INGATHERING THE HARVEST--A Warning to the church - A word by Don Riker

A prophetic dream give to: Don Riker Teaching The Word Ministries eMail: ttwmin@hydrosoft.net

This is the account of a dream that I had in the pre-dawn hours of February 9, 1999. Upon awakening, I was aware that the dream carried great weight and contained an important message not only to me, but also to the larger Body of Christ. I offer it in faith that the Lord will use it to further His Kingdom purposes at this time. Don Riker

My dream began as I beheld a forest of oak trees buzzing with activity. The trees were immense and I was immediately filled with awe at the massive circumference of each one. They were unlike any oak trees I had ever seen.

I next focused on the intensive and energetic activities going on in and around the trees. A legion of squirrels was engaged in gathering and storing up acorns in a pace and order that reminded me of a beehive. Each squirrel moved with precision, knowing their place and working in concert with the others, regardless of which tree was their home.

The acorns were piled up all around like an abundant snowfall, ready for collection. In spite of the enormous volume of acorns being gathered continuously, the amount on the ground did not seem to diminish.

My heart was filled with an increasing sense of exhilaration!

At this point, I became aware of a presence behind me. Captivated by the scene before me and somehow secure in this unknown presence, I did not turn around to see what it was. Then I was guided to look more closely at the trees.

Suddenly, my perspective shifted, as if my eyes were a video camera zooming in on a subject. I was greatly surprised to see that upon closer inspection, the trees were actually severely rotted. It was difficult to comprehend how the trees were still standing given the degree of decay and decomposition that was present. I was further struck by the realization that the squirrels were placing their precious store into these rotten, unhealthy vessels.

Before I could fully take that in, I was guided to turn my attention to the squirrels. Though the work of gathering continued, the pace had slowed significantly. The once vigorous animals had slowed down considerably and were having increasing difficulty in carrying out their task. Both their energy level and efficiency had dwindled greatly.

I immediately saw why. As they were gathering the acorns and bringing them into the trees, the squirrels had begun to gorge themselves. They had become obese as they indulged themselves in consuming many of the objects of their labor. The work suffered greatly as their focus shifted to fulfilling their own needs and desires.

The exhilaration I had been experiencing dissolved abruptly into intense grief over the condition of both the trees and the squirrels.

As I grieved deeply over what I saw, I once again became aware of the presence behind me. I was then told that the record ingathering would be lost unless placed into solid, healthy vessels.

Grief became a holy fear as these words of warning were communicated quietly, yet with great authority and power that deeply penetrated my heart. At this point, my dream ended and I awoke greatly aware of both the words of that warning and of an overwhelming feeling of the fear of the Lord.

Interpretation

The following interpretation came through prayer and guided reflection over several days:

The "record ingathering" of acorns in the forest are a picture of the unprecedented harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God. The size of the harvest was so great that their number did not lessen appreciably even in the midst of continuous reaping.

The trees symbolize both churches and individual believers who, collectively, make up the church. Though mature and impressive outwardly, they were not fit vessels because of their inward condition. Corruption and decay had progressed from within. Careful inspection revealed that contrary to outward appearances, the trees were neither solid nor healthy.

The squirrels represent leaders from various levels of leadership in the churches and workers engaged in the harvest. Though initially well-organized and energetic, they became fat and inefficient as they fed off the acorns they were gathering.

I was unable to see the true condition of the trees with my natural eye. It was only as I saw with the eyes of the Spirit that I was able to recognize the reality of the scene that was before me.

Applications

1. The coming harvest is real and is far greater than our present understanding or capacity to handle.

Like the twelve, we tend to get caught up in our perception of the immediate needs of the moment. It is time to lift our eyes and see the great harvest that is almost upon us. (John 4:27-38) The harvest God has in mind is far greater than we can bring in successfully on our own. (Luke 5:1-11) Our natural response will be to despair of caring for and feeding such a multitude with greatly inadequate resources of our own. (John 6:1-14). It is only as we remain sensitive to the voice of Jesus and respond to Him with obedience that we will accomplish such an enormous task.

2. Although physical preparations are needed and important, responding to the call of the Holy Spirit to consecration must take the highest priority or the harvest will be lost. "He who conceals his sins will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy. Happy the person who is never without fear, but he who hardens his heart will fall into misfortune." Proverbs 28:13,14 (CJB) Now is the time to: Seek God in transparency and humility for a true revelation of our inner condition. (Psalm 139:23,24; Revelation 3:1-6) Confess and repent before God for all that He reveals. (Hebrews 4:13; I John 1:5-10) Forsake all that hinders our living in complete abandon to God. (Matthew 10:17-31; Matthew 13:44-46; Philippians 3:4-16) Cultivate living in the fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 9:10-12; Proverbs 10:27; Ecclesiastes 12:13,14)

3. The enormity of the task requires a coordinated effort between the leaders of all the expressions of the Body of Christ in each community. (Ecclesiastes 4:4-12; Philippians 1:27; Philippians 2:1-11; I Corinthians 12:4-31; Psalm 133)

4. Leaders must maintain their focus and guard against indulging their own security and identity needs by feeding on the size or scope of what the Lord is doing. They must also guide workers in doing the same. Jesus alone must be our source of life and identity. (John 6:41-58; I Corinthians 1:26-31) Godly leaders must reflect the nature of the Good Shepherd, whose orientation is always to bless the sheep sacrificially. (Ezekiel 34:1-24; John 10:1-18)