THRU RAPTURE INTO TRANSLATION
Book 1
By Frances Metcalfe
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Hebrews 11:5)
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (I Thessalonians 4:16,17)
“Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” (I Corinthians 15:51)
The revelations set forth in this booklet were given during experiences of “rapture,” beginning in January, 1942, and continuing for several months. Guided by the Holy Spirit, I have made an earnest attempt to interpret these heavenly experiences in earthly language. Needless to say, the testimony falls far short of the reality.
Since the first edition was mailed out in 1943, we have received letters from other Christians, in many parts of the world, who testify to similar experiences and rejoice in the testimony recorded in these pages. By many reliable witnesses, the Holy Spirit has confirmed the word given to us that “rapture” – meaning “to be caught away or transported in the spirit” – is preparatory to the even greater experiences of transport (in the body), and translation. All three of these experiences are recorded in the Word of God, and are among the promises given to the full overcomers in the Latter Days, or the Time of the End. A body is being prepared “as it hath pleased Him,” as revealed in I Corinthians, 15th chapter, whose blessed privilege is to be changed and caught up alive – made like unto Christ, our glorious Head. Foretastes such as this booklet records are becoming more numerous as the time of the Consummation draws near.
This was the Lord’s doing, and it is still marvelous in our eyes! With all praise and glory unto our Lord Jesus Christ who has revealed Himself unto us, reviving our hope, confirming our faith, I offer this testimony to you.
~ FRANCIS METCALFE
RAPTURE
Rise up on the wings of the Dove,
Rise up at the call of love,
Rise up, up, up –
Up! To the courts above!
Why will you tarry here in darkness,
Why will you wander, sad at heart, -
When Jesus has bidden you, “Rise up,
My love, and come with Me apart?”
Rise up, earth’s chains are broken!
Rise up, the heavens open!
Rise up, up, up –
Up! The Lord has spoken!
Why do you linger in unbelief,
Why give place to doubt and fear?
Why is your spirit still reluctant
His will to do, His voice to hear?
Rise up! What more can He say?
Rise up! “Tis the dawn of the day!
Rise up, up, up, up –
Up! My love, and come away!
Angels are hovering all around you,
Waiting to bear you to the Throne:
Heavenly songs float down through the spheres
To woo you in tender, loving tone.
Rise up, in joyous surprise,
Rise up, through the beckoning skies;
Rise up, up, up, up –
Up! As a bird homeward flies!
Blessed is the one whom God has called
To His high and holy dwelling;
Yes, blessed is he who thus is stirred
By the voice of Love impelling.
Rise up, through ethereal spheres,
Rise up, your redemption nears.
Rise up, up, up, up –
Up! Your King appears!
Winter has departed now at last,
Flowers are appearing on the earth;
And all creation is awaiting
A restoration and new birth.
Rise up, out of earth’s dark night,
Rise up, to the courts of light;
Rise up, up, up, up –
Up! Take your rapture flight!
OUT OF THE EARTHLY
In January, 1942, the Lord began to speak to me in a most vivid way about rapture. For many years a little company of us had been hidden away in a ministry of intercession and worship. During this time the Holy Spirit had led us continually, and had blessed us with true prophecy and many revelations about the great End-time plan of God. We all were preparing our hearts for the glorious day when our Lord would pour out the promised rain of His Spirit in double portion, and send us forth to work the “greater works” in His Holy Name.
It was, therefore, a great surprise to me when our Lord indicated that this earthly prayer ministry was being terminated, and that I was to enter into rest and be taken into another realm. I was puzzled at His Word and wondered if I were going to die. One night, as I was engaged in earnest prayer with a few others, I was suddenly rapt in the Spirit: I had the sensation of passing up and up and on into the third heaven!
“The universe is thy inheritance in Me,” the Lord said. “Thou hast possessed an earthly inheritance in My Kingdom, but now thou shalt spy out and possess a heavenly inheritance by faith.”
He revealed that Satan and his rulers would be cast down out of the heavens, and their seats of authority would be given to the overcoming saints. I had a strong impression that I was standing on a high and very steep pinnacle. To my surprise I found myself looking at the starry heavens from above them! The myriads and myriads of heavenly worlds spread out before me overwhelmed my spirit. I felt that at any moment I would faint, so I leaned upon the Lord, trusting Him to sustain me upon this pinnacle. I was conscious of angelic beings and of ethereal sights and sounds, but I could neither see them plainly nor hear them distinctively.
Then, as suddenly as I was taken up, I was set down again upon the earth! “There is a path which no bird knoweth,” the Spirit said. “You shall be given the wings of a dove, and shall fly away and be at rest.”
I saw that hitherto I had been an “eagle-saint,” a prayer wait-er and warrior. I was now to be changed into a “dove-saint.” (The doves typifying the company who shall ascend and descend and finally be translated.) The following Scriptures were illuminated to me:
“Oh, that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest.” (Psalm 55:6)
“Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.” (Psalm 68:13)
This portion had been spoken to me many years before. It is found in the prophetic 68th Psalm – an inspired song containing a profound revelation of the Latter-Day. As one commentator has written: “It would take the Pentecostal gifts of tongues to properly interpret this superlative song of David.” Our little company has often sung and danced in the Spirit to its transcendent strains. Many think David sang it as he danced before the Ark when it was being returned. The ninth verse reveals the Latter Rain. This is followed by the giving of the Living Word to a great company who publish it. There is mention of a people once cast down in servitude and bondage who arise as pure doves, as free as a bird! If you read on you will see a picture of mighty conquest in which angels participate.
Again the Spirit spoke to me in the tender words of the Bridegroom to the Bride:
“O My dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret place of the stairs.” (Song of Solomon 2:14)
And again:
“Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?” (Isaiah 60:8)
The Spirit also reminded me of Noah’s ark and the dove with the olive branch – a type of those hidden away in Christ, during the present storm, who shall come forth with the everlasting Gospel of true peace.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of them that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace … that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (Isaiah 52:7)
I was also reminded of the descent of the Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove, upon our Lord at His baptism in the Jordan River. At that time the Father spoke out of heaven:
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
I saw that the dove was a symbol of Sonship, of purity and of sacrifice – as well as of the Holy Spirit.
I pondered these Scriptures for many days, and the Lord caused me to see the “Dove” company is the “Bride” company – the “Son” company – the raptured and finally translated saints. I was shown that whereas I had previously glimpsed into the heavenlies, I was now actually to be taken (by the Spirit) into celestial realms. “How can these things be?” I asked, as did one of old. After much prayer the Lord gave me a revelation which was new to me. This was presented to me in many ways and was verified consistently. It was this:
Rapture and translation are two entirely different things! The meaning of the word “rapture” is – “to be suddenly caught away or transported in the spirit.” This does not involve a transportation of the body. St. John, according to the Greek text, was “rapt” in the Spirit when he received his revelation of Jesus Christ. His body was on the Isle of Patmos, but his spirit was taken into the heavenlies. St. Paul was rapt in the Spirit and taken to the third heaven. Daniel was rapt and fell as dead, when he was given the amazing revelation of Jesus Christ and “the time of the end.” Isaiah, while in the Temple, was rapt and saw the Lord “high and lifted up.” Moses was rapt in the Mount. And Ezekiel was rapt again and again.
All through the history of the Church, the saints have been given experiences of rapture. Savonarola was often rapt while preaching, and would sit motionless for hours seeing visions in the Spirit. St. Francis and many of his brotherhood were rapt and taken to heaven. They communed with angels and saints, and were given revelations of the Lord and of His sufferings and glory. St. Catherine of Sienna was rapt in the Spirit frequently, even in early childhood. She foretold the Reformation, and also saw revelations concerning “the great world-wide crusade of the latter days in which the Bride would arise, clad in beautiful garments, and the glory of God would fill the earth.” Many of her experiences seem to be typical of the works which are to be wrought in the days just ahead.
George Fox of the Quakers once was rapt for many days, and his body was altered in appearance in a most supernatural way. The Holy Spirit reminded me of these things of which I had previously read in belief. I had not been greatly impressed by them, supposing they were purely individual revelations. Now I saw that these raptures were types and signs of experiences which lie ahead for us.
About a year later, after having entered into rapture, I investigated other reports of such raptures, and found that the Holy Spirit had dealt with me in ways so similar that I was amazed. I was filled with rejoicing at the witness given to me in reading of those who were raptured in days gone by.
That which St. Paul experienced, as one born out of due time, is the perfect type and pattern of the sons of God. They will be given a revelation of Jesus Christ – a face to face, beyond-the-veil experience – before they are physically translated. They will be caught up in the spirit and will commune with angels, prophets and apostles, as well as with Jesus Christ Himself. They will be shown the things which have been, the things which are, and the things which are to be. They will be able to say, as St. Peter said after the transfiguration:
“We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of His majesty…when we were with Him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed.” (II Peter 1:16,18,19)
Likewise, St. John could say:
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life: (the Living Word). That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you.” (I John 1:1,3)
Oh, what a word of authority! We shall see, we shall hear, we shall know, by first hand experience. And this we shall declare unto the nations – a sure word of prophecy. Why was it not lawful for St. Paul to tell of his revelation of Jesus Christ and of the mysteries revealed I the third heaven? Because these things were sealed up until the time of the end. The Revelation and Appearing of Jesus Christ is now at hand – a secret appearing and revelation to His prepared saints, before His open appearing. This is foreshown in the first three chapters of The Revelation, when Jesus Christ appeared unto John on the Isle of Patmos. In chapter one, verse ten, we read: “On the Lord’s day I found myself rapt in the Spirit.” (Moffatt) The entire Apocalypse was given to him by revelation while in the state of rapture, that is, caught away in the Spirit out of his natural senses, his mind being quickened and illumined by the supernatural power of God.
After rapture, the next step is transport. We shall be taken from place to place in the body, as Philip was caught away when he preached to the eunuch.
The last step is translation. Then we shall be caught up – body, soul and spirit –as were Enoch and Elijah. But this will not be until consummation of the End-time ministry.
When this astounding revelation was given to me by the Lord, He immediately challenged me, “Believest thou this?” Then He said, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death.”
My heart was so stirred that I earnestly sought the Lord that in all things I too might walk well-pleasing to Him. I laid aside all spiritual labor and sought to enter into complete rest; but it took several months and a severe illness, before I could fully do so. I did not confide this revelation to any one; but the Holy Spirit confirmed it by many demonstrations, Scriptures and prophecies through others. The Lord began to speak to our company about rapture, and there were manifestations of “flying” and being transported, and prophecies about translation. We were told that to enter into translation required long and difficult preparation: for our entire being, including our body, must be brought into complete submission to the Spirit. With these dealings we were given Romans 8, I Corinthians 15, all of Thessalonians, and many other portions of the Pauline letters.
We also had demonstrations about the whole burnt offering. Those who are truly raptured are consumed with the fire of Divine Love. Over and over the Word in Hebrews was given to us:
“Ye are coming (come) unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the General Assembly and Ecclesia of the First-born which are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22-24)
During this time the Lord instructed me about St. John the Revelator. And one night I, too, heard a voice behind me, like a trumpet, calling me to “come up hither.” I saw an open door in heaven, but it seemed far off. My heart was pained, for I felt earth-bound and knew not how to “come up.”
I prayed much that I might find the way out of the earth into the heavenlies. I was impressed about Nathanael, the pure-hearted. He recognized Jesus as the Son of God and as King; and Jesus commended him as an “Israelite in whom there is no guile.” He gave him a wonderful promise: “Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (John 1:51)
ANGELS FROM GLORY
Angels descending from glory I see,
Down through the open portal;
A wonderful word they are bringing to me,
Sent from the King immortal.
Angels from glory are winging,
A message divine they are bringing,
“The King bids thee come up higher,” they say,
“Now rise up, beloved, and come away.”
My heart completely He’s captured,
Soon to His Throne I’ll be raptured;
Caught up in a moment, I shall arise
To meet Him in Paradise!
The Holy Spirit gave me this song as a promise. He revealed that throughout the ages this “door” in heaven has been opened at certain times to certain chosen ones. Jacob saw this “stairway” or “ladder,” and the angels ascending and descending. The prophets at times looked into these heavenly realms: but now, in the End-time, oh, praise the Lord, this door is to be opened to an entire company. It is to be opened wide for a short season to a few firstfruits of that company. Then it is to be opened to the entire Sons of God – Bride company. Each one is to be taken up the “golden” stairway, up into the third heaven, some to higher realms, and some to the very Throne. By the way of rapture that are to have access to the heavenlies. They are to see and commune with the angels and saints; and are to see Jesus, beyond the veil, face to face, being changed into His likeness, fully united with Him. They are to be commissioned and sealed, and then sent forth for a short ministry. The pattern for this is found in the life of our Lord. He was brought up out of death, and ascended, after He descended. He was seen by many and ministered for forty days before He was taken up again to remain at the Throne.
The Lord also revealed much concerning Enoch. Later I was given the Book of Enoch to read, and I found it was profitable. In it I learned that Enoch was raptured many times before he was actually translated. The marvelous revelations given him concerning God’s plan – even unto the end of this age – and his knowledge of heavenly movements, enabled him to enter into the End-time privileges – and to experience the consummation of translation!
Every son of God is to have these privileges. They are to know as they are known. As I learned of these things, my heart hungered for the fullness of the revelation of Jesus Christ – the secret revelation to be given the Ecclesia. I earnestly sought the Lord and prayed that I might be prepared to “rise up and come away.” I prayed that I might be like Nathanael, pure in heart, without guile. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” The old hymn, “Blessed Assurance” was often brought to my mind, especially this verse:
“Perfect submission, perfect delight
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending brings from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.”
Then the Spirit again gave me a portion of Isaiah which had been impressed upon me for many years. This prophecy refers to the time of the Lord’s appearing in the midst of His people:
“Now will I rise, saith the Lord; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself…The sinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” (Isaiah 33:10,14)
Yes, truly, our God is a consuming fire. He is even now sifting in our midst, purifying the sons of Levi. (Malachi 3:3) Isaiah gives the pattern for those who are to be raptured:
“He that walketh righteously, (in the righteousness of Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost) and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions (frauds), that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from the hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks (the cleft of the rock, the secret place of the stairs): bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off.” (Isaiah 33:15-17)
In this passage it is clearly revealed that our walk, our talk, and our every action, must be guided by the Spirit. Our feet, our tongues, our hands, our eyes, ours ears, must be cut off from every worldly and evil use. As St. Paul so perfectly expounded this truth:
“As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” (Romans 6:19)
How difficult to shut our ears completely to the hearing of blood, in the midst of a world at war; and to shut our eyes to the seeing of evil, in the midst of this evil day. But I saw in this Word that I must deliberately “tune out” the world realm, and “tune in” the heavenly realm. The promise to those who, by His grace, enter into this complete rest is indeed glorious.
THINE EYES SHALL SEE THE KING
Who shall ascend the Hill of the Lord?
Who shall stand in His Holy Place?
Who shall appear before the King,
Beholding Him face to face?
He whose heart has been yearning
For a glimpse of that far-off land,
Whose spirit is quiet, waiting,
To move at the King’s command.
Blessed is that one who approaches His dwelling,
Summoned by the voice of His love impelling!
During this time of preparation I found that my heart and mind seemed often caught away, so much that I could hardly realize that which was taking place about me, even though I still had the full care of my home and three small children. I also noticed at times a new sensation of quickening in my physical body. Often I felt so light that it seemed that I could fly away in a moment. These ecstatic times passed – and fiery trials closely followed. I found that all my heart, my soul, was longing for heaven, longing for Jesus, longing to leave the earth. I was no longer led to intercede. Indeed, I seemed helpless to pray unless I was anointed; but I was conscious of a constant, close union with the Lord. I experienced an inner hunger similar to that which I felt while seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit. So often then I had cried, “My heart and my flesh cry out for the Living God!” It seemed that again my flesh was crying out – this time for full redemption. About this time the Spirit gave me this song:
THE PATH TO PARADISE
Once, a dying thief prayed, “Lord, remember me,”
As he looked in Jesus’ tender eyes;
And Jesus answered him, while in bitter agony,
“Today thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.”
Beyond the burning stars, up through the whirling spheres,
I have heard a hidden pathway lies;
And sweet angelic songs are falling on my ears,
As I look up and catch a glimpse of Paradise.
I often sigh and yearn, in tender reverie,
For that heavenly land beyond the blue;
And then my soul is stirred to holy ecstasy,
For I know that some day I shall dwell there too!
Today my spirit cries, like once so long ago,
“Dear Lord, wilt Thou remember me?”
And Jesus, bending near, whispers clear and low,
“My Kingdom, dear one, I give to thee.”
Show me the path to Paradise,
Out of earth’s darkness bid me rise;
I know my Lord is waiting there,
Walking in God’s garden fair.
Angels are softly calling me,
With heavenly love enthralling me,
So I would climb the stairs beyond the skies –
The path to Paradise!
Often the Spirit came upon me in such a new way of “transport” that I seemed to be passing out of my body. But, as eager as I was to be caught up, I found that my body offered quite a resistance, similar to the resistance most of us felt in our bodies when we first sought the baptism and the Holy Spirit began to move upon our members. I saw the heavens opened one day, just a little “slit” as it were.
“Heretofore,” said the Lord, “you have had glimpses into this realm.” (At the time of baptism I had been caught up, and had heard the heavenly choir; and at other times there had been some experiences along this line.) “But now the heavens are opened wide to you.” At this, I saw the heavens actually roll back, much as a curtain on a stage is parted. The glory of the realm supernal blinded me! I was given glimpses of the New Jerusalem, and the stairway or “ladder” leading to it. I was also permitted to see various angels, and to know their ranks. I became conscious of them about me day and night. Prior to this time I had seen a few angels, but only at rare intervals, and then very dimly. Twice the Archangel Michael had appeared and had spoken to us concerning the Time of the End. How I loved this noble Prince among angels, Captain of great hosts! How concerned he is about the “Woman” and the “Man-child,” and what a great part he is playing now – gallant warrior! When I saw him and his hosts, I was like the prophet who saw the heavenly hosts – glad that I was on the Lord’s side!
It was revealed to me that I would be enables to see and to converse with the angels, and to understand heavenly mysteries. The Lord also spoke to me about passing over death; about death being swallowed up by life; about the reign of death which is coming upon the earth; and about the glorious reign of Life which is to be given to the sons of God. I saw some coming out of their graves, as they did upon the day of Jesus’ death. (Matthew 27:52,53) I also saw that some of the early saints are going to be out-resurrected from the dead, ahead of the general resurrection, and are going to appear in the earth. Later, I found that in the prophecies of the early Fathers this had been proclaimed. I saw that St. Paul and St. John, among others, were to appear again in the earth during this brief supernatural ministry. Indeed, I saw much of what I had not previously heard.
Jesus said, “I have told you many earthly things and ye have believed; now I show you heavenly things.” The Spirit continued to inspire me to sing new songs. This one became a daily prayer:
MY ADORABLE KING
Heavy with darkness, the world lies waiting,
Waiting for You, my adorable King;
And my heart is waiting and longing too,
And sighing, even as I sing.
I look up to the stars with their silvery lights aglow,
Somewhere up there You are looking down, I know,
And Your heart answers mine in an ecstasy divine –
As my song takes wing.
Each day I wonder how long it shall be
E’er You appear, my adorable King,
And often I ponder the mystery
Of the rapture that happy day will bring,
When I rise and take flight to Your palace of light –
Oh, hasten the day, my adorable King!
THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW
Alas, between me and the glorious experience of going up into the heavenlies, lay the dark vale of death. I hadn’t counted upon death. I had only seen the bright and promising aspects of the upward call. But soon I found cohorts of darkness and death concentrating around me, seemingly set for my destruction, determined to take their prey.
At the beginning of April, a little over two months after the first of the “rapture” revelations, I found the Lord dealing with me in great solemnity. A new awe and fear of the Most High God began to permeate my heart. He suddenly seemed to become veiled and mysterious, and His ways were most strange. He spoke to me often about death, and I found that it was not easy to draw nigh unto Him at this period – for invariably He would speak to me about it. I discovered that my heart – so eager to hear the good things, the bright things of God – was most reluctant to hear dark sayings. During this examination, for such it proved to be, the Holy Spirit by the living Word cut through my entire being like a two-edged sword. I had the very real experience of seeing my soul and spirit divided asunder; my whole inner being was opened and cut as a burnt offering is quartered and examined.
“I must have a lamb without blemish,” the Lord said, “a whole burnt offering.” (We know certainly that Jesus is the only spotless and perfect Lamb, and that only by His grace can we become “lambs of God.”) I found every innermost thought and motive was likewise brought into divine scrutiny. Needless to relate, I was greatly humbled in spirit, and saddened to discover that after all I was not such a complete living sacrifice as I had imagined myself to be. I was even more unyielded to God in the matter of becoming a dying sacrifice.
Finally, by the grace of God, I reached a place of complete resignation to the will of God. I was loath to die, leaving unfulfilled all the wonderful promises which the Lord had given me about the End-time ministry. I was saddened when I considered the many precious saints who, though they were given revelations and promises regarding the End-time and the Rapture, are now in their graves. It was a great trial of faith, for the Lord had spoken so long and so frequently about this ministry that to be cut off in the body seemed a crushing blow. Yet, in that hour I saw, as Abraham saw, that God could raise one again from the dead to fulfill His Word, were that necessary. I reached the place of being entirely willing to “wake” or “sleep” in Him.
I saw that some who were in this sonship calling, and yet have been dead for some time, will be raised as signs. I was given a most marvelous revelation of the resurrection power of our God. I was also shown that the resurrection of the dead holds many unheard of mysteries. Over and over I sang this song:
“I know that my Redeemer liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know eternal life He giveth,
And grace and power are in His hand.”
“I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, shall never die.” (John 11:25, 26)
On this Word I took my stand, as I had done many years before when the Lord first spoke it to me. May God give us Bethany faith! “Believe and thou shalt see the glory of God.” Several years previously, one who was precious to the Lord lay at the point of death. He had given up hope, but asked for prayer. When I looked at him my heart despaired for his life. Suddenly it seemed that Christ was embodied in me, and it was no longer I, but Christ, who stood before this dying man. It was clearly an act of intervention. Within my heart I heard an almost audible voice saying, “I am the resurrection and the life.” And immediately life and healing were manifested in this brother! The Lord spoke again at that moment: “He that liveth and believeth in Me shall never die; believest thou this, also?” I said, “Yes, Lord, I believe it.” And from that moment I began to look for translation rather than death.
Oh, how my heart yearns for the day when our God shall be openly vindicated in the earth: when the dead shall be raised, the sick healed, and His mighty signs follow – in a greater way than at present. But all this is by Faith. I had not realized what a perfecting of faith I needed, to be prepared for rapture and translation. I had supposed that it would just happen when the time came! But now I knew that it required a tried faith. I saw too that to live until the change takes place might be more to his glory, than to die and be clothed upon from above with my house from heaven. Yet I was willing to enter the grave, if he so willed.
After many sufferings and crosses I found deep rest in faith, but I had no outward consolation or inward feeling whatever. (Hebrews 4:9,10) I mention all this in detail because I am given by God to see that all who enter into the experience of rapture and translation will be somewhat similarly tested and tried. And the last enemy to be overcome is death. The full overcomer is to inherit all things, even immortality, thus escaping the grave.
Think what a privilege is ours! But it is one thing to have the revelation of these great truths; it is another thing to enter into the experience of them. Only by His intervention and supernatural working of the Spirit, administering great grace to us, can we be in this number. Again and again I have reached the place where I could not possibly stand, let alone go forward another step. Always, when undergoing such a trial, the Spirit has led me to humble myself before God completely, confessing my weakness and inability to go on, with the definite assurance that Christ within me will steadily press on, since I will it so. The Father has willed it, the Son has secured it; the Holy Ghost will administer it. All that remains then is for me to will it, too, and yield to him, believing that He will do it ALL; and praise God He always does!
One night I was taken in the Spirit to the top of a large mountain and was shown another peak opposite it. The Spirit told me to step from the one peak to the other. I was about to do so, for it seemed only a step; but looking down, I was filled with horror, for in the valley lying between was the grave, and in it the forces of death were marshaled! “How shall I cross over, Lord, into this heavenly hill?” I asked.
“To die is to go down into the valley,” He replied. “To be translated is to be supernaturally transported into heaven.” Then He showed me how Elijah was translated, and about the symbolic meaning of “crossing Jordan.” “You must cross over death; you must pass over, as the children of Israel once passed over in flood season and possessed the land.” Is it not wonderful that, when floods of death shall be sweeping the earth with destruction, a whole company is going to pass over death without being touched by it!
The Spirit works out many things in our natural bodies, and His divine truth becomes embodied in us as we live under the sway of the Spirit. I can never feel that anything the Holy Spirit does is “just a demonstration,” an entertainment to be enjoyed and then dismissed. If the Spirit of God demonstrates a truth in us, it becomes alive, and is established in the earth in us. We regard it as more than teaching – it is reality! When Jeremiah and Ezekiel enacted their prophecies in strange signs and wonders in the earth, these signs and symbolic actions became the Living Word of God to Israel. Just so, this experience of crossing Jordan has a real one to me – painfully, sorrowfully real. Is it not wonderful that in our day a few priests shall be able to turn back the flood for a great company, by the power of God? Amen! I believe it! But here is another truth that is hard to receive; for I saw that although the priests were the first to step in, they were the last to leave! (So even now, though I passed through death and have been taken on into the heavenly realm, I must still stand as a priest in the path of that flood.) (Joshua 3:15-17)
After this, my body grew weaker. Many forsook me in the Spirit, not understanding these strange new dealings of the Lord, wondering why, after having faith for divine health for seven years, I no longer had health or strength to do my duties. Those closest to me were sorrowful, feeling that I was to be taken from them. One was even led to anoint me for burial, somewhat as Jesus was anointed. She could not restrain her tears. All this occurred at the Easter season when thoughts of the Cross and Passover were in the minds of us all. How very real became betrayal, the smiting, and crucifixion.
Then, one night, the Holy Spirit anointed one to “lay me out” for burial. This was almost too much to take! The powers of darkness came upon me like a flood, attempting to upset my faith and turn me against the works of the Spirit, which seemed cruel and far-fetched. In my despair I cast myself upon the Lord.
“Are you one who is glad to enter with Me into My power, and yet is unwilling to enter with Me into My death?” He asked. “To run from the Holy Spirit when He works hard things within you is to flee from Me. How privileged you are to enter into these, My sufferings. I must have a Bride who fully understands. I am letting you actually suffer these things and enter into them with your mind, your heart, and your body. This is a complete offering unto Me, and is well pleasing in My sight. I am writing My Word upon your heart and mind; I am deeply engraving it in them with the penpoint of suffering, burning it in with the brand of Divine Love.” (Galatians 6:17)
Then the Lord showed me a large chalice. “The cup I drink, are ye able also to drink it?” He asked. I remembered when He had questioned me in a similar way after I had been baptized with the Holy Ghost. Then I answered, as the disciples did, “Yea, Lord, we are able.” I had little dreamed what it might mean, I felt that I had drunk it; but now I saw that it was more than spiritual suffering and death to self. It was an actual death – as a sacrifice. I hesitated, knowing that I dared not trifle with so sacred a matter. “By Your grace, Lord, I will drink this cup with You,” the Spirit moved me to answer. I took it from His hand with trembling and raised it to my lips. I tasted of it, expecting it to be very bitter; but, to my amazement, it became as the most mellow and delicious wine!
Then He smiled and seemed to laugh openly with joy. “This is the cup of full salvation,” He said, “I drank all the bitterness of death, so that you might drink of My Divine, everlasting life. This is the cup of redemption.”
Nevertheless, I grew weaker each day. Finally, in the first part of May, my heart grew so weak and faltering that I could barely move about. I could not breathe freely, and panted for breath most of the time. It seemed that the very breath of life was being taken. The forces of death were constantly about me night and day. I began to realize the full significance of overcoming death. I seemed to be walking in a region of thirst, darkness and pain. All anointing and blessing were removed. Just before I became completely bedridden, the Lord sent several precious sisters who were from the Middle West. I knew them only by correspondence. One of these prophesied that the Lord was about to do great things and to show me unusual favor. (I was so ill at the time that I could scarcely notice or remember her words, but this is the substance of the message.)
On the night following the visit, I was suddenly moved upon by the Spirit. Going to the piano I began to play and sing under inspiration. The theme of the song was, “Take Me Into Your Garden.” This title reminded me of one given earlier in the season – which spoke, not of a garden of love, but of a garden of Gethsemane. I had been led to sing it often during the dark weeks:
Come, watch one hour with Me in dark Gethsemane,
Come, pray with Me alone, for thou art all My own;
No need to feel afraid, in nothing be dismayed;
Soon I will take thee to My Throne.
This was the new song I sang in such weakness that night:
TAKE ME INTO THY GARDEN
Thou hast a hidden garden, Lord,
Where Thou dost wait for Thine own,
Bidding them come apart and rest
Sweetly with Thee alone.
Each flower reveals Thy loveliness,
Each tree speaks of Thy great care;
Under the sheltering boughs I would sit,
Finding deep solace there.
Songbirds are singing up in the trees,
Caroling songs of Thy love;
Fragrance is borne on every breeze
Straight from the courts above.
Take me into Thy garden, Lord,
See! I stand at the gate;
Open wide now the golden portals,
Lest I enter too late!
Lead me gently upon Thine arm
Into a place apart;
Take me into Thy garden, Lord,
Take me into Thy heart!
Then, suddenly, came complete collapse! All strength was gone. There was rapid palpitation of the heart, and all food made me ill. Breathing was difficult; in fact, every breath had to be snatched with labor. I mention these details only to show how very real this condition was. I want to make it clear that none of this was imaginary in any sense of the word. The Lord had dealt with me for years about the subjection of the imaginations of my heart and my mind. (So often the revelations of the Spirit are leavened and confused error because our own imaginations are active.) In all this experience, while under anointing, my imagination was held in check by the Spirit; and at times when my mind tried either to reason or imagine, I was instantly reproved by the Spirit. Also, in writing or telling of these experiences, I was warned not to add to that which actually occurred. It would be so easy to do this. The human mind can scarcely recall or recount any incident without embellishing it in some way; but the Lord wants our testimony to be given in the white light of truth. Therefore, if any mistake is made, let it be known that it is not willful on my part. In the recounting of our spiritual experiences, to add to or alter them in any way is a grievous thing – our witness must be true.
The point is that I was really ill, dangerously so! I grew steadily worse and was engulfed in the most terrible spiritual atmosphere I had ever experienced. To say that it was a “waste howling wilderness” can best describe it. It seemed to be the very valley of the shadow of death. I believe it was just that; and that I tasted in part, at least, of the sufferings of some saints as they are about to die, when Satan makes his last terrific attack upon the souls. I was seemingly forsaken by God, and also by those who were close to me in the Lord. It is true that they prayed. But they received no special anointing or light. They seemed to be in another world.
Diabolical forces centered upon me; and the days were like months, so intense was the suffering, I could not pray, praise, or converse; but I was conscious of complete committal unto god, and a rest of faith in which there was no fear. I knew that I was completely in God’s hands, beyond all human aid, and that to seek such would be absolute folly. “I wound and I heal; I kill and I make alive,” saith the Lord. Had I not declared with Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him?” Was it unreasonable that He should call upon me to demonstrate it?
Two days and nights passed. Then God sent a dear sister and her husband to pray for me. They had not known of any of His recent dealings with me, so I was loath to receive them. I wanted nothing, no one, but the Lord. I knew that all my hope and help lay in Him. Nor did I want His will hindered by anyone. I was ready to live or die. It seemed to me that to depart and be with Him was greatly to be desired; yet to desire it unduly was selfish, if I wanted to escape suffering. I believe that the final end of all divine dealing is that in all things, at all times, we have no desire but this: “Father, Thy will be done.” It is not enough to know the will of God; it is not enough to know it and do it; He requires that overcomers know and do and delight, by grace, in His perfect will in all things.
So these dear ones prayed and were truly anointed. Afterward, they confessed to me that they saw death written on my face, and were greatly shocked. But for all their prayer I felt no moving of God whatever. I seemed to be already dead. They left, and I steadily became worse. By bed time that night I was fighting for every breath. If you have ever been smothered, you can understand what the struggle was. It was so very bad by this time that I saw my husband could not bear it, therefore, I asked him to call some close prayer partners to pray for me; but he misunderstood me and phoned the brother and sister who had called during the afternoon.
It was at this point that intervention had begun! This brother and sister had retired for the night. The sister had fallen into a deep sleep at once, and was given a glorious dream-vision. She dreamed she was singing in the Spirit in a power, beauty and glory she had never known. Her final words were, “Oh, I am drunk with the new wine of the Kingdom!” With these words she awoke, so heavily anointed that she knew she must arise and pray. While asking the Lord to show her for whom to pray, she heard the phone ringing. It was my husband asking her to pray for me. Both of them prayed, and within minutes I fell into a sleep such as children enjoy, and I awoke I the morning greatly refreshed.
This sister came to see me the next day. She was in the Spirit and declared that the Lord had revealed that I was to go to her house, and that the Lord wanted to bless me greatly; but that I was also in great danger from the forces of the enemy, who wanted to cut off my life. She saw me covered with beautiful flowers, being borne up in the arms of the Heavenly Bridegroom. But I still remained desperately ill. I was reluctant to make a move out of God’s will; however, by the next night I was at rest in her home, so rapidly did the Lord move. She and her husband were led to hide me completely from all friends, which they successfully did for a month. The Lord truly took me away, far from the others, and made this house to me a King’s house and the King’s Garden!
When I left my home it seemed that I would never return again. Everything that occurred impressed me that I was going to die. All circumstances and feelings were combined to undermine my faith, I seemed to be in a state which my mother described to shortly before her death many years ago. She said, “I am neither in earth nor in heaven. Oh, that I might depart and be at rest.” It was so strange to be in a suspension – to lie thus between life and death, with only a hair’s breadth between.
I am led to go into detail, for each step reveals God’s intervention dealings, and though the personal pronoun has to be used – since this is a testimony – I beg you to regard it as an impersonal demonstration of divine Truth. The following night proved most difficult. Once, shortly before this, the Lord had drawn very near and whispered, “I am the Lily of the valley.” And I had answered, “Yes, Lord, Thou art the sweet Lily of the valley.” Then He repeated the statement with a most poignant addition, “I am the Lily of the valley – of the shadow of death.”
All that night I seemed to be in that valley; but, praise God, I knew that the Lily of that valley was there with me, though He spoke not a word. Since that time the Spirit has shown me how much it pained my Lord to see my suffering, and yet be unable to speak; but the Father is preparing a Bride for His Son, and often must subject her to extreme tests to bring her up to a standard which He has ordained. Ah! How our loving Savior longs to sympathize and comfort us! Bless His dear name! The night passed, and I grew worse during the day. Finally, I felt that I should permit my husband to call a doctor, for his own satisfaction.
I feel that this was in order, for it established several things; first of all, that I was really very ill; secondly, that though this illness was indeed serious, the cause for it could not be found in my body; and thirdly, that all the doctor could do was to give drugs which I did not feel led to use, and which would have only slightly benefited me. He was very puzzled, asking if I had suffered a severe shock or heart break.
One translation of David’s word, “Thou has enlarged my heart,” is, “Thou has dilated my heart.” This is exactly what the Lord was doing in me; for the heart is the first organ to be changed in the creation of the new body within. It is also significant that in the Song of Solomon 6:12, we read: “Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.” Nearly all commentors have believed that this refers to rapture or translation, since Elijah was taken up in the “chariots of Israel.” And we have “seen” these chariots at times. Adam Clarke commented that one reading of the original text indicates this meaning: “Suddenly, my heart was in rapid palpitation.”
This doctor, who was not a spiritual Christian, unknowingly spoke God’s word to me concerning my illness. He said, “I can’t find the cause for this in your body anywhere, and I am convinced that just one thing has brought you into this state, you have hitched your wagon to a star that is too high.” He also said, “It will appear that you are going to die, and no doubt the suffering will be such that you will want to die, but I am convinced that you will not die.” When he said this, I sat straight up in bed, instantly improved. Even he had been obliged by God to testify to rapture, although he knew it not!
By the next day I was a little better and was able to eat a very little. But still no word from God was whispered to my heart. It was just one week from the day I had fallen ill when He manifested Himself, yet to me it had seemed a long time. Shortly after sundown, while lying in my bed, I became conscious that my hand was knocking on the wall. At first, the anointing was so faint that I did not recognize it as such. But louder and louder grew the knock! “Knock and it shall be opened unto you,” the Spirit said in my heart. I did not understand His meaning, but I knocked, and the Spirit took up the intercession in another language. Then I saw a great door, and it was in heaven. As I knocked, it opened. It did not swing, but seemed to roll up as a heavy curtain. Then He said:
“I am He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth…I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and has kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:7,8)
I was stunned – amazed – and wondered what this might mean! I felt strength coming into my body, so I arose and went into the living room and told the sister, with whom I was staying, that we must all pray together; however, I did not tell her what had occurred. She and her husband were delighted that I was better, and they praised God.
As I lay upon the couch, all strength again left me. A most delightful and wonderful atmosphere filled the room. My outward senses were held in suspension, and I was filled with an interior joy and light impossible to describe. Then, suddenly, He appeared – the King in all His beauty! He swept in and seemed to fill the entire room! So ravishing was this sight, and so clear, that I felt I would swoon with delight! He appeared as described by the Shulamite in The Song of Solomon – and He was dressed in kingly robes! So majestic was His beauty, thus crowned and robed, that my heart melted into a new fervor of love. I saw His golden sandals, white undergarment, the royal purple tunic of a velvety substance, with jewels inset; and finally, to my surprise – as He turned – His cape or train, of finest ermine. It was very long, reaching from one end of the room to the other. The visit lasted about ten minutes, gradually fading from my sight. I turned and faintly heard the sister praying for America and the soldiers. I realized that they had not seen the Lord. It was so real to me that I was astonished! The sister seemed drawn to me, but I felt that I must not be touched. I seemed to be out of my body.
She approached to pray for me; but, instead, suddenly cried out, “Knock and it shall be opened unto you,” repeating it again and again. Then, in demonstration, she knocked and said that she saw a large golden door which opened to her. She burst forth in joyful praise and was radiant in the Spirit. She cried out, “Oh, I see the King, the King in His beauty.” She described and praised Him. The description was identical, even to the ermine train! We both rejoiced from some time. Another sister, while praying for me at the same hour, also saw the door opened. “She hath prevailed,” the Spirit said, “and from henceforth the door into the heavenlies is open to her and to the company who are to enter in with her.” He also gave her the verse in Revelation 3:8, which He had given to me.
I retired in great joy. Henceforth this house was to be to me “The King’s House.” Had He not appeared to my joy? Had He not shown me His beauty? Was I not ravished anew with love, and lifted by Him out of death into new life? Yes, I knew that I was in His House, and in a bridal chamber, as it were, being prepared for holy union. A new day had dawned for me; yet little did I dream of all the glories and blessings and revelations which He would give me during the following weeks. How unworthy I feel now as I consider these divine favors, but I recall that they are all for the Bride, of which I was just a representative member, being shown in advance wonderful things to come.
Just a year before this rapture, the Holy Spirit had given me a song which was prophetic of my sojourn in the King’s house. It began now to ring in my heart:
DWELLIN IN HIS PRESENCE
O, how rich is my condition, how blessed is my state,
For the King has brought me to His chambers fair;
In the secret of His presence He has hidden me away,
Oh what rest and rapture I am finding there!
Without the storms are raging, the night is growing dark,
So I dare not leave this peaceful hiding place;
For my King says, “Stay, beloved, I will hold thee to My heart,
Thou shalt evermore behold Me face to face.”
In this holy habitation I have found a perfect rest,
For no harmful, hurtful thing can enter here.
And the King Himself assured me, bids me lean upon His breast,
While with tender hands he wipes away my tears.
Dwelling in His presence, walking in the light,
Feasting on His love, robed in garments pure and white.
O my soul is thrilled with rapture, a rapture all divine,
For I know that I am His and He is mine.
IN THE KING’S GARDEN
Through “The Valley of the Shadow” the King took me to the gate of the King’s Garden, and on to the Door of the King’s House. There in His majestic Presence I found rest and rapture! How perfect was His plan! How wonderful His ways, which are so much higher than our ways that we cannot comprehend them, but stand amazed! Amazing grace, amazing love, amazing wisdom! Oh, our King is matchless, wonderful! “How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be; how marvelous, how wonderful, is my Savior’s love for me!”
How true to Divine Pattern have been all His dealings with me! But most surprising to my own mind was this rapture. He is always doing unexpected things in unexpected ways. How often we have quoted: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things which God had prepared for them that love Him.” (I Corinthians 2:9)
And some of us are quick to quote the following verse, which is often overlooked, “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God! St. Paul further declares that we have received the Spirit of God expressly for this purpose; “That we might know the things that are freely given to us by God.” (vs. 12) The Greek word translated “know” means “to behold, perceive, understand, declare.” If by the Spirit we really know these things, then it follows that: “Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.” (vs. 13)
Yet, may I say that with all the revelation of these wonderful things which had been previously given to us, over a period of years, the actual experience of entering into rapture and the celestial realm and ordinances was brought to pass in ways entirely unexpected. The element of surprise and amazement has been present in every intervention dealing, I am impressed to make this very clear. First Corinthians, chapters one and two, is the pattern for those who experience rapture and translation. Those who “come behind in no gift, waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,” are instructed to become as babes, and as weak, foolish, and base. The Greek word, translated in our version as “coming,” is Apokalupsis, which means “appearing, manifestation, revelation.” This word is a direct word of instruction to us who are being prepared to receive His appearing.
The true Rapture experience cannot be imagined or worked up, or brought to pass through our own efforts in any way. It is an act of grace, a sovereign act of God – it is “intervention.” However, Satan always imitates and counterfeits God’s dealings, so he to can produce raptures, trances, and other deceptive experiences, as he has done in the past and is doing increasingly today. It is, therefore, necessary for those who are entering into these wonderful favors and privileges, and who testify of them to others, to make each step clear and plain in Scriptural pattern. I want to state that in this experience, as in all other experiences in the Holy Ghost, I followed St. Paul’s word to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21)
The way through death into the celestial realm is a pathway beset by the fiercest, strongest, most deceptive forces of Satan. Let no one presume in these matters, nor seek these privileges unless called by God and prepared fully to do so! On the other hand, if the Lord has been pleased to bring you to the revelation of these privileges, and is preparing you for the rapture and translation, do not let fear or doubt keep you “earth-bound!” You will need faith; you will need fortitude; you will need grace to take this way; but all this is amply provided in Jesus Christ, and He will do a perfect work. Whether we ascend into the highest heaven or descend into the depths of hell, or if we take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there will His hand lead us and hold us, for He possesses our reins. Our kingly father David knew the power of God, and many of his Psalms were written to instruct us in this experience. So, I repeat, all of this experience has been confirmed by Scripture every step of the way.
Now, to return to the “garden." At death, a saint passes through the valley, over the “river,” and is borne by angels into the celestial realm. He is given a sweet look into the face of Jesus and is placed at rest in Paradise, the garden of God. So it was most fitting that, after seeing the King, I should be taken into His Garden to rest. I entered into deep rest. My body was still weak. Indeed, for many weeks I was kept in physical weakness unless I was supernaturally quickened. To this very hour I seem to have little strength in my body, and I live “by the breath of His Spirit.” With small children and a home to care for, I had never been able to go away and pray or be in retreat for any length of time. All through the years the Lord dealt with me about praying – even fasting and praying much – but always in connection with my duties to my family. I longed to withdraw and wait upon Him as many others could do, but this was not His will for me. It seemed He wanted to demonstrate His grace and intervention by often giving me the most profound revelations in the midst of my dishwashing, cooking, and other pressing duties – with the phone ringing, children crying, confusion everywhere. He had led me into the prayer of “union,” where He was constantly in my heart, no matter where I was or what I was doing. Of course, this had taken years of training, and it was all to His glory and by His power.
But now, in the Garden, I was completely cut off from the world and all duties. Following His glorious appearing as King, His Presence filled the house, and He dealt in a strong way with this brother and sister. They were convinced that He was about to do great and unusual things in our midst. The sister made arrangements at once to lay down a ministry in which she had been engaged, so that she might present herself before the Lord day and night, and keep the house quiet and undisturbed by outside influences. Though engaged in secular work, the brother gave every free moment to the Lord. The radio and newspaper were excluded; and all talk of natural things was set aside as much as possible. No one but my husband knew of my “Rest Home.” Thus we were shut away in the heart of a big city almost as perfectly as though on a mountain top.
The Lord seemed to move in and posses the house and garden, and to put all thing in Kingdom order. So real was His Presence, and so personal were His dealings and favors, that I felt I was living in the heavenlies, feasting in the King’s House, and walking and resting in His Garden. This song, given later by the Spirit, expressed my childlike joy in His Presence:
IN HIS GARDEN
A wonderful joy is flooding my heart
Since Jesus has shown His love to me;
Into His garden He drew me apart,
And now His grace and His beauty I see.
Here in His garden the birds always sing,
And flowers are blooming everywhere;
Winter is over, at last it is spring,
And now His fragrance us filling the air!
We hold communion, tender and sweet,
While walking within this sheltered place;
Sorrow is gone and my joy is complete
While Jesus holds me in loving embrace.
Jesus loves me truly, this I know,
And for my soul He gave His life a sacrifice;
Jesus loves me truly, this I know,
And His love has made my heart a Paradise.
Let me sit in His garden,
And bask in His sunlight,
Let me drink of His fountain,
And feast with Him alone;
For Jesus loves me truly, this I know,
And in my heart He reigns
As King upon His Throne.
The world seemed gone forever. Human beings, including my own dear ones for whom I had grieved, realizing their need of me, seemed far removed from me. (However, needless to relate, the Father blessed my family and took good care of them.) I saw that I had been born into a new realm, and that I was like a little babe – ignorant, helpless, and yet at rest. At first I could see and hear little in the heavenly realm, but gradually I became more accustomed to it.
The Sunday following the Lord’s appearing was devoted to waiting upon Him. He led us to put on bright garments of praise, pin flowers in our hair, and come before Him in joy – as a demonstration that Zion was to lay off her garments of mourning and put on her beautiful, royal garments. I was too weak to pray outwardly in any way, but my friend appeared beautifully arrayed as a King’s daughter, and was immediately anointed with singing and dancing. We were given a vision of the King’s Court, with His daughters appearing before Him in praise!
“Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp.” (Psalm 149:3,4)
The 45th Psalm was again quickened to us – “The King’s Wedding March,” as some have called it – and many portions of the Song of Solomon. He revealed Himself as the “Solomon” of His Ecclesia, and spoke of His virgins, His queens, and His choice one.
For many years he had been “opening” to me the Song of Solomon in which, as He told me, are hidden the deepest mysteries of the Bride. But now the entire book seemed to come into new life and beauty and clarity! The perfume of His ointments filled the house. We were ravished with the beauty and glory and loveliness of the King and His Court and His royal household. He revealed his desire to “feast” with His people, and that they, as Israel of old, might know Him in “holy festivity.” He spoke of the great feast set before us at His table, and He invited us to feast on His choice fruits, and to drink of the new wine of the Kingdom.
This is revealed in type in the first chapter of Esther. There the King gave a great feast to reveal the glories of His Kingdom. The first company He invited were “the Royal Household.” They were given to drink from golden vessels, each diverse from the other. But the drinking was without compulsion. Our King is likewise calling the royal household to come and feast with Him! He showed us that many will not come because they are so busy laboring for Him, and they will not take time out to rest and feast. And such are apt to condemn those who do respond to His call. “The time is too short,” they say. “We must hurry to get souls saved before the Lord comes.” They are in a feverish rush of “service” and are unaware that they may be offending the King who is now sitting at the table with His own. They are saying, like Judas, “Why all this waste?” But the “Mary” company is saying, “While the King sitteth at His table my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
Others respond to the call and come to the table, but do not put on their garments of praise, nor enter into the spirit of holy festivity. These are asked to leave the table. Who would offend a King appearing unwashed or clothed in working garments? We must be bathed and anointed with oil and perfume, and then put on our beautiful garments, to appear at His table. Of course, I refer to the oil and garments of the Holy Spirit, but the Lord required us to do this outwardly, too, and greatly blessed us for obeying. (He has dealt with us that everything we do should be done to His glory and in demonstration of the truth.) Thus the food we ate at that time had a meaning and reminded us of the Word; the clothes we wore, and on certain occasions the “ornaments” too, represented the ornaments of grace – even perfumes and flowers – everything, became a symbol or a token of Him.
Jesus spoke to His “inner circle” in parables which the world could not understand, but they did. The early Christians, hiding from their persecutors, wore signs upon their clothes which they readily understood and recognized. In Israel, nearly everything worn had significance. He reminded me of the command to write the Word of the Lord upon the door post, and upon their arms, and to speak of it while sitting at the table and walking in their houses, etc. The Word is not only being written in our minds, hearts, and bodies, but also in the outward things we do; and it is read by those who are simple and “foolish” according to the world, but “wise” in God, able to read the parables and signs and symbols of God. All the prophets received and often presented divine truth in symbolic form.
Oh, the wealth of the riches of God, when we reach such a place of favor and blessing that he speaks to us in all things, and where we, in all things, can reveal Him and His truth! But this is for those who are able to receive it. A few years before this time, I would have considered myself much too “advanced” for such childlike things. But He has turned some of us into little children, teaching us as they are taught. Have you ever noticed how they “act out” in their play the realities of their later life? Even so, we “act out” or demonstrate in the Spirit the realities of the life of the Kingdom. We “taste of the powers of the age to come.” How wonderful to learn thus of our dear Father, who take us, like a child, upon His lap, and tells us of His divine mysteries in terms of childlike simplicity which we can understand and interpret even now!
It has taken much breaking to “unteach” me to the point where I can thus learn of God. Of course I have never been very wise, nor was I well educated according to the standards of this world. How hard it must be for those who are really learned and educated to become as a little child and enter the Kingdom of God, here and now. No wonder St. Paul tells us that not many wise or mighty are called; but that the foolish and weak will be used of God to confound the wise and strong! (I Corinthians 1:26-29) So, at the King’s table, what a joyful time do the children have; but how hard it is for the learned! Some come to the table well dressed, but are reluctant about what they eat. So new and varied are the rich foods upon this table that they seem suspicious of them, and are afraid these rich foods will not agree with them, or might even poison them. In this case, St. Paul’s rule applies very well. “Let them eat in faith, nothing doubting.” When we come to the King’s table it is very impolite, even arrogant, to question what is set before us. If the meat is strong, the fruits are sweet, and the dainties rich, let us partake of them with glad and thankful heart, trusting in our King who bids us dine, having provided that which is best for us. We shall find many new and wonderful foods at this table which, if eaten and digested and assimilated, will greatly strengthen and enhance the new body being formed within us.
Many, I am sorry to say, find the wine too strong. They only sip, then set down their vessel. But others drink deeply of both milk and wine, and experience divine inebriation, being made “drunk on the Spirit.” They discover the new wine of the Kingdom to be the divine life of Christ. The wine of the sacrament represents the human life of Christ poured out on Calvary for our redemption – even His precious blood. And now He is pouring out His divine life, and it is, in essence, divine love. Oh, to drink deeply of this love which is better than wine, and to be divinely strengthened! Zion, ready to faint, is revived by this choice wine! But so many refuse to drink; and, since the drinking is voluntary and not by compulsion, they will not become revived and inebriated by the Holy Elixir of God. These are among the first to despise those who do drink deeply. Thereby their offense to the King becomes twofold.
I saw a beautiful golden platter coming down out of heaven. It was set in the center of this feast table. When I was told to look upon it, I saw twelve fruits. The Lord said, “This is the fruit of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of the Father. This fruit shall be eaten only by those who have partaken of everything on the table.” In other words, the fruit of the tree of life is the dessert, the last course to be served! We parents often refuse to give the dessert to our children unless they have eaten the rest of their dinner. To eat of the tree of life is for the full overcomer, and is one of the last steps in immortality!
In the past we had been given revelations regarding the King’s feast. But we had not entered into the actual experience of partaking of the feast. The above account was an actual experience of entering the revelation. Therefore, it was made a reality to me at this time. Practically all these truths had been previously revealed to some of us; but when we actually entered into them, they took on a different meaning. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they were like pictures suddenly brought into the third dimension. They were made alive – a reality in us.
The feast continued. My whole being seemed stilled at last, and I was aware of constant union with the Lord. I was impressed over and over with the need for secrecy and discretion in regard to “secrets of the Lord.” David, when fleeing to Gath, said to the priest, “The King hath commanded me a business and hath said unto me, ‘Let no man know anything about the business on which I sent thee.’” (I Samuel 21:2) He asked for and received hallowed bread and a great sword!
This rapture is a “secret rapture.” Jesus comes as a “thief.” He hunts and digs in the field for His precious jewels and, upon finding them, He polishes and cuts them for His diadem. Even now there is much that I am not permitted to relate. Other children of God may think we are wrong in entering into such rest and rapture. If we tell them that our prayer warfare “has been accomplished” – for a time, at least – they are aghast! They seem to forget that the Bride was created by the Father primarily for the pleasure of, and love-ministry to, His Beloved Son, who is neglected and hungry for the fruit of the Spirit and the refreshing wine of her love. We become so taken up with the need of the world and the need of souls that we forget the need of our God. We act as if we were more concerned about souls than He is, and think that we must labor unceasingly.
Are we so uninstructed in divine matters that we do not know that souls are brought forth in the new creation by being conceived and born through those in the earth who are in union with God? These souls are in the “Mary” company who will bring forth the “sons of God,” and the “nations that will be born in a day.” Zion, Mother Ecclesia, will conceive these offspring of God in the King’s House, on Zion’s Hill, and not in “Babylon.” Do we not realize that the King is going to give a great feast to the nations, even as Ahasuerus, who, after feasting his princes, nobles and servants, made a feast for all the people? Have we not realized that we shall be the “golden vessels” who carry the wine to the nations? Yes, we shall go out and compel multitudes to come in – by the compulsion of divine love! How can this be unless we ourselves have been partakers?
As I rested, Jesus drew very near and began to reveal Himself to me in a way so new, so close, so clear, that my whole being was drawn to Him by a divine pull. “Draw me, and we will run after Thee,” cried the Bride! I was being drawn into Him, body, soul and spirit. He showed me no more of His outward beauty at this time, but began to reveal His Heart. Once He had shown me His pierced side and had said, “From My side sprang My Bride.” Now, He laid bare His heart to me. We bare our hearts only to those we deeply love. So it is with our Bridegroom. The revelation of His Heart and interior nature, His deeper affections and emotions, is so profound, so transcending, that human language cannot reveal this deep unveiling. He, Himself, will reveal His Heart unto each member of His Bride; and, as He does so, he will change each heart and bring it into full union with His own Heart.
I was so melted, so humbled, so moved by the revelation of the sacred Heart of Jesus, that I cried for a heart like His. Then He ministered to my heart – first binding it up, for it had been previously been crushed; then He applied rare ointments, healing and strengthening it. He also enlarged and dilated it, and opened the inner chamber of my heart o the holy of holies which opens to none but our Heavenly Spouse. His glory flooded that inner chamber. His light so warmed and glowed within my heart that at times I seemed to be all heart. The rest of my body seemed deadened. Only those who have experienced this heart change and union can appreciate what I am trying to explain. Words are inadequate to describe it, and tend to blur rather than clarify the picture. For some time, He had been writing His New Covenant and laws on the fleshly tablet of my heart. It seemed that now it was to serve also as a tablet for the heavenly revelation of Jesus Christ, and that it was written there first, before it was given to my mind.
He spoke to me in flowers, and made the garden a Paradise. Each blossom carried a living word. I understood why the rose has always been the favorite flower of saints. I learned the meaning of the colors and perfumes of each tender blossom. Outside my window a rare flower – named wedding bells, or angel trumpets – swayed in the breeze, and the sound of heavenly wind-chimes ravished me. The birds sang a “song without words” to me. And each breeze carried a message. My room was kept filled with flowers. And they all seemed to say, “Your Lover, the King of Creation, made me to show His love for you. I am the fair work of His hands. My perfume and color and design reveal Him!”
As I sat or walked in the garden it seemed paradisal to me, for He walked there too, wooing and courting my soul in love. I was overwhelmed! I, a commoner, a servant – to be wooed by the King! Although for seven years He had been preparing me as an “Esther,” yet I still felt unprepared for such intimate, divine favor. I received Him as “My King.” In my times of prayer, when He withdrew, I sought the Holy Spirit and entreated Him, the faithful Eunuch, to prepare me and make me fit for so great a King. I was helpless to do anything but to pray and seek the help of the Holy Spirit. Please do not see the personal angle of these truths, for the experience of the entire Bride Company was being depicted in me, in miniature, and my prayers were not for myself alone, but for each precious member. This song came with wonderful unction to me:
HEART TO HEART
I have found a sweet communion,
Sweeter far than earth can give;
With Christ I have a holy union,
And in His presence I now live.
With everlasting love He drew me
From the depths of woe and sin;
By His Spirit He renewed me
And cleansed my heart within.
Heart to heart we talk together,
Hand in hand we walk each day;
And nothing now our hearts can sever,
Nor take this love away.
Forevermore we two are one;
Forevermore we’ll dwell on high;
And heart to heart we shall commune,
My precious Lord and I.
The days passed as in a dream. At times He withdrew and permitted me to be tested, sometimes in sudden and severe ways. Except for short intervals, experiences of rapture do not lift us above temptations and trials. In fact, I am given to see that the nearer we approach the top of the Mount of Transfiguration, the higher we ascend in our flight to the Throne, the greater shall be the tests. Even in rest I found a great cross. And truly, the path to the Throne is marked every step of the way by the sign of the Cross! However these tests passed swiftly, and I was conscious of new overcoming power. The way is dangerous, but when God intervenes to the point where He leads us in the supernatural way, He is faithful to deliver and protect. Angels attend and defend us, and our whole battle takes on an entirely new aspect.
Since I have not dwelt upon the inevitable sufferings and trials which were encountered, some may imagine that such an experience as this has been just pure bliss. But such was not the case. At times the Lord does require that Satan leave us for a season, during which we are free from testings. But it is certain that we shall be tried and measured again and again, as we move on to a higher ground in the Lord. The place he has prepared for the overcomers in His “Throne Company” is exceedingly costly, and the qualifications for entering this elect number are indeed high. So we must expect tests and be watchful – especially is this true after we have received special blessings and favors from the Lord. Above all we must trust and not fear. Having shown us such great love and favor, will He permit us to be cast down and crushed by our foes? Never! Therefore let us believe God and abandon ourselves unto Him.
When I first entered “The King’s House,” the sister there had said, “I believe you will be thirty days.” This proved to be the case, for on the thirtieth day the Lord told me to depart. He had begun to anoint me again, and had caught me up as in the fourth chapter of The Revelation, and had also given me some experiences similar to those in Ezekiel and Daniel. We three had received wonderful dealings, so I was loath to depart. Was all this to end as in a dream? I could not bear such a thought. I was still very weak in body, though greatly improved; but to go back to duties and labor and confusion seemed unbearable. Wonderful Jesus! This “dream” did not end, but proceeded step by step, from glory to glory! The gates of “the new Eden” would soon swing open – and I would be led on and on, even to “the Mount of Transfiguration!”