THE NEXT WAVE OF THE SPIRIT

Catch the wave - that’s a common expression to hear these days in charismatic circles. Over the years there have been several waves – the Latter Rain wave, the Toronto Blessing wave, the Pensacola wave. The claim is the Holy Spirit comes in waves and that a tsunami is coming that will sweep the world. What about this idea?

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J. Lee Grady writes articles for Charisma magazine. In an article titled “Do it Again, Lord” posted in the June, 2005 issue, Grady wrote about a “vivid dream” he had in which he found himself inside the Vatican. As he peered out a window he saw a giant wave headed towards the headquarters of the Catholic Church in Rome. [1]

Here’s how Grady described what he saw in his dream:

The tsunami dwarfed the entire city of Rome. I lost my footing when the wave crashed into the building. Immediately the floor began to move and I realized the room was tilting. Although no water was coming through the arched windows, the building began turning on its side. I held on tightly to a marble column while furniture, books, statues and light fixtures crashed around me. The gradual movement did not cease until I was standing on the ceiling. [2]

Now, that’s a pretty dramatic dream. However there is more. Quoting again from Grady’s article:

When I walked out of the room I met a group of priests and nuns who were singing choruses and praying loudly in tongues as they raised their hands in the air. Before the dream ended I was praying with them. [3]

When Grady woke up from his “prophetic vision,” he knew God was speaking to him in a strikingly visual way. Here’s his interpretation:

After I prayed about it, I felt the Lord speak to me in no uncertain terms: Pray for the Catholics. I desire to send another wave of My Spirit. And this time it will turn the church upside down. [4]

Grady has anticipated there would be those who would be skeptical of his prophetic vision. He wrote in his article: “The Lord knows there are plenty of Protestants eager to argue about Catholic doctrines. But I would much rather focus on what the Lord asked me to do – which is to pray for another wave.” [5]

Grady concludes his article this way:

When the next wave of the Spirit hits, let’s pray that it will crash into all denominations, not just the Catholic Church. And let’s pray that He will cut through the shackles of man-made tradition and topple outdated religious structures and restore in us genuine radical New Testament faith. [6]

Sounds good doesn’t it. Wouldn’t it be incredible if all denominations including Roman Catholics would be truly touched by the Holy Spirit and proclaim the pure unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ based on the finished work of the cross. Based on what I read in my Bible, that will never happen.

I agree with J. Lee Grady. There is a spiritual tsunami coming. However, it will not be the Holy Spirit. The wave that is coming that will sweep all denominations and eventually all religions will be “another spirit” accompanied by strong delusion. The only way to avoid not be swept away, will be to know what God has said in His Word.

I am Roger Oakland. This has been a biblical perspective to help understand the times.

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