August 16, 2000 A Vision by Catherine Brown

"Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever." 1Co 9:24, 25

This morning I wakened from sleep, and the Holy Spirit began to unfold a vision . . .

THE LORD WAS TIGHTENING A SCREW

My eyes were not yet open, but I could see the hand of the Lord, and He was tightening a screw. I wondered what He was working on and I took a closer look. To my surprise, the screw was part of a fitting that attached a shiny bell to a brand new racing bike. The bike was a beautiful vibrant red color and the Lord was taking great care in the preparation of it.

I watched as He tightened screws and applied a spanner to various bolts. The Lord knew exactly what needed to be adjusted or secured. He then began to pump air into the tires of the bike. The spokes of the wheels shone brilliantly, and when the Lord had finished examining the tires, they were perfectly balanced and firm and ready for the road.

A PERSONAL ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ME AND FOR THE CORPORATE BODY

The seat was carefully adjusted to a specific height. It was in perfect alignment and looked secure and safe. Ribbons were then attached to the handlebars of the bike, gloriously colorful and I imagined how wonderful they would look when the bike finally began its journey as it streamed along the road it had been prepared for, with the wind trailing a blaze of color in the ribbons. It was at this point that the Holy Spirit began to give me interpretation for what He was showing me. This is a personal encouragement for me, but it is also a word for the Body and I share it with you with great delight in my heart.

RALLY SPRINTER

As the Lord completed His work on the bike, the finishing touch was the name that He wrote in beautiful gold letters on the frame. The bike was called "RALLY SPRINTER". It looked magnificent. Jesus turned to me and smiled and explained that this vision was about the rally call to intercession that heaven is announcing to the nations. The bike speaks of a journey that we are going on with Jesus, a journey in prayer. The Bible is a road and we need to go there! Prayer is the root of power and that, which equips and enables the Church to fulfill her callings here on earth.

IN A SEASON OF INTENSE PREPARATION

By the Lord's hand the necessary adjustments are made. We are in a season of intense preparation - both personally and corporately. The Lord knows just what we need and how to prepare us. The air in the tires speaks of the in filling of the Holy Spirit. The wheels of the bike were perfectly balanced and we also require to stay rooted and grounded deeply in Christ to maintain a healthy spiritual equilibrium.

The seat was adjusted to the optimum height for the rider. It is so important that we are in just the right place - and that is in right relationship with Jesus. In order to know that we are "seated in heavenly places", we have to be in His arms. Our relationship with Jesus puts us in alignment with the Father's will. Those who are intimate with the Lord understand their authority in Christ and are able to exercise this authority in prayer in a Godly manner. A properly adjusted seat makes the journey comfortable and we need to feel safe and secure and be properly 'fitted' with our armor as we respond to this rally call to intercession.

BRIDE-TO-BE AS "TERRIBLE AS BANNERS"

The ribbons that were attached to the handlebars of the bike speak of the awesome anointing for warfare. The Bible describes the Bride-to-be as "terrible as banners" and this speaks of the power and authority of Jesus portrayed in the beautiful bride of Christ. The bike was fitted with a bell, which rang loud and clear, and the sound of this call to intercession will echo throughout the nations as never before. The result of this call to intercession will make a huge noise in the heavenly places - holy clamor and the enemy on the run - Hallelujah!

TAKE NOTHING OF THE WORLD

The bike itself was red and this is symbolic of the Blood of Jesus, which is eternally redemptive and eternally powerful against the forces of darkness. The name given by the Lord was "rally sprinter" and we are called to respond to this move of God, and to "run the race" set before us. There was no basket on the bike and therefore we are to take nothing on this journey. This means we are to take nothing of the world with us when we respond to Jesus. We are to be totally reliant on our Master for He knows our every need. The bike was shiny and new - how I wish you could have seen it, it really was magnificent! The meaning of this was twofold. Firstly, it speaks of personal cleansing and secondly it is a prophetic foretelling of the beautiful Bride of Christ, as she is prepared and cleansed in the Blood of the Lamb, she is made brand new, equipped with everything that is required of her by her Groom, indeed, it is from the Groom's hand that she is made ready for the marriage.

THE RIDER IS "YOU" --ALL HIS CHILDREN

The Lord then showed me who the rider was to be. He turned to me and smiled and said, "It's you"! Incredulous, I replied "Me???!!!" How we laughed - if you knew how long it has been since I rode a bike you would understand my response. I spoke to Jesus and reminded Him that I am not a very sporty person. The Lord smiled with deep affection and said "Child, it's not about your capability, it's about your willingness to be obedient. I am your sufficiency and in Me all things are possible, all I am looking for is a yielded heart." With this Jesus took me by the hand and helped me to get on the bike. We are each personally called and it is by the Father's hand that we are enabled and equipped.

SOME CALLED TO BE FORERUNNERS

There are some who are called to be forerunners, and therefore, there will be some who will begin this race - answer this rally call to intercession - before others. These will lead many others to follow where they go. No matter if you are a forerunner or one who will come after - Jesus needs us all. Those who are called as leaders will be servants. The first shall be last and the last shall be first.

I was carefully dressed in a helmet and knee/elbow pads - I'd like to tell you that I didn't argue, but I did. I protested, "But Lord, I don't want to wear that silly looking helmet and pads". The Lord explained that I could not go on this journey without His divine protection. I then began to understand that this had a corporate interpretation. The joints of the Body must be protected during this rally call. Every part of the Body must work together to answer this call. The enemy will seek to destroy the joints i.e. the unity of the Body and we must allow the Lord to give us His strategy as protection from the assault on the church. Unity is the Key and an essential protection from pride that would cause us to fall.

HIS THOUGHTS WILL FILL US

We are to think with the mind of Christ, and the helmet not only spoke of protection of our thoughts, but also of our ability to focus on this prayer journey through being totally in tune with Jesus. We are to be so close to our Lord that when we pray, we will be given His thoughts and we will pray His will be done. His thoughts will fill our hearts and minds and our mouths will be full of His glory, and we will be given anointed utterance, a holy and Biblical language.

NOTHING TO DISTRACT

The final piece of protection was a pair of sunglasses. These I liked, - they were cool! However, this was not the reason I was to wear them! It is not about our image or our reputation, it is about allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to and in us and through us. It is HIS image that we must seek to model. The glasses were protection for my eyes during the journey. Nothing would distract or blur my vision because my eyes would be protected. We must be careful what our eyes see and our ears listen to, for this affords us purity and holiness. Those who will answer this rally call to intercession must have clean hands and a pure heart. In the Righteousness of Jesus we are cleansed and put right with God the Father, however, we must choose to live holy lives that honor Jesus. So I realized that the glasses would enable us to see where God wants us to go, and the bike (the rally call to prayer) was the means by which we would reach there. Where to go and how to get there!

FOCUSED AND WITHOUT FEAR

Finally, I found myself flying along the road at great speed, bell ringing, and banners triumphantly blowing. It was exhilarating and I knew such joy. I was totally focused and knew no fear. When we are in Christ and in obedience to His will for our lives there is a peace that no other can give us. Obedience brings the fullness of His peace and the Lord blesses our obedience and releases His precious anointing by the Holy Spirit in order that we can run with Him and complete what He has set before us. This is not about works, it is about submission to His purpose and plan for our lives.

THE LORD HANDED ME A GOLD TROPHY

At last I saw the finish line approaching, and standing there with incredible Fatherly pride was Jesus. He was waiting for me to cross the line with His arms open wide. I finished the race and ran into His loving arms, losing myself in His embrace. Tears of joy ran down both our faces and the Lord handed me a gold trophy. Jesus calls each of us to finish the race. It is love of Jesus that compels us to continue and to persevere. It is love that gives us a vision for the 'long haul' and there is wisdom in the waiting. The Lord makes us the answer to our prayers, through conforming us to His image.

The prize is Jesus. There is nothing that we take with us when we reach the 'finish line' - other than that which we have built for eternity. It is only Jesus that will satisfy our hearts.

ANGELIC HOST APPLAUDING

I finally noticed the angelic host who were all around applauding. Heaven has been with us all along, but all I have seen is Jesus. The angels stand with us and run with us as we complete the Great Commission. We are not alone, and the silent crowd of witnesses urges us along and so much want to see the Bride run into Her Lover's arms. Jesus is waiting - will you answer His call?

LISTEN TO WHAT THE SPIRIT IS SAYING TO THE CHURCH

"Beloved,

Hear my heart today and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church, those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. I am coming soon. I will have a beautiful Bride and she will run into my loving arms, for there is nothing in heaven or earth that can separate her from my love.

A RALLY CALL

I place before each of you this day a rally call. Hear the trumpet in the nations. This call to intercession is a Last Days holy call. It is for those who will give themselves completely to My will and who will bring their yielded hearts. I require nothing more, only your willingness to run the race with Me. I will give you everything you need for the journey. There is nothing that I do not see, and there is no inadequacy in Me. I am your sufficiency. I desire that each of My children hear and respond to My call. I spent many hours on earth with My Father in the place of prayer. I desire that you follow me.

DYING TO YOUR DESIRES

Where I am there also will my servant be. Those who are my servants must also follow me. Follow me into death - die to your own desires, that you might also follow me into resurrection power. For if the seed falls to the ground and dies it produces many seeds. If you will die to your flesh, you will see the harvest of My Righteousness in your lives. Many shall come and find shelter in the branches of your tree. My Father is the Gardener and the fruit that the Spirit produces in your lives brings Him great joy. Those who display such fruit, do so for eternity, and those who display this fruit will ask in My name and receive the answer to their prayers, for the Father's honors those who follow me and go where I go, and do as I do. You will bring the Father glory by displaying much fruit.

"IT IS TIME," THIS IS THE SOUND FROM HEAVEN!

And my beloved, my resurrection power is coming, as you have never known it. "IT IS TIME", this is the sound from heaven. IT IS TIME! By my hand I have conquered the power of death, and by My hand I shall have for myself a beautiful Bride, for I have spoken and the prophets of old have spoken and my Spirit shall bring to pass that which the Father has decreed since time began. It is time for My Glory to break forth in the nations. IT IS TIME. It is time for My bride to walk in holiness and purity and Righteousness. It is time for humility and the calling forth of the Christ fruits, which will wreak havoc in the kingdom of darkness.

We are to be married. I am preparing My Church. Those who will run the race to completion will know the fullness of my favor and my joy. I give you my peace. |I cover you in My wings, I give you my fellowship. My arms are wide open and my heart overflows with joy for each one of my precious children. There is nothing that you can do to win my affections for My love is freely given. Grace abounds and all I desire is that you open your hearts and yield to Me.

I have loved you with an everlasting love and long to draw you to me. Come into My Presence, seek My face, Hear My heart beat , Run the race. It is time".

Amen.