Words from the Lord given to Bob Neumann over a period of time
Memorial Day and Joel's Armies.
BOB NEUMAN
April 26, 1999
Let Hadassah be still, to fast and pray. Let the Bride prepare and make herself ready. The concern of the betrothed is to be found waiting when the Bridegroom comes as a thief in the night. My Father's house has both many rooms and many servants. To be judged good and faithful means the servant is obedient and not wicked. That the Master's desires were met and His plans were obeyed.
Each servant is accountable for their own work and not their fellow servant's tasks. Faithful stewards assist the servants at doing the measure they have been assigned and keep their minds upon their duty.
The stewards and servants that prove their worth do so in My sight, for nothing is hidden from me. I reward and I promote. That is part of My judgment.
Those who are wicked and lazy, who abuse My authority and usurp My lordship, shall also be judged and weighed in My scales for their deeds. They will also be rewarded for their iniquities as I exalt Myself over and upon them in the sight of the world. This I do so the world will know My name. They will see my judgment upon My own house before they bear My wrath upon them. They will hide from Me, cower before Me, yet even then they shall not repent.
Let each of Mine servants know well their duties and responsibilities. Fear not to seek Me and ask of Me what will please Me. Question your own understanding and your own reasoning. Call upon Me, and I will replace that which is of you and will bring reproach if left unchecked. I will fill you again with true reverence and awareness of My holiness, of My glory, of My fullness.
Call on Me before this moment is over. Of the time of visitation and the season of My favor you have long known. Yet, easily do you forget the day I call Mine. The day where My vengeance has been promised to those who have warred long and hard against My house and My name. Only foolish children ignore repeated warnings. This is the tragedy of foolishness...for they know not their God.
From Bob Neumann
it seems things are now in the fire, one way or another. I'm pondering your request for the one-liners. and wonder if even now I'm more concerned on how people take my ''spin'' on things. you see Meri, we've talked about ''one-liners'' for awhile now. i don't think it's actually a tangent of the GIFT of DISCERNMENT, but it sure helps at times. now here is where your caveat to the AP List needs to come in. you know, the one where you need to warn the ''casual readers'' that i am not an agent of darkness, just that if you get to 'know' me you will realize I'm on your side. the ONE LINER there is "IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHOSE SIDE YOUR ON TELLS ABOUT HOW WELL THEIR 'DISCERNERS' ARE WORKING.''
SO HERE IS THE BAD NEWS FOR ALL WHO READ THE AP......... I'm not on 'your side'. i bow my knee to the LORD OF HOSTS, THE LAMB TRIUMPHANT. i have taken HIS NAME and HIS COMMISSION. this is what i am going to do at Kremling, Colorado in August. explaining what the latter means. if you happen to also bow and serve HIM we are both on HIS SIDE.
and that takes me to the next ONE LINER. it should be familiar to everyone, if not please ask Meri to explain.... Exodus 20:3 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (KJV)
so in answer to the Tai Bow, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Acupuncture, and anything that has in it's labeling "alternative''....or ''new''.....it is just another god. and if you want to debate ''christian'' variations of abominations....now i don't want to get crude here but you have your head where it was not ment to be. you are messing with other gods and once
you buy into the LIE, you're sucker bait.
to many so called christians serve other gods....hear other gods....and preach other gospels of a different kingdom. one less than HOLY. but because it ''sounds, smells, and looks religious and spiritual" it has to be GOD.....right?.......wrong!
everywhere i looked in the last 30 years that was ''religious'' GOD had either never been there or had departed long ago. there might be one or two of "the remnant'' there, but the remnant is only found in SARDIS, THIATYRA, AND PERGAMUM. congratulations....a fresh one liner....even to me....if you got cold chills running up and down your spine....that's what usually happens when GOD TALKS.....stops you cold.
a for 'spiritual'....read your Bibles. we are to DISCERN HIS MOST HOLY SPIRIT first... in all things....every time...otherwise we are listening to lies.
a little comment to what was given from Doug Fortune. SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND..... the Feasts and the Calendar were given to man as prophetic instruments. much of the ''oral tradition'' that Y'SHUA followed and kept and taught from has been lost to both Christians and Jews. Purim and Hanukkah were not in the original 7 Feasts..... but were prophesied of in Isaiah and Psalms and Song of SONGS. TESHUHAH was kept for @ 100 years before Y'SHUA was born. As was THE FEAST OF REDEDICATION. the gospels say HE followed the practices of HIS PEOPLE. from BRIS to Bar MITZVAH....maybe we should pay attention to the things HE DID as well as to WHAT HE SAID....read John 8:26-29.....pay attention to the ''do'' parts.
tonight at sunset two things happen....part of the FOURTH THUNDER is fulfilled.... i almost missed it....and the BRIDE faces the DESTROYER..... .....................OF HER BRETHREN.............
sometimes it isn't one liners.....but it's simple phrases HE ADDS ON that count..... TISHA B'AV is beginning tonight.....
anyone been ''under fire'' since Sunday? distracted? burdened? tired and weary? headaches? family problems? accusations from? accusations against?
me too.... ask around....especially of those you know serve THE MASTER.... and compare notes.... even THE LONE RANGER had TONTO!!!!
dog
The Thunder and the Tears,
I was sitting at my key board a few nights ago when a low deep rumbling filled and vibrated my home. I went out to the patio in the early morning dark amazed because it was a continuous sound and shaking. Sometimes very low flying 747's and C5's have done this. And shortly after Hurricane Andrew low and slow Jolly Greens did the same. But now it was already unearthly long and there was no dopler effect. In my spirit i felt the vague uneasiness when i realize i am in need of time at ABBA'S FEET. Then i
heard a faint weeping on the night breeze. It is something one can not grow used to. Either in THE SPIRIT or in the Natural.
There are many scriptures about crying and weeping. But at the time i could only touch two. The barren women and the verse that said "Jesus wept". Not long ago the assembly of saints i worshipped with missed a "TIME OF VISITATION". At least i believe that in my spirit and have wept bitterly. I pray i am wrong. Yet i began to wonder how many failed to notice HIS PRESENCE. How many failed to receive what HE OFFERED.
How many refused to listen and obey. Now take this over the last year, the last 2000 years, the last 6000 years and it is painfull.
In this depressing mood i turned to go into my home and found myself in a dark street. I was taken back quite dramatically as i slowly walked to what looked like an intersection but was not. What it was was a huge courtyard. I looked up some steps and through a
huge gate and saw the porch of the temple and the VEIL. I walked from the inner court up the steps. As i walked i felt the sudden chill that this is real. Cold stone on bear feet will do it to you. So does the smell as i passed the ''killing ground'' and the Brazen alter. The Laver stood there and i rinsed off my hands and feet like i knew what i was doing. My head was covered and my garments were white. When i stepped up and into THE HOLY PLACE i passed the Menorrah and watched the 7 lights flicker. They were
running out of oil. The Alter of show bread looked dry and stale. The loaves had been there all too long. The Alter of incense was cold and bleak.
As i stood before the ALTER OF INCENSE i touched the closest horns and felt the tears run down my face. In my spirit i heard the words....WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN. I
suddenly noticed the GREAT VEIL move a bit and wondered. On my face i sensed great heat in front of me. There was a glow coming through the VEIL and i fell to my knees at THE ALTER. AS I WATCHED, THE VEIL TORE IN TWO and BEFORE ME WAS THE PILLAR OF FIRE. IT/HE was centerer around and on THE MERCY SEAT.
in my mind i could only think HAVE MERCY, LORD. But my mouth only stammered as i openly sobbed and sank to the floor. In my spirit i could see THE SHEKKINAH
going upward through the roof of the TEMPLE and filling the night sky. Then came the awareness that there was no one there to see it.
"ONLY YOU, AND THOSE WHO READ WHAT I TELL YOU TO WRITE.'', came HIS VOICE that filled both my ears and ''Yes, LORD.", i replied. ''But LORD, i also know that YOU ARE HOLY AND YOUR NAME IS JEALOUS. You have shown
me YOUR CITY AND TEMPLE ABANDONED. So i pray MERCY LORD...i don't know what else to do.''
"ON WHOM DO YOU SEEK MY MERCY?''
''on YOUR PEOPLE, LORD''....
"BUT WHO ARE MY PEOPLE? THOSE WHO HEAR ME AND OBEY, OR THOSE WHO DENY ME AND WAR AGAINST MY KINGDOM? THERE ARE ONLY TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE MY FRIEND, THOSE WHO ARE FOR ME AND THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST ME.''
''forive me LORD, but i am praying for those who have fallen away. The Prodigals who we are waiting to return to ABBA.''
"THEN YOUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. ALL THOSE THAT
WERE TO RETURN HAVE DONE SO.''
''LORD, what of those who have...." and HE cut me off....
''SHEMUEL, DO NOT PRAY FOR THOSE PEOPLE ANY LONGER. THERE ARE THOSE WHO BLESS ME. THEY ARE YOUR FELLOW SERVANTS. THEN THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST ME WHOM YOU ARE AT WAR WITH. AND THEN THERE ARE THOSE WHO MERELY IGNOR ME AND MARGINALIZE ME IN THEIR LIVES. THE ONES WHO GO THROUGH MOTIONS TO IMPRESS OTHERS LIKE THEMSELVES. THESE I KNOW TURN MY BACK TO.''
With that THE FIRE rose up and moved above my head and forward. As i turned and walked out of the TEMPLE the lights of the Menorah had gone out. When i stepped out
into the INNER COURT i knew i was watching Ezekiel play out. As THE GLORY/FIRE stood above the porch i saw the men with swords and the one man with the inkwell. I watched as this one great angel come up to me and write on my forehead and turn to go into the city. I looked up and watched trying to decide what to ask and HE BEAT ME TO IT.
"WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, SHEMUEL. YOU WARNED THEM. THOSE THAT HEARD AND PREPARED MY ROOM WILL BE MARKED AND SPARED MY JUDGEMENT. FOR NOW THE ONE WHO RESTRAINS HAS BEEN REMOVED. MICHAEL, THE CHIEF PRINCE HAS STEPPED ASIDE AND NOW IT CAN BEGIN.''
With that the lone angel returned and bowed to THE MOST HOLY, and the six angels who waited with drawn swords left. as they moved into the city, THE GLORY ROSE AND DEPARTED.
I felt a tearing in my spirit and i heard those WORDS..."IT'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT". When i turned i saw ABBA sitting and i ran to HIS FEET. HE PUT HIS HAND ON MY HEAD AND WHISPERED, "YOU'VE GROWN UP SHEMUEL IN MY HOUSE FOR I HAVE CALLED YOU TO SERVE ME. JUST AS MY ONLY BEGOTTEN SERVES ME. ALL BORN IN MY HOUSE WERE TRAINED WITH THE SWORD. ALL WHO SERVE ME ALONE WEEP AND MOURN. I WILL DRY THEIR TEARS AND THEY WILL DO AS I ASK. OBEDIENT CHILDREN ARE THE FATHER'S GLORY''.
As I looked into HIS FACE and SAW HIS SMILE i understood how HE GRIEVES once again. As HE KISSED ME i was back at home....in this so called real world. In obedience i wrote what i saw. and heard. and felt. And i send.
selah old dog
Bob Neumann
This is a composite retelling of numerous short visions within the theme and focusing on those within the aspect of THE WALKING DEAD. They have occurred since July 1st which was Tammuz 17. Or the beginning of the ''fast of Tammuz". Read Jeremiah 6-7-8 to understand what it means and remember that on that day the Walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Babylonians and later by the Romans. While these visions are complete in themselves, the fact that they are the opposite side of the image of THE BRIDE I
cannot attempt to make any clearer. But I will try.
for days I have had short episodes within the Valley of Vision. each time I am with a group of 10 "soldiers'' walking along dusty gravel and tarmac roads similar to the rural roads of much of the united states. we sure were not walking along the Pennsylvania turnpike or route 66. unlike the trench where we were freezing, hungry, tired and thirsty.....it was hot, dry, dusty.....and tired and hungry and thirsty....
sort of more like NAM than Korea.....but no jungles or rice paddies.
I have to mention these things for my own frame of reference and understanding. too much of these visions are images and pattern I am adjusting to without a personal frame of reference. I have never done in the physical realm what I am seeing and participating in within the VALLEY of VISION. so my affinity is loose to begin with.
so if any of the images suddenly take shape to you from the realm of your personal experience, remember I warned you........
like I said above we were walking along this dusty road. there were 10 of us walking in staggered file looking to either side. with us and dressed in olive drab was THE KING HIMSELF. quiet and assured HE walked up and down our line of march affirming HIS PRESENCE. it was twilight, sunset was minutes away when we followed a curve and came to a clearing. here there were rows of streets with cookie-cutter houses in nice neat rows. occasional children were out in the yards and streets. as they saw us they
followed us to the center of the little town/city where a fine brick church stood with steeple rising above the houses.
as we came to the church steps a round, short man in a cheap, wrinkled suit ran up and stood on the steps barring our passage into the church. all my impressions of this person were fast, strong, and negative. so when he opened his mouth I wasn't overly surprised at what he said. or his accusations. "Where do you think you are going?", shouted Mr. cheap suit.
the man at the front of our line looked up at our challenger and simply stated, "We are Soldier's of THE KING and we are here on THE KING'S BUSINESS." "You're the KING'S Soldiers!", mocked Mr. cheap suit. "All I see is a gang of filthy ruffians here on pretenses. We know your kind and the things you do. If you are who you say you are where are your horses and banners! All we see is a bunch of riffraff who can
be up to no good!''
by this time we were surrounded by people and our accuser was obviously playing to his crowd. in response our point man had turned aside and looked back to the KING who was now surrounded by a group of children and dogs who were clamoring for attention. as HE KNELT DOWN ON ONE KNEE TO MINISTER TO THE CHILDREN. I could hear the deep slow rumble of laughter from the point man as he ignored the man in the cheap suit. which made him furious and his face showed his anger as it reddened. with a shaky hand and quivering voice he shouted at THE KING: "Don't you dare touch those children!"
as he bellowed his command he ran down the steps toward where THE KING OF KINGS was touching and blessing the ''littlest ones''. his only problem was he had to get by me. all I did was do I slight pivot and swing my rifle from port arms to face off my hip. this simple move brought our suddenly silent and quickly growing pale friend in the cheap suit to a screeching halt. I do not know what changed his demeanor. his finding himself at eye level with a very large rifle muzzle....or the fact that to have his nose at mid level to my chest would place me well over 7 foot tall. of course that couldn't be until I looked at all the troopers in formation. we all were a foot or two taller than the people of this 'city'.
when THE KING finished with the children HE simply stood and walked over to our very angry and frightened antagonist. I watched the little man puff himself up and prepare to speak. on the other hand MY KING was very relaxed and allowed the accuser the first word. at the time I thought it ludicrous that HE would allow him to speak at all.
"How dare you come here and disrupt our community!", he seethed. "By what right do you have to come and threaten us! When the King hears of this.........." and he got cut off in mid threat....
"Reverend ******", began THE KING quietly began. I could see the use of Mr. cheap suit's name and title began the deflation of our ''religious man of title''. "I CAME HERE TO TAKE YOU PEOPLE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY", explained the KING. "YOUR LAND IS IN DANGER AND YOUR PEOPLE ARE AT RISK. I HAVE PREPARED A PLACE FOR ALL OF YOU AND HAVE COME TO TAKE YOU WITH ME".
I watched the ''rev'' eyeball THE KING with a less than reverend-like glare in his eyes. with a slow and measured cadence to his voice he began his reply in a whisper. "You came to take us to safety? We are the children of the King! What right do you have to do anything to us?"
"IT IS FOR YOUR SAFETY.", replied THE KING quietly repeating HIMSELF.
"NO!", shouted the man, "We are safe here. Nothing can happen to us because we are the church. We were promised nothing bad can happen to us. We will not listen to your lies. You came to bring us to harm. Our King will not allow any of us to be harmed." with that he crossed his arms across his chest and glared defiantly at all who stood with THE KING.
(looking back at this I feel a mixture of sadness and anger. yet at the time it seemed so ridiculous. this highly enraged ''clergyman'' verbally assaulting THE LORD OF HOSTS. what puzzled me the most is HIS RESPONSE)
and KING JESUS replied, "AS YOU SO WILL", as HE TURNED AND WALKED AWAY.
we all followed, and I was stunned. it didn't make sense. as we reached the opposite side of the clearing where we entered I caught up with HIM and kept pace as we quick marched along the road. every few steps I would look at HIM and wondered what was going on. each time I wanted to ask HIM I decided to wait. I hope I was practicing discretion. after a while HE slowed the pace and I think all in the squad took a sigh of relief.
without any warning HE looked at me and asked, "ANYTHING BOTHERING YOU?'' I do not like loaded questions. so I asked a question back, "am I in trouble?".
''CAN YOU DEFEND YOUR INTERPOSING YOURSELF BETWEEN MYSELF AND REVEREND *********?''.
it seemed a straight forward issue. so I mentioned about preventing the children from coming to HIM. with that HE SMILED. "THEN I'LL TELL YOU JUST WHAT HAPPENED BACK THERE. I KNOW MINE......AND MINE KNOW ME.''
"so the guy in the cheap suit isn't one of yours?" I asked, and nodding my head began to ponder about it all. "what about the children?", I asked. with that HE STOPPED and TURNED TO ME AND ASKED; "DO YOU TRUST ME, DOG?"
I replied, "YES, LORD!" and HE SMILED AND SAID....."SO DO THEY."
it wasn't much longer that the road came to a four way stop sign. there we stopped and HE separated us into two groups. the first led by the point man took the left turn. I and four of the squad took the right turn. THE KING WENT ALONE....STRAIGHT AHEAD. we were told to continue and to get the cities and towns to move their people out of the approaching danger and to safety immediately. shortly we came to another clearing and started to pass block after block of upscale homes. all were very affluent to say the least. as before in the center of town we came to a church. let me rephrase that....a big church.... and had a welcoming committee waiting at the steps.
as briefed I approached and a woman came forward. call her a mature lady, well turned out. nothing overstated, but not a hair out of place. she had a smile that reminded me of a lawyer turning politician. obviously she had authority here, so I stated my orders.
her response was so well done I wondered if it was scripted....
"We are honored that THE KING was concerned for our well being. While we are aware of some probable difficulties in the near future, we do not share HIS opinion. WE HAVE DECIDED (her inflection change requires capitalization) that we will stay for now. If there is any deterioration in the present status we will inform you when you may return. You may leave now".
so we did, as soon as we cleared the ''church area'' we began to double time it out of the city. seemed like we all wanted to distance ourselves from it. as we came to our usual pace outside of the city one of the four stated..."now we know the answer to the question of where is "MYSTERY BABYLON?". suddenly it struck me that I had been taking these visions for granted. I asked "are any of you guys having a vision right now?''. all four looked at me and laughed. the one now walking point turned around and said.
"If this where my vision and you were in it we'd be on horseback." with that he turned around and we were silent again.
it took awhile but we came to a real rural looking area where the houses were old and drab. it was a small town and old. when we came to the center of town the 'church' had been abandoned. the windows were broken and we could see the roof had caved in. we looked around and wondered where everyone was. eventually some people slowly wandered over and when I explained we were there to help them to leave they laughed and wandered back to where they came from. again we double timed out of there.
the next city was straight out of a fifties TV program. we came to a white clapboard "church" in the wildwood''. as we came to the front door a couple came forward to greet us. we had a large crowd around us when I explained their need to leave immediately. As soon as I finished the man raised his hands into the air and shouted "HALLELUJAH". and all the crowd repeated the Hallelujah and began to clap their hands from the gray haired grannies to the assorted toddlers. with that thunderous response the man motioned
the crowd to silence and began: "We are thankful that you trusted servants have come quickly to our aid. We know that we have a long journey ahead of us and we must quickly pack." then the woman spoke: "It will take some time for us to be ready, so lets start now." with that we moved away from the church and the man again spoke...."it is already quite late and night will soon fall, so we will wait till morning.'' then the woman joined in with: "and you sweet boys are probably tired and hungry. why don't you stay a few days to rest and we'll be all ready to leave''. again the man spoke: ''we've got families that have rooms for each of you for the night and it is so late....
''and you've walked so far'', cooed the woman now pulling at my arm to the many amen’s now surrounding us. and suddenly a cold chill ran up my spine as I recalled hearing those same words once before. as I stopped and looked back each of my men were surrounded and being separated from the others. so with as loud a voice as possible I replied..."I'M SORRY MA'AM, but I must obey MY KING!"
the sudden outburst surprised her as she let go my arm and I chambered a round in the Browning. and the first thing I noticed was the quiet. all five of us now stood back to back in a circle each facing outward. now I noticed everyone in front of me was staring at me and I could feel their eyes. no more amen’s here. only a strange hissing sound from everywhere and no where. and as one all five of us opened fire in full automatic. and we were almost too late.
big and small they kept coming until they were all destroyed. none attempted to flee. the fight ended I had a short sword in hand (long story from previous visions) and was bleeding from places too many to count. two of ours were down and I was not so sure about the other three, especially myself. I retrieved the Browning as the least injured picked up the most in a fireman's carry and we slowly walked away. maybe dragged ourselves would be better or more honest.
the farther we got away from there the stronger we all seemed to get. in a while our brother demanded to walk on his own. so all five of us were again on our feet. in no time we came to a city of shabby high rises. people came out of everywhere and anywhere and began following us. I was at the point of panic and preparing to fire on the crowd when a Peace fell on me and I stopped where we were. there was no ''church'' to be seen....just people. suddenly an older man dressed in worn work clothes came up to me and asked "Sir, have you come with a WORD for us?".
"Yes, sir", I replied, "THE KING has sent us to tell you that there is danger and we were sent to take you to safety." the older gentleman nodded his head slowly and said simply..."GOD is GOOD". and I replied "all the time''.....and I saw that wise face smile. "AMEN, Son." he answered, "we have to leave people. Grab the children and keep together." and we left.
as we walked we kept a slow steady pace. I walked in the middle with the man I just called "ELDER"....because he was in the fullest meaning of the word. he kept calling me sir, and I gave up trying to get him to stop. but five was the right number....one at point, one on rear guard and each flank covered. we had gone for awhile when we came to a couple of houses clumped together. an older woman who saw us first was ringing an old fashioned dinner bell and shouting "they're here". when we came to her porch our "flock" just sat down on the side of the road. the five of us stood just in front of the porch as she stopped ringing the bell. before I could say anything the lady shushed me and said "we knew you were coming and have been praying for you. we are ready to leave once you eat and rested a little." with that she brought out a tray with huge glasses filled with ice and lemonade. then followed a tray of sandwiches we tore into. I watched as families, and individuals came from all directions. some were pulling and pushing carts. I noticed baskets and buckets being passed around the ''flock'' as the two groups mingled and became one. all ate and drank and thanked ABBA for HIS GOODNESS. then we set off again and the flock began to sing "NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD"....I had not heard it sung in a long time. sure sounded good.
now we were picking up small groups and individuals at every turn and finally came to what looked a lot like GOSHEN. here we joined up with our other five who looked worse than we did. then came in another five, then another and another. we were counting heads and sizing each other up. all I knew was these were in the trench with me and I wondered how many were having visions.
as night finally fell THE KING joined us and said HE had some work to be done. I was the first one drafted....but that is another issue.....
if anyone is having similar dreams or visions contact me
old dog
3/15/97 Miami, Fl
It is interesting that once again I cannot sleep. In a few minutes it will be the 16th and I begin another night 'on the Tower'. But unlike other nights there is no worship-- no prayer. Only His Presence and my "instrument".
So I write. And I am writing to you because after a year of knowing 'about' Morningstar I sort of met it yesterday. And I keep ' hearing' "so many pieces-- yet does anyone see the Patterns?". Even now I am astonished at how so much has been given to so many. Has anyone seen the connections being made? Quickly glancing at the "prophetic words" page and the "revival-renewal" page put my poor spirit into overdrive. To simply know that there are others who are hearing what you also have heard goes beyond the concept of confirmation. But that leaves me in the major dilemma called accountability. And once again I am back on the 'wall' in Ezekiel 33.
Then let me give it one shot; and walk away.
Not long ago a brother sent me a copy of Brother Jones' and Conner's "Shepherd's Rod" message. Of all that was said what touched me most was the phrase "PAPA'S CALENDAR". It was said and for the first time in my life I found someone who 'KNOWS' my ABBA, our PAPA, as I do. That there was someone else whose greatest desire was to stand upright before PAPA and to walk in HIS PATH. Does anyone realize that ABBA'S YEAR is almost half over? Does anyone that the warnings have but a few months before the MASTER does what HE said HE will do?
I wonder what DIVINE AUTHORITY is? But we will soon see.
That leads to the "Gathering" words that have come forth. Yes, there is a gathering taking place - but also a separation. As we see from the number of people who have received the rhema concerning the "Gathering", it has different connotations - let me say different depths. 'Taking in the HARVEST would seem to be PRIME DIRECTIVE of the LORD OF THE HARVEST. But if HE also goes by the names of JEHOVAH MA'KODESH and JEHOVAH TSEDKENEU the waters begin to run very deep. Unless we can align ourselves with ABBA'S purpose as well as HIS timetable we are trying to run through unknown territory on an extremely foggy night.
All that is being said about 'gathering' , 'shaking' , 'revival', 'renewal' are all inter-linked with the purpose of preparing a BRIDE for the ONCOMING BRIDEGROOM. Then again so does the 'questions' concerning Revival, and ISAIAH 58 ON NIGHTLINE. Somewhere I heard or read about "riding Balaam's Donkey backwards"; please don't forget about the guy who got on the right way whose purpose was to curse what GOD has blessed. His job was t prevent them from taking possession of the 'land' GOD promised to HIS PEOPLE. Besides having a lot of 'backwards Bozos' we have plenty of very 'forward Balaams' who serve the serpent to contend with. Why don't we spot them as easily as we spot our own 'questionable' brethren. "GATHERING" and "SEPARATION" continues throughout the world. Yet only in N. America is 'revival' so well overdone. (My apologies to S. Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.......it seems to be a mostly Anglo-Saxon 'thing' - leading to a common - or from a common - religious arrogance.)) Throughout the world , rough estimates tell us that maybe a THOUSAND of our brothers and sisters will pay the ultimate price for their faith in the LAMB OF GOD, today. In America alone , 4000 lives will end in clinics and surgical suites - each and every day. And we are playing 'word games' and 'mind games' in this thing called "the church''.
" AND I KEEP HEARING THESE WORDS "IF YOU LOVE ME................."
Can we be honest enough to say "i'm sorry, but i don't love you, LORD. if i loved you - would i still be doing all the things you asked me not to do. if i loved you i would have done the things you asked me to do, and not have looked for reasons to justify my disobedience".
In Isaiah 30 we are called 'rebellious children'. Children who knew better ; but chose their own path. Too bad many do not realize that 'following' their own path is a whole lot like stumbling in the dark in ABBA'S EYES. Yet if we are being changed from GLORY TO GLORY into HIS IMAGE shouldn't we begin to see with ABBA'S EYES, to hear with ABBA'S EARS, to feel with ABBA'S HEART. Then why are so many "on fire christians living so lukewarmly in HIS PRESENCE?
'Revival' keeps 'breaking out' across N. America. Sometimes you may hear the names of Toronto and Brownsville mentioned, but not always. But you almost always the words 'hunger' and 'prayer' in their stories. Some stories are new, and some have been around for months. Many blaze up suddenly, only to burn down or to burn out, some quickly, some slowly. But some are still ablaze. And some suddenly 'vanished'. Those that burned either down or out will talk about 'their revival' , 'their move of GOD'. But you never hear of the 'revivals' that just vanished. NOW AIN'T THAT INTERESTING.
Sort of like those 'on fire' young churches behind the "fallen" IRON CURTAIN that AMERICAN MINISTRIES boasted of between 1988 and 1995. For well over twenty years prophetic words came forward that 'doors would open', that 'windows of opportunity' would appear. FOR A SEASON. Almost every word that was given came with a time limit. AND when pumping for 'funds' said limits were made very clear to all. Then the HOLY SPIRIT - HELD BY HIS WORD - closed said doors and windows. Have you heard much over Christian media about the new brethren who were so desperately in need of our help lately? Out of sight - Out of mind? American Revival is like a brushfire, a little flame that gets 'out of control'. It can burn away a lot of dead or dry grass and scrub-brush, but isn't that the purpose of THE MASTER'S HOLY FIRE - TO BURN AWAY WOOD, HAY , and STUBBLE? Little brush fires seldom kill healthy, mature, well rooted, well watered trees. Nor will they burn down 'your' house if THE LORD has built it. So what are we really asking for? What really were we praying for? A lot of bright light and just a little heat to keep the 'old juices' flowing. Is it all for show and not for function?
During the 'Days of Awe', the period between the FEAST OF TRUMPETS and the DAY OF ATONEMENT, THE MASTER gave me a repeated vision of the FORGE OF GOD. A place of controlled fire; purposeful - useful - functional - intense fire/heat. Where THE MASTER would shape the FINAL TOOLS and WEAPONS for what must 'quickly come'. This same fire was shown to me in the forms of a smithy's forge, a potter's kiln, and a smelter's furnace. Same FIRE, same PURPOSE, just different points of perception.
The SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD has been taking his people underground over the last fifty years. Look at China, N. Korea, and all the countries 'behind' what has been called the IRON, the BAMBOO, and the ISLAMIC CURTAINS. Before the PERSECUTION began, the SHEPHERD MOVED HIS SHEEP. Has HE done any less for us? Every time we have received any 'word', 'dream', 'vision', or outright 'prophecy' concerning what is about to come, it is another notch on the ROD OF AUTHORITY for which we will make an account.
There is a Moving taking place. And like all things we want to put a label on it. Call it revival, renewal, breakout, etc.; it really doesn't matter. A few weeks ago in evening service here in S. Florida I was praying once again for HIS Sheep. I prayed as the SPIRIT lead me; and when HE finished I added my own two cents - as usual. I asked HIM to move among HIS people - to touch and to heal - for revival.
And then I heard ABBA'S voice say as clearly as I have ever heard HIS voice, "How badly do you want it?". And as the searing fire of the Rhema word cut through my soul into my spirit I understood. Even now I remember my reply, "Oh, ABBA, please forgive me. I don't want 'it' , I only want YOU..."
The problem of revival is relationship. Somehow , Somewhere we have learned to talk revival without stressing the whole purpose of revival, the CREATION of, the STRENGTHENING of, the EXPANSION of our RELATIONSHIP to/in/with our GOD. Likewise we talk a good talk concerning relationship, but do walk as solidly
as we can talk. How long can we 'cover-up' our lack by saying "so what if he doesn't practice what he preaches, but he 'loves' the LORD", "don't you know he has a 'good heart'.
Why do we talk to death the verse that "God is not a respecter of persons" whenever we seem to be loosing control when so much else He said was up close and personal. "IF YOU LOVE ME...." WHAT SO EVER YOU DID FOR THE LEAST......YOU DID UNTO ME...." and of course, lest we forget "DEPART FROM ME......FOR I NEVER KNEW YOU." Sounds like tough words from a tough GOD. AN ON FIRE , IN YOUR FACE , DROWN THE EGYPTIAN ARMY, SLAUGHTER THE ASSYRIAN ARMY, type of GOD. A MOST HIGH GOD. A MOST HOLY GOD.
A GOD OF JUDGEMENT, A GOD OF VENGEANCE, A GOD OF WRATH.
HIS WORDS - SPOKEN BY HIS PROPHETS AND HIS PSALMISTS.
Definitely not a GOD to be taken lightly. So why do so many who say they know HIM take HIM so lightly, so casually, so carelessly. so foolishly.
Maybe that is why we ask for heavenly fire, for revival, for "it". If "it" comes with true repentance and true change; "it" is GOD - and we will see by "it's" Fruit. And then again we have a lot of word spoken from smooth and slick mouths, not from hearts broken and contrite - in submission to the SPIRIT OF THE SOVERREIGN LORD. The Counterfeits are not in the 'world', only in the 'church'. Why try to deceive the 'world' that is on the road to Hell? DECEPTION and DELUSION are specifically tailored to lazy sheep, rebellious children, and wicked servants. So if we settle for less than HIS PRESENCE - FULLNESS IN HIS SPIRIT , we will to someething, for something. Just remember the Wheat and the Tares.......
TARES ONLY ARRIVE AFTER THE GOOD SEED IS SOWN........ NOW GO BACK TO THE IDEA OF SEPARATION....... I KNEW YOU'D GET IT.
suddenly in the midst of everything HIS PEACE is all over me. I guess this one shot got to whoever needed it. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD. HIS PRESENCE AND HIS PEACE is enough - I want nothing else, I need nothing else.
Dear ABBA, pour Your Blessings and Favor on all who may read what You asked to be written. May they see You more clearly, hear You more quickly, obey You more joyfully,
IN KING'S LOVE
bob neumann
miami,fl 3/97
Dear FAMILY,
One of the greatest joys a child has is to hear the voice of his/her father. How we call DAD is dependent on our heritage, culture, age, and the man himself. On the day i found my HEAVENLY FATHER i had no words for as a newly born into HIS KINGDOM/ HIS HOUSE speech was impossible but i could hear HIS VOICE and feel HIS ARMS. in time i 'learned to speak' and found a special person more than eager to get me to speak with HIS 'ABBA'...seeing HE never SPOKE anything or DID anything that ABBA had not/did not do HIS EXAMPLE WAS PERFECT in every way... so when HE instructed me to watch "BALAAM" and to know the seasons, i took it seriously. So i studied Balaam and each time his ugly little head raised itself up in the WORD. And i had a good image of spiritual authority/spiritual adultery, which has shaped much of my thinking.
The fact that most of present church leadership ignore the spiritual counterfeits around them i thought i had a handle on it...until people began talking about the JEZEBEL SPIRIT....but they all ignored the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaotins....which left me suspicious....but little to work with....until now. Almost every child in Sunday school has heard a story or seen a video on Balaam's Donkey.... but little in depth teaching has been heard by the sheepses i've met. i wonder why? whenever i pondered this in the past a little light would start burning in my spirit, and an intense image was there....it was long before my birth so i attribute it to HIS MOST HOLY SPIRIT....the key is the SPANISH CIVIL WAR and General Franco's boasts of a FIFTH COLUMN. Not all the attacking forces are from outside the walls of the church.... so that takes us to mr balaam and his appearance in the Bible. i have heard him called a 'false prophet', but that is an error. what distinguishes a false from a true prophet is there words and whether they come true. sometimes our ignorance limits us more than we can imagine. maybe if we reevaluate both him and his story we may find deeper truth than we would expect to find. and just maybe it is our lack of expectation that has kept us out of the greater blessings. just call it something to think about.... as far as the story goes it appears in the book of Numbers and starts in vs 1 and dominates the next three chapters. what most do not notice his continued popularity as his names and deeds flow into 7 other books in the Bible. something you don't see too often.... so if we look at the image presented there appears to be four distinct phases, all are quite interesting if you have no preconceptions....phase one begins at vs 1 and ends at vs 21. it is extremely interesting in a couple of ways...
1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. 2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. 4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.
what we have here is a worldly king looking down upon the camp of the Israeli nation. the question we need to answer is what bothered Balak most...3,000,000 people on the march....or the SHEKINAH that was over the TABERNACLE? most preachers tend to forget that little detail. if it was the people any alliance with other kings would have evened the numbers....but what do you do with ELOHIM that seemed to stay with them? you call on some spiritual artillery of your own....enter balaam...
5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:
6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.
7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. so here is the set up...balaam your our man...you got the power. you can curse and you can bless.... we got a little job only you can handle....but look at ol' balaam's response....
8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. Now hold on here...he's going to pray about this. a soothsayer, diviner about to seek GOD....worse than that...GOD answered....
9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?
10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. Obviously being visited by GOD was not new to him, and he had no problem telling the story...
12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.
13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you. Interestingly GOD said don't go...and balaam obeyed.....sounds okay so far....
14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.
15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.
16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:
17 For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. Theoretically all that Balak does is up the ante....he is a desperate man....but look at what balaam said again....I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my GOD, to do less or more. Excuse me please but he is beginning to sound like us....and maybe is?
19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. Now i need to ask how many of us don't take no for an answer? Paul mentioned going three times concerning "the thorn"....so what's going on here?
20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.
sounds like GOD has something planned, so now it is okay....
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. There is a point where things obviously are well in hand. balaam is obeying GOD and everything is on a role...but suddenly we are in phase 2...
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. Suddenly something is extremely wrong....either GOD has had an abrupt change of mind or we have missed something. Phase 1 seemed fairly straight forward, yet we have an angry GOD now involved in the story...sort of Exodus
4:24 deja vu again....so there is a deeper lesson buried here...
23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
Any one notice the CHANGE in Balaam? He's spiritually blind....he does not see the danger...lady ass does see and she is doing everything to keep ol' Balaam alive.....but remember who has the drawn sword? THE ANGEL OF THE LORD....the same dude who took out all of Senacherab's army in one mean night...and HE can't kill one blind bozo in three shots....because of a lady ass?
SELAH
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? it seems it is easier for GOD TO PERFORM THE CREATIVE MIRACLE of getting a donkey to speak the TRUTH than to open the blinded eyes of a religious person who should have known better.....this is just my opinion of course....but let's finish phase 2....
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
like every day he talks to farm animals...his pride and anger has blinded him to the point his angry response has completely bypassed his brain...
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
listening to the TRUTH out of her mouth finally caught his attention....
31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? Behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: now let me say GOD is cool...HE opens ol' Balaam's eyes and Balaam reacts appropriately....and what does GOD do...defends miss donkey.....And then HE stomps Balaam, because thy way is perverse before me. Now how can that be?
33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. regrettably everything we see seems okay with Balaam....he spoke to GOD...and obeyed....when confronted he confessed his sin and sought to repent...yet GOD says he's perverse....
Phase 3 is the time from Numbers 22:36 to 24:35.t covers the attempts to curse that wound up as prophetic blessings. The main point here is the fact ol' balaam was used to cursing things and people... but failed to do so because of the hand of GOD....but the perversity really shows in phase 4...yet we really do not have a phase 4 in Numbers....except for a reference.....Numbers 31:16.....
16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. point of fact the NT covers it better than the OT....
15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet. 2 Peter 2:15-16.
11 Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Koreh. Jude 11.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Revelation 2:14.
So there it is....Balaam the soothsayer, sorcerer knew of GOD and understood all the rules but chose to serve himself. No big deal in itself because it is repeated throughout the scriptures....but we still have the unresolved issue of phase 2....why the confrontation with THE LORD of HOSTS...because there is an image there that resounds in the Book of REVELATIONS....
The church of Pergamos....is also carrying a burden....
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Like the salutation...and the image we are confronted with....and take it farther....
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you,where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
We begin and end with a sword...in the middle we have miss donkey speaking the WORD OF THE LORD, when she to all intents and purposes should not be able to. Yet she is bearing the burden of a perverse master who is spiritually blind and only fears the LORD when confronting THE SWORD OF GOD. Miss donkey is a spiritual image of the endtime church. She "sees" the danger approaching and is beaten and abused by a spiritually blind authority figure who "owns" her. She supports him and serves him, but when she reacts to the PRESENCE AND POWER of THE LORD he curses and beats her..... And in JESUS own words Pergamos has accepted both the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaotins..... Maybe ol' Balaam is the two-edged reference point.... Showing the worse side of both spirits that have infiltrated and sabotaged the endtime church....
SELAH
bob in miami
Dear Friends,
Wednesday morning i received a post from a most dear young brother concerning the hype and holler around the execution of Karla Faye Tucker.....In my response to him i heard and began to take dictation....
Often when ABBA allows me to answer HE gives a WORD...sometimes very specific. But there are times it is obvious the scope is far beyond my vision... so with the Permission of my friend and brother we share this with you...
Dear Paul,
I too was caught in a place of conflict concerning sr tucker. The one side that sought mercy to put aside justice, and at the same time i remembered that there is a price to be paid for sin. JESUS bore our sins, our guilt, and our shame. Through HIM we have been delivered from eternal death and given eternal life. The crime was forgiven in the spiritual sense because she found the TRUTH and is free indeed...but Caesar demanded his payment. In this case the offense broke the rules of our GOD and of man. But what of the thousands of cases every year where the crime committed is 'being a Christian'? Everyday our family members are being tortured and killed for the GOSPEL of the KINGDOM. But where are the TV cameras and the reporters. Where are our tears and our cries for mercy....Karla Faye had a long process and appeals to be made....but what of all the faceless and nameless who we won't give a second thought about.
Somewhere in my spirit i cry it ain't fair.....And i hear HIS VOICE whisper ''I NEVER PROMISED YOU THAT IT WOULD BE FAIR. I DID SAY I WOULD BE WITH YOU. I SAID THE WORLD WOULD HATE YOU JUST AS IT HATED ME, SO WHY ARE YOU SO DOWN ABOUT THIS. ARE YOU GRIEVED AT WHAT GRIEVES ME. OR ARE YOU GRIEVED BECAUSE I DID NOT PERFORM TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS....IF YOUR FOCUS IS NOT ON MY WORD THE WORLD WILL GRAB AND KEEP YOUR ATTENTION.
I GRIEVE BECAUSE I STILL SEE SIN WHERE I SHOULD SEE FORGIVENESS. YOU HOLD ON TO YOUR PET SINS AND REFUSE TO REPENT. YOU CARRY OFFENSES AGAINST YOU AS VALUED EVIDENCE AGAINST THE BRETHREN WHEN YOU SHOULD FORGIVE AND BE RESTORED. YOU HIDE YOUR CHAINS OF BONDAGE BEHIND RELIGIOUS COUNTERFEITS WHEN YOU SHOULD BE BEGGING FOR DELIVERANCE.
YOU VALUE TOO MANY THINGS ABOVE MY KINGDOM AND I GRIEVE.
I GRIEVE BECAUSE YOU THINK OF BEING SAVED WHEN YOU HAVE LOST YOURSELVES ALONG THE WAY. I GRIEVE BECAUSE YOU DO THINGS AS THE WORLD DOES AND DO
NOT EVEN NOTICE IT IS NOT THE WAY I HAVE INSTRUCTEDYOU.
I GRIEVE BECAUSE I KNOW WHO WILL NOT REPENT AND WHO WILL NOT RETURN. I GRIEVE BECAUSE SO FEW OF MINE EVEN NOTICE MY TEARS.
SELAH
bob in miami
There are images that i get that can be called many things. This is not one of them. On a day where the open attacks by the Seed of the Serpent are one after another, it makes the unwanted Visions that THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT speaks through greatly welcome.
Last night at @7:10 pm i was given two dramatic Visions one upon the other while driving home from the hospital where i work. Somehow, somewhere my schedule had been messed up and i went into work only to be sent home.
The 45 minute drive both ways not withstanding, i could have used the income. On the road home i was heading straight north when i saw a shadow on the road and veered around a broken form on the road. Without any warning i was suddenly watching a "short subject" in the Valley of Vision.
i was just walking down this 'road' in the sudden change from dusk to darkness. And as all light finally vanished it seemed all too familiar to as many other visions i have had. but this time i got to a point where i was on a much broader road than i have usually walked. at the same time i 'felt' something coming down the road toward me. it was when i saw the ''shadow shape'' of the oncoming truck i realized i was not alone on the road.
even now i got a chill as i remembered the thud in my ears and the faint whimpering away from me. At first i thought it was only stunned when i got to it, but the slowly spreading blood stain on the ground confirmed my fear. as i bent down to help, it raked my face with a set of dull claws. and suddenly the realization that i was in the middle of sets of crosshairs with ''shadow shape trucks'' coming from all directions hit me.
As they bore down on me i gave a quick prayer to THE LORD..."what do I do?'' And got a very familiar answer..."STAND".... i did and not one truck missed me...... suddenly i was standing and looking at the ''roadkill'' that was once 'me'...... and beside me stood two figures from a past VISION....in full armor was THE KING OF GLORY....and to my other side was THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT. The first to speak was THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT....
"YOU HAVE TRAPS PREPARED FOR YOU, SERVANT, ON ALL SIDES. THE ENEMY WILL HOLD NONE OF HIS WEAPONS BACK AT STOPPING THE SERVANTS WHO HEAR MY INSTRUCTIONS AND SET THEIR HEARTS TO SERVE ME. YOU WILL FIND THEM BAITED WITH EVERYTHING IMMAGINABLE.
ONLY NOW THE BAIT WILL NO LONGER CALL TO THE AREAS OF FLESH THAT HAVE FINALLY DIED....BUT TO YOUR DESIRE TO HELP THOSE YOU PERCEIVE AS 'LOST' OR 'HURTING'.
And suddenly i remembered the pain in my cheek, as it even now continues to throb.
"BECAUSE YOU STRIVE TO SERVE AND YOUR HEART IS ONE OF PURE COMPASSION YOU REACHED OUT TO HELP AND WERE CAUGHT.''
At this point i felt a familiar HAND ON MY SHOLDER....and whisper in my ear....
"IT HAS TO BE THIS WAY, OLD DOG, YOU CANNOT SAVE ALL THE LOST SHEEP AND GOATS. YOUR DYING FOR THEM WILL NOT HELP THEM. I ALREADY HAVE AND THEY HAVE CHOSEN THE LIE OVER ME. MANY NOW ARE ENCAMPED AT BANNERS THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY TO DO BATTLE AGAINST MY SERVANTS IN MY OWN NAME. UNKNOWN TO THEM THERE ARE AS MANY IN THE CAMPS OF THE ENEMY WAITING TO DESTROY BOTH SIDES FOR THEIR MASTER THE FALLEN ONE.''
''BUT WHAT THE ENEMY PLANS FOR EVIL I WILL DO GOOD FOR YOU. MANY WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO FOLLOW ME, MANY WHO STRUGGLE TO SERVE ME WILL BE PLACED AS YOU HAVE JUST DONE. THEY WILL BE PLACED IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF THE ENEMY WITH NO ESCAPE BUT OBEDIENCE TO ME."
And as simply as that THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT spoke again:
" NO LIVING FLESH CAN ENTER THE KINGDOM...SO ALL FLESH MUST DIE.
FEW HAVE DIED TO THEIR OLD WAYS, THEIR OLD THINKING, AND SOUGHT MY WISDOM IN THE LIGHT OF THE DAY. NOW THE ENEMY COMES IN THE DARKNESS YET I WILL TURN THE ATTACKS INTO THE CRUCIBLE OF PURIFICATION. MANY WILL RUN FROM ME AS THEY FLEE THE ENEMY IN ''BLIND TERROR'' AND ''NO UNDERSTANDING''. WHEN THE HIRELINGS FLEE AND THE FALSE SHEPHERDS TAKE OFF THEIR SHEEP-ROBES MANY SHEEP WILL BE CONFUSED.....
(here THE KING OF GLORY joins into the CONVERSATION) ''AND WHEN I STRIKE DOWN THE FALSE SHEPHERDS AND CRASH THE ROOF OF THE TEMPLE THE CONFUSION WILL END AND ALL MY SHEEP WILL KNOW QUITE CLEARLY THAT MY ANGER HAS BEEN POURED OUT.... AND I AM SCATTERING MY SHEEP''. (MOST HOLY SPIRIT) THEN SHEMUEL YOU AND ALL MY SERVANTS WILL GATHER THE FLOCK IN BITS AND PIECES.... AS I BRING THEM TO YOU. THESE YOU WILL HELP...AND THESE YOU WILL DIE FOR. BUT I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU".
(my CAPTAIN) ''I ONCE ASKED IF YOU WOULD PAY THE PRICE, AND YOU SAID YOU WOULD. THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE WHO WILL READ THIS WHO HAVE CLOSED THEIR EARS TO ME BECAUSE THEY REBUKED MY WORDS.
SOME WILL READ AND RETURN, BUT MOST WILL NOT AS THEIR HEARTS ARE HARDENED AGAINST ME.... AND AGAINST YOU FOR YOU BEAR MY MARK''.
(MOST HOLY SPIRIT) ''EVEN KNOW THEIR HEARTS HARDEN AS I IN LOVE REACH OUT TO THEM AND THEY REFUSE MY LOVE''.
(CAPTAIN) ''THEY WILL LONG TO SEE YOUR FLESH TORN AND BROKEN FOR THEY CAN NOT DESTROY YOU. SO WHEN THEY SEE YOUR CARCASS THEY WILL GATHER TO FEAST IN VICTORY. BUT IT WILL BE YOUR VICTORY FOR I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD, AND YOU HAVE FINALLY DIED TO IT.... JUST REMEMBER HOW IT HAPPENS IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS IT'S COMPLETION.
SO THEY WILL TRY TO FEAST AND FAIL FOR THEY WILL NOT BE SATISFIED.''
Suddenly i was aware of the road i was driving home on as i ''snapped back"....
And suddenly above me to the north was either the goodyear/met life/whatever blimp preparing to moor for the night at the TAMIAMI airport i guess. And as suddenly i recognized it and remembered it was here for the Super bowl
i could smell HIM before i heard HIS VOICE...ABBA was with we....
i was not at HIS FEET....but HE was with me....
''WHEN I FIRST SPOKE TO YOU I SAID 'EVERYTHING WILL BE ALL RIGHT'. SINCE THAT TIME YOU HAVE ALMOST ALWAYS OBEYED. IT WAS A STRUGGLE AT FIRST, BUT YOU HAD TO WALK BEFORE YOU RAN. I HAVE BEEN VERY PROUD OF YOU, SON. FOR A LONG TIME YOU HAVE RUN WELL, BUT SINCE I ASKED YOU TO STAY AND STAND, THE BATTLE AROUND YOU ESCALATES. YOU HAVE WHEN MANY WOULD COUNCIL YOU TO LEAVE. IN THE NATURAL IT WAS GOOD ADVICE. THEY JUST DO NOT KOW I ASKED YOU TO STAY FOR MY SAKE.
NOR ARE THEY AWARE I GAVE YOU NO OPTIONS, NO CHOICE TO MAKE FOR YOU ASKED FOR NONE. EXCEPT TO PLEASE ME.
SON LOOK AT THAT LIGHT IN THE NIGHT (here HE pointed to the blimp). THERE ARE MANY WHO SAY THEY SERVE ME WHO WANT TO FLOAT UP THERE WHEN ALL THE LOST AND DYING ARE DOWN HERE IN THE DARK. CUTE BAGS OF AIR FLOATING IN THE WIND, CREATED BY WORLDLY MERCHANDIZING YET SAY THEY ARE OF ME. THEY ARE BLOWN ABOUT BY EVERY LITTLE BREEZE.
THEY WERE NEVER GIVEN WINGS TO SOAR ABOVE THE STORM AS YOU WERE GIVEN. INSTEAD THEY SETTLED FOR GREAT SIZE AND NO "WEIGHT".
BLINKING LIGHTS AND SOUND SYSTEMS TO ''CAPTURE'' THE ATTENTION.
THEY WILL NOT FAIR WELL IN THE STORM. QUITE FRANKLY IN THE FIRST GALE THAT PROCEEDS THE FIRST STORM THEY WILL BE SHREADED AND THROWN FROM THEIR LOFTY PRIDE."
With that i felt HIS ARMS around me and heard some words only meant for me....
And in obedience i send this out.
selah
old dog
A VISION...
In the Day that the Great King had set, He sent forth to His cities to tell them of His coming to visit them. At regular intervals Heralds ran before Him to each of His cities. The message of each Herald was the same; "O City of the Great King! Your King now comes to you. Prepare yourself for Him. Make all your preparations. Plan your feast and set aside only your best. For your King comes in Power and Glory. Rejoice, O City in which He delights. Open up your ancient gates and welcome your King!"
In the First City the people were jubilant. Each went to their own homes, to clean and to polish. Then they cleaned their streets and lanes. They strung banners and planted flowers. Festivities were planned in great detail. They opened their gate and waited. Each day they would wait, looking for the Entourage of the King. As days passed they waited. And on occasion another Herald would come, shouting the same message. And as each Herald came in his time. Their anticipation grew. Their preparations continued so only their "best" awaited the Coming King.
Each day, and each night they waited. Whenever dust was seen in the distance they rose up crying, "Is it He in whom we wait?" But usually it was just another traveller , another caravan. Each time the watchmen saw movement on the road, they called out in warning. Once again a wave of anticipation ran through the people as the gates were opened, and the people would go out to meet their King. But it was not their King, so they continued to wait upon Him.
But there came a day when the watchmen's words were never heard. Instead the people heard the trumpets sound fourth, the great drums roaring. And the people ran out to meet Him shouting, "Open up yea gates, so the King of Glory may come in!" At the front of the horsemen, the Lion banners flew beside the Lily Banners. The Warriors of Light moved to the sides of the road, opening a path between them.
In Indescribable Glory the Great King came forward. The children from the city ran forward singing, flowers in hand. As the King road on the Maidens danced to the children's song. For the King of Glory had come for His Bride who had made herself ready for Him. In joy and celebration they entered into the banquet long prepared for. And once all were in the city the gates were again closed- never to open again. For the King and His Beloved are one.
The Second city heard the King's heralds and sat down to discuss the "issue." Committees were formed, action groups were created. Funding was discussed. And time passed. They watched the road, but the King did not come. So life went on as usual. Then other Heralds came, and people would get "busy" briefly. But we had to get back to normal was their excuse. Then when a traveler came, or a caravan went by, they first looked up and wondered, but would quickly go back to the "same old, same old."
Each time a Hearld came, they said: "We've heard it all before-but the King never came." So they went back to their lives in "their" city-and forgot their King.
And then a day came that they did not know, at a time they had not foreseen. The city was awakened by a great "shout", and a thunderous trumpet call rang out. The beat of the King's drums, and the calls of the King's trumpets vibrated the very walls of the King's City.
"Open up ye ancient gates, so the King of Glory may come in," shouted the holders of the Lion Banners. And all the Warriors of Light responded as they opened their rank for the King. "Who is the King of Glory, The Lord Strong and Mighty! The Lord Mighty in Battle! He is the King of Glory!"
As the King of Glory waited the people slowly opened their gates and saw their King, radiant in Glory and Power, surrounded by the Lion Banners. For there were no Lily Banners for this city. In fear and trembling the people came out of the city. There were no more shouts, no more trumpets and the drums were silent. The people knelt, weeping and wailing before the King of Glory, crying for mercy. Into His city the King rode. Instead of with Joy, there is only anguish. Instead of music and dancing there only is weeping and wailing.
Instead of a banquet, much cleaning was in order. And once all were in the city, its gates too were closed.
Then there was the Third City, and like the earlier two the Great King's Herald came to it's gates and cried.
"O City of the Great King! Your King now comes to you. Prepare yourself..." And the message was halted as a rock thrown from the city's wall struck down the Herald of the Great King. As the Herald looked up he heard the laughter from the watchmen, the city had placed on the wall.
Finally a leader of the watchmen came forward and shouted down at the Herald. His uniform and armor shined in the dawn's light. His voice melodious and strong. "Who is this Great King, fool. We know no king over us. Look upon this great city, greater than any other. Did this Great King build it? Does He dwell here? "We built our own city, and we who dwell here are kings unto ourselves. We recognize no king, but ourselves. We need no King here, but ourselves. What has your King done for us? All that you see, all that is here is because we have done for ourselves. We do what is right in our own eyes!
"Be gone, fool! You and your unseen King. For we have no need of you!
As the Herald stood and walked away from the gates of this city. He heard the mocking laughter of the watchmen. As they cursed both him and his King. And he wept.
Yet the evil captain and his watchmen, did not forget the Herald's message. They put the people of the city to work extending the walls and preparing for a war against this King they would not serve. For they knew Him not, saw Him not. As time passed further Heralds came. They killed the King's Heralds for they did not even want to hear the Message. But as time went on, all but the Captain forgot the King's promise to come to His city. As caravans went by, no one noticed. In fact, the Captain used the coming of each Herald to spur the people to work and obedience to him. Add to that the pleasure of seeing a Herald of the Great King murdered made it all even better, so he felt.
Then one day the evil captain stood at the top of the city's gate and looked out. Light was breaking over the Horizon and it burned his eyes. In panic he called out the alarm and the city's people rose up as one and went to their places in the battle lines. In panic the evil captain kept giving more and more orders, often at odds with each other.
As the Light of the King's Glory came from the East, the Light only became brighter. The loud thunder of trumpets and battle drums began to vibrate the walls of the city. Fear gripped the city and the evil captain shouted more orders, yet no one could hear. For now the sound of horses and the rattle of armor joined the trumpets and drums. The King had Come!
As all looked out, one rider rode ahead of a great host of mounted warriors, whose number was beyond counting this day. As the Rider came forward all in the city saw Him plainly. On His Head were many Crowns. His garments were pure white except for his cloak that showed dark red in His light. But on His robe it was written: "King of Kings, Lord of Lord."
Among the multitude of horsemen who followed the King there was but one banner, and it rode directly behind the King. All in the city looked beyond the King to the sole banner. upon it was a single Lamb, that was slain. And all the people feared. As the King and His Bride stopped facing the gates a voice rang out clearly in the sudden silence. As strong as rolling thunder, yet clear as a single note it cried:
"Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye ancient doors, and the King of Glory shall come in."
In great anger and fear the evil captain jumped up to the outer wall so all could see and hear. "Who is this King of Glory? We have no King-we need no King-we want no King!" And as rehearsed, the evil captain raised his fist to the King and every bow, sling, and catapult fired as one against the King.
Like a cloud the missiles flew from the dark walls of the city to the bright Glory of the King, where they ceased to exist. In moments every rock and stone, spear and arrow had failed. And as one all in the city drew sword and waited.
As one, the Host of Heaven spoke softly, "Who is the King of Glory? The Lord Strong and Mighty, the Lord mighty in battle."
As the evil captain prepared to answer, the King raised His hand and said one word, "NO." And with one word the great and ancient gates were shattered. The battlements of the walls were sheered away. And all the people were killed.
Again the Host of Heaven spoke softly, "The King of Glory will come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of Host, He is the King of Glory."
Slowly the King and His Bride, and all the Hosts of heaven entered the city which once again is His.
The whole world is three cities.
The First City are the righteous saved who await the coming of the Great King. She is the Bride and will be soon snatched away.
The Second City is the saved who have not prepared themselves. They shall wash their own robes in the Blood of the Lamb. She is the Tribulation saints.
The Third City are all who refuse the Blood of the Lamb and choose the beast. She is the whore that will be destroyed.
The Heralds are the Prophets and Apostles sent to warn and teach the people The Gospel of the Kingdom.
The King of Glory is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. And He is on His way to visit His cities.
ARE YOU READY?
It is said that all things occur for a reason. Add to that the concept of Divine Timing and we have Two pillars on which the Kingdom is built. We call them Purpose and Season. Usually we hear Time and Season preached and taught because the direct image of ''Immediacy'' is placed upon us. We in our finite reality when touched by Eternity can only respond in the form of immediacy. That is why all prophetic scripture had the sense of ''now''. Jeremiah breathed it, Isaiah walked in it and named his children according to it. So when looking at that which God now speaks the sense of ''immediacy'' is not hard to see. Nor should it be hard to accept or comprehend. What sometimes is not forthcoming is an awareness of Purpose.
Ecclesiastes was written by a self-proclaimed ''madman''. Ecclesiastes 1:16-18
16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. (KJV)
Solomon declared he gave his heart to know wisdom. Yet we know that GOD gave him the wisdom to rule in righteousness. That he had but also did he seek out madness and folly. We need to assume that was Solomon's idea and not GOD. Interestingly verse 18 tells us that wisdom brings grief and knowledge is aligned with sorrow. Seeing that wisdom and knowledge come through THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT, and that our first contact with GOD is to bring us to conviction which leads to repentance, grief and sorrow are required. For without true grief and sorrow we are never repentant and forgiveness and salvation can not be given. Grace and Mercy are free, but the price is exacted.
Recently i have witnessed a discussion of those who have heard ''Trumpets'' being blown. Sometimes only in the Spirit, but sometimes it was discernable to the ear. Of course it lead to ''lively'' discussion and ''intense'' fellowship. Of course scriptures flew back and forth and i was reminded of a ''walk'' i had taken a few years ago. So i asked the question of the Group, "What is the purpose of GOD in all these manifestations?'' The replies did not answer the question. And i grieved and sought the LORD. HIS ANSWER was a classic one liner....''WHICH ARMY IN JOEL 2 ARE YOU IN?''.
Interesting question that still has no answer from among the people it was asked. This morning i was awakened with the same question in my heart. As i pondered it i had a ''grocery list'' for our Memorial Day BBQ. And i wept. We forgot, i forgot that the time and season has no meaning without the purpose. Memorials are established so we would not forget. Scripturally GOD placed ''Memorials'' into the lives of HIS PEOPLE in order to confront them with HIM, ''lest we forget''.
In my home town in rural Illinois we have a memorial to our ''HONORED DEAD''. All it is is a concrete wall with a series of plaques. My grandfather and dad were part of the American Legion color guard every Memorial/Armassist Day and Veteran's Day when they fired their rifles and blew Taps. As a child i knew it was solemn and not ''fun'' like Fourth of July. I do not remember how old i was when my Grandpa showed me the names of men he knew and the ''uncle'' i would never meet. I do not remember if it was the year before or after my dad did the same. They never had a name for what they were trying to do. They did not have fancy words or explanations. Nor did they tell any ''war'' stories. What they imparted was an awareness of something it has taken most of my life to define and comprehend. The concepts of Honor and Duty that they accepted and lived with for a few years early in their lives stayed with them and they felt necessary to pass on. Concepts that were valid then, and now.
In the late 1980's a plaque was placed that has an additional seven names. Three i knew. One sat in my high school home room for 2 years. And all i remember was a voice that said he was going to be a Marine, ''just like my dad.'' He was.
In all our lives we need memorials or we will forget. I know both my Grandfather's never forgot. While both were Legion members, only one was active. Seldom did the two ever meet to my memory. I was 13 when my Mom's Dad ''passed'' as they say. I never knew that the two had known each other long before my parents were married. It was Grandpa Neumann that told me more about Grandpa Carroll that day then i ever heard from my parents. On the coffin where the decorations won so long ago, and never spoken of. Bits of metal and cloth that meant nothing to a child, but a great deal to those who had walked a similar road. Only when i asked him right then and there did i learn he too would have decorations on his casket. And he did.
When i was lead to share this i did not expect ABBA to make me look back into my own life before i can look ahead. But that is the whole purpose of REMEMBRANCE. To look back so we may understand what is to come. In Ecclesiastes 3 Solomon tells us something about how our ABBA does things. HE declares times and seasons and purposes under heaven for HIS GLORY....and then declares....
14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be
put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should
fear before him.
15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been;
and God requireth that which is past.
16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness
was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there; and the place
of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17 I said in mine heart, God shall
judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose
and for every work.
So to look at Joel we must see that it has happened and will happen again. By knowing what actually happened we can see what will ''shortly'' take place. If Joel was written like a modern novel, it would barely take ten pages and ten minutes to read. Only Joel is not a modern novel, but an ancient prophecy. It is written in layers with much that is missed today. We find it divided into 3 chapters, but it itself is divided into stages according to the images and purposes that THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT is using to instruct us.
The First chapter begins with GOD declaring to HIS PEOPLE to take notice and remember. It speaks to the people of GOD to make a MEMORIAL of what is happening. GOD explains that the curses the land is under is due because of the ''servants'' in the land. Verse 14 brings the first call to the people to repent.
Chapter 2 begins with the ''blowing of the trumpet'' as the Great and Terrible DAY OF THE LORD is at hand. Obviously the call to repent was not heeded, so we have a predicament. In the next 11 verses we have a confrontation. In it we have groups in adversarial positions. The question GOD asked was ''Which army are you in?'' must be addressed. So we need to see which armies are involved.
Because we are sounding the SHOFAR in ZION, we know we are in Jerusalem. We man the walls. We are the covenant people who built the TEMPLE and are called by HIS NAME. We are the chosen. Our heritage is of Hezekiah, Joash, Solomon, and David. Of Joshua, Gideon, Samuel and the mighty men of valor.
We are the army of GOD, worshipping on ZION, the anointed and the chosen of GOD.
This is the first army.
Only Joel 1 says : 5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. 6 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion. 7 He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.
Drunkard is a term synonymous with idolatry. THE LORD says the ''new wine'' is cut off. That a nation will be raised up to lay waist to the land. Joel 2 carries out this image.
The Second Army has come forth to bring down unrepentant Zion. Many today see the hypocrisy and hidden sin within the first army. They know judgment has been proclaimed. Eagerly many join ranks to assault "Babylon'' because of the arrogance and unrepentance they perceive. They see GOD raise up an army to bring judgment upon ZION and quickly stand in their numbers. For this is GOD'S ARMY....
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. 5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. 6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. 7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: 8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
The key here is appearance. The First Army is of GOD. Now a second army is of GOD. BOTH ARE RIGHT. But both are only to a degree. The first still caries HIS NAME, but do not serve HIM or Fear HIS NAME. In spite of the warnings, they would not repent. The Second Army is of GOD. GOD SPECIFICALLY is calling it to make war with the unrepentant. They are HIS TOOL of judgment upon the land. But is that the army to join? It appears to be timely....and unstoppable. Isn't that how we want GOD'S ARMY TO BE?
But are we discerning HIS SPIRIT today? Two armies appear to be of GOD. Both claim HIM, and are warring with each other today.
The problem with the first are openly stated by ABBA in the entire Old Testament. The problem with the second is it's ''appearance''. It is described ''like a...'' at every simile. Scripture has two other similes that parallel it. First is ''like a flood....''.
Isaiah 59:19 19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. (KJV)
Jeremiah 46:8 8 Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof. (KJV)
Amos 9:5 5 And the Lord GOD of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. (KJV)
Behold 3 witnesses, GOD will destroy....using ''Egypt''. Makes even more sense when you understand how GOD works....
Jeremiah 27:6 6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. (KJV)
So we have a second Army sent by GOD. The question is do you want to be in that army? The second simile may help....1 Peter 5:8
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (KJV)
So this is a time to be sober and discerning. It is also a time to remember....what is yet to come.....maybe a third army, yet unseen... 11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
Now if it happened before, and GOD says it will happen again.....the third army also appeared. That is if you are looking for it. Joel 2:11 says nothing about the ARMY....but one heck of a lot about who commands it. So we look to how Babylon fell and the PROPHETIC IMAGE laid out before us and see it as what is yet to come.
So if you want to see THE ARMY COMMANDER YET TO COME...read Isaiah....
28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; 2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. 8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. 9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth.
Historically we know Cyrus defeated Babylon and ended the "captivity''. In Chaldean "CYRUS'' means "KING".....Isaiah 44:18 is of a KING YET TO COME.....it is nice to know who that KING IS....Revelation 17:14
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (KJV)
THE KING OF KINGS IS THE LAMB OF GOD WHO OVERCOMES.....
and we overcome by....THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB.......which gives us the strength to STAND against the enemy and speak.....THE WORDS OF OUR TESTAMONY..... and this removes our fear and allows us to LOVE NOT OUR LIFE....even unto death. we are the ''called'', the ''chosen'', the ''faithfull'' who serve the LAMB our KING.
So the third army in Joel is.... Revelation 19:11-16
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (KJV)
just one of many who will follow HIM that day.
So we have three armies. All can claim that they are ''of GOD''. Yet GOD seems not as happy about how we are doing today than many say that HE IS. In Matthew 24 JESUS the LAMB says we should not be deceived, over and over. Today many are deceived and battle constantly among the brethren over doctrines, interpretations, and priorities. They believe they are right and battle accordingly to defend their ''city''. Likewise there are many who got mauled in the skirmishes and now oppose the ''city''. So sides were picked and the ''war'' began. It started long ago and still is there today.
Us and them with both claiming ""GOD IS ON MY SIDE"".
no one wants to ask who is on GOD'S SIDE. seems sort of trite today, don't it.....
NATO bombing in the Balkans.....Israel has a new government and ISLAM still wants Israel destroyed....the election changed that in no way......India and Pakistan getting ready to throw nukes around.....the Chinese building nukes and neutron bombs and loading them on delivery systems ''given'' to them.....actually it seems a fair and even playground.....everyone hates everyone else and is preparing for the finale.
SO this weekend we are to remember....but what is worth remembering? If i look back to what was and see what now is in my own homeland i get sick. "I REMEMBER...'' is a painful experience when you look back at what was.....
We sent our young men to foreign lands to stop an aggressor. Both my Grandpa's said it was ''THE WAR TO END ALL WARS''. They tried. They came back with family and friends to rebuild and go on. Only they failed. Once again did we send our young men and some young women to meet an attack upon our nation. They called it ''THE BIG ONE''....and hoped it would be the last. But they too, failed. No matter how many lives are lost, battles fought....PEACE only comes when THE LAMB takes HIS THRONE.
As a nation we were once a people that feared GOD and chose to do right. But that seems long ago. Like Israel we were blessed and protected by our GOD. And like Israel we forgot our GOD and HIS WAYS. HE calls out and few listen. HE has sent trouble to our land, but we have not turned as a nation or a people from our ways. We chose plenty and abundance rather than faith and provision. So we forgot GOD.....and learned to enjoy sin. Now we pursue sin and not righteousness.
Once someone said of AMERICA that AMERICA was strong because it is GOOD. Our strength was not economic or military. It was in our GOD, and HIS MIGHT.
so today i cry for what was lost....i pray for mercy for a people who see not the danger approach. but most of all i remember the old paths i now walk with my ABBA.....the path my Dad and my Grandpa's pointed me to and walked with me on those first steps. for ABBA to show me a heritage i never appreciated yet in HIS WAYS explains to me HIS INHERITANCE in 'my' generations....is humbling. it is nice to be ''called''....better to be ''chosen''.....but unless HE calls me ''faithful'' nothing mattered...
HE IS FAITHFULL....THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS....IN ALL SITUATIONS.
BLESSED BE THE NAME OF OUR LORD.
bob...son of Robert.... son of Joseph.... son of Leo....