Experiencing the Glory Testimony 5
Suddenly I Was in the Presence of Jesus Once Again
by Rev. John Hamel

The following is an excerpt from the JHM article "The Word of Wisdom."

Suddenly I Was in the Presence of Jesus Again

In 1984 I was making plans to move immediately from Las Vegas, Nevada to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to attend Bible School.  

One morning an individual approached me and offered to write me a check for ten thousand dollars to foot the entire bill.  The moment that offer was made, down in my gut I knew something was wrong. I went to the Lord about it and while on my knees in prayer, I was suddenly caught up in a trance. 

Once again I was being allowed by Almighty God to see into the spirit realm.

While in the trance I found myself standing on an ocean dock in what appeared to be a tropical environment.  It appeared to be some sort of paradise. There were palm trees everywhere, a blue cloudless sky, bright sunshine and a cool ocean breeze. 

Looming before me was a giant white sea-going vessel in dry dock.  It was a bit of a “rust bucket” actually.  There were many men seated in captain’s chairs hanging over the sides from ropes, scraping and painting all over the massive white, rusted vessel.  

I'm not sure how long I stood there watching in fascination as the men worked diligently to prepare this vessel for its voyage.  I had no idea in the world where I was. 

All I knew was I was experiencing great joy standing there in the sun of this unfamiliar paradise.

Suddenly I was aware of the Master, Jesus, standing directly beside me.  

I looked down at His hands and He was holding what appeared to be some sort of small pad and a pen-like device as if He were taking notes about something.  What He was holding could even have been Heaven's equivalent of an electronic device and a stylus.  After all, everything in Earth is just a replica of something in Heaven. (Romans 1:20)  

Looking back at the men working I then asked Jesus regarding the rusty, unprepared vessel, “What is it?”  

He answered, “It’s you.”  

I knew immediately Jesus was speaking analogously. He was telling me that the huge ship represented me being prepared for something He had in store.  

I knew when He said that to me, whatever I was being prepared for, I was simply not yet ready for it! 

So I just asked Jesus outright, “When will it be ready?”  

Jesus answered very kindly, “In nine months.” 

I should have been disappointed but somehow disappointment just never seems to be an option when you’re in the presence of Jesus.  Unless you're being rebuked.  

I felt pretty good standing there beside Him in the sun looking at that giant vessel symbolizing me in my rusty, unready condition.  

Suddenly I came out of the trance as quickly as I had entered into it.

I was still on my knees just as I had been prior to the trance. I may only have been caught up in that paradise for a matter of earthly minutes but it sure felt much longer while I was there.

I now knew that Jesus had just personally told me that I would not be going to Bible School until the next year. This, of course, was a Word of Wisdom because it concerned the future.  

In the trance it was also revealed to me that I was presently an unready vessel for His purpose.  This was a Word of Knowledge.  It is not unusual for the Word of Wisdom and the Word of Knowledge to operate together. 

As I stood beside Him in this paradise, Jesus was telling me to not go to Bible School immediately as I had planned.  His plan and purpose for me was to wait and go the following year.  I was not to leave Nevada and go to Oklahoma for another nine months.  He needed to do further work in me before I would be ready to fully benefit from the Bible School experience.  

I obeyed Him and the metaphorical rust scraping and painting continued over the next nine months.  

I also knew in my heart that I was to refuse the ten thousand dollars offered. In the natural this might have been a very difficult thing to do.  But having been in the presence of Jesus and realizing it was not His will for me to take the money, there was a supernatural grace imparted to me to decline the offer, which I did. 

As it turned out, that individual was trying to make improper inroads into my life with that money and soon became my enemy. The Lord knew this would occur and was protecting me from being controlled by someone.

The following year I proceeded to Bible School as He had instructed.  

Ultimately, over the next two years, four families paid my tuition, housing, transportation and all other expenses.  I never told one of them my needs nor asked any of them for anything.  The Lord put it on their hearts to generously do this for me. This put me in position to where I did not have to work full-time and I was able to benefit greatly from my studies.  

When it's God's direction, it's God's protection.

When God guides, God provides.  

When it's God's will, it's God's bill.  

When it's God's decision, it's God's provision.

Had I gotten ahead of God's timing, taking the ten thousand dollars and disobeying what Jesus had shown me in the vision, I would have been one sunken vessel! 

But because I obeyed what He had revealed to me in the trance, He was able to protect me and provide for me!

Obedience always opens the spout where the supernatural protection and provision comes out.

Be Blessed ... John and Barbara Hamel

How to Be Born Again (Receive Christ as Your Savior)

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