I have been watching the news and seeing the unrest and violent clashes taking place throughout France and other parts of Europe. What began as student protests over educational concerns has escalated into a much broader movement. While many demonstrations have remained peaceful, some have been marked by destruction, lawlessness, and confrontations with authorities.
In the aftermath of election week here in America, there are many things stirring in our own nation as well. Watching these events unfold reminded me of a powerful prophetic dream I had several years ago. I believe the message of this dream is especially relevant for the Ekklesia in this present season.
An Advancing Ekklesia with Swords in Their Mouths
On Tuesday, February 2, 2021, I awakened from a vivid dream in which I saw American cities seemingly being overrun by violent rioters in a dark night. Cities were on fire, and massive destruction and anarchy were taking place. The rioters were lawless and demonized. In fact, they seemed more demonic than human. A strong demonic force believed it was in control. I do not believe this dream was a reference to the riots that occurred in some American cities during 2020, but rather a glimpse into the spirit realm concerning demonic activity currently at work.
However, in the midst of this chaos, I saw another force arise. I recognized them as riot police, but immediately knew that this force represented the Ekklesia—the Church of Jesus Christ—assigned to restore order and peace in the cities and the nation. They stood shoulder to shoulder, as far as the eye could see, with their shields locked together. They were wearing full riot gear, which I realized represented a modernized version of the spiritual armor of God.
Interestingly, they did not have swords in their hands, because the swords were in their mouths! How prophetic for the Hebrew year 5787, the year of peh zayin, which speaks of the voice and the sword!
Initially, I was uncomfortable with the imagery of riot police, because there have been well-publicized instances when such forces have been used as instruments of political repression to silence honest dissent. However, when you understand that the responsibility of riot police is to control riots and crowds, maintain public order, discourage criminality, and protect people and property, you can understand why this imagery was appropriate for the current season of contending for the Ekklesia.
Hold the Line!
In the dream, a large angel stood nearby, holding a megaphone. Suddenly, he shouted a command that thundered across the atmosphere: "HOLD THE LINE!" At his command, the Ekklesia marched forward two powerful, thundering steps. They were advancing even though every kind of evil was swirling around them. As they marched, they released a sound of war, and brilliant light came forth from the swords in their mouths, blinding the enemy! (Photo via Rawpixel)
Again, the angel shouted, "HOLD THE LINE!" And once again, the Ekklesia advanced, pushing back the forces of evil. The gates of Hell would not prevail! They would not be stronger than God's Church!
The Sound of Heaven's Army
As I watched, I became aware of something extraordinary. The sound of their boots marching resonated in the heavens, and suddenly I realized that the armies of Heaven were marching with them!
I was reminded of the four lepers in 2 Kings 7:3 who asked, "Why sit we here until we die?" They arose and began walking toward the enemy's camp, but God supernaturally caused the enemy to hear the sound of a great army coming against them.
In my dream, the same thing was happening! The sound of these advancing armies caused the demons to scream in agony and panic as they realized they were not merely dealing with human beings, the Church, or an earthly army. They were being confronted by the armies of Heaven—two armies advancing, two armies taking authority and dominion in the earth, two armies bringing God's Kingdom into the land, two armies pushing back against the very gates of Hell!
Mahanaim: The Revelation of Two Armies
In 2021, the Lord spoke to Pastor Greg Catalano, an elder in our church, about learning to do the dance of Mahanaim, which is referenced in the Song of Solomon. The concept of Mahanaim, however, is first introduced in the book of Genesis.
Genesis 32:1–2 declares: "And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim" (KJV). The Hebrew word Mahanaim means "two camps" or "two armies."
Jacob was returning home after spending twenty years with Laban. He was preparing to encounter his brother Esau, whom he had not seen in two decades. When Jacob learned that Esau was approaching with four hundred men, he became greatly afraid. But notice something powerful about the timing of God's revelation: before Jacob encountered the threat, God gave him a revelation of Heaven's presence! The revelation came before the confrontation! God allowed Jacob to see that he was not alone. The angelic host of Heaven was present with him, even as he prepared to face what appeared to be an overwhelming threat. And what Jacob feared would become a confrontation ultimately turned into a joyful reunion with his brother Esau!
This reminds me of Elisha in 2 Kings 6, when the Syrian army surrounded the city. Elisha's servant was terrified by what he saw in the natural, but the prophet declared that there were more with them than against them. When the servant's spiritual eyes were opened, he saw the mountain filled with horses and chariots of fire!
I believe the Lord is calling us to heighten our awareness of the presence of God and His angelic host in our lives, cities, and nations!
We must recognize that we are not fighting these battles alone. Heaven's armies are moving with God's people as we advance His Kingdom in the earth. (Photo via Unsplash)
The Night Does Not Belong to Evil
As I continued reflecting on this dream, I heard the Lord declaring, "My people, do not be afraid of the night! THE NIGHT DOES NOT BELONG TO EVIL! I OWN THE NIGHT! Night only coaxes wickedness out of its hiding places so that when the light is turned on there will be no place to run. For you are living in the manifestation of Isaiah 60, where it will seem that darkness is covering the earth and deep darkness and deception are covering the people, BUT THE LORD IS RISING UPON YOU! And My glory will be seen upon you! Then nations—even this nation—will come to your light, and kings and leaders to the brightness of your rising!"
What a powerful reminder that darkness does not have the final word! Isaiah 60 does not simply describe the darkness covering the earth. It declares the glory of the Lord rising upon His people in the midst of that darkness. We must not become so focused on the darkness that we lose sight of the glory!
Put on Your Night Vision Goggles
The military has many axioms, but one that has become synonymous with triumph on the battlefield is the declaration, "We own the night!" This phrase has been used by United States Department of Defense service members at home and abroad. It reflects the overwhelming tactical advantage provided by the American military's night vision capabilities. They have learned how to see and operate effectively in darkness.
And I heard the Lord saying, "I am prepared to give My people night vision goggles to see in the night season! You will see what others cannot see! You will receive discernment and illumination from My Holy Spirit that will show you the path forward. For what is hidden from your human eye is never hidden from My eyes. I am sovereign over the day, and I am sovereign over the night! I will give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation that you might prevail!"
I believe the Lord is also declaring that He will remove the scales from the eyes of many who have been deceived—those who have been deceived by culture, those who have been deceived by political rhetoric, those who have been deceived by religious rhetoric that resists the anointing, those who have been deceived by philosophies and ideologies. The Lord is releasing supernatural discernment and illumination so that His people can see clearly, understand the times, and know how to advance.
God Is up to Something!
I hear the Lord declaring to His Ekklesia, "You may feel that you are living in a day in which evil seems to prevail. However, I say to you: I AM UP TO SOMETHING! Did I not say that I would cause evil and corruption to be uncovered? Did I not say that I would expose hidden plans and demonic schemes? Did you think it would be easy or look peaceful? Ha! Do I need to remind you that the greatest victories often come after the greatest battles?"
Psalm 2:1 declares, "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" (KJV). Yet verse 4 declares that God sits in the heavens and laughs! The raging of nations does not intimidate our God!
I hear Him continuing, "I assure you, I have a plan for America! I have a plan for Israel in the midst of controversy! I assure you that I have heard your prayers! I assure you that I am a God of righteousness and justice, and I will have MY WAY! I will allow the shaking so that My UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM will remain!" (Photo via Rawpixel)
We must remember that the shaking does not mean God has lost control. It means that everything that can be shaken is being shaken so that what cannot be shaken will remain. His Kingdom is unshakable! His purposes are unshakable! His promises are unshakable!
Hold the Line, Ekklesia!
I believe the command of the angel in my dream is once again ringing out over the Church: HOLD THE LINE! This is not a time to retreat, surrender, or become intimidated by the darkness. It is a time to ADVANCE! Yes, even in darkness, ADVANCE! Even in chaos, ADVANCE! Even in the midst of opposition, ADVANCE! THIS WILL BE YOUR FINEST HOUR!
Every Believer has a personal responsibility to stand firm in the faith and hold the line in the areas God has entrusted to them. Hold the line for your own peace, joy, and faith! Hold the line for justice! Hold the line for truth! Hold the line for righteousness! Hold the line for revival and awakening! Hold the line for the destiny of your family, your church, and your nation!
Do not allow the darkness around you to determine the direction of your life. Do not allow the confusion of the hour to cause you to abandon your assignment. Do not allow the intensity of the battle to cause you to question the certainty of God's promises. We are called to stand shoulder to shoulder, shields locked together, clothed in the armor of God, with the sword of the Spirit in our mouths! And we must remember that the armies of Heaven are marching with us!
As the Lord declared, "Shake off the weariness! Break out of your confusion and disappointment! Rise up as My warriors, empowered by My Holy Spirit, and take your land! Your victory has never been closer, but you must press through the night to the dawning of your new day!"
Jesus was anointed to advance the Kingdom in the midst of opposition, and that same Spirit has anointed and empowered His Church today. So arise, Ekklesia! Take your stand! Lift your voice! Advance in faith!
THE NIGHT DOES NOT BELONG TO EVIL! THE GATES OF HELL WILL NOT PREVAIL! HOLD THE LINE!
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Bishop Jane Hamon
Vision Church @ Christian International
Email:Â vcci@visionchurchci.org
Website:Â www.visionchurchci.org
Bishops Tom and Jane Hamon are the senior pastors of Vision Church at Christian International in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Their ministry together is an example to the Body of Christ of a husband and wife team working in tandem and unity to accomplish God's purposes. Their ministry is characterized by a rich deposit of God's wisdom to provide apostolic covering for the Church, prophetic teaching and ministry, and demonstration of Kingdom anointing and power. They travel as an apostolic/prophetic team to the nations, imparting both the spirit of wisdom and revelation to establish the Church and break open territories through spiritual warfare for the Kingdom of God to be experienced in a powerful and practical way. Jane has also written several books, including her very practical work on Dreams and Visions, her call to marketplace ministers called The Cyrus Decree, and her proclamation over women in the Church to arise and be The Deborah Company.
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