Brad’s Vision: The Standard
This morning, brother Brad Meckley shared with me a brief vision he had. It really intrigued me and again put the urge on me to share some thoughts. I submitted these to your discretion and judgment.
(I do pray that I would not go beyond my measure and at the same time be faithful with what He gave me. Recently I have been urged by the Lord to “speak out”, something I am still very relunctant to do.
It is very uncomfortable for me to relate to my own experiences to share things with others, not because I know anything about humility, but because I am well aware of the trap in exalting one’s personal experiences over God’s plain and simple truth, which is ready to be discovered in His written word. But it is one thing to be cautious, it is quite another to refuse to share at the urge of God. I would here venture to share a few things, out of obedience, not of the need or lack in others as I might falsely discern or perceive.
May the Lord keep me in His grace and goodness as He gives me wisdom to share what should be shared. May every word shared by me here prove to be helpful and edifying.)
Brad received the vision when he prayed to the Lord for understanding of “what is going on” with our small group, and to a bigger scale, with the Body of Christ. He saw the word “standard” on a rectangular plate. His understanding is that God is raising up the standard for us as the Body of Christ.
This confirms what the Lord has been sharing with me recently. Let me try to explain.
Capstone On A Pyramid
In the evening of March 8, 2009, I saw two interesting visions as the brothers in our small group prayed for me. Prior to that, I just released brother Tim Pinson to minister before the presence of God. Evidence of his release is very clear through the instant spiritual impact when he prayed for me. (Last time I prayed for him to be a messenger of the Gospel, a light filled the living room in His home. I believe it was an angelic presence.)
Tim prayed that my life would be fully in alignment with the plumb line of the Lord. On hearing that, I saw a vision. It was a gold pyramid with shinning golden light in thick darkness. Curious of what this is, I began to ponder on it. Then I heard some “thoughts”, as if the Spirit was speaking directly into my mind.
“My capstone is ready to set in. I are now presenting my standard to my people, for their prayers have been heard as their shouted to my chosen ones ‘grace unto it, grace unto it.’”
Because pyramid is often associated with occult imageries, I had a hard time to process the spiritual symblism of this vision. But the Spirit of the Lord continued to speak to me that the Lord is raising up “judges” in our time to uphold His righteous standard, represented by the capstone of the pyramid. I also came to realize that these priests of God will have their forehead marked with “holy unto the Lord”.
(As a personal testimony to this, for the following several days, I have a burning sensation on my forehead as if something was constantly flowing unto it. I also heard as if the Lord is saying that He is writing His name on me.)
I sense in our generation, sons of God are being affirmed in the heavenlies as upholders of His eternal law or covenant (the standard), receiving their mission or mantle from what are being passed on from an older generation. The transition can be likened unto what happened on the Mount of Transfiguration. With Moses and Elijah and Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, while Peter, John and James as the ones were being raised up to be ministers of the New Covenant. In between is the Lord Jesus Christ before the resurrection and after. There is much to talk about. But this should suffice to highlight the significance of the pending transition of our time.
In my reflection, I think it to be initiated through three stages:
- The restoration of the New Covenant in Heaven and on earth. (The Ark)
- The restoration of an earthly priesthood under the order of Melchizedek. These are to be affirmed in the presence of God as His sons, and “named” by Jesus Christ as His brothers and ministers, (The Priesthood)
- The restoration of the Altar and the Temple.
I don’t have much clarity about all of these. But the story of this kind of restoration can be traced back in David-Solomon’s time and the rebuilt of the temple after the Babylonia exile.
(A side note. I offered an exposition on Zech. 5 without mentioning Zech. 4 during the Sunday night meeting. My whole point is that Zech. 5 is a prophetic picture of the judgment unto God’ own house in our time while Zech. 4 seems to lay out the “template” for the rebuilding of God’ house. I read the first few chapters of Zech after that, the Lord gave me some wonderful insights of these few chapters. I think they are talking about the end-time church and chapter 4 and 5 fit perfectly into such a context.)
A Burning Lamp Opening a Portal of Bright Light unto Heaven
Next I saw a vision of a burning lamp when Tim started to pray for me to be a pure fire in and for the Lord. The moment I saw it, I thought it is a gold “crown”. Then because I began to that it is filled with golden oil and a burning wick in the center, I knew it is the gold “bowl” of a lamp. It has the shape of a blossoming “flower”. I could not count how many paddles it has. This puzzled me greatly as I never saw anything like it before. I argued with the Lord a bit as to the weirdness of the shape of the bowl, thinking if it has flat edge, it could hold more oil inside. But my sight was quickly drawn to the burning flame, because its brightness began to hurt my eyes. I wanted to see what the wick is made of that it bears so bright a light. As I continued to gaze at it, its brightness suddenly shot up into heaven, like a portal of brilliant light is opened.
Now I was puzzled even more. Then I heard the Lord, as if He was saying to me: “I have made you a lamp before me. You will always have a place in My presence.” At this point, I am still not sure whether this means just for me or for our group. Yet, I am inclined to believe it is for our small group.
The part really confuses me is its shape, not fitting with the two instances I know of in the Bible. A lampstand in the Holy Place supposes to have seven bowls on its seven branches. The one mentioned in Zech. 4 has seven lights in one bowl. I still am very curious of the particular meaning of the difference.
I have an understanding of this vision as well:
I think the Lord is now establishing many groups of His remnant people in His presence. In this very hour, their glory are being revealed in the heavenlies. They will become His dwelling place on earth where He will shadow them with His glory and power. In the days to come, they will become the standard of His righteousness and His goodness. With this establishment, judgment unto God’s own house will finally be released unto the earthly realm, which is prophesied as the start of the end-time judgment.
A Word of Caution
With every advancement of the Kingdom of God, the heavenly as well as the earthly will be stirred up with much violence, so is it that which concerns our own life: soul, flesh and spirit. Only those with a sober mind and a strong commitment unto the things of God will be able to stand firmly and navigate with minute damage through such treacherous waters and tumultuous times. Personal earnest prayer and intercession are surely required, but also our unity in the Spirit and heart with those who sincerely love the Lord and our selfless pursuit of the sure will of God. The true body of Christ will prove to be our safeguard and our help in such trying and formidable times. Separation by the Lord from the world or the insincere is never the end to itself. It only serves to launch us into the new things in the Kingdom of God.
