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THE MANTLE
A most gracious revelation came to me this morning as I was writing
a letter to our friend Carol. Carol is a visionary. From time to time
she is permitted to see into a spiritual realm reserved for a few of
God's children. What Carol is permitted and gifted to see has not always
been received with love and respect. She has been wounded in the past
for sharing her gift with those who did not acknowledge God, the Holy
Spirit, and Jesus as the author of her gift. In like manner, this author
has been severely judged when he manifested the gift of praying in the
Spirit or "praying in tongues." Carol and this writer consequently
are far more cautious in making sacred things available to everyone.
Being dissected by well-meaning psychiatrists, counselors, or "friends"
is exceedingly painful and demeaning. "And one shall say unto
him, 'What are these wounds in thine hands?' Then he shall answer, 'Those
with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.'" (Zechariah
13:6)
Carol had a vision concerning this writer that she penned and sent to him. By the grace of God, her words did not get lost among other papers. This writer discovered her letter amongst a stack of papers some three years after they were penned. He was amazed and deeply stirred as he read and pondered its content once more.
Here is a copy of Carol's letter dated April 18th, 2002:
Hello Peter,
I so enjoyed your call to share with us the news of your acceptance of the mantle of Moses. As always, you end up encouraging me in so many ways, especially that my pictures are indeed from God. On that day I truly needed it. Thank you.
Well, I'm still learning much about the pictures. You said I should e-mail you with what I saw; and since the Rembrandt painting (The Return of the Prodigal Son) came so strongly to mind, I thought that was it. I must learn to be patient and allow the Holy Spirit to bring clarity before I assume that's all there is. So, I repent of my impatience and ask the Lord and you to please forgive me. The Holy Spirit has been very gracious to me to continue to show me clear pictures, even with all my shortcomings. How I need His mercies and guidance!
Anyway, the picture did indeed change throughout the day. I have waited to share it with you because I don't want to be presumptuous again. Here's what I see:
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Your posture is that of the father in the painting. You are bent slightly
forward with your arms resting on the shoulders of a man kneeling at
your feet. Unlike the painting, the room is full of light and you are
smiling and laughing! The mantle is a rich red, but is very thick (maybe
2') and has many folds in it. It looks quite heavy but you don't seem
to be having any trouble wearing it. When I inquired of the Lord as
to the many folds, I heard, "Because it will cover many people."
While your hands are resting on the one before you, there are many, many also kneeling in the same posture before you.
One very interesting thing is that although you are wearing this splendid garment, underneath you have on a plain white T-shirt and black pants. (I even tried to "put you in" a decent shirt but was not able to do so). I asked the Lord why the common undergarment, and He said, "Because it (the mantle is not about Peter!" :). I sensed His laughter at this one.
There is great light and joy. I didn't pick up any heaviness in you or in those kneeling, just your laughter bouncing all over the place as you imparted to others. I sense this is a time of bountiful reaping in the Spirit for your many years of allowing God to do a deep work in you and then faithfully sowing into others. There is almost a party atmosphere that is very, very holy. I asked the Lord where the light was coming from and I heard "From My smile."
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My prayer is that the Lord will give you great encouragement and confirmation
through this picture. I feel honored that He trusts me to give it to
you.
Blessings to you and Rebekah,
Carol
Today,
and throughout the entire day, the vision or picture as many prefer
to call them, came to fruition; in other words, it became revelation
knowledge for me. The Lord reminded me of the many people I was prompted
to hug and embrace over the years. The embraces have been so holy, it
felt as if my arms and heart where the Father's arms and heart. Just
two days ago as I embraced my dear friend Clent, tears formed in his
eyes. Oh, what love I experienced for this man. I knew Clent was touched
by the Father's heart, not mine. I was merely the Father's arms extended
to one of His beloved children. I was the Father's messenger.
Today and many times in the past, people who came to visit us asked
for two and three hugs before they got to their car. I never, ever tired
of responding. But I also remember the time two elders from the church
we attended, scolding, even reprimanding me severely for hugging their
wives and other women in the church. They implied that my hugs were
soulish and lustful. I never entered that church again. The church fell
apart shortly thereafter. I recently received a similar scolding for
praying in tongues in an empty, local church. May the Lord have mercy
upon those churches that do not welcome the Holy Spirit and the gifts
of the Spirit into their midst. I tremble as I sense individuals and
churches in danger of committing the unpardonable sin, blasphemy against
the Holy Spirit. My heart aches whenever I see an individual or a church
root-bound by tradition. Tradition acts like a container in which growth
is impossible.
I am awed and humbled as I write these words. When I hug someone, when you hug someone, when we hug someone with the heart of the Father, we are placing a mantle of love, protection, and affirmation around them. Not everyone has been given such a mantle to impart to others. It is a gift entrusted to us by the Father with which He embraces His children and makes His love tangible. Oh, how I wished I could hug everyone. Oh, how I wished everyone were able to receive these hugs or ask for them. Oh, how I wished I could share these words with everyone.
I
am not always the one who places a mantle of love, protection, and affirmation
around others. I have been embraced many times by the love of the Father.
I never, ever forget those hugs. The Father lets me know in many ways
that He is "nuts" about me - being hugged is one of them.
At times in the past I have demonstrated a reckless enthusiasm and spontaneity
that has been inappropriate for the occasion. I am learning to use more
wisdom and more discretion. I am not to hug everyone or pray in my prayer
language where it will be misconstrued. In my spirit I now ask, "Is
it appropriate to hug this or that individual?" The Lord shows
me when my hugs would fall to the ground and be stepped upon. I must
not allow the hem of Jesus' garment to be soiled. Many people are only
able to handle a handshake, and some not even that. I respect that.
To
God be the Glory
Peter
July 19th, 2005