what I had left.

     That I entered this extraordinary freedom on a hospital ship speaks of finding our true peace when we take up our crosses to serve others. When we do this, we will begin to dwell in the heavenly places. Then we will see the earth very differently—we will see what God is doing. I really felt that those paradise islands were already right in our midst, but we just could not see them yet.

     At the very time when the world descends into a terrible chaos, which will probably begin with economic chaos, God is building bridges between people that will be the foundation of a glorious future. The end of this age is the beginning of the one over which Christ will reign. In Revelation 17:15 we are told that, “The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.” The sea often represents mass humanity in prophetic language. That the sea at the bottom of the cliff was in the most terrible chaos represents what the kingdoms of this world are headed for. The islands represent that the Lord is also laying a foundation for His kingdom right in our midst at this same time. That I knew these islands were close to the sea of confusion spoke to me that what the Lord is about to build on the earth is also very close at hand.

     The bridges are right now being built between people. The bridges were for interchange, and it was obvious to me that each island was building something wonderful, as if it were the very best from their culture in order to share it with the other islands. That new foundations were being laid for cities represented a whole new beginning for the earth. What is now being built for the Lord, for the sake of His kingdom, will remain and be a foundation for the age to come.