Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 T From: CATHERINE BROWN, SCOTLAND CBrownds1@aol.com

VISION: FIRE OVER SCOTLAND

Driving to Dumfries today (28 Oct), the Lord showed me a vision:

The vision began with the Lord's sword descending from Heaven. The tip of the sword was a flame, and the Lord took His sword and passed it over the land. As the Lord's sword swept the land, I saw fire break out in every place. There were small fires everywhere. I could see fire on the hills, and I cried to the Lord "Is this revival fire, Father"?

And He replied, "Child, this is the first fire I will send to Scotland. This is a fire that is for the Body. This is a fire that will cleanse and will purge and will winnow. This is a fire that will separate the wheat from the chaff, for this is a fire of My Holiness. For I have destined this nation to be a nation of holy warriors and I am refining and restoring My people. Many will oppose this fire in pride and bigotry, but know that it is I, and this is a necessary work of Holiness".

Then the vision changed and I saw an incredible flood sweep the land and every fire was extinguished and I cried with a broken heart "Lord, the fires have all gone out, does this mean we've missed your visitation?" But the Lord answered.

"Child, this is a flood that I am permitting, do not lose heart. This is a time of testing for My children, but know just as the enemy desires to come in like a flood and put out the fires of revival, all this shall achieve is the raising of My standard of holiness above this nation. For I have heard the earnest prayers of My children, and they have moved My heart to compassion. This flood will reveal My people to be broken and humble and contrite, and know this My precious Scotland, this is what I esteem. But you must rise up out of worthlessness and rejection and put on the garments of Righteousness and Holiness that I have prepared for you."

Then the vision changed again, and I saw men, women and children all over the land - in the valleys and on the high places, and as each of them spoke and opened their mouths, a flame of fire shot forth and I cried to the Lord, "Lord, is this revival fire"?

And He said "Yes, child this is the fire of My presence that will touch the hearts of all those who will listen. I will use men, women and children who have come through the fire of My refining, who have understood My Holiness. I will use them to reach the lost in this nation".

And I heard a new and awesome sound of worship coming from the hilltops, a uniquely Scottish sound, and I could see demons running from the high places and as I looked below I could see that the valleys were full of people on their knees who were weeping and repenting before God, and I saw many angels ministering to the lost.

And I knew salvation had come to our land. And I looked up and I was lifted by the Spirit of God and I saw one dazzling flame over Scotland. It consumed not, for it was the Presence of the living God and I heard the Lord say "Child, I have established My Holiness in this nation, and I have answered the heart's cry of My children. This is My eternal Presence that shall not be taken from the faithful". Amen

Footnote: Since receiving this vision the Lord has reminded me that when Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the Law, the Lord's presence was upon the mountain and was signaled by trumpet blasts and smoke because the Lord descended by fire (Ex 19). The Lord gave Moses the words of the Law (precious and beautiful commands to live by, commands that bring a revelation of God's holiness, commands that bring Life for they bring an intimacy and revelation of the character of God). Having given the words of the Law, the Father heart of God spoke to the people through his servant Moses, for they were trembling and afraid.

Ex 20:20 "Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning"

I just felt it was important to speak this truth of this Scripture again. The vision showed the Lord's fire over Scotland, and the Lord spoke of His Holiness. I believe we must come again to the place of searching after God's heart and His holiness and come again into Godly fear of the Lord, for it is the beginning of wisdom and the key to knowledge and revelation and understanding. I believe that we must allow the Lord to continually refine us both as individuals and corporately as the Body of Christ. This refining is a work of preparation that we might be vessels that will yield when revival "fire" truly comes upon the nation. It matters not whether we use the symbolism of fire or rain - both herald the presence of the Lord and it is His presence that we are pressing in for. Just as Elijah pressed in for the rain, after having called down fire from heaven, the rain broke the drought upon the nation; we too must continually press in to the Lord for more of His presence, that we might reach the lost in our nations. The fire in the vision above symbolizes the Holy Presence of God.

CATHERINE BROWN