The Hill Of Zion by Linda Schreckenberg  writers_inkhorn@yahoo.com   I remember vividly the dream the Lord gave almost seventeen years ago.  As he gave this article, he reminded me of this particular dream.  In the dream I saw a great hill with a great sanctuary upon it.  The lights were glowing through the windows, shining out into the darkness around it.  There were great sounds of singing, worshipping and much praise coming from the sanctuary.  In the dream I knew it was the hill of Zion. The church is often referred to as Zion set upon a hill.  The scene that captured my attention in the dream, however, was outside that sanctuary on the hill.

Outside the glorious scene of the church worshipping, in the darkness, they came.  They were bruised and battered sheep, their bodies torn from the world. They appeared sad, lonely and broken. They were bleeding and wounded.  The one thing in particular that seemed to stand out to me was the look in their eyes.  Their eyes had a sadness in them I cannot describe, but they were focused upon the scene on the hill.  Slowly they were climbing the great hill to the church.  They were enveloped in darkness, gross darkness, but they were making their way back. I wondered why no one was out in the darkness helping them to find their way back.  It was a scene to behold. 

I often thought how I would have loved to have a painting of that scene.  It was so awesome to see, and yet so compelling to my soul to reach for the lost, and for those who have gone out into the world when the battle became too fierce for them.  They were so alone in their journey up that hill.

In generations past, it was often said of so many Apostolics, "they have a burden for souls." Let the same be said for this present generation upon whom the responsibility rests now, and who will lead in the future. 

They will teach it to their children and their children's children.  With each generation the burden for the lost seems to become less intense.  Throughout history it has been proven that each succeeding generation loses some of what the generation before them had. The Word of God taught that our children and our children's children should be taught the covenants and commandments of God, and memorials should be established so they would not forget, and would serve the Lord God all the days of their lives.  They must understand what was given to those long before them, so they would continue on under the mantles and carry the torch of truth and holiness high.  They must understand the purpose of separation from the world, so their service to the Lord would be precious to them, and they would not be lured by ways of the world. Their purpose on earth is to serve the Lord with all their heart, their mind and their souls.  Their purpose on earth is to be a witness of him to the lost that they may be saved.  Every one of us who professes this great truth must stay spiritually awake and possess a burden for the lost, particularly in this prophetic hour. When we really stop and think we may be the key to someone finding truth, it will cause us to live differently.  Selfishness will give way to selflessness, and we will find our time to be extremely valuable and precious.  We live in the latest hour we have ever lived, and around us are multitudes of lost souls.  We simply cannot refuse the call to win the lost.

The battles have been many, and we have all been tried by the fiery trials of life.  The past years have been extremely difficult years, and some have walked away.  They did not realize their fiery trial was to try them to perfect them. They would stumble, and some would even fall, but he would never leave them or forsake them.  His love for them is perfect, and his will for them is the riches of his kingdom.  They will become gold when the trials are over.  God never explained Job's trials to him.  He never told Job about his words to Satan.  God knew Job, and that Job would return to the grand stature God had ordained for him.  God only specializes in the making of gold. Things of wood and stubble will burn up, but his gold will endure.   In the Book of Isaiah, the Lord said "I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." 

In a day of extreme busyness, stress and simply too much on our plate, we must remember the burden for souls.  Most of us work 40 + hours a week, attend regular church services as well as special services and then try to maintain our homes and property.  We simply fill our time until there is little left for soul-winning.  The balance of rest and work and just life in general leaves us worn and tired.  Yet the Word of God tells us to go into the byways and highways and compel them to come in.  The cries of the lost never stop.  They are out there in the darkness….they are on their way…..we must simplify our lives so we may be available for them.  We are the city of Zion set on the hill.  Amidst our worship and our singing and rejoicing, we must remember the burden!  The word means "a weight, a charge, and a duty to do something."  God, please give us an intense burden for souls!

NOTE:  To obtain a copy of my book “Ancient Secrets Of The Writer’s Inkhorn, you may reach me by email at  writers_inkhorn@yahoo.com  or by telephone (573)238-1062  The price of the book is $12.99 + $2.00 S/H

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