Pg. 53: The Lord of hosts’ gathering

The Lord of hosts’ gathering

…I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

The Lord of Hosts gathering:

  • A dream of the night (11-17-05).

Some context:

  • A friend, John B. was spending the night. He had come to my door needing a place to sleep because due to drug and alcohol use had lost his place to stay. He was scheduled however to enter a Christian drug and alcohol, live-in, treatment program the next morning. I threw open my home to him and provided every hospitality as he was a child of God.
  • That night I dreamt a dream of the Lord…
  • Dream:
  • It was a clear, beautiful day on a green rolling landscape.
  • There was a large army tent pitched.
  • Outside the tent, sitting at a small desk, with an open ledger and a pen in her hand, was a young blonde-haired woman sitting quietly and confidently, ready to write.
  • I took stock of the army tent, noticing that one corner seemed to be lower at the back end where I wanted to stand, and that this would afford a lack of standing height for me, once inside (I am embarrassed by this unnecessary, incorrect, assessment).
  • I informed the the woman of my assessment (forgive me Lord) and she dutifully recorded it.
  • Next, I was inside the tent (no lack of ceiling height inside).
  • The tent was filled with men in army uniform, standing in order and facing forward.
  • I moved to the very back of all standing.
  • From the back I heard my full legal name called out¹, as a tall Captain moved within the group towards the back. He was somewhat put-out and directed me forward, somewhat towards the front.
  • I stood quietly awaiting orders and now found John B. standing beside me on my left.
  • The Captain then presented me with a small wooden cross.

Today’s insight on the cross given me: 

  • After the reception of the cross my sufferings can be considered as the fellowship of sharing in the sufferings of Christ.²
  • (Not to say that I won’t be disciplined by the Lord and suffer for that reason. He disciplines all his children.)

¹ But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.43.1.ESV

² that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;  PHILIPPIANS 3:10 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/php.3.10.NASB

and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.  ROMANS 8:17 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.8.17.NASB

For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.  2 CORINTHIANS 1:5 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/2co.1.5.NASB

but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.  1 PETER 4:13 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.4.13.NASB

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.  MATTHEW 16:24 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.16.24.NASB

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; ¹I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place. Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from afar And My daughters from the ends of the earth, Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” Isaiah 43:1-7 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.43.1-7.NASB1995