In April of 1989, shortly after a return trip from Israel and Greece, the Lord gave me a dream. In Israel I saw some of the remains of the Roman occupation that spoke of the carnal activity of days gone by. One relic in particular stood as a monument to twisted minds and feelings of pleasure over human suffering.

As I lay down for a short period of rest I began to dream. I found myself in a large arena like unto the Roman Coliseum of old. In these arenas Christians were executed in various ways before bloodthirsty crowds who hated them.

The thing that struck my attention in this arena was that there were no spectators or executioners, only a large execution machine. While I was looking at this apparatus, I was feeling the emotions that would go with such an occasion. Another aspect in this dream as I was standing there, was the presence of other Christians directly to the right, but a little behind me. There was one common thing in our hearts in those moments. We knew that the stage was set for giving our natural life for Jesus. We knew the decision was made and fixed. The scene was like standing in the eye of a hurricane. Everything was quite calm, and there wasn't anything happening. In our spirit there was the anticipation of the impact of persecuting winds that were forthcoming. It was as though we were there, yet it was future. When the dream ended I was instantly awakened with no time to think, and this is what the Lord spoke to me with His voice so clear and authoritatively.... MARTYRDOM IS AHEAD! These three prophetic words still ring in my ears so unforgettably, and I took them ever so seriously. When I heard these words I understood why the stage was set for persecution, yet in the dream nothing was happening, it was yet to be. No time factor was given unto me, but in my spirit it did not seem to be afar off. What I am about to write is born out of this dream and prophetic word. There are those now living who have walked in the fiery winds of persecution in the past, and there are those now who are yet to experience it. Before these winds blow I believe you will see some signs saying it is growing nearer. Do you realize some of those signs are here?