123. Come Climb the Falls

 

As I was praying, the Lord showed me a vision. It was of a thick rain forest. As the vision panned out I could see a waterfall flowing into a large lake that fed a stream. All of the water continued to flow in one direction. Down the waterfall with force, into the lake where it calmed and then down the stream as it trickled away. The forest was thick, there were no paths to take. Then, as I looked again, I heard the Lord say “come”. The voice was full of peace but commanding, as it was stated like an order and not a request. As I looked around I couldn’t see a way to get there. I couldn’t go against the current and follow the rushing water up the waterfall. It appeared to only be going in one direction, away from the direction I was being called.

Revelation 21:6 - And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

As I walked closer to the waterfall, I heard again the Lord say “come”. I could feel the mist on my face. I could hear the roar of the falls as the water churned. I could put my hand in the water and immediately I felt the sting of the rushing water against my skin. I didn’t understand how I could possibly follow the Lord against the current like He commanded. Again I hear the Lord, this time in a whisper “come”.  As I began to look at the rush of the falls, not understanding how I would get there, I knew I had to follow His voice. As I went to step forward, it was like my eyes were playing tricks on me. Like one of those 3D picture books where you have to squint your eyes and then the picture pops off the pages. It was just like that but with stairs, stairs right there in the water coming down the falls. My feet planted firmly on the first step, I could feel the water rushing between my toes and over the tops of my feet. I began to climb the stairs. 

Revelation 22:17 - And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

There were a few times that I almost lost my footing. As I climbed higher and higher I began to be tormented with fear. It’s one thing to fall down a few stairs into a lake, it’s another to fall the entire length of the falls. There was no hand rail, the force of the water didn’t want me to keep my footing on those stairs. Yet the still small voice saying “come” was all I could focus on. One step at a time I got closer and closer to the top of the falls, fighting the current the entire way. As I reached the crest of the falls, I could see the land spanning out in all directions. I could see everything so green and lush. The land blended into this golden honey color with the water remaining crystal clear and I saw hundreds of angels in a crescent shape surrounding the Lord on a throne seated in heavenly places. 

Revelation 22:1 - And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

What stood out to me was the small number of angels there compared to the other visions that I’ve seen in the past. They’re usually going on for as far as I could see, this time there was a smaller group. It was one of the most peaceful and serene visions I’ve had. I felt this sense of belonging, this sense of being “at home”. 

John 4:14 - But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

I prayed and asked the Lord for clarification on this vision and what I believe was laid on my heart is this. There is a flow of the Holy Spirit, the Lord is pouring out on everyone. It’s easy to follow the “flow” of the mainstream Christianity. It’s easy to walk up to the trickling stream and take a drink. Just like it’s easy to open your Bible and get a scripture when you need a word. It’s easy to jump into the lake and take a swim. Just like it’s easy to go to church on Sundays, to put on your worship music during the week and listen to your podcasts. 

However, there becomes more and more resistance, as if you’re up against a waterfall, the deeper and closer you become to Christ as a disciple. The more you stand up for the truth of the word the more likely you’ll be to stand alone. The more toes you step on calling for repentance from sin, the more you speak on deliverance, the gifts of the spirit, and use your prayer language, the more resistance you will have from the forces of the enemy around you. The harder it will be to keep your focus, and the more effort you’ll be required to put in to move forward. The straighter and narrower the path will become.  

Those drinking from the stream on occasion, hear the loud call to “come” and look at the ones swimming in the lake and don’t see why they should bother. If all you need is a drink and a short bath, why bother getting submerged in the water. They look at those swimming in the lake and see the same anger, frustration, depression, anxiety, pain etc. playing out in the lives of these church going luke warm Christians and they think why bother. They don’t see the difference in their lives, their personalities, they don’t see Christ in them, so they don’t bother going deeper in Christ. They take their drink here or there when they need to and they go along their way. 

Those swimming in the lake, hear the quiet “come” and don’t understand why some are so eager to climb the falls. They’re comfortable from where they are, and they can’t see the point of putting in the effort to climb not knowing what will await them at the top or not knowing what will happen if they fall. They’re fine living secular lives, going to church on Sundays and drinking, watching pornography, committing adultery, coveting, being jealous, cussing, fighting, sewing discord, gossip and slander etc. all week long. They can repent again on Sunday. They live luke warm frustrated lives believing for a disciples blessing but living a sinners lifestyle 90% of the time. They remain in a state of worry, anxiety, fear, depression, anger, guilt, shame, frustration, stuck in cycles of sin, and don’t understand why their Lord that they call on Sunday mornings seems so far away, like they’re praying to the sky not getting any answers to their prayers. They feel the Lord has favorites not realizing that the Lord draws near those who draw near to Him spending time in his presence. 

James 4:8 - Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

Psalms 145:18 - The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Few will follow the still small voice crying “come” though the adversity, against the current, into the truth of the word and rest at the feet of the Lord. 

Hebrews 10:22 - Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Narrow is the gate. The Lord is calling you “come”. I can assure you, it’s worth what you lose from this secular world. In the end, when everything falls, when buildings burn, cars rust, clothing falls apart, electronics fail, money is worthless, your “friends” fall away, and the world is dark, there will be the King of Kings calling out “come.” 

Matthew 7:13-14

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Do not settle for a drink, do not settle for a swim, climb the falls and soak in the presence of the Lord in all His glory. The Lord is all invitational but He is not all inclusive!! 

Now we sitting at the feet of the Lord have our own responsibility. It’s easy to walk away from the secular world and those people of your past and to cling to new friendships, kingdom connections and others that have been called close to the Lord and have followed that call. I ask you though, what good does that do to those swimming or sipping from the stream? They look up and see the nothing past the crest of the falls. If we don’t put ourselves in places where they can see us, speak to us, and realize that the closeness we have with the Lord is just as obtainable to them as it is to us, then we fail as disciples of Christ. Don’t turn your back on the broken, on the struggling, on the people stuck in sin, just because you were strong enough to climb the falls and turn your life around. Don’t look down on them unless you’re looking down to grab their hands and pull them up. Be the example of an obtainable relationship with Christ. Don’t put yourself on a platform and talk down. Put yourself down there with them and help them up! 

Revelation 22

22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.