Old Dog IV
The Place Defiled
May 1, 2000
Now this is the third and final image that has been placed before me to “take and eat”.
Maybe it is the last of the “unleavened bread” that we ate for the seven days after the DEATH ANGEL passed over those whose homes were marked by THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB. Maybe it is the last of “the manna” as we cross the JORDAN. As different as both events were in HIS WORD, so were the people involved. All who ate the matzo died except Joshua and Caleb, and never “entered the land”. AS IT WAS BEFORE SO SHALL IT BE AGAIN.
Those that THE I AM freed by HIS MIGHTY RIGHT HAND murmured and tempted HIM. They paid for their “lack of faith” and “disobedience”. THE WORD SAYS…THEY OVERCAME BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB…. RIGHT….WRONG…. read the WORD….they overcame “him” Yes we do “overcome by THE BLOOD”….it is in HIS BLOOD we are “in covenant”… “cleansed of sin and defilement”….separated from the world….dead to ”our flesh”…. and have access to ABBA who desires us to come to HIM in† intimacy. But what “sets us free” and ”heals and restores” is to be placed ”in yoke” with THE LAMB” walking with HIM…”abiding” with and in HIM. THE BLOOD is real….but it is not magic. It is an image of complete and innocent obedience to THE WILL AND DESIRES OF THE FATHER. When Y’SHUA asked poor old Peter….do ya LOVE me, more than these other guys? Pete waffled. So do I…we all have. But THE LAMB would not be denied. HE pressed the issue three times.
Why did THE LAMB tell Pete to “FEED MY LAMBS”? Sure…to set up organized religion and rule by an elite clergy. That is what we have inherited….like it or not. But just maybe Y’SHUA was painting a “PICTURE” of the people to whom THE GOSPEL would be sent. Little lambs “orphaned” by a perverse world who would be forsaken and left to die by ”the flock” whose only chance to survive was in the hands and hearts of ”shepherds” who would coat them in the “coat” of THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN. AND COVER THEM IN HIS BLOOD. Just maybe …..just maybe HE HAS GIVEN US a last chance to be “upright” and “obedient” before HIM. I leave it to whomsoever reads and discerns.
It was Thursday morning and I was tired and in need of sleep. “Aches and pains” come with age and pushing the mind and body too far for too long. Just like the previous “vision” in this pattern it came unexpected….and began where the “dream” had ended.
That was different…and I am thankful I did not have to climb the MOUNTAIN again. But the “bad feelings” were there again…. for a profound reason. I stood at the top of the MOUNTAIN and looked around. I knew I was there to ”learn” of it/ from it. All around me was ruin. Overgrown…neglected…forgotten. Sticking up here and there was “cut stone”. It was old and long weathered yet it was placed by man sometime in the long ago. For what reason and purpose the only clue was this ”feeling” of “yuckiness”. It was stuff I really did not want to get close to let alone touch. The “top” of this “MOUNTAIN” was not so large. As I walked around and over what HAD BEEN I saw that it could have not been just one building. As I walked I pondered and searched my spirit and mind for something that could “fit” all I was seeing. But nothing came.
It took awhile until I realized, here I am…standing on the top of a high place. It was not real as I think upon it. But it was. And slowly I took my eyes off the “ground”… and looked “up”. The sky was bright, not a cloud in a brilliantly blue sky. Not unusual, until I realized there was no “sun”. Now that was interesting and I seemed to “recall” some scripture verse where there was no need for a “sun”. That is when it hit me. Way up here looking down at everything there was no “wind”…not even a “hint” of a breeze. From there everything seemed to fit into a nice downhill pattern. The scrub and brush had little “green” in it. Likewise the† grasses were mostly yellow and brown. No signs of flowers or the like….all was a dull, drab, dry looking stuff. No color and no “smell”. As I slowly walked across and around the “top” I noticed stones covered with soot. Blackened by the residue of a nice fire. What was interesting was it was not universal. Some areas had no evidence at all of “fire”, while others were the obvious relics of a major inferno. Definitely not the remains of a campfire or tailgate BBQ.
It seemed like I had walked for hours alone on this “MOUNTAIN” till I came to a place that seemed just off the center of the “peak” and sat on a stone that was fairly flat. I began to wonder about HIS WORDS when I finally got here. The dream was only a day ago and in my mind seemed like almost ancient history. I had come to this “PLACE” I had been searching for almost all my life it seems. The incongruency just was overpowering. I began to think….what are you missing? what is it that I am unable to see? So I tried to recall HIS WORDS and I could not. This was weird….it was down right scary. All I could think of was an old familiar prayer…OUT OF THE DEPTHS I HAVE CRIED UNTO YOU, MY LORD… and I remembered that moment I first called out from the pit and again I began to cry…. because I began to remember….everything…. UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE….it is all vain….. and I just began to sing to my spirit…. I was not alone…I was never alone…had never been alone….was never…will never be forgotten or forsaken. I would sing HIS NEW SONG no matter what….all I was to do was rest…to wait…to be still. IN HIS TIME…IN HIS WILL…all things revolved. and HIS WORDS came gently to mind…….
”NO SHEMUEL, THIS IS WHAT WAS, THE PLACE HOLY AND SET APART FOR MY HABITATION. IT WAS DESECRATED AND DEFILED LONG AGO. BUT NOW I WILL RESTORE WHAT WAS. IS IT NOT WRITTEN THAT THE LATTER HOUSE WILL BE GREATER THAN THE FORMER? THAT I WILL FILL IT WITH MY GLORY AND ALL NATIONS WILL COME UNTO IT?”
“THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE MY BELOVED WILL FLEE AND YOU WILL STAND. I SAID I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID. SOLOMON BUILT MY TEMPLE AND IT WAS MADE A DEN OF THIEVES. HE ALSO BUILT ALTERS TO OTHER GODS AND WORSHIPPED THEM. IT IS TIME TO TEAR DOWN THE GROVES AND DESTROY THE HIGH PLACES THAT EXALT THEMSELVES ABOVE ME. DIG DOWN TO THE FOUNDATION I LAID AND I WILL RAISE UP THE WALLS OF DAVID’S TABERNACLE AND ONCE AGAIN MY GLORY AND PEACE WILL BE BEFORE ALL MEN.”
And I thought again about that moment I watched as HIS GLORY filled the UNIVERSE. I remembered the SWEET VOICE OF THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT sing of HIM whom I serve. HE IS THE MOUNTAIN. yet here I am on THE MOUNTAIN thinking of a time yet to come where TRUE PRAISE AND WORSHIP will flow upward once again. And I had this thought of THE ARK of HIS COVENANT being carried and placed in “THE PLACE PREPARED”. Would I be able to dance like DAVID with utmost joy? Or would I just sing alone like I was now. O GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, CALL UPON HIS NAME….
“IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE YOU SANG THAT ONE, DOG”. I turned and saw HIM standing and watching me. Dressed once again in plain brown outer robe HE just stood and listened.
“There are a lot of songs I have not sung for a while, LORD.”
“THERE ARE DIFFERENT SONGS FOR DIFFERENT JOURNEYS. YOU KNOW WHICH ONE IS THE RIGHT ONE WHEN YOU NEED IT”.
“You are my hiding place, oh LORD, You will preserve me in the day of trouble, You surround me with songs of deliverance”, I sang softly. HE sat down on the stone with me and was quiet a moment. We both sort of stared out at the mountain top that lay in front of us.
“YOU EVER WONDER WHY CERTAIN SONGS STAY WITH YOU AND OTHERS FADE AWAY FORGOTTEN AND NEVER REMEMBERED?”
“I thought it was you LORD?”…I replied puzzled.
“WELL SOMETIMES IT IS, DOG. BUT WITH YOU IT IS YOU CALLING FROM DEEP IN YOUR SPIRIT. YOUR SPIRIT SEEKS AND YEARNS EVEN WHEN YOUR MIND AND FLESH ARE OFF IN LEFT FIELD CHASING RABBIT TRAILS.”
“I’m sorry LORD…”
“WHY DO YOU LIKE SONGS BASED ON THE PSALMS, DOG?” I welcomed the change of subject, but was lost in the direction HE SEEMED to be going.
“YOU EVER WONDER WHY YOU CAN SING A MESSIANIC PSALM AND JUMP TO A CHARISMATIC TUNE.?” HE had me…and I laughed.
“LORD, I just let it loose…whatever seems right just comes out.”
Then HE laughed. “It’s the words. Does not matter if it is to a HEBREW or CATHOLIC tune. It is the WORDS.”
“YES, IT IS THE WORDS, OLD DOG. BUT WHY THE PSALMS?”
Again I had to think. why? I never thought about it. or had I? “LORD, I’m not sure where you are going here.”
..”WE” MY DEAR DOG ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.” Boy did that inflection cut sharp. I turned and looked at HIM relaxed and in good humor. ”I hope you remember that I am not omniscient, BOSS. I’ve been walking around here banging my head and not getting anywhere.”
“I KNOW”…HIS VOICE HAD THAT TWINKLE IN IT and I knew I had set HIM up for a wild punch line. And I cringed when HE LAUGHED. “OH DOG, YOU POOR PUPPY. I SAID YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE SHOW. YOU ARE ONE OF THE FEW THAT WILL ENJOY WHAT NOW IS TAKING PLACE.”
”Somehow I am missing something…”
“NOT REALLY, IN FACT YOU GOT IT ALL BEFORE YOU. YOU JUST DON’T KNOW IT YET.” ”Bill alluded to that, so I know he got it from YOU. My problem is I ……..”
“RIGHT DOG, YOUR PROBLEM IS YOU….TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. YOU CAN’T SO STOP TRYING. TELL ‘THE BRETHREN TO STOP TRYING”.
Suddenly HE was silent and grinning from ear to ear. HE turned HIS FACE to me and mouthed the words…”GOTCHA DOG”… HE just told me to do what I thought I had been doing. So I just shook my head and laughed till the tears began to flow.
“Will they listen, LORD?” I had to ask. “SOME WILL DOG, BUT NOT MANY. BUT THERE ARE THOSE WHO WAIT THE CALL TO LEAVE. THEY STILL NEED A PLACE TO RUN TO. THAT IS WHERE YOU COME IN. MY WORD AND MY WILL SHALL COME TO PASS. I HAVE WAITED AND HELD MY WRATH ALL TO LONG NOW”.
I don’t know why I did it but I said “AMEN!!” loudly† followed by a quiet “LORD…” when HE gave me a funny look. I had never “interrupted” HIM before. Squirm is not a strong enough term for how I felt like doing.
“IT’S OKAY, DOG. IT WAS THE PERFECT PLACE TO ”JUMP” IN. ONLY NO ONE ELSE WAS HERE TO DO SO. THAT WILL SOON CHANGE.”
“DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT I SAID ABOUT ‘SKILLS AND STRATEGIES THOSE WILL BE HOT TOPICS OF DISCUSSION IN THE WEEKS AHEAD. MOST WILL BE ABOUT AND CENTER AROUND THE ENEMY. WHAT LITTLE WILL BE ABOUT ”THE GLORIOUS ARMY OF GOD” WILL BE PRETTY STALE. BUT YOU ARE USED TO THAT”. “yes, LORD”…I replied with the not fond memories of cardboard steak and Styrofoam ribs and chops. ”Makes me eager to get table scraps again”, I replied quietly. “SO THEN LET ME GIVE YOU A CHUNK OF SIRLOIN”, HE LAUGHED AND GRABBED MY ARM.
Suddenly we were in another place and another time. It was bright and glorious and HE STOOD IN WHITE AND GOLD. The quiet carpenter I sat in the MALL with was now the ALPHA/ OMEGA seen by John, the ONE who stood on the water for Daniel. The air was filled with incense and flowers. All around us were voices raised in praise and thanksgiving. HE walked over to a golden chair in the middle of the chamber. As HE walked I noticed the walls were where white linen as was the overhead. As HE sat upon THE MERCY SEAT all was quiet. The stillness was indeed deafening and in my spirit a song ‘popped’ up.
“AT ALL TIMES I WILL BLESS MY LORD HIS PRAISE SHALL ALWAYS BE IN MY MOUTH MY SOUL WILL BOAST IN YOU MY LORD LET HUMBLE HEARTS HEAR AND BE GLAD…….. OH TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD”…. It was a miracle…I was clear and on key….and everyone else knew the words. like that was a surprise? HE SMILED at me as I approached.
“I know why it is the psalms LORD….”, HE NODDED HIS HEAD and I
continued…”Because it is all there. ALL THE WORDS….”
“AND…” HE COAXED… “DAVID HAD LIVED IT AND SANG ABOUT IT!.”
I wanted to scream….and did. “All the psalms talk about going through and walking out. Not all are upbeat…but they are all real and I have walked it too.” And I stopped dead in my tracks….that is what HE had meant. I just had not seen it. I turned around and looked about THE TABERNACLE. was this it?…I thought. Was this what DAVID had built? “YES SHEMUEL, MY FRIEND”, THE LAMB SPOKE IN THAT GENTLE VOICE, “THIS IS WHAT MELEK DAOUD ERECTED ON MOUNT ZION NOT QUITE 3000 YEARS AGO. SIMPLE AND TASTEFUL DON’T YOU THINK?”
”Yes, LORD, but I liked the wedding chamber better.”
“YOU WOULD, BUT THIS IS WHAT WAS PROPHESIED TO THE WORLD. THE CHAMBER IS THE PROMISE I MADE TO MY BRIDE WHEN THE CUP OF CONTRACT WAS DRUNK. THAT PLACE IS IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE. THIS WILL BE AMONG MAN AND WILL BE WHERE MY BELOVED WILL FLEE TO WHEN SAUL AGAIN RISES UP TO KILL THE ANOINTED ONE”.
That last line sent cold chills up and down my spine, and HIS FACE TURNED GRIM. All humor that might have been vanished with my next breath. When HE SAID QUIETLY… “I TOLD YOU THE WHOLE RATIONALE OF YOUR MINISTRY, MY FRIEND….”…..”YOU WERE TRAINED ….YOU WERE SENT….” THAT IS ALL THERE IS TO IT. SO IF ANYONE QUESTIONS, ASKS, OR MAKES ALLEGATIONS, THAT IS YOUR ANSWER. BUT I ALSO ASKED A QUESTION, DIDN’T I?
I remembered the question… “SKILLS OR STRATEGY? WHAT MAKES A
SOLDIER?”….. but the answer was weird. the answer was neither. What makes a soldier was obedience to authority. “WELL DONE, SAM! THERE IS YOUR ANSWER TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE A WORD ABOUT THE STORM AND BATTLE THAT APPROACHES. WHAT PLAN CAN PREVAIL IN THE CENTER OF A WHIRLWIND? WHAT MOVE WILL PREVAIL WHEN THE GROUND SPLITS UNDER YOUR FEET?”
With that HE stood and stepped toward me and once again we stood on THE MOUNTAIN TOP. “BEHOLD MY HOLY GROUND NOW DEFILED AND BARREN. SO IS MY PEOPLE, DOG. THEY HAVE RETURNED TO THE LAND I PROMISED TO ABRAHAM MY FRIEND AND I HAVE PROTECTED THEM. MORE SHALL RETURN AND ALL THE TRIBES SHALL RETURN IN THEIR SEASON. IT HAPPENS NOW AS I SPOKE IT THROUGH MY SERVANTS THE PROPHETS.”
“BUT EVEN IN ISRAEL WITH MY PEOPLE THERE IS A REMNANT UNDEFILED THAT YEARNS FOR ME TO COME AND REBUILD MY TEMPLE. IT SHALL HAPPEN AS IT IS WRITTEN, AND THEY SHALL MORN FOR ME AND I SHALL SAVE THEM AND HAVE MERCY ON THEM.”
“THEY HAVE WEPT AND MOURNED FOR ZION….AND I AM ZION. I AM THE PLACE THEY HAVE WEPT FOR, YEARNED FOR, AND ONCE AGAIN WILL BE MY PEOPLE AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD”.
”YOU MY FRIEND SOUGHT THE MOUNTAIN BECAUSE I TOLD YOU TO. YOU STUDIED AND SOUGHT LONG AND HARD TO FIND ME IN THE MIDST OF MANY LIES. YOU SOUGHT FOR HOREB AND FOUND THE TRUTH. I AM THE TRUTH AND YOU HAVE STOOD BEFORE ME AND WENT WHEN I SAID ‘GO’, YOU HAVE DONE WHEN I SAID ‘DO’.”
”THERE ARE MANY WHO SEEK PEACE AND LOOK FOR SALEM. HERE IS THE MOUNTAIN CALLED MORIAH THE PLACE WHERE I THE KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS REIGNS. I AM SALEM AND I AM PEACE. ABRAHAM BROUGHT HIS SON IN OBEDIENCE AND THROUGH HIS OBEDIENCE THE COVENANT WAS EXPANDED AND CONFIRMED. TODAY I REMIND YOU THAT MY COVENANT IS ETERNAL. THOSE WHO OBEY ME AND FOLLOW WHERE I LEAD SHALL BE BLESSED. THOSE THAT BLESS MY INHERITANCE SHALL BE BLESSED. AND THOSE THAT CURSE YOU I WILL CURSE. LIKE ABRAHAM YOUR FATHER I GIVE TO YOU THE GATES OF YOUR ENEMIES.”
”THERE ARE THOSE WHO SEEK SHILOH TO BRING THEIR OFFERINGS TO THE TABERNACLE. HERE IS SHILOH THE PLACE OF TRUE WORSHIP WHERE THE LION OF JUDAH REIGNS ETERNAL. I AM SHILOH, THE MIGHTY LION OF JUDAH TO WHOM ALL TRIBUTE IS DUE. THE RULE OF A WEAK AND DISOBEDIENT PRIESTHOOD HAS ENDED AND I WILL BE SERVED BY THOSE WHO HEAR MY VOICE AND OBEY MY WORDS.”
”THERE ARE THOSE WHO WILL SEEK RAMAH, THE HIGH PLACE OF A HOLY GOD. THEY FLEE THE MINIONS OF THE ENEMY AND SHALL SEEK SANCTUARY. I AM RAMAH AND I AM HIGH AND LIFTED UP. I AM THE ROCK OF SALVATION WHO IS A KING. I AM THE FOUNTAIN IN THE WILDERNESS FROM WHICH LIVING WATER FLOWS. I AM HEALER, PROVIDER, PROTECTOR, AND FATHER. I AM. THERE IS NO OTHER GOD BEFORE ME. THOSE THAT HUNGER AND THIRST YOU WILL SERVE IN MY NAME.”
“DAVID BUILT A TABERNACLE AND ALL COULD COME. WHERE MY
TABERNACLE HAD STOOD MAN AND KINGS PLANTED GROVES AND BUILT ALTERS WITHIN SIGHT OF THE TEMPLE SOLOMON BUILT AND I FILLED WITH MY GLORY. THEY PROVOKED MY WRATH BY THEIR FLAGRANT DISOBEDIENCE. WHEN IN MY LOVE AND MERCY I SENT MY SERVANTS TO THEM THEY KILLED MY SERVANTS AND REFUSED TO REPENT AND RETURN. YOUR PEOPLE, OLD DOG, ARE NO DIFFERENT. YET HAVE TAKEN THE PROVOCATION EVEN FARTHER”. “THEY PROPHESY TO A NATION THAT IF SOME MIGHT REPENT MY WRATH WOULD BE NEGATED. THEY SAY I HAVE SPOKEN SUCH WHO CLAIM TO SERVE ME BUT SERVE THEMSELVES. LOOK AROUND YOU……”
I looked and all I saw were the ruins and the overgrown mountainside. “DOG, MY WORD AND MY COMMANDMENTS ARE CLEAR. WHEN I BROUGHT MY PEOPLE INTO THE LAND THAT WAS PROMISED I GAVE THE MY COMMANDMENTS…MY TORAH. IF THEY OBEYED ME I WOULD BLESS THEM. IF THEY WOULD NOT, I WOULD CURSE AS STRONGLY AS I BLESSED. TODAY THEY CHANGE MY WORDS AND FORGET MY COMMANDMENTS. ONCE AGAIN THEY IGNORED MY WARNINGS THAT I SENT IN FAITHFULNESS. NOW I SEND A DIFFERENT WARNING, LET THOSE WITH EARS TO HEAR LISTEN AND OBEY.”
I stood quietly as the light faded slowly and utter silence fell. Once again stood the LORD OF HOSTS, MY CAPTAIN in brilliant armor…and I too was in armor. We stood together and watched.
It seemed we were ”above the mountain looking down when sounds and light were noticed on the mountain top. I saw what looked like torches being carried. There were large numbers of people running around in apparent panic. This was confirmed my the shouts and screams that started to be heard. I watched fires break out in several places. It was only because of the fires did I notice that there were buildings. I watched as hundreds of people were slaughtered and bodies covered the ground. It was ruthless and I wondered why the KING looked pleased. weird …scary…and I wondered. Eventually the slaughter ended and the fires went out…. it was apparently over. Once again the sky became gloriously bright and I saw the LAMB smile and shake HIS HEAD sadly.
“GO AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU SAW. THEN TELL THEM THIS. OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE. THE MINIMUM I EXPECT IS OBEDIENCE. TELL THOSE WHO PROPHESY LIES IN MY NAME THAT I WILL NOT BE MOCKED ANY LONGER. THEY TELL THE DECEIVED THAT I WILL NEITHER JUDGE OR PUNISH THOSE WHO HAVE WRONGED ME. WHO HAVE BROKEN MY COMMANDMENTS. THEY SAY MY WORD CAN BE NEGATED AND MY WILL MANIPULATED. TELL THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE INTERCESSORS, FROM THE LOWEST TO THE HIGHEST, YOUR WITCHCRAFTS WILL BE EXPOSED. THOSE WHO FOLLOW MEN AND WOMEN AND NOT MY SPIRIT WILL BE INDICTED AND EXECUTED. THOSE WHO LEAD MY SHEEP TO PRAY AGAINST MY WILL BE ERADICATED. FOR I NOW PLACE BEFORE YOU THE SIGN OF JOSIAH. EVEN IF YOU TURN FROM ALL YOUR WICKED WAYS, RENOUNCE THE SINS OF YOUR FATHERS, DESTROY THE HIGH PLACES AND BURN THE GROVES, EXPEL THE SODOMITES, BREAK ALL THE ALTERS TO BAAL AND TO MOLECH, PUT TO SWORD ALL THE PRIESTS AND PROPHETS OF THE ENEMY I WOULD NOT CHANGE MY WORD. I HAVE CALLED ALL TO FOLLOW ME AND TO LEARN OF ME. THIS YOU HAVE NOT DONE. THOSE WHO WALK WITH ME AND ABIDE IN ME SHALL FIND REFUGE IN THE CLEFT OF THE ROCK. THOSE WHO HANG ONTO THE TEACHINGS OF MEN, WHO SOW INTO THE WIND, SHALL BE REAPED AND CONSUMED IN THE WHIRLWIND.
Then all again was quiet. HE smiled at me and squeezed my shoulder. “I TOLD YA DOG, YOU KNEW IT. YOU MIGHT NOT APPRECIATE THAT FACT EVEN NOW. BUT YOU WILL GET USED TO IT.” So I had to ask, “What am I to do now that I am “here”?” HE smiled, “DO WHATEVER I TELL YOU TO DO, DOG. DON’T MAKE IT ANY MORE THAN WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING. I’LL KEEP YOU BUSY. I WILL SEND MORE TO THE MOUNTAIN. YOU JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND KEEP THINGS IN PROPER ORDER.” With that HE LAUGHED and we just talked about it. HE did most of the laughing. So in obedience I put it all in words and send it out. let those with ears to hear and eyes to see…
old dog