THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS

Visions given to Bob Jones written by Keith Davis Dec. 24, 1998

*************************************

Many in the church may have recognized a considerable breakthrough in the Spirit realm on for around November 28, 1998. For the previous several months Bob had been stating that the Lord was promising a release of something in the Spirit on Nov. 28th. As always, the Lord was faithful to His promise and released not only revelations but also breakthrough against the evil oppositions attempting to withstand God's purposes and the promises released to many. The following outline includes personal aspects of the visions, which we allowed to remain because the application has a corporate purpose. Many times the Lord will illustrate truths through a prophet in order to bring a corporate message.

Visions received on Nov. 28, 1998

In this prophetic experience Bob found himself driving a '98 Oldsmobile with Wanda and myself in the vehicle with him. We were traveling on a smooth four-lane highway with little traffic. Suddenly, we saw vehicles headed directly towards us on the wrong side of the highway. Instinctively, Bob directed the vehicle off the highway forcing us to travel through a muddy area to alleviate a head on collision.

The '98 Oldsmobile represented promises made to us for 1998. We were forced to leave the highway because vehicles were approaching us from the wrong direction representing opposition to the promises in the Spirit. The religious spirits attempting to withstand us caused us to take to the ditch in order to alleviate certain disaster. When this occurred, Bob did not slow the vehicle but instead accelerated in order to make it through the mud and mire until we approached a culvert that could only be crossed with divine assistance in order to gain access back onto the highway. The mud and mire represented the thoughts that the enemy has released against the church and her prophets attempting to cloud our vision.

Thankfully, the Lord guided us past the culvert and back onto the main highway. The culvert represented the Lord's divine provision for gaining access to His promises. The culvert had to be approached with faith and patience in order to be negotiated. It is through faith and patience that we inherit promises. These oppositions are allowed to train our warrior skills as we develop a spiritual tenacity to fight through any and all opposition in order to reach our goal. Our highest goal and purpose is to KNOW HIM more intimately (Phil 3:7-15). Our greatest promise is to be granted free access into His Divine Presence and to become One Spirit with Him (Zec. 3:7; 1 Cor 6:17).

Once we were back on the highway it brought us to the intersection of highway 27. This represented Psalms 27. The message of this Psalm is stating that people will live in either separated fear or trusting relationship, based upon our choices. In the vision, Bob and I were directed to go East for there would be a powerful move of the Spirit somewhere to the East. This could represent either Jacksonville or Charlotte or both. In either event, it was clear that we reached our destination via the 27th Psalm. This not only represented the 27th Psalm singularly, but also the number 27 and its numerical combinations. (3 X 9 9 + 9 + 9)

As this vision faded another began showing a fruit tree that had been very productive in times past, however, some of the fruit bearing limbs were out of balance with the remainder of the tree. Certain of the limbs were producing an abundance of fruit while others sparingly. Some of the branches were mature while others were underdeveloped. Bob then saw a pair of pruning shears descending from heaven and begin to dress the fruit tree. (John 15:5) Surprisingly, the Lord began to prune the abundant fruit bearing branches in order to allow the less mature ones to develop and bring forth a perfectly balanced tree.

When the pruning ceased, a beautifully symmetrical tree resulted, shaped very similar to a Christmas tree.

(NOTE: We believe the Lord showed this in the shape of a Christmas tree only to give us the timing for the application of the visions not an endorsement. The tree illustrated that during the Christmas season this process of pruning and development would take place. We believe that many of the activities in this country associated with Christmas are extremely grievous to the Lord and distract from the true purpose of the cross and the life of Christ.)

This tree was now in such perfect balance that strong winds of adversity could not disturb it. Prior to the pruning the imbalance of fruit producing branches would have allowed the winds of adversity to topple the tree. The Lord now wants the unfruitful areas of our lives to develop in maturity and perfect balance with those areas in which we are strong. The Lord pruned the fruitful areas of our lives so that the weaker areas could develop. This pruning process is what we have been going through in the recent past. Great athletes always train hardest in the areas of their weakness. So should it be with our spiritual well being. At this present time it has been immaturity and a lack of balance that has prevented the great move of the Spirit.

The end result of John 15 is the cherished relationship of His friend. Many people spend long hours praying for Peace and Joy while neglecting self-control and meekness. The Lord is looking for a perfectly balanced tree bearing all nine of the fruit of the Spirit.

The most important revelation then came at 4:58 a.m. Bob was taken to the pinnacle of a great building. The Holy Spirit extended something that appeared like a skyhook that lifted him in the Spirit, perhaps similar to the way that the Lord took Ezekiel. The Spirit wanted Bob to observe the activities taking place on the top of this great building.

Bob was not actually on the building but elevated above it. Bob's attention was first directed to a notable statue mounted as a Memorial on this building. This monument had the attributes of an ancient God. At that moment a burst of fire, like lightning, descended against this Memorial with such fervent heat that it cracked and broke in several pieces. Then, following the fire came a great wind that blew against the remaining portions of the Memorial. The wind blew steadily against the statue eroding what the fire did not destroy. Following the wind came an earthquake with such violent trembling that the remaining portion of the Memorial that the fire and wind did not destroy fell from the building crashing to the ground.

This Memorial was a tribute to the accomplishments of man... The foolish pride of man acknowledging his own exploits creating an image to his own glory. This Memorial was the very essence of idolatry and the worship of false gods. The statue represented the deception of self-sufficiency and stiff-necked arrogance.

The Spirit then lowered Bob to the base of the platform previously holding the Memorial in its place. He was then given a great tool to extract the nuts and bolts holding the base in place so that even the foundation of this statute was removed. What would have seemed like a very difficult task became simple by using the implement provided by the Spirit.

Bob's attention was then directed to another skyhook that was transporting another Memorial to replace the previously destroyed one. This Memorial, however, was a great and glorious One. This image was in appearance very similar to the statue of the American flag being erected on the island of Iwo Jima, known as the "Iwo Jima Memorial". Instead of an American flag it was an image of the Cross being lifted up by 12 men each shielding his face so as not to presume to receive glory or acknowledgment for the Power and Glory of the Cross.

Bob was then instructed to use the same implement that he used to dismantle the foundation of the previous Memorial to securely and permanently lock the Cross in its place.

These twelve humble soldiers represented the coming government of God that will lift up the Cross above all else bringing to the church the glorious reality and power of the redemption purchased on the Cross. There is coming to the church through God's government the preaching and teaching of the Cross on a level not yet seen in this generation. The church has barely even touched the great redemption truths of the Cross that will prepare the Bride in perfection and Union with Christ. As in all wars, Liberty and Freedom comes with a price. These realities will be imparted to those willing to pay the price and allow the pruning of the Holy Spirit that we may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

The primary responsibility of the apostles and prophets will be to securely fashion the foundation of the Cross in the hearts of the people through the demonstration of the Spirit and Power. This can only be done through the tools provided by the Holy Spirit. We are given the blueprint for this purpose through Psalms 27 imparting the reality of intimate relationship. Seeking and desiring one thing, that we may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our lives that we may gaze upon His beauty and inquire in His temple.

Neither retreat nor deceleration is an option. As we accelerate toward the Lord, despite the obstacles, He will sovereignly through great grace, see us through and place us on His Highway. The tree that was being pruned was fashioned in the appearance of a Christmas tree denoting that these purposes will begin to take shape by Christmas.
_________________________

Copyright (c) 1998 Bob Jones Ministry. All rights reserved. For forwarding do not change, or add to, or delete anything. Complete copyright must be included with every article. Copyright (c) 1998 MorningStar Publications & Ministries. MorningStar Publications, Inc., 16000 Lancaster Highway Charlotte, NC 28277

HTTP://WWW.EAGLESTAR.ORG