Very clearly I heard the Lord say, “Linger not in the pigsty. The prodigals are coming home! There’s a great reunion in store says God! Get the fatted calf ready and prepare the finest meal. Sons and daughters are returning. It’s not a time to be judgmental. Its time to forgive, forget and restore the breach! Amen”
In a dream I was shown a man that walked away from the Lord many years ago. He lived in denial and hatred for so long he was unable to discern the truth from the lies of the enemy. In fact he would stand in the face of the righteous and curse them yet feel that he was doing God a favor. He literally became his own god. In the dream he returned home to visit at Christmas time. Over the years all of his gifts had been neatly preserved in a large colorful bag. One by one they were quickly placed under the Christmas tree. Each gift was beautifully wrapped and you could tell each one was handled with great care. However when he arrived he didn’t have an interest in the gifts. He only wanted to be taken shopping for new shoes. He wanted to go somewhere cheap, but definitely not JC Penney’s.
I believe this dream signifies that prodigals are coming home! They have come to the knowledge of their sin and feel unworthy of the Father’s love. It’s not about what they can get, it’s about getting right with God and their loved ones. This man was concerned about his spiritual walk. He needs new shoes for a new walk of faith. Yet he’s unable to shop at Penney’s because it’s symbolic of righteousness. James Cash Penney was a God fearing righteous man that lived by the Golden Rule. (Matthew 7:12) This prodigal son could not see himself forgiven or worthy of wearing shoes of righteousness. In his shame he was willing to settle for less.
When the prodigals return it is our job to love them without judging. We must forgive and not make mention of past sin. It’s time to completely let go of the past and embrace God. When the Holy Spirit convicts them, they will readily come forward and ask forgiveness. Their repentance and our forgiveness are vital to the restoration of both parties. In Luke 15 the prodigal’s father had already forgiven his son and welcomed him home with open arms. There was great joy for both of them yet the wounding of the father’s heart needed mending also. In the same way the son also had need to once again feel worthy. Only by love can these wounds be completely healed.
In this day we are witnessing the effectiveness of Malachi 4:6 because God is turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. God is restoring the prodigals walk by cleansing their souls, renewing their minds and healing their hearts. Then they will receive the shoes of the fishermen. It is true that prodigals need new shoes to begin their walk with God. Some need shoes of salvation, healing and deliverance and as they mature they will be ready for spiritual gifts to be unwrapped. The gifts of some prodigals have been held in reserve for many, many years. I believe Christmas is an indication of a season and timing for this prophetic dream to begin. Traditionally this is when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. But let us now rejoice in the rebirth of our sons and daughters as many prodigals step out of the pigsty and return to their families.