You will forgive me for foregoing my usual Sabbath greeting. Today I do not bring a Sabbath message of shalom (peace) but rather a prophetic warning. Three night ago, to to be exact, early in the morning just before sunrise, I saw a vision of Yah'shua (Jesus) on the cross in His death throes, moments before He died. And I saw the same vision twice, separated by an hour or two. I was looking down at the scene, slightly from above. It quite shocked me, as it was 'live', not a 'still' picture.

Then last night, around 11 pm, I was shown a vision of the sea. That in itself is not an unusual occurence but this time something strange was going on. This time there were all sorts of strange movements, currents going in multiple directions, as though something was being stirred up, something not good. And as you know, the sea usually represents humanity, prophetically-speaking:

"The waters that you saw, where the whore is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages" (Rev.17:15, NRSV).

There is a stirring-up going on. Of course we know that is happening right now in several places in the world, most prominent of which have been - and still are - Syria, Iraq, North Korea and the Ukraine - but I believe that this particular vision indicates something much more local. There is a massive disturbance underway and I suspect most people have no idea what is going on. One thing we know Satan wants to accomplish is accusation, mistrust and fear, for by means of these things he can stir up strife.

I have noticed in particular a spirit of provocation, and I don't just mean internationally. I have noticed it around me, strange behaviours. So I want you to be on your guard that you do not allow the Enemy in to disturb your shalom (peace) in Yah'shua our Messiah (Jesus Christ).

After this vision I was led directly to a vision and prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar. Let me read it to you:

"Cut down the tree and lop off its branches,
strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit.
Let the animals flee from beneath it
and the birds from its branches.
But leave its stump and roots in the ground,
with a band of iron and bronze,
in the tender grass of the field.
Let him be bathed in the dew of heaven,
and let his lot be with the animals of the field
in the grass of the earth.
Let his mind be changed from that of a human,
and let the mind of an animal be given to him.
And let seven times pass over him.
The sentence is rendered by decree of the Watchers,
the decision is given by order of the qadosh (holy, set-apart) ones,
in order that all who live may know
that El Elyon (the Most High) is Sovereign over the kingdom of mortals;
He gives it to whom He will
and sets over it the lowliest of human beings"
(Dan.4:14-17, NRSV).

As I read it, I became aware that though this was originally about King Nebuchaznezzzar, Yahweh was showing me what happens in very general terms to anyone who is lifted up in his or her pride about anything. In this 4th chapter in the Book of Daniel, the navi (prophet) interprets the monarch's vision. Since nothing happens for a year, Nebuchadnezzar doubtless forgets the prophecy. Not until one day when he is walking on the roof of his palace and starts boasting out aloud about his power and glory, is the king suddenly struck down and the prophecy goes into fulfilment. It is Yahweh Himself who pronounces judgment, without the aid of His navi (prophet) Daniel:

"O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: The kingdom had departed from you! You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that El Elyon has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals and gives it to whom He will" (Dan.4:32-32, NRSV).

I could say that something similar is about to happen to anyone in a leadership position in the Body of Messiah who is acting presumptuously in a position of authority. And it would be true. But - and this is something that was emphasised most emphatically to me as I read the text - this is about to happen to anyone and everyone who claims to be a Christian, Messianic or Believer who has not acted truthfully or honourably, who has presumed a station above what he or she has been given, and that this will be a major part of the Mishpatim Yahweh or Judgments of Yahweh, specifically on the Body itself!

There are some elements of this stripping that are most important to understand. The contrast given is between a monarch of great power and influence (Nebuchadnezzar) and a beast of the field. This is a huge fall. The elements, in Nebuchadnezzar's case, consisted of:

• 1. Being "driven away from human society" (v.32a, NRSV);
• 2. Of "dwelling...with the animals of the field" (v.32b, NRSV);
• 3. Of "eating grass like the oxen" (v,32c, NRSV); and
• 4. Of "seven times" passing over him until he has "learned that El Elyon (the Most High) has sovereignty over the kingdom ... and gives [power, authority and glory] to whom He will" (v.32d, NRSV).

Nebuchadnazzar, as we all know, was eventually restored to his former position of glory but this time with a renewed mind and a submitted heart, his soul being filled with worship and praise (vv.33-35). But in the interim he goes quite insane, and reports that after the alotted time "my reason returned to me" (v.36, NRSV).

Yahweh will often strip someone in a position of authority - from a parent to a monarch - to bring them into proper subjection. The message today is not so much, then, for those who are about to be judged, punished and permanently stripped of their former places, but those whom Yahweh means to restore.

I had to raise my eyebrows the other day when I read of one brother, in another ministry (whose conduct has been quite appalling over the years I have known him) come out and declare that he had been appointed leader of the Remnant and that he was the chosen one to lead the tribes back to Israel! He's not the only one to make such arrogant claims. Quite apart from the fact that no one in my generation will be leading the tribes to the Promised Land any time soon, I can tell you right now that Yahweh has not revealed who the Prince of Joseph will be who bears the weight of this responsibility. I am at once reminded of the many people I have known or heard of who believed they were one or the "two witnesses" who would prophesy in the streets of Jersualem, be martyred, and then three days later be raised from the dead (Rev.11:3). O the vanity of humankind!

Brethren and sisters, every tree in the Vineyard of El Elyon (a title, incidentally, commonly used by the patriarchs such as Abraham) is about to be cut down, has already been cut down, or is being cut down as I speak. I don't know how many times Yahweh has shown me visions of tress being cut down or being burned down over the years, I being one of those trees. There is not one leader of the Remnant who will not, or has already been, or is now being, cut down to size. Not one!

You will be shocked to see this happen. It will seem that ministries are wiped out overnight as leaders are 'reduced to the ranks'. The stripping is pretty drastic too. It's not just a cutting down of the the main trunk. The imagery is far more stark than that. Not only is the trunk cut down close to the ground, but all the branches are chopped off, the foliage stripped off and its fruit scattered (v.14). Nothing is left! And in addition to that, all the animals that sheltered on the ground under that tree, and all the birds that rested in its branches, flee!

By the time Yahweh is done, ministries and churches will be decimated, its followers will leave, the reputation of the leaders will be as nothing, and it will appear as though what Yahweh did will have come to naught. Has this not happened to us already? What happened to the thousands of members we used to have in NCAY? What has happened to our reputations? Has it not appeared as though all the fruit of our labour has come to nothing? If you look at the histiory of this ministry you will see that it has happened. Others have had similar experiences only they have tried to rebuild afterwards in their own strength and are boasting once again, having failed to learn their lesson the first time round. Not all will be restored, because they were not of the Remnant as they supposed, but many will be raised up once more after their thrashing.

It is recorded by the navi (prophet) Isaiah:

"Yahweh will rise up as he did at Mount Perazim,
He will rouse himself as in the Valley of Gibeon --
to do His work, His strange work,
and perform His task, his alien task"
(Isa.28:21, NIV).

Who knows, maybe He will throw us at NCAY down one more time! I cannot say, I do not know. What He wants - what He has always wanted - is right-mindedness, and by right-mindedness He is principally in search of humility. Recall what He had to do Moses over 40 years in Midian to make him right-minded. Of him it is written following his stripping:

"Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth" (Num.12:3, NIV).

Yahweh's 'man' - His Prince of Joseph of the latter-day Remnant - must be "more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth" and so much all the leaders of Messianic Israel be. There will be no tooting of horns. The purging that is now happening, and is about to happen, will strip bare every man and woman who presumes to rise above his or her station. Moses required 40 years, Nebuchadnezzar "seven periods of time" which many suppose was seven years, though nobody knows. What happened to his kingdom during that time, we are not told, but it was still there for him when he was ready to reassume his position of leadership. The same will doubtless be true of the Remnant leaders, if they repent.

Like I said, this stripping is for everyone, not just the leaders of the tribes but of every family, every father and mother, none will be excepted. Your followers will flee, and doubtless your children too. There will be consternation, but do not be dismayed and do not lose tiqveh (hope).

I have been long waiting for this day and not, I might add, without a little trepidation. Yahweh is Sovereign, not us, and whatever control we thought we had was an illusion. Rightly did Nebuchadnezzar declare:

"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the King of Heaven,
for all His works are emet (truth),
and all His ways are justice;
and He is able to bring low
those who walk in pride"
(Dan.4:37, NRSV)

So, my friends, I don't know what areas of your life are steered by pride, but be prepared for stripping and thrashing. Better, make teshuvah (repent) now. Do it of your own free will, peferably.

One last word in conclusion, and it's this: if you want to know what it is that is the major cause of pride, it is the failure to recognise and deal with IMPURITY. Here's how it starts:

• 1. First, purity tolerates impurity; then
• 2. Impurity takes control;
• 3. Once impurity has taken control, it starts calling purity sin and impurity righteousness.
• 4. Impurity, thus enthroned in the mind and heart:
  • a. Betrays the righteous;
  • b. Destroys holiness;
  • c. Crowns wickedness and will then - in order to cover itself -
  • d. Make impurity look like purity.

What, then, is purity? Whatever Yahweh's Torah says is purity. What is impurity? Whatever Yahweh's Torah says is impurity. Purity is never defined by what we think or feel purity is. Impurity is never defined by what we feel or think impurity is. That is why existentialism - which may be said to be a self- rather than a Yahweh-generated decision about what salvation and holiness is - is of the devil.

Our experiences are not what save - ever. What saves is emunah (faith) in what Yahweh has done, is doing and will do. The human heart is desperatelty wicked, the human mind corrupt and deceitful (Jer.17:9). Do not rely on them because they will lead you astray and into pride, the hallmark of the devil. Rely on Elohim (God).

May the Elohim (God) of all righteousness bless you and keep you in His reality, not your own, is my prayer in Yah'shua's (Jesus') Name. Amen.

Comments from Readers

[1] "Wow! Confirmation, thank you" (LC, Vietnam/Canda, 18 May 2017)