Recently, Bonnie received a vision in which the Lord showed her things concerning imminent visitation in this nation.
In the vision, I was standing on a landmap of the USA The states stretched out from me in front and behind. I was facing west and above me, from horizon to horizon, was a ceiling of very thick, black, angry clouds. Their appearance was that of an approaching, terrible storm. In one place, there was an opening in the clouds. There, rays of very bright sunlight shown through. Seeing this, I understood that a spiritual storm was imminent, and that in the wake of this storm, hope, peace, and joy would shine from heaven. I heard a voice say, "This is the refreshing. IT WILL BE VERY VIOLENT."
Suddenly, I was standing on the flat wheat fields of the Midwest. In the distance, approaching at tremendous speed, was a terrible cyclone funnel cloud. The earth all around this approaching cyclone was kicked up in a tremendous frenzy. As I watched, a series of scenes from the movie adaptation of the American classic by L Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz, passed before me. With each picture, a voice describes things that will take place as this coming "wind" moved across the land. I understood that It will not be sinners, false religions, or even political institutions, including the media, that will most vehemently question and oppose the coming "wind". It will be institutions of Christian Tradition and influence, including those who claim the "fullness of the Spirit".
I saw the girl Dorothy, in her humility, purity, and faith, as a type of the Bride of Christ. She was running home as the storm approached. Seeking shelter, she ran into her bedroom and climbed into her bed. But I knew this place that had seemed, in the past, able to bring consolation and shield from every terror, would not keep out this storm. The comfort she had found in the familiar things in the past would not uphold her in what was coming. As the wind surrounded Dorothy's whole house, the screens, doors, windows, and shutters were caught up in the power of the wind and began flying off.. God said, Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Everything in which you have found safety or comfort but not from Me will be exposed and uprooted."
I found myself standing in the swirling house as it was lifted by the cyclone. Looking out, I saw every kind of debris, both worthless and formerly valuable, flying around before my eyes. This "wind" tested the true strength of things formerly trusted in and exposed many things formerly covered. With all the dirt, debris, cows, and farmers swirling before me, the Lord said, "There will be those who will call this wind demonic because of what it will make manifest. Demons will be stirred up, the flesh will be made obvious, things formerly hidden will be exposed and seen as they are in relation to My Spirit: BUT THIS WIND IS FROM ME!" I realized how human logic and tradition, not being subject to the spirit, will misread the appearance of what is to come, and will deny that Jesus is driving the wind. But Jesus said, "I have come not to bring peace, but a sword," and again, "Anything spoken against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." I trembled at these words, for I had expected that the visitation we had so long sought would come as welcome delight for all. Now I was being warned that it will not be so. But God will refresh and empower everyone who gladly receives Him in fullness.
Then passing before me was Myra Gulch, the school teacher who hated Dorothy's little dog, Toto, because he constantly stirred up her chickens! She was peddling by on her bicycle with a bitter and determined look on her face. Trapped in the basket on the back of her bicycle was Toto. Miss Gulch had tried to imprison Dorothy's protector and companion, but Toto escaped to accompany Dorothy on her journey. The schoolteacher changed and became the wicked witch. The witch was intent on killing Toto, destroying Dorothy, and enslaving the inhabitants of the land of Oz. The Holy Spirit said, "Do you know who I am in this picture?" Though this would certainly offend the religious, and surprised me, the Lord said, "I am 'Toto" -just like Toto is Dorothy's constant comforter, friend, protector, and guide, I am with you! Witchcraft wants to control the Holy Spirit and put God in a box! Miss Gulch is a picture of the spirit of witchcraft working through the arm of the flesh and legalism to "manage", define, and ultimately resist God through religious tradition and control. This spirit hates the anointing and God's anointed ones because they are like the "wind". You don't know where it comes from or where it goes; you cannot trap the wind! The Holy Spirit, who is God Almighty and resident Lord of the church, but who, in utter humility will never exalt or impose himself, will come only where He is recognized, welcomed, and loved. He will be resisted and spurned by those who have not known him intimately but have only known of him or by theological definition.
Then the Lord showed me who will respond as God makes up his army in this hour. On her way to the Emerald city to see the Great Wizard, Dorothy encounters and is joined by a little band of other unlikely seekers. They are unified, not because they are alike, nor because any one of them is great in themselves, but because they have one common goal, to see the Great Oz. There are three who take up with Dorothy: Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. Scarecrow illustrates people whose childlike faith and simplicity of heart make them appear to be foolish to the world and to the carnal minded. His prayer is, "If I only had a brain!" Of the scarecrows, God said, "I have chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. In weakness I will be shown strong." There is Tin Man, whose rusted joints have put him out of action until Dorothy comes along. He longs for a real heart and when she finds him, Dorothy oils his rusted joints and returns him to his former vigor. Of Tin Man, God said, "These are my 'Caleb' people, those who have been 'put out to pasture.'" Silver haired, retired in the natural, who would be passed over by another army, but who have in them that "different spirit" and a heart that fully follows the Lord. They will receive fresh oil and be re-commissioned for use in this hour! At 80 years old, Caleb declared, "We can take the land!" And there is Cowardly Lion, afraid of his own shadow, but loyal to his friends even in the face of death. He is a type of many who, though born of the Lion of Judah, have been Intimidated by the spirit of witchcraft, which hates the anointing. Though once depressed by their own weakness, they will ROAR in the day of His army as the anointing of the Holy Spirit comes upon them. They see a cause and a King for whom they can fight! Of this army, God says, "It is not by might nor by power but by My Spirit!" (Zec 4:6)
This little army approaches the Emerald City and rings the bell. The high, beautiful fortress illustrates the kingdom of our "inheritance with the saints in light" (Col 1:12). It is also the place of visitation and revelation. Hidden in its towers and recesses are all spiritual riches, miracles, and power, for all manner of healing and signs. A little door within the gate slides open and out pops the agitated face of the doorkeeper. "GO AWAY!" he croaks at Dorothy and slams the opening. The Lord said, "The spirit of religion will refuse my army and resist their entrance to and possession of the resources of their kingdom." Many who have held power in religious settings will be threatened by this army and will resist it. In spite of them, the army will gain entrance to the Kingdom. Once inside, Dorothy and her friends approach the hall where the Great Oz gives audience to his seekers. I could feel intense power and heat as thunderings and fire came forth when Oz spoke. The little band trembled terribly as they neared the One who would fill all their requests and transform them. Suddenly, Toto jumps from Dorothy's arms and runs to a curtain which conceals a small room at one side of the altar that reflects the awesome face of Oz. Pulling it back, Toto reveals a delightful, wise, and loving old gentleman. It is the image of this man, mixed with fire and thunderings, that shows forth the Great and Terrible Oz. The Great Oz, before whom the inhabitants of the land tremble, is also a gentle grandfather! The Lord says, "This visitation will bring My church into intimate revelation and personal knowledge of Me as I AM THAT I AM, the consuming fire who removes My enemies, and as your ABBA, DADDY, your loving Father who has reconciled you to Myself through the Blood of My own dear Son!"
As the vision ended, I was shaken with all that I had seen concerning God's refreshing coming to America. Indeed, IT WILL BE VERY VIOLENT. The Biblical definition of VIOLENT is "make bare, shake off, violate, do violence, take away" (Hebrew) and "to force, crowd oneself into, to be seized, press, suffer violence, a forcer" (Greek) "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matt 11:12). Many individuals will receive this outpouring, be transformed, and commissioned to active duty in the harvest. Others will be offended and oppose the things about to be revealed. In some circumstances, it will be possible for confusion to reign. The works of the flesh, anger, pride, selfish ambition, and all sorts of demons, will be manifest as everything around us is stirred up. But those who receive this outpouring will find themselves in a river of the Holy Spirit like the river Ezekiel experiences flowing out from the very throne of God. This river flowed out from His Presence with such force that an angel carrying Ezekiel away from the source could not out distance the rising waters! The river came first over Ezekiel's ankles, then up to his knees, his waist, and ultimately forced him to swim of be overcome. This outpouring will be a river that cannot be crossed! This river of the water of life poured out by the Holy Spirit will cause us to "learn to swim". God intends His people to be a habitation of His Presence, a people of His Spirit. Where we have depended on getting from one point to the next by "walking", depending on the strength of our "legs" (natural ability) to carry us, we will no longer be able to maneuver in this river rising around us. God says, "Cursed is the man who trusts in the arm of the flesh" (Jer 17:5). We will have to become dependent on Him and His power to understand and do His will in this hour. The river Ezekiel experienced "caused everything to live wherever it flowed" (Eze 47:9), except where it flowed into the "swamps and marshes". There it turned to salt (a picture of stagnation and death). The key to this visitation bringing us life is taking in and giving out. Receiving and giving it away! Those who would only want this river out of personal interest will ultimately stagnate. Those who refuse the river will wither and die. Those who try to bring this river into unholy places will find that it turns bitter. It is said of these places, "They will not be healed" (Eze 47:11). But those who welcome the river to wash through, refresh, and cleanse, and make an outlet that the river may also flow to others will be revived and become like the trees beside Ezekiel's river bearing continual fruit and whose "Leaves are for the healing of the nations" (Eze 47:1-12). In another place the Lord speaks concerning His river and says, "In as much as these people refused the waters of Shiloah that flow softly, and rejoice in Rezin and in Remaliah's son (arm of the flesh); now therefore behold the Lord brings up over them the waters of the River, strong and mighty. He will go up over all His channels and go over all His banks. He will pass through Judah, He will overflow and pass over, He will reach up to the neck; and the stretching our of His wings will fill the breadth of your land O Immanuel. Be shattered, O you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Give ear all you from far countries. Gird yourselves, but be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, but be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak the word, but it will not stand for God is with us." (Isaiah 8:6-10). Then God tells the prophet, ("With a strong hand, He instructed me that I should not walk in the way of the people saying:) 'Do not say, "A conspiracy," concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken, snared and be taken. Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples, whom the Lord has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of Hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion." (Isaiah 8:11-18). This word what the voice of Jesus speaking by the Holy Spirit through Isaiah concerning His time to come. Jesus is the same today as in the time of His earthly ministry and in the time of Moses. Simeon the prophet spoke concerning Him, "Behold, this Child is destined for the rising and falling of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against, yes a sword will pierce through your own soul also and the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35). He has not changed. The Rock on which we stand is a Person, both I AM THAT I AM, and ABBA, our Daddy, who knows our innermost thoughts and loves us steadfastly. He desires only our good, and He is also a consuming fire! Let us fear lest our generation be like those who died in the wilderness because they did not mix the word delivered to them with faith! We must let God be God and strive as far as possible to live at peace with all. Determine to walk in humility and at the same time resolve not to compromise this invasion of the Holy Spirit. "IT WILL BE VERY VIOLENT!" It would behoove everyone who hears of the work of the Lord in this hour to remember it was religious leaders, and those to whom the promises had been delivered in former generations, who rejected the appearing of the One for whom they waited! When he came into their midst, they rejected Him because He did not come keeping their interpretation of the traditions they stewarded. Jesus said, "Surely I am coming suddenly. Let him who thirsts take the water of life freely." (Rev 22:20). As God visits us, if you find yourself in the circumstance of Dorothy, longing for more than what you have experienced in the past, thirsty for more of God, welcome that wind! Don't be offended if He shakes everything in your life. Don't be surprised in He joins you to an unlikely army of people who simply want more of Him. Don't focus on their weaknesses. Focus on your strength together to accomplish His purpose in our generation. Remember that He is always with us. He desires to give us the kingdom and reveal Himself to us more intimately as Redeemer, Bridegroom, Companion, and Father! It was Dorothy's longing for more than she had experienced that launched her on her great adventure. Her request to go "Back to Kansas" symbolizes our return to our First Love, Jesus. She learned true love, the true value of the things in her life, the power of faith, the importance of true friends, and of persistence. It took passing through the storm. Jesus longs for true worshippers, "the Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!'" (Rev 22:17). May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with us all! Amen!
Note: We learned that on the day Bonnie first shared this Oz analogy publicly, someone stole the "Toto" from the life size Oz display at a major tourist attraction in the western USA!
July 2, 1996
© 1996 Mahesh Chavda Ministries Int'l