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THE CONTROVERSY REGARDING WASHINGTONS VISION
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 1 Tim 6:20 KJV
The man who got the vision, General George Washington, was elected in 1775 by the American Continental Congress to be commander-in-chief of the volunteers around Boston known as the American Continental army. They faced the might of the greatest army and navy in the world at that time, the forces of Great Britain, for the liberation of the American colonies from under their King, George the Third. After the victory and the drafting of the Constitution, Washington was elected as the first president of the United States of America.
You may want to read the vision which I have copied at the end of my article before coming back to read the analysis.
THE ANALYSIS
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 1 Cor 14:29 NKJV
Washington’s vision as related by Anthony Sherman has been rejected by modern historians. There was no current written record of the vision recorded in any of Washington’s writings, nor did he apparently share the experience with anyone other than Sherman. Why would he unburden himself in such detail to a seventeen-year-old soldier? Such a testimony by Sherman because he didn’t see the angel himself would be considered ‘hearsay’ in a court of law, and thus be thrown out. The one to whom Sherman communicated the vision and its story, Bradshaw, was known as a writer to ‘embellish the facts’ from time to time. Such are the stated reasons for rejection by the science of history…
But it should also be noted that despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary these same historians and thinkers reject the Bible as being full of myths and legends.
So, first we will briefly consider the integrity of the Word of God and then consider the integrity of the vision.
…for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21 NKJV
By all historical analysis, the gospel writer Luke was a ‘hearsay’ witness. Luke never saw Jesus, never heard His words, never saw the miracles, or even interviewed His family. And yet, Luke wrote the gospel of Luke as the word of God because holy men spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. As originally given, like all the other Scripture records, it was perfect.
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. Gen 7:11-12 NKJV
The Bible is perfect in its original, given-from-Heaven format. As to its divine proofs, try this one for size!
Here is something I recently discovered. The Bible is not a science book, but when it speaks scientifically it is perfect. In 2012, there were discovered fresh water fountains in the ocean in the Sea of Japan with great pressure flowing and changing the salinity of the ocean environment. Consequently, it was discovered and estimated for there to be at least four times as much water UNDER THE EARTHS MANTLE than in all the oceans. The fountains of the great deep! They could have just read Moses thirty-five hundred years ago and found the same thing…our God reigns!
Let me show you a wonderful description of how we got the Word, how holy men of God spoke and the words they spoke were recorded, from the book of Jeremiah.
Now it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, that this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: “Take a scroll of a book and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah even to this day….Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah; and Baruch wrote on a scroll of a book, at the instruction of Jeremiah, all the words of the Lord which He had spoken to him. Jer 36:1-5 NKJV
See how beautiful and simple that is! God told him what to write, God told him how to write it, he dictated it to Baruch, who then wrote it down. That’s how we got the wonderful word of God from all of these holy men of God. Doesn’t that bring a smile to your face!
ANALYSIS OF THE VISION
NATURE OF THE REVELATION
Peter went up on the housetop to pray…he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. Acts 10:9-11 NKJV
God talks to each of His children daily. Jesus said, My sheep hear my voice. What Washington described is the classic evidence of a trance. We know trances! In a trance your senses are suspended and your awareness is wholly within the trance. The trance experience can last for hours, and when you come out of one you may be a bit disheveled for a time. You also may be inclined to share your experience with someone you trust if only to get it clear in your own mind. And, you may not write it down because some one else reading it may draw the wrong conclusions.
I have no problem with the nature of the revelation and how it came forth. I will tell you that I know of similar visions over similar Christian nations that came to pass just as described in their vision, as well. Derek Prince describes one in one of his books in an incident involving one of his students, Wilson Mamboleo. I met Mamboleo, and talked to him about this experience!
THE ANGEL
Some people, Christian writers, struggle with female angels. Jesus said that angels are genderless (Mt.22:30). If angels can appear as men, surely, they can appear as women. The angel referred to Washington as ‘Son of the Republic.’ Certainly, Washington’s ministry calling, which really grew to be as a father to the nation, found him worthy of such an appellation.
For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Acts 27:23-24 NKJV
We see all through the word of God that angels show up in times of crisis, and their appearance and ministry turn the tide, because they impart RHEMA words. Angels rescued Peter from execution, Paul from a hurricane, stopped Abraham from killing Isaac, and met Messiah in a garden, among many other situations. The situation at Valley Forge was bleak beyond words, yet I’ll show you that the angels ministry changed the face of history (imagine the world without the USA ever existing?). Angels show up when they are needed, even in your life and mine!
When I crossed the threshold of the house at Mount Vernon in 2009, the Holy Spirit spoke and told me that the angel of liberty had dwelt there for two hundred and fifty years. I later learned that Washington had moved his family into that house in 1759.
THINGS TO COME
…and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13 NKJV
The Lord gives revelation in light of your ministry calling. The military call this ‘being on a NEED TO KNOW basis.’ The Lord will show you the future in light of giving you the strength to fulfil your calling. He may show you what may go right, and what may go wrong. Three wars in the vision! Revelation is NOT set in stone because we know from Jonah that revelation can change when the circumstances change. Don’t start building your bomb shelter in light of that third war just yet. But current events have shown us that having real preparations for a disaster is very wise!
FAITH TO OVERCOME
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word – the RHEMA – of God. Rom 10:17 NKJV
This principle more than any other convinced me that Washington had this experience, or something similar to it. The survival of Valley Forge and the subsequent defeat of the British, was a series of miracles that defy explanation. It shouldn’t have happened! Washington’s whole life had been a series of miracles. He started with nothing and by the end of his life was worth perhaps a half billion dollars in todays money. He should have been killed in battle in the French and Indian wars. He married well and had wonderful children…favor!
But the fact that he survived Valley Forge with his ragtag army, defeated the British, set up the government of the USA through the Constitution with his fellow heroes, and became its first president shows that he was operating under supernatural faith and favor.
WAS IT GENUINE?
I honestly have no reason to believe it wasn’t!
I’ve always believed in the principles of what I call ‘the man (or woman), the time and the place,’ when God raises us up for ‘crescendo’ times in our lives, times when everything we have prepared for comes to the moment. Valley Forge was such a crucible for Washington, and for American freedom. Think about your life. Do angels operate in your life? They certainly do! Do you get revelation that inspires your faith? Absolutely! Can you prophesy? Yes! Can the Lord show you the impact of your life and legacy, if you stand for Him? Unquestionably! Just as it was for Washington, you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this! Love you…
Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…
WASHINGTON’S VISION
George Washington was a man of faith and prayer. The following is an account of George Washington’s vision from an old soldier, Anthony Sherman, who recalled it in 1859 and gave it to Wesley Bradshaw, a writer.
The vision depicted three great wars on American soil. The first was the revolutionary war, the second was the civil war and the third was a war yet to come. Sherman informed Bradshaw that the vision would soon be confirmed by a second war in America. This came to pass two years later when the Civil War broke out in 1861.
Washington received the vision at Valley Forge in the bitter, cold winter of 1777. The revolutionary army was facing its darkest hours and most difficult challenge. The bitter cold, disease, and starvation was on the verge of destroying the army and all hopes for independence.
Sherman’s account of Washington’s vision was reprinted in December of 1880 by The National Tribune, the U.S. war veterans’ paper, and on December 21, 1950 by The Stars and Stripes.
The Vision
Anthony Sherman, was in Valley Forge and received the report of the vision first hand from George Washington. Sherman recalled: “You doubtless heard the story of Washington’s going to the thicket 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, when the chilly winds whistled through the leafless trees, though the sky was cloudless and the sun shown brightly, he remained in his quarters nearly all the afternoon alone. When he came out, I noticed that his face was a shade paler than usual. There seemed to be something on his mind of more than ordinary importance. Returning just after dusk, he dispatched an orderly to the quarters who was presently in attendance. After a preliminary conversation of about an hour, Washington, gazing upon his companion with that strange look of dignity which he alone commanded, related the event that occurred that day.”
Washington Stated:
“This afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite 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 her presence. 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 her 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 address her, but my tongue had become useless, as though it had become paralyzed.
“A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly at my unknown visitor. Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed as if it had become filled with sensations, and luminous. Everything about me seemed to rarefy, the mysterious visitor herself becoming more airy and yet more distinct to my sight than before. I now 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.
The First Peril – The Revolution
“Presently I heard a voice saying, ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn,’ while 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 stranger scene. Before me lay spread out in one vast plain 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, 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 on Europe. Immediately a cloud raised from these countries, and joined in mid-ocean. For a while 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.
The Second Peril – The Civil War
“A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean, and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose heaving billows in 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 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.
The Third Peril – America’s Judgment?
“And again I heard the mysterious voice saying `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 that were soon joined into one. 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. Our country was enveloped in this volume of cloud, and I saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn the villages, towns and cities that I beheld springing up. As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of sword, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I heard again 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 the heavens attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were will 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 the villages, towns and cities springing up where I had seen them before, while the bright angel, planting the azure standard he had brought in 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 Union last.’ And taking from his brow the crown on which 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 the 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 third, but in this greatest conflict the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and the 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 to me the birth, progress, and destiny of the United States.
This ended General George Washington’s vision and prophecy for the United States of America as told in his words.