The Bible tells us that dreams can come from God. (Job
33:14-17)
They can also come from too much business, which means stuff that we are
thinking on during the day that we either do not resolve in our thoughts and are
still thinking on it or stuff that really touched us. (Ecclesiastes
5:3)
Jeremiah in his book claims that those who claim to have a dream from God yet it
did not come from God are in big trouble. (Jeremiah
23:32) I
am going to tell you of a dream I had several years ago during a time that we
were really studying the Bible and especially the End Times prophecies. I am NOT
claiming that this was a dream or a vision from God because I do not know for
sure. Yet, please discern for yourself, I believe it was from too much business
since at the time all we were doing were reading and studying the Bible. I can
still picture the dream very clearly today because it really was a sort of wake
up call for me.
Anyway, here goes…
I was in a wooden storage
shed, filled with wooden posts, having been captured and taken prisoner by
antichrist's people. There were several of them around me, they had some type of
marking device for the mark of the beast, and they were constantly threatening
me to take the mark of the beast or they would kill me. It was all dark outside
and I am not sure if it was night or day. I was in my mind holding on for dear
life with my faith in Jesus. These people who were
trying to mark me were not only speaking with their mouths but also to my
thoughts. The noises of their voices were so overwhelming and overbearing in my
head, that I could not even keep my own thoughts straight with me. I could
not focus. Try to imagine yourself in a room full of people who are yelling and
screaming angry threats at the top of their lungs towards you. Then imagine
yourself putting on ear muffs in hopes it would stop the noises yet you come to
realize that the voices were inside your head as well. Many movies such as the
Exorcist, Lost Souls and Stigmata as well as many others had scenes where a
person was trying to shut their ears up because of voices and noises of evil
spirits were taunting them. It was kind of like that, but even more intense.
Because not only were there angry threats, but there were every temptation ever
known to me that I had fallen for in my life and others I hadn't fallen for
being thrown at me at once. I was being seduced by the most beautiful woman I
had ever seen right in front of me while others were offering me drugs that I
was addicted to for years and so on and so on.
As I was there trying, not very well, to
overcome these things I remember very clearly telling myself this, "I should
have, when I had the chance before all this started, prepared myself better for
these days." I am telling you it was utterly impossible to overcome all these
thoughts at once. If I had only practiced more at focusing on God and ignoring
my surroundings. If I would have prayed more deeply and more often. If I had
sacrificed more of my self and selfish ways it would have been easier to
overcome this. Because, as I was trying to pray and focus on God during this
time, they got louder and louder. Finally, when they saw I was not going for the
mark they began to mark me anyway saying, 'It's too late, you have taken the
mark, it is over for you.' I was able to tell them, "You can't just mark me with
that and condemn me; I have to choose to accept it." Apparently they were
trying, with fear again, to make me think I was lost because they marked me
against my will. Never was there any other expression on any of their faces but
just pure evil. Not a crazy laughter kinda thing either but pure hatred and
violence. I also remember that as they were marking me, that I had picked up
some wood and started swinging and hitting them with it knocking them down
attempting to defend myself since I couldn't focus properly. Finally, after what
seemed like hours of this I was told to pick out my wood for the cross they were
going to nail me to. I grabbed two pieces and they shoved me out of the storage
shed in to a room the size of an average living room. In there, were my two
friends nailed to crosses. One of the devil people was constantly stamping one
of my friends foot with the mark of the beast. My friend was crying and yelling
out "Jesus is my Savior" you cannot mark me. I was told to place my cross into a
hole in the floor and when I turned around and looked back my friends were gone.
Then I was like taken back, a few hours before this I guess, into a dark prison
cell with one of my friends with me. The one who was being stamped on his foot
wasn't there. My friend and I were there waiting to be taken and killed by the
antichrist's people. I remember feeling scared and not so much being scared to
die but being scared within myself of not making it. Of being taken by
antichrist and being damned for eternity. I told my friend of this, we both
talked of these fears, and it was better after we talked and when they came to
take us, we were ready. That is it …
Dreams can be so strange cant they? Like how
my friend was already on the cross dying and I was being prepared to being
placed on the cross to just appearing in that prison cell with one of my friends
waiting to do it over again. Like I said it's a strange dream, yet I still can
see it just like it happened yesterday. Again I want to impress on you that I am
NOT claiming this was a vision from God for I asked and asked many times over
but I never got an answer from God confirming or denying so I am interpreting it
as too much business from all the studying we were doing back then. Yet, the
feelings of fear of failing and the feelings of being overcome by evil thoughts
was very real to me. I learned some things from this dream. I learned that I was
not ready if the end were to happen that day. First off, I could not focus and
pray with all the evil thoughts and people surrounding me. Second, I resorted to
violence by hitting them with the wood. Jesus never fought back with violence
when He was being taken. I know this was wrong and that he who takes up the
sword shall die by the sword. (Revelation
13:10) So
what is the point to all this you may ask? Why is this person sharing this weird
dream if it is not a message from God? Well I firmly believe in the scripture
that says ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to His purpose. (Romans
8:28) Meaning to
me that I am going to use that dream and put it to good use for the glory of
God. For it has helped me to become more prepared and I hope it will help you as
well. So then, we can overcome evil with good and not overcome evil with evil. (Romans
12:21) If it was
from God as a warning for me to get more prepared for the evil days that are
coming, evil that has never been seen on earth since God created the world nor
will it ever be so evil on the earth in the future for ever, (Matthew
24:21-22) then God's will to protect His
children and servants will be done to His glory. If it was from too much
business of my own thoughts then the too much business being constant studying
of Gods Word and seeking the essence of how the end times will be then God's
Word is still the foundation of the dream and God's will be done to the glory of
Him. In overall, these writings are for the glory of God and His Son our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
One of the devil's biggest
weapons against us is FEAR. Fear leads us to start doubting that we are really
saved and then we start thinking of all the bad things we had done in our past
and present. We then start feeling that we could never be worthy of God because
of our past deeds so we lose our faith in God by telling ourselves that God does
not Love us. Which of course is a lie to think that way. (Romans
8:38-39)
We then, by that doubt, start getting depressed and the next thoughts the devil
hits us with is, 'Well since we are damned anyway lets go ahead and live it up.'
I am sure we all know or can imagine what can come after that. Hopefully, if you
ever get that far, God forbid, you will come to your senses before it gets too
bad and realize that God loves us no matter what. Nothing can separate us from
the Love of God and Jesus Christ. We are to repent our lack of faith, in His
grace and mercy for us, and come back home for satan is the father of lies. (John
8:44) There is no
fear in perfect Love and God's love for us all is perfect. (1
John 4:18)
In my dream, the evil thoughts
that were bombarding my mind along with the screaming in my ears caused me to
fear my own salvation that I had already received freely from Jesus. I found
myself wanting to give in to that beautiful woman. I found myself wanting to
take the drugs that I used to love to do. This really scared me for some time
after this dream. I wasn't sure if I was really called by God or if I would even
make it if I was called. Finally,
after I told my best friend, who I was with at the end of my dream in the prison
cell, about the dream and the fears I was feeling he told me that if I didn't
give in to the evil in my dream then I wouldn't in real life. He was right of
course. But the only thought I remember that wasn't evil during that awful
experience in the woodshed kept echoing through my mind. If I would have only
prepared MORE for this day, it wouldn't be so hard.
What can we all do as
Christians to prepare ourselves for the supernatural evil that will soon be
unleashed on the earth? Should we go and learn karate and body building so we
can whip those evil peoples' butts? Of course not for we fight not against flesh
but against principalities and evil powers. (Ephesians
6:12) So
let's look at the Master and see what He did. He overcame the devil in the
wilderness face to face. He fasted for 40 days and nights and after the fasting,
He was hungry. Then the devil came and tempted Him and it says after that the
angels came and ministered to Him. I am sure that means that the Angels had food
and drink for Him. (Matthew
4:1-11) It didn't
say that Jesus couldn't eat it just said He was hungry. Maybe Jesus would have
turned a stone into bread to eat after the fasting. He did after all turn water
into wine. What's the difference? The difference is that it was the devil who
suggested it to Him. The devil asked Him IF you are the Son of God do it. So it
wasn't a sin that Jesus was hungry for He did eat afterwards. It would have been
a sin if He would have followed the devil's suggestion. Jesus chose to wait a
little while longer and be fed by His father instead of eating right then at the
advice of satan. In the dream I was being told just take the mark and you will
live. Yes, for a while, I would have, and then I would have died and suffered
forever. (Revelation
14:9-11) But by waiting a little while we can live and in waiting we will live forever. (Revelation
14:12) So by
fasting and praying for 40 days Jesus was fully prepared as a man in the Spirit
to overcome the devil head on. Moses fasted 40 days and nights when he went up
to the mountain to receive the 10 commandments. (Exodus
34:28) Elijah
went 40 days and nights on the strength of a few cakes brought to him by an
angel. (1
Kings 19:8) Now I
am not suggesting that we all go out and fast for 40 days and nights although
those who did fared very well. So what should we do to prepare for the outbreak
of evil spirits on us in the end times? One time, Jesus told the Apostles who
were confronted by an evil spirit that was too powerful for them to remove that
this type of spirit can only be removed by much prayer and fasting. (Mark
9:17-29) Lets
look in the old testament at how God wants His children to fast. (Isaiah
58:3-7) Fasting
is done to break down our selfish needs. By denying ourselves food, we train
ourselves to not constantly go toward the call of our flesh as it calls us often
but rather to sacrifice ourselves to God by denying the calls of the flesh. This
is good to do but let's not forget how we are saved. Jesus sacrificed His own
life for us to be saved. So all the fasting in the world will never get us to
Heaven, it is by Jesus that we are saved. God calls for us to fast in this way:
To lose the grip of wickedness, to set free those who are oppressed, to break
the hold of evil. To feed the hungry, house and clothe the homeless. Sounds
familiar doesn't it? Jesus tells us to do the same thing. (Matthew
25: 34-40) So it
seems that the fasting that is acceptable to the Lord is that of allowing
ourselves to suffer or be uncomfortable so that others who have not can be
filled. Be it food, clothing or offering our roof to a homeless person or
sharing the Gospel to those who are still under the imprisonment of satan's
power. Setting them free even if it means we may have to go to a place that is
not comfortable to us. Risking our lives for to save another is true fasting.
Jesus did. He didn't fast for 40 days and nights before the day He was to be
crucified. He ate at the last supper just hours before He was arrested. His
fasting was to lay down His own life for all mankind to be saved. Fasting of
this sort is needed to give us the right frame of mind that we are to be in
especially during the end times. Since we are going to be confronted with all
kinds of evil spirits, it would be good to be prepared to not only remove them
but to not fall for their deceptions. Much prayer and fasting is needed
according to Jesus. Let's look at what God promises those who fast in this
manner in the old testament. (Isaiah
58:8-14) The
glory of the Lord shall be our reward. We shall call on Him and He will answer.
He shall guide us continually and satisfy our soul in dark times. Many lost
shall be found by our decision to do His will and let Him work through us. We
give Him ourselves and we shall find everlasting joy in Him. So by fasting in
this way we can get prepared for what is coming. There is nothing wrong in not
eating for a day or three for the Lord. With the flesh weakened, we can become
more spiritual and there is nothing wrong with that. Yet, an easier and better
way is to sacrifice our self by helping others. This too puts us in that same
spiritual good feeling and we can enjoy a nice juicy cheeseburger as well
without feeling guilty. We need to practice on this constantly. Practice giving
to others, making sure all that you are with are comfortable and satisfied
before you fulfill yourself. Feed the poor, if you have two coats give one to
one who needs it. If you have several coats give them out and keep yourself one.
This is nothing new of what God wants us to do. You saw that it is God's will in
the old testament. John the Baptist said the same thing. (Luke
3:11) Jesus
constantly preached it and so did His apostles. (James
2:14-16) It's
nothing new we just need to do it so we can feel the power and the miracle will
occur before our very eyes.
Prayer is the other thing we
need to practice to be prepared. This is easier on our selfish souls isn't it?
Most of us, myself being the most guilty of this, pray only when we are in
trouble. Daniel was one of the most beloved people of God. He prayed three times
a day. (Daniel
6:11-13)
King David was the apple of God's eye. He prayed so much that he turned his
prayers into
songs. If you ever find yourself lacking in why you should pray be you happy or
sad, read the
Psalms.
It's all in there. Jesus constantly went off by Himself to pray. (Mark
6:46) Paul tells
us to pray constantly. (Ephesians
6:18) The best
prayer is when we are alone and secluded. It is great. Yet, we must practice for
the prayer we will need in the end times. Like in the dream I had, I wasn't
given an opportunity to slip away by myself for a few minutes to pray so I could
be strong in the temptations and outright evil attacks. It just happened. BOOM…
Are you Ready? An excellent way to prepare for this is to at least 5 minutes a
day just sit and be still. Do not think do not move. Sit in a quiet place and
just focus on God. It may be tough at first but with practice it will become
second nature. You will hear minor distractions. Perhaps as soon as you sit down
the phone will ring or a knock at the door or sirens from the streets outside.
Do not stray. 5 minutes is nothing in one day. Do not let yourself be carried
away by your own thoughts either. Just be still and seek to hear the still small
voice of the Holy Spirit. As time goes by and you get good at it then you will
want to test yourself in other situations. Before you do your 5 minute focus on
God session, crank up the TV or radio and practice tuning in to God with loud
distractions and in so doing you will tune out the world. Even play one of your
favorite songs or put on your favorite TV show or movie. Something that would
tempt you to call you away from what you are doing. Once you get that down go
out in public and do it. Be it at the mall or at work. Loud crazy situations in
public. Believe me, when it comes down to that evil time coming you will be glad
that you can immediately go in to prayer and tune into God at anytime. Paul said
to be instant in Prayer. (Romans
12:12) This is
what he meant.
At the end of my dream, I
was scared. I talked to my best friend who is a Christian. That helped too.
Sometimes we just can't get things right on our own even after trying prayer and
meditation on God. The best way to fix this is to confess to God what we are
fearing or feeling. But when we can't, talk to a brother or sister in Christ and
God will use that person to get through to you that way. (Galatians
6:1-2)
Whatever method as long as it works for you in the end. We have many resources
and tools made available to us by God. All we need to do now is use them. We
need to actually do it and we will succeed in His grace. Billy the Kid once said
that we must test ourselves daily or we will get too slow and end up dead. It is
so true. Musicians who are any good at making music practice constantly. Same
with artists, actors, football players and etc. How much more should we be
practicing for what we KNOW is coming? Our lives and even more importantly, the
lives of others will depend upon it. Let us test ourselves instead of watching
too much TV. Just sit back and think of what the end times will be like and how
you may be used as a tool by God in the end. Practice being instant in prayer no
matter what your current surroundings may be. Practice going inside your heart
where you talk to God in an instant. Perfect it for we will need to be ready. I
know that our enemy and his people are practicing and getting ready. BE PREPARED
for the end will come when we least expect it…UNLESS…we ARE expecting it AND
are prepared for it … (1
Thessalonians 5)
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