I saw this great lion standing tall and bold, bathed in fire. The sizzling flames leaped from his mane, and his eyes were fierce. Lion of Judah! The smoke billowing from his figure, ascending into the soon twilight sky. Behold, the Lion of Judah! I saw a small, white figure that looked like Jesus standing in front of the Lion. His white hair is like wool, and his eyes are like flames that cut like a sword. Here, a thundering voice came forth: Behold, the Lord has come for Judgment, and it begins with His House. I will refine and purify those who believe in my Name. For many, it will be too hot for their comfort, and as a result, they turn away. Walk into the fire and endure.
This is my illustration from yesterday on the bus ride.
The Vision: Lion of Judah in Fire
This unexpected vision, given to me by the Holy Spirit, on October 3rd. I was praying when I received this vision and heard the Spirit speak.
I never have ever seen a lion so paramount in presence and size, blazing in fire. When I first saw this, there was this great shaking inside my heart. It felt like an unexpected guest knocking at our door at the late night. This reminds me of Jesus’s abrupt coming. The Bible warns about this: his coming will be like a lightning in Matthew 24:27. It will be sudden, and unexpected.
This is an envisage of Rev. 15. (Please read Rev. 15!)
Seven Angels With Seven Plagues
15 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God…
The first verse makes it clear that this part, when seven angels comes out of the temple and receives seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God by four living creatures, is the FINAL part of His Judgment. God’s wrath will be completed after the seven angels carry out to do what they were ordered to do. This part also marks the transition between the trumpet judgment and bowl judgment that partake in the Tribulation period.
(At the time, I did have any prior knowledge about Rev. 15, although having read once. If I am going to be honest, this requires a more depth-analysis. On my part! There is so much to study and learn. However, I will write here with what I have — pertaining to the vision above.)
Holy Spirit gave me a rhema (word of knowledge) and it is this: Overcomers.
“Overcome” is a verb in Greek: νικάω (nikaō)
In the Strong’s definition: νικάωnikáō, nik-ah’-o; from G3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively):—conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.
What stood out to me first is this: it is a verb. It is an action, rather than just being.
This brings me to an important verse on how action corresponds to faith.
[Jas 2:26 NKJV] 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
And often does Jesus talk about abiding in Him… and apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Abiding is also a verb here!
We have faith that Jesus lives in us, so by believing this, we start to abide in Him.
We have faith that He already has risen and overcome the evil, so we can overcome our struggles.
So what does overcomers mean?
[Rom 8:37 NKJV] 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
No matter what tribulations or struggles we face, we can trust in Jesus and continue in abiding in Him and His commandments. This is why He calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus (Rev. 14:12).
We receive this gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8) and persistence to get through the adversity. The believers who persist and continue to endure in face of temptations and struggles are the overcomers.
Now this links to my vision, where the Lord speaks about refining and purifying His children… these trials and tribulations are part of His plan in purifying us.
Sometimes it hurts and burns… too deep for our comfort.
It is a pain-staking, agonizing process, like fire, but most liberating when we realize that He is purging away the useless roots in us and we have the complete freedom in Christ.
[1Pe 4:12-13, 17 KJV] 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. … 17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?
This brings us to His Judgment. His Judgment begin with us. When I first read the verse 17, I thought, wait, what? What does this mean?So His judgments will fall upon us, even the believers? The more I read and realize this, He wants us to hold ourselves to the higher standards than before… in other words, He will not leave you as you are.
He isn’t letting you bring the old with the new you!
This hits home for me personally. He wants me (and all of us) to move forward. The fire is where my true character is tested.
So, in our trials, He refines us to be more precious than gold that perishes.
[1Pe 1:7 NKJV] 7 that the genuineness of your faith, [being] much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
This should encourage anybody to persevere in the trials because our reward is in Heaven! Once his glory is revealed, we will be exceedingly joyous.
(Right now, I am learning more about this, on the testings and purifying. –> Read 1 Peter 4 for this. Our Heavenward Inheritance.)
I don’t think I am done writing this down… so expect some more updates!
Glories and Beyond 