Monday, June 22, 2020

Prophecies of the Lord's Return - Washington's Vision

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Francis Harper


Prophecies of the Lord's Return - Washington's Vision

Washington’s Vision
 
The following is an account of a vision received at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the winter of 1777, by George Washington, father of our country. It was written by Wesley Bradshaw as it was told to him by Anthony Sherman, a veteran of the American Revolution. Two of the three perils prophesied to befall the USA have been fulfilled, thus strengthening the credibility of the entire prophecy. The final and unfilled peril depicts an attack against the USA with the inhabitants being “well nigh overcome.”
            Washington’s Vision as it has been published is a second witness of the truth of Ezekiel’s prophecy that describes the final struggle between the nations representing good and evil (Ezekiel 38). “In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Matthew 18:16).
            The last time I ever saw Anthony Sherman was on the fourth of July, 1859, in Independence Square. He was then ninety-nine years old, and becoming very feeble. But although so old, his dimming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon Independence Hall, which he came to visit once more before he was gathered home.
            “Let us go into the Hall,” he said, “I want to tell you of an incident in Washington’s life, one which no one knows of except myself; and if you live, you will before long see it verified. Mark the prediction: you will see it verified.
            “From the opening of the Revolution, we experienced all phases of fortune, now good and now ill, one time victorious and another conquered. The darkest period we had, I think, was when Washington, after several reverses, retreated to Valley Forge, where he resolved to pass the winter of ’77. Ah! I have often seen the tears coursing down our dear commander’s careworn cheeks, as he would be conversing with a confidential officer about the condition of his poor soldiers.
            “You have doubtless heard the story of Washington’s going to the thicket to pray. Well, it was not only true, but he used often to pray in secret for aid and comfort from God, the interposition of whose Divine Providence brought us safely through the darkest days of tribulation.
            “One day, I remember it well, the chilly winds whistled through the leafless trees, although the sky was cloudless and the sun shone brightly. He remained in his quarters nearly all of the afternoon alone. When he came out, I noticed that his face was a shade paler than usual, and there seemed to be something on his mind of more than ordinary importance.
            “Returning just after dusk, he dispatched an orderly to the quarters of an officer                I mention, who was presently in attendance. After a preliminary conversation of about half an hour, Washington, gazing upon his companion with that strange look of dignity which he alone could command, said to the latter:
            “I do not know whether it is owing to the anxiety of my mind, or what, but this afternoon, as I was sitting at this very table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something in the apartment seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld, standing opposite to me, a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed, that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of the visit. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of the eyes.
            “By this time, I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have risen, but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I assayed once more to speak, but my tongue had become powerless. Even thought itself suddenly became paralyzed. A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly at my unknown visitant.
            “Gradually, the surrounding atmosphere seemed as though becoming filled with sensations, and grew luminous. Everything about me seemed to rarify, the mysterious visitor also becoming more airy, and yet more distinct to my sight than before. I began to feel as one dying, or rather to experience the sensations which I have sometimes imagined accompany dissolution. I did not think; I did not reason; I did not move; all were alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly, at my companion.
            “Presently I heard a voice saying, ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn.’ At the same time, my visitor extended her arm eastwardly. I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance, rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene. Before me, spread out in one vast plain, lay all the countries of the world: Europe, Asia, Africa and America. I saw, rolling and tossing between Europe and America, the billows of the Atlantic Ocean, and between Asia and America, lay the Pacific.
            ‘Son of the Republic,’ said the same mysterious voice as before, ‘look and learn.’
            “At that moment, I beheld a dark, shadowy being, like an angel, standing, or rather floating in mid-air between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand, while, with his left hand, he cast some over Europe. Immediately a dark cloud raised from these countries, and joined in mid-ocean. For awhile, it remained stationary, and then moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and           I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.
            “A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean, and sprinkled it as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose heaving billows it sank from view.
            “A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn.’   I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up, one after another, until the whole land, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, was dotted with them.
            “Again I heard the mysterious voice say, ‘Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn.’ At this the dark, shadowy angel turned his face southward, and from Africa I saw an ill-omened specter approach our land. It flitted slowly and heavily over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other.
            “As I continued looking, I saw a bright angel, on whose brow rested a crown of light on which was traced the word ‘Union,’ bearing the American flag, which he placed between the divided nation and said, ‘Remember ye are brethren.’ Instantly the inhabitants, casting from them their weapons, became friends once more, and united around the National Standard.
            “And again I heard the mysterious voice say, ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn.’ At this the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia and Africa.
            “Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene. From each of these countries arose thick, black clouds which were soon joined into one. And throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men, who, moving with the cloud, marched by land and sailed by sea to America, which country was enveloped in the volume of the cloud. I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn the villages, towns and cities that I had beheld springing up.
            “As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of swords and shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I again heard the mysterious voice saying, ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn.’ When the voice had ceased, the dark, shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth and blew a long and fearful blast.
            “Instantly, a light, as of a thousand suns, shone down from above me and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment, the angel upon whose head still shone the word ‘Union,’ and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from heaven, attended by legions of bright spirits.  These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who, I perceived were well nigh overcome, but who immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle.
            “Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict, I heard the mysterious voice saying, ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn.’ As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel, for the last time, dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious.
            “Then once more I beheld villages, towns and cities springing up where they had been before, while the bright angel, planting the azure Standard he had brought into the midst of them, cried with a loud voice, ‘While the stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the Republic last.’ And taking from his brow the crown on which was blazoned the word ‘Union.’ He placed it upon the Standard while the people kneeling down, said ‘Amen.’
            “The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld. This also disappearing, I found myself once more gazing upon my mysterious visitor, who, in the same voice I had heard before, said, ‘Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted: Three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful is the second, passing which the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and union.’ With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, progress and destiny of the United States.
            “Such, my friends,” concluded the venerable narrator, “were the words I heard from Washington’s own lips, and America will do well to profit by them.” (Wesley Bradshaw. September 1898. Reprint. Our Race Leaflet. Merrimac, Mass.: Destiny Publishers)
            When this prophetic vision was given, only the first peril could be seen. Later in the 1860s, the second peril that had been prophesied was fulfilled. Now since two of the perils have been fulfilled, we can be quite certain that the final peril will also come to pass. This is another illustration of the principle of partial fulfillment which greatly strengthens our faith that the complete prophecy will be fulfilled.
 
 
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus”
(Revelation 22:20).
 
To Be Continued
 


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