Faith, Deliverance and Authority
Hi Everyone,
I was praying today regarding what the Lord would have me share with you. The Lord gave me several visions, primarily about true faith, salvation and and deliverance. Please read the entire piece for there are connections that one vision makes with the others to form a full picture of what the Lord wants to share with us.
The Visions and Words
As I started to pray, I heard these words spoken:
“This is a beautiful place for a party, a reception.”
What came to mind was the idea of a bridal reception, or banquet. As believers, we together form the church which is called the Bride of Christ. Jesus is our bridegroom, and as believers we are invited to participate in what is called the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb,” based on the Lord’s parable of the Ten Virgins.
According to the parable, there were five wise virgins and five foolish virgins. Only five had both lamps and oil with them, when it was announced that the bridegroom was coming. They were prepared to go into the banquet when he arrived. Then the door was shut. The foolish virgins went to buy oil for themselves, so when they returned, they knocked at the door, and the bridegroom called to them saying: “Truly, I do not know you.” So the door remained shut. (Matthew 25)
This parable was one of several showing that many are called and invited to come, but some will be rejected. In this parable they were rejected because they did not know the bridegroom. In a similar parable regarding a wedding feast, many were invited but a man was thrown out because he was not wearing wedding clothes.
"And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:12-14
The Lord explained to those in his hearing:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23
We can do many things in the Lord’s name, we can go to church and associate with God fearing people, and contribute to worthwhile ministries, but if we do not know the Lord, and our heart is wayward and not drawn to God, then we will be greatly disappointed. The wedding clothes represent the righteousness of Christ that is imparted to us when we put our trust in Him. The oil represents the indwelling Holy Spirit which is given to us when we believe in Jesus. To be a true believer, we must believe that He is the Son of God who died for our sins, who reconciled us to the Father, who rose from the dead, and in whose name we have eternal life. Without faith, and belief in Jesus as God, we will be workers of lawlessness, going our own way, which is outside the will of God. The will of the Father is that we believe in his one and only Son.
According to Bible Ref.com:
Jesus has said (Matthew 7:21) that only those who do the will of His Father will enter. However, the will of God for every person is to believe in Jesus, to receive the gift of the forgiveness of sin made possible by His death on the cross and to be declared righteous before God in that way (John 6:28–29). Those who refuse to believe in this way commit the sin of unbelief (John 16:9; Hebrews 3:12), eliminating the only way to be known by Christ and welcomed into His kingdom (John 3:36; Ephesians 2:8–9).
Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.” John 4:34
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:29
So for us to be saved, we simply need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he came to die in our place, that we would be made righteous in the Father’s sight and have eternal life in his name.
Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me alone, but in the One who sent Me. John 12:44
It is not doing works that saves us. It is by faith alone, belief in Jesus, that saves us.
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:18
But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31
The Lava
After hearing the word above, I had a vision of red hot lava swirling like a thick batter. It first created a mound that moved around, then swirled downward resembling a whirlpool or funnel.
This vision reminded me of a dream the Lord had given me when I was young, in my early twenties. In the dream, I was in a dark room where there no one else except someone on an exercise bike. I was drawn to come closer and I saw the legs which were black with highly defined musculature. My eyes slowly lifted up towards the torso. It was strong and black. I saw a massive gold chain around the base of a huge broad neck. Then I looked, and saw the face of a bull with long horns. I screamed and ran to a set of double doors with a small porthole in each. I popped the doors open and nearly fell into a violent, turbulent pit of hot lava. The Lord held me back, so that I was kept from falling in! God was trying to get my attention, and he did!
The dream and the vision are in high contrast to the words that I heard spoken: “This is a beautiful place for a party, a reception.” The Lord wanted to remind me of where I have been in the past. He saved me because He loved me. I am his. We are to walk with God and not ever return to our old ways.
Sin is what separates us from God. When we go our own way, or do things only to please ourselves, things that feed our egos, or indulge our bodies, we will find ourselves far from Him. We will become like the world, motivated by the world’s values. The love of pleasure and the pride of life causes us to be alienated from the Lord, who loved us so much, that he died for us.
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
Spiritual pride in the believer is an abomination to God. It is like rebellion, believing that we did something truly great.
“For apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
The Two Women
In this vision, I saw two women: the older was following the younger. The old woman was plainly dressed with messy grey hair. She looked confused, not really knowing where she was going. The younger woman was middle aged and had a look of confidence, for she was leading the other.
Confusion, forgetfulness and dementia sometimes come with age. Those who do not know the Lord may be more prone to this, for as Christians, we have the mind of Christ.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16
The mind led by the Spirit of God is quite different from the mind of natural man.
We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. 1 Corinthians 2: 12-15
The Indwelling Spirit of God is the revealer of truth. Jesus said:
He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you. John 16:14
The word of God, which is the word of truth, transforms our minds and brings understanding to spiritual things that would not otherwise be possible.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
It is so important to know the word of God. Jerome, a man of God (347-420 AD) said:
“To be ignorant of Scripture is to be ignorant of Christ.”
Therefore, we need to study the scriptures for they have the power to renew the mind and help us to know the Lord’s heart. Here is another quote from Jerome:
“When we pray we speak to God; but when we read, God speaks to us.”
An Open Can
The next vision was of a small open can, like a tuna fish can. It was stuck inside a basket or open drawer filled with many objects. I saw someone pulling and tugging on it trying to remove it. But it did not budge.
I believe that the can represents something that does not belong where it is. A metal can does not belong in a drawer or basket. It should have been placed in the trash where it would not hurt anyone by its sharp cut edges. I believe that the can represents a demonic power because it has no business occupying a place in a person’s body or mind. As the can was difficult to remove, a demon once having made his home in a person will do all that he can to remain. He will not want to let go or leave. In the vision there is a struggle to remove the can, but so far it has not been removed, for the vision ended before the can was taken away.
A Winter Coat
In the next vision, I saw myself carrying my winter coat by the hood out in front of me. My arms were extended as if I were trying to keep it away from touching me. It reminded me of someone carrying a cat by the scruff of its neck to take it outside. I believe that this again speaks of deliverance. We have to take authority over the demon, and remove it in the name of Jesus.
A High Shelf
Next I saw a shelf mounted high on the wall. On the shelf was a quart sized milk carton with a purple and white label. The only word seen on the carton was the word “Go.”
Again, following this theme of deliverance, the word “Go” refers to the command: “Go! In the name of Jesus!”
This vision reminded me of a vision the Lord had given me years ago, of a high shelf mounted above a doorway inside a church that I used to attend. Sitting on the high shelf with a perfect view of the sanctuary were two demons appearing as witches in black. They were there in the sanctuary overseeing what was going on, so that they might cause a bit of trouble. They of course needed to be cast out. “Go! In the name of Jesus!”
In the vision, the milk carton was colored purple which can represent authority, for purple was the color reserved for kings and people of wealth and influence. The purple carton may represent the power of the prince of the air, or the devil, for it was placed high up on the shelf. But because a milk carton does not belong there, and should be kept in a refrigerator, it needs to be removed and put away. The demonic power that it represents, believes it has authority to remain where it is, in its high position. But the devil has been defeated:
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” John 12:31-32
Jesus taught that the strong man, an evil spirit, who has taken up residence in a person, must be bound before it can be removed.
But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. Mark 3:27
Jesus gave authority to his disciples to cast out demons and heal the sick.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2
Jesus later sent more disciples with the same instructions, to heal the sick and cast out demons.
When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
“Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20
The Fabric Bag
The next vision was of a small fabric drawstring bag that was crumpled, looking like it had not been used for a while. I have several of these. Three are used to store inflatable camping pads for sleeping and two are for storing down coats which compress into these small drawstring bags.
I believe that the drawstring bag in the vision goes along with the theme of deliverance. We are to first bind the enemy, and confine him so that he does not interfere with the deliverance. When a hunter traps an animal, he puts it into a sack or a poke, so that it will not get away. So the draw string bag or poke in the vision represents this binding of demonic spirits. And as Jesus gave spiritual authority to his disciples, he gives us the same power to heal and to deliver.
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:12-13
The Yellow Moccasins
In the last vision, I saw two hands presenting me with a pair of yellow moccasins. Moccasins are soft leather shoes worn by American Indians. They were flat without raised soles or heels. They were often made from two pieces of leather, laced together with leather ties. The moccasins are a simple foot covering to protect the feet from sharp objects. The soft pliable animal skin allows the foot to be sensitive to the ground and to move quietly through the brush while hunting and trapping prey.
Today we have loafers and bedroom slippers inspired by the moccasin. They may have a single sole or a sole with a heel, sometimes made with synthetic materials.
I believe that the moccasins were presented to me, and to all who are called, to show that God will equip us in our walk with Him. The moccasins reminded me of an old expression: “Walk softly and carry a big stick!”
That certainly resembles a picture of deliverance! Deliverance is really about operating in spiritual authority to remove an intruder who takes up residence in someone’s mind and body. These demons gain access through sin which opens the door and “gives them the right to be there.”
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” Revelation 12:10
When we confess and repent of our sins, the Lord promises to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He puts us in right standing with the Father, and cancels the assignment of the demon, so that he no longer has “the right to be there.”
All types of sin can lead to spiritual bondage: sexual sins, unforgiveness, greed, lying, stealing, physical abuse, idolatry and occult activities. if we are not living for God and reading his word, but surrounding ourselves with worldly people, we will be an easy target for the enemy to tempt.
Once someone has succumbed to temptation and sin, if he does not repent, the evil one can to gain access to his mind. The enemy will torment a person with cycles of temptation and condemnation. He brings shame, guilt, fear and self loathing. Then he tempts another time. When person falls again into sin the cycle continues.
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, so now he is a defeated foe.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
Jesus defeated the devil by dying on the cross, and reconciling mankind to himself and the Father. By his blood, he restored the fellowship that God had with man in the garden. And at his coming (the parousia, in AD 70) he terminated the Old Covenant by destroying Jerusalem and the temple with its sacrificial system, and inaugurated the New Covenant in his blood. Now the dwelling place of God is with man, for the Holy Spirit dwells within each believer. We are the church, the bride of Christ, and the New Jerusalem.
Even though the works of the devil were destroyed with the Lord’s death on the cross, and at his coming in judgment to put his enemies (human and the devil) under his feet, we see that there is still significant evil in the world. Today we may be dealing with lesser demons, and the sinful nature of man. But there is no doubt that spiritual warfare and deliverance are still necessary.
Spiritual warfare is fought with spiritual weapons. We have been given the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, and our feet are fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
The yellow moccasins in the vision, represent a commissioning, a sending out, of those who are called to share the gospel and to bring deliverance to those who are captives of the enemy. We are the Lord’s ambassadors. We are to share the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. We are given authority, by coming under the Lord’s authority. Just as the centurion knew that Jesus carried authority because he was under authority, we need to do the same.
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came and pleaded with Him, “Lord, my servant lies at home, paralyzed and in terrible agony.”
“I will go and heal him,” Jesus replied.
The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those following Him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! As you have believed, so will it be done for you.” And his servant was healed at that very hour. Matthew 8:5-13
If we want to have the Lord’s spiritual authority to cast out demons, heal the sick or anything else, then we need to be under the authority of God, and under the authority of the church. We need to respect authority if we want to have authority. One more important thing - we must rid ourselves of pride and worldliness, for there is no spiritual authority for those with a prideful, covetous heart.
Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:6-10
There is much to ponder, and pray to understand. I do not know it all. I am still seeking God for greater understanding myself. So let us be found faithful in knowing Him, and knowing and understanding the word of God. Someday, we want to hear those wonderful words:
“Well done, good and faithful servant. Come and share your Master’s happiness.” Matthew 25:23
Thanks for reading - Please share this with others! God bless you!
