The Prophetic Ministry

Ship of State

 

A Nation in Peril

"Do not scoff at those who prophesy."

I Thessalonians 5:20

 

Sometimes, there are dreams and visions where the Lord pulls back the curtain of time and occasionally gives us a peek at what may be ahead. The following is one such dream and is believed to be inspired.  It was given to my wife, Connie, a few years ago and the symbolism found in the dream is believed to be referring to our country’s future. Because much of prophecy is conditional, our nation’s course of direction and destiny can surely be turned around for the good if we have a widespread revival and turning back to the Lord.

Keeping this real life story in mind, as you read the following dream, may each person prayerfully decide for themselves just what the Lord is very possibly saying to this “Ship of State” which we call the United States of America.

 

The Dream

Early one morning, right before waking up, I had a dream. In this dream, Bruce and I were standing on the top deck of a large Naval War Ship. The Captain of this ship called both of us over to him so He could speak to us privately. He said he wanted to show us something important. He then led us over to a side wall, where a very large, computerized, flat screen was mounted. It looked like a command center and resembled a gigantic flat screen television, only much more advanced. The Captain of this ship then told me to touch the screen with my hand and scroll through the pictures; moving them backward or forward with my finger. 

What Do You See?

When I started scrolling the pictures backward, I saw familiar pictures of our country’s history. When I scrolled forward, the screen began displaying images of the future. When I realized this, I stopped scrolling and began staring at the picture that was presently on the screen. The Captain then asked, “What do you see?” It was obvious that the image on the screen was a GIGANTIC SHIP; one that may have once housed what looked like cities full of people. This huge ship had a modern architecture which towered many stories high. Its height looked as though it was built to reach the sky and its length seemingly extended as far as the eye could see.

Docked and Damaged

Then, the scene in my dream suddenly changed. We were now actually looking over our ship’s banister and literally seeing this other massive vessel up close and personal. We were no longer viewing it as an image on a computer screen, but were actually seeing it live, right before our very eyes. With this much more clear and detailed view, I noticed that this gigantic ship we were seeing had somehow been severely crippled. 

In this dream, I could also tell that this massive vessel was actually docked in a shipyard while undergoing extensive repairs due to the damage it obviously had as a result of some kind of catastrophe. I noticed that something had even blown off several of this ship’s upper levels and ripped away much of its outer covering. Actually, all that was left was the frame work of this massive, once stately, superstructure. 

While I had no idea what caused the extensive damage to this ship, in my mind, it appeared as though it had been through some kind of hurricane level super-storm. I just wasn’t sure. However, I could clearly see that while severely crippled, the steel hull, or foundation, which was strongly constructed, was still firmly intact and did not appear to be damaged. Realizing this, I knew that this once mighty vessel still had at least the potential to sail once again. 

Damaged/ Not Destroyed

As my eyes continued to scan over this amazing sight, I made these final observations and conclusions. Although this once stately ship had suffered much damage and was seemingly stripped naked and brought low, it was none-the-less still afloat and standing; perhaps just not as tall and proud looking as it once was. 

After taking all of this in, I turned to the Captain of the ship with my answer to his question, “What do you see?” When I began to give my answer, what came out of my mouth was not what I had planned to say. To my surprise, I told the captain: “What I see looks like an Act of War.” My dream then ended and when I woke up, it was as if He (the Captain) had affirmed my answer.  

The Dream's Meaning

Realizing that dreams are oftentimes metaphors containing a deeper meaning and need to be interpreted, I prayed, asking the Lord what this gigantic battle worn and tattered ship in my dream represented. I wondered whether it represented the Church or our Country. The Lord seemed to impress upon me that He would tell me later. As it would happen, later that morning when describing to Bruce what I had seen in my dream, his immediate response were the words “Ship of State” referring to (Our Nation).  The term Ship of State actually refers to a nation or its affairs likened to a ship under sail. 

Rough Seas Ahead

After pondering this intriguing dream and conferring with godly individuals, we have come to believe that the "ship" in this dream represented our nation, but we understand scripturally how it could easily be seen as the Church as well; for as the Church goes, so goes the Nation. 

As for the “Act of War” statement, it could refer to anything from military wars, to cyber-wars, to economic trade wars. However, I base the meaning of this statement from several previous prophetic dreams, which revealed a future “currency warfare” that would result in our country experiencing hyperinflation. 

 

Call to Prayer
Regardless of any interpretation, as believers, our hearts should continually be stirred with an even greater urgency to pray that America, through all of its rough and troubled waters ahead, can and will truly be restored to the plan and purposes of our God.  Let it be Lord!  Let it be! 
 

Excerpt from:  

Heavenly Dreams and Visions: God's"LAST DAYS" Promise     

by Bruce and Connie VYVERBERG

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Heavenly Dreams and Visions

 God’s “LAST DAY’S” Promise”

by Bruce and Connie Vyverberg

Jesus once told a story in Luke 16 about a certain rich man who died and went to hell.  Being in severe torment, he begged for a simple drop of water to cool his parched tongue.  He then begged that his family back on earth be warned of this horrendous place before it was too late for them.

 

Whether we like it or not, hell is every much as real a place as is heaven.  Jesus talked much about both of them.  He wouldn't be a righteous God if He only talked about one and not the other, because real truth is sometimes positive and sometimes negative. 

 

A few years back, the Lord gave me a dream about a man we knew casually who had recently died.  While alive, this man was a wealthy businessman, sportsman and quite a personality.  Unfortunately, he was way too busy and self-important to be a Christian.  In my dream, I saw this man in hell tormented much in the same way as the man in Jesus' story.  

 

In this dream, the Lord then let me know in no uncertain terms that this man was in hell today, will be in hell tomorrow and will still be there a million years from now.  I then woke up shaken to my core with this awful, mind-boggling, but stark reality.

 

Jesus once asked the crowds of people this sobering question found in Mark 8:36,

 

"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?"

 

In the story that Jesus told as well as the one in my dream, both men would have done anything to have just one more chance. Unfortunately, the Lord clearly tells us that:

  

"It is appointed to each and every man (and woman) once to die and then the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).

 

Even so, Jesus made this wonderful promise to us all when He said the following famous words.

 

"For God (His Father) so loved this world that He gave His only Son (Jesus), that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

 

In these words, we clearly see that eternal life is a free gift for whosoever chooses to believe.  Unfortunately, on the other hand and equally as true, if this free gift is rejected, never accepted, or never opened and personally received, we cannot either benefit from it or enjoy its promises.

 

With this in mind, it begs the question:

  

"Where will we and those we love the most spend our and their eternity; knowing that not even tomorrow is promised to anyone?" 

 

  Will Jesus welcome us and our loved ones with open arms and words of...

 

"Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of the Lord" (Matthew 25:23).  

 

Or, will He regretfully and tearfully be forced to say,

 

"Away from Me, for I never knew you" (Matthew 7:21-23).

 

It's by far and away the most important question any of us will ever ask ourselves.  

 

(The above excerpt is from the book, "Heavenly Dreams and Visions").

Copyright Protected

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 Credentials

by Bruce Vyverberg

If we ever find ourselves in a position to need an operation on our knee, hip, or heart (etc), most of us would obviously search out for a physician with the necessary credentials and experience to perform such a surgery.  Who would be so foolish not to?

 In the Old Testament times, the Lord chose and called a man named Moses.  After much intense, personal interaction with the Lord, Moses then wrote the entire first 5 books of the Bible.  By the time he did, Moses had both the calling and the spiritual credentials to teach the people of God.  It was then their responsibility, before the Lord, to both heed and obey.

In New Testament times, the Lord chose and called a man named Paul to be His apostle and to write about 1/3 of the New Testament.  Like Moses, Paul's calling and intense personal relationship with the Lord, gave him the experience and spiritual credentials to do so.  Therefore, like the Israelites of old, it is our responsibility as Christians, who follow the Lord, to both learn and then heed the things that Moses, Paul and the other writers teach us.  

Unfortunately, as a result of the world's culture and beliefs infiltrating the Church today, many Christians are mistakenly disregarding the inspired teachings of Moses, Paul and the others as, out of touch, not relevant and even bigoted.  Worse yet, many are teaching others to believe the same.  In doing so, according to Jesus in Matthew 15:14, they become like:

"The blind leading the blind and both will fall into the ditch."

While we as Christians are all called to testify of the greatness of the Lord, we need to be very careful when elevating ourselves to the position of teacher.  The apostle James, who was one of Jesus' earthly brothers and a 1st century church leader, cautioned in James 3:1,

"Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment."  

Those who teach the Word of God should understand that 10,000 years from now, their position in eternity, will be affected by the things they teach others while here on this earth.

Moses, Paul and the others were called and given the spiritual credentials to write the Bible for our overall benefit.  Therefore, it would benefit us all to regularly read and then try and apply it to our daily lives.  In doing so, we will surely be persecuted, resented and demeaned by those who mistakenly label us as "out of touch, bigots and even haters."

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A Steep Hill to Climb

By Bruce Vyverberg

From my perspective at least, we have a gigantic problem in much of the body of Christ today.  While terribly serious and widespread, it is a problem that is hopefully fixable, that is, if we have the will to do so; which is a huge "if."  

 The problem I speak of is an overwhelming desire and demand to hear only the positive.  Anything with the slightest negative connotation is instantly nipped in the bud and tossed aside as either legalism or judgmental.  After all, we are the Children of the King and He loves and embraces us just as we are; warts and all.

In spite of this avalanche of unbalanced opinion and theology, real truth is sometimes positive and sometimes negative.  A constant diet of only affirmation in child rearing with a neglect to ever correct, or God forbid discipline, will cause one to grow up without the necessary and essential tools to either  successfully live in a real world, or love and serve a real God who desires our lives to be conformed to the image of Jesus. 

Coming from a background of organized athletics as well as parents who believed and practiced balanced child rearing, our present spiritual climate makes me want to shake my head in disbelief.  When actually, did this pervasive culture of permissiveness take absolute control of our country in general and the church specifically?

I have come to the conclusion that only a massive and widespread fervent prayer of a remnant church will ever help turn this tide.   While legalism is most definitely the enemy of a healthy, flourishing Christian life, so is a continual demand and expectation for only those things that are uplifting and edifying.  Sometimes a little correction and even an occasional spanking are what the Doctor orders.  Just ask the apostle Paul who said, "Preach the Word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke and exhort with all long suffering and teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2).

Help us Lord!

    

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 Wake Up!

About 27% of the written Word of God (Bible) is "prophetic", which is a little more than 1 out of every 4 verses.  Realizing this, we in the Christian world make a huge mistake when we either discount or ignore the prophetic voices in the land and the present day ministry of the prophet (Ephesians 4:11).

Now, because the Lord gives us all a "free will" to choose, we do have the right to believe whatever we want.  Be assured however, that if we fail to embrace what God endorses,we will remain woefully remedial in our understanding of the times we presently live in as well as the ways and nature of our God.   

With this said, its way past wake-up time! 

  

"A wise man sees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." ~Proverbs 22:3

 ~ Bruce Vyverberg 

 

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The Prophetic Ministry - Part 1

Connie Vyverberg

Prophecy – God Communicating His Intention to Man

Around the world today, multiplied millions of Christians attend churches which embrace what is called the “prophetic” ministry. This term prophetic basically means that the Lord speaks to His people even today, communicating His Word, thoughts and purposes. The number one way in which people hear the Lord speaking to them is through Scripture. However, there is a multitude of ways in which God communicates to His children. Some of the most common ways are through prayer, inspired preaching, teaching, songs, impressions, dreams and or visions. Every Christian has the innate ability to hear from God and respond to Him. Every believer can also share with others their inspired revelations because “Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy” and they are testifying of Him (Rev.19:10). In fact, the entire Bible has been referred to as prophecy; meaning God is communicating His thoughts and intents to mankind; written on paper. This is the teaching that is at the heart of the prophetic ministry.  Therefore, a blanket view of prophecy could be described as God communicating His "intention" to mankind.

Predictive Prophecies and the Will of Man

When a Christian receives a Word from the Lord through an inward impression, scripture, prayer or revelatory dream etc., it must be understood that these spiritual experiences containing prophecies may either be conditional or unconditional. Our thoughts, attitudes and actions are key elements for receiving many of the Lord’s promises. Even predictive prophecies often have unspoken contingencies of obedience attached, because people still hold the power of choice and can exert their personal will and opinions over those of the Lord. This can often be one of the hardest lessons to learn in the prophetic ministry.