Quite some time ago I had a vision of a stone that became larger as it tumbled down a mountain. When it stopped moving and was still, people gathered around it asking: “What is this thing?” The stone was a type of Noah’s Ark except that instead of going on water, it went on land and within it were the seeds of people that had fully germinated.

A door opened and one by one, the new creation fully developed came forth, each carrying a cross. They spoke to the people all around them asking: “Will you follow?” and then the cross became a fiery arrow that was shot into each one that was willing.

After the willing ones received their crosses, they all ascended into the sky. The only thing that could be seen was a cross ablaze with fire for everyone merged as one and they were that cross.

What a message!: Crucified lives becoming one is the hope of redemption to come… even GLORY. The Lord said: ”Remember my cross and my death, and you will live,”. (The Secret Book of James 4:11)…. “ none will be saved unless they believe in my cross.”

I have been a follower of Jesus since 1969 and have never turned back from serving Him, but I have not always gloried in the cross. I had embraced it, but not until now did I want to “know NOTHING except Jesus and Him crucified.” 1 Cor. 2:2. 

When I first came to know the Lord, I knew that through the cross my sins were forgiven, but I, like so many others, had no idea of the suffering that came with the it. Truly, our lives depend on the efficacy of the cross working to bring us into alignment with God’s purposes.

In a previous writing I shared that the beloved Christian known as the “Martyr of China” made the unusual request that Americans not pray for the persecution of China to end. When asked for the reason that he made this shocking request, he explained that anyone who became a Christian in China knew that they would face possible death and consequently when they made the decision to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they were willing and ready to die. Because of this they are fully committed to Him and are on fire, not lukewarm like so many in countries who do not face intense persecution.

“The world accepts traditional Christians, tolerates “spirit filled” believers, but it crucifies those who have offered themselves totally to God and have become living sacrifices It is ONLY death to one’s self life that can bring glory to God and salvation to the world.”

Jesus told the disciples: “You shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with…” (Matthew 20: 23) These words about suffering unto death are not just for them, but for us, too.

In 1970, the Lord spoke to me that many in my country would become martyrs. While I knew I had heard the Lord’s voice and believed Him, there was still the question: “How could that possibly happen in our nation, the “Land of the Free”? Christians were living in great peace at that time and for the most part were respected outwardly and even honored, but we know now that the signs of great persecution coming are here …Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are on the chopping block of this country’s present evil government and how long we will have these freedoms isn’t known. God may be merciful to us and delay for a while what has been prophesied, but if we have a heart like the “Martyr of China”, we will rejoice and glory in the persecution that the cross brings with it.

My flesh does not like or want to suffer, but my spirit knows that it is God’s way and that “If we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him.” 2 Tim. 2: 12 We will bring many, many into the kingdom and more wonderful than even this, we truly will be ONE with Him and other believers ablaze with His glory and love. They will know we are Christians by our love one for another and only the cross can bring us into that blessed state. The question is: “Have we fully embraced this word that will save our souls?“

The world is waiting for us!