Summer 1995
Identification Leads to Intercession
The Door to God's Heart, Part 2 ( See Fall 1991 Banner for Part 1)
Gabriel Hoffman
PC Graduate

I had been with the Lord in the room of "ministering to God." It is satisfying and fulfilling to spend time in worship, and then to rest quietly in His presence.

One day, during one of these times, I noticed that the room had a spiral staircase that ascended into the darkness above. "Lord, where does that go?" I queried. He answered, "Shall we go up and see?"

I eagerly followed Him up the stairs. They ended at a catwalk, curved as if it were following a great spiral. In several places, on either side of the main walk way, smaller walks jutted out, which led to other spiral staircases that descended downward. We appeared to be at the beginning of this progression.

The Lord said, "Do you know where these staircases lead?" I was tempted to answer like Ezekiel ("Thou knowest, Lord"), but I knew I was to make an attempt to understand. I thought about the walk way I had followed, which led down a long spiral hallway with a number of doors on either side, to finally enter the room of "ministering to God." Then it struck me, these staircases must lead down into those other rooms.

As I related this to the Lord, He said, "As you passed each of these doors, you were giving up that ministry for a season. But the door of "ministering to God" also opens doors that lead to these ministries. I would like to take you into the room that is next to, and closely related to, the room you are in.

We walked up the catwalk and descended down the first staircase to the right, into the room of Intercession. As we entered the room, we faced a set of large golden doors that were covered with intricate and beautiful designs. "These are the doors into the anteroom of the Great Hall of Judgment," the Lord informed me.

Just before reaching the doors, we turned aside into a small room, full of various types of clothing. There the Lord gave me a rainbow tunic, and said, "The coloring is in remembrance of the promise to Noah, as seen in the rainbow. One function of the intercessor is to stand before God, reminding Him of His promises. Also, it contains all the colors, because an intercessor must stand ready to represent any person before God."

We walked to the doors, which the guards opened for us. The Lord thanked them, and we entered the anteroom of the Hall. Although this was only the waiting room for the Great Hall, it was of great size, and could have easily held several thousand. Within this room, we saw a group of mostly women, numbering about two hundred. Some were crying, others were prostrate, while yet others were kneeling. I walked toward one of them and noted that she had spread before her a note from the King, expressing concern over a particular situation. Although the situation did not affect the intercessor, she was pouring out her heart as if her own son were at death's door.

Across from us we saw another set of doors, like the first, but smaller. As we stood watching, the smaller doors opened. A bright angel came to three of these intercessors, and with a solemn yet joyful expression, ushered them through the doors into the Great Hall beyond. The Lord motioned to me, and we silently followed the group.

The Great Hall was immense; the shimmering, almost transparent walls and sky blue ceiling gave the impression of a vast open space, as large as the universe, or perhaps larger. We walked across the room toward the Throne, which was upon a raised dais. The King of all kings sat there, with His glory shielded to some degree for the sake of His subjects. The intercessors bowed before the King to humbly present their requests before Him. We moved close enough to hear the interchange.

One of the intercessors was speaking. "Father, You have called us here today to beseech your healing power for your friend, Emily. She has suffered long and desires relief. We know her love for you and that even now she trusts and hopes in you. We remind you of your promise in your Word that healing is the 'children's bread,' and that you are 'the God that heals us'."

The King responded in approval. "Yes, she does love me, and this time of suffering has served to deepen her love, and has performed a circumcision of her heart. The world now has little hold upon her." The King looked toward my Lord, who said, "Father, I would declare that her season in the furnace is complete, and that now is the time for release and comfort." The King looked again upon His humble intercessors and said, "Arise daughters, your petition is granted. Go in my authority and heal Emily."

The intercessors leaped to their feet in joy, thanking and praising their Father God, in song, shouts, and dancing. They again bowed and left the room. We followed as they shared the news with the others in the anteroom, who rejoiced and were greatly encouraged to press on with their intercession.

Then the Lord took me aside to a small, plain room that held nothing but a table and two chairs. On the table was a simple meal of bread, cheese, fruit, and cold water. As we broke bread together, the Lord asked me what lessons I had learned about intercession.

I thought for a few moments about the scene I had witnessed, and then spoke slowly. "They began by interceding for the concern on God's heart, rather than their own. Next, they persistently sought God's face until they were ushered into His presence. They were not satisfied to pray for a short time and then move on. Is that right?" "Very good, anything else?" He asked.

I replied, "No, Lord." Then He said, "Did you notice that they began to rejoice in the answer, even before they saw any visible sign of healing?" "Yes Lord, I see that now. Is this always a sign of faith, or can it be presumption?" The answer was strong and clear. "It is faith when one hears from the Throne, for "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Presumption is attempting to claim a promise when you have not heard from My Father. Are you ready for your next lesson?" He asked, rising from the table.

"Yes Lord!" I responded, getting up to follow Him. As we left the anteroom, the Lord led me out a small door, onto a side street of the city in which I once lived. I noticed that my rainbow tunic had been covered with ordinary street clothes. He spoke to me as we walked along.

"Son, the intercessor is one who represents man to God. You must stand in the gap. In order to be an effective intercessor, you must totally identify with the person you are interceding for, to take their place of suffering, and lift it to God, as if it were your own." "Yes, Lord, I understand."

He looked deeply upon me, weighing my heart. At first, He looked sad, as if He would weep, then He smiled and said, "son, you will indeed be made to understand. It will be more difficult than you think, but more wonderful than you may imagine." I did not know what to think about this. I had walked with my Master long enough to know that I had no choice but to trust Him and obey.

As we walked along, we passed an older, homeless man, sitting on the sidewalk, looking at everything and caring about nothing. The Lord suddenly stopped. "This is the one. You will identify with this one and intercede for him. Are you ready?"

I looked at the poorly dressed, dirty, smelly wreck of humanity, and recoiled. But I swallowed hard and said, "Lord, you love this one and if Father is concerned for him, I will do my best." "So be it according to your faith." He replied, and turned to walk away.

I stared at the retreating figure, feeling abandoned and alone. It struck that this was exactly how the homeless must feel. Identification had begun. I sat next to him and introduced myself, extending my hand. He looked at me with a scowl, ignored my offered hand, and replied, "what do you want from me?"

I was taken aback by his gruffness, but decided to persevere. "I thought you might want a little company, it is lonely here." He responded, "You figured wrong. I do not want any goody-goody to sit by me for a little bit, so you can score some points for whatever cause you work for."

His response caused me to laugh, which startled him. "You are right, that is exactly what I would have done a while ago, but I am stuck like you, I have no where to go." This time his response was different, "Really? you have nice clothes, you must have just been put out on the street." I nodded in reply, and he took my hand and said, "My name is Izzie."

Our friendship grew. He showed me how to survive on the streets, while I found occasional odd jobs to bring us a little money. He introduced me to all sorts of interesting people. Some were total wrecks, with minimal rationality, others were wise and witty, in their own way.

Many claimed to be homeless by choice, "gotta have my freedom," was a commonly heard refrain. Yet, I could see the wistful look in their eyes when the talk turned toward home. These men had a longing for a secure place of love and warmth.

As I approached the anteroom doors to intercede, my rainbow tunic shown through a little brighter each time. I was welcomed into the anteroom, and often was quickly ushered into the Judgment Hall. My intercession for my new street companions bore the depth of heartfelt identification.

I was no longer praying for "them," and "their sins," but for "us" and "our sins." I felt much closer to the prayers of Daniel and Nehemiah. No longer was I isolated from those for whom I prayed. This identification brought greater power in my prayers at a greater cost in pain.

No longer could I be indifferent when I saw people turn down God's grace to walk their path of pain and death. After a season of this, I had grown accustomed to the rigors of life on the street and began to enjoy the opportunity to minister. One day, the Lord walked up to me. What a joy to see Him!

"Well done," He said as He greeted me with a warm smile. "Now is the time for another lesson." "Yes, Lord. This one was very hard, but truly wonderful."

We walked together toward the Palace of the King, talking of everything I had learned in the school of intercession.