Received on September 17th, 2000 - 6:07AM Last Updated: January 29th, 2007 - 8:23PM
This vision came during a mission trip to Greece, where my dad was preaching and I was supporting him with prayer and whatever else he needed. Since arriving in Athens, we had both been sick. The enemy always attacks us over there, as it is one of the, if not the, most spiritually oppressive countries we have been to (even being to Haiti before, where pagan animal sacrifice and voodoo is common). We both know that prayer is the only way to break through such oppression. Then one night I was unable to fall asleep. So I began to pray.
I had been praying in the Spirit for three or four hours and it was now about 3am. I also had asked the HolySpirit to manifest in me the discerning of spirits, word of knowledge, and word of wisdom, concerning the evil spirits that would be affecting the meetings, and who were causing our health problems.
After praying in languages for a while longer, praising God, and dwelling in His presence, an image appeared before me. Although I could see this image in front of me, I was still well aware of lying in my bed praying in the Spirit. It was not fully detailed, but I could clearly make out images, colors, etc. It was as though as I was given a window of vision to another location.
I found myself walking up a curving flight of marble stairs. They were situated high in the sky, seemed as though they rose up through the clouds, working their way up to a loft. It gave the impression of a palace in the sky. Although I was personally present in the vision, I could look at myself as though I were watching a movie.
In front of me I noticed a short, stocky being. It was grayish in color, and was wearing armor like that seen in ancient pagan civilizations, boots, a sheet of metal hanging over his back, and a metal helmet covering most of his head. He walked slowly up the curving stairs, right in front of me. He was walking very purposefully, as though he were carrying out orders and nothing else was on his mind. I grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him around. He then became angry and started to push me. I continued praying in languages in bed, although louder, and there came lightnings from my body in the vision, which seemed to attack him. It was then I noticed I had a sword and as I was swinging it, the great light continued to "pour" into him, knocking him backwards. He was unable to retaliate even though he was highly enraged at my actions. As we both moved up onto the loft from the stairs, two angels came from above and behind me, swooping down in a great cloud of light, picked him up by one arm each, and carried him out of my field of vision.
The vision then moved to the right of the stairs, to where the walkway continued. I saw a marble throne, lifted up from the ground, ornate and tall. Seated was a tall being, with great adornments. It was as though the details of and objects in his "clothing" were actually part of his body, including his headdress, which looked like two crescent moons on each side of his head. He emanated pride, seated in the grayish, marble throne. The whole setting had the same color and feeling, of being magnificent, yet somehow "fallen" from its original creation. The being, also, gave the same impression, although he was majestic and inherently powerful, there was a feeling of loss of original stature, position, and purpose.
As I walked up to the being, he began to tilt his head to one side, looking at me in inquisition. It was as though he were thinking, "What manner of being is this? And how did it get up here?" I then began to speak.
"Your reign is over. I rebuke you, and command you to come off of your throne of dominion. By the authority of Christ, you will reign no longer."
I, lying in my bed watching this scene, then began to pray in languages more loudly. Again, I noticed I was wielding a sword at him in the vision, and great amounts of colored light began to emanate from my body and the sword, rushing towards him in an "attack." He was surprised and stood up, slowly being pushed backward, revealing more fully his great height and stature. He then began to change colors and appearance, his whole body was filled with a kind of blackness. His face took on a horrendous, angry expression, as though he could not believe I would attempt such a thing. He attempted to walk towards me, but the great light coming from me was keeping him from moving.
When he realized his futility, a great swarm of the same blackness that had colored his body materialized behind and all around him. I knew it was intelligent, was subservient to him, and had come at his command. It began trying to move towards me as well, as he continued his efforts. All the time the great lightnings from my sword continued to "cut away" at him and the great, black swarm, rendering them powerless to attack me or move forward, causing his rage to increase.
As I saw no further progress was being made, I thought that now would be the perfect time for the angels to return. It was as though this thought was a request. Not that I had commanded any angels, but as though I had put in a request for them to come to my side. At this, like before, they came from above and behind me, swooping down in a marvelous light. Yet, instead of picking up the being like before, they drew swords and began to cut away at this tall being and the swarm around him as well. I could tell that this enemy was now being pushed back, but more of the black swarm appeared and continued resisting. I could tell that our attack was causing some kind of damage and pain to our enemies.
As the angels and I continued to emanate light from our bodies and swords, a great Hand descended from the same direction as the angels had come. It then grabbed the being and the swarm, enveloping it with great ease, and just as quickly as it appeared, took them from the throne, the scene of the vision withdrew as the Hand now carried the enemy across the backdrop of space, with the sphere of the earth to the far right of my field of vision, finally throwing them into some kind of black hole. The scene of the throne in the sky then returned before me.
The throne was now empty, and the angels stood with me, continuing to emanate a great light of glory. There was a sense of peace and calm. They began to walk towards each side of throne, as though they were flanking it. Just then, in a flash of fire, a man appeared on the throne. I knew it was Jesus. He was a flaming fire, the source of such tremendous glory and majesty. I immediately fell upon one knee, bowing my head towards Him. He began speaking.
"An honorable victory, My son. You fought with great diligence and courage. This throne has now been returned to My authority.
What many do not realize is that mankind has authority upon the earth. It is he who received dominion over the earth from the hand of God Himself. While it is true that the majority of mankind has yielded that dominion to Satan, there are those such as yourself who have chosen to yield their authority to Me.
What you must tell your brothers and sisters is this: For those who serve me, dominion on the earth can be taken from the enemy. I and my Spirit will take the thrones back that the spiritual squatters of the heavenlies have occupied. Once challenged, they have no authority or power to stay in their high place.
But it is up to you to speak dominion over these enemies that I may take their place. You must exercise your authority as mankind to willingly give Me authority over the earth and its high places of ruling."
He then spoke some things personal to me. After which, He continued speaking, and I knew He meant the following not only for me, but for all believers.
"The sword in your hand will never be lost, nor will it ever break in battle. Wield it continually.
I have given you many weapons to defeat the enemy. You must ask the Spirit for His gifts and manifestations; they will enable you to discern the condition and position of the enemy, allowing you to better attack and defeat him.
Continue the battle. There is still much to be done."
At this, the vision ended. I began to thank my Lord for such a glimpse into the heavenlies. As I began to think upon the vision, and later shared it with my dad, some things became very clear.
The HolySpirit wants to give us His gifts and manifest Himself through us. All we must do is ask in faith. I had just asked Him for the three manifestations (word of knowledge & of wisdom, and discerning of spirits), when the vision came.
It was through praying in the Spirit (other languages) that this battle had been begun, fought, and won. It had caused me to "ascend" into the heavenlies. The vision beginning with stairs ascending out of thick clouds clearly shows that I had been walking up them the whole time I had been praying for three or four hours, not realizing it in the flesh.
That the short, gnome-like being in front of me was not aware of my presence tells me that our prayer language is either unintelligible to the enemy, or they often are not conscious of what we are doing. They are not aware of our preparation for battle, nor are they aware of our presence until we decide to let them know. Once confronted, some will know who we are, while others will not. The short being knew I had intentions against him as soon as I turned him around, while the tall being on the throne was curious as to my purpose and origin.
Many times the enemy is ignorant of what we are doing. They also seem to be so full of pride that they cannot believe we would even imagine of confronting their authority or power. Yet, they cannot stand against us when our sword is drawn and in use: the sword being the HolySpirit, and praying in languages being the means of wielding it. Great light comes from the Spirit when we let Him pray through us, nullifying the power of the enemy. Even one person can hold back a great fallen angel and his swarm of evil spirits. It will be the angels of Yahweh who help us win the victory, ultimately accomplished by God the Father Himself.
Please don't give up in prayer in languages if it feels as though you are making no progress. Although you may not sense it, you are climbing stairways into the heavenlies, and speaking mysteries in your spirit, which are affecting and changing the unseen worlds. You are responsible for bringing the will of the Father into this earth, just as it is in heaven. Try to pray continually in the HolySpirit for extended periods of time, and see just how much happens from the hand of God Himself!
As you read this site, you will hopefully come to know Yahweh more fully.
But all of this continuing knowledge is useless unless and until you come into union with Him. I use the word union because it is truly a marriage. It is that deep connection we all seek, for which we most often look in other people. However, the truth is that our hearts will only be fulfilled when we enter that union in fullness with the One Who made us.
This is the grace of God, that He has not stayed distant for us only to worship as Creator. But He has come unto us, even become one of us—in His Son, ChristJesus—in order to share an intimate union with us. He desires such closeness that it truly will envelope our entire life, transforming us into something new and wonderful.
You may have already entered this union with Him and only seek to know Him better through reading here. But if you have not, as you do read, let this Gospel sink into your heart as you read it now.
God loves you, and has cast your sins into the sea. He has sent His only Son as the Savior of the world—that includes you.
That Son, JesusChrist, was born as a man through a virgin who had given her life to Yahweh; He lived without sin, reflected the glory of His Father, God, in all His words and deeds, and was persecuted even unto death because of it.
His death upon a cross was the powerful explosion that separated you from your life of death. It remains for you, now, to enter into that death with Him. As you die to the one you are now, a person separated from God from your many sins, you will be born anew, with a nature predisposed to live rightly. This gift is free to you, with nothing you can do to earn it. It is the mercy of God to offer it to you, as He loves you so much! All you must do is receive it by trusting Him to have delivered you. Simply place your life in His hands and embrace the freedom that came through that death on the cross.
The Gospel is that Jesus did not remain dead, but rose again on the third day after His crucifixion! Death could not hold Him, as He was without sin. And so death will not be able to hold you, as you identify with Him fully through your trust in Him. Let go of yourself and confess Him as Lord of your life. The power of His death and resurrection will work in you all that your Creator has destined for you. You will truly enter a new life and experience that intimate union you have been seeking all of your life.
So ponder these words as you read here of this great God—Yahweh—and all that He has revealed to His creation. Let His Spirit testify to your heart that these words are true, that God is Love, and that He sent His Son so that you might receive the life that is unbound by time and space. As you feel that witness in your heart, simply believe and receive what He is offering to you, even now, and begin your new life as a child of God.
Please write to me and let me know when you take this step, as I will be your brother in Christ—we will be one in Him!
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14For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. (1 Corinthians 14:14-15)
Scripture Quotes: World English Bible Translation.
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