PROPHETIC WORDS

A PLUMB LINE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH

by Nathan Shaw

January 2020

God sent Jeremiah to the potter’s house to hear the word of the Lord. Jeremiah found the potter fashioning a clay pot that was centred on the potter’s wheel (Jeremiah 18:1-3). Symbolically, God was the potter and Israel was the clay pot.

Recently I was in an artist’s workroom. I saw a vision of a plumb line in the centre of the room. After a time the plumb line changed and became like Jacob’s ladder, giving access between heaven and earth (Genesis 28:12). In Jacob’s dream he saw angels ascending and descending on a ladder between earth and heaven. In my vision the simultaneous up and down movement of this access way was intense—it was like it had the intensity of a whirlwind and an atomic reactor combined (Hebrews 1:7).

Eventually an atomic-like reaction came down the access way from heaven and a mushroom cloud spread out on the earth like an upside down atomic bomb. The artist’s workroom was in the city of Nelson, which sits at the centre of New Zealand. The workroom was right next to the public studio where recent works of art were on display.

God often speaks through simple pictures. The artist’s workroom and studio symbolically represent God’s workroom and studio. The workroom is where God fashions and shapes us for His purposes. The studio is where we are on display. God fashions us in secret, but displays His glory through us for the world to see.

Many have found themselves in a crucible which has been both painful and intense. Through it all God has been plumb-lining them and centring them in His heart. When we are plumb-lined with Him we connect more easily with the movement of heaven. This work is preparing us for the atomic explosions of glory that He is about the release on the earth.

Not only is God centering individuals and churches, He is also centering nations. He is enlarging our vision because it is too small. The coming explosion of God’s glory will combine the heart of God championed by David (Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 13:14) with the acts of faith championed by James (James 2:14-26, 5:13-18).

There are three types of faith needed.

• Firstly, we need faith to trust God in the crucible. In the crucible it’s hard to make sense of many things. We are left questioning, “Why are things happening the way they are happening? Why is this situation so intensely painful or difficult? Have I done something wrong? Will the prophetic promises ever be fulfilled?” In these seasons David learned to say, “Even though I’m not coping, and I don’t understand what is happening, I trust You with this situation.” Saying, “I trust You,” when you can’t make sense of anything is a high level of faith.

• Secondly, we need faith to see the activity in the spirit realm. Jacob was a son of covenant. This meant that there was intense angelic activity around his life. This is true of every son and daughter of covenant. The movement of the angelic realm is about bringing forth covenant provision, covenant protection and covenant promise (Genesis 28:10-15). This movement aligns us with God’s purpose and God’s vision for our lives. Originally Jacob saw this activity only in dreams (Genesis 28:10-22, 31:10-13). Twenty years later he interacted with the angelic realm more directly (Genesis 32:1-2). His spiritual eyes had slowly begun to open.

• Thirdly, we need faith to walk in the supernatural acts of God. God’s glory and God’s heart will be displayed through His acts. Unprecedented glory calls for unprecedented faith. The faith obtained in the crucible as we were plumb-lined with His heart will combine with the faith obtained on the journey as we learned to trust the activity in the spirit realm. Jesus said that healing is the children’s bread (Matthew 15:26, Mark 7:27). That means it’s just a basic part of covenant provision. God’s supernatural acts go way beyond healing.

Of course we can walk in all three dimensions of faith simultaneously. On the journey, however, there are usually seasons in which God focuses on one of these areas in particular. No matter which dimension of faith is being developed in your life it will ultimately strengthen your faith in all areas. The earth is in a new season. The stakes are higher. The shaking is greater. The plumb line has been preparing us for a glory explosion that will impact the nations. It’s an exciting time to be alive!

BIO