Awake

One night, not too long ago in my walk with God, I had one of the most visual and lifelike dreams I have ever had. It was insane. Essentially the dream began really dark. When I say dark, I mean dark. Not going into a ton of detail, Satan was making a statement really clear: "You will see me in this world." I remember shaking in the dream, wanting it all to end very very quickly but didn't know how to escape the torment. In a moment of desperation and feeling like I had been overcome by the evil taking place, the dream shifted and I was laying in a green meadow. I could feel a woman behind me. She had her hand cupped under my neck and her other arm under my legs. In my peripheral view I could see her long curly black hair crowned with white flowers and she wore a simple, long white dress. She was sitting, holding me in perfect peace, in complete purity.
 
At this point in the dream, I actually thought I had died and went to Heaven. The surroundings were surreal. I couldn't see much but I felt as if I was literally living in the reality of Psalm 23.

"The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough.
He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. 
His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss. 
That’s where he restores and revives my life.
He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasure
and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness
so that I can bring honor to his name” (verses 1-3). 

In her arms, I could hear the sound of Heaven and felt the warmth of the sun on my skin. It was glorious and almost indescribable. Rushing water, the sound of light, and the glory of holiness and purity took over my entire being. I was at peace—the deepest peace I have ever experienced in my life.
 
A few moments after realizing where I may have been, the woman leaned toward my ear and whispered, "I got you. Can you get up for me now?"

Seconds later I was staring bloodshot at the ceiling in my room. I gasped for breath and sat up, "What’s going on?" I whispered into the air.
 
The rest of the night and some months following was intense spiritual warfare, to say the least. I didn't fall asleep until about 6:00 a.m. that specific night, but I got to see God fight on my behalf like I had never known before. Little did I know, this would be the one of many encounters with the forces of good and evil in my life.

At the time, I didn’t understand the complexity of the message in the dream, but I knew I was greatly awakened to a reality I didn’t know at such intensely before and there was no turning back.
I have gone to many people with this dream, asking for interpretation. I have asked about the first part, which is still not so settling to this day. I have also asked about the woman and the latter half of the dream. The common answer among all trusted discerners is this: You will see evil, but you will not be overcome by it. He will always save you, and He will do it with His spirit of wisdom (the woman in the dream).

So, what do I mean when I say spirit of wisdom?
 
The spirit of wisdom is talked about in scripture almost all throughout Proverbs and is even personified as a woman crying out in the streets asking desperately for humanity to pay attention to her. The spirit of wisdom is the spirit of God, essentially, as wisdom is one of His many many facets (Proverbs 8: 22-23). Wisdom existed before time, and this facet of God demands the Truth and full purity.

In a world full of manipulation and deceit wisdom cries aloud…
 
"Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markers she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

'Foolish ones, how much longer will you cling to your deception? How much longer will you mock wisdom, cynical scorners who fight the facts?

Come back to your senses and be restored to reality. Don’t even think about refusing my rebuke! Don’t you know that I’m ready to pour out my spirit of wisdom upon you and bring to you the revelation of my words that will make your heart wise? I’ve called to you over and over; still you refuse to come to me. I’ve pleaded with you again and again, yet you’ve turned a deaf ear to my voice.'" - Proverbs 1:22-24

I state this as a fact: Wisdom is currently begging for our attention, begging for us to see with our own eyes what is evil and what is good and to actually do something about the awakening. In Proverbs, Solomon also mentions that everything we say, think, and do flows from the heart (Proverbs 4:23); the Truth, bringing us revelation, will naturally make the things we say, think, and do flow from that place of wisdom. That stands true, of course, if we surrender to the full Truth—all of God’s story.
 
A pastor I really respect actually talked about this very image in light of the spiritual battle that is taking place in the world. He said something along the lines that where there is division and battle in the streets, on social media, within households, where there is a lot of noise, and a lot of confusion, the spirit of God’s wisdom is in those places ready to give divine instruction and discretion to the people who are searching for it. The spirit is also making it clear to people that anything done in deceit and wickedness will be rebuked by the Father, and He will not tolerate those who do not listen to Him.

I believe that now the Church is in a position to either receive wisdom’s call or reject it. Among the division, among the multifaceted opinions, among the violence, among the desire for things to be changed, among the cry for justice, even among the peace and grief, there is an open Heaven for people to actually encounter the Spirit of God.
 
Just like the end of my dream, wisdom is telling us, “It’s time to wake up!”

Personally, I think it's time for the Church to cry out. I think it's time for the Church to see with her spiritual eyes and not just her physical ones. I think it's time for the Church to get uncomfortable and go out and search for her true spirit; the one that is free, flowing with Truth, justice, love, compassion, and POWER!
 
Right now, every human being on this Earth is being swayed by spiritual forces. We are being pulled into one direction of gravity or another at all times and so much is being confused in the weight of the pulls. Similar to my dream, there is an intensity of light and darkness.

My message to you: The only voice you can fully, fully trust right now is the voice of God. Listen, obey, and receive His love. You will not be overcome.
 
Stand on scripture and declare it over your mind and your life. Call on the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help you see clearly. For some, there may be more weight spiritually than others, but I think we are in a unique time right now where veils are completely being removed and God is giving us a load that each of us can handle. Are your roots deep? If not, let Him take them deep so you can withstand the crashing waves because they are here. The waves of His presence are here and they are purifying every part of you, your community, your church, and humanity, for that matter. Hold tight. It is a good thing.

In this time, sin will be tempting, desires that are deep inside of you both good and bad will surface. Uprooting is taking place and division is definitely coming in all directions, but unity is also loud and clear prophesying true celebration and honor.  Surrender to God has probably increased in the past three months than it probably has in decades, and avoidance of God, in other scenarios, has probably escalated as well. We are currently seeing dark and light forces literally colliding. His voice is ringing across the Earth, can you hear it? The Earth is shaking, can you stand? Creation is groaning, will you reveal yourself to the places and people that so desperately need your humility, your confidence, and God's spirit?
 
Now is time to be brave. Now is the time to remember your protector. Remember, God’s deliverance. The red sea, the fire, the numerous battles on land. It is time to actually take the land. We are in a great exodus right now. It’s an exodus to freedom for all people that choose to believe. It’s an exodus for people that know Him and are still walking with the grave clothes on. The shackles that bind their realization of true divine promise will fall. The veils that prevent them from seeing will be torn in two.
 
Now is the time to declare it over your land, your mind, your community. "This is God's territory, in Jesus name."

"His word will not be shaken, though the whole Earth shakes."
 
Again, let me wake you up to the reality that we will never simply be fighting people (Ephesians 6:12).  Just like my dream from several years ago, we are fighting the dark forces in the Heavenly realms that desire to confuse, cause destruction, and create bitterness, anger, and hate.
 
Yes, His presence will give you peace, but it will also give you AWAKENING. The people of God often forget that Jesus came with a sword to divide good and evil. Just like the spirit of wisdom behind me in the dream said, "I got you. (It's okay. You are safe.) Can you get up for me now?"

Church: it's time to GET UP and recognize the authority you have. Embrace the wisdom  He will give you as you seek it, and don't give in to the temptations to make excuses for His word. His word is final and it will come to pass whether you believe it or not. The best part is, God will bring justice, no matter the opinion, no matter the bias, no matter what will happen tomorrow. His spirit will come through and separate the chaff from the grain (Matthew 3:12). His spirit will take apart what is beneficial and what is not.

He is the judge.
 
Proverbs 4:6, "Do not forsake her [wisdom], and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you."

You will be protected.
 
I think we are in exciting times right now. Yes, every generation has experienced pivots spiritually and grand evils of the world. But each time, it's different. Something new happens in the Kingdom. I think the people of God are stepping into greater freedoms than the Church has seen in centuries as long as she keeps walking in His direction.

Just continue to say yes, whatever it looks like for you.

Know that the battle will get harder. Stay rooted. Know His word, so that you can resist the demons and their manipulation. Be fervent in prayer, because your words send light into darkness. Worship, because you connect with Him and an added plus: God's angels are super attracted to worship and demonic activity of any kind has to flee at that point. Talk to Him, be with Him because He loves you and wants to commune with you.
 
Yes, It's intense.

Yes, It's real.
 
And yes, It's awakening.
 
Author | Emily Helton