There is a terrific operation of the Spirit going on today to bring the Sons of God into absolute confinement to the Perfect Will of God. This is the Day of His Preparation, the day in which He is preparing a Company of "Laid Down Ones" through which he shall pour forth His Glory for all the world to see. These "Laid Down Ones", are a Glorious Company of people who are being conformed through much tribulation and fiery tests into the Image of the Son of God (Romans 8:29). This is His “battle-axe and weapons of war” with which He shall subdue kingdoms and overcome all of His enemies. This is His “mighty and strong ones” to whom He shall commit the work of judging Angels and the world.

UNDERSTAND THIS - THEY ARE NOT AN EXCLUSIONARY SECT OF EXTRAORDINARY SOLDIERS WHO ARE AN ISLAND UNTO THEMSELVES - FOR THE INVITATION OF GOD IS FOR WHOSOEVER WILL MAY CALL ON HIS NAME AND COME INTO THE PLACE OF COMPLETE ABANDONMENT AND INTIMACY WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST - BUT NOT ALL WILL CHOOSE TO 'FORSAKE ALL AND FOLLOW HIM' (ENTIRELY). TO THE DEGREE WE ABANDON OURSELVES UNTO  THE LORD JESUS AND HIS PURPOSES FOR OUR LIVES - WILL ALSO DETERMINE THE DEGREE OF USEFULLNESS WE CAN BECOME AS INSTRUMENTS IN THE HAND OF THE LORD.

     But before God can commit this great and tremendous ministry into their hands, they must submit themselves to the discipline of the Lord, letting Him truly be the Lord of their entire lives. We have long since dealt with the question of open sin, but now God is dealing with the inward rebellion of our own wills. Some good Christians are not now being dealt with, for they are not in this First Fruits Company, but nevertheless there is a real dealing of God going on within those who are called into the High Calling of God. This is a very real thing, and is the work of the Refiner’s Fire. To those who are going through it, some of its aspects are horrible, but very necessary, and the end result thereof is glorious as we are brought into absolute and complete submission to the will of the Lord.

 THE KINGS CARRIAGE

     On a dirt road in the middle of a wide field stood a beautiful carriage, something on the order of a stagecoach, but all edged in gold, and with beautiful carvings. It was pulled by six large chestnut horses, with two in the lead, two in the middle and two in the rear. But they were not moving, they were not pulling the carriage, and I wondered why? Then I saw the driver underneath the carriage, on the ground on his back, just behind the last two horses’ heels, working on something between the front wheels of the carriage. I thought, “My, he is in a dangerous place; for if one of those horses kicked or stepped back, they could kill him, or if they decided to go forward, or got frightened somehow, they would pull the carriage right over him.” But he didn’t seem afraid, for he knew that those horses were disciplined and would not move until he told them to move. The horses were not stamping their feet, nor acting restless, and though there were bells on their feet, the bells were not tinkling. There were pom-poms on their harness over their heads, but the pom-poms were not moving. They were simply standing still and quiet, waiting for the voice of the Master.   

     THERE WERE TWO YOUNG COLTS IN THE FIELD

     As I watched the harnessed horses, I noticed the two young colts coming out of the open field, and they approached the carriage and seemed to say to the horses: “Come and play with us, we have many fine games, we will race you, come catch us…” And with that, the colts kicked up their heels, flicked their tails and raced across the open field. But when they looked back and saw the horses were not following, they were puzzled. They knew nothing of harnesses, and could not understand why the horse did not want to play. So they called to them: “Why do you not race with us? Are you tired? Are you too weak? Do you have the strength to run? You are much too solemn, you need more joy in your life.” But the horses answered not a word, nor did they stamp their feet or toss their heads. But they stood, quiet and still, waiting for the voice of the Master.

     Again the colts called to them: “Why do you stand in the hot sun? Come over here in the shade of this nice tree. See how green the grass is? You must be hungry, come and feed with us; it is so green and good. You look thirsty, come and drink of one of our many streams of cool clear water.” But the horses answered them with not so much as a glance, but stood still, waiting for the command to go forward with the King.

     COLTS IN THE MASTER’S CORRAL

     And then the scene changed, and I saw lariat nooses fall around the necks of the two colts, and they were led off to the Master’s corral for training and discipline. How sad they were - as the lovely green fields disappeared, and they were put into confinement of the Corral, with its brown dirt and high fence. The colts ran from fence to fence, seeking freedom, but found that they were confined to this place of training. And then the Trainer began to work on them with His Whip and Bridle. What a death for those who had been all their lives accustomed to such a freedom! They could not understand the reason for this torture, this terrible discipline. What great crime had they done to deserve this? Little did they know of the responsibility that was to be theirs when they had submitted to the discipline, learned to perfectly obey the Master, and finished their training. All they knew was that this processing was the most horrible thing they had ever known.

     SUBMISSION AND REBELLION

     One of the colts rebelled under the training, and said, “This is not for me. I like my freedom, my green hills, and my flowing streams of fresh water. I will not take any more of this confinement, this terrible training.” So he found a way out, jumped the fence and ran happily back to the meadows of grass. And I was astonished that the Master let him go, and went not after him. But He devoted His attention to the remaining colt. This colt, though he had the same opportunity to escape, decided to submit his own will, and learn the ways of the Master. And the training got harder than ever, but he was rapidly learning more and more how to obey the slightest wish of the Master, and to respond to even the quietness of His voice. And I saw that - had there been no training, no testing, there would have been neither submission nor rebellion from either of the colts. For in the field they did not have the choice to rebel or submit, they were sinless in their innocence. But when brought to the place of testing and training and discipline, then was made manifest the obedience of one and the rebellion that lay hidden in the heart of the other. And though it seemed safer not to come to the place of discipline because of the risk of being found rebellious, yet I saw that without this – there could be no sharing of His Glory, no Sonship.

     INTO THE HARNESS

     Finally this period of training was over. Was he now rewarded with his freedom, and sent back to the fields? Oh no. But a greater confinement than ever now took place, as a harness dropped about his shoulders. Now he found there was not even the freedom to run about the small corral, for in the harness he could only move where and when his Master spoke. And unless the Master spoke, he stood still.

     The scene changed, and I saw the other colt standing on the side of a hill, nibbling at some grass. Then across the fields, down the road came the King’s carriage, drawn by six horses. With amazement he saw that in the lead, on the right side, was his brother colt, now made strong and mature on the good corn in the Master’s stable. He saw the lovely pom-poms shaking in the wind, noticed the glittering gold-bordered harness about his brother, heard the beautiful tinkling of the bells on his feet… and envy came into his heart. Thus he complained to himself: “Why has my brother been so honored, and I am neglected? They have not put bells on my feet, or pom-poms on my head. The Master has not given me the wonderful responsibility of pulling His carriage, nor put about me the golden harness. Why have they chosen my brother instead of me?” And by the Spirit the answer came back to me as I watched. “Because one submitted to the will and the discipline of the Master, and one rebelled, thus one has been chosen, and one has been put aside.”

     A FAMINE IN THE LAND

     Then I saw a great drought sweep across the countryside, and the green grass became dead, dry, brown and brittle. The little streams of water dried up, stopped flowing, and there was only a small muddy puddle here and there. I saw the little colt (I was amazed that it never seemed to grow or mature) as he ran here and there, across the fields looking for fresh streams and green pastures, finding none. Still he ran, seemingly in circles, always looking for something to feed his famished spirit. But there was a famine in the land, and the rich green pastures and flowing streams of yesterday were not to be had. And one day the colt stood on the hillside on weak and wobbly legs, wondering where to go next to find food, and how to get strength to go. Seemed like there was no use, for good food where a thing of the past, and all the efforts to find more only taxed his waning strength. Suddenly he saw the King’s carriage coming down the road, pulled by six great horses. And he saw his brother, fat and strong, muscles rippling, sleek and beautiful with much grooming. His heart was amazed and perplexed, and he cried out: “My brother, where do you find food to keep you strong and fat in these days of famine? I have run everywhere in my freedom, searching for food, and I find none. Where do you, in your awful confinement, find food in this time of drought? Tell me, please, for I must know!” And then the answer came back from a voice filled with victory and praise: “In my Master’s House, there is a secret place in the confining limitations of His stables where He feeds me with His own hand, and His granaries never run empty, and His well never runs dry.” And with this the Lord made me to know that in the day when people are weak and famished in their spirits – in the time of spiritual famine, that those who have lost their own wills, and have come into the secret place of the most High, into the utter confinement of His perfect will, shall have plenty of the corn of Heaven, and a never ending flow of fresh streams of revelation by His Spirit. Thus the vision ended. 

     INTERPRETATION OF THE VISION

     “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it.” (Habakkuk 2:2) “Harness the horses: and get up, you horsemen” (Jeremiah 46:4). I’m sure many of you, who can hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches, have already seen what God is showing in the vision. But let me make it plain... Being born into the Family of God, feeding in the green pastures and drinking of the many streams of the unfolding revelation of His purpose is fine and wonderful. But it is not enough… While we were children, young, undisciplined, limited only by the outer fence of the Law that ran around the limits of the pastures, (that kept us from getting into the dark pastures of poison weeds), He was content to watch us develop and grow into young manhood, spiritually speaking. But the time came to those who fed in His pastures, and drank at His streams, when they were to be brought into discipline or “child-training” for the purpose of making them mature Sons. Many of the children today cannot get excited by the many religious games and the playful antics of the immature. They wonder why the disciplined ones run not after every new revelation or feed on every opportunity to engage in seemingly “good and profitable” religious activities. They wonder why some will not race with them in their frantic efforts to build great works and great and notable ministries. They cannot understand the simple fact that this Company of Saints is waiting for the voice of the Master, and they do not hear God in all this outward activity. They will move in their time, when the Master speaks. But not before, though many temptations come from playful colts. And the colts cannot understand why those who seemingly appear to have great abilities and strength are not putting it to good use. “Get the carriage on the road”, they say, but the disciplined ones, those in God’s harness, know better than to move before they hear the voice of the Master. They will move in their time, with great purpose, and great responsibility.

     And the Lord made me to know that here were many whom He had brought into training who had rebelled against the discipline, the chastising of the Father. And they could not be trusted with the great responsibility of mature Sonship, so He let them go back to their freedom, back to their religious activities, and revelations and gifts. They are still His people, still feeding in His pastures, but He has set them aside from the great purposes for the end of the age. So they revel in their freedom, feeling that they are the Chosen ones with many streams of living water, not knowing that they have been set aside as unfit for His great work in this end of the Age. 

     And He showed me that though the chastising seems grievous for the time, and the discipline hard to endure, yet the result with all the Glory of Sonship is worth it all, and the Glory to follow far exceeds the suffering we endure. And though some may lose even their lives in training, yet they will share alike in the Glory of His eternal purposes. So faint not, Saints of God, for it is the Lord that brings thee into confinement, and not thine enemy. It is for thy good, and for His Glory, so endure all things with praises and thanksgiving that He has counted thee worthy to share His Glory! Do not fear the Whip in His hand, for it is not to punish thee, but to correct and train thee, that you might come into submission to His will, and be found in His likeness in that Hour. Rejoice in your trials, in all of your tribulations, and Glory in His cross, and the confining limitations of His harness, for he has chosen you, and He has taken upon Himself of keeping you strong and well fed, so lean upon Him, and do not trust in your own ability and understanding. So you will be fed, and His hand will be upon thee, and His Glory will overshadow thee and shall flow through thee as it goes for the to cover the earth! Glory to God! Bless the Lord! He’s wonderful! Let Him be Lord of your life, friends, and do not complain at that which He brings into your life.

     PLENTY IN THE TIME OF FAMINE

     For in the hour when famine sweeps the land, He shall feed by His own hand those who are submitted to His perfect will, and who dwell in the secret place of the Most High. When terror stalks the land, those in His harness will not be afraid, for they shall feel His bit and bridle and know the guidance of His Spirit. When others are weak and frail and fearful, there shall be those who shall be strong in the power of His Might, and shall lack no good thing. In the hour when the traditions of the religious system have proven false, and their streams have dried up, then His chosen ones shall speak forth with the true Word of the Lord. So rejoice, Sons of God, that you have been chosen by His Grace for this great work in this last hour.

     The fence which kept the colts in their own meadows and their own pastures means nothing to the team in the harness, for the gates open to them, and they go forth pulling the King’s carriage into many strange and wonderful places. They do not stop to eat the poison weeds of sin, for they feed only in the Master’s stable. These fields they trample under their feet as they go forth on the Kings business. And so to those who are brought into absolute subjection to His will, there is no Law. For they move in the Grace of God, led only by His Spirit where all things are lawful, but not all things are expedient. This is a dangerous realm for the undisciplined, and many have perished in sin as they leaped over the fence without His harness and His bridle. Some have thought of themselves as being completely harnessed and submissive to Him, only to find that in some avenue of their life – there dwelled rebellion and self-will. Let us wait before Him until He puts His noose around us and draws us to His place of training. And let us learn of the dealings of God and the moving of His Spirit until at last we feel His harness drop about us, and hear His voice guiding us. Then there is safety from the traps and pitfalls of sin, and then we shall a safe yoke of the Lord upon us to do His will.