Thursday, August 2, 2012

The Sheep in the Valley Visions I & II



The Sheep In The Valley Vision- Part 1:

For 2 nights in a row I have had a recurring vision. I had forgotten about it until I laid down on the second night and had it again. So I got up to write down all that I saw, and all that the Lord said to Me in it:

In the vision, I am walking on a green grassed hilltop, I notice that there is such beauty all around me as the summer sunshine brings everything to life around me. I am walking towards the edge of the hill and I look down the side, and I see Jesus sitting on the hillside below where I was standing. So I walk over to Him and He is seated with his knees up and his arms wrapped around his legs watching something below in the valley. I look to where He is looking, and I see many sheep all grazing and walking around in the valley below. They are content and peaceful as they meander in the shaded areas. Jesus was watching them and He seemed to be lost in thought. I sat down next to Him and began to watch the sheep too.

I don't know how much time went by, but I noticed that it began to rain off in the distance from us, and where we were was dry. The clouds brought rain to the neighboring area next to the area we were. After awhile the rain began to pool up into puddles and little streamlets. The rainwater began to run towards the sheep where they were all grazing and standing. When the rain pooled together more it moved and the sheep noticed the water coming towards their feet. They did not like the water coming so they began to move around nervously and they began to back up to try to avoid the invading rain puddles. Eventually the rain caused the puddles to flow together into the valley and the grass became saturated with the rains, even in their area right below us. The sheep were bleating and were annoyed at the inconvenience of getting their feet wet. Some began to climb up the mountain until they found dry hillside and they stayed on the slope out of the reach of the rain. Others began to walk in the puddles or run through the soggy grass trying to find another part of the valley that wasn't wet. The rain clouds did not move into the area where we were, only the waters from the neighboring rains continued to flow their way. Then the rains stopped, the clouds left, and the sun dried everything up and the sheep went back into the valley floor and grazed as before.

The Lord didn't say anything, but He did look up and down the valley surveying everything as he did. He smiled and seemed content. He leaned back some and reclined along the hillside and put His hands behind his head to look down at the sheep. I also leaned back slightly and watched the sheep too. After a few minutes, I saw a different looking cloud system come on the horizon. It looked like it was top heavy and smaller on it's bottom. It was dark and foreboding, and the cloud system moved closer to the valley this time, and it eventually blocked out the sunshine. When it did, the sheep looked up and looked around. The cloud cover had gotten their attention. The temperature in the air dropped and a cooler breeze began to blow. The sheep began to stir and to group together nervously. Then a thunderbolt shot out of the cloud and the sheep broke out and ran in all directions. Rain began to fall furiously then and the sheep were crying out in fear and were looking for anyplace to hide. There was no place to go as the trees in the valley were not mature or  big enough to offer much shade yet. The sheep also tried to rub up against rocks for some shelter, but the rocks were not big enough to offer much cover. Some sheep ran away, and I did not see where they went. Others began to huddle together as they miserably stood in the rains. The lightning and thunder made them cry out and they frequently bolted and ran and then huddled as they found each other again.

From where I was sitting I could see the storm clouds dropping the rain below us. I wondered why the sheep did not come up higher where it was sunny and dry. The noise of the thunder seemed to disorient them and it paralyzed them with fear. I thought about calling out to them, but I realized that they would not hear me anyways. The Lord didn't do anything but watch. I sat there and watched. I only saw one or two sheep eventually attempt to climb the hillside. The majority of them just wore themselves out till they were exhausted, and some even laid down in defeat. I felt sorry for them. Then the rain quit and the clouds dissipated and the sun came out again. The sheep seemed to revive and gather back together from their various positions. They dried out and then began to graze again. It then seemed like it was just as before. I looked over at the Lord and He was watching me. I was surprised, but He said nothing. He smiled and I felt reassured, and He again gestured towards the valley. My gaze followed His hands. I looked and the valley was peaceful as before.

Suddenly, I felt a rumbling coming from under the ground. The ground vibrated with a rumble that seemed like horses were running close by. I looked for the horses, but there were none. I waited. Soon, off to the distance I could see something approaching along the valley floor. It was moving fast and it was driven by wind. I looked, and then I saw that it was a wall of water coming towards the valley, moving along the valley floor, like a flash flood would move after a very heavy downpour. I looked towards the sheep where they were grazing and I realized they did not know the raging water was coming towards them. The sheep had looked up and around when the ground rumbled, but they did not seem to be agitated in any way. Most went back to grazing, but some looked around as they stood there. The flood came closer and the wind picked up, and I saw that the sheep now sensed that something was coming. They began to gather together and to bleat nervously as they milled all around. But they still could not see the flood coming yet. I thought about yelling down to them, but again, I knew they would not hear me above the winds. So I waited to see what the sheep would do. The raging waters came within sight now and the sheep started to move anxiously and looked everywhere for a way out. They began to jump over one another as they tried to decide what direction they were going to run in. Soon the waters came right behind them as they were running, but the waters were faster than they were. The water hit them with a hard force and they were swept off of their feet, tossing in the force of the flood waters. Some were crying and trying to swim towards the edge of the hill. They got their feet on the edge and tried to climb out of the waters, but only a few made it. Most of the sheep were carried down stream by the waters, crying out woefully as they went. I saw many drown. I was alarmed as I watched and dismayed as I saw their plight. Jesus did not move or do anything but watch.

I looked back to the sheep again, and I noticed that the ones that were smart enough to make for the sides were faring better. The ones that had gotten a foot hold were beginning to climb up the side of the hill away from the floods. The winds picked up even more now and the waters level rose. All of the ones that were swept away in the waters had floated down stream in the deepening waters, because it was too deep and fierce to stand in or navigate. I would guess that only about 1/3rd had climbed. Of the 1/3rd that did make it, I noticed that most of them also stopped just above the flood level line because they were tired and they felt safe. Many laid there on the hillside and rested as best they could in the winds and in noise of the storm. A few kept climbing higher as they were too afraid to stop, they just ran very fast up the hill till they reached high ground above the storm. Then they fell down and rested on the hillside and bleated in exhaustion and huddled together shaking, until they eventually dried off. They were too tired to run anymore even though the storm was noisy below them, they seemed to know they were safe from where they were above.

I looked to see where the ones that has stopped just above the waters edge were, and how they had fared. I could see that most had stayed there on the side of the hill shaking and crying in the rain. I also noticed that the water level was still rising, and I knew that these sheep were not safe where they were. I do not think they realized their impending plight. More thunder and lightning flashed and sounded which caused these sidelined sheep to jump and to cry out, but not many moved from their place even though the winds blew the rain on them even more. They seemed to be paralyzed in their fear. I saw a couple of smaller sheep suddenly bolt forth in fear and they too ran up the hillside further in their panic. They ran till they also found the sunshine above the storm line. The two little sheep fell down in relief and shook nervously for awhile as they huddled together trying to get their bearings. The others below watched the two little ones climb, but they did not get up and make a move towards where we were sitting. I think they either gave up, or they thought the waters would not come up any higher. Suddenly a huge surge moved through the flood waters, like a giant wake of water would move, and the other sheep below were swept off of the lower levels of the hillside and they were also swept away. I could hear their cries as they were swept away. I did not see where they went to.

I looked  to where the sheep were that had climbed the hillside, and Jesus was now over with them and He was petting them comfortingly. I didn't even realize that the Lord had risen from His place next to me to go to them. I jumped up and went to where they were standing by the Lord on the hillside. He was stroking their fur lovingly and they were nuzzling Him. He laughed and bent down and hugged some of them. They began to relax and to bend down and to graze again on the hillside. Jesus smiled at them and seemed satisfied. He turned and looked at me. He waited for a moment and then He said, "The winds have begun to blow in this season, and the new rains have begun, any yet most of the people think this is still like any other day. The waters of adversity and the storms of life will rise in the earth. But where are those who discern and who are wise? Who is it that truly hears My Voice, and who is it that changes his ways, and who is it that will climb higher while it is still calm?  It is a time to awaken from your slumber, and from your old thinking that things will remain the same. I am at work in the earth, and I am searching every heart and mind, and the trials I allow will reveal what is within them, to them. But few see that the spiritual weather is changing around them, and few are climbing towards Me. Most think they have time and can stay where they are comfortable at, and think they can still do the things they know to do, and that they like to do. But the floods I bring will force everyone to move. You must move towards Me in this season and begin to move towards My Mountain; towards My House, in order to stand in My Peace, and to be anchored safely in My Rest. The Storms are a test. I showed you this illustration in this manner, because I want My People to understand where they are in their relationship with Me. Most of My Children are content in the valley eating of the world and wanting to remain in things as they are."

"I allow the storms to test your devotion to Me, and your obedience to Me, and to show you also the areas where you are weak, and where you are still lacking, and also where you have fallen into sin in. These things will hinder you and will be the cause of your being swept away in the trials and the floods of fear and stress that are coming on the whole world, if you do not deal with them now. When I bring the various tests to you, even in this picture of the rains, most of you are irritated and frustrated and complain in your trials, just like the sheep that their feet get wet. Many don't like their lives disturbed by tests or inconveniences, or by life's pressures. But I allow these things to come, so that you can be stretched and be broken out of your perimeters and into My liberty for you. But many will not want to change still, and they will be swept away by the bigger trials that will come with the winds of adversity, and the thunder and lightning of persecution, and the sweeping rains of change. Some will climb and make it through to either rest just above the storm line, or to go to the very top unto Me. Of the ones that remain just above the rains line, like the sheep below, they will think they have done enough to just get by, and this will be their downfall, as I do not accept a partial obedience or a half hearted devotion to Me. Either they will fully follow Me and obey Me or they too, will be lulled to complacency on the hillside, and the rising tides will trap them too, and they will also be swept away in the days ahead."

"The two small sheep that did break through on that level made it to the top. These are a picture of those who learn to trust Me even in the rising tides, and are those who break forth away from their fears and doubts and insecurities and they realize that Mine are better. Know that I am bringing all of My Children to the end of themselves in order that they will tap into Me and live. I am the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life, in this life. There is no other security in this life but Mine, and there is no other Peace in this life but in Me, and by Me. You must put all of your trust, all of your faith, and all of your life in Me. You must each learn to graze upon My Mountain, on Me, and not in the valleys of men, or of the world. When you graze in the fields of men, then you will become as them, and be content to remain among them, and you will lose your discernment and your sensitivity to Me. You will be lulled into a lazy attitude of independence from Me. My People must look up unto Me, and seek Me upon the heights, and move with Me in the Spirit now. Seek Me, and I will guide you, and I will show you what to do. I will reveal My Will for you, and I will bring you into the place I have for each of you. You shall feed upon Me richly and you will be satisfied. As you each climb, others will follow that are watching you. I am watching and waiting for you."

Scriptures:

Revelations 3:10 Because you have guarded and kept My word of patient endurance [have held fast the lesson of My patience with the expectant endurance that I give you], I also will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial (testing) which is coming on the whole world to try those who dwell upon the earth.

John 10:9 I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). 11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring and impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock under one Shepherd. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 18:37 To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his [lower] life will lose it [the higher life], and whoever loses his [lower] life on My account will find it [the higher life].

Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save his [higher, spiritual, eternal] life, will lose it [the lower, natural, temporal life which is lived only on earth]; and whoever gives up his life [which is lived only on earth] for My sake and the Gospel's will save it [his higher, spiritual life in the eternal kingdom of God].

Matthew 7:24 So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock. 25 And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand. 27 And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell--and great and complete was the fall of it. 28 When Jesus had finished these sayings [the Sermon on the Mount], the crowds were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His teaching,

-Susan O'Marra
07-31-12

The Sheep In The Valley- Vision -  Part 2:

On 8-01-12, we were all gathered at the church in the prayer watch Wednesday evening and Patrick was leading prayer. I was sitting at the sound table, and the Presence of the Lord began to pulsate all around me. I then was taken back to the same vision again of the sheep and the valley, but this time I was not on the mountain, but I was looking at it from a distance.

I saw the same tall hill covered in grass and there were a few sheep grazing on the hillside as before. Jesus was standing on the hilltop this time and he was looking down at the sheep. He seemed to be deep in thought. Then He looked upwards and then a great lightning bolt from heaven shot down and struck the hill and it broke and split into two sections. Jesus did not move when the great lightning bolt hit nor was he surprised, but the sheep on the hill bolted in fear and ran away. He just nodded as if in agreement. He then looked downwards at the great split in the hill, and at both halves that now stood apart from each other. He then smiled and I saw something happen to His robe. His robe, or the bottom part of it, seemed to melt downwards or flowed into the space between the two halves of the hill. It looked like His very robe, or the part of Himself that was within His robe, was what was filling up the space there. When the hill was full of the deposit that came from His robe, then it changed and the hill grew. It grew higher and denser and took on the form of the Lord, with Him molded right into the mountain. This kept happening till it reached a new height in the earth. I could see that it was now a great mountain, and it was filled with the Lord, or it became His garment or the lower half of Him with His chest, arms, and head were extending out of the top of the Mountain. Jesus was the Mountain. He became the Head of the Mountain, the Church, His Habitation in the earth.

The I saw that His face began to shine. The rays began to shine outward from Him like great Rock Lighthouse would. The Light went everywhere and His Light got brighter and brighter. As I watched, I saw sheep begin to come from every direction. They were bleating and climbing the Mountain of great Light. They all climbed and they began to graze as they climbed and then I knew that they were grazing upon Christ Himself, the Mountain. They were feeding upon Him. Eating of and partaking of Him. I felt such joy at this knowledge. Then the scripture came to me about, "When I am lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me."

The hill was only for a season, but now the season is changing and now the lightning or higher revelations from God that are about to be released will strike the heart of what we think and know and currently believe, and when it does, it will be like when the Sword of the Spirit goes into us and it brings a division between our soul and our spirit to bring us further insight into the truth. So also, Jesus will bring a separation within us, and to us in our hearts and lives. He will give us understanding of Himself which will fill in the gaps, so to speak, and bring forth the needed understanding and we will each grow in stature and measure until we are all fully formed up into Him. Then He will break forth out of us all a new way, just as this vision depicts, and this breaking forth of Himself through us, will draw the harvest in. They will see Jesus through us. He will draw them unto Himself. 

Below is a picture that I drew to show a semblance of what I saw:



Scriptures:

John 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Hebrews 4:12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

Daniel 2:28 But there is a God in heaven Who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what it is that shall be in the latter days (at the end of days). Your dream and the visions in your head upon your bed are these: 29 As for you, O king, as you were lying upon your bed thoughts came into your mind about what should come to pass hereafter, and He Who reveals secrets was making known to you what shall come to pass. 30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than anyone else living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king and that you may know the thoughts of your heart and mind. 31 You, O king, saw, and behold, [there was] a great image. This image which was mighty and of exceedingly great brightness stood before you, and the appearance of it was frightening and terrible. 32 As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, 33 Its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay [the baked clay of the potter]. 34 As you looked, a Stone was cut out without human hands, which smote the image on its feet of iron and [baked] clay [of the potter] and broke them to pieces. 35 Then the iron, the [baked] clay [of the potter], the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken and crushed together and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors, and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them could be found. And the Stone that smote the image became a great mountain or rock and filled the whole earth.

John 21:17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.

Ephesians 4:12 His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), 13 [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him. 14 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead.

Susan O'Marra  
08-01-12

http://intheimageofhisgloryministries.blogspot.com/