Early this morning, I had a dream that I walked into a church and I was so overcome by the presence of God that I started to cry. I mean the ugly cry. I was crying so hard, my body was weak. I fell on my face in a corner of the room and just wept. As I was weeping I realized it was a mournful cry, one of repentance and much sorrow. I felt so broken in the presence of God that I was just crying and repenting in prayer.

As I laid in the corner, I began to see what looked like writings in a book. In the book, the pastor of the church had prophesied the downfall of that specific church. I was confused. How could a pastor prophesy the fall of his own people? He then began to address the congregation and he was telling the church he was leaving them and that he would no longer pastor them because of their wickedness and rebellion. I knew from the writings in the book that the time of that church’s downfall had come and that the pastor was getting ready to leave them. But all over the church it seemed none of them could hear or understand or even had a clue. They were worshiping and praying just the same. 

I was even more confused. Could they not hear the pastor’s warnings? Were they not afraid? How could they not be moved by the fact that their leader was leaving them? As I laid there weeping for the people and their blindness, the pastor came over to where I was and laid a comforting hand on me. He said, “Do not weep for these people. Their time has come and they have been warned. Get up and go from this place.” 

I woke up confused. I didn’t go into prayer about it immediately. Instead, I watched my church’s service online, did my daily devotional and was just in a time of my own personal meditation. Lord, knows I have my own sins to repent for. But as I was going about my day, the Holy Spirit dropped into my heart:

“Jesus is the leader of his church.”

I then understood from my dream that the pastor represented Jesus, and it was Jesus who was telling them he was leaving them and that their time had come. It was Jesus who had written the time of their destruction in his book. It was Jesus who had been warning them but they would not listen. It was Jesus who was leaving them because they were a rebellious and wicked church.

The revelation hit me like a brick.

Now, we could interpret this dream on many levels. It can be both corporate and personal because, after all, we are the church. 

But, I feel specifically burdened for churches and leaders who are leading the flock astray. And, I feel especially burdened for the flock who are blindly following these leaders who are full of idolatry and are out of alignment with God. Please know that the wickedness of a leader can invite judgment on all the people. Ask Israel and their wicked kings. (Read 1&2 Kings and Chronicles, also Judges).

Please, pray and ask God if the house you are in is a house approved by him. Ask God to show you the heart of your pastor. Listen to the Holy Spirit and the promptings he is giving you. If you feel something is off in a church you are in, LEAVE. Don’t let God leave and you are still there.

What I saw in my dream for that church was not good. But the people were too deaf, blind and dumb to see it. 

We are in a time when judgment will begin in the house of the Lord and we the people are not exempt. We have the scriptures to read for ourselves. We have the same access to the Holy Spirit that our leaders have, or should have.

We will be held responsible for sitting under false teaching and carrying it out. We will be held responsible for seeding into these ministries and helping false gospel to go out into this world. 

We will not be exempt.

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11.