Vision
of a Darkened City
Robert Burgess on January 25, 2000
On
the evening of the 21st of January, I was busy at the computer downloading some
Midi Files etc. when I suddenly felt very tired and decided to lie down for a
few minutes while the program I was running finished downloading. The moment my
head hit the pillow, I was dreaming of wandering the dark streets of a very strange
city. This dream, or "Night-Vision" as the Scriptures would define it, seemed
to go on for hours on end, but actually I woke out of it after only a few moments
of time had gone by. In fact the vision ended abruptly and I heard my program
finish downloading..
This is not an easy vision to share with anyone,
because on the one hand, it is a kind of sad epitaph of my life over the last
few years.. On the other hand, I feel I must share it for the sake of others who
may have, or are presently going through the same kind of things. For those who
may happen to know me personally, and who know a little about my personal experiences
during this time, you will be able to understand much more about my life, and
how the Lord feels about all this.. For others, pray that the Lord gives you discernment
to see and hear what the Lord is showing forth here. Although I will give the
interpretation to some of it, there are parts God wants me to leave up to him
in providing the answers. I submit this vision to the Body of Christ for examination,
reflection, and even Righteous Criticism.. RRB
In the vision I seemed to
be outside myself; sometimes looking downward from above, and other times I seemed
to be walking along beside myself.. I was never in a place like this before, nor
do I ever want to be again.. This "City" was so dark that even the streetlights
seemed to only be able to glow very dimly. The Streets were full of people wandering
aimlessly to and fro; they were all on foot, I didn't see or hear a single vehicle
of any kind. The sky overhead seemed almost to be non-existent; like some huge
umbrella, or heavy material were placed there. Even the clothing the people wore
was dark, I didn't see one single bright colored garment among any of them. No
one seemed to know anyone else, they all walked alone, with the exception of a
few from time to time who I came to recognize later on as "Watchers," or, if you
will, "Guardian Angels." I remember trying almost desperately to figure out where
I was, and how I got there; and most importantly, how could I get out of that
awful place and never come back..
I realize fully now, after having a few
days to pray, meditate, and reflect Scripturally on this vision, that this "City"
was called "Adam." Have you ever been in "Adam?" It's no fun to be there, not
once you've lived and dwelt in that wonderful "City of Light" called "Christ (or,
the Bride, the Holy Jerusalem of God)."
The Scriptures only speak once
of this City called "Adam;" in the book of Joshua (Jesus) the River Jordan's waters
were "Cut off" clear back to the "City of Adam" when the children of Israel passed
over into the land of promise (Immortality).
"That the waters which came
down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that
is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even
the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against
Jericho (Josh 3:16)."
In the vision I kept looking for a familiar face
in the crowds and could find none; in fact, not one person even met my eyes but
seemed to walk on with their heads turned away from me. No one spoke a word to
another, it was if they were a people destined to walk continually without hope
or any purpose in life. Occasionally there would be one in the crowd who would
see me and go wild, jumping at me, and threatening to attack me while screaming
obscenities. This really scared me, because these individuals were definitely
of a demonic "Order:" when they opened their mouths they showed their huge canine
teeth like something out of a horror movie. It was at these times however, that
the "Watchers" would appear; seemingly out of nowhere they would grab hold of
these demonic individuals and haul them away to "parts unknown.." Even at this,
there was little comfort in knowing someone was there "Watching" as it were, in
obscurity; for these deliverers appeared to be like all the rest, with the exception
that they were walking together, side by side. I was at a total loss to figure
this all out at the time, because in truth, when we are in such a place we really
have no idea what to do, or where to turn for help.. This happened to me over
and over again as I wandered up and down these old darkened streets paved with
ancient cobblestones.
Finally, I watched myself enter into a little building
through a very small door (only large enough for one person at a time to pass);
the inside of this establishment was surprisingly well lighted in comparison to
anywhere else I had been. It seemed to be a little store where Gospel music tapes
and CD's could be purchased, and I saw a few little Bibles and what looked like
tracts on the shelf. A man was standing behind the counter, and I walked up to
him as if to ask a question; but before I could say anything he said; "Well, Robert
Burgess!! Where have you been for so long? We have missed you.. Although I obviously
didn't recognize or know the man, I remember hearing myself reply; "I have been
very sick for a long time, in fact I almost died; I was in a deep coma, and when
I finally came out of it I had total amnesia.." Also I remember hearing myself
say; "You know, I can't sing any more.., because through all this sickness, I
completely lost my voice (or, Ministry), and am only just now beginning to get
it back a little..
The next thing I knew, the scene changed and I was back
in the streets again, only now I began to feel the presence of the Lord walking
with me. We came to a place where I sensed something very tragic had happened;
my eyes fell upon a section of the street where the cobblestones looked funny,
like there was a depression in them. I asked the Lord "What happened here?" Immediately
he carried me by the Spirit back in time, possibly a hundred years or more. I
saw a very handsome young man, a goodly man (that is what the Lord called Him),
he was not dressed like anyone else in the vision, including myself; his apparel
was something like I had never seen before. This will sound very strange to some
(as if it isn't already strange enough), but he was dressed like some kind of
"Robin Hood (Selah)." His garments were of every color of the rainbow, and very
well tailored to fit exactly. Suddenly in the vision I saw one of these demonic
characters jump out at him just exactly like they had at me, only this time there
were no "Watchers" to come to his rescue. The monster grabbed him from behind
and began to sink his teeth into his back and shoulders, all the while squeezing
him so tightly with his monstrous hands that the flesh literally began to come
loose from his body.. This is awful I know, but imagine how terrible it was for
me to stand by helplessly and watch this terrible thing unfold. I think I know
what Daniel felt like when he said after having a vision of the Lord, "I Daniel,
fainted, and was sick certain days (Dan 8:27)." The young man was literally torn
to pieces before my eyes; and then the demon began to tear at the cobblestones
until he broke through them, and dug out a shallow grave. He then proceeded to
bury the body parts of this man, and carefully replaced the stones as if to appear
that nothing was out of order.
I said; "Lord, what is this, and who was
this young man??" The Lord answered me, saying; "He was my Servant Messenger,
sent to minister healing and deliverance to this weary land, but he was destroyed
for his work's sake, and for the testimony which he bore of me." I said; "Lord,
what shall be done in behalf of this man's memory??" (I was thinking of a memorial..
or something..) To my shock the Lord said; "You must avenge him, and cleanse this
land of the blood of the innocent." I admit that I was taken aback by this statement;
I wish I could just stop here, but the vision went on.. I was immediately again
back in the same street where this awful event had taken place long ago, I was
standing, looking down at the little shallow grave of this man of God and wondering
what the Lord meant by His statement. Then, all at once I felt something grab
me from behind and begin to bite down into my back and shoulders; this was awful..,
I could literally feel the pain from the canine teeth. I didn't know what to do,
there were no "Watchers" in sight, I was all alone in the street with this demon-monster
that had hold of me. I reached behind myself and got hold of him somehow, and
began to squeeze him so hard that I was amazed at the great power which I suddenly
had in my hands (I knew, even in the vision that a miracle had to happen here
in order for my poor old, weak hands to do something like this - for I have had
no strength in my hands to grip anything since becoming severely afflicted with
diabetic neuropathy in both my hands, and my feet). He let go immediately and
began to scream for mercy, but I continued to increase pressure upon him until
his body began to swell and pop out like a balloon when you squeeze it. It was
awesome, I wasn't doing this, it was the Power of the Spirit of the Lord God upon
me, just as it was in the days of Samson, when the Spirit of God would move on
him in the camp. What happened next you had better get prepared for, because if
you don't know the language of Symbolism you will miss it entirely.
I saw
myself begin to shake this awful thing, and squeeze him even tighter; I literally
tore him apart just as I had seen him do to the young minister. I then began to
"EAT HIM UP" and devoured everything of him but the bones (they were little tiny
things, almost like a fish bone).. The Lord said to me "Now spit the bones out
on the place where the young man lies." And I did as I was commanded of the Lord..
I immediately began to say with a loud voice (and remember, that prior to this,
I could barely speak above a whisper) "Come out, and come forth NOW in the NAME
OF JESUS, come forth and LIVE; Yea, Come Forth NOW and LIVE in the NAME OF JESUS
CHRIST!!" My hair (all over) began to stand on end as I watched that little low
depression in the street begin to heave up and down like someone breathing, taking
deep breaths. The cobblestones began to come unglued from one another, and they
slowly parted more and more as the heaving continued. I noticed that all at once
a great crowd had gathered around, watching this amazing event unfold. Finally,
I began to see the rainbow colors of his garments begin to show forth from the
beneath the street, and as they did, a light began to come forth from somewhere
above and around all of us. The young man climbed up out of his grave and the
people went wild, they began to run to him, embracing and kissing him on the cheeks.
They were all weeping, and travailing in deep agony for that which had been done
to him long ago (even as I now am weeping as I try to finish this vision)..
The Interpretation
Now we come to the part where I must
call upon the Spirit within the various people reading this to quicken an understanding
of these events. As I have already said, the "City" represents "Adam," or the
World. This is a dark place to be for the inhabitants thereof; there is no hope
it would seem, of any true Righteousness, for nothing is right, under the sun..
"All is vanity, and vexation of spirit." There are no words one can speak to another
to alleviate the awful suffering which the inhabitants experience from day to
dismal day.
"They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on
in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course (Psa 82:5) ."
Almost exactly 100 years ago the Lord sent a "Messenger (a corporate, One
New Man)" to minister healing and deliverance to this darkened "City of Adam;"
But he was cut off and destroyed in his prime, torn into pieces by an awful beast
(Selah!) for his work's sake, and for the powerful testimony he bore of the risen
and living Christ. "Those who have an ear to hear, let them hear what the Spirit
would say concerning these events, for they are true in the Spirit, and they shall
surely come to pass not many days hence." The young "Robin Hood" type minister
represents that (New Man) type ministry which began to be manifested first at
Topeka, Kansas on new years day, 1901; then as he grew a little more in stature,
he traveled to Texas, then finally he came into his own in the "City of Angels
(Messengers)" at a little place called "Azusa Street!!"
"This my people,
is the cobblestone street in which my servant was destroyed (Murdered, or, MARTYRED)
for his great work's sake, and for the testimony he bore of me Saith the Lord
Almighty.." Oh, the martyrs which have been slain for their work's sake, and for
their testimony of Jesus, for the TESTIMONY of JESUS is the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY!!
But their Murders have not been done openly, but in secret, as it were..
thus leaving the appearance as if nothing at all had happened. I hear now the
voices of those faithful martyrs crying out with a loud voice from under the altar
(Selah!!), saying; "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge
our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every
one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little
season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed
as they were, should be fulfilled (Rev 6:10-11).
The Time is at hand
The
time of the One Hundred year MEMORIAL to this great ministry is drawing nigh;
I believe the Lord is getting ready to strengthen our HANDS, or the Five-Fold
Ministry as never before. Remember the evil beast that committed this awful act
against the Lord's Ministry did it with his hands (False Ministers) and with his
teeth (lying through his teeth, and backbiting). Lies upon lies (both Doctrinal,
and otherwise) have taken the life of this powerful, "New Man" and torn him in
"pieces," and this assassination has been covered up very cleverly.. Until NOW..
Someone would say; But where is that Powerhouse Ministry today?? It awaits someone
with real courage, and True Spiritual Authority, who has walked in, and related
to, the awful misery brought about by the absence of this Mighty Power for God..
The real Pentecost was like a "Robin Hood," it took from the "Rich (Selah!!) and
gave to the poor (in spirit).. and that's why it had to be KILLED.. What you have
today is just the OPPOSITE!! What good is a poor man or woman to this present-day
so-called "Pentecostal, Charismatic Movement??" Why, if you're continually flat
broke, on a fixed income, drive an old beat-up truck, and live in a little camper
trailer, no one wants anything to do with you, because the "Image" you present
is wrong.. But, if you drive a new Caddy, live in a Condo, and wear Five Hundred
Dollar suits, they will call you up to sit on their platform every chance they
get..
"Avenge Him"
Now we are coming to the bottom line, as it were.
I had no idea the Lord would say something like this to me; it seemed as foreign
as anything could be to come from the mouth of the Lord Jesus. Until I began to
search my heart and consider carefully what the Holy Scriptures have to say. I
believe the final showdown with Satan is very near; the Kingdom of God is closer
at hand than it ever has been before. As I reflect on the terrible existence I
have had in this past five long years of wilderness suffering, and realize that
God is nevertheless about to do what he has promised me, and others like me, that
he would do from the beginning.. I rejoice greatly in my spirit, that irregardless
of my mistakes, and even my terrible sins of the past, God is FAITHFUL, and will
not suffer his Word to return unto HIM VOID.. "For the gifts and calling of God
are without repentance (Rom 11:29) ." These hands or, Ministries, which have been
so feeble, are about to undergo a tremendous change. The Spirit of Power (Authority,
and Ability) from God is about to be sent forth without measure.. Not upon ALL,
as some would like you to think; But..
"He giveth power to the faint; and
to them that have no might he increaseth strength.. Even the youths (Young ministers)
shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that
wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint
(Isa 40:29-31)."
The Scripture says; "He that leadeth into captivity shall
go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword (mouth) must be killed with
the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints (Rev 13:10)
I
am sure that someone is awaiting an explanation of why I "ATE" the demon "UP."
I suppose I could give a lot of Scriptures for this, but I feel led to only bring
forth this one;
"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord
shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness
of his coming *(2 Th 2:8).."
The resurrection and restitution of this true
Holy Ghost Ministry, will bring such Joy unspeakable to the City, and yet, it
will produce a great mourning as well, among the inhabitants thereof. Paul once
said; "Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance:
for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us
in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation - not to be repented
of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death Cor 7:9-10).
No Personal
Recognition
When this young man was raised up from the dead, I was so blessed
that I never even noticed that no one came up to me and shook my hand (With a
Hundred Dollar Bill in it).. They paid no attention to me whatsoever.. No congratulations
were bestowed upon me, because I didn't have any coming. And I never even thought
of such a thing until afterwards, while seeking God in prayer over it. The Kingdom
of God is not Meat, or Drink, or anything that might gratify the natural, carnal
appetites; but it is "RIGHTEOUSNESS, and PEACE, AND JOY, IN THE HOLY GHOST (Ro
14:17).." Oh what a thrill to be used so mightily of God as to destroy the very
destroyer himself, and to avenge the BLOOD of the INNOCENT, and to cleanse the
land.. To see with mine own eyes, the DEAD raised and restored INCORRUPTIBLE,
to EVERLASTING LIFE and IMMORTALITY.. Then, to behold the UNSPEAKABLE JOY released
within the people by such a wonderful act.. Who could ask for anything more??
When you have been down, beloved, as far as you can go, and God restores to you
"That which He took not away," and bestows upon you the best ROBE (of HIS Righteousness),
and places his own RING (Eternal Promise and Covenant) upon your finger.. What
could do more to please the Man of God than this?? If the whole world came up
and shook my hand, and slapped me on the back and called me "Brother," it would
not even come close to the glory, or the honor by which God has blessed me already.
