An All-Consuming Wave Part 1

I realize this is extremely lengthy, and that this is the first part of two parts. Please take time to read both of them when you don't have to hurry and you can do so in an attitude of prayer.

Several weeks ago, as I was in prayer, I heard the Lord speak, “Hold fast, hold fast, hold fast,” followed by “national tragedy,” and “imminent.” I held it close to my heart, asking the Lord for greater clarity. This past Saturday evening, I had a dream and awoke, feeling sick and with a sense of urgency in my spirit.

In this dream I saw what I can only describe as an underwater attraction, just below the surface on the east coast of the United States. I was shown this place was filled with all sorts of snakes and predatory animals. People were walking amongst them, petting them and even being offered a night’s stay with these animals. It was as though they were immune to the danger they were in, walking in a hidden place and interacting with animals that would willingly consume them. Thoroughly disgusted, I was asked why they weren’t being hurt, and he responded that they were being prevented for now, but it wouldn’t be long. These snakes were crawling around everything, and people were treating them like harmless pets. I have to admit the whole thing made me want to wretch.

As we exited, I was on a platform overlooking the ocean. I thought to myself that at least the view was beautiful. Nothing could be seen of what lurked beneath, although people flocked to the descending stairwell in droves. Suddenly, as I looked out at the ocean, it had become deathly still, and I knew something was wrong. I begged for an alarm to be sounded, believing a tsunami was approaching, but as I turned I saw the spirit of seduction. He laughed as I realized that the unassuming who had petted the animals would now feed them as the people would be washed into the cages below. Even more, it was revealed that these predators would not be content with what they had been given, but that in the coming wave the predators previously hidden below would be released as their containers were destroyed, and they would be swept ashore on the coast to devour at will. As I lifted my head, I saw the wave headed for shore and awoke with an intense sense of urgency and warning as though red lights were flashing in the spiritual realm.

Let me first say that I do not believe in fear-mongering. Christ has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7). I also don’t post this lightly; however, throughout Scripture God exhorts us to write what we have seen and heard. I am convinced the Spirit of the Lord is warning us regarding the spirit of seduction running rampant in our midst. While the clarion call resounds, many are still captivated by the subtle temptations of the enemy.

This spirit of seduction has been working under the surface level of what we have seen. Paul warns Timothy about this in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, which states, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” Christ Himself echoed the warning of the prophet Daniel that in the last days the enemy would seek to deceive even the elect (Dan. 11:35; Matt. 24:24). More than anything we need to mature and walk in discernment, so we are not tossed about with “every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Eph. 4:14).

We have been lulled into a false sense of security while finding amusement with the forces of darkness. We’ve stood by as our Lord is mocked, His name taken in vain, and been silent as perversions and abominations are committed within His church. We indulge our desires and excuse our behavior with doctrines of demons, never realizing that the danger is real. We’re dancing in dark places, and the enemy is laughing at us.

We’ve been seduced into thinking that it was just the world and held ourselves aloof instead of engaging our culture. As we voted out the creative Word of God in our lives and schools, we rejected the very Word that gives our existence purpose, individually and as a nation, forgetting that in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). We killed our children and focused on ourselves. Many have exchanged the truth of God for a lie (Rom. 1:25), and are content in their dalliance with the devil. Because of this, we have given the enemy carte blanche to do what he will, and that is always to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). Those who flirt with the devil are in danger of being consumed.

People, God does not interfere with your will. We insist the devil flee when it comes to sickness and pain, but we consistently make a place for him in our homes, giving in more often than not. In addition, we do not submit to God (James 4:7). We have rejected the counsel and correction of the Lord and turned every one to his own way (Is. 53:6). We thought we were wise when we reinterpreted Scripture to justify our fleshly desires, and have become fools. We have worshipped the work of our own hands in the church and without it. Because of this, God has given up our nation to our vile passions (Rom. 1:18-26).

Dear friends, judgment is imminent. Our nation is without excuse, and the Lord is going to bring to light what lies beneath. While many natural disasters have occurred over the past years, it is nothing compared to what is coming. There is a wave of exposure that is coming to bring to light what lies beneath, both spiritually and literally. It’s not a question of if, but when, and it’s soon.

So, what now? Judgment is imminent and escape it isn’t an option.

One, God’s character and nature do not change because of His judgment. He is as He has always been. James chapter four tells us that if we will draw near to God, God reciprocates. We must cleanse our hands, recognizing we have sinned, and purify our hearts because we have been double-minded, seeking our desires rather than His. There needs to be a sincere, radical change in our country, beginning with the church. We must humble ourselves in godly sorrow.

Second, the prophet Jeremiah tells us to recall to mind and hope. “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not” (Lam. 3:22). God redeems. Revival will come to our nation, but it will be a revival birthed in pain. God is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance (2 Pt. 3:9). Our hope and salvation are in the Lord. He has not forgotten His promises to us, and His judgment does not negate that the righteous have never been forsaken (Ps. 37:25).

Third, we pray in hope, believing. We pray for our nation like never before. God loves the United States of America. He came to redeem us with His shed blood (Col. 1:14). Even in anger, God’s hand is yet stretched out. God tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, that if we who are called by His name will humble ourselves and pray and seek Him, turning in legitimate repentance from our wicked ways, He will hear, He will forgive, and He will heal. What a beautiful promise for us who stand in the gap for our nation. Healing begins at the place of confession.

Fourth, we hold fast in peace. Hold fast to what? Hebrews 10:23 tells us to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Faithful in judgment? Yes! We must hold fast to our confession of faith, not abandoning it. He will complete what He has begun in us. It’s in our confession and by His blood that we overcome. It is impossible to overcome without our testimony.

What is coming is hard. There is no denying it. The temptation is to curse Christ amid the calamity, but Church, resist that temptation. He remains the ever-present help in time of trouble (Ps. 46:1). In my dream, I was in it, yet above it. You, too, are in the world and yet not of it. You are more than a conqueror through Him who loved you (Rom. 8:35-39). When the enemy pulls you to himself, seeking to deal a death blow to your faith, remember Christ’s love not only for you but for the entirety of our nation. He has not yet finished His good work in us or our nation.