Thursday, March 27, 2014

“Church” is About to Change – Dramatically - Wanda Alger

I was inside the Transformer. The chair I was sitting in was being skyrocketed upwards while all around me, portions of this massive structure were being clicked into place as various parts of the ceilings and walls were being shifted and moved into new places and formations. I was inside this building as it was going through a sudden and dramatic Transformation of the supernatural kind. But this wasn’t a Transformer Toy. It was The Church.

This was the dream I had last week on a Saturday night. This experience was sudden and shocking. The structure I was sitting in was like a massive cathedral with vaulted ceilings, ornate fixtures, overhanging arches and intricate detail. It was like the churches of ages gone by, yet it was contemporary. I was sitting with others awaiting a presentation when the shift happened. I looked upwards and saw overhanging arches in the ceiling begin to come apart and change direction. All around the upper corners I saw sections of the wall and ceiling come apart in clean and distinct fashion as if on cue. They were changing the entire shape of the structure and reconfiguring the essence of the building.

As I watched this take place, I began to move. My chair began to suddenly move upwards as if on a hydraulic lift. I had to hang as my speed increased rapidly and I continued to hear the clicking and clanging noises of the transformation all around me. As I continued upwards I saw the building around me move downwards as I saw floor after floor pass beside me as it continued to shift and move. When I didn’t think I could go any higher I quickly began to move backwards in a downward motion realizing that it felt like an enormous Ferris wheel ride! I never saw anyone else. All I could do was hang on so as not to fall off my chair.

This entire structure was being instantly transformed and all I could do was watch and experience the ride. It was exhilarating, yet fearsome. When we speak of “transformation” in the Church, I believe this is the kind that heaven is talking about. What is coming to this nation is not just a slow and steady change of bettering our conditions either socially or politically. It is going to be a sudden and dramatic change that is so profound and so distinct, that the world will take notice. No one will be able to take credit for it and no one will be able to explain it. It will be totally God. And He’s getting us ready for the ride of our lives!

But, that wasn’t the end of my dream… Even as I was catapulted in my chair, I thought of my children. They are grown now, but in the dream I was immediately transported to our family van. I was inside the van as this transformation continued and I looked out the window to see my 3 children, all much younger, sitting outside in lawn chairs attached to a very flimsy metal carrier! Though the swirling and shifting were continuing all around us, they were sitting on these lawn chairs just looking around like curious kids, also enjoying the ride. I was anxious for them and started to open the side door to bring them inside. However, when I did, I realized that we were in swirling water…SOAPY water! I had to shut the door right away to keep it out. Even though I hated to leave them outside, I had the distinct impression that they were fine and to LET THEM BE.

I tried to crawl over the seats to get back to the driver’s seat and saw out the window that we were moving and floating in soapy water. It was like we were going through a huge WASH CYCLE! Then I woke up. The Scripture that came to mind was Ephesians 5:25-27 where it says that, “…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

I believe this is the MEANS to the end of TRANSFORMATION to the Church. God is cleansing the Church and removing every hindrance and roadblock to His coming. God is not just about transforming cities or communities. Ultimately, HE IS TRANSFORMING THE CHURCH. It is only when the Church, His Bride, becomes who She was intended to be, that true and lasting transformation can happen in our nation. It is also very personal. This transformation must first affect us as believers and then our families. Many people are being tested right now; tests of faith, discernment, spiritual authority and relationships. We are being tested in our resolve to be a covenant community that lives above offense and differences of opinion. God is cleansing us of FEAR and COUNTERFEIT Lovers. He is washing us and calling us to HIS WORD so that we will have a solid foundation to build on.

He is also looking at a much bigger picture than we are. He always thinks generationally. There is a young generation that is watching (my kids on the lawn chairs). They are looking for something real and powerful. They have a child-like faith that God is preparing to receive the fullness of the Spirit coupled with the power of His Word. They will be ones who will do exploits and charge into places we never dreamed of in order to advance the Kingdom. We are called to let them go and let Him have His way with them. They are not ours, after all, but His. We simply need to let Him complete this work of cleansing and purifying. He is coming for a FAMILY that is healthy and whole. He is teaching us how to rest in Him and let go of our control. It may seem messy, but it’s HIS mess!

Get ready, Church. Things are not going to look the same once He comes to manifest His presence through His Bride. The old will pass away and the new will come. Just be sure to buckle up…and enjoy the ride.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

1st thought -Matthew 24 32-35 A biblical generation since we are not under the law previous to it is 120 years....
2nd thought Amos 7:7-9"

3rd thought-I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness. Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm will knock it down. Since it is made of deception, a flood will sweep it away. The children where spared as the water was cleaning

The high places of Issac. The shrines of idolatry all over the land. The bamoth are the altars erected on high places and now dedicated to idols (1 Kings 3:2; 2 Kings 23:8; Isaiah 16:12; Hosea 10:8). Isaac here and in ver. 16 is used as a synonym for Israel, perhaps with some ides of contrasting the deeds of the people with the blameless life of the patriarch and his gentle piety (Pusey). Septuagint, βωμοὶ τοῦ γέλωτος, with reference to the meaning of the name Issac, "altars of derision," whence Jerome's version, excelsa idoli. The sanctuaries of Israel. The idol temples at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:29), at Gilgal (Amos 4:4), and perhaps in other places, which had been sanctified by ancient patriarchal worship. Septuagint, αἱ τελεεταὶ τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, "the rites of Israel;" Vulgate, sanctificationes Israel. With the sword. God is represented as standing like an armed warrior taking vengeance on the guilty family. Jeroboam II. had roved Israel from Syria, and was popular owing to his success in war (2 Kings 14:25-28); but his dynasty was overthrown, and this overthrow was the destruction of the Israelitish monarchy.-pulpit commentary

4th thought Hebrews 12:27
5th thought Psalm 127 1A Song of Ascents, of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.

6th thought Ephesians 2:5-7
She was raised up and saw the change, the water and soap washed across the land. Mans temple was built according Gods standard. The children where seated outside oblivious yet safe. Although considered in some danger by the one that sat within the old that God was changing. As to the soap...Malachi 3:2-3 their is the soap. Paul said judgment begins in the house of God. notice that one seated in the old system was brought out as the structure changed....well gene submitted for you're examination. in your post The Church Father God is Seeking and finding too few you nailed it !