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Scripture reading: Revelation 11:3

Let us look at Brother Hicks’s vision from our previous devotional in more detail. The Scriptures declares that when a vision is repeated three times, it is a sure sign that it will surely come to pass. I believe this is the case with this vision of Brother Tommy Hicks.

  1. The vision begins with what I believe to be a past condition of the Body of Christ: lying in the dust, covered with the debris and myriads of demons. The body began to quiver and convulse, which is the first sign of awakening. This vision was given in July of 1961, and I believe that the body commenced its convulsions from somewhere around 1948.

You will note that there was first a trembling before the convulsions. The trembling began way back at Azusa Street in Los Angeles, somewhere around 1907. But in 1948, God anointed many ministries, and each one was given the opportunity of preaching the message of the Kingdom or whatever else was chosen. We saw men like William Branham, who is the first man I heard preach a word against the denominational system and make a clear call to humanity to turn from the Babylonish denominations to Christ as head of the Church. It was necessary for a man like Branham to make mistakes, or else men would worship him; therefore, we will not think about the mistakes or faults of these men, but let us think of the ministry which God brought to the Body.

Wigglesworth, Finney, Howe (The builder of Zion City, Chicago), Tommy Hicks, Jack Coe, A. A. Allen, Oral Roberts, Miller (Argentina), McPherson, Seymour—I could fill this page with names. These were genuine miracle workers who God used to bring not only the Church but the world to a new consciousness of His power.

  1. The right arm being lifted up—I am convinced that some of the people of God are His right arm in the earth. The right arm of the Body of Christ is being lifted up in our time, and I believe we will soon see it reaching up into the heavens. The thundering from heaven is the blowing of the Fifth Trumpet (or message), which calls humanity to total surrender to Christ, and the giving up of every other head which rivals the headship of Christ in our lives. This precedes the raising of the left hand, which speaks of the awakening of the people of God who did not catch the first vision, but will recognize the moving of God among one segment of the Body and will repent of their laxity.
  2. The pouring out of the Spirit of God upon this generation is imminent. There is absolutely no doubt that the revival of all revivals is about to break upon us. This great pouring out of the Spirit will bring to pass the rest of the prophecy of Joel, which Peter said commenced with Pentecost. It did not end with Pentecost, but it will end with TABERNACLES. “BEHOLD, GOD HAS TABERNACLED HIMSELF WITHIN MAN” (literal translation of Revelation 21:3).
  3. The pouring out of the liquid light upon the people of the Body is certified by the Word of God in Revelation 11:3, “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed in sackcloth.”

The two witnesses are the Spirit and the Word being manifested in human beings—the power of the living Christ Himself with the Firstfruits Company. These will move and walk in the Christ ministry for three and a half years. Even as Jesus Christ ministered in His flesh and blood body for three and a half years, so will the Church. What follows then in the vision is only a description of the Man Child ministry being caught up into the heavenlies, yet ministering here on earth, pushing back the forces of Satan.

  1. It is noteworthy that at one point, some of the brethren turned back from this anointing, because they had lost their positions of pastors, apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers; because the Body of Christ had risen up in maturity and was doing everything and more than these ministries did before.
  2. THE FINAL STAGE OF THIS VISION SAW THE RESURRECTION OF THE SAINTS, AND THEIR BEING CAUGHT UP TO THE THRONE OF GOD. IT IS TRUE THAT WE SHALL BE EXALTED TO THE HIGHEST HEAVENS, AND THAT WE SHALL REIGN AND RULE WITH HIM ON EARTH.

(Excerpt from The Omega Message, August 1989)

Thought for today: Behold, God has tabernacled himself within man.

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Scripture reading: Matthew 25:6

By Tommy Hicks

On the morning of July 25, 1961, at 2:30 a.m., I received a vision from the Lord that has entirely revolutionized my whole life and ministry. It seemed as though I had hardly gone to sleep when this vision came before me—not once, but three times. Oh, wonder of wonders, when on July 27 this vision appeared again. In each instance, the details were identical.

Suddenly in the vision, I was standing with the full view of the whole world before me. From out of the heavens came great thundering and lightning. Accompanied with this phenomenon came a voice, a great voice—for it was the voice of God.

My face was turned to the north. With a great flash of lightning covering the entire earth, I looked down and beheld a massive form that appeared like a huge giant. Its feet reached to the North Pole, and its head to the South Pole. The arms spread from sea to sea. Again with another great flash, I saw that this giant was alive, but struggling for life. I said, “Oh, Lord, what does this mean?”

The giant was covered with debris and fettered. The giant started to quiver and struggle convulsively. At each convulsion, thousands of strange little creatures would withdraw from him, and when he was quiet they would return. I was definitely made to know what these creatures were. They were instruments that bound the Body of Christ through the ages.

Suddenly, the hand of the giant came up, and with that came a loud voice like a roar of thunder from heaven. Then his left hand was raised, and both his hands extended into the very heavens, and then he began to rise slowly and cleanse the debris from his body. While one foot was in the sea, the other was on the earth.

Presently, the sky was filled with dark clouds, which turned to silver, from which came liquid drops of light and power on the form of the giant. The giant dissolved, and in his place I saw millions of people. A voice so clear and vibrant said plainly, “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.”

From the clouds came great drops like liquid light. The majestic heavenly substance made everyone it touched lose his identity, and their identification was Jesus. I SAW NO BARRIERS, NO DENOMINATIONS, NO SECTS; BUT THE TRANSCENDANT GLORY OF HEAVEN THAT RESTED UPON THESE PEOPLE COMPELLED THEM TO LIFT THEIR HANDS IN PRAISE AND ADORATION.

I watched to see who this company was worshipping. At that point, I saw a great white figure come out of the clouds, pointing His finger to one and then another. It seemed that He was giving directions, for as He would point, they would go—some to the east and some to the west. I could see them go in all directions.  They marched through deserts, forests, and jungles. I saw these people pass through the fire unburned, cross rivers as though there was no water there, cross oceans with ease, escape persecution as though a hand transported them from their surroundings.

In spite of wild beasts roaring, being attacked by men with swords and weapons of war, nothing seemed to hinder them. They moved over mountains, and down through valleys. They moved like the hart skipping upon the hills. Their faces shone with the countenance of victors—they were conquerors.

I hesitate to tell this part of the vision because it was with great trembling that I received this portion of the revelation. Again, there was the pouring out from His hand what I call “liquid power.” As soon as it would touch the person, that person would have his hand bathed and dripping with the same heavenly substance. Upon receiving this anointing, they would walk into hospitals, through the streets, into the institutions, and on and on—marching throughout the length and breadth of the land. I could hear them saying, “According to my word, be thou made whole.” As the liquid power flowed from their hands, each one they touched was instantly healed and made whole.

I saw people transported in the Spirit from nation to nation. I saw them going to Siberia, to Africa, to Canada, and to the ends of the earth. I saw them literally lifted up and placed by the Spirit in the respective countries.

Then I heard a voice that was low and beautiful, “My little children, I have given unto you My treasures. You are Mine. I have loved you with an everlasting love. Now My power shall be in you. The gifts that I have given unto you shall be made manifest to a lost and dying world. I am going to restore to you all.”

These people arose in the power of this great commission. I saw them cross oceans, go through fire, face persecutions, and be lifted by the Spirit and transported to many places. They were being placed where God wanted them. They were being put in places where God was going to visit His people. They were prepared and already equipped.

I realized that this whole panorama was the demonstration of the Kingdom of God through those who follow Him. I continued to see a stream of people marching—blind eyes opened, deaf ears unstopped—literally millions receiving of the power of this great manifestation. It seemed so “fluid” in its operation. There was no exaltation of a man. These simple words were constantly repeated, “ACCORDING TO MY WORD, BE THOU MADE WHOLE.”

As I watched, it seemed as though days formed into weeks, until months and years seemed to slip away—and in the midst of those who received the fullness of God’s visitation, there were also those who withdrew. I could see the anguish of their faces. The price was too steep—retaining of identification meant too much to them. They refused to march and eventually slumped away. The price was more than they could bear. THEY EVENTUALLY SLIPPED OUT INTO THE DARKNESS OF THE NIGHT.

To speak of the following instances leaves me weak with the glory and the power of the tremendous finale.

The days, months, and years seemed to slip by as I beheld this celestial scene. Nevertheless, it all happened in a short time—possibly just a few seconds—who can tell? No tongue could adequately tell the glory and splendor of the formation of this angelic host. In a moment, just a twinkling of an eye, the graves of the saints had become as a plowed field and gave up their dead, and saints from all ages (from the mountains, the deserts, and from every imaginable place) rose in power and majesty to be absorbed into the great giant.

No debris covered this great being now—it was clothed in heaven’s majesty, with glorious shining garments so brilliant that it would make a million diamonds look dull.

I heard again, as it were, a great thunder. From the heavens above poured forth the vial of wrath. It seemed that the wrath and justice of God was wrung out: drops of unspeakable anguish and suffering. The Christ-rejecting peoples of the earth had their cup filled.

Once again, my attention was drawn to this glorious body as I heard again the voice, even as thunder crying, “BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH. GO YE OUT TO MEET HIM, for He is the Lord of Glory. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the king of Glory shall come in.” Then as though The Great Maestro of heaven had given the sign, a mighty volume of harmonies; heaven’s harmonies pealed forth like music borne on the wings of a heavenly dove. The music was clear, vibrant, rich, and resonant. It was heaven’s music—the song of souls set free. They were singing a new song, and what I thought to be added accompaniment, now became clearer, stronger. It was the voice of the Bride: many voices, but one voice singing the Song of Moses and the Lamb.

As I listened, I suddenly became weak, and yet, even the weakness was my strength, for I had been in the presence of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. I was filled with an unspeakable urge of the Spirit to go tell all nations and press the battle to the front line trenches of a lost and dying world.

Folks, the Kingdom is here. The very power and Spirit of the Kingdom of God so possessed me. I knew it was the revelation of the King in all His kingly authority. I could see that the Lord was showing me that the Kingdom of God was coming into view. This was the revelation of the Kingdom of God coming to man.

The very spirit and power of that Kingdom so gripped me, I felt like one caught away to the third heaven. Daniel saw the everlasting Kingdom. No power in the world will be able to destroy this Kingdom. Once again, I saw the body now being lifted into the heavens. At this point, I awoke. The vision repeated in the same manner three times again. Each time, it was perfect in detail. From that moment to this, these words have rung through my soul: “HE’S COMING SOON! HE’S COMING!”

(Excerpt from The Omega Message, August 1989)

Thought for today: HE IS COMING SOON!

Dreams and Visions

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Scripture reading: Joel 2:28-32

Visions and dreams are common in and out of the Church, and there is no one issue more controversial among us than the issue of dreams and visions. Most of us will accept the fact that other people do have dreams and visions from the wrong sources, but it is difficult to get anyone to believe that his or her dream or vision is from the wrong source. Nevertheless, as the Church matures, many of us are beginning to look objectively upon our own dreams and visions, and it would be well that we follow the golden rule of dreams and visions: NEVER INTERPRET YOUR OWN.

The Scripture is very explicit in its instructions concerning dreams and visions. They are rated as a part of prophecy, and the prophets of old frequently spoke the Word of God from dreams and visions. However, evil workers equally prophesy from dreams and visions. It is therefore necessary that someone anointed of the Lord interpret our dreams and visions, and that when this is done, if we also have the Spirit of the Lord with us, then we should feel a satisfaction from within that we have heard the Word of the Lord.

Let us look at some of the more famous scriptural dreams.

JOSEPH: In Genesis 37, we read that Joseph had two dreams, which had one and the same meaning. He was binding sheaves, and his brothers’ eleven sheaves bowed down to his. In the second dream, the sun, the moon and eleven stars bowed down to him. Jacob, his father, interpreted the dreams rather indignantly, that he and Joseph’s mother and his brothers were going to bow down to him. His brothers took action against him, and sold him as a slave. The dream, however, came to pass when Joseph became ruler of Egypt, next to Pharaoh; after he had interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and saved Egypt and the surrounding countries from starvation during the seven years of drought.

DANIEL: Daniel 2 shows that Daniel not only interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, but he also told him what the dream was.

PAUL: In a vision, Paul saw a man of Macedonia saying, “Come over and help us,” which turned out to be correct.

JOEL: In Joel 2, the prophet Joel, speaking of the people of the end time, said, “…your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” This was equated with the pouring out of the Spirit of God upon the people. In Acts 2, Peter made reference to this prophecy of Joel that it was then coming to pass as prophesied; but certain parts of the prophecy were not fulfilled (“…blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke”), which means that they are yet to come to pass.

We have already learned in previous writings that dreams and visions come from three sources: (1) God, (2) the devil, and (3) the human mind. Therefore, it is for the Church to judge where a particular vision is coming from, and to whom it speaks, and for what time it is applicable.

In our next devotional we will look at a vision from a man named Tommy Hicks. This man was one of the anointed servants of God, who was mightily used of God in the United States and in Russia. His vision is particularly pertinent at this time, because we are so close to the implementation of certain facets of it by God. We will, therefore, look very closely, first at the vision, and then at the details which are coming to pass at this time.

(Excerpt from The Omega Message, August 1989)

Thought for today: Many of us are beginning to look objectively upon our own dreams and visions and following the golden rule of dreams and visions: NEVER INTERPRET YOUR OWN.

This message entitled “The Kingdoms of This World” was given by Brother Cecil duCille in July 1973.

For more audio messages please visit Audio Messages – Foundational Teachings.

Grace

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By Mavis duCille

Scripture reading: Hebrews 4:15-16

(February 1986)

Grace is undeserved favor – God to man.

Enoch found grace with God – he walked with God, and God took him as He desired.

Moses found grace with God – he talked to God face to face and lived; he received the ten commandments written by the finger of God; he led a miraculous life from Egypt to Canaan; died and was taken away by angels, and did not see corruption.

Elijah, the prophet, found grace with God – he lived a life of power and spiritual authority; was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire.

Jesus Christ, our great benefactor, the very author of grace, with all the faculties of God fully developed in Him, showed us what it meant for man to live by the grace of God. He was the embodiment of grace, peace and love. In Him, we beheld the glory of God. He is the grace of God.

God dealt with the patriarchs individually according to His promises. He dealt with Israel, His choice as a nation, under the law, according to His promises. The prophets stressed repentance in their prophetic writings, and encouraged Israel to take advantage of the GRACE which God always makes available to man. They stressed repentance as an inward work which renews the heart, as a gift of God’s Grace.

God’s Grace envelops mercy, lovingkindness, goodness and forgiveness. His AMAZING GRACE includes the Divine Power to equip man to live above his fallen state, thus fulfilling the mission of Jesus Christ. He came to seek and to save that which was lost.

God, therefore, exonerates Himself from blame, because GRACE is His free gift to everyone. Accept it and you have life; reject it and you are lost. Grace is from the beginning to the end of our salvation. Justification is through grace. When one comes to Jesus in repentance, God in His grace treats him, the guilty one, as if he had never sinned. Here FAITH, which is also a gift of God, is exercised to accept this forgiveness “not of yourselves,” Ephesians 2:8, but the will of God. Ephesians 1:13 speaks of Consecration and Baptism as the next step in grace – a provision for the conquest of sin in the believer’s life. It is, therefore, necessary that one must be at an AGE and STAGE to recognize sin.

NO GRACE, NO GOSPEL: Every step in the Christian life is due to GRACE. Romans 8:28-30 shows there is a calling, a justification, and a glorification, with a responsibility in between; obedience being the moral attitude.

Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the THRONE OF GRACE, that we may obtain MERCY, and find GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED.”

So many times, we Christians fail so miserably with our loved ones and the world in general, forgetting that the whole creation groans and travails, waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. Before the world can have that witness, we, the people of God, must overcome the nature within us that is contrary to HIS DIVINE NATURE.

There is a work to be done in the soul – the mind, the emotions, the will and the desires (this is man) – by daily exercise, which necessitates getting to the throne of grace – i.e. forgive, that you might be FORGIVEN.

The trouble with many Christians is that sin does not appear EXCEEDINGLY SINFUL. The Holy Spirit has not been allowed to permeate the soul to do the purifying work to which the heart and conscience bears witness. They always seem to be either excusing themselves or accusing one another; therefore manifesting anger, malice, strife, wantonness, love of pleasure, divisiveness, cunningness, impatience, bitterness, selfishness, ego (which exalts self almost or altogether above God), fear, contention, pride, etc. – fruits of the flesh in general. All these are enmity against God, having one’s personality organized in the wrong direction.

Because the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, God makes provision for man in mercy and grace – that we might find the grace needed for the situations of each day.

It matters not how much one prophesies, preaches, imparts healing, teaches or is involved in any church activity; one needs to find GRACE to help when accused, robbed, beaten, reviled, cursed or caused pain or grief. The believer does not draw from the abundance of words in one’s own vocabulary or from one’s own strength, but rather from the abundance of GRACE from the THRONE OF GRACE. This will glorify God and produce much overcoming strength.

Matthew 5:21-28 shows that under grace, anger is equated with murder, and a wrong look is equated with adultery.

To stand on one’s pride and depend on and use one’s strength is frustrating the GRACE OF GOD, whereby we are S-A-V-E-D – saved from having been born in sin and shaped in iniquity – being saved from our own self nature – being saved from corruption to incorruption, and from mortal to immortal.

(Excerpt from Nuggets for the Needy, pg. 107-109)

Thought for today: It matters not how much one prophesies, preaches, imparts healing, teaches or is involved in any church activity; one needs to find GRACE to help when accused, robbed, beaten, reviled, cursed or caused pain or grief.