November 30, 2021: Whoa boy. Last night I had another vivid dream. It may have felt brief in my sleep, but the interpretation in my state of being awake is considerable. The dreams I have from God are very detailed, and I'm trying to catch up in posting them from my numerous journals. This dream, specifically, is for the Body of Christ as a sign of the hour, and a sign of what is promised to come. There's a lot here, so I'm highlighting the dream in purple.
THE DREAM WAS THIS:
I was standing in a sterile environment that looked like an elementary or middle school school classroom. The walls were barren of vitality. Everything was grey and dingy, and there was a low fog weighing down the air, punctuating a tangible depression in the room. There were small pockets of activity going on around me, yet there weren't a lot of students or children present. My attention turned to an inconsolable infant near my feet. I looked over and saw she was very small, and that someone sitting on the floor who looked uninterested in the infant was holding her up in the air, like they didn't know what to do with her. Without hesitation, I leaned down to pick the infant up, and she immediately stopped crying. She fell onto my chest and relaxed both of her arms straight out at her side, falling asleep peacefully. I could also see that just outside this classroom there was a dusty log cabin-like porch with thick log railings and an outpost selling handmade goods. I paused for a minute to look at a well made leather purse, hanging from the porch eaves. I specifically noticed that the leather didn't have a scratch on it, that the stitching on the bag was perfect, and that the price tag was pretty reasonable for its meticulous handiwork, only $17.00. I also wondered how nobody could have bought it by now, having a word of knowledge that it had been available and apparent for a long time. Someone away from the porch called out to me from the dirt clad yard beyond. I don't know who it was, but they were waving me over to them.
I stepped off of the porch but I found myself standing at the edge of an expansive rolling highway that had numerous lanes in each direction, separated with a long middle of lush green grass between. I looked left and right, but there were barely any cars in transit either way. As I weighed that there were few cars on this main thoroughfare, I started to hear the sound of objects pelting the ground like hail. I turned my eyes upward and saw a deluge of small objects raining from the sky, with hot fiery tails streaming behind. The pieces were dark and jagged, looking similar to volcanic rock or meteorite. Even though debris was falling everywhere, I realized after shielding my head for a moment that I was not being hit. Just as I looked up again, I was taken high into the atmosphere, straddling the edge of space, with the dark-meets-light curvature of the earth in the distance. I could tell I was just above eye level with what I knew to be the source of the debris - an extraordinarily large mass, hovering about 100 feet in front of me. The mass expanded like it was taking a breath, and started to fissure in distinct fault lines. Each fault lit up to illuminate the separations glowing in crimson red, like lava about to heave from the bellows of its previously restrained core. I heard a word of knowledge from the Lord reverberate in my ears that the mass was about to break apart into 7 specific sections, and they would all fall in “30.... ” His last word after "30" sounded like "seconds." As He spoke it, the 7 sections split apart and began to fall straight down toward the earth below. I then woke up.
There were many things that immediately became apparent and stirred me about the dream.
HIGHWAYS AND MINISTRY
Symbolically, a vehicle, road, or highway represents ministry. In the dream there was a glaring lack of the number of cars in operation, despite the well paved and pristine multi-lane highway along a well tended expanse of land. Not only were there few cars, but there were also a lot of empty lanes. The baby is another illustration of ministries depleted in nurture, purpose, and oversight. Our unique areas of expertise, experience, testimony, and passion are as much the vehicle and the lane as those things are the inconsolable baby feeling orphaned, without a place to call home. Ministry doesn't need a logo, a building, or a catchy tag line. A healthy and accountable ministry is covered by Apostles and intercessors walking and having the fruit of mature and Godly wisdom, made stronger within a fellowship of strong Believers who are welcome in our life as sharpening stones. Even so, ministry doesn't need the permission of Man. In fact, sometimes Man won't "get" your assignments in the Kingdom, and that's ok - pursue your development and growth and those doors will find you.
Additionally, at its simplicity, ministry is saying yes to the Lord to be a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14,) and to make Him known in spirit and in truth (John 4:23.) Church, the road and the opportunity is wide open. The workers are few because we hold back and don't identify the condition of a poverty theology. Our cars sit in our garages and take us to and from point A to point B, with a whole lot of busyness in-between that sucks our time and distracts us from being prepared and aware of the real needs in front of our face, day in and day out. Are we not disciples? The answer is yes, if we've made Christ our Lord and Savior. So complete the thought: Given that we are His disciples, we should be marinating on the empowering words of Jesus in Matthew 10 when he instructed his disciples to get on with it to heal the sick, raise the dead, and set the captives free. There is a strategic alignment right now to launch forward in faith, where the highway is unhindered and the map coordinates are position to GO. Even when you need to pull your car over for a bit to rest, the grass is lush and will bring refreshing for the next stretch ahead if your intentions are in line with the will of the Father. Get up off your mat and stand up even if you aren't ready, for that's a prophetic act in itself of preparing to be used by God. This is the time to heed His quickening. This is the time to learn what you must learn, shed what you must shed, and grow where you must grow.
As a side note, "Are we there yet?" just came to mind. How many of us have whined this sentiment as children while on a journey? See the correlation? This one made me chuckle as He brought back the memory of a certain car trip I took when I was about 10 years old. My best friend was spending time up at her family farm in Wisconsin with her Dad. They left a few days early, so her Mom could wrap up some things back home before she drove up. Her Mom came over and invited me to surprise my friend by showing up at the farm with her. I very clearly remember sitting in the back seat on that car ride to Wisconsin, apparently asking often if "we were there yet," and finally getting a pretty stern reprimand to relax, stop asking, and enjoy the ride. Our Father is the author of love and encouragement. He kind of does the same thing when we forget to enjoy the process. We're not much different than my 10 year old self when we get impatient in the waiting, even when we're excited in the unknown.
THE NUMBER SEVEN - COMPLETION
Going deeper still, the seven fissures in the dream were very specific. As you hopefully know already, the number seven is quite significant in the Bible. This number shows up in many places and circumstances. Let's look at this further in just a few of those crossroads.
Seven is the perfect number of completion and rest (Genesis 1:31, Philippians 1:6) Everything we do and everywhere we go should flow from a place of being wholly complete in Him, reviving and equipping others to also wholly understand their identity in Christ. We are in a Holy Moment. While a great deal of you understand that the things we allow or do not allow will have both generational and eternal consequences, still some in the Body of Christ haven't connected that their belief system and influences actually accelerate the perpetuation of evil principalities to carry on an agenda full of manipulation and chaos. When we live out of the knowledge of completion at the Cross, and the necessity of staying above the bait of reproach, we are anchored to live a prosperous life in all ways - body, mind, soul, spirit. Having one foot in and one foot out of the revelation of being complete yields a blemished mindset that's partnered with the proliferation of fear, anxiety, unrest, and brokenness. Isaiah 51:7 (Amplified Bible) says this, as a connection to the dream and a good reminder to get above the fray and stay the course:
6 “Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
Then look to the earth beneath;
For the heavens will be torn to pieces and vanish like smoke,
And the earth will wear out like a garment
And its inhabitants will die in like manner.
But My salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness (justice) [and faithfully fulfilled promise] will not be broken.
7 “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness (right standing with God),
The people in whose heart is My law and instruction;
Do not fear the reproach and taunting of man,
Nor be distressed at their reviling.
8 “For the moth will eat them like a garment,
And the worm will eat them like wool.
But My righteousness and justice [faithfully promised] will exist forever,
And My salvation to all generations.”
THE NUMBER SEVEN - GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
Furthermore, there are 7 incredible gifts of the Spirit that Paul addressed to the Church at Corinth, imploring them not to be uninformed about the power of Holy Spirit in the Believer. These gifts, all under the manifestation and inspiration of Holy Spirit, are gloriously below:
1 Corinthians 12
Amplified Bible
The Use of Spiritual Gifts
"12 Now about the spiritual gifts [the special endowments given by the Holy Spirit], brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit]. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the [power and influence of the] Spirit of God can say, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. 5 And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. 6 And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good. 8 To one is given through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] the message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] the word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Spirit; 9 to another [wonder-working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit; 10 and to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. 11 All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses.
12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life].
14 For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 16 If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. 19 If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? 20 But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; 23 and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.
27 Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. 28 So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal].
And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love]."
When the Church isn't functioning in and cultivating the 7 gifts of the Spirit, its like a car (again, ministry) driving without a windshield or mirrors. The winds belts the riders and compromises visibility ahead. The car attractiveness is conditional and uncomfortable, making it all the more difficult to see the both the road around us, and any obstacles that may be hidden or a problem.
THE NUMBER SEVEN - CULTURAL MOUNTAINS OF INFLUENCE
The "sevens" continue in looking at the seven cultural mountains of culture, and the significant need for critically thinking and clear minded Christians to occupy places of influence within those mountains of arts and entertainment, business, education (the classroom, per the dream,) family, government, media, and religion. We can't talk out of both sides of our mouth in demanding Caesar "Fix this! Free us!" when we are resistant to get in the game to be the solutions ourselves, changing nations with integrity from the inside of the chambers of the heart, and not the outside where we're complacent and loose lipped observers.
THE NUMBER SEVEN - THE FISSURES IN THE HEAVENLIES
God took me back to two more things from many years ago. I just realized both occurred in the night watch.
The first was an encounter very late at night about seven (yes seven) years ago, and I couldn't sleep. The blinds were open across from our bed, and I was laying there, staring off into the sky past the window. As I laid there, the clouds in just one area of the sky turned a deep red, while pulsating a trumpet-like frequency of sound unlike anything I've ever heard before. I heard the voice of God as clear as clear could be. He said the following three times: "Watch the skies and the seas! Watch the skies and seas! Watch the skies and the seas!" There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that the fissures I witnessed were part and parcel of his warning all those years ago.
The second was an encounter I had even before that, on September 9, 2001. I was awakened in the middle of the night by God. He asked me to go to my keyboard and hit record. I was pretty rough around the edges in my playing, but I was obedient. I sensed the heaviness of His request. Out came a gut wrenching instrumental, titled Urgent Prayer. You can listen to it on my music singles page, here: Nicki's MUSIC SINGLES. If you click on the word "Lyrics" below the image with the song, you'll be able to read more about what transpired that night. The seas were raging in that encounter. Something was about to happen. September 11, 2001 was in motion and He showed me from the watchman's wall.
The mass I saw in my dream last night fell to the earth in seven sections. The Lord led me right into Exodus 9:23, Acts 2:18-20, 2 Peter 3, and Revelation 13:13, and the parallels of the times in which we current live. In Exodus 9:23, "Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning (fireballs) ran down to the earth and along the ground. And the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt." If God is the same yesterday, today, and always (Hebrews 13:8, as made flesh of His Father,) then God can and may certainly repeat the lesson until we comprehend the message. He sent the thunder and hail through Moses, and He can do it again to get our attention. In fact, we will see great signs and wonders amidst the urgency to repent of our wicked ways, and reject the wicked ways in others, in these days before we see the actual return of Jesus before our very eyes.
Church, the goosebumps quiver up my arm as I type this with the utmost seriousness. We must live solely from the context of Truth, understanding the moving sand in the hourglass. It's not time to slumber and obsess with material nonsense, popularity, and platform. It's not time to be wasteful and idle with our assignments, our talents, our resources, and our words and actions. It's not time to habitually escape into the temporary over investing our time with the mysteries and revelation of the eternal. It's time to get on our knees, repent, stay clean, and pay attention to every word God speaks and has spoken.
Acts 2:18-20
Amplified Bible
"18 Even on My bond-servants, both men and women,
I will in those days pour out My Spirit
And they shall prophesy.
19 ‘And I will bring about wonders in the sky above
And signs (attesting miracles) on the earth below,
Blood and fire and smoking vapor.
20 ‘The sun shall be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood,
Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes."
2 Peter 3
Amplified Bible
Purpose of This Letter
"3 Beloved, I am now writing you this second letter. In this [as in the first one], I am stirring up your untainted mind to remind you, 2 that you should remember the words spoken in the past [about the future] by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior given by your apostles [His personally chosen representatives].
The Coming Day of the Lord
3 First of all, know [without any doubt] that mockers will come in the last days with their mocking, following after their own human desires 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming [what has become of it]? For ever since the fathers fell asleep [in death], all things have continued [exactly] as they did from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they willingly forget [the fact] that the heavens existed long ago by the word of God, and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people.
8 Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. 9 The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
A New Heaven and Earth
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish with a [mighty and thunderous] roar, and the [material] elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are on it will be burned up.
11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be [in the meantime] in holy behavior [that is, in a pattern of daily life that sets you apart as a believer] and in godliness [displaying profound reverence toward our awesome God], 12 [while you earnestly] look for and await the coming of the day of God. For on this day the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the [material] elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But in accordance with His promise we expectantly await new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14 So, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligent and make every effort to be found by Him [at His return] spotless and blameless, in peace [that is, inwardly calm with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence, having lived a life of obedience to Him]. 15 And consider the patience of our Lord [His delay in judging and avenging wrongs] as salvation [that is, allowing time for more to be saved]; just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him [by God], 16 speaking about these things as he does in all of his letters. In which there are some things that are difficult to understand, which the untaught and unstable [who have fallen into error] twist and misinterpret, just as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of [c]unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith], 18 but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honor, majesty, splendor), both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
And with great solemn reflection, this:
Revelation 13
Amplified Bible
The Beast from the Sea
13 And the dragon (Satan) stood on the sandy shore of the sea.
Then I saw a [vicious] beast coming up out of the sea with ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten royal crowns (diadems), and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast that I saw resembled a leopard, but his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth was like that of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads which seemed to have a fatal wound, but his fatal wound was healed; and the entire earth followed after the beast in amazement. 4 They fell down and worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; they also worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like (as great as) the beast, and who is able to wage war against him?” 5 And the beast was given a mouth (the power of speech), uttering great things and arrogant and blasphemous words, and he was given freedom and authority to act and to do as he pleased for forty-two months (three and a half years). 6 And he opened his mouth to speak blasphemies (abusive speech, slander) against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, and those who live in heaven.
7 He was also permitted to wage war against the saints (God’s people) and to overcome them, and authority and power over every tribe and people and language and nation. 8 All the inhabitants of the earth will fall down and worship him, everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb who has been slain [as a willing sacrifice]. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, he will go into captivity; if anyone kills with a sword, he must be killed with a sword. Here is [the call for] the patient endurance and the faithfulness of the saints [which is seen in the response of God’s people to difficult times].
The Beast from the Earth
11 Then I saw another beast rising up out of the earth; he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence [when the two are together]. And he makes the earth and those who inhabit it worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs (awe-inspiring acts), even making fire fall from the sky to the earth, right before peoples’ eyes. 14 And he deceives those [unconverted ones] who inhabit the earth [into believing him] because of the signs which he is given [by Satan] to perform in the presence of the [first] beast, telling those who inhabit the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded [fatally] by the sword and has come back to life. 15 And he is given power to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast will even [appear to] speak, and cause those who do not bow down and worship the image of the beast to be put to death. 16 Also he compels all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead [signifying allegiance to the beast], 17 and that no one will be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let the person who has enough insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the [imperfect] number of a man; [g]and his number is [h]six hundred and sixty-six.
Landing this plane, the Bible isn't a horror story. It isn't a fairy tale, either. It wasn't divinely inspired to coddle our preferences or repress us into door mats, enslaved to an tyrannical Master. The living word is an instruction manual written in Truth, love, authenticity, compassion, and supernatural acumen by people who lived under the very same kinds of challenges we live with today. We can brood in fear, or we can abide in expectancy with the strategy of wisdom and clarity, knowing evil wants to destroy every good thing, including our willingness to minister the love of Christ and raise up and equip others as disciples. We know darkness wants to throttle our effectiveness in operating in the gifts of the Spirit. We know the enemy of our souls and destiny attempts to overtake every cultural mountain of influence. We know the agenda is hellbent to harass critical thinking, belittle a righteous compass, and do everything to make those pursuing God's best weary, tired, and "done" with trying to change the narrative.
So with that knowledge, and having been sealed as His children,
we can be realistic in recognizing the potholes as we drive the car;
we can be vigilant to differentiate the unmerciful antics of our adversary as we file in the ranks and train others for battle;
and we can choose to stand in the storm of the stubborn and proud (self examining and purging our own logs in our eyes as we go) while setting tent pegs a little farther out each time we open our mouth and demonstrate a Kingdom principle.
How? As we GO in faith, we also go with eyes to see and ears to hear. These things are already in us. We are made in His image. We were given our timeline right now because we are necessary to complete God's plan right now. The same God, our only God, spoke into the void and darkness of the universe and called forth light and life. God lives in us, empowers us, and goes ahead to make a way in the wilderness. He delivered and redeemed (past tense, Tribe) all those who call Him Savior through His sovereign and eternal exchange of forgiveness at the Cross. The only thing missing here is us. Will we throw down the gauntlet and don the armor of God or will we not?
Neither this dream nor any other Godly admonishment should leave us in a state of despair or apathy. To the contrary, our responsibility is to dwell on hearing His voice and being ready as He leads.
Ephesians 6:10-20
Amplified Bible
The Armor of God
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), 15 and having [c]strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people. 19 And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news [of salvation], 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. And pray that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly and courageously, as I should.
Amen. Be well, watchful, and prophesy. Godspeed.