Greetings Beloved!

Last week, on two different occasions, the Lord brought to mind a vision I had in the summer of 2008.  In this vision the Lord gave me a warning and a message about the power and influence of the massive wave of delusion that is prophecied by Scripture to come at the end of the age.  (2 Thess 2:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-2) I believe, by conviction of the Holy Spirit, that we are in the beginning of the generation of the Lord’s return, and therefore, we will see the fullness of this delusion released upon the earth through the coming of the antichrist and the working of Satan.  Tomorrow is not a good day to begin our preparation.  Today is the day to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

“The Angel of Light”- from the Prophet Song (Summer 08)

I was in the Spirit, standing in an open field.  On the horizon, I saw something begin to fly in my direction.  It was a bird that looked something like a giant, pure white phoenix.  As it flew over my head I saw that this bird had a most beautiful tail.

Once the phoenix flew completely overhead, it was as though the vision started over again.  The second time the phoenix flew over my head I noticed it also had a rider clothed in red garments.  The rider was somehow separate, but also the same as the phoenix.  It flew overhead and the scene started over again.  The third time this happened, just as the phoenix was making its way past me, I saw a great light and the phoenix began to transform within the light.  Then, a fourth time the scene began, but this time the phoenix and its rider had transformed into a glorious angelic being who was both golden and white, illuminating a brightness like the sun.

Immediately, a warm, peaceful feeling came over me.  “The angel is good.  This is a ‘good’ angel,” I told myself.  As this was happening I had a vague thought come to mind that I was not to trust the angel of light.  Nevertheless, the warm feeling prevailed and I became completely captivated by the splendor of this angel.

“Beware the angel of light.  What is his testimony?” These thoughts began to come into mind again, partially removing my gaze from the angel.  There began a battle in my mind of Scripture waging war against the angel’s influence on my mind and emotions.

As I began writing down the vision, the angel continued in its attempt to captivate me.  I wrote, ‘If we are not firmly grounded in the Word of God we stand no chance against the cunning of this angel.  This is clearly a warning because I am not ready, and I am one of the people called to prepare…’ It was at this point as I was writing that the angel’s presence caused me to fall asleep.  An hour or so later I woke up.  When I came to, the Lord directed me to 2 Thessalonians.  I came to the place in chapter two where it talks about the coming of the lawless one and the strong delusion.  The Lord began to minister to me through these verses.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  (2 Thess 9-12)

It was obvious to me at this point that the phoenix and its rider represented the antichrist and Satan.  The influence of the delusion during the end times will be more alluring and devisive than at any point in history.  The only way to overcome the delusion is to cultivate a pure and sincere love for the truth.  We must be committed to loving Jesus.  Our mental comprehension of truth will not save us.  Knowing Scripture will help, but without love and obedience to the Scripture, our knowledge will be a vain hope of deliverance when the delusion comes.  As it is written, God will send them strong delusion. To whom does He send the delusion?  He sends it to those who take pleasure in unrighteousness.  Taking pleasure in unrighteousness is the definition of not believing the truth.  If we ‘know that He is Lord’ but continue in our sins, we condemn ourselves.  Knowing that Jesus is LORD will not save you.  We must receive the love of the truth and obey it.

We love because He first loved us.  If you have not a love for the truth it is becuase you have yet to receive His love.  Jesus walked in the flesh, knowing the powers of temptation, and therefore sympathizes with our weaknesses.  Because of this, Jesus continually intercedes on our behalf.  He intercedes though, so that we might receive the fullness of His love and walk in purity and righteousness.  The degree in which you receive His love is the degree in which you will stand in allegiance to Him on the day of testing.  In the latter days it says that the love of most will grow cold.  Jesus is looking for the burning ones who burn with His holy flame of love.  If we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, we will then burn with the zeal of the Lord Almighty.  But if we sin and so decieve ourselves, we lie and demonstrate that we do not have the truth.

Beloved, His mercies are new every morning.  Push delete on the sins and failures of yesterday and walk in grace today.  The Holy Spirit resides in us so that we might know Christ and glorify Him in every way.  There is no such thing as defeat if you walk in love.

-jm