A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FINLAND VISION

- 23 JULY 1999

I saw the nation of Finland in a recent vision, covered by a huge fish with a golden coin in its mouth. The Lord impressed these words to my spirit; "Little Finland, mighty fish. You have learned how to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and to render unto God's that which is God's. Great shall be the harvest from your shores."

I was reminded of the Matthew 22 where Jesus was tested by the Pharisees of His day. I believe the Lord is referring to a work of His integrity He desires to pour out in the nation of Finland. He is preparing a nation that will not be swayed by the opinion of man, but will teach the Way of God in accordance with the Truth. Just as Jesus had great wisdom and was able to discern the heart motive of the Pharisees, so shall His wisdom and discernment accompany this work of integrity.

"Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in is words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said. "We know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" "But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius and he asked, them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them., "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left and went away." Matthew 22:15-22

The coin speaks of the Lord's Grace as a gift to the people of Finland. They will be called into Righteousness and by their deeds shall be known as sons of God. They shall overcome the spirit of offence, in the grace of God. They shall find their provision by the Hand of the Lord in a double portion of Righteousness and it shall be a work displayed to the nations of the earth, and to the kings of the earth.

"After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes - from their own sons or from others?" "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch. Open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." Matthew 17:24-27

Catherine Brown, 25 July 1999