September 2009 Newsletter


“Was it Real?”

By: Craig Rippy


It was like a mist with a bright light showing through from the other side,-White, mystic and caused my spirit to expect something great.

I walked slowly, not knowing what to expect, but I had the feeling it was going to be safe. No moisture from the mist. I was just walking slowly into it toward the lightest place.

After a few seconds, I felt a cool waft of air cross my face. I immediately stopped-not because of fear, but I just felt it was the right thing to do.

I stood there in expectation. The mist before me began to disappear. I could see brilliant light ahead of me with figures coming into vision. Even though the light was bright, I could see without shading my eyes.

The vision of Revelation four came to my spirit. I could see it vividly. A magnificent throne, with a figure of beautiful color, was at the center of everything. Four strange, but strong- looking beings acted as guards to the throne. Twenty-four elders around the throne appeared wise and wholly- committed to the one on the throne.

A voice that was very masculine and clearly understood penetrated my full being. I knew instinctively the voice was coming from the throne. It was God. I fell to my face upon the clear floor below me. It was perfectly clean and I spoke the words, “Yes, Lord” in answer.

There was no mistaking, He knew me and He wanted me to receive the message without misunderstanding.

I saw feet before my prostrate body. A hand gently touched the side of my face. A sweet, but male voice solicited confidence in me to rise and face the throne. I stood and the Angel walked away to my left, and out of sight.

Then a choir of Angels appeared to my left and a chorus resounded throughout the heavens, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" I marveled at the harmonious lyric, and desired to repeat it with them as they sing it over and over.

After a while, the Angelic choir hushed their marvelous voices. All eyes were upon the throne. I saw two figures- one sitting on the center of the throne and another sitting to the right of the center figure, but both on the same throne. I knew who they were and I was automatically worshiping them as Father and Son. The voice from the throne interrupted my adoration of God. “Son, you are here to receive a message to tell the flock you serve.”

My heart leaped with eagerness and also trepidation. I knew any message from the Lord could be a great blessing, as the receiving servants responded obediently. Yet, the message was for our congregation and I couldn’t guarantee that everyone would receive the blessing by obeying the message.

“Tell the flock of Solid Rock that I sent my Son to purchase them. I raised Him to be their Lord. He is seated beside me.” The Angelic Choir interrupted with a short chorus as before. Then, the voice continued, “My Christ has commissioned all His church to seek the lost, tell them of His sacrifice, and baptize those who accept the truth of salvation in Him.”

A moment of pause occurred and all heaven became quiet. Then the voice said, “Many are lost in St. James. I have been preparing hearts to hear the message, but few are taking it to the people.” Another voice from the throne said, “Tell My flock I died for all of those in St. James and the world. Go, tell them the gospel and baptize the repentant. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who disbelieves will be condemned. I desire for all to come to repentance, but time is short for many.”

With that, the mist became heavy and my vision of the throne and Angels disappeared. I found myself praying as I normally do in the early morning.

Was it real? Did I have a vision? Was it a trance? Did I really see the throne of God and the Lamb? Did I just fall asleep while praying and dream a wonderful dream? Whether or not I had a vision, dream, or it was a story of fiction, the message still remains true. My heart still trembles from the words of God. Does yours?