Today's message at my church- Judgment is coming to America

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Judgement has been on the nation for decades already. It isn't "coming" it's just continuing, and will continue until we as a nation get on our knees and truly repent.
Deut 28 lays it all out.

As a nation? It will never happen: the U.S. has ceased to be identified as a Christian nation. Only the individual
Christians will be saved, if we remain faithful!

[mizpeh]

A VISION GIVEN TO ME IN 1978
February 26, 2014 at 10:31pm
My Three Hour Prayer Shift
Rayford Strange

It was in 1978. Our pastor, G. A. Mangun had led the church in a 24/7 prayer vigil for many years. He requested everyone in the church to select a three hour shift once each week and remain there until relieved by the next shift.
It happened on this particular day that I had accepted a prayer shift from 6:00 to 9:00 AM. I am ashamed to admit it now, but I had an especially hard time entering into a spirit of prayer owing to the fact that I had so much to do that day which bore on my mind every moment. I anxiously waited to be relieved, hoping that they would arrive early so that I could bolt out the door and begin the busy day.

I will never forget looking at my watch at about 8:45 wishing that my relief would arrive early. Just at that moment, my mind recalled such great men of God in my early childhood such as brother A.W. Sassman, and others say that before Jesus comes again, there is going to be a great move of the Holy Ghost throughout the whole world, do a quick work and cut it short in righteousness. I remember laying awake late at night with an aching heart while listening to Jack Coe on one of those Mexican stations saying that God had shown him that such a great revival would come before the Lord’s return. Oh my! Even as a youngster, my deepest desire was to see such a wonderful move of God in the earth.

As I pondered on those thoughts, I asked the Lord, “Surely you are coming soon, but where is that great move of your Spirit in the earth? I don’t really see it just yet. Now mind you, I was not expecting an answer owing to anxiety of mind concerning the day ahead of me. But, to my surprise, I heard the voice of the Lord speak from his blessed Word, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.”

There was the answer. I then went into a vision as my heart turned inside out with weeping unlike anything I had ever experienced but a very few times in my life. I saw the condition of the church here in America…it looked just like the church that Jesus lamented over at Laodicea. What a spiritual mess that they were in. I could sense the Lord’s displeasure with us, by in large. One church in Revelation was poor in the natural but it was rich in the things of God. But here, the Laodicean church was rich in the natural but poor in the things of God. I seemed to come out of myself as I wailed, looking on our rich, but spiritually impoverished condition. Though rich and increased in goods having everything and every convenience that our lustful hearts could desire our attitude seems to be, "who needs God?" We would never let such a word like that be spoken but the attitude is the same.

The church at Ephesus garnered the Lord’s rebuke for having left their first love. Having left their first love, the Lord called on them to repent and do their first works. Here we see first works are linked to their first love. So it is in America, we have forsaken our first love by forsaking our first works. I could see the mess we were in. I then asked the Lord what it would take to turn things around here in our own beloved nation? The scenes in the vision changed. God then said to me, “I am going to put her down on thorns.”

Something happened to our economy. I could not tell what it was, but it was something awfully drastic. I saw multitudes and multitudes walking the streets as though they were in a daze. I saw people hungry. It seems that the asylums had turned out the insane too. They were also walking the streets. There was no energy to drive the cars, neither were there light plants operating and no lights for our homes. Grocery stores were empty and people were rioting. Violence stalked the streets. Fear was everywhere. It seemed as though the hospitals were shut down since the sick, infirm and afflicted were also in the streets with nowhere to go. Things in the natural sense was in a mess to the exact extent that the church was in a mess in the spiritual sense.
I went from one awful scene to another awful scene. I was made to stay and look upon this for a long period of time as I marveled over the awfulness of what I saw...too much to make mention here. Something happened to or in our government. It seemed that there was a police state that became very oppressive in a last ditch effort to control society. I can’t say what it was but there was a change in our government. It was probably Marshall Law, but I don’t know that for sure.

After a long time of looking upon this and many things similar things almost endlessly, I then found myself walking down a road late at night. It was a hot night and the windows were open. I could hear people praying from those open windows. I could hear people praying in the woods. Up and down the road, I could hear the most heart wrenching praying that you could imagine coming out of those windows.

A church that said by their works and actions, “I am rich, increased with goods and have need of nothing,” seemed to be repenting. The words that I heard shouted, mourned, whispered, entreated, and often breathlessly more than any other were, “We need you, O God, we need you. We need you, O God, we need you. We need you, O God, we need you. I am now 65 years old, been an Apostolic all of those years, but I’ve never heard such soul searching, heart wrenching praying in all my life.

I was kept in this scene for a long time. If I ever heard the sound of true repentance, I heard it then. If I ever heard the sounds of true confession and turning to God, I heard it then. I would go in and out of that scene off and on throughout the whole day.

After a long time, the scene changed. What I saw after that, I am hesitant to tell except that God truly heard and answered that kind of praying that went up all over America. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Cron. 7:14. Oh yes… Repentance was truly being done, but it was not just one prayer, it became a life of action…doing their first works again. Praise God!

There were men walking the streets of America in the midst of great suffering and pain. I could not tell if America had been attacked or if there was nothing more than an economic collapse but the streets were filled with so much suffering and pain. These men, though very humble and few, was almost fearful to look upon. These men were unlike so many egotist who fill today's pulpits. All I can say about them as to their appearances, they walked and talked like God...humble and lowly of heart but you had to tremble in their presence. That is the nearest way that I can describe their appearances. A shaking came upon me as I studied their countenances. I could not help but to tremble at the awesome sight of these men.

They did not pay attention to every need, scarcely looking at some in great need. However, I was impressed by one man who cried out from a large throng of desperate people, "O man of God, my children and I are hungry, can you help us?" The man simply said with an outstretched hand toward him, "Go home and eat, there is plenty of food on your table for you and your family." Great miracles were done by these men, very humble but holy men.

It was from this that a new move of God broke out in America but it was not like the old Azusa Street meeting as glorious as it was. There was something different. Azusa Street revival was born out of the holiness movement into Trinitarianism. This revival that is coming will be the final restoration of the church of Jesus to be the bride of Christ, the Lamb's wife for whom He seeks in betrothal.

I saw brush arbors once again springing up spontaneously everywhere. People were having church in front yards, many were having church in their homes, store fronts, on streets, churches were being packed out with crowds unable to get inside. Revival had come to America in the midst of hunger, deprivation and want of every kind.

I can’t tell you want happened to my spirit. I was taken away. I saw myself praying under a large Red Oak tree in a pair of khaki pants and a long sleeve white shirt. I saw such a spirit of holiness resting upon me. I have no idea why I would see that, but the more I looked upon myself, praying in the deepest contrition, the more my heart was poured out like water.

Sister Mangun who sometimes stays in the church a major portion of the day, found me lying on my back between some pews and asked what had happed to me? ll I could do was open my eyes and look up at her but I could not answer her. She finally walked away, left me alone again. She knew that I had a visitation but she never knew the extent of it, not even to this day.

What about the day that I had on my mind that was so important? Well, it was dark when I finally left the church, with the days business left undone which seemed to be so unimportant. But, I left knowing that God had shown me some things that I may never fully perceive in the natural, but are matters of the spirit that only he fully understands.

The message was so overwhelming that I thought that any day this calamity would befall us in America. So, yours truly, went out and bought up a bunch of groceries to hide away. I secretly went around and advised others to do the same. I am now ashamed of myself. That was in 1978, here we are in 2006 and it still has not happened. But, I still believe those things will come to pass exactly as I saw them. Does it not say that he sent his prophets (not that I am one) EARLY?

[mizpeh]

Brother Strange posted this on FB this past year and gave permission to share it.

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

A VISION GIVEN TO ME IN 1978
February 26, 2014 at 10:31pm
My Three Hour Prayer Shift
Rayford Strange

It was in 1978. Our pastor, G. A. Mangun had led the church in a 24/7 prayer vigil for many years. He requested everyone in the church to select a three hour shift once each week and remain there until relieved by the next shift.
It happened on this particular day that I had accepted a prayer shift from 6:00 to 9:00 AM. I am ashamed to admit it now, but I had an especially hard time entering into a spirit of prayer owing to the fact that I had so much to do that day which bore on my mind every moment. I anxiously waited to be relieved, hoping that they would arrive early so that I could bolt out the door and begin the busy day...

...But, I still believe those things will come to pass exactly as I saw them. Does it not say that he sent his prophets (not that I am one) EARLY?

Nevertheless, let the Lord's will be done.

[TJJJ]

So has the world ended yet?

Just wondering!

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by TJJJ

So has the world ended yet?

Just wondering!

Oh, you missed it? It was awesome!

[thephnxman]

THE WATCHMAN SLEEPS

I went to church one day. It was an average church: it could have been your church. The main entrance faced south, and it had two large, glass double doors that led into the foyer, which had two wooden, double doors on each side leading into the sanctuary. I entered into the dimly lit sanctuary on the right side, and walked down the aisle. I could tell that the sanctuary was almost fully packed.

I found a seat in the very first pew, facing the altar, and as I began to sit down I noticed that the members sitting next to me were fast asleep. I stood up and faced the congregation…and saw that EVERYONE WAS ASLEEP! I turned around once more, looking toward the platform and the pulpit: and saw about 8 chairs where the ministry sitting. I neither saw nor heard any movement coming from there, and I assumed the ministry was also asleep. To the far right of the platform was a door that was just slightly ajar. It had a small smoked, glass window on it, and there seemed to be a tremendous light emanating from the other side of the door.

“In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.”

I turned toward the congregation and started to awaken them, when a voice from behind the pulpit spoke to me, saying to let them sleep. It pleaded with me to sit down, and when I did, almost instantly I became very drowsy. It was all I could do to stand up! The voice kept pleading with me to sit down.

I walked toward the door at the rear of the platform and peered in: and I saw the most brilliant light, even brighter than the sun. I tried yelling to the congregation to wake up and go through the door: but the ministers kept hindering me from speaking to them.

Are you awake? REALLY?

[Aquila]

Remember, visions are often highly symbolic and full of hyperbole. Within the past two Presidential Administrations we've seen the greatest economic recession since the Great Depression. My darling, Christina, works for St. Vincent de Paul charities. They have seen an "explosion" of poor families and individuals desperately seeking assistance. Homelessness has risen drastically. People are in a spiritual and emotional daze just trying to make it through another day. As a result there were serious shortages of charitable donations to provide food, housing, furniture, and clothing. However, today charitable giving as greatly increased to the point that many are now receiving the help that they desperately need. Many churches of all denominations that had never launched out to provide any form of social service have done so. This has been a godsend for those seriously struggling. Most who are "surviving" are only doing so from paycheck to paycheck. Even massive mega churches have closed their doors and those who haven't are financially struggling. Smaller churches are feeling the pinch also. Then tack on the rising cost in living through the rising costs of fuel, food, supplies, and materials. The nation was truly on life support and is only now starting to stir out of unconsciousness.

In the midst of this... the house church movement has also exploded. While it doesn't get much media attention or fanfare, between 6 and 12 million Americans attend house churches. And roughly 10% of all Protestants attend only house churches, and the number is growing. This explosion of simple organic church fellowships has caused many Christians to reconsider the mega church and the necessity for buildings, paid staff & musicians, building programs, etc. Many of the elders within the house church movement previously pastored traditional churches. Most now work normal jobs along with the ministry work they perform regularly. Those Spirit filled house churches have been focusing on deeper experiences in the Holy Spirit through small spiritual development groups where individuals are encouraged to prayerfully launch out and explore their spiritual gifts. Many unknown seers and prophets walk among them. These are men and women whose spiritual vision and gifting would not be received well in most traditional church bodies where these gifts are largely regulated from the pulpit so as to not interrupt the flow or form of service... or to take attention from the pulpit ministry. These men and women walk in the prophetic and minister to smaller bodies through the Spirit, primarily within private homes or non-traditional venues. They also open their own homes up, or perform house calls, for individuals seeking private spiritual counsel or those desperate to receive a "word from the LORD" concerning their lives, families, and circumstances.

The point I'm making is this... In my experience with "dreams and visions" they do not always come to pass looking exactly like what they looked like in the dream or vision. Most often, their fulfillment can be missed entirely unless one is spiritually aware and looking through spiritual eyes. Consider the deeper implications of what Christ told the Pharisees in this text:

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

So, just because we haven't seen a grand Hollywood motion-picture style fulfillment of a vision... it doesn't mean that the vision isn't coming to pass or will not come to pass. We might be living in the very midst of this vision as we speak.

[Aquila]

Also we have to remember that the predicted doom or blessing in a vision can be averted or forfeited. If a significant number of people repent, God has been known to spare a generation. If a significant number of people grow cold and carnal, the blessings God promised can often be forfeited until a generation rises up to claim them.

Dreams and Visions are a very mysterious and dynamic gifts.

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Also we have to remember that the predicted doom or blessing in a vision can be averted or forfeited. If a significant number of people repent, God has been known to spare a generation. If a significant number of people grow cold and carnal, the blessings God promised can often be forfeited until a generation rises up to claim them.
Dreams and Visions are a very mysterious and dynamic gifts.

"The prophet that has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that
has my word, let him speak my word faithfully."