Tag Archive: church



The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

CHRISTIAN TECHNOLOGY EXTENDS EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

In our past several postings we have introduced the concept of using technology in support of Christian ministry. We have also introduced a mission statement to improve the living standards of the worlds poor through education and training. Such a technology certainly must be state-of-the-art and must deploy computer-based training that delivers courseware in an audio visual format, including full interaction with live advisors. The idea here is to leverage world class expertise in courseware that can then be delivered anywhere in the world. This courseware can be supported from anywhere. Such a capability can extend the reach and capability significantly. This world class courseware must be able to address any life skill. So courseware must be available to improve any job skill or prepare a person to improve their standard of living. For example, this courseware can address subjects like auto mechanics, carpentry, plumbing, sales, marketing, art, pottery, finance, farming, computer programming, management, home construction, business ownership, and all the rest. However, since the initial targets should primarily be the third world countries, preliminary establishment will focus on the skills needed most by these peoples. These countries have the poorest living standards and are the ones most in need of help.

An extension of this objective is to equip the poor children of the world to be the future leaders of their cities, regions, and countries. In achieving this objective, the Christian nation will build a foundation where future generations can work and live in dignity, respect, and peace. They will build an environment of peace based on knowledge and self-determination.

Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In (Isaiah 58:12).

Most of all, this technology and its capabilities are intended to be a blessing of love from the bride of Christ to the poor and hurting peoples of the world. It will show them that the bride comes with a compassion for them, just as Jesus did. Therefore, the people of the world will see the love that Christians have for them.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

The result will be a better world for everyone. When the people of the world come to know Jesus and can adequately take care of their families, they will reach out to others in love also. Putting this vision of a better world into place will replace love for hate, truth for lies, light for darkness, and the way of God for the way of the world. So, I compel you to posses the vision!

 


 


The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

In our A-Visit-to-Heaven,” postings last week we presented a video where a minister claimed that he had gone to heaven on several occasions.  In it he talks about being in the third heaven and references Paul’s claim to have been in the third heaven as well. In this video he makes several comments about what it is like in all three heavens.

We of course have been using the Tabernacle of Moses as a prophetic model of Jesus Christ for quite some time. We have also been stating that the three chambers of the Tabernacle are prophetic of the three relationships we can have with God. These types of relationships come with there own set of support capabilities here on earth and there own privileges in heaven or in the spiritual realm. These postings can all be referenced by going to the home page of this web site and clicking on the hyperlink that leads you to these postings. Alternatively, a good posting to start with is: The-Tabernacle-is-Prophetic-of-Jesus.

The fact that a third heaven exists is communicated in the following scripture:

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.  Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me (2 Cor 12:1-6.)

Like Paul I believe that is not profitable for me to boast, so just let me say that I also know of a man caught up in the third heaven, which is also called the heavenly Holy of Holies by some people. The following passages describe what happened.

Searching For the Holy of Holies

Years ago this man attended a bible study on the Tabernacle of Moses. The bible study group met once a week and the study went on for months.  The classes were very informative, and all gained significant insight into the tabernacle of God through this teaching of the scriptures. For example, we learned about the blood sacrifices and how, where and why they were conducted. We learned about the golden lamp stand, golden altar of incense, the table of showbread and the brazen laver. We learned about the arc of the covenant, what it contained, and what it represented. In addition, we learned about the golden cherubim between the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence was to be found.

The Tabernacle Courtyard

Each week we were presented a teaching for about an hour on a new aspect of the Tabernacle. This was followed by a prayer service, and we would pray that the people in the class would enter into the Holy of Holies. There were many breakthroughs reported by various people who attended, and some were even healed of significant illnesses.

During the classes this man developed a desire to enter into the Holy of Holies. He started praying every night as he lay in bed that God would grant him the privilege of entering into His secret place. He often prayed for hours, or until he fell asleep.

One night after one of these services he went home to bed and prayed with an increased determination to enter the Holy of Holies. He must have dozed off because when he awoke his clock read 2 a.m. He dozed off again and had a very unusual experience. He found himself traversing his way through the stars of the universe. He scanned the stars around him and noticed that there was one star that was slightly brighter than all the others. Somehow he knew that if he focused on it directly that he would enter into the passageway to the Holy of Holies. He knew that this was his chance so he turned and focused directly on the star with determination. He then was instantaneously transported to the location of that star. It was as if everything around him simply sucked him up and catapulted him across space and time and in the blink of an eye, bam, he was there.

As he looked up in this new place he could see the cloud of God’s power that stretched across the horizon in all directions as far as the eye could see. From this observation he thought that God’s power was infinite. He could also hear the sound of God’s power which sounded very much like the hum of an electrical power station, only much louder and somehow, mellower. By some unknown means, he also knew that God’s power was resting at the time. However, even at rest this power was strong enough to shake the ground [ii] so violently that he could not longer stand on his feet. He was in awe of God’s power and thought to himself, “if this is the awesome power of God at rest, then woe to those who arouse Him to anger.”

 

The Power of Prayer

Then, he found himself in a place where there were many others, but he could not see them clearly, for they were shrouded by a light, misty cloud of some kind. It was as if each entity was a point of light, and awesomely there were billions of them arranged in circles around God. God appeared as a giant ball of light in the center of everything. He could hear them as they were praising and worshiping God in song all around Him. The was a profound unity there as the billions were all giving fourth something like a song without words, like a series of musical notes.There was emotion in this music, it was a sound of awe and total surrender at the greatness of God. It was a song of blissful love. On and on this blissful music went in perfect harmony, in a way that can not be described in our current human form. 

It looked like the universe of stars in orbit around a central sun except that the stars were arranged something like loosely configured rings of Saturn. He could hear voices and conversations praising God, and he also wanted to join in very much. At first he found it strangely difficult to open his mouth. After working on this task for a while he was successful in opening his mouth but when he attempting to speak, the words did not come out. Instead of words vomit came spewing out his mouth. This discharge apparently triggered something that he did not understand because everything closed up around him as quickly as he had arrived. He was once again sucked up by the environment around him and transported across space and time back to where he started. He awoke in bed and looked at the clock again, it read 4 a.m and he marveled that the whole journey had seemed like just a few seconds. He knew then that he was not ready to enter into the Holy of Holies but because of his steadfast prayer and desire, God had granted him a look at the promise to come.


[ii] Psalms 29:8  The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.



 

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

 


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Read my story by ordering my book, “Possess the Vision”

UNITY AND LOVE ARE REQUIRED IN THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST

One objective of this posting is to communicate the mission of Possess the Vision ministries. In presenting this mission however, we take a good look at the subjects of unity and love which must be at the heart of any ministry attributed to Jesus Christ.

A mission statement addresses the primary objective of the ministry by identifying the direction in which the people are to direct their activities. A good mission statement should also answer the question, what are we to do? The Possess the Vision Mission Statement is presented below:

Christians from all denominations and sects will work together (unite) to collectively deploy the tools, technology, resources, and support necessary to enable all peoples of the world to improve their lives and living standards through the knowledge and blessings of Jesus Christ.

As we mentioned earlier there are two major components of the mission statement. One component is unity and the other is love.

A major component of the mission is to create unity in the bride of Christ as Jesus commanded. It is clear by looking at the following scripture that Jesus expects us to as one in Him and the Father:

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me (John 17: 20 – 23).

The Power of Prayer

This means that we must work with all other Christians toward continuing the mission that Jesus left us, which is that we love one another. The vision and mission statements presented here lead us to do this in a organized way. This mission is like that of Jesus in that it is designed to spread His love across the planet. Therefore, we must act as one body in love just as Jesus prayed.

This means that we will have to work around many of the issues that are dividing Christians currently. Therefore, our focus must be on Jesus our savior exclusively, striving to do the things that He did while He was on the earth. Further, we must look past our differences by understanding that they stem from the inability of men to always understand the ways and words of God.

Conflicting interpretations of the Bible for example, only reveals that one of the parties are wrong. Such differences can only be attributed to the fallibility of man since there is only unity and peace in the body of Christ. Therefore we must realize that our differences regarding church doctrine, philosophy and dogma are nothing more than different styles. Often these things make no difference in getting into heaven. What I do know is that we must work together because Jesus taught us that a house divided against itself cannot stand.

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25).

In addition, the mission started by Jesus is a mission of love.

Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, “Where I am going, you cannot come,” so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:33 – 35).

The second component of the mission is love. If we love one another we must find a way to work together so that we will not be a house divided and secondly, so that the world will know that we are the true disciples of Jesus. If we love one another we will carry on the mission that Jesus left us. We will seek with all of our heart to have the same impact on the world as Jesus. The people who followed Jesus were fed. The sick that came to Jesus were healed. The people who heard the words of Jesus received the truth about God the Father and His love for them. The mission of Jesus was a mission of love, and the people touched were much better off for the experience. It is in this way that our mission is also a mission of love. It is to this goal that we aspire: that the impact of our ministry will leave the lives of others in a much better state, both physically and spiritually. A mission based on love is supported by the first two commandments.

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:5).

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD (Leviticus 19:18).

Moses and the Ten Comandments

In addition, much is expected of him to whom much has been given. This places a great deal of burden on us in the developed countries of the world, who do have the goods of the world at a time when there is much poverty and depression in undeveloped areas.

Jesus is also clear about loving unconditionally.

But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you (Luke 6:27 – 38).

Therefore, our goal is to love even those who hate us and abuse us. In addition, the love that we give is what we have and what we are. It is a love that will improve the lives to whom it is given. This love includes providing food, medicine, and clothing when needed. In addition, it includes telling the truth about Jesus, which should be evident, based on the demonstration of our actions. In today’s world, our love should show others how to better care for families. We must share our knowledge and technology and, therein, provide the capabilities necessary to achieve this objective. In this we will take them from the darkness and into the light.


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Read my story by ordering my book, “Possess the Vision”


UNITY AND LOVE ARE REQUIRED IN THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST

 

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

 

A Visit to Heaven

In several of my prior postings I have talked about I have used the Tabernacle to help us understand that there are three levels of relationship we can have with God. Recently I saw a video of a man who claims that he has made several trips up to heaven and returned. I believe that he describes these types of relationships rather well. Prior to showing the video I thought it may be good to review one of our messages that delivers a high level review of these types of relationships. Here it is:

So, if we have lost our direction Jesus is the Way. If our life is a lie, Jesus is the Truth. If we are acting in a way that leads to death, Jesus is the Life. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, just as He claimed. He is the passage way to the Father and is the way through which every form of relationship with the Father can be achieved.

This foundation of Jesus being our spiritual Tabernacle paves the way for us to enter into the Courtyard, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place.

This being the case, Jesus is also the veil (or passageway) through which we enter into all three types of relationships that we can have with the Father. It is through the Way (entryway into the Tabernacle Courtyard) that we enter into a relationship of grace with the Father. It is through the Way that we enter the Courtyard where Jesus is the sacrifice for our sin and where we are purified by reflecting on His life and seeking to become like Him.

It is through the Truth (or entryway into the Holy Place of the Tabernacle) that we enter into a relationship of enlightenment with the Father. The Truth leads us into the Holy Place where our pathways are illuminated with God’s direction. This illumination also leads toward communion with God and enables us to become victorious in spiritual warfare.

It is through the Life (or entryway into the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle) that we enter into a relationship of covenant with the Father. The Life leads us into the Most Holy place where we find peace from our enemies, talk with God directly, receive the protection of His angels, have His law in our hearts, become a royal priesthood and depend on God’s provision exclusively. It is hear that we can once again know only good, and in this regard we are restored to the garden once again.

So now that we have presented what we have said in the past, lets look at the video where the three types of relationship we can have with God in the spiritual realm are described:

So this is very consistent with our prior messages. Entering through the Way of the Tabernacle results in the development of a relationship of grace. In this relationship our sins are forgiven through our repentance and the work of Jesus on the cross. In this relationship we come to see who Jesus is and seek to become like Him in preparation for ministry. In the video we find that the reward for our choices in this regard is to enter a place of peace through Jesus. In this place everyone feel like they are next to Him.

Entering through the Truth of the Tabernacle results in the development of a relationship of empowerment. In this relationship our pathways are illuminated, we develop a closer relationship with the Father, and we become effective in spiritual warfare, or bringing down the bonds of evil here on this earth just like Jesus did. In the video the pastor described this area as belonging to those who worked for God.

Entering through the Life of the Tabernacle results in the development of a relationship of covenant. In this relationship we have a special pact with God that is based upon His promise to us and in turn, our promise to Him. In it we can talk to God directly, receive the support of his angels and become a part of the royal priesthood. In the video this place is reserved for those who walk with God and was wonderful, although indescribable.

So, that is it for today. I am thinking on expanding this topic as there are quite a few scripture that have relevance but have not been discussed to this point.

Until then, may Gods blessings be upon you.

Papa Joe Gordon


 


The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

Read my story by ordering my book, “Possess the Vision”

HOW TO POSSESS THE VISION OF A WORLD WON FOR JESUS

In my past couple of postings I have communicated how a man delivered a message from God to me that told me to possess the vision (A-Message-to-Possess-the-Vision.) In my last posting I articulated the vision (The-Vision-of-a-World-Won-for-Jesus) and fundamentally, when we look at it, it is a Christian vision of love. This message was confirmed by my own spiritual messages and images from God, which include:

Surrender-is-Followed-by-a-Glorious-Vision

A-Vision-of-the-Living-Cross-of-Jesus

The-Bride-of-Christ-is-to-Make-a-Straight-Path-for-the-Return-of-Jesus

The-Spiritual-Realm-of-the-Bride-of-Christ

The vision was further supported by the original vision statement of the church that I was attending, a church that God moved me thousands of miles to attend. So, today we are going to look a dig deeper into this vision by looking at how our church planned to achieve it.

Last week we briefly introduced the concept of the Christian Cultural Center. They are a key component of a strategic deployment plan. They are to be built one at a time and deployed along with all the necessary people, financing, and programs from the hub location, which would be our church in the beginning. In phase (1) of this strategy ten new hubs would be created. They would be deployed in major cities that spanned the entire globe. In phase (2) these new hubs would be developed such that they could create ten additional centers (called spokes) in that region of the world. In effect, each spoke would be a smaller version of the hub. They would serve smaller communities and accommodate fewer people but would have the same capability. Subsequent phases would result in the spokes also multiplying until the entire globe was covered.

Each spoke would be created by its hub which would be responsible to provide the people, financing, and educational capability. The plan calls for each Christian Cultural Center to grow, mature and become self-sustaining. This means that the local people eventually take control of it and therein be responsible for achieving the objective of creating several new spokes of its own in it locality. This in turn requires them to develop local people who in turn would be sent out to initiate new spokes.

The Disciples are Sent out

Each spoke is to be developed in close association with local governments. The plan requires that the land would have to be provided by the local government. In return, the building and the facilities would be provided by the hub ministry. In addition, the plan calls for everything to be turned back over to the local community within five years but managed by the people who have been trained for this specific purpose.

So that’s it in a nut shell. This is one way to possess the vision. Perhaps it is not the only way. Our next posting will look at a Mission statement to guide a Possess the Vision effort.

 

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The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

THE VISION OF A WORLD WON FOR JESUS

In our last posting a prominent man in our church told me he had a message to deliver to me that came from God. He told me to possess the vision. In today’s posting I will talk about what was communicated in this message.

As this man talked to me he communicated a message that brought to mind the original vision of our church that I had heard so much about from the old timers there. The vision was of a world won for Jesus. In looking at it now I would say that this end state vision was exactly the same as the vision that I had of a budding earth that bloomed into a world filled with Jesus at its center (Surrender-is-Followed-by-a-Glorious-Vision), as it communicates exactly the same end result.

To achieve the vision they were to deploy something they called “A Bridge to the World.” While I did not know much about what this meant at the time, I made a point to learn more about it by talking with people in the church that did.

The bridge to the world was a strategy was to deploy Christian cultural centers around the world that were to be modeled after our church. These centers would provide both missionary and practical training for the express purpose of improving the quality of life for the disenfranchised peoples that they served.

The missionary component of the Bridge would help people develop a more intimate relationship with God which would draw them into the Christian community. It would then provide an educational component to develop spiritual growth, preparation for ministry and leadership training.

Jesus Speaks to the Multitude


The practical training component of the Bridge would provide a library of training material that would enable the people of the community to acquire the expertise they needed to improve their livelihood and standard of living. These materials would be delivered and supported by accomplished advisors and educators.

In our next posting we will talk about how all of this was to be accomplished.


 


The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

A Message to Possess the Vision

One day I was visiting at the church office when a Christian associate came into the office. He excitedly called me over and announced that God had given him a message for me. He communicated the message to me over the next few minutes. The more he talked the more thrilled I became. What he gave me was a complex message. So, I will explain it by breaking it into two major sections: enthusiasm and possess the vision.

ENTHUSIASM

The first part of the message dealt with enthusiasm, and this subject certainly applied to me. I naturally tend to be low key and do not often show a great deal of emotion, so this message was instructional.

POSSESS THE VISION

Possessing the vision was the real meat of the message. Most certainly God had been very generous to me in the vision department over the years. After all, there was the vision of the earth blooming with Jesus at its center, the glowing cross of blood (A-Vision-of-the-Living-Cross-of-Jesus), the penetrating light hitting the earth (Vision-of-an-Enlarging-Sun), the straight path (The-Bride-of-Christ-is-to-Make-a-Straight-Path-for-the-Return-of-Jesus), and the bride of Christ (The-Spiritual-Realm-of-the-Bride-of-Christ). While all of these visions were spectacular and conveyed a powerful message, I would have to say that I did not possess them. Possession implies ownership, and I believed at the time that God owned these visions and would be the One to set them in motion and sustain them. But now that I think about it, why would God need to show them to me? God is certainly able to get all of these things accomplished without me. But, since He gave these visions to me, He must have a role for me to play in bringing them to reality.

Here I was again receiving messages from God that were sent to me at an incredible rate and in an unmistakable way. I was thinking that God was going to move in mighty ways, when all along He wanted me to take action regarding the vision. Even this direct message did not deliver this realization to me until several years later. I guess I am not one of the mental giants of the universe. The good news is that God does not need a mental giant; He only needs someone who believes in Him without doubting and who will do His will.



The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

A VISION OF THE LIVING CROSS OF JESUS

Today I am going to tell you about a vision that I had that I believe to be important. It is the vision of the Cross of Jesus coming to life. In my past several postings I have been communicating about a number of other visions and spiritual experiences that I have had in the past. These experiences started shortly after I had surrendered my life to God and told Him that I would do what ever He wanted me to do. God then led me across the country to a church that He wanted me to attend. He also led me to attend a prayer group meeting where I experienced being a part of the bride of Christ on her wedding day. In this posting I communicated a vision of the bride of Christ that reveals her attributes, nature and mission. After this experience I heard the audible voice of God call my name. I also had a vision of a straight path that led to the glory of God (represented in the picture at the top of this page), and I had an experience of a white dove (the Holy Spirit) fly into me while I was on a highway in LA. So, you could say that God had me on a fast path for sure.


 

The vision of the cross of Jesus came in the night. In the vision I saw a wooden cross standing alone on a desolated hilltop. For some unknown reason I understood it to be the cross on which Jesus was crucified. It was upright but was leaning significantly at approximately a forty-five degree angle. It looked as if it had been abandoned. It looked dead. For some reason I could not take my eyes off of it and so, my gaze continuously upon it. Then I was drawn closer to it so that I could examine it in more detail. The wooden members resembled those of old railroad ties. I just kept starring at it, not wanting to look away. Then, the grain of the wood started to change color. Dimly at first, but eventually the grain glowed a bright red-orange color. The glow was like that given off from the burner of an electric stove.

 

As I stated above the glow started gradually being almost unperceivable at first. However, Its intensity grew continuously brighter until the red-orange color was vivid and glowing. The cross that had once been dead was coming to live. I then began to see that the wood grain as a transparent sets of arteries, much like those of our human bodies. I say that the arteries were transparent because I could see blood cells traversing through them. They were carrying the nutrients and healing power to where ever they were needed. As I continued to look upon the cross in amazement it soon took on a three dimensional appearance. I could now see through all the layers of the grain and as a result, I could see the blood of Jesus flowing through them all. As incredible as this sight was, the show was not over yet. The glowing red cross began to pulsate light. Photons of red light pulsed out of it in all directions at the same time into sky around me. Every three or four seconds another pulse would be shot out into the atmosphere. The light of Jesus was going everywhere!

I am quite sure that I could never adequately communicate to you just how spectacular and awesome a sight this was to see. The cross of Jesus is alive!

 

What does this mean to the bride of Christ? It means that she is to take up the cross that Jesus left, which is hers to carry until His glorious return. It is in carrying this cross that the bride prepares for the second coming of Jesus, her Bridegroom. The cross of Christ must come alive in the hearts and minds of all Christian people when we truly take it up.

 

For added clarification, you may want to check out several of my most recent postings.

A VISION OF A ENLARGING SUN

A VISION OF A WHITE DOVE

Surrender is Followed by a Glorious Vision

 

 


A VISION OF A JESUS-FILLED WORLD COMING TO PASS

In a recent posting, I shared my spiritual experience as one or a component of the bride of Christ (https://possess-the-vision.com/2021/07/15/the-bride-of-christ-and-her-vision/). This experience came to me as I participated in a prayer group meeting as others were praying vocally. I began to hear (not with my ears) the thoughts of the bride of Christ as she prepared herself for her marriage to Jesus. I heard her reminiscing about the old world, her love for Jesus, and her victory over Satan.

I felt like a small component of her spiritual body, perhaps an atom in her brain, hearing her thoughts as she prepared for the most significant event in human history. I then understood that she is the amalgamation of righteous souls, each doing their part. Her mission on Earth is to take up the work Jesus commissioned us to do by entering the spiritual war against evil and subduing it. The following two postings reinforce this mission. (List them here: posts on the Lord’s prayer)

Other Visions For Those Who Seek To Follow Jesus And Become One With His Bride To Be

My experience in the prayer group meeting was not the only experience as God began to communicate in numerous ways. For example, I previously shared my experience of hearing the audible voice of God call my name (link here.)

In today’s posting, however, I present God’s vision of a straight path leading to His glory on the horizon (insert picture). This vision illustrates the straight path leading the bride to become one with Jesus.

In this vision, I find myself in an unfamiliar forest where the branches and leaves of the trees spiral into a shape similar to a tightly coiled watch spring. From my position, I saw a path cut straight through the forest, revealing the hills and dales below the foliage. There were no impediments or debre on the pathway. Further, it had been cut down into the earth, having walls on each side. I took this to mean that the focus had to be on the glory of God rising on the horizon.

Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies (Psalm 27:11).

It appeared that a giant lawn mower had driven through the forest and cut in a way that nothing remained. There were no bends in the pathway; it was perfectly straight.

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken (Isaiah 40:3 – 5).

I now realize that this vision is a message for His bride to make a straight path to prepare the way for the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She is to play a role similar to that of John the Baptist, making the way of the Lord Jesus’ second coming to Earth.


The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

Read the truly amazing life story about how the forces of good and evil battle over a man and the vision that God gives him. Joseph W. Gordon’s Possess the Vision (Xulon Press, $12.95, 140 pages, ISBN 1-59781-205-6) tells about the mysterious spiritual experiences that occur throughout his lifetime.

GOD KEEPS ON TALKING

In our recent postings we have provided a basic understanding of the bride of Christ. In these postings we have illuminated a vision of who the bride is and in doing so, have adequately revealed her mission as taking up the work that Jesus did on earth. We started all of this because of my experience of being a part of the bride in a prayer group meeting.

The Power of Prayer

If you recall, we were getting involved in personal relationships at a new church God had moved us to from half way across the country. Prior to this I had surrendered to God and promised to do what ever He wanted. The vision of the bride of Christ was but just the first of many communications that were to come from God in short order. All of them are supernatural, and because of this they are for the most part totally unbelievable to most people in the world. In today’s posting we start with a message delivered by the auditable voice of God.

THE VOICE OF GOD

One day, I was out on the deck soaking up some sun and looking at the ocean. After fifteen minutes, I decided that I had enough sun and started back inside through the doorway leading from the loft. As I proceeded through the doorway I heard a powerfully masculine and yet gentle voice say, “Joe Gordon.” It was as if everything else stopped when the voice spoke. While it was speaking, everything started moving in slow motion—time itself was slowing down. While it was speaking, I could hear nothing else. I knew that it was the audible voice of God. I lost control of my muscle function, and my entire body turned as limp as a jellyfish. My legs stopped moving at the precise moment that the voice began, and my knees started to crumble as I fell forward through the doorway. My forward momentum carried me on a collision course with the glass top of the pinball machine that was just inside the loft door.

Amazingly, my muscles regained their strength at the very instant the voice stopped. It stopped just in time to enable me to get my hands and arms in position to brace my fall against the metal edge of the pinball machine. I had adverted injury that could have been substantial had I not regained my strength at the last moment. I got my feet and legs back under me and gradually stood up straight, looking around the room for a visible manifestation of God. I saw nothing but the things in the room. I waited silently for more words from God but none came. I did not know what to do. So, I responded in the same manner as the prophets of God in the Bible. I said, “Here I am Lord,” but there was no answer. My heart was pounding as I stood perfectly still, hoping that the voice would return. I wondered if there would be a message or direction from God. Still, there was only silence. Eventually, I slowly walked off, being very puzzled.

I started thinking about the voice that for a moment had nullified my strength. It was so perfect, and I could not help but wonder about it. How could the voice be so powerful yet so gentle at the same time? This voice displayed perfect pace and enunciation as well. The inflections of the voice seemed to convey a type of call but otherwise did not evoke any other kind of emotion. It was devoid of anger or agitation. It was a voice of peace. I did not know what to make of a voice that simply called my name and uttered nothing more. I would get additional insight into this event the very next day.

In an effort to get closer to God I had made a commitment to read the Bible every day. It became my habit to get up very early each morning and read prior to prayer. I had set a goal of reading the entire Bible from cover to cover. At the time, I had already finished the entire New Testament and was almost half way through the Old Testament. The following scripture was one of the passages I read

the next morning:

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, oh Jacob and He who formed you, oh Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you (Isaiah 43:1–2).

This scripture was the confirmation of what had happened in my life. Chills ran up and down my spine as I realized that God had just called me by my name. I belonged to Him now, and if I did not know it before I now knew that He would be with me through all the difficult times ahead. He was with me at that moment, and would be there throughout my future. He would be there for my walk toward His plan.

Read the truly amazing life story about how the forces of good and evil battle over a man and the vision that God gives him. Joseph W. Gordon’s Possess the Vision (Xulon Press, $12.95, 140 pages, ISBN 1-59781-205-6) tells about the mysterious spiritual experiences that occur throughout his lifetime.