DISCERNING THE WIND
A vision received by W.G. Guy
Fall 1999 – Different church groups represented as Sailing Ships on the Sea.........
A mental picture revealed while in prayer and meditation over what is going on in the Body of Christ. The view was the open sea and several ancient style sailing ships were all headed for the same destination. Each contained a precious cargo and had a great sense of purpose in reaching their port. There was an element of competition among the ships captains, but not such as to who gets there first in that they were all carrying the same kind of cargo; they were all just eager to get there.
Suddenly the normal sailing winds began to build into “a rushing mighty wind” - (as in Acts 2:2). The captains of each vessel wanted to take advantage of this wind to speed them to port. Since this wind came out of a clear sky they feared no harm from a storm, so they ordered “full sails” to catch all the wind they could. However, one discerning and patient captain sensed something was not right about this wind; he suspected that this was an ill wind that was blowing.
This wind seemed unusual and its source remained unseen as still no storm clouds were visible anywhere. He ordered the sails to be struck down leaving only enough sail remaining for holding the ship on course. At the same time this captain ordered the crew to secure the ship and “batten down the hatches” in preparation for a storm.
Such action meant no sense to the crew who watched as the other ships rapidly sailed out of sight toward their goal. But, since these crew members had confidence in their captain, knowing him to be wise, cautious, thorough and properly motivated, they followed his commands without objection.
Suddenly the dark clouds formed out of nowhere covering the entire sea. The winds began to whip violently without warning and the sea yielded to the torturous influence of the storm with the waves adding to its fury.
The one lone ship left far behind the others and was bobbing like a cork in the torrent, but because of the wisdom and discernment of its captain, it was able to ride-out the storm and maintain its heading. No damage was inflicted on this ship; no cargo was lost and no crewmembers were injured.
Not so for the other speeding vessels that fell prey to the violence of the wind and the waves it stirred. Every one of these ships began to break apart after foundering due to having their sails ripped from the masts. All the rigging was torn from the boats and the masts broke off or split apart. Several ships were sinking while others were reduced to broken pieces awash on the heaving waves. Much of the cargo was lost beneath the waves; some remained adrift on the surface, storm battered and not in very good condition. These other ships never made it to their destination.
The storm subsided after causing its destruction. Then the captain of the remaining ship summoned his crew to re-set the sails and resume normal sailing toward their destination. As they sailed on they came upon debris from the other ships. As they passed by the wreckage they were able to salvage some of the floating cargo. Upon taking the damaged cargo aboard and making repairs to restore what they could, they continued onward till they reached their port. This wise captain was able to deliver his precious cargo along with the rescued cargo, his ship and his crew, all because he was wise, patient and able to discern the wind.
The meaning of this vision was immediately understood. The ships represent various churches, denominations and ministry organizations. The captains represent the pastors and leaders of these churches, denominations and ministry organizations. The crews represent the workers in each respective group. The precious cargo represents the people, church members, the souls that were brought into each group. The journey represents traveling through this life as God’s people, learning and growing spiritually, seeking His Kingdom to come. The port of destination represents the goal of every saint, the literal entrance into the kingdom of God to be with Him at His coming.
Initially I perceived that the wind and subsequent storm represented significant trials and tribulations that are experienced in life. In particular I viewed this as indicating a catastrophic incident coming in the near future that had the potential of making wreckage of the majority of churches and ministries as well as destroying the faith of many of their members: “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck” – 1 Timothy 1:19.
A small portion of churches and ministries were able to recognize that the wind is evil. They would not embrace the wind but chose to avoid as much of it as possible. They even tried to protect themselves from its effects and what it would produce.
The majority of other churches and ministries could not see the wind as evil. Instead, they said this is the wind of the Spirit and viewed it as bringing revival. They wanted as much of it as they could get so they did everything they could to embrace it. At first it seemed that it was a wonderful exhilarating ride with the Holy Spirit moving so mightily that many were being drawn to what was going on in these churches. “We are having revival,” they all thought. Little did they realize that the wind was the counterfeit of the Holy Spirit; it was the spirit of antichrist masquerading as the Holy Spirit. This is the same spirit of antichrist, which the Apostle John said was already at work in the churches back in his day, (1 John 2:18 & 4:1-3).
Eventually, this wild wind ended up wreaking havoc on those churches and ministries that mistakenly embraced it. Some were utterly destroyed, some severely damaged never able to fully recover; all suffered loss as a result of the lack of discernment by their leadership. The few remaining churches and ministries that sheltered themselves from this wind continued on and were able to salvage some of the survivors of the ruined and damaged churches.
As a result of this vision I began giving warnings of some sort of storm that was coming that could seriously affect the lives of believers. I did not know at the time just what the storm was, but I did know it was from the enemy of the church, Satan. I also knew he was moving as in the form of the Holy Spirit but actually being the counterfeit. (A counterfeit looks like and acts like, feels like and does like the real thing; but it is absolutely false).
Recently, while communicating this story with a friend, suddenly I understood more clearly what the ill wind and storm represented; and then I remembered some scriptures that support this revelation: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” - 1 Timothy 4:1.
The Lord opened my understanding to see that this wind represents the current wave of doctrines of man and demons that much of the church is embracing thinking it is some great move of God bringing revival: ...."That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men , and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" - Ephesians 4:14.
These popular teachings and manifestations include: the perverted "faith" doctrines; the success and prosperity doctrines; the lying "signs and wonders doctrines, (as opposed to the true signs and wonders that change lives and promote righteousness); the so-called "faith healers"; the self- proclaimed apostles and prophets attempting to gain control of His Church; the "anointing" doctrine, (the word Christ means “anointed one” – see Matthew 24:5); (Note: There is an anointing from God that is "power" to minister, but it always produces righteousness and/or reveals something about Him and His Kingdom); the "greasy grace" doctrine that denies the need for repentance and change; the uncontrollable laughter movement; people behaving in unnatural animal-like ways; and preoccupation with all manner of supernatural manifestations; more and more compromise with the world and adopting it ways; worldly entertainment incorporated in church service; embracing a broader form of ecumenical movement that joins “faiths” with non-Christian religions; and more as this is not a complete list.
These doctrines form the storm that engulfs churches and ministries of today and coming days. Before long the darkness and treachery of the storm will be seen and become full-blown. By then it will be too late for all but those who have correctly discerned the wind; those who are mature enough in the Lord, with knowledge of His Word, able to recognize what is of the enemy, (Hebrews 5:11-14).
Our Father has provided all that we need to ride out such adverse circumstances, but it does require us to keep focused on Him through His Word. Those who focus on worldly and material things and supernatural experiences are easily deceived by this ill wind. They are the deceived having been given over to "strong delusion" - as the deception that Jesus warned would precede His return.
This ill wind also carries on it the last day false prophets and teachers. They are skilled in their craft, and with cunning they wrongly preach using His Word and His name - (Luke 21:8). They think they are actually servants of God, but they are led by the wrong spirit. Note that the spirit of antichrist is at work in the church and not in the world, which is already under Satan’s influence.
The conclusion of this matter is that we need to discern the wind that is blowing; recognize of which spirit it is. If you are part of the cargo you better check out your captain; it may behoove you to jump ship and find one with a discerning captain.
If you are a captain whose purpose is to carry such precious cargo to port, check the winds and see what spirit is blowing your ship and take the necessary action.
The true wind of the Holy Spirit always blows in righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17). It promotes the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which is the character and nature of God. This fruit cannot be produced without Christ in you to produce it, (the life of the vine - John 15:4-5). This is why Jesus identified the test to apply to prophets, teachers and preachers; "by their fruit ye shall know them” - Mathew 7:15-20; that fruit being His character and nature seen and manifesting in them, not their marvelous works as so many wrongly believe. His ministers are recognized by the Fruit, not the Gifts - the Gifts can be counterfeited, the Fruit can't be counterfeited.
In addition, please be aware of Jesus’ warning:
Matthew 24:4-5 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many.
Please understand that the word “Christ” means “anointed”; therefore Jesus was actually saying that many would come in his name saying, “I am Anointed” and shall deceive many. This has been going on now for many years with certain ministers claiming, “I am anointed” ; and indeed, they are deceiving MANY.
Therefore brethren, DISCERN THE WIND!
