                    [Times Square Church Pulpit Series]

                       The Lord's Little Turtledove

           (An Encouraging Message for Those Who Are Suffering)

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By David Wilkerson
undated
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          Please forgive my references to personal struggles, but
          I must tell you of some recent troubles we've endured
          to share with you the lessons learned from it all. My
          family and I have just gone through the most severe
          testing of our lives.

          Sickness came at us from all sides. Our oldest son had
          to come home from Detroit to recuperate from a
          debilitating illness that left him with a very low
          white blood count. His baby son Ashley, our grandson,
          became ill also and was bleeding slightly from the
          bowels. Brandon, another grandson, cried violently for
          hours until the doctor discovered an inner ear
          infection. It was heart-rending to see him suffer and
          not be able to tell us where he hurt. Our two daughters
          also were afflicted. My brother, who works with me,
          discovered he had a spot on his lung and was taken to
          surgery. Gwen was rushed to the hospital in severe pain
          and was diagnosed as having Lupus disease.

          In the midst of all the pain and suffering, a maniac
          con-artist attempted to swindle our ministry. In our
          continuing efforts to cut back, we offered a house for
          sale. Boasting he was a multimillionaire, this swindler
          gave us a down payment check on the house. He told us
          he was a former CIA agent from the narcotics division
          and needed to move his family in immediately to "safe
          house" them. Out of compassion we permitted then to
          move in. His check bounced. A replacement check bounced
          also. Meanwhile, he filled the house with expensive
          furniture, and all those checks bounced.

          We discovered the man was swindling people out of homes
          and savings accounts - and was possibly dangerous. We
          learned that the FBI knew of his devious activities. It
          was very traumatic the next week as we attempted to
          evict him and recover the furniture for dealers who
          were furious. Fearing for my family's security, I
          secluded them in a motel while we moved the swindler
          out. It was a frightening experience. The man was never
          with the CIA; he was a pathological liar, cheat, and
          big time swindler. Also, he was penniless. We had
          befriended him, prayed for him , and had shown him
          great kindness - and he was mocking us all the while.
          He is now facing federal charges and will most likely
          spend a lot of time in prison. God delivered is from
          his schemes.

          In the midst of all the sickness, the suffering and
          mental anguish, I shut myself in my prayer closet, fell
          on my face before God and wept. I found myself crying
          out - "Oh God, I'm in a mess! What's happening? What's
          going on?"

          I was confused. I thought to myself, "I take a year off
          to pray and seek the Lord with all my heart, and end up
          in the biggest mess in all my lifetime."

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                        So Many Are Suffering Today

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          I know my family and I are not the only ones suffering
          and enduring great afflictions. From all across the
          country I receive heart-rending letters from godly
          Christians who are right now going through the greatest
          testing and trying they've ever known.

          Never have so many come down with cancer. Never have
          there been so many hurt by divorce, with mates
          abandoning homes and giving up on marriages. Never have
          so many been burdened down with financial problems.
          Never has there been such a time of trial, confusion,
          pain, and deep hurt. God's most beloved children are
          going through refining fires. How true it is that "many
          are the afflictions of the righteous." Also true is the
          fact that "the Lord delivereth them out of them all."

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                   "Oh, God, We Need Mercy - And Grace"

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          I began to pray that very prayer - "God, You told us to
          come boldly to Your throne of grace to obtain mercy and
          grace to help in our time of need. We need mercy." Is
          there any hope for any of us in these trying times
          without mercy from the Lord?

          It was my own carelessness that brought on the
          difficulties with the swindler. I should have been more
          prudent and cautious. Much of the suffering could have
          been avoided. Still I knew God was somehow using the
          experience to teach me more of His loving mercy and
          grace.

          For a fleeting moment I questioned the Lord about the
          trouble and turmoil. Why did He allow a swindler to put
          me through such a trial, when I had prayed so fervently
          for divine direction? Why so much sickness and pain in
          my family? Why the physical pain in my own body?

          What do we do as believers when the enemy comes in like
          a flood - when we find ourselves in a terrible mess?
          Why do those who are so deeply devoted to Christ have
          to endure such unusual testing?

          I don't have all the answers. I do know that the
          righteous do suffer. I do know that many godly people
          who are reading this message are hurting and maybe
          wondering why they must endure so much pain and
          suffering. It is when you take your place in the holy
          of holies that you discover testings unknown to those
          in the outer court.

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                               Turtledoves!

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          God kept me through all these sufferings by showing me
          David's secret hope. He was lamenting and complaining,
          wondering why God's anger was smoking against him. He
          called on God to "pluck out thy hand from thy bosom."
          It appeared to him that the enemies of God were taking
          control. In his despair David prayed, "O deliver not
          the soul of the TURTLEDOVE unto the multitude of the
          wicked..." (Ps. 74:19).

          Like David, I began to see myself as a little
          turtledove - surrounded by the snares and traps of the
          wicked. I prayed, "O Lord, I'm just your little
          turtledove, a frail, tiny bird -- Don't turn me over to
          he schemes of the wicked. Deliver me from all these
          traps Satan has surrounded my path with!"

          How it did encourage me, in my most trying, hurting
          times, to see myself as His little love bird - his
          devoted turtledove, resting on His promise to keep me
          out of the hands of the wicked. Like turtledoves do, I
          mourned for the presence of my Beloved.

          I pictured Christ coming to me in the form of a dove -
          a turtledove - His Holy Spirit - revealing to me His
          constant love and continual care. How unspeakable that
          such a great and majestic God should condescend to
          relate to my needs as a turtledove. Did He not descend
          on Christ at the baptismal waters as a dove? A
          turtledove.

          Turtledoves have been noticed by poets in all ages as
          emblems of love and faithfulness. Shakespeare wrote:

          "When arm in arm they both came swiftly running, Like a
          pair of loving turtledoves" (Henry VI. Part I).

          Also,

          "So turtledoves pair that never mean to part..."
          (Troilus and Cressida, Act III).

          Turtledoves have but one mate, and they are faithful to
          each other. They mourn the absence of one another. So
          it is most comforting to discover David likening us to
          these devoted turtledoves.

          Child of God - are you going through difficult times?
          Is there suffering in your home? Do you hurt? Are you
          confused at times because of the severity of it all?
          Remember - you are the Lord's little turtledove - and
          He will never turn you over to the wicked one. He will
          deliver you from every snare of the enemy. He will show
          you how devoted He is to you in your hour of need. He
          is there beside you, at all times, as a dove -
          whispering, sharing His love with you.

          Christ and you! Christ and me! Turtledoves! Let the
          floods roll in! Let the pangs of death and pain prick
          me! Let the snares and traps surround me! I am the
          Lord's little turtledove and I have His loving promise
          to keep me - deliver me - and forever love me.

          Solomon, speaking of Christ, said, "His eyes are as the
          eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with
          milk, beautifully set" (Song of Solomon 5:12). And of
          the church, the Lord's beloved, it is written, "My
          dove, my undefiled one is but one..." (Song of Solomon
          6:9). We are but one in Christ - His Dove - a
          turtledove.

          The sparrow falls to the ground, but not the
          turtledove. His little turtledove is the apple of His
          eye, kept in the hollow of His hand - safe and secure
          in His love. Best of all, the Lord has delivered us out
          of our troubles and proved His everlasting faithfulness
          to us. We have come through it all rejoicing and in
          full rest and trust in His power and love. The enemy
          could not hurt us.

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                         Violence - Key to Judgment
                       (A dream about the security of
                    God's people when violence erupts)

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          I wish to relate to you a vivid and frightening dream I
          had recently. Although I do not put much stock in
          dreams, and certainly do not see any theological
          meaning in them, nevertheless the Bible does speak of
          old men dreaming dreams. This dream so affected me I
          awoke dazed and shaken. It remains with me and has
          caused me to search God's Word about its meaning.

          Before I share my dream I must warn the reader that no
          vision or dream can have any meaning whatsoever if it
          is contrary to the Word if God. If there is any meaning
          at all to a dream, it could only be in conjunction with
          what is already revealed in God's Word. Most of my
          dreams, most of all dreams, are meaningless. This
          particular one, for me at least is an exception.

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                                 The Dream

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          I was walking the streets of a large city during
          twilight hours. All who passed by seemed to be dressed
          in punk rock clothes and appeared to be swishing about
          as homosexuals and lesbians.

          Suddenly, violence erupted everywhere. The entire city
          went berserk. Everyone was armed with clubs, knives,
          chains, baseball bats, guns and every other conceivable
          kind of weapon. People went wild, swinging at each
          other, knocking each other down with bats and clubs.
          Motorcycle gangs were speeding about, swinging heavy
          chains, knocking passersby to the ground.

          Not a person stood by. All were enraged, all were
          cursing, fighting, kicking, swinging. Their eyes were
          on fire with hatred and fear.

          The animals were caught up in the spirit of violence.
          Dogs barked and began to bite one another - cats were
          screaming and scratching . A dozen or so police horses
          began to prance about, kicking and neighing, and ran
          pell-mell toward me. I jumped over a fence narrowly
          escaping their oncoming charge.

          I stood behind the fence, hidden, watching in horror at
          the unbelievable scenes of violence, blood and killing
          before me. No one was gambling or drinking. No one was
          committing adultery or fornication. There were no
          drugs, no homosexual cruising. It was all violence -
          everybody was swept away by a spirit of wild
          abandonment.

          I remember crying out to God - "Oh, Lord - this is
          Sodom! Everyone has gone berserk! You destroyed the
          earth for this once! Judgment must come now - soon!"
          The sense of impending judgment was overwhelming. The
          demonic spirit of violence was so oppressive I could
          hardly breath.

          I began to run out of the city, as fast as my feet
          could carry me. I was thinking, "I've got to get off
          Satan's territory. This is his final hour of triumph
          among his slaves. Satan is in full control of his
          people. The devil has finally exposed himself and his
          spirit has erupted in the hearts of his children. I
          must get out!"

          Once out of the city I felt like Lot escaping from
          Sodom. The city was being burned down, sacked by
          violence, murder, and bloodshed. The screaming, the
          shrieks of hate and pain became dimmer as I got farther
          away.

          I came to a ledge and realized I was on a high plateau.
          Looking down, I saw a great valley with a river running
          through it. To my amazement I saw the valley and
          surrounding hillsides covered with an army of robed
          people - all in perfect rank - marching toward and into
          the river to be baptized.

          My first impression was, "Lord these must be Moonies or
          some other cult because they are not dressed in white."
          But then I heard the sweet refrain of a multitude
          humming the tune - "Hallelujah." Then I knew they were
          God's people - not yet glorified, but preparing
          themselves.

          What a contrast it was. Behind me was chaos, confusion,
          fear, violence, hopelessness, satanic havoc. Before me,
          a confident quiet, assured army in perfect order -
          going into the waters of praise and worship. This
          quiet, restful army was so at peace - so unmoved by the
          violence and hell nearby. Not one soldier broke rank.
          Not one moved from his place. It was all perfect order
          - total peace - and heavenly quiet. It was an awesome
          sight.

          I looked back at the burning, seething city and felt a
          hand pushing me. A small voice said, "Go down to the
          river and cry aloud, "Violence is the key to judgment.
          Violence is the key to His coming. The hour has come.
          This is it!"

          I awakened with that cry on my lips - "Violence is the
          key to judgment! Violence is the final sign of His
          coming. It's all about to come to a head. Violence in
          full fury is about to erupt."

          I sat up in bed and could not get my bearings. Was I
          still dreaming? Where was I? How real it was. Unlike
          any other dream in my lifetime. I staggered out of bed,
          still not fully conscious. I shook myself - awakened -
          but could not shake off this dream as I had so many
          others. After two weeks, I still cannot shake it off.
          The sights and sounds of satanic violence will always
          be with me. The sight of an army secure and at a peace
          in the midst of an outbreak of violence and confusion
          will never be forgotten.

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                            What Does It Mean?

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          A lady heard me share this dream and came up to me
          later with what she called "an interpretation." I
          stopped her. It needs no interpretation. It was simply
          God's way of waking my heart to the reality of what is
          happening right before our eyes.

          Violence is the key - the final sign - just before
          divine judgment. So it was in the days of Noah, just
          prior to the flood.

          "The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was
          filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth and
          behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his
          way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of
          all flesh is come before me, for the earth is filled
          with violence through them: and behold, I will destroy
          them with the earth" (Genesis 6:11-13).

          With the exception of Noah and his family, the entire
          human race had corrupted itself and was given over to
          licentiousness and lawlessness. Mankind had become
          cruel, uncaring, and coveteous. Wicked men became
          exhibitionists, flaunting their degeneracy and
          corruption before the very face of God. The more God by
          His Spirit warned them, the more they intensified their
          violent appetites. The end of all flesh came the moment
          lust and passion broke out into the full flame of
          violence.

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                      Violence Is Lust in Full Flame

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          Every work of the flesh, when it is in full flame,
          breaks out into violence. Consider the seventeen works
          of the flesh mentioned by Paul in Galatians 5:19-21.
          What is adultery and fornication in full flame - but
          sado-masochism, a horrible form of violence. Witchcraft
          in full flame is murderous sacrifice and bloodletting
          such as witnessed around the idolatrous altars of Baal
          on Mt. Carmel. Wrath, strife, seditions, hatred,
          drunkenness, and such like, are all forms of violence -
          all of which are uncontrollable when in full flame.

          What about abortion? Is that not violence in its most
          hideous form? What about the 55 wars in progress
          worldwide? What is it in Ireland, Iran, Lebanon - but
          violence? It is religious hatred in full flame.

          Consider Sodom. God did not send judgment when sodomy
          was rampant. Nor did judgment fall when the wicked
          crowds lusted after the visiting angels. Judgment came
          when the lust of those Sodomites broke out into the
          full flame of violence. They went wild, trying to tear
          the house of Lot apart - preparing to violently rape
          and kill. It was at that moment God moved in to
          destroy.

          Where would you say America is right now? Would you say
          that our lusts and passions have burst out into full
          flame? More than one million children were murdered
          last year in this country.

          The day is not far off when those who truly love the
          Lord Jesus Christ will have to rid their homes of
          television because of the unspeakable violence and
          bloodshed. Most Hollywood movies being produced today
          no longer feature sex and infidelity - they've gone far
          beyond that, to senseless violence. A movie starlet
          told an audience that she was "turned on not by sex,
          but by blood and violence." The audience wildly
          applauded.

          Right now, in major cities, porno theaters feature
          violence almost exclusively. Jaded men and women sit in
          these filthy theaters getting thrills watching animals
          being mutilated. The big underground sensation
          throughout the nation is human sacrifices and
          mutilations filmed in Africa and Asia. One who knew
          told me that well to do people pay high prices for
          private showings of these murderous films. They are
          sexually excited by blood and death.

          Beloved, what has happened to this society, that
          multitudes now flock to movies that glorify bloodshed
          and violence? What happened to decency, to
          old-fashioned values, to tender love scenes, hand
          holding, walking in the moonlight? The crowds now hiss
          and hoot at such things - they now thirst for the
          demonic, the ugly, the macabre. It has to be demon
          possession, or else how could so many be turned over to
          such hellish, bizarre activities?

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                       Do You Turn Off the Violence?

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          Do you sit before your TV set and drink in the
          shootings, the knifings, the bloodshed and murder? Are
          you growing accustomed to it all - is it slowly wearing
          you down? Or do you put your foot down and say -
          "Enough! My eyes will no longer be polluted with such
          demonic filth. No more viewing of violence in this
          House!"

          Sadly, most Christians are no longer turning it off.
          They are growing hard to it. That is why so many of
          God's people are becoming insensitive to the voice of
          the Holy Spirit - they no longer feel the Spirit's
          grief over violence and cruelty.

          Could it be that the spirit of Sodom is already upon
          us, blinding us - putting us to sleep so we will not
          discern that last hour before judgment? Are we getting
          calloused, hard to it?

          We are becoming more and more like Belshazzar and his
          crowd, who partied and drank through their last night
          on earth. While the Medes and Persians crept in
          unawares to violently plunder and kill, the king and
          his court drugged themselves insensitive with alcohol.
          Judgment was right at the door and they knew it not.
          Are we also unaware?

          Have you seen any of the video tapes now being produced
          by rock groups? It appears mostly on cable stations and
          it is unbelievable. It is a montage of sick violence,
          senseless bloodiness, demonic costumes, weird and
          bizarre actions - incubated in hell itself.

          John Denver, the singer, warned in so many words,
          "Don't people realize what is happening? Don't they
          realize it is all violence and injurious rage? Why
          aren't the Americans people doing something about it?
          It's getting out of hand."

          I dread to think what it will be like a few years from
          now, when all the children who have flooded their minds
          with all these violent sights and sounds become adults.
          Violence is becoming a way of life. There is a loss of
          any sense of right or wrong - and there is less respect
          for life. Think of what our children now have to live
          with - a constant barrage of killing, rape, child
          abuse, mass murders, suicide, and vicious hate. Without
          God's mercy and grace, the future is hopeless.

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                                A Prophecy

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          Soon the violence that is seething just below the
          surface will erupt into riots and much bloodshed. A
          horrible confrontation is inevitable between
          unconverted blacks and Jews. The black Muslim leader
          from Chicago has been enraging black people, calling on
          them to rise up and kill Jews and whites. He threatened
          to kill a Chicago reporter. The press seems afraid to
          stand up to all the threats.

          Mid-day soap operas will begin featuring violence, punk
          values, incest, rape, and murder. They will no longer
          be about broken marriages, infidelity and adultery.
          Instead there will be scenes of bloodshed, vicious
          killings, violent rapes, and knifings. It has already
          begun.

          Teenagers will rampage and give vent to their pent-up
          frustrations. Have you not been reading all the reports
          of children killing parents? And, in cities and towns
          across the nation, our teenagers are committing suicide
          in alarming numbers.

          I have been warning of this soon-to-come outbreak of
          violence, rioting and plundering for a long time. My
          warnings seem to fall on deaf ears. But mark my words -
          we are about to witness an eruption of horrible
          violence such as never before seen in this nation.
          Multitudes of godless Americans will be given over to a
          spirit of violence and will be driven to wild
          abandonment.

          The cup of iniquity is full. The full flame of violence
          will cause it to overflow - forcing God to send
          judgment, lest Satan destroy society. God will not
          permit Satan to bring total anarchy to the world until
          the judgment is set.

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                      Praise God for Peaceful Saints

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          In my dream I saw an army that refused to break rank -
          for in the midst of all the wickedness and cruel
          violence, they were unperturbed. They were going down
          into the livings waters of praise and worship, coming
          out on the other side of the river with perfect peace
          and rest. They are the redeemed of the Lord who have
          been given a peace that passeth all understanding.

          "The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight
          themselves in the abundance of grace" (Ps. 37:11).

          Joel saw an army of mighty men. He said, "And they
          shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not
          break their ranks" (Joel 2:7)

          God's people will not break rank, nor run in fear,
          because they know they are secure under the precious
          blood of the Lamb. They know that in spite of all the
          violence and wrath of men the body of Christ on earth
          is in excellent health and is growing stronger every
          day.

          While all that is earthly is being shaken and world
          governments are spinning out of control, the true
          church of Christ is solid and unmovable.

          The specter of devastating violence and potential
          destruction has robbed mankind of it's peace and
          security - while at the same time God is bringing His
          people into their greatest hour of rest and safety.
          While the ungodly cry for peace and safety and never
          find it - God's chosen are now possessing great peace
          and perfect security.

          God's people who rest in Him can say with David the
          Psalmist -

          "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now
          many Israel say; If it had not been the Lord who was on
          our side, when men rose up against us:

          Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath
          was kindled against us: Then the waters had overwhelmed
          us, the stream had gone over our soul: Then the proud
          waters had gone over our soul.

          Blessed be the Lord who hath not given us as a prey to
          their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the
          snare of fowlers: the snare is a broken, and we are
          escaped.

          Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven
          and earth" (Ps. 124).

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                                  Beware!

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          While hearing and seeing the daily news filled with
          horror and violence, do not for a moment let that mar
          your vision of a glorious church rising up in the midst
          of the ruin and confusion - to take dominance and
          authority.

          A holy, forgiven, rested body, holding to Christ the
          head, day by day is being revealed in clearer measure.
          It is coming into clear view, this victorious body,
          flexing its spiritual muscle, threatening the very
          powers of Satan.

          The prognosis for the body of Christ is unbelievably
          glorious! Nothing this ungodly world does can adversely
          affect it or change its purpose. The body of Christ is
          growing stronger in spite of all the violence and
          corruption. His body has a history all its own, apart
          from outside of all that is in and out of the world.

          You need not put much stock in my dream, but you do
          need to hear God's word concerning the coming judgment.
          We are called to watch and pray, lest we fall into
          modern temptations. Be aware, alert, and shut off all
          viewing of violence. But still rejoice - be glad in the
          Lord that He has a people growing in holiness and love
          - unmoved and unaffected by the violent spirit of this
          age. The violent gates of hell shall never prevail
          against the body of Jesus Christ - His resurrected
          church.

          ---
          Used with permission granted by World Challenge, P. O.
          Box 260, Lindale, TX 75771 USA.

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