When it comes to end-time events, we must admit that we only see in part and know in part (1Cor. 13:9-12). For us to continue seeing more clearly, two things are necessary. First, we must not be too quick to draw conclusions. Secondly, we must be willing to hear what others are saying. It is from this viewpoint that I wish to discuss what I see as some of the order of events to come. God speaks to us according to our ability to hear, which is a function of the gifts of grace He has given each one of us. My giftings are in the area of spiritual understanding. Although I do not normally receive visions, I am often able to understand and explain what others can see. For this reason, I believe it is beneficial to use as illustrations the prophetic visions that God has given to the prophets. We must be careful not to make doctrine from these visions, but we may consider them as messages from the Lord to help us to interpret what He has spoken to us in Scripture. One such vision was given to the evangelist Tommy Hicks in 1961. It was reprinted in the book How to Heal the Sick by Charles and Frances Hunter, 1981.
In this vision, the man of God saw a great giant laying on the earth, his head at the South pole and his feet at the North pole. He lay still and was covered with debris, but occasionally as he tried to rise, thousands of hideous creatures would run away from him, only to return when he would get calm again. Then the miracle occurred.
“All of a sudden this great giant lifted his hand toward heaven, and then it lifted its other hand, and when it did, these creatures by the thousands seemed to flee away from this giant and go into the darkness of the night.
Slowly this great giant began to rise and as it did, his head and hands went into the clouds. As he rose to his feet he seemed to have cleansed himself from the debris and filth that was upon him, and he began to raise his hands into the heavens as though praising the Lord, and as he raised his hands, they went even unto the clouds.”
The vision continued where the giant became a multitude of people on the earth worshiping and serving God with a mighty end-time ministry. When the minister asked what the meaning of this vision was, the Lord said, “This, my people, in the end times will go forth. As a mighty army shall they sweep over the face of the earth.” In the vision, the prophet saw these people facing many trials and persecutions, being translated to other countries, and going from place to place healing the sick and leading millions to the Lord Jesus Christ.
I want you to notice that this great end-time outpouring did not occur until the giant, who represents the Church, cleansed himself from the debris and filth. The lifting of the hands represents a submission to God, and the rising represents a turning from the ways of the world (see Jas. 4:6-10). When this occurred, the head of the giant reached the heavens. We know that the head represents leadership and authority. When a revived Body of Christ rises with authority in the heavens, something very dramatic will occur. The spiritual climate on the earth will experience a major shift. It is almost like a great victory will be won in the heavenlies that will release grace upon the earth. We like to think that prophetic events will happen when God wants them to happen, but if we consider God’s Word, we see that God always requires the obedience of faith for His blessings. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2Chron. 7:14).
Consider now how this vision may be speaking of an event described in the book of Revelation. Is it possible that this great outpouring will occur after Satan is cast down to the earth (Rev. 12:9)? When the devil is cast down, there is no longer any hindrance to the prayers of the saints because of the spiritual powers in the heavenlies. When he is cast to the earth, he makes war on the saints, but he is no longer able to hinder their prayers from the second heaven. We read in the book of Daniel about the struggle that Michael and his angels wage against principalities and powers to deliver answers to our prayers (see Dan. 10:1-13). Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if our prayers were no longer hindered by the enemy? That would bring about a major shift in the spiritual climate on the earth. We would be able to do the “greater works” that Jesus talked about (Jn. 14:12). What could bring about this event? Can it be that when the Church reaches a greater level of unity and maturity, then her prayers will enable Michael and his angels to cast the devil to the earth and the greatest outpouring of God’s Spirit will be able to occur?
I believe that such a great outpouring will occur before Jesus returns, but I also believe that we have a role in bringing this about. What is needed in this hour is a true revival. This is the day of restoration of all things, as was declared by Peter:
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:19-21).
Let us prepare the way for the return of the Lord. Let us seek the times of refreshing that will come from the presence of the Lord as we approach Him with clean hands and a pure heart (Ps. 24:3-6).
Here is a link to a website that has reprinted the vision given to Tommy Hicks. https://www.kcm.org/read/prophecies/61-07-1961/tommy-hicks-end-times-vision
Highway in the Wilderness 