What Heaven is Saying Today
Shabbat Shalom!
This morning I moved through something like a cloud of a sweet – somewhat spicy smelling presence all along the walkway into the worship room. During the time of the Aaronic Blessing, I saw an open heaven and the glorified Lord Jesus was standing in the opening looking down toward earth. He reached out His hands to bless His people, but many did not receive it because a dark cloud of deception had blocked their vision.
Then I watched as an angel came forth and stood behind a man. The angel had a measuring tape like the ones used in the garment industry and he was measuring the man. He was not measuring the man’s physical body but his spiritual readiness. In the back ground, I saw many more angels going forth to measure others. The angel made no comment at that time, but moved to the man’s garage and measured the readiness of his automobile. It didn’t measure up. So, the Lord provided another one, but the man didn’t seem to notice. So, he didn’t receive what the Lord had given. Next the angel went into the pantry and measured the provisions which were extremely sparse. Finally, the angel went to the refrigerator, opened the door, and saw that it was almost empty.
I thought about Zechariah 1:10, “And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.” Then I heard the Lord say, “This is a time of measuring your readiness for the coming of the day of the Lord!” I remembered that at sundown tomorrow Yom Turuah (Feast of Trumpets) begins. We are almost through the days of preparation and the time for examining ourselves to see if we measure up to the Lord’s calling. I wondered, “How are we doing?”
Then I saw the angels beginning to return to the Lord. I heard one angel say, “I couldn’t find even one who was ready! I didn’t see anyone who was watching and waiting in preparedness!” One by one the other angels reported in to the Lord with the same assessment. I was in awe. Surely the angels found some of us ready. I took comfort in the knowledge that I had not heard the report of all the angels. I asked myself, “How am I doing?” Have you asked yourself about your readiness? How are you doing? My spirit was led by the Spirit to 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”
I cried out to the Lord, “Lord sent out a warning!” The Lord answered and said, “No! I have already done that! I spoke it over and over while I was with you! It is clearly written in the Word, and I have already warned that I will come when you least expect it!” My heart was not at ease with this answer. I know that I have some responsibility in this area. I am responsible for me and my family. I am responsible for those the Lord has given for me to minister to! I want to shout again the alarm. “Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sound the alarm! The day of the Lord is at hand! Get ready and stay ready!”
This morning, before I received this message from the Lord, I asked Him to burn out every last root of bitterness – no matter how small – from my mind. I prayed for Him to remover every last remnant of un-forgiveness from my soul. I prayed for Him to burn out every inclination toward strife and to help me reconcile every relationship. Time is short! We need to be ready, watching, and waiting on our Lord! We need to be ready at all times! This isn’t easy! There is a price to pay! Am I willing to pay the price to be ready? Are you? If you could see the angels coming to measure you and the other people given to your care, would you be confident in what the angels would find?
I pray that we will use all our remaining time to do whatever it takes to please the Lord. I want to do that now instead of discovering my shortcomings as I stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Remember what Paul said in Romans 14:10-13, “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.“ Amen!
As I returned to my office to send out this word from heaven, that same sweet fragrance followed me all the way. It seemed to be growing in intensity. We are in a time of sweet mercy and the fragrance of the presence of our Lord. We must take advantage of this moment and find ways to please Him. Amen?
James
Pastor James Durham
Higher Calling Ministries, Intl
P.O. Box 292335
Columbia, SC 29229-0335
Jesus is the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords!
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