Warning: Turbulence Ahead, Stay in the Ark!

A few nights ago I had a dream of a huge ship. Many people were on this enormous ship that had the appearance of an ark. It appeared to be inside this maze-like structure, Suddenly, the ship gave a big lurch forward and it began to navigate it's way out of the maze, but it was taking corners quickly and banging into walls. With every corner it continued to build up speed, and it was quite a frightening experience. Suddenly, the ship seemed to sense that it was about to be freed from the constraints of being boxed in on every side. Again, it lunged forward with increasing speed, this time heading out into open water. The waves were huge, crashing into the sides and water pouring over the top of the big ship. Many people were afraid of being washed overboard by the powerful waves or fearful that the ship would sink. Instinctively, I knew that if they would hold on to the ark, they would be ok. End of dream.


Although there can be several different applications to this dream, I believe the first one is that the ship represents the state of our nation. We have been in a state of captivity, under oppressive and difficult leadership. In many circumstances, individual rights and freedoms have been taken away and restrictive laws implemented against U.S. citizens. Loss of jobs, income, lack of health insurance and other issues have created a struggle to survive in an economic downturn. This heaviness has left the people of our nation in a place where even hope for the future has been taken into captivity. 


It's a new day. The collective prayers of many faithful praying people have caused heaven to press down into this earthly realm. As in the days when Jesus came on the scene, the old way of doing things and the new thing about to be released into the earth were on a collision course to intersect in time, and when they did, it caused a great upheaval. Every rival throne for dominion felt the impact upon the arrival of the long awaited Messiah. As Jesus began his earthly ministry, he taught about his Kingdom. His teaching challenged the teachers of his day. His power challenged and intimidated every power-hungry ruler, for no one had a power equal to that which Jesus displayed. Even the wind and waves obeyed Him! What those in his day experienced was the kingdom of heaven invading the earth, and when God's kingdom invades the earth, other existing man-made kingdoms must certainly yield to a more supreme authority and power. When heaven invades earth, nations rage because the kingdom of darkness loses its grip on that which has been under it's influence. Leaders that have been the pawns in a game of thrones are proven impotent. Those that have embraced lawlessness and self rule grieve and wail because their idols have deeply disappointed them. Their loyalty has been for naught. And so Satan rages, and those that are his echo his chorus of complaints as they feel his sense of rage, knowing that his kingdom is the one that is ultimately crumbling before his very eyes. Righteousness, not lawlessness, is the standard of God's reign and rule. No one will be able to avoid the impending collision with the kingdom of God invading the earth. When God shows up, the things that have been operating under the influence of darkness and oppression must give way so that the kingdom of God can take its rightful place, making room for all that God has promised. In the midst of the turmoil, He has given His precious promises for our comfort.

Isaiah 43:2The Voice (VOICE)

2     When you face stormy seas I will be there with you with endurance and calm;
        you will not be engulfed in raging rivers.
    If it seems like you’re walking through fire with flames licking at your limbs,
        keep going; you won’t be burned.

Psalm 2

1 You are wondering: What has provoked the nations to embrace anger and chaos?[a]
    Why are the people making plans to pursue their own vacant and empty greatness?
2 Leaders of nations stand united;
    rulers put their heads together,
    plotting against the Eternal One and His Anointed King, trying to figure out
3 How they can throw off the gentle reign of God’s love,
    step out from under the restrictions of His claims to advance their own schemes.

4 At first, the Power of heaven laughs at their silliness.
    The Eternal mocks their ignorant selfishness.
5 But His laughter turns to rage, and He rebukes them.
    As God displays His righteous anger, they begin to know the meaning of fear. He says,
6 “I am the One who appointed My king who reigns from Zion, My mount of holiness.
    He is the one in charge.”

In order to break free from the constraints and move towards a place of greater freedom, we will face some turbulent times. There will be some difficult turns along the way, but if we stay in the ark we will be safe. The ark in scripture is symbolic of Christ. It represents safety, protection, provision, and deliverance. During the days of Noah, only Noah and those with him were safe inside the ark. (Genesis 7:23). Once they were safe inside the ark, they did not need to fear being thrown off, nor the judgment taking place outside. Everything they needed was provided within the safety of the ark. 

The ark reminds us that God sees the big picture well in advance of trouble and how He makes careful provision to lovingly take care of His creation. Noah was commissioned to build the ark for himself, his wife, his three sons and their wives - at a time when his youngest son had not even been born yet, and not one raindrop had ever fallen on the earth! Some perspectives believe that Noah was told to build the ark as much as 120 years prior to the flood. Though people were warned about the impending danger, they ignored the warnings and went about their daily lives, chalking up Noah's words to that of a man that had lost his senses. In the end, Noah was vindicated while those that had rejected his offer of salvation and deliverance were shut out of the ark.

Several things stand out to me as I consider the message of the dream and how it can apply to us as a nation, as well as to our individual lives. First, we must all be careful not to casually disregard prophetic messages that come from God. He always speaks with intent. He always communicates a message of importance and we should treat His words with respect and give them careful consideration. Ignoring warnings from the Lord can prove to be fatal, or at the very least disastrous, if we do not take them seriously. 

Secondly, I believe that God is saying that even though there are turbulent times ahead, and though Satan rages, we still have the power to avert danger and avoid dangerous situations if we will pray, seek God's face and remain close to Him. If we are close to Him, we will be able to hear Him speak. We must listen for His voice so that He can guide us to safety and show us where to find the provision that He has prepared for us. Even in unstable times, when government power structures are changing and we may not know what to expect as life takes its twists and turns, God never changes. There will be bumps along the way. There will be storms in life that we may not be able to completely avoid. Yet, the comfort to us is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is constant in His care and commitment to those that are His. If you are 'in Christ,' then you have been bought with a price, and the Lord's promise to us is that He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5). 

The ark was also symbolic of God's presence. It was a meeting place where God would reveal His will to His servants. It was symbolic of the divine presence leading His people. The ark was also symbolic of the covenant that God had with His people. It also represented His throne. Knowing that it's God's throne and not someone else's has everything to do with our ability to be at peace in the midst of whatever storm may be raging.

All in all, the great ship in the dream that was shaped like an ark would seem to represent staying close to the presence of God to insure safety, protection, provision and deliverance from whatever troubles that may lie ahead. The Lord is warning us that although the world may seem to be quite unstable, the kingdom of God is not. He is only shaking the things that are not found in His kingdom. If we belong to Christ, then we belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken. 

"Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." Hebrews 12:28

In Daniel 7:14 it was prophesied, "And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed." Amen. That's a wonderful promise that gives hope to us all.