On October 15, 1995, I was taken in the spirit into a trance vision during a service at our church. I heard the shrill blast of a shofar, and then a voice saying that the Bride was being called to the tent by the voice of the shofar, the sounding forth of a powerful word or message. The shofar is trumpeted to get our attention so we will listen closely to the revelations that follow. Scripturally, as well as in Hebrew wedding tradition, before the Bridegroom takes her to the place he has prepared for her, he shouts to awaken her!
“The Bride is being called to the tent by the voice of the shofar.”
But at midnight there was a shout, “Behold, the Bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Matthew 25:6
A heavenly messenger appeared dressed in fine linen, the robe of the Overcomers, and he began to explain what I was seeing. He looked at me with an expression that seemed to say he knew I would understand. He said this was the “third pull.”
The Tent
He explained that many would look for a literal tent like the one in Brother Branham’s vision. However, this new tent was symbolic of a supernatural anointing that would prepare the Bride for translation faith. I was told that the shofar was a type of the anointed voice of God that would blast forth, calling the Bride into a specially prepared place in Jesus. I was told that this supernatural anointing would be stretched over us like a pavilion or tent.
There was such a large crowd sitting in chairs under this huge tent. It appeared as though some great service was going on. The atmosphere above the heads of the people was like a blue haze. I recalled seeing this many times as a boy growing up in the old time Pentecostal church. The Glory of the Lord would come in with such power that it would manifest as blue gray smoke, almost like a cloud.
I was taking in the whole scene, enjoying the sights and sounds of the anointed meeting when the messenger startled me by saying, “I will meet you in there.” I turned to see where he was pointing, and I saw a small canvas tent. It was like a little room.
The messenger informed me that we all had to go into that little room. He said we would go in one way and come out another way. I knew immediately that he was referring to more than a separate entrance and exit. He was talking about total transformation! He went on to describe an element of death to self that would take place inside that little room.
As though answering some unspoken call, people began to line up in front of the little tent. I recognized many people that I knew. They looked battle weary and filled with despair, their flesh strained to the limit of endurance. Some were clearly handicapped by various afflictions and diseases, but the majority had invisible needs that were equally urgent. They had been abused in their minds and were beginning to show signs of those stretched beyond their mental and emotional boundaries.
“Men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the Heavens will be shaken.” Luke 21:26
Just like Jesus
One by one, they entered the tent, lingering for a short time, and then exited the other side. I was never able to enter or see inside the tent, but I speak with reverence in trying to describe what I saw as people exited. It was so astounding, I feel I will not be able to adequately describe this glorious transformation.
I exclaimed, “They are just like Jesus!” All fleshly lusts and pulls were gone … vanished were the mind battles and weariness they had carried just moments before. What a metamorphosis!
I saw that my own mother was the next in line to enter. I knew the pain she had endured, especially before surrendering her heart to the Lord. I also knew that she carried emotional scars from her past, and now she was entering this place of transfiguration. My heart rejoiced as I watched the exit door with great anticipation. She stepped out.
“She is just like Jesus!” The Glory on her face was an inner light so bright it shined through the very pores of her skin. She had been completely transformed from the inside out.
I was surprised that many lingered at their seats, ignoring the call to line up in front of the little room. They did not seem to understand the importance of passing through this little chamber, or the eternal change that was taking place.
Some of those standing in line began shifting back and forth in an irreverent manner, complaining loudly that the normal prayer line had been canceled for this. Some were leaving their place in line and returning to their seats, saying how exhausted they were and that they could not wait any longer for their turn.
Stay in Line
I found myself standing near the line shouting to the people, encouraging them, “Stay in line! If you get out of this line, you will miss what God is doing inside!” I realized that only a few possessed a revelation of the change taking place under this little tent.
I noticed that some who were coming out the other side, radiant with God’s glory, were leaving the meeting that was still going on in the larger tent. The messenger in linen explained that those changed would now minister with the power of the Spoken Word of God. Creative authority would now be in their mouths. They were leaving to minister to those stubborn, hard cases that had perplexed them for so long. I knew that whatever these people spoke would come to pass because they had now come into a special unity and oneness in HIM.
Tent of Meeting
So what does this mean? As it relates to Scripture, the word “tent” is seen 300 times and has various applications: a dwelling place, the Tabernacle of Moses (a sacred dwelling place of Jehovah, also called the “Tent of Meeting”), a sanctuary or place of safety.
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me Psalm 27:5
As it regards a Bridegroom and his Bride, the traditional Hebrew wedding ceremony is held under an open tent, or chuppah. The same word also refers to the private canopy covering the nuptial bed where the marriage is then consummated. The new couple remain in the Chuppah for seven days, getting to know each other as never before.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
As in the Hebrew custom, we are betrothed to our Heavenly Bridegroom from the moment we accept his proposal, receiving him as Lord and Savior. The groom has further agreed in writing that he will provide his Bride with all she will ever need. God’s word is filled to overflowing with His written promises of bountiful provision.
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Jesus has also paid the ultimate Bride price — His precious shed blood.
Jesus has also paid the ultimate Bride price — His precious shed blood.
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold … but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18-19
The Bride Price
Saints, this Bride price is always a reflection of the perceived value of the beloved. Oh, how He loves us!
If the bethrothal is binding, the contract signed and the Bride price paid, then what is left but the ringing shout of the shofar? I believe He is calling us to a level of knowledge and intimacy that we have never known before.
“O righteous Father, … I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:25-26
When I think of how the people looked in the vision when they exited the tent, there can be no other explanation for the light coming from within them. Jesus is our ultimate Tabernacle, our tent, our covering. How else will we be prepared to walk in the degree of Godliness and power necessary to withstand what is coming? If we have learned anything it is that we are incapable of doing it ourselves. We must be patient and not walk away when we are so close to the front of the line.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9
In Brother Branham’s vision the people entered the small tent to receive healing. What I saw was a people desperate for relief from the mental and emotional bankruptcy that plagues our world. The enemy knows his time is short and he’s doing all he can to create intense fear and anxiety in our hearts and minds. The first tent rendered a physical transformation, the second, a spiritual one, but both results came from a personal encounter with the Lord. There is but one answer … being with our Bridegroom.
I realize this is not a new concept. For several years now we have been called to intimacy with the Lord, and many have labored and waited for such an encounter. The message here is:
YOU ARE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK! DON’T BE DISCOURAGED! DON’T WALK AWAY! DON’T GIVE UP!
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired … He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:28-31