A Heavenly View Of The Church Today
Submitted by Clay Sikes

I recently had what I suppose was a night vision. I wasn’t asleep, but neither was I completely awake. I felt the Lord say, “Go write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness”(Isaiah 30:8). In this vision there were first two ships steaming into a harbor, yet still some distance out in the ocean. They were guided by light from a tall lighthouse located in the exact center of the harbor. The harbor was perfectly calm and safe; though to either side of the harbor were crags and rocks from the mountains that surrounded the harbor proper. As long as the ships followed the light from the lighthouse they were safe.

Almost suddenly there appeared yet another (third) ship. This ship had not made the long journey the other two ships had made, but it too was headed toward the light and harbor at equal speed. All three ships were of equal size and all three had many passengers on board. The ships were large and magnificent to look at. What I remember most about these great vessels were the number of lights beaming from each ship.

Almost as suddenly as the third ship appeared, one of the two original ships began to make a sudden turn away from the light and into the area of the rocks and crags. This ship began to lose power from its engines just as it entered into rough seas and the rocks that protruded from the mountainous terrain. During this vision I was told, “Even ships constructed with the strongest metal cannot survive without power in the rocks and turbulent seas.” As the ship’s Captain fought for the survival of the ship and its passengers, he suddenly rushed to the bridge high on the ship’s decks and began to look for the light, realizing too late that he had lost his way originally by failing to keep his eyes on the light provided by the lighthouse. As he searched, he saw many false lights and though he was able to generate some power from his engines it was not enough to get him clear of the rocks.

As I prayed and asked God for an interpretation of this vision, I sensed that the original two ships represent the church in its present form: The first ship embracing great restructuring and change as per directions from the Holy Spirit and anointed prophetic ministry, the second embracing tradition, personal ambition, and hype from programs, entertainment and formulas. The third ship, which appeared later, represents new churches that are now being birthed worldwide with a mandate from God to be structured as per God’s very own direction and instruction. The first ship and the third ship look very much like the First Century Church built on the foundation of Apostles and Prophets (Ephesians 2:20) and ministered to by the five-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16). The lighthouse represents the prophetic ministry -“Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets”(Amos 3:7/I Peter 5:1-4/Isaiah 42:9).

The second ship that pulled away and veered into the rocks represents churches previously guided by the light of revelation and vision from the Holy Spirit, who are now doing their own thing – good ideas versus God ideas and who are not attached to or acknowledge the prophetic ministry. Its Captain, though surrounded by seaman with great navigational skills, failed to listen to those trained and skilled in guiding the ship properly. The navigators became restless and frustrated that the Captain would not listen or give them or their skills (gifts) any creditability. He (the Captain) continued to pride fully and stressfully think that only he had the answers as he sailed blindly into the rocks and turbulent seas.

The two ships that sailed safely toward the harbor were completely focused on the light from the lighthouse and would not allow themselves to be pulled off course. These ships had Captains who could see the light and who listened to those appointed men and women (navigators) who were sent to assist him. The navigators were sent to assist the Captain in helping keep the ship on course and were extremely sensitive to an improper course or direction for the ship. This explains the frustration of the navigators who were sailing with the rock bound second ship. They knew the inevitable end if their Captain did not allow them to do their jobs. Some of these navigators stayed with the ship due to their own traditions and false human loyalty (soul-ties), risking their (destiny) lives in the process. Some were saved by jumping off the battered ship and swimming toward and finding refuge in the other two ships. Many on board, including the Captain called them “traitors;” however, the real navigators on board seemed to understand them leaving.

I sense that through this vision, if that is indeed what it was, God allowed me to see the condition of His church in this hour. I pray that those who Captain the second ship will allow Jesus to arise. Jesus was the entire five-fold ministry during His time upon the earth. In order for Him to rise again in the church, Captains (Pastors) must begin to yield to those appointed (ministries) around them for clarity and direction for ushering in Jesus and perfecting the Saints (Ephesians 4). These navigators stand ready to come alongside their Captains and set the ship (church) on proper course.

John-The-Baptist said, “I must decrease that He (five-fold ministry) might increase.” Pray for the Pastors who Captain the second ship. Pray that they might take on a John-The-Baptist decreasing mind-set. Pray that the true spiritual enemies of the church (tradition and personal ambition) be revealed in this hour. Pray that insecurity, fear, and control no longer keep Pastors from recognizing the anointing in others. Pray that these same Pastors will assist those called men and women into their calling and destiny, thus releasing the five-fold ministry (Jesus) within their churches.

As our Lord says in John 12:24, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Pray that Pastors will gain a vision for their body of believers that will produce “Many Seeds.” Pray that blind ambition will be replaced by clear vision and purpose. Many years ago, while meditating John 12:24, the Holy Spirit said to me that the portion of scripture stating, “that as long as a seed refused to die, it would remain to be a single seed” literally means “WITHOUT ME!” Death to self brings the life of God. As we decrease, he increases. This revelation has continued to minister to me on an almost daily basis. The key to real life is death, the diminishment of self, so the greater (Jesus) can come forth in us all.

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