The year 2018 is coming up. What are the clues for
what we can expect in the new year?
First, the number 20 signifies expectancy or things to look
forward to. Jacob waited 20 years to get possession of his wives and
property. Israel waited 20 years for deliverance through
Samson. Solomon waited 20 years for the completion of two houses.
As for the 18 in 2018--
The Hebrew word for "life" has
a numerical value of 18.
In most countries, it is the "coming of age"--18
is the age of majority and also the voting age.
For me the word that comes to mind is maturity--spiritual
maturity.
Bill and I were talking about this not long ago, confirming
to each other that those who have been with us are maturing and do not need to
be taught basic principles again.
Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the
elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again
the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the
doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and
of eternal judgment.
What does coming of age mean to us? I have to take
another look at the visions I've had in the last couple of months to know where
we are going.
Greater light-spiritual discernment-elevation
I saw an elevated highway, and heard the words, "high
and lifted up." We need to set ourselves to be elevated in the
Spirit by continuing to seek genuine, intimate relationship with God through
Christ by the Spirit.
I also saw floodlights, which symbolized more light and
greater clarity.
And, a hot-air balloon. We need to go higher so we can
see more clearly.
Hebrews 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are
of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil.
I saw a man looking through a peephole in a door; then the
door opened allowing him to see the entire landscape.
In another vision I was climbing a rock mountain, and near
the top was a crack in the rock that allowed me to catch a glimpse of a
beautiful valley on the other side of the mountain.
This year will be a time of elevation; of going higher
spiritually. And, the higher we go the greater the light and spiritual
clarity.
Small Straws: I saw earth's atmosphere in
layers. Near the surface of the earth it was very dark, but every layer
above the earth was progressively lighter. And, the Lord said, "The
higher up you go, the more light is available so that when you get close to Me
it is all light with no darkness at all. Come up here!"
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am
the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have
the light of life."
Small Straws: I saw a very large door beginning to
open. The light coming in started as a small beam at first, but as the
door continued to open the light became magnificently bright and even
blinding. And, I heard the Lord say, "I am opening a door for you
that will bring increasingly greater light. It will reveal wisdom and
purpose the likes of which you have not seen until now. Walking in the
light will begin with revelation that comes from internal
work." Isaiah 2:5 ... come and let us walk in the light of the
Lord.
Greater discernment will require spiritual purity
Other visions:
I saw a beautiful little meadow high up on a
mountain. There was a waterfall splashing down into a pool of clear,
clean water.
And, someone was bathing in a stream of sparkling clear,
pure water. We are getting cleaned up through internal work.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they
shall see God.
Titus 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to
those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience
are defiled.
Destiny fulfilled or fulfilling of destiny in reaching a
destination
The idea of destiny fulfilled came in several visions:
First was something like a wheel moving clockwise on the
inside of a wheel moving counterclockwise. There were notches in the
wheels that needed to line up.
I also saw a roundabout on a street where you have to drive
in a circle to find the proper exit that would make a way to a particular
destination.
And, I saw gears that needed to be put in their proper
position in order for a machine to function as it should.
Finally, I saw someone opening a safe using a combination
lock-turning to numbers in perfect order before the door would open.
A combination lock is a type of locking device in
which a sequence of numbers or symbols is used to open the lock. The sequence
may be entered using a single rotating dial, which interacts with several discs
or cams, by using a set of several rotating discs with inscribed numerals
which directly interact with the locking mechanism, or through an electronic or
mechanical keypad.
I thought of two words precision and order in
all of these visions. We must be in our proper position before we
can move forward spiritually.
Small Straws: Your life experience contains many
moving parts, and those parts are coming into alignment to allow new
possibilities. The doors will open to present opportunities to accomplish
what has been beyond your scope of imagination. These are things that you
cannot foresee or predict, but you can
prepare and position yourself spiritually by faith to progress when the
time is right, says the Lord. Mark 1:3b Prepare the way of the Lord;
make His paths straight.
Small Straws: Be on the lookout for various elements
of your life to fall into place, and it will be right for you to make the
changes that you have considered. There is a time and a season when
everything lines up with My will and purposes for you, says the Lord.
That time is just ahead of you. Do not lose hope. Ecclesiastes
3:17b "For there is a time for every purpose and for every work."
Another vision I thought was interesting was one of watching
someone working on a stained glass project, probably a window. There was
lots of beautiful glass with various shaped pieces that would be used to make a
picture.
Many of us have been fragmented, and we will be working on
ourselves internally to put all the pieces together so that we are whole.
Season of Adjustment
Small Straws: The season of adjustment is upon you,
but you will have to mentally and emotionally let go of things that tie you to
the past before you can move forward in My purposes. If you will take
this step of faith you will come into a place of liberty and fulfillment that
you have not known before. Trust Me to bring you through this awkward
transition with great grace, says the Lord. All you have to do is be
willing and flexible.
2 Corinthians 12:9a And He said to me, "My grace
is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Mystery
Small Straws: As I waited on the Lord, I sensed
movement in the spirit realm. It was very strong and yet
mysterious. And, I heard the Lord say, "I am moving in ways that are
beyond anything that you have seen or understood. This work will affect
My people at a core level that is untapped and rarely accessed. Only
those who get quiet and exercise extreme discernment will be aware of what I am
now doing." Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I
will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Small Straws: My work in the lives of My people appear
to be mysterious at times. But, if you ask for wisdom with a
genuine desire to know, I will reveal My purposes to you in ways that you can
understand. Keep in mind that I want you to search for
truth as you would search for treasure.
And, to do that you must be willing to dig deep, says the Lord. Psalm
51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You
will make me to know wisdom.
Recap-these are the headlines for 2018:
Spiritual Maturity-a time to grow up into Him
Greater Light to see what God is doing in our lives
Elevation and clarity for more precise discernment
Cleansing and purity of the soul through internal work
Proper positioning in Spirit before we can progress
Personal and spiritual adjustment to bring precision and
order
Understanding the mysteries of God
Let there be LIGHT
