Friends
Have you noticed the way I have led you so far?First of all I have lifted your eyes and given you a vision. A vision that encompassed the whole church. A vision that speaks in ultimate terms and shows you the finished product from heaven's perspective. Your heart was touched by the thought of a great church 'without spot or wrinkle'. As Ispoke to you in those early days it all seemed so attainable,so within reach. The detail was not apparent to you, only the fact that I had spoken, and you saw clearly that now was the hour for the church to become one people. Now was the hour for barriers to go down, for people to come together,regardless of their upbringing and background.
John 17 -•that they might be one' - seemed to be re-echoing fromevery corner of the world and without any collaboration between the voices. You were convinced God was at work.This was his move and he would accomplish it. (So far so good, but now pause and think).
Have you noticed that the outworking is not as easy as it seemed when you received your revelation? Had I wanted to wave an arm in heaven and accomplish my purposes, I would have done so. But I have set my heart upon a personal relationship with everyone who forms a part of this glorious church. 'My ways are not your ways' still remains true, and whereas men would organise a one-church-movement, and set the wheels in motion to co-ordinate this group with that, I have spoken again into the hearts of men that I am growing the church. As ever I am starting small and consolidatingevery move I make. Every now and then there is an upsurge and an outbreak on a larger scale, which is an encouragement to everyone, but the master-builders know that at such times extravagant things are said and believed, and the idea spreads that we are farther on than we really are.
According to eternal principles I then prune that which has borne fruit that it may bring forth more fruit, andthe master-builders are not token by surprise when thishappens. They know that every step of the way I insist that the personal relationship of God and man is developed, and that this explains many apparent set-backs. I do not want people carried along on the crest of a wave, but people with some realisation of the cost, who nevertheless still desire above all else to be a part of this glorious church which gripped their imagination long ago. Indeed many only get their first glimpse of this holy and unified church in the midst of this upsurge stage of my purposes. (Pause again and think about what I am saying).
Now, because of all I have allowed to work upon your lives,you have a deepening relationship with me. Now you really begin to relate to one another. Not as a people who have in mind some grand successful church movement, but as a peopie captivated by my love and grace toward you; as a people thankful to be included at all in what I have set my heart upon. Now you are prepared to go at my pace, you do not despise the time it takes to form a relationship.You begin to understand that I really was unhurried as I made my friendship with sinners, that I was fully prepared for the disappointments and the rewards of friendship, and so it shall be with you more and more. As the barriers between one and one go down, as friendships are formed,and commitments made, you became more vulnerable to being hurt, and yet also on the verge of great discoveries. The riches that I have placed within every single one of you,becomes the available treasure of each other, and the poverty that has marked my people for so long shall be swallowed up in an abundance of supply.There I go again, re-envisioning you and lifting your eyes to the inevitable goal; but take it steady, be prepared for set-backs, be realistic - all in the true knowledgethat,although in one sense it has to be done stone upon stone, it is later than you think, and that finally everything shall be done suddenly.
For there shall be a great unveiling, a pulling aside of the curtain in a moment of time, a trumpet blast and the body of God forged through many trials and heartaches, joined together by many sinews and main arteries across the world, shall arise and dismay shall strike the hearts of many as they see that which they have scorned so long become the evident dwelling place of God.
In an hour when all is falling down, this church shall stand up like an army with abundant life and flexible structure. The bones shall have real flesh on them, andall the world shall see and marvel at this glorious church without spot or wrinkle, that first captivated the hearts of many of you so long ago.
Prophecy through Maurice Smith 7 January 1977 at the Friends MeetingHouse, London
Originally buried in Dan's vaults here....if it sounded familiar! Wanted to make sure it wasn't lost in his comments section. It's too important!!!
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