Many of you will say: "I am not ready" but the Lord has prepared you. You will be learning on the job as He continues to teach you. It's time.
My process
Originally started on 1/4/2021. I have been taught by the Lord to, wait for multiple confirmations of what I believe He is communicating before I share—it is most important to be SURE and God does not mind us seeking confirmations regarding what He wants communicated. On the morning of Sunday January 17, 2021, this post was on my heart so I asked the Lord to let me know if I should release it. God confirmed through 2 Kings 22:14 while I was in church listening to the message my Pastor preached. This verse reads: “Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter.” I have never read this verse before. I did not know the word wardrobe existed in the bible. Furthermore, to be honest, in 2019 when I was in the bible quite often, I completed 1 Kings but became (this sounds bad) disinterested in reading through all of 2 Kings. I now feel the need to go back and read because I am learning how truly important EVERY word of God is even if we don’t yet understand this.
In addition to this being my process, I have often noticed that Holy Spirit will communicate one message in various ways through servants of the Lord. We do not all have the same life experiences or personalities (an intentional act of God) which means we will not all receive messages the exact same way as others. Even though this is the case, I am not sure why this happens, but it is VERY HARD to miss the similarities. This is how I usually know the Lord is communicating a message.
As always, it is not about being first, it is about being right. DISCLAIMER: This post IS NOT a: “Thus says the Lord.” This is however, what is in my spirit to share at this time.
The Lord impressed upon me the need to watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. For about two weeks before I finally rented and watched it, I kept saying to others, "I need to watch Narnia." I didn't know why. I don't know much about the movie. I saw bits and pieces when it was first offered on TV many years ago. I don't know much about C.S Lewis. I know he has a bunch of famous quotes. This first movie of three that have been produced (to date), is the only one I have ever seen. I did not feel led to watch the others.
Narnia is a 2h 30m movie and from it, the following bits are what I felt led to pull out to share with you along with references to God’s written Word.
This Movie in one Sentence…
In the first movie made in 2005, four siblings were shipped off to safety by their mother due to war in their home country only to find themselves having to have hope and trust as they are met with the responsibility of becoming kings and queens.
Summary
These children: Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter were suddenly thrown into a war in Narnia (another world through the wardrobe [closet]) against the White Witch who'd kept Narnia in bondage for ages. Those loyal to her included wolves. I believe people of God, will by His grace be able to discern when the wolves come around. Ironically, these wolves appeared as wolves, not wolves in sheep’s clothing. I am not sure exactly what this difference means.
The White Witch’s power was weakened by the hope of these four children/siblings (two sons of Adam and Two daughters of Eve) who would fulfill the prophecy (to save Narnia from her evil) and she was not going down without a fight. They were unprepared and had no knowledge of their role in the fulfillment of prophecy however, as they entered Narnia (a symbol of goodness and hope), it began to thaw—going from frozen to lush, green, and flowing with life (a symbol of evil losing territory). Although the siblings did not all believe at first, what they experienced could not be denied.
Three of the four children were given tools from a character whom the movie does not outright say, but it can be concluded that he is Santa Claus. These tools were fitted specifically for them to use in this war. Lucy, the youngest received a small glass jar with the “juice of the fire flower” and a small knife. The man they refer to only as “sir” then tells Lucy he hopes she never has to use it as “battles are ugly affairs”. Lucy then tells him she hopes she can be brave enough. Susan the second eldest then receives a bow and an arrow which she is told to trust and it will not miss. She also receives a small horn of some sort which “sir” says: “Blow on this and where you are, help will come.” Finally, to Peter, the eldest of the siblings, was given a sword and a shield and told, “…the time to use these may be near at hand.” I believe these tools represent the armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-18.
Betrayal and Consequences…
The sibling missing at this time is their brother Edmund. He betrayed his brother and sisters for "sweeties" as the White Witch said. Jesus warns us in Matthew 10:21 NIV that: “Brother will betray brother to death…” When the three siblings met Aslan (the lion that I believe symbolizes Jesus), he asked where the fourth sibling was. Aslan was told that he (Edmund) has betrayed his siblings. Those loyal to Aslan became upset, to which Aslan said, “peace…” Jesus as commander of His army is able to command order (please read Matthew 8:5-13). Lucy, in defense of Edmund then says, “Sir, he's our brother." Aslan says to her, "I know, dear one. But that only makes the betrayal all the worse. This may be harder than you think."
Edmund was later rescued. His siblings were divided on their decision to remain and help Narnia or to return back to their world. Edmund made the decision to stay and help defeat the White Witch because as he said, "I’ve seen what the white Witch can do. I've helped her do it..." I believe there have been many who have sat on the fence or have done more for Satan than for the Kingdom of Heaven but in times to come, these ones will bravely fight on the side of the Lord—souls that have been redeemed for God.
Edmund’s betrayal did not come without consequences. Aslan, decided to sacrifice himself for the sake of the fulfillment of the prophecy which outlined that ALL FOUR siblings would defeat the White Witch. She used her knowledge of the laws (Deep Magic) (does this remind you of anyone from the bible?) of their land to try to kill Edmund which would ultimately change the outcome of the prophecy. While this is the practical reason Aslan decided to sacrifice himself, he sacrificed his life out of love, righteousness and justice (he knew the laws and followed them), and the future of Narnia. When Jesus gave up His life for us, He knew we would not all choose Him. He did it anyways out of love for those who MAY choose Him. Also, it’s important to note that Satan knows the bible (please read Matthew 4:1-11), and He knows prophecy, and he recognizes the signs of the end times (Revelation 12:12).
The Ritual Sacrifice When Aslan turned himself over to the White Witch, she sacrificed him on a stone slab between pillars that I believe represents the Arch of Baal (please do your own research into this.). I would like to point out that a white witch versus a dark witch makes no difference to God. There is no good magic and bad magic. It is all evil because the source (Satan) is evil. During this ritual performed at night, the creatures that were loyal to the White Witch celebrated as she plunged her knife into Aslan. Her eyes were completely black (the white that is usually there, was not). I will not share what I believe the creators of the movie were trying to accomplish here, but I do have my opinions. Because Aslan WILLINGLY sacrificed his life for Edmund, he came back to life (a loophole in their law) or was resurrected (again, Jesus). I believe God made sure I would recognize these biblical similarities. The War…
After the White Witch thought she killed Aslan, she turned her attention to the siblings. Only the brothers were present on the battle field. The sisters snuck away to follow Aslan as he was going to sacrifice himself. He told them they could go no farther with him. The sisters however did not turn back, they hid and as a result, saw Aslan being led to die. They remained with his body until he was resurrected (Mary Magdalene?) Aslan told the sisters of the White Witch’s plan to war against their brothers and that they would not have time to warn them in person. The sisters gave a message to the trees and the trees delivered the message to their brothers. I know this all sounds very much like a fairytale but, be patient with me. I believe that the earth does indeed cooperate with God’s people in order to fulfill His will. For examples, please refer to Numbers 16:32 and Revelation 12:16.
Many died on both sides of this war. As unprepared as both brothers thought they were, they were somehow able to succeed. With them were willing warriors ready to die so that the Narnia prophecy would be fulfilled. Edmund who had first betrayed his siblings was now alongside his brother Peter fighting this war. He saw the queen going towards his brother who was knocked from his horse, engaged her, and broke one of the two weapons she wielded in either hand. Unfortunately, the White Witch fatally wounded him.
It was at this time that the sisters and a RESURRECTED Aslan came rushing in to save the other brother (Peter). Aslan overpowered and killed the White Witch. "It is finished." he said. Once more, Jesus (John 19:30)
A Quick Rewind… When the siblings (three of the four) were given tools by “Santa Claus”, he gave the smallest female sibling, Lucy a jar of liquid that he told her was very powerful as it would only take one drop to heal any sickness.
Forward…
When the sisters reunited with their brothers Lucy used one drop from this jar of liquid to heal her brother Edmund who had been fatally wounded by the White Witch. Once Edmund was healed, Lucy used more of the liquid to heal other wounded members in their army (an army that without knowing them personally, sacrifice their lives for the "greater good") in this case, to live in a land of peace and prosperity without the White Witch. Towards the end of the movie, it is obvious how much the siblings have been transformed. Each was given a formal title and crowned a king or a queen (when God elevates us, He changes our names and titles [Abram to Abraham, the father of many nations Genesis 17:5]). From youngest to eldest:
· Glistening eastern sea, Queen Lucy, the valiant
· The great western wood, King Edmund, the just
· Radiant southern sun, Queen Susan, the gentle
· The clear northern sky, and King Peter, the magnificent
Where they began:
· Lucy- believer yet lacking wisdom
· Edmund- betrayer/cunning
· Susan-logical/rational/cautious relied on her understanding/pessimist
· Peter- protector/ father figure/faithless
truly shows that God can do ANYTHING.
I believe that all of the items above that I have either made bold or underlined are significant. What comes to mind is Revelation 7:1 NIV: “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree”
While the siblings started their process as unprepared children, they completed it all having attributes of God.
The Rewind Continued… What I feel impressed to also point out is, the youngest of the siblings and a female, Lucy was not only the first to discover Narnia (her siblings did not believe her) but of the four siblings to be the one called valiant or brave, is very important. I believe God has given the would-be underdogs so much grace for what is to come. May we not undermine the will of God because of a person’s age or whether they are a male or female. I believe many will try to downplay how God is moving in those who others wouldn’t have ever suspected could be used by God. I believe that those who downplay who God chooses to use in this great move of His, will miss it and inevitably be deceived. I pray this will not be you.
Examples from God’s Written Word
· Abraham was 100 years old when the promised child, Isaac was born (Genesis 21:5).
· Moses stuttered and was not good at public speaking (Exodus 4:10)
· God said to Jeremiah, “Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you (Jeremiah 1:7 NIV).”
· David was a boy when he defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17:33)
· Jael was given the victory for killing Sisera as opposed to Barak because he did not follow God’s instructions as told to him through the judge and prophetess, Deborah (please read Judges 4)
· Amos was not a prophet or the son of a prophet. He was essentially a farmer (Amos 7:14)
· Gideon was not brave yet with 300 men, God made the seemingly impossible happen (Judges 6:11-7:1-23).
· Mary, the mother of Jesus was not only young, and a virgin, she did not know how she had ever gained the favor of God because He chose her to birth the Savior (Luke1: 26-38)