|
|
Acceleration and Alignment...Get Ready!
Word and Vision
28 March, 2025
Biblical New Year's Eve, Adar 29, 5785
Susan Rowe, April 18, 2025 (the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War)
While delayed on a flight to Israel at the end of March, what normally would have been annoying was not. God interrupted the delay with a vision. It is one of the most clear visions I have ever had. God used the delay to speak and relay His heart. What I saw was a painting we have in our home. It is a painting by Jack E. Dawson "If My People." The painting is of Jesus' hands holding a tattered American flag. Some believe it is the Revolutionary flag. Note the left hand with a hint of a wound, the other hand holding a needle is sewing the American flag that is tattered and torn. The image quickly shifted to the same hands, only this time they were guiding the flag through an old black Singer sewing machine. Jesus' hands deftly guided the flag and put it in line for its tattered edges to be sewn. Soon, He reached out and pulled other flags, some were tattered and dirty, others old and worn, but as they went through His hands into the sewing machine, the stitches renewed the fabric. Some of the flags were very dirty, wrinkled, and tattered. However, when they came into Jesus' hands and He guided them into the sewing machine, it came out clean, unwrinkled, and joined with other flags. What emanated from the machine was a tapestry of flags of the nations. A wind easily picked up the fabric as they floated together like waves across the atmosphere.
Many of us grew up learning to sew on these machines. I did, and it looked not unlike the photo on the heading. In looking up the history of the Singer sewing machine, I found out that the inventor, Isaac Merritt Singer, was a Jew and founded the company in 1850. Historical reports note, "The new sewing machines reduced the time required to make a men’s shirt from fourteen hours and twenty-six minutes to one hour and sixteen minutes. Most analysts consider the sewing machine as one of the most important inventions of the nineteenth century[1]." As I have meditated on the vision, important concepts are being relayed for the present time and season. Highlighted in the vision is the sense of acceleration and alignment...a word for this Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread season.
Of note, the vision appeared on the eve of the Biblical New Year, the 1st of Nissan. What is God saying? We have all sensed that Passover this year is different. The Time Gates of history are evident, and we need to discern the times to know what to do. Throughout the vision, I did not see Jesus' face, but I felt the intensity with which He was sewing. Two key themes have emerged for this time and season from this vision, we are in accelerated times, and our alignment will impact the future.
SOME REFLECTIONS:
Accelerated times:
As the Singer sewing machine accelerated time to make shirts, we too are in accelerating times. Since the turn of the New Year, a fast-paced shift has hit many nations. Throughout scripture, there is a recurring theme of long periods of waiting and then suddenly…. That is the story of the Exodus. 430 years of enslavement were over, Exodus 12:40. The cries of the people were heard, and God responded. Suddenly, they were thrust into a world of freedom. Were they ready? Well, within three days, they were complaining, Exodus 15:22….not pointing a finger here, but there is a lesson in this story.
Though we are in times of wars and rumors of war, there is a sense that we are in a reprieve…more is coming. How do we prepare for the acceleration ahead and move in the dimensions the Holy Spirit wants to take us? We must be prepared for shifting times ahead. Here is food for thought as we prepare for acceleration in this Passover/Cross Over season:
Alignment is critical in this hour. As Jesus' hands guided the fabric through the sewing machine, the fabric had to be fed through His hands, aligned with the needle. The vision speaks to a focused alignment with Jesus, allowing Him to shift the fabric to align the flags so they could be sewn together. Spiritual alignments occur through the power of agreement. Vision is a powerful mobilizing force when birthed through and secured through the power of His Word for an identified purpose and task.
Many of us grew up learning to sew on these machines. I did, and it looked not unlike the photo on the heading. In looking up the history of the Singer sewing machine, I found out that the inventor, Isaac Merritt Singer, was a Jew and founded the company in 1850. Historical reports note, "The new sewing machines reduced the time required to make a men’s shirt from fourteen hours and twenty-six minutes to one hour and sixteen minutes. Most analysts consider the sewing machine as one of the most important inventions of the nineteenth century[1]." As I have meditated on the vision, important concepts are being relayed for the present time and season. Highlighted in the vision is the sense of acceleration and alignment...a word for this Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread season.
Of note, the vision appeared on the eve of the Biblical New Year, the 1st of Nissan. What is God saying? We have all sensed that Passover this year is different. The Time Gates of history are evident, and we need to discern the times to know what to do. Throughout the vision, I did not see Jesus' face, but I felt the intensity with which He was sewing. Two key themes have emerged for this time and season from this vision, we are in accelerated times, and our alignment will impact the future.
SOME REFLECTIONS:
Accelerated times:
As the Singer sewing machine accelerated time to make shirts, we too are in accelerating times. Since the turn of the New Year, a fast-paced shift has hit many nations. Throughout scripture, there is a recurring theme of long periods of waiting and then suddenly…. That is the story of the Exodus. 430 years of enslavement were over, Exodus 12:40. The cries of the people were heard, and God responded. Suddenly, they were thrust into a world of freedom. Were they ready? Well, within three days, they were complaining, Exodus 15:22….not pointing a finger here, but there is a lesson in this story.
Though we are in times of wars and rumors of war, there is a sense that we are in a reprieve…more is coming. How do we prepare for the acceleration ahead and move in the dimensions the Holy Spirit wants to take us? We must be prepared for shifting times ahead. Here is food for thought as we prepare for acceleration in this Passover/Cross Over season:
- Be diligent in studying and meditating on His Word. God's Word will be the gas that fuels our spiritual engines and can keep us in the race in accelerating and challenging times. God spoke to Jeremiah saying, "I am watching over My word to perform it." The more familiar we are with His Word, the stronger our faith, the surer our steps, and the more powerful our declarations will be for spiritual impact.
- Your word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light to my path, Psalm 119:105.
- You will also declare a thing and it will be established for you, so light will shine on your ways, Job 22:28
- Understand your gifts and callings are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Endure the seasons of testing and run the race with endurance so as to win the prize (paraphrase 1 Corinthians 9:24). God will develop the character needed for your promotion ahead. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Endure the times on the "back side of the desert," like David, the forgotten son/brother (1 Samuel 16:1-13), who learned to watch and guard the sheep, paved the way for the Goliath to come and his role in the Kingdom of the future.
- Be thankful in all circumstances. Thanksgiving is foundational for clear thinking and hearing from the Lord accurately…without the leaven from the past. Paul exhorts the Romans, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened, Romans 1:21. Thanksgiving opens up the gates of heaven and allows God to work through all circumstances you may find yourself in. When you are tested, feel disgruntled, disqualified, critical, or judgmental…check the level of your thankfulness to God. It is a powerful agent in accessing His Presence and the revelation He wants to give us. Paul states to the Colossian church, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord, Colossians 3:15-16. Thanksgiving is a seedbed for the word of God to prosper in our hearts.
- Don't underestimate those whom God puts in your path , and be generous. Your small act of generosity or kindness may one day be the very thing that saves you. It was so with Joseph, who interpreted the butler's dream in prison, Genesis 40:12-15. It was the butler who later remembered and spoke to Pharaoh about Joseph. He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given. Proverbs 19:17.
- Be generous and do not forget to tithe, even in difficulty. The lesson of the widow's mite is important today, as the financial markets are shaking and uncertain. In the instability of the times, giving releases the favor of the Lord and His eternal provision and reward. Jesus, while sitting opposite the temple treasury, was watching how people put in their money. Many rich people gave much. Then a widow came in and threw in two mites. Jesus saw it and taught His disciples, Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood, Mark 12:43-44. Haggai also notes a time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. We are in such times! He goes on to say, The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts. The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the LORD of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the LORD of hosts. By tithing and giving, we open the doors to new realms of the Spirit. Are we on the verge of the third great awakening? We very well may be, and our stewardship of finances may very well be key to unlocking spiritual provision we know not of...yet.
Alignment is critical in this hour. As Jesus' hands guided the fabric through the sewing machine, the fabric had to be fed through His hands, aligned with the needle. The vision speaks to a focused alignment with Jesus, allowing Him to shift the fabric to align the flags so they could be sewn together. Spiritual alignments occur through the power of agreement. Vision is a powerful mobilizing force when birthed through and secured through the power of His Word for an identified purpose and task.
- God is releasing a new order in the Church as an Ekklesia. As the Ekklesia and the restoration of the Watchman priesthood that watch over covenant issues understand their authority, a transformational process will unfold. Exposure of enemy strongholds, hidden demonic forces are being broken through the strength of the Ekklesia understanding, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. The time has come for the body of Christ to know our authority in Him," (2 Corinthians 10:4-6). We are in times when God is calling forth a warring church out of hospital rooms and "life as usual" ways. Alert! Alert! Alert!
- The caution of Matthew 24:37-38 is before us, but as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
- Visionary strength is vital in keeping lines of agreement flowing. The shamar (שָׁמַר šâmar, Strong's number: h8104) watchman is very much linked to watch over covenant issues throughout the scriptures. It is the foundational call of mankind to "Tend and keep (shamar)" the garden He gave us. As the watchman community grows across the nations, alignment with God's covenant will be vital in the continued visionary strength for all involved. Aligning with God's appointed times, Shabbat, Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of First Fruits, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles are all part of a restoration process Jesus spoke of in Matthew 17:11, Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. This Passover was a restoration case in point, and we are thankful for the many who aligned with this "Appointed Time" to celebrate together, Jew and Gentile.
- On the international scene, we will see international alignments shift in the coming season. They are part of the end-time narrative that is playing out, and the acceleration we will see. Watch what nations begin to form treaties, particularly with Israel, or the Middle East nations. The wars and rumors of war we are in are setting the stage for the Daniel 9:27 10-nation peace treaty (see also Daniel 7:7-8).
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:5-7
(Psalm 84 was spoken at the dedication of Herrnhut, 1722).
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:5-7
(Psalm 84 was spoken at the dedication of Herrnhut, 1722).
[1] Hoover, Gary, "The Sordid Saga of Mr. Singer and his Sewing Machine," https://americanbusinesshistory.org/the-sordid-saga-of-mr-singer-and-his-sewing-machine/, Jan 14, 2022
