----- 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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