The Purpose Perspective Archives

 
June  2003

Kids In Captivity







     Do you believe God speaks through dreams? I do. Though not all dreams are from God, God-given dreams are like spiritual movies. The visual and the audible are combined to send a powerful message that is wrapped in a plot and scented with mystery. Such a package makes a deep impression on our minds and is hard to forget. So, when God really wants to get a message across, He gives us a dream.
     I have had several very interesting dreams which, to me, were undoubtedly from the Lord. When this happens, I usually write down the dream in as much detail as possible. Then I pray and search the scriptures concerning the interpretation and write that down as well. 
 Today, I was reviewing my journal and was particularly impressed to share a dream and interpretation that I had on September 19, 2000. Though that was nearly three years ago, I believe this dream is significant and has timeless application. Below is the dream and the interpretation.
 
 

The Dream

     A few friends and two of my children (who were in their late teens) were on a busy street in a city in need of a ride. Then, someone who appeared to be simply a bystander, approached my two children and asked them if they had considered independent or private transportation vendors instead of the standard taxi system; the price was much cheaper. The person then offered a brochure that recommended a particular vendor. They found the vendor and proceeded to get in the car.  The dream was much like a movie where I could see what was happening to them (though I was not with them). 
     After my friends and children left in the car, I could see that they had been tied up, bound and kidnapped, though I did not know where they were. We searched for them frantically with no success. We knew that they were being abused and brainwashed and at the same time, I could see myself nearly crazy with worry and concern for them. 
     Eventually, after what seemed to be a long period of time, they were released and came back to us. Strangely, they were simply released, as though the goal of the kidnappers had been accomplished. My children had been sent to rejoin us, but I became aware that they had been sent to work against us. They seemed to be brainwashed into thinking that we were somehow wrong or evil. 
     Yet, my son seemed to understand what had really happened. He began to tell us all about it. He mentioned the lies they had been told and spoke of a chant from some kind of eastern religion that had been constantly played over a speaker system during their captivity. Though there was clear indication that he understood what had happened, I remember having the distinct awareness that there was a lot of work to do to get him totally free from the influence of the ordeal. 
 
 

The Interpretation

My Children
     I believe that my children being in the dream does not directly represent them. Their role in the dream is to represent the younger generation.

The Private Vendor
     I believe the private vendor represents an easier or more convenient path than what is right. The right path involves a higher price and requires patience and discipline. There is a conspiracy of deception operating in the spirit world designed to lead the young generation into captivity. They are tempted to take the easy path though it has not been tested or proven. This is where they need the wisdom and accountability of the older generation.

The Captivity
     Once they go down the convenient independent path, they are tempted and easily taken captive by sin. Then they are constantly fed ungodly philosophies and a polluted or compromised gospel until they are convinced that the wisdom of the older generation is inaccurate or untrue.
      The vain philosophies of this world can have a powerful influence on those who do not have a strong foundation. Our children (as well as we parents) are constantly bombarded with concepts and values that are anti-Christian. Young people who are separated from good spiritual covering are very vulnerable.

The Release
     Though it would be much better if it never happened, many young people have their little  “excursions” into rebellion and independence. When they come back to the church we are often so happy that they are back that we do not rock the boat by challenging some of their new ideas. But if ungodly philosophies are not rooted out, they can become a negative influence in the local church.
     This is the strategy of the enemy to frustrate the coming revival. I believe the enemy sees that a great harvest is on the horizon and knows he can’t stop it. However, he is working right now to plant the seeds of destruction in it that will keep it from accomplishing its ultimate purpose. If key foundational elements of Christianity are missing or corrupted, the coming revival will wax strong and look impressive, but it will then wane as did so many others in the past. The people won’t get the solid principles that are needed to sustain the momentum needed to fulfill God’s purpose.

Conclusions
     Such a dream is given so we can understand the strategy of the enemy and in such a way to dismantle it and neutralize its effects. We seem to be hearing from multiple voices that, “God is restoring the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers” (Mal 4:6). However, this verse was interpreted a bit differently by the angel in Luke 1:17.

"He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17)
     There is a satanic strategy in this world designed to corrupt the next generation to hinder the coming of the Day of the Lord. To prevent this strategy from working, we must teach our youth a radical uncompromising gospel that includes the foundational principles of patience, discipline, and respect for the spiritual fathers that have gone before them. They need a strong foundation. They need to know why they believe what they believe. They need a full understanding of the Christian message because an incomplete gospel message is, in some ways, worse that no gospel message at all. It ends up acting as a vaccine against the real purpose for why we become Christians. God’s purpose goes far beyond just keeping our kids “in church” or “out of trouble.” God’s purpose is for them to be a radical generation, a people prepared for and preparing the way for the Lord.
 

P.S. 

     In ending this article, I would like to remind you of a “Word Feast” that we are sponsoring July 19-27, 2003. Two veteran men of God from New Zealand and myself (collectively representing almost 70 years of ministry experience) will be pouring our hearts into those who attend. The daytime sessions will be for those who register for what we are calling “Boot Camp.” Boot Camp has primarily been set up for high school and college students. However, anyone who wants to come and fortify their foundations is welcome. The evening sessions will represent an separate line of teaching that will be beneficial apart from the day sessions.

For more information on Boot Camp (including the evening sessions) go to www.getpurpose.org
 
 


If  this article strikes a chord in your heart, maybe you would like to hear more about: 
The World Peace Seminar
or
Destiny 101 Seminar

contact

Purpose Ministries
P.O. Box 5004
Coralville, Iowa 52241