Last week I received a vision for a particular nation, and although I knew that it was specifically for that nation, I also felt it was a clear message for the whole Church.
What is the Vision I Had for the Church?
I came out of a deep sleep and heard, “He among you without sin cast the first stone.”
Immediately I was taken to a scene that resembled the story in John chapter 8 of the woman caught in adultery. I saw four men with stones in their hands, and upon each stone a single word was written. The first stone had the word OFFENSE, the second stone had LAW, the third stone JUDGEMENT, and on the fourth stone was written SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Photo via Pixabay)
Again I heard the words, “He among you without sin cast the first stone.”
When these words were spoken the atmosphere changed from a sense of accusation, anger, and judgment to one of humility and compassion. Unlike the story in John 8, where the men dropped the stones and walked away, these four men dropped their stones and went to embrace the one caught in sin. I could not see if this person was a man or a woman, but the four men surrounded and embraced this individual who – just moments before – they had felt justified in stoning.
As they encircled the one caught in sin, all of them were suddenly transformed into one person. It was a young boy whom I knew was like a young King David. Then the Lord handed this “young David” a new smooth stone, and upon that stone His name was written.
Jesus spoke as He handed him the stone saying, “While you were busy judging another, a giant has moved into the land who seeks to destroy My people. His name is Goliath. Now go in My name and slay this enemy.”
A Line in the Sand
This vision was very profound and spoke to me of a mindset that has distracted some within the Church, allowing the Accuser of the Brethren to gain a foothold in their hearts. God is asking His people to put the stones of offense, law (letter of the law), judgment, and self-righteousness down. We have all sinned and fallen short of His glorious standards, but in the Lord’s merciful grace He has embraced us, forgiven us, and restored us to Himself.
I believe God is saying that the enemy has created distractions through accusation that has caused divisions. These distractions have given the enemy time and space to move upon the land, seeking to change times and seasons similar to what we read of in the Book of Daniel:
“He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time” (Daniel 7:25 NKJV).
In God’s great mercy He is calling to the Church, “He among you without sin cast the first stone.” This is God’s line in the sand. This is His call to repentance. He is calling His Church to a posture of humility. He is calling for us to drop our stones and restore those who have been caught in sin. This is a call to lay down offenses, to give grace, to walk in humility rather than judgment, and to recognize that there is one Judge and that there is no righteousness apart from the righteousness of Christ. In God’s kindness, He is calling His Church to align with His heart as spoken in Romans 2:4:
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
