Follow the Narrow Path to Safety

As I was typing up this dream Father gave me below, I was catching up on the recent Bible studies and was listening to the March 15th Bible study when I heard David sharing a lady's dream about a lion and a high bridge she had to cross, and her fears she had to overcome in order to reach a lush garden (Promised Land [place of rest and protection]) on the other side. I was amazed at the similarities to the dream I was typing. Here is a portion of the lady's dream that I'm referring to:

The Lion of Zion #3
Rosie Lovejoy Squires - 01/24/2004
(David's notes in red)

I saw a deep, wide ravine with an old-fashioned cable swinging rope-bridge going over it. This is the kind of bridge one imagines is found in the Orient. The bridge was moving about violently, almost as if a mighty force was shaking it. Soon the shaking ended and my favorite LION appeared beside the bridge, levitated in the air. (After the shaking, the righteous will go to the wilderness to be protected from the Dragon, as in Revelation 12.)

I heard the urgent words: "COME! COME QUICKLY! THERE IS NO TIME TO DELAY! COME! COME QUICKLY!"

I looked at the bridge and felt great trepidation. The ravine was very wide and very deep. The bridge was in excellent repair. The wood boards were all solid. The handles were strong metal cables, as thick as my thumb. I found myself asking, "What is this bridge? What are the boards? Is it safe?"

I heard the LION speak: "THE STEPS ARE `MY WORD'. THE HANDLES ARE `MY FAITHFUL PROMISES'. COME. COME QUICKLY!" (This bridge represents faith in the Heavenly Word and permits us to enter into the rest, which is our refuge on the other side. {Heb.4:1} Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. {2} For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. {3} For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.)

I began to walk across the bridge, each step slow and deliberate. I found myself looking down. It was a fearful sight. The river was hundreds of feet below me. The sides of the canyon were jagged and sharp. The LION stated, "DON'T LOOK DOWN. DON'T LOOK BACK! (like Lot's wife) THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO A NEW PLACE IS TO LEAVE THE PLACE YOU ARE AT BEHIND. COME! COME QUICKLY!" (Leave the old life and any things of this world that you need to leave behind. You can't carry it into the wilderness but God will supply. Don't walk by sight or you will fear; walk by faith in the Word and you will succeed.)

I stopped looking down and began to stride more confidently across the bridge, grasping tightly to the two metal cables, which acted as handles. I found my fear dissipating as I got closer and closer to the other side. I could feel movement on the bridge and turned around to see what was causing it to sway. I saw another person beginning his walk and many, many more lined up behind him, waiting their turn to cross. (As we walk by faith, others will be encouraged by our testimony to do so and they will be saved, too.) There was an urgency to the movement. I knew that we needed to get across to the lush, tropical garden on the other side. I felt that there was no time to delay. (Those at war with one another in this dream were stopped by the Lion from entering His place of safety and rest.)

The LION was now once again levitated in the air beside the bridge, frightening away any who did not know Him. The only ones who dared flee the sounds of battle and cross the bridge were those who were well-acquainted with the LION. To them, He was their friend. (Do you know the real Jesus of the Bible, who is the same yesterday, today and forever? Many Christians only know the Jesus of their religion. The warring beasts will be turned back from the wilderness place of rest and provision.)

Eve's Dream

I dreamed I was sometimes running and sometimes floating near the edge of a narrow path that was high up on the side of a cliff. On the right of me was the rugged rock wall of the cliff and to the left of me was a shear drop off 100 feet down. {Mat.7:13} Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. {14} For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. (God has been patient but He must narrow and straighten the way now. You must pay attention to His Word or you will perish. {Hos.4:6} My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (of the narrow, high path): because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law (the Word) of thy God, I also will forget thy children. Behold God's narrow and high path: {Rev.22:18} I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: {19} and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.)

I was in the spirit, wearing white robes and sandals but my whole being was transparent (representing the righteous, spiritual man). Next to me, to my right, and closest to the wall of the cliff was a short, lean, gray female hippopotamus that was trotting alongside me. (It was skinny because I wasn't feeding its flesh. The hippo represents the natural, physical man It was diligently trying to run along the narrow path with me.) I had my arms around its neck, as if I was guiding it and protecting it from falling off the path. (Unless the natural man is led by the spiritual man, who is led by the Spirit of God, he will not survive. Only in this way will he partake of the blessings of God.) (I believe that this hippo represents the earthly tabernacle of our natural man running the race. And my spiritual representation is the spiritual man.)

{Rom.8:12} So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: {13} for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. {14} For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. {15} For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. {16} The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: {17} and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer (the loss of our old life) with him, that we may be also glorified with him (Like the natural man, hippos do not run well or long on land with a lot of flesh on them, which reminds us of this text: {Heb.12:1} Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, {2} looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

From Wikipedia: The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo, is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal. The name comes from the ancient Greek word for "river horse" (ἱπποπόταμος). The common hippopotamus is semi aquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where during the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses.

I think it is interesting that Father chose to represent my flesh as a lean hippo and that hippos mostly stay in the water, and that childbirth occurs in the water.

Friends, if we feed the flesh, we will not make it to the land of peace and safety.

{Gal.5:16} But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. {17} For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. {18} But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. {19} Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, {20} idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, {21} envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. {22} But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. {24} And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. {25} If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.

I was in my spirit form but off and on I could experience what the hippo was thinking and feeling. (That's because the spiritual man knows the thoughts of the natural man. {1Co.2:11} For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. So you also need to be filled with the Spirit of God.) When the dream started out, I was experiencing the dream from the hippo's perspective. The hippo was trying to look straight ahead toward the promised land that was just ahead. It kept telling itself, "I have to make it to the Promised Land! It's just ahead!" But, occasionally, it would look over the edge of the path and, when it did, it saw below ocean water filled with sharks. (The sharks represent the curses that are on the natural man when he walks after the mind of the flesh, meaning when he gets off the narrow path of God's Word. It is everything that you see around you that devours the lives of men. Read Deuteronomy 28 for a list of these sharks.)

I could see the waves crashing against the base of the cliff. I could see the sharks swimming near the surface and jumping out of the water. The hippo was terrified of the sharks and fearful they would jump up and snatch it off of the path. (The natural man is afraid of the curse of death. When you are afraid that the demons and their helpers can snatch you off the high and narrow path, you are thinking in your natural man. God says that as long as you hear His voice and follow His Word, no one can snatch you out of His hand. {Joh.10:27} My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: {28} and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. {29} My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.)

Then I switched back inside my spiritual form and said, "Those sharks will never be able to reach us way up here". (Progressing on the high path to the rest in the Promised Land.) Then the hippo again tried to only look straight ahead and kept telling itself, "I have to make it to the Promised Land! It's just ahead!" After a little while, I was again in the hippo's consciousness and it looked over the edge of the path and saw that it had changed into the lush greenery of trees and shrubs. I felt the hippo's relief and heard its thought that said, "Oh, no more sharks. Now I will make it!" (Even these are feelings of the flesh because of sight. It really didn't make any difference whether the sharks were there or not; staying on the path with eyes on the goal gives success.)

Then I was back in my spiritual form and I looked down and noticed a male lion running amongst the green shrubs near the wall of the cliff. It was running to catch up with us and looking up at us, as if it was going to spring up to pounce on us and devour us. But when it did spring, it fell way short of the path and then disappeared into the trees and shrubs. I thought in the spirit, "I knew he wouldn't make it up this high". (The high places of safety are abiding in Christ. {Eph.1:3} Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.... The lion may devour those who live in low places. {Isa.35:8} And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness (meaning separation from sin); the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be for the redeemed: the wayfaring (Hebrew meaning: "traveller on a broad road") men, yea fools, shall not err therein. We have seen those who are taken from the path and devoured because they chose the broad road. {9} No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up thereon; they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there. Notice that the lion of Satan cannot "go up" on the high and narrow path that leads to the Bride or Zion. {10} and the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.) {1Pe.5:6} Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; {7} casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. {8} Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, {9} whom withstand steadfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.

We then saw the end of the path and were so happy to be coming to the end! The path ended abruptly and we knew we were going to have to take a running leap off the end. But we weren't afraid because we knew we would be carried on the wind (Hebrew: ruach, "Spirit") gently over the boundary of the Promised Land and set down gently. We saw the beautiful Promised Land (of rest and safety) in the distance, about half a mile away from the end of the path up on the cliff. The sun (Son) shone so brightly over there, compared to the dull, grayish sky that was over the narrow path. {Deu.8:1} All the commandment which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which Jehovah swore unto your fathers. Faith in God's promises gives us the gift of obedience and the land of rest. {2} And thou shalt remember all the way which Jehovah thy God hath led thee these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble thee, to prove thee, to know what was in thy heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or not.

{3} And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger (He tests you with lack), and fed thee with manna (the Word from Heaven), which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by everything that proceedeth out of the mouth of Jehovah doth man live. Life comes from the Word. {4} Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. Provision and health come from the Word. {5} And thou shalt consider in thy heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so Jehovah thy God chasteneth thee. {6} And thou shalt keep the commandments of Jehovah thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. {7} For Jehovah thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills;

{8} a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and honey; {9} a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig copper. {10} And thou shalt eat and be full, and thou shalt bless Jehovah thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Great provision for those who keep His commandments. {Php.4:19} And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. {11} Beware lest thou forget Jehovah thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his ordinances, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: {12} lest, when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; {13} and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; {14} then thy heart be lifted up, and thou forget Jehovah thy God, who brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage (Forgetting God is going our own way -- the way of the curse of Deuteronomy 28.);

{15} who led thee through the great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents and scorpions, and thirsty ground where was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint (He provided safety and provision in the midst of danger and curse.); {16} who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not; that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end: {17} and lest thou say in thy heart, My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth. {18} But thou shalt remember Jehovah thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as at this day. {19} And it shall be, if thou shalt forget Jehovah thy God, and walk after other gods (which Paul said were demons), and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. {20} As the nations that Jehovah maketh to perish before you, so shall ye perish; because ye would not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah your God.

When we were almost to the end, suddenly, a female lioness appeared, springing toward us from the air, out of nowhere, in slow motion from beyond the end of the path. It was larger than a regular lioness. It was going to try to devour us. My spiritual form was suddenly solidified. (This could represent the end from the beginning, when the spirit man is finally solidified in faith to overcome the enemy.) I quickly knelt down on my right knee, with my left foot planted at the very end of the path, and drew the hippo close to my side with my right arm and shielded the hippo with my body, and raised up my left forearm. The lioness hit my forearm with its forehead because its mouth was unable to open and then it tried to grab ahold of my left forearm with its paws because it was falling over the edge. I then lifted my left foot up and, with a tremendous shove, I heaved the lioness from off of me. I woke up as the lioness lost her grip on me and was falling from the edge of the end of the path.

{Dan.6:19} Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. {20} And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? {21} Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever. {22} My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. {23} Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God. (The innocent toward the brethren who trust in the Lord will escape the lion and enter the Promised Land of provision, rest and safety.)

I asked Father for a verse or text for this dream and my finger was on Psalm 90:5. Here it is in context: {Psa.90:1} Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Abide in Him who is the Word. {2} Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. {3} You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" {4} For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. {5} You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: {6} in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. {7} For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. {Rom.1:18} For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness.

{Psa.90:8} You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. {9} For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. {10} The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. {11} Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? {12} So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. {13} Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! {14} Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. {15} Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. {16} Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. {17} Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

We are coming to the last seven days before leaving Egypt, as a type of the world. We are warned to partake of only the pure Word of God or suffer separation from His people. {Exo.12:15} Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. Only the pure Word has power to save and deliver. Lukewarm religion will be spewed out of the body of Christ. {Rev.3:16} So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

You may be saying, "This is a hard word. I have tried to be obedient to the Word but have failed miserably". My answer is that salvation from sin and its curse is not by your works but God's. Jesus will give you His free gift of obedience and joy through faith in His promises. {Col.1:21} And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, {22} yet now hath he reconciled (meaning exchanged His life for yours) in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: {23} if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.

Many have worked hard and long to see God's people escape the lion. Make our joy full and follow the narrow and high path and live under God's blessings. I thank all those of UBM who have spent long hours of their time to bring us the Word of God and also those like Eve who have brought us prophetic parables from God, like this one.

Love from your servants in Christ at UBM.

Printer-friendly version