Released to Theresa Harvard Johnson Dec. 2010
The Dream
I saw an altar burning in the midst of a multitude. Clearly the people around the altar were believers, the flames were high, the light was expanding outward and it was overtaking them like in the picture attached to this message. I knew this represented the presence of God and that the flames were fueled by the sacrifice of the people — not a physical sacrifice, but their holy lives and worship to the Lord. As I watched, the flames grew dim and began receding. Instead of going into postures of prayer and worship, the people began throwing things on and at the altar — wood, hay, paper and other flammable items — with force and frustration, but the items were consumed before getting within any reasonable proximity of the altar. Nothing they did helped to restore the fire. These items were simply consumed into ash and dust before ever reaching the flame — which kept growing dim in their presence. As I watched, this covering of light completely pulled into itself – barely a flicker. I woke up.
The Interpretation
In this dream, the people represented the congregation of the Lord. The altar clearly represented the Lord's presence and the bright light was His expanding Glory. At one point, all hearts and minds were focused on the right place and on the right thing – Yahshuah (Jesus Christ). The diminishing light and the receding flames represented the pulling away of God's presence. I knew immediately that the next step in this process for the people present was to get on their faces in repentance and prayer – crying out to the Lord. I could sense the pull of Father for them to SEE and IDENTIFY the sin in their lives, to separate from it, to earnestly repent, and receive the forgiveness of Father and move back into position as quickly as possible.
The Dream
I saw an altar burning in the midst of a multitude. Clearly the people around the altar were believers, the flames were high, the light was expanding outward and it was overtaking them like in the picture attached to this message. I knew this represented the presence of God and that the flames were fueled by the sacrifice of the people — not a physical sacrifice, but their holy lives and worship to the Lord. As I watched, the flames grew dim and began receding. Instead of going into postures of prayer and worship, the people began throwing things on and at the altar — wood, hay, paper and other flammable items — with force and frustration, but the items were consumed before getting within any reasonable proximity of the altar. Nothing they did helped to restore the fire. These items were simply consumed into ash and dust before ever reaching the flame — which kept growing dim in their presence. As I watched, this covering of light completely pulled into itself – barely a flicker. I woke up.
The Interpretation
In this dream, the people represented the congregation of the Lord. The altar clearly represented the Lord's presence and the bright light was His expanding Glory. At one point, all hearts and minds were focused on the right place and on the right thing – Yahshuah (Jesus Christ). The diminishing light and the receding flames represented the pulling away of God's presence. I knew immediately that the next step in this process for the people present was to get on their faces in repentance and prayer – crying out to the Lord. I could sense the pull of Father for them to SEE and IDENTIFY the sin in their lives, to separate from it, to earnestly repent, and receive the forgiveness of Father and move back into position as quickly as possible.
But the people missed this revealing. They seemed to have become frustrated, anxious and agitated.
They began throwing things upon the altar to ignite the flames. They were trying to manipulate God. This wood, hay, paper and other flammable items in the dream were their idols, false worship, plans and schemes, etc. Father revealed that everything taking place to restore the flame was being done out of this congregation's OWN STRENGTH. The withdrawal of the light was an indication of Father's presence withdrawing and His Glory departing.
As a body, we are being called into a greater place of sanctification in this hour. Many are giving lip service in the Kingdom but when MORE is required; they revert to told patterns instead of trusting Father to lead them. It’s as if they SAY they want to follow God, but aren’t willing to give up or die to what is required to get into that place. These people, in this dream, once followed after the Spirit but because of other things…. forgot what was required to enter into Father's presence. They wanted His Glory under their own terms. In this short dream, Father is yet revealing the condition of many in His congregation in this hour.
Before pointing fingers at other people, congregations and such, Father is calling us to dig within our own yards first. We need to turn to our helper, Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit), to search out the condition of our own hearts to see if we are a part of this congregation or the congregation of the Lord. It's time to give Ruach Hakodesh this kind of authority in our lives at every turn.
It's that serious.
Read 1 Samuel 4 in its entirety for full understanding. Meditate on the passages that jump out at you. For me, 1 Samuel 4:18-22 illuminated itself before me. This time I'm pulling it from the NAS bible. It says, "18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell off the seat backward beside the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for he was old and heavy. Thus he judged Israel forty years. 19 Now his daughter-in-law, Phinehas's wife, was pregnant and about to give birth ; and when she heard the news that the ark of God was taken and that her father-in-law and her husband had died, she kneeled down and gave birth, for her pains came upon her. 20 And about the time of her death the women who stood by her said to her, "Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son." But she did not answer or pay attention. 21 And she called the boy Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel," because the ark of God was taken and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken."
Additional Insight
People of God, if we believe the Word then we need to believe ALL OF IT — not just the parts that make us feel good or sound right to us. I am really troubled in my spirit about some things in the congregation, especially the desire to separate the wrath of God (His judgment) from His love. I am ANGRY that so many are being deceived and only wanting to embrace a compassionate Christ while completely IGNORING the Christ revealed in Revelation, the one who opens the seven seals. In the midst of this holy anger (righteous indignation), there is intercession…. calling forth breath and life into the body; praying that Father strengthens the remnant in their quest to release truth in the hearts of men.
The people in this dream were on the verge of being like Eli: blind, old and fat. We can't hold on to a past move of the Spirit. Yesterday was just that…. YESTERDAY. Our actions have massive impact on the future. Don't be deceived in this hour. (My pastor has been preaching on the book of Revelations. My dreams have increased during this time as the impartation of the word goes forth.)
