You’ve seen it. Perhaps you’ve even fallen victim to it or, worse, participated in it. But you may not have seen what I saw. If you did, you would want distance yourself far from it.
What am I talking about? I had a prophetic vision that revealed a sickening demonic assignment against the church—and assignment too many are not resisting.
God gave me this prophetic vision while I was reading Ephesians 4:1-4, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling…”
When I read verse four—endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace—my spiritual eyes opened and what I saw next has stuck with me. I can’t shake it. I have kept this vision largely to myself since before the storming of the Capitol and the subsequent fallout. But with the enemy making such rapid strides in the church I can no longer stand in prayer with a few faithfuls. I need your help on this one.
Opposing Forces Battling
Here’s the vision: Two opposing teams were on a football field. I could sense in the atmosphere these were fierce rivals. These teams had moved behind spirited competition to a spirit of violence. In fact, the violence was more pronounced than anything you’ve ever seen on a football field.
Personal fouls were getting a little too personal. I kept hearing referees crying aloud, “Personal foul!” and “Unsportsmanlike conduct!” All over the field, football players were throwing each other to the ground mercilessly, taunting, and trash talking. In reality, they weren’t even playing the game of football anymore. What I saw was a free-for-all on the field. People were getting seriously injured and no one cared because they felt justified in their behavior.
Finally, after some time, one team punted the ball. The ball soared high and straight up into the air. God took the ball away and everyone sat down.
Church vs. Church
In this parabolic vision, this wasn’t the church against the enemy. This was the church against the church. I have never seen this level of strife in the Body of Christ—so much slander, so much backbiting, so many “personal fouls,” so much taunting and intimidation, so much chest pounding, and so many cheap shots. It was heartbreaking.
Saints, the enemy has distracted many from the gospel of Jesus Christ and we’ve started to bite and devour each other instead of binding the enemy. Meanwhile, the world is watching the church, and it’s a sad witness. God is about to take the ball from some of the leading strife spreaders and sit them down for a season to repent so they can hear the voice of God clearly and learn to love.
James 3:16-17 (KJV) tells us plainly, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
I realize this article will cause some to throw stones at me because, it seems, no matter what is said or not said someone takes issue. This is not an exercise in finger-pointing. This is a plea for peace. Strife is the opposite of love. Strife confuses the world, which is looking to the church for answers. Strife pushes away new believers. Strife and unity cannot coexist, and where there’s unity God commands a blessing.
This month, Awakening Prayer Hubs intercessory prayer them is Unity of the Faith. You can find more on unity and prayer points here.
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