THE IMPENDING STORM
A Prophetic Dream Given the Night of June 9, 1998
Don Hawley
Note: This is the second prophetic dream I've had dealing with tornadoes. Since few new facets are revealed in this dream, I assume it is a warning that the last day cataclysm is right upon us. It's time for those who are wise in the Lord to be wide-awake and attentive.
THE DREAM
I was in a residential area looking out the window of a home. Along with some others I was concerned about a big storm brewing on the horizon. The darkening sky, the lightning and thunder, all were seriously threatening. Still, a significant portion of the population was either unaware of impending trouble, or seemed to discount its danger.
Suddenly a precursor of the main storm swept past me, a smaller tornado. Although completely invisible, I knew its exact course by its effect on everything around it. The spinning funnel actually brushed against my leg. This smaller twister was moving swiftly and didn’t last very long.
Next I noticed that the windows on that side of the house were open, and enough rain had come in to thoroughly wet the floor.
Now I saw on the horizon that a huge, fearsome tornado was taking shape, and beginning to move in our direction. It was an ugly black color, and so wide that nothing was going to escape its impact. As it approached the very earth began to shake; it could be neither stopped nor avoided. More and more people were beginning to take note, but not everyone. Even some of my own relatives were less than concerned.
When I hastened to the safety of the basement I took with me a young man, most likely a teenager. There we were perfectly safe in the midst of the largest tornado assault in history.
After the storm was over we were able to emerge into the light, and to discern who had survived and who had not.
THE INTERPRETATION
A loving God has sent signs to warn us of the impending chaos about to descend on mankind.
When you see the events I’ve described begin to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Matt. 24:33
The fact that I was in an ordinary residential area indicates that what is coming has significance not only for leaders and groups, but also is highly pertinent for men and women everywhere.
I was interested in what was coming, so spent time looking out the window. God has provided a prophetic window through which we can ascertain much of the future. But if we are not concerned enough to look, or if we consider the gift of prophecy to be something that died in the first century, we will be blind to coming events.
However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen,not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. When theSon of Man returns it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. Vs. 36-39.
Most Christians expect a climax to earth’s history, but it is always something off in the distant future; nothing we have to get excited about just now. No matter how clear the signs of the times, it is always "later." But Jesus said of those that see the signs:
When you see the events I’ve described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Matt. 24:33, 34.
THE SMALLER WIND
The smaller wind that swept through ahead of the major storm was the same wind that swept through Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. That was the "early rain;" we are now experiencing the beginnings of the "latter rain," or Pentecost II. Since the latter rain is to be more extensive and powerful than the former rain, there is much more to come. Even so, the present move of the Holy Spirit—the Renewal movement¾ has reached every corner of the globe and has heavily impacted the lives of millions of searching people. The fact that many are not even aware of what is going on doesn’t negate the truth in any way. What is about to explode will come upon many as a "thief in the night."
In my dream the small funnel "brushed against my leg," without hurting me in any way. In fact, it was an exhilarating experience. Bunnie and I first began to enjoy the Renewal in 1995, soon after it made its initial appearance in the United States in January of 1994. Since that time we've traveled to several places in the U.S. and Canada to be blessed by what God is doing in the world today. You can’t actually see the Holy Spirit, but you can easily see his work in the lives of those who are open to his moving.
Jesus replied, "The truth is no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don’t be surprised at my statement that you must be born again. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit." John 3:5-8.
This smaller wind will not last for a great length of time. If we are to experience its blessings, we need to appropriate them now. In my dream the windows of the home were open, and enough rain came in to thoroughly wet the floor. The windows of heaven now have been opened up to allow the latter rain of the Spirit to fall upon the earth. However, unless the windows of our body temple also are open, we will miss out on this precious season.Those who are afraid of the rain of the Spirit, or who are too preoccupied to care, will be left spiritually dry.
THE MAJOR STORM
While the lessor storm of my dream represented the present preparatory move of the Holy Spirit, the great, black, threatening funnel stood for the final cataclysm that will shake everything in this world that can be shaken. The fact that it reached from east to west shows that this last time of chaos will engulf the entire human race. This will be the climax of the great controversy between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. It will be the final battle, spiritual Armageddon. Already those who are sensitive to the leading of God are feeling the earth begin to tremble under their feet. Even those without spiritual bearings, but who keep track of world events, are aware that the human race is standing on the brink of disaster.
In my dream even some of my own loved ones were uninterested and uncomprehending. One can pray, but one cannot force openness to the things of God.
When this great storm strikes, no one will then remain unconcerned. Even the righteous will be shaken, but the unrighteous will be totally devastated.
That terrible day of the Lord is near. Swiftly it comes —a day when strongmen will cry bitterly. It is a day when the Lord’s anger will be poured out. It is a day of terrible distress and anguish, a day of ruin and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, of clouds, blackness, trumpet calls, and battle cries. Zeph. 1:14-16.
THE YOUNG MAN
In the dream I was able to take a young man with me into the safety of the basement. These present days are allowed us to call in the children. The last verses in the Old Testament point forward to the "great and dreadful day of the Lord."
Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse. Mal. 4:5, 6.
But there is more to God’s plan than merely gathering the children in for safety’s sake.
In the last days, God said, "I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions." Acts 2:17.
Many see Generation X as a lost cause, but God hasn’t given up on them. One reason they are not "religious" is because they are too honest to fit in with our religious hypocrisy. They will not commit themselves until they see something worth living for. Something worth dying for. When they do, this most radical of all generations will become radical for God. Totally without fear, they will storm the gates of the forces of darkness. The devil is desperately trying to keep them in bondage, because he trembles to think of having to face them when filled with the Holy Spirit.
THE AFTERMATH
When the storm abates, God will create a new heaven and a new earth filled with righteousness. Only then will we know who has weathered the final conflict and who has lost out for eternity. Those who remain will be those who have trusted in the blood of Jesus alone for their salvation. Among our own generation it will also be those who see the gathering storm on the horizon, and who prepare themselves for what is coming on the earth. This is precious time, time to make our calling and election sure.