A Publication of the MOBILE SCHOOL OF THE SPIRIT http://mobilesos.org/

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.� Matthew 24:6

Just before the 2000 presidential elections, a friend who had just returned from an intense season of just seeking and spending time with the Lord, shared with me a dream he had received during his time away. The dream was in regard to the one that would eventually become the president of the United States and the enormous challenges that were ahead for him and the nation after he took office.

After watching the almost unbelievable events that surrounded his actual securing the presidency, and now watching all that has transpired beginning on September 11, 2001, I am convinced that what my friend saw was surely from the Lord. The dream confirmed what many are now saying has become unquestionably obvious, that George W. Bush was truly ordained of God to become this nation’s president at this defining moment in our history.

THE VISION CONCERNING GEORGE W. BUSH

In the vision, my friend saw George W. Bush standing and holding the steering wheel of a large ship. As his father had been, now the son was at the wheel. Scattered throughout the water directly in front of the ship were a number of large icebergs. Some of the icebergs could be easily seen while others were submerged and hidden from sight. It was obvious that any of these icebergs, if hit by the ship, could cause great damage and could even spell disaster. Precautionary and evasive actions to avoid these icebergs had to be taken. On the side of the ship were written the names, Pride and Arrogance. The most noticeable thing about the president in the dream was that he had no eyes.

INTERPRETATION

The president standing and steering the ship can be interpreted by the position he now holds as president. The ship of course is the United States. The name on the side of the ship indicates how we as a nation have become proud and arrogant and are in great need of humility and repentance. Pride always comes before a fall, while humility before God will cause a nation or a people to be lifted up. It is always far better to humble ourselves than to be humbled by the Lord.

The interpretation of why he had no eyes should be fairly obvious because what this president would need in his presidency would be much more than just the ability to see physically. President Bush would need to be able to see with a vision he was not capable of possessing on his own, if he was to successfully steer this nation around and away from the many obstacles and dangers that were waiting ahead. It also became clear that the wisdom and vision that was absolutely necessary would only be given to the president if the church prayed. Many in the church have answered this call and as a result both vision and wisdom has and is being graciously given to our president. Yet many icebergs lie ahead. One of those icebergs is appropriately named, war.

THE COMING WAR

Even before speaking with my friend and again prior to the elections, the church in America was called to an increased amount of prayer and intercession. In our city of Mobile, Alabama, a 7-month 24-hour prayer initiative involving numerous churches was underway. It became apparent that many churches and cities alike had heard this call to prayer, which for the church is a call to arms.

We all recall that as soon as the presidential elections were over, the warfare surrounding the election intensified at a level few expected and that was unprecedented in our nation’s history. And what a war it was! The enemy was at work seeking to do what he is ordained to do. He was seeking, “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy� just as Jesus said he would do. (John 10:10) God’s purposes and people were under attack. However, the intercession of the saints saw Satan’s plots spoiled.

I remember thinking that if this president faced this kind of warfare just being elected, what kind of warfare would he encounter after he was in office. The warfare surrounding his election was indeed authentic but was also symbolic of the warfare that would begin shortly after he took office.

THE SCRIPTURE ON WAR

It is important that the church have an understanding regarding what the Bible says about war, not only in the spiritual dimension, but also as it unfolds in the natural. Without a biblical understanding, mush disillusionment can occur. Here are some Scriptural truths concerning war.

First, Jesus Himself, preached about the frequent occurrence of, “wars and rumors of wars�. We must understand that war is inevitable. Wars will occur as long as sin still dominates human nature. Jeremiah reminds us that, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked�. (Jeremiah 17:9)

War is a by-product of the heart that is still captivated by sin and at odds with God. The Bible confirms that we are actually enemies of God prior to our receiving His forgiveness and coming into salvation.

Jesus emphatically reminds us that wars will occur on the earth and especially as the end of the age draws nearer. Jesus assures us that, “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom�. (Matthew 24:7) He even said, “these things must come to pass,� (Matthew 24:6)

Jesus is the, “Prince of Peace�. It is He and He alone that, “makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two�. (Psalm 46:9) Jesus alone can and will establish peace on the earth, a peace that begins in the heart when one turns from sin.

THE CHURCH MUST NOT PROPHESY RUMORS

Second, not only will wars take place on the earth, but ‘rumors of wars’ will occur as well. This simply means that the church must not get involved or prophesy the rumors, whether they refer to wars fought on battlefields or speaking of wars that are biological or chemical in nature. Rumors are designed to create fear, which is just the opposite of faith.

We must avoid at all costs getting all of our news from the world. We have a greater source from where we can get the news, mainly, the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.� (John 15:13)

One of the great challenges for the church in the years ahead will be to stay focused on and distinguish between what the Lord is saying from all the rumors. This will involve our ability to hear the Lord’s voice. The church in this day needs to be reminded, over and over, that we will not make it through what is coming or even rumored to come without our learning to hear His voice. This is something the Lord is shouting in this hour! Hearing His voice will calm the fears and ignite the faith required for every challenge of this hour.

LIVES WILL BE LOST

Third, when wars do occur, and they will, we must not be shocked when lives are lost. This is a natural result of any war.

It was said of King Josiah, “Now before Him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him�. (II Kings 23:25) Josiah was a righteous king who followed the Lord with all that he had. Yet, even Josiah died in war. After God had used Josiah to bring reform and much restoration to God’s people, Josiah still became a causality of war. We read in II Kings 23:29, that Josiah went after Pharaoh Necho and was killed as he confronted him. Deaths, of even those who are innocent are inevitable when war begins. This is something we have to be prepared to face and remember that death is not the end, nor does it spell defeat for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Fourth, Jesus said in regard to war, “See that you are not troubled for all these things must come to pass,� (Matthew 24:6b). Jesus was telling His disciples basically to not be afraid regardless of what might come their way. Beware of the fear factor.

A NEW FAITH MOVEMENT

“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.� (Revelation 14:12) Here the scriptures confirm three specific characteristics that will mark the last day church. They are endurance, radical obedience, and faith.

There is a great difference between having faith in Jesus and the faith of Jesus. Faith in Jesus is where it all begins, however, having the faith of Jesus is where it will end.

The church is coming into a time when a new faith movement is about to begin. This faith movement will be described not only as our faith in Him, but His faith living in us. Great exploits will be accomplished through those who have a faith that is greater than their own.

WAR DOES NOT PROVE THE END IS IMMINENT

Fifth, in reference to war, Jesus reminded us to keep in mind that just because wars occur, it does not necessarily mean that the end of the world is imminent.

Jesus, in referring to war and other earth shaking events said, “…for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.� He even mentioned that events like war, was a sign that the world had only come into the beginning of sorrows�. (Matthew 24:8)

It is possible to be more focused on the coming of the Lord than the "Lord that is coming." When our attention is more directed to the former than the later, we will, tend to believe that whatever we are facing must be a fulfillment of bible prophecy and is a true sign that the end is near. This all may be true, however, the church has lost much of it’s credibility with the lost because our heart has been more captivated by the events surrounding the Lord’s return rather the Lord who is returning.

A church is now arising that will not speak out of presumption or fleshly perception, but from only what the Lord is saying and doing because He is their greatest desire.

Sixth, when wars occur, we must remain faithful and become even more determined to fulfill our mission.

WAR WILL NOT INHIBIT THE GOSPEL

Following the announcement of coming wars, Jesus then reminds his followers that, “And this gospel will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come�. (Matthew 24:14) In other words, war will not prohibit the advancement of the gospel but can actually be a vehicle thrusting it into places and before people previously closed to hearing the gospel.

Jesus was asked by His disciples this question, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?� Jesus answered by saying, “It is not for you to know times and seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.� (Acts 1:6-8) Jesus was reminding His followers that nothing would keep the church from fulfilling its purpose as long as the church is on the earth.

Instead of just seeking a greater understanding of the times and seasons, we must seek for more of the Holy Spirit and power to accomplish His will.

A window of opportunity has been opened for the gospel, not only in the United States, but all across the world. It’s not time to take cover, but to become empowered with a new anointing fashioned for this very hour and designed to reach a people yet to be reached.

GOD'S REDEMPTIVE PURPOSES

In every circumstance of life, we must remember that God is redemptive. The Holy Spirit is ever working drawing men and women to the knowledge of the Son of God. The events of this hour are no different. Satan may have a plan, but God’s plan is greater. We must remember who it is that is really at the wheel.

A few years ago, I had a dream that now makes more sense than ever. In the dream I came face to face with the Saddam Hussein. Somehow, a door had been opened for me to meet him and share the gospel with him. He was listening intently when suddenly a man came out from the darkness. The man reminded me of a monk, probably because he was wearing a long solid black robe. He had a black hood over his head that prohibited me from seeing his face. His robe reached all the way to the floor. I sensed a spirit of gloominess and death surrounding the person who had suddenly appeared.

The uninvited guest then walked closer towards us and stopped between Saddam Hussein and where I was standing. Then, the man in the black robe turned around and pointed at me and loudly and forcefully told me to ‘GO’.

In the dream, I did exactly that as I turned and walked away. However, as I turned back to see Saddam Hussein again, I noticed that he looked at me, and with tears in his eyes said to me, ‘send me something’.

THE PURPOSE IS PEOPLE

I strongly believe that in this dream, Saddam Hussein was representative of all Moslems in general. The man in the black robe no doubt, represented the spirit of Islam, which is no spirit of peace but is in truth a spirit of death and bondage. Saddam’s tears and desire to hear what I was saying spoke of the hunger and openness of many Moslems at this time to the truth of the gospel.

In all that is taking place in this hour, God has a purpose. That purpose is people. This must also and always be the purpose of the church.

The greatest war being fought today is still the war that is being waged over the souls of men and women. This war is the war that we must and we will, win.

“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!� (Revelation 11:15)

(Parts of the above article were taken and revised from an article published earlier entitled, “The Coming War�

by David White info@MobileSOS.org