Just at that time the Lord gave me a vision. It was so clear, it was as if some one had projected the vision on a screen. I saw a monstrous man lying on his back on the earth. He was not dead as I could see him move slightly. Perched near his left side, I observed a huge eagle. This eagle was eating at the very heart of the man. I could see that with his claws he was pulling the flesh away and with his beak he would tear the flesh and devour it like any vulture eating his prey. Then I saw other birds, such as magpies and crows who would in turn land on the body and snatch a piece of flesh here and there and would fly away. I was at a complete loss to know what the vision meant. I did not understand at the time the spiritual significance of the vision because I had not seen the truth in the Bible about the perfect man spoken of in Ephesians 4:13 which is the Body of Christ. Finally I inquired of the Lord the meaning of what I was viewing. To my astonishment I heard the voice of the Lord say in a sympathetic tone, "This is my Body, the Church." Then as if the Lord pulled back the curtain of obscurity from my mind, I saw not only the vision that I beheld before me, but the true condition of the Church. I knew that the eagle was none other than the devil himself eating away at the heart of the church. You will agree with me that the heart of the church is its unity. United we stand but divided we fall.
My mind was as clear as can be. I thought of the thirty-three different groups of Pentecost and each one shouting he is right. I thought of the many groups of Baptists, of Lutherans and others too numerous to mention here, with new groups being incorporated almost everyday. Anyone knows this is not the will of God. God showed me that clearly. I thought of the lack of missionary vision in America with all her fine church buildings and wealthy denominations while the lost heathen are perishing with no one to tell them. I have never belittled any effort being made but God showed me how little was being done compared to what could be done if all would pool their resources and manpower. I thought of our powerlessness to deliver the oppressed, to heal the sick, to cast out devils, I had seen many times that these even in our largest conventions went home just as they came, in spite of the fact that the presbyters were there. These thoughts were passing through my mind.
God was showing me in this vision what was wrong--for something was radically wrong. To my mind the greatest lack in the church is unity.
Then the Lord let me see the many other conditions; the pride, hypocrisy, jealousy, greed, hatred and all the lusts of the flesh. It was a picture similar to what the prophet described concerning Israel, full of putrefying sores from head to foot. Only the Spirit of God could cause me to see and realize this pitiful condition. I never dreamed that the church could be in such a state. As I meditated on these things, my heart became burdened. All the while this was happening, I was still looking at the vision. The burden grew stronger and I found myself weeping and praying. Spiritual intercession came upon me from God. I had read in Romans 8:26 that the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. This was happening to me. It was an experience that I shall never forget. It was as if I were listening to myself as the Spirit prayed through me on behalf of the awful condition of the church. Over and over again the Spirit would pray, "Oh, that my people were one. It was in keeping with our Lord's Prayer, for surely God makes no mistakes. I have heard about travail upon a woman with child. I was experiencing what a ministry of soul travail was like. I have realized since that the intercession I was going through should be the burden of the whole church joining in with the prayer of Jesus that they may be one.
This must have lasted for over an hour, when suddenly, as if someone put another slide in the projector, the vision changed. I saw this same monstrous man standing erect on his feet as God was now showing me the second part of the vision, of what the church would be like when He finished His work of grace in her. As I looked at the vision, I was surprised to see not only the man standing on his feet, but there was no sign of the eagle or any of the other fowl. When the church comes to her own in united strength, and is filled with the mighty power of God and the gifts of the Spirit are in operation, I can well imagine there would be no devil or his imps around. They would all depart because of the power of God. I shall refer to this later.
I saw this large man in the peak of condition. One would think of the mighty Atlas, the muscle building man that you read about in magazines. The muscles stood out on his arms and chest and legs. He looked so full of life and vitality. I could see that he was impatient and anxious to do something. He would move his head sideways as if listening for someone to give him marching orders. I thought of the Scriptures, there came a voice from behind me saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." (Ish. 30:21) God shall speak to His army. (Joel 2:11) To my amazement this huge man began to walk across the earth with great strides. He seemed to be sure of every step he took. I now became so excited, I was determined not to miss a thing. I saw the man heading for a clump of trees which I assumed he would detour. Let me digress a little. Too often that is exactly what we do. When some crisis comes up in the church, someone is taken with cancer, or someone has had a nervous breakdown or some other very serious thing, we often go around the bush and avoid the situation by saying, "Maybe we had better consult the physician." Or perhaps we rush the individual to the institution rather than calling a prayer meeting or a fast. We should be able to pray the prayer of deliverance and set the captive free, but too often we lack the power of God and so avoid the situation. Not so with this man, he went straight forward into the trees, and as I looked, I could see the trees falling in every direction. Some were torn up by the roots. He did not slacken his pace at all but went through like a mighty bulldozer.
By now I was beginning to realize that God was going to have a victorious church. The real meaning of the vision began to dawn upon me. I heard the voice of the Lord again. It was as if He leaned over the canopy of heaven. He said the identical words that I heard Him say in the first part of the vision when I saw the man lying on his back. But this time here was a militant tone in His voice, "This is my Body, the Church." At that moment, the intercession ceased and there sprang up in my soul a song of praise. I knew now that God was going to have a glorious church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. (Eph. 5:27) That is why Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Math. 16:18)
The true rendering for this passage is not what many suppose. In the original it means that we shall make war on the gates of hell, and they shall not prevail against us. The vision was a true one and it is being fulfilled before our very eyes. There has been an awakening in the church. God's people are in many places flowing together and working together as they have never done before. Our greatest campaigns today are the ones where God's people pray together, work together and rejoice together. Billy Graham's campaigns, Oral Robert's, and many others are proof of this.
At the conclusion of the vision, God spoke to me once more. You will remember that I related to you already something of my concern over the many details involving God's people coming together. God knew that I needed something more. Worrying about details has never gotten anyone anywhere yet. Have any of us been able to settle all the details? The final word the Lord gave me was "obey me and please leave me the details." Obedience is the principal thing. Our obedience to the known will of God is the thing that will do more regarding the details than anything else. It is not mine to question or be fearful, but to obey. God will bring His people together some way or other. It will be done largely by the operation of the Spirit of God. It may be necessary for God to send a great wave of persecution. There is a stirring visitation today that is challenging every child of God.
One cannot help but think of Ezekiel's valley of dry bones. It is applicable to the Church as well as to Israel, for Paul states, "Now all these things happened unto them for example, and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come." (I Cor. 10:11) The conditions that existed in Ezekiel's time concerning Israel are similar to those of today. In his vision he was placed in a valley of dry bones. There were bones scattered in the open valley and very dry. If we were to hear an honest confession from the church of Christ as a whole, it would say, "We are scattered in the open valley and are very dry." It happened to us like in Israel.
When we failed to possess the land through unbelief and disobedience we naturally wandered like Israel did in the wilderness. When the Lord asks us this question, "Can these bones live?", we sometimes answer like Ezekiel did, "0 Lord, thou knowest."
Do you recall what the Lord told Ezekiel to do? He said, "Prophesy unto these bones." We see this very thing enacted today. Prophecy is playing a very important part in this latter day outpouring and is it not true that God has said in the last days He would pour out His spirit and our sons and daughters would prophesy? (Joel 2:28)
Is it not significant and convincing in view of the fact that we hear a great deal of prophecy that we are living in the very day of God's visitation? Ezekiel prophesied and he told them what God would do, that He would cause breath to enter them, sinews, flesh and skin to grow upon them, and they would know that it was the Lord.
Ezekiel obeyed, and like what is transpiring today, there was a noise. There is a great noise, pro and con today, but that is to be expected. There was a great shaking and today there is a great shaking. God is going to shake all Christendom, "Whose voice then shook the earth?" Now He has promised saying, "Yet once more I shake, not the earth only, but also heaven." This word once more signifies the removal of those things that are made that those things that cannot be shaken may remain. So this is to be expected. Yes, a noise and a shaking, and the bones are coming together, bone to His bone.
Ezekiel was commanded to prophesy to the winds, which he did, "0 breath, breathe upon these slain." Life came into them and they stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army. This dovetails into the vision related before--a great man standing on his feet and then walking through the earth. This will happen in like manner with the Church.
God is mustering a mighty army for a great final spiritual offensive in the earth. The Church of Jesus will be one army in Spirit, Faith and Knowledge. Baptized with a baptism of love, anointed as was David to do battle against the forces of evil. She shall be equipped with all the power necessary. She shall be a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. This Body will have all of the faculties or gifts of the Spirit to do battle.
Therefore, we are in the process of preparation. There is a noise and a shaking. Walls of every description are falling before the shout and singing of God's people. They are being made one. Thus the prayer of Jesus is being answered and the prayers of God's people of many years. The time has arrived and we shall be joined bone to His bone.
I feel constrained to add, but not deal fully with the fact that the Body of Christ will have spiritual faculties or gifts. The nine gifts of the Spirit, spoken of in I Cor. 12:8 will be restored. This Body of Christ of which every blood-bought Christian is a member, will have the power to know supernaturally by the gifts of "the word of wisdom." The word of knowledge and the discerning of spirits. We will have the power to act supernaturally by the gift of faith, healings and miracles. It will have the power to speak supernaturally by the gift of prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. The Church will see the need of the hour and will also have the ability and authority to meet every need and cope with every situation. We are in the process now when God is bringing together the members of His Body and indicating where they belong. This is being done largely by Prophecy and the Laying on of Hands of the Presbytery. This is essentially a part of this latter day outpouring as it was a part of the early church. (Acts 13:1-3, I Tim. 4:14) Every Christian who will humble himself in fasting and prayer, will know his place in Christ's Body. It may be He will place you in the feet to evangelize, or in the hands to do things for God. Wherever it may be, God has a ministry and a gift of the Spirit for everyone. (I Cor. 12:11)
All of these things will come into view more as the Body continues to come together. The Word says that "He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:27)