As we hear of increasing dreams and visions of impending doom on our nation and other places on the earth, do you know why? Have you considered the incredible invitation we have been given to change the course of events through a simple act of obedient prayer?
There is a little-known story in the Book of Enoch that suggests the prayer of one man brought deliverance to the entire earth after receiving a troubling dream. His testimony is powerful and should inspire our prayers today as many are having similar dreams and visions of the future.
Enoch was born the seventh generation after Adam and is mentioned three times in Scripture as one who walked with God (Genesis 5:24), one who pleased God (Hebrews 11:5), and whose prophesies were true (Jude 1:14-15). His writings are the testimonies of an intercessor and prophet who had many supernatural encounters including being translated and bypassing death.
In Genesis 6 it tells of increased wickedness arising on the earth as man began to multiply. It was probably during this time that Enoch describes a dream he had as a young man (Enoch 83:3). He had lain down in his grandfather’s house when he had a troubling vision. In it he saw the destruction of the earth: “I saw…how Heaven was thrown down, and removed, and it fell upon the Earth…I saw how the earth was swallowed up in a great abyss, and mountains were suspended on mountains, and hills sank down upon hills, and tall trees were torn up by their roots….and then speech fell into my mouth and I raised my voice to cry out and said, ‘The earth is destroyed!’”
Upon crying out in his sleep, his grandfather, Malalel, roused him and asked him what was wrong. When Enoch recounted his dream, his grandfather replied, “…Your dream vision concerns the secrets of all the sin of the Earth; it is about to sink into the abyss…and now, my son, rise and make supplication to the Lord of Glory, for you are faithful, that a remnant may be left on the Earth and that he may not wipe out the whole Earth.”
Enoch rose and raised his hands to heaven in worship and began to cry out to the Lord. “Blessed are you, Oh Lord King, and great and powerful in your majesty, Lord of the whole Creation of Heaven….” As he acknowledges the power of God, he then intercedes for those who will be affected by the sins of the generations to come: “And now, my Lord, wipe out from the earth the flesh that has provoked your anger, but the flesh of righteousness and uprightness establish as a seed bearing plant forever. And do not hide your face from the prayer of your servant, Oh Lord.”
This dream that Enoch had was prophesying the coming flood when God would judge the world for its wickedness. Hundreds of years in the future, this dream would be played out, except that a remnant would be saved, just as Enoch’s grandfather had suggested. Could it possibly be that this one prayer changed the outcome of the flood, and opened the way for redemption!? Even though this is not biblical text or proven fact, this prophetic testimony bears witness to a principle consistent throughout the Bible – God invites us to CHANGE THINGS through prayer.
“Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth that I may pardon her.” (Jeremiah 5:1)
Little does Enoch realize that not only would his prayers prepare the way for saving mankind from total destruction, but that it would be his own seed that would bring deliverance. Noah was Enoch’s great-grandson! It is said in Genesis 6:9 that Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation and that he walked with God, just like Enoch. Enoch’s prayer for a righteous seed was indeed answered – through his own lineage!
If you are having dreams or visions of impending doom, consider them an invitation for redemption. If you are fearful of what’s to come, take your petitions up to heaven and lay claim to your posterity. You have a voice. You have a prayer. Consider the possibilities of what you carry and raise your voice on behalf of those who don’t or can’t. It could very well change the outcome – and our future.
One Response
Thanks so much for sharing this. How encouraging!