Video: How will you respond when betrayal comes?

Watch: Four dreams reveal the coming failures, betrayals, accusations and disappointments we must prepare for.

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How will we react when people we hold in high regard fail us or even betray us? What if a pastor falls or a spouse rejects our passion for Jesus? Are there fathers and mothers who will disappoint us? Yes, and we must be ready to respond with a right heart.

John shares four dreams he had about this topic that will help prepare you for the falling away of people we hold dear.

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Four warning dreams—Four critical, connected messages

I had four warning dreams over two days that we would do well to respond to.

I’ve been talking to God recently about my desire to hear more clearly from him. It seems that I’ve been in one of those seasons where I’m left to respond to the revelation that has been communicated to me over the previous months and years instead of fresh, hot off the press news.

I’ve learned over the years that some seasons are ripe for prophetic revelation while others are meant to steward what has already been given. I’ve also learned that I’ll develop a yearning for the voice of God in a fairly intense way just prior to being given the pictures, words, mandates, dreams and visions that will propel me into the coming months.

That yearning resulted in a set of dreams I had over the past two nights.

At first glance the dreams I had weren’t something I was going to share, but after careful, prayerful review I felt it was important to get the message out there.

Jeremiah 23:28 (ESV) 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully.

As you read, keep in mind that God will often use family members and friends in my prophetic dreams to represent a certain type of person. Their roles in these particular dreams seem to be more significant than usual.

Dream #1—The Tour

My dad, who went on to be with Jesus several years ago, was the key player in my first dream. I believe my dad represented someone we all desire to trust deeply. My dad certainly was that type of person, and in real life he was the one to lead many right into the presence of Jesus. He lived a remarkable life and there are countless people in relationship with Jesus today because of him.

In the dream my dad represented a trusted fatherly figure who was leading a tour, or a journey, into a very dangerous Islamic region. I was terribly unsettled and concerned for all of our lives, but there was absolutely no concern whatsoever from my dad or any of the others who were on the tour with us. Nobody realized we were being led as curious, careless tourists to the slaughter.

The atmosphere was dark and foreboding, yet I was the only one who was alerted and discerning. I was struggling significantly to understand why nobody else saw the clear and present danger. Could someone I trusted so completely like my dad actually be deceived? Yes.

Fathers, leaders of our nation are doing this very thing right now. They don’t understand the death that will result from an alliance with terrorists. The current Iran debacle is an excellent example.

Also, don’t be surprised when people very close to us follow our nations leaders right into trouble. How many Christians are supporting politicians who are pro-homosexual, pro-abortion? They are being led by fathers into deception.

This truth applies to local situations as well. People we admire and consider to be fathers in the faith can fall. Will that devastate us? Will we follow them into destruction? When pastors fall into sin, many people become disillusioned and fall away. This is a very real risk and something we must consider. Love and honor people but understand they are fallible. God alone is truly our Father and we must learn to follow his leadership. He can always be trusted.

Matthew 23:9 (ESV) 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

Dream #2—The Accusation

My wonderful, amazing wife was the key figure in my second dream. It’s a bit difficult to include my family members (especially my wife!) in a negative scenario because I know in reality they are nothing like the person they represent in the dream. I do have to trust God’s wisdom, and it does make sense to my why he chose to communicate this way.

In my second dream I was contending for revival and was investing passionately in the prayer movement and a resulting massive outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

My wife had a very casual, natural disposition as she was going about her daily duties at home. She looked at me and said, “Your just a Gnostic. Your into Gnosticism.”

I was heartbroken. I wept as I was dismayed at my wife’s dismissal of legitimate encounters with Jesus as illegitimate whims. I cried out to her and said, “I know I can feel God! I know God. What about the peace that passes understanding? What about joy unspeakable and full of glory?”

The accusation was clear: I was being led astray by intuition and feelings and that I needed to come back to the real, natural world. I was wrecked. My heart longed for my wife to understand the wonder and awe of encountering God in a very real way. I earnestly desired her affirmation. Her rejection of my most passionate pursuit was heart wrenching.

However, I knew that I couldn’t force my views on her. I could only pray. No amount of discussion or teaching would suffice. She needed an encounter and a revelation of God’s tangible working.

Prepare your heart. Don’t be surprised when your passion for Jesus is rebuked or dismissed by even your most valued family and friends.

1 Samuel 1:14-15 (ESV) 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD.

Dream #3—The Betrayal

A very good, lifelong friend was the key player in this dream. My friend is a legitimate servant of Christ and has given his entire life to powerful, impactful ministry. In fact, he was a key, early mentor for me in my walk with the Lord.

In the dream, he and I and a few of his friends were hanging out. Everything seemed to be quite normal until there was an incident (that I wasn’t a witness of). My friend immediately rose up and started violently beating someone nearby. The remaining friends joined in and aggressively attacked.

I was suddenly confused and disoriented. Why was such a good friend and such a godly man doing this?

The threat of assault and even death was all around. I crouched low and made my way to safety.

My friend started tracking me as I fled. After some time, we ultimately met and he was a different person. He turned on me and rejected me as a friend because I didn’t join in his battle. He hurled insults and accusations my direction. His betrayal was fierce, hurtful and shocking.

Will the betrayals and failures of those we admire and consider to be mentors and close friends be enough to derail us?

Psalm 55:12-14 (ESV) 12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. 13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. 14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng.

Dream #4—The Capture

Family and friends were in this dream as well, but they were minor participants. I was the primary focus this time.

We were in a large house when terrorists invaded and were capturing people as they went from room to room.

I had a high powered gun and I felt strong and empowered to move from room to room myself and take out the terrorists one by one. I felt as if I had ventured into a divine assignment and the grace to complete it was very powerful.

I somehow knew that the terrorists would be easy targets. My weapon was so precise and powerful that it had no match.

As I began moving through the house I entered the kitchen. Nobody was in there and I was very hungry. I saw the most delicious yellow cake with yellow frosting on the table. My cravings were intense!

I knew that I absolutely should not stop to eat. I also knew somehow that eating the cake would enrage the terrorist. I didn’t know why, but I knew.

I was so confident in my gun however that I decided to grab a piece of cake and continue moving through the house.

Then, all of a sudden, with a messy piece of cake in my right hand a terrorist came around the corner. I struggled to get the gun back into my right hand and my cake into my left hand. It was too late. I was captured. All hope was lost.

Isaiah 47:8-9 (ESV) 8 Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children”: 9 These two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day; the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure…

The Interpretations

The theme throughout the four dreams is improper trust.

The pressure to follow those we consider to be faithful fathers into unrighteous, dangerous spiritual situations will be intense.

Those we consider to be very close to us very well may choose not to affirm the callings on our lives. Some may betray us. Many will accuse us.

Even an overreaching trust in the power and grace of God can lead us into a casual, carefree state that gives the enemy a foothold. God will give us the assignment, the gun and the firepower but we must be alert and ready to pull the trigger. In the fourth dream I wasn’t ready. God did all he needed to do and I was casual, focused on worldly desires.

There will be a great falling away and it’s very hard to consider that many who fall away may be fathers, spouses, friends or even ourselves.

The pressure to follow those who are close to us, to follow comforts, to be casual will be extreme. What will you do when those you hold dear bow at the feet of the idol? Will you value your relationship with them more than your relationship and devotion to God?

Micah 7:5-7 (ESV) 5 Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms; 6 for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. 7 But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

Join a emerging community of revivalists tomorrow at John and Amy’s house : Food, fun, prayer, discussion

There’s a cry in the land for deep connections—and tomorrow night we will all have a blast growing close as a revival family!

If you are craving a deep connection with new friends, sons and daughters and mothers and fathers in the faith, this is for YOU!

All you have to do is drive to beautiful Washington Township the first Saturday of every month—starting TOMORROW, Saturday, February 2nd at 6pm!

Bring food to share with everybody else. We’ll eat together, chat, relax, play ping pong (I’m extremely competitive and ready to humble you), pray and discuss how we can help each other in fulfilling our callings.

DON’T BE SHY

Amy often says, “To make friends you have to show yourself friendly.” That means, don’t be shy! Come alone or bring friends…but just come!

It’s hard to connect at times, and we want to make it as EASY as possible for you to do so! We can’t wait to get to know you better!

Oh yeah, BRING THE KIDS! We are masters at organized chaos!


WHEN: Saturday, February 2nd, 6pm

WHERE: 64639 Tara Hill Drive, Washington, MI 48095 (Click HERE for a map)

WHAT: Community, food, fun, prayer, discussion, more!

WHY: We all want more, amazing, fiery friends!!


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Meet, Greet & Eat tonight at Revival Church! Also, the series Tenets continues!

FREE food & new friends at our first monthly Meet, Greet & Eat TONIGHT at Revival Church!

Meet-Greet-EatThere’s a LOT going on at Revival Church. Read below about our new softball team, a new focus at theLab and a brand new culture group!


I will be continuing the series TENETS tonight at Revival Church as I share on the Word of God and the differences between the NT and the OT.

I’ve been told multiple times that it’s the focus on the core, foundational truths of scripture that will send us into revival—and I agree.

Then, immediately after service we will have the food ready in the foyer for you to enjoy with old and new friends! The third Sunday of each month we will enjoy connecting together at Meet, Greet and Eat!

REVIVAL CHURCH SOFTBALL

I just have to say that, yes, there is a HUGE difference between 43 years of age and 36. It’s been 7+ years since I’ve played softball (legendary glory years on the Revolution Church softball team in Colorado!), and my body is screaming and aching head to toe!

My skills have diminished, but, it’s OK! Talking about relationships and connecting, we all had a blast yesterday in Royal Oak as about 20 Revival Church friends played two games.

Why am I sharing this now? Because we’ll be doing it again and again! If you want to connect more deeply relationally, softball is the way to do it! Josh Kearney and I have never been closer—as he plowed into me and flipped me upside down at a play at the plate. Now, that’s intimacy!

Talk to Melissa Feliciano if you’d like to play in our next games in a couple of weeks!

imageNEW FRIDAY NIGHT MISSION AT THELAB

Friday night marked a shift at theLab Prayer Events.

Often through the summer we’ll be meeting outside at Port Detroit and moving out in teams into the streets.

This past Friday night we established team captains and they took 2-3 people with them on a prayer journey. We all moved out from our Port Detroit base for 30 minutes and listened to God as he revealed spiritual issues to us.

imageThe captains will be gathering all of the data each week so we can develop a plan of action based on the spiritual intelligence we receive. We’ll then launch into spiritual warfare, intercession and other plans of action to push back the darkness in Detroit!

I want to invite YOU to join one of our several teams! It is a great way to get connected into some (more!) great relationships and to catch the vision of Revival Church! You will LOVE theLab on Friday nights!

www.revivallab.com

NEW CULTURE GROUP: “Lord, Lord-Proof” Your Life

This Wednesday 6/20, we’ll be looking at how to keep from being surprised on your Judgment Day. We’re also going to be demonstrating how to make the Bible “come alive” when you read it and how to see truth in the Scriptures by the Light of Holy Spirit.

Come on out and be blessed!

Ed Hull

1466 Lochmoor, Grosse Pointe Woods

Facebook changes & The Terror of Hell

My Facebook profile is GONE! And, Saturday I’m teaching on The Terror of Hell at theLab

FIRST: Have you applied for theLab Internship Fall session? Save $100 if you register by August 15th! Head on over to www.revivallab.com/internship TODAY!


I reached my limit of friends on Facebook, so I decided to move everybody over to a brand new Facebook page. The page is open to EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD! Check it out and LIKE it here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Burton/213119058738602

I also opened a NEW Facebook profile (the old one has been deleted)…and this time I’m going to limit my friends to people I actually know. I think it will be easier to manage that way. If I know you (meaning, we have conversed in person or online and we are actual friends) then, by all means, send me a friend request! Go here: http://www.facebook.com/johnedwardburton.


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SATURDAY at theLab Internship I will be sharing my story of being dragged toward Hell 20 years ago. It’s a moment in time that has resulted in a permanent tremble and fear of the Lord in my life. I’ll share about God’s zealous call for deep intimacy between us and him. It’s a class that can forever change your life.

You can audit it for $15. Just show up at 10am and pay at the door (cash, credit card, check). The class lasts until 2pm.

I’m also revising my book The Terror of Hell and it will be available on Amazon and Kindle soon!

Our Current Situation in Detroit

Our Current Situation in Detroit

Amy and I and the Burton family would be honored if you would read through this and contact us this week. God is really doing some amazing things around here!

Last May we made a seemingly crazy decision to move against the massive flow of people out of Detroit, and to move here to help prepare the region for revival.

Since then we’ve developed some amazing and important relationships, started Revival Church, ministered in churches and raised up a solid team of revivalists.

The reason for the mass exodus out of the Detroit area is the tragic level of unemployment. I’ve heard it said that there’s ONE JOB for every 90 people looking for a job!

We knew we were taking a huge faith step, and with little guaranteed monthly finances we’d have to live on the miraculous giving of our friends and partners.

Those of you that know me understand very well that I embrace a lifestyle of thankfulness, joy and faith. The following situation is not a complaint or an expression of frustration, but a simple and very real analysis of our current situation.

  • Since I had to start working outside the church, my actual time involved in ministry has been reduced to near zero (the goal is to be invested 40-60 hours a week, and I’m currently ministering less than 5)
  • Church plant coaches say that a key and initial goal is to raise enough money so the planter doesn’t have to divide his time and energy by working outside of the church. (The time necessary to be involved in prayer, study, pastoring, networking, developing, creating teams, marketing, etc. is quite extreme… it’s way more than a full time job in itself.)
  • Due to the high time requirements and demands of church and ministry leadership, Steve Gray of World Revival Church in Kansas City recently said, “…every pastor, if they are working a job outside the church,their goal should be, as fast as possible,to get rid of that job."
  • My energy and focus has been divided significantly due to the need to get a job (again, thankful, but wisdom demands an evaluation of this)
  • I currently work until around 6pm every day, and then work for my own design business most evenings from 6pm to bedtime and also on Saturdays.
  • I’ve been preparing my sermon for Sunday’s Revival Church service the hour before I leave for service every Sunday, which just can’t continue.
  • The preparation of revival requires a massive time commitment, and I don’t want my part of the mission to remain on hold for much longer. The work to be done is huge, and I must give myself to it fully.

We are boldly asking for you to financially partner with our ministry. We need to raise at least $3000 a month to replace my job, and another $1000 or so to replace my design business.

You can give via credit card at www.johnburtonministries.com/donate. If you setup recurring monthly donations, that would be a huge blessing. If you’d prefer to make a special donation, that would bless us as well!

The donations are tax-deductible. If you’d prefer to send a check, just contact us and we’ll get you the info. My email is [email protected] and Amy’s is [email protected]. My phone is 313.799.3473.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. We’d love to hear from you and share more about this huge mission in Detroit!

We love you!

John, Amy, Skylar, Parker, Jet and Ella