Chapter 24

Worship at a Home

By Ernie Knoll

In my dream, I find myself on a boat far out in the ocean. The water is calm and smooth as glass. The boat sits very still. There are some empty chairs on top. I look out and see someone very bright walking toward me. I think of the story when Jesus was walking on the water to come to the boat and of Peter walking on the water out to meet Jesus.

But this boat is not rocking from rough water, and I am not afraid. I know who it is that is coming to me. Jesus climbs on and sits down on one of the many chairs on the boat. He tells me that it is a beautiful morning, and all is very quiet here. But He tells me that elsewhere all is in great turmoil.

He tells me that very soon, and if it is allowed to happen, after the destruction that is expected, many of His people will no longer have a safe place to worship. Many will only be able to worship in the safety of a home.

His people will be looked at as those who are the source of the wrath that is being poured out. There are those people who believe in the sudden rapture of individuals, and that they have been taken off to heaven. But in reality, it is the opposite. They are actually the very ones that raise the wrath of our heavenly Father.

He tells me it is important that those few who understand realize that they are to continue worshipping the Father even under the worst conditions. He says to remind them that where they are, He will be there with them.

I am reminded of the Bible verse in Matthew 18:20, where it says:

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Now I am looking out over the stillness of the water. It is as if there is no breeze, and the water looks as smooth as glass. Jesus speaks a word, and the boat now glides very fast over the surface of the water.

In the distance, I see a large island that has many trees. And I see what looks like a water outlet like a river coming from the island. As the boat continues up the river of the island, I see a wood dock. The boat pulls beside the dock and we get out of the boat. And there is a walkway from the dock to a path.

We begin walking up the path, and I know that this is a tropical island. It is very calm here. It is as if the wind had been removed. And there does not seem to be any birds or animals anywhere. There is not even the sound of a frog.

We continue walking up the path. Further ahead I see a small island shack, and we go inside. It is a small and simple house. The door opens to what would be the living room and dining room. It is simple and has a table and two chairs, and a couch with another chair next to it. Just past the dining area is a small kitchen. To the right is a bedroom.

We walk over to the couch and sit down. Jesus calls out a name and I see the Guide angel walk through the front door. Jesus stands and tells me that He has asked the Guide angel to show me what is very important. He smiles at me and says to never fear but hold to the faith that is needed for what happens as to the time of the clock on the Father’s wall. He explains that there is a scroll in the Father’s hand. It is rolled up and sealed with a ribbon. He is about to hand it to an angel who will fulfill what needs to be done. Jesus walks to the open door and closes it. I see the door closed and the windows are all closed shut. Now I hear the door being locked shut.

Now I look up to the Guide angel. I am sitting on the couch and the Guide angel tells me that I am shown things in a way I will understand. He points to the wall and the wall becomes a clear window. It is more of the wall being transparent. I watch as all the walls become transparent. I can now see out all around me from the couch I am sitting on. I look up at the ceiling, and the ceiling becomes transparent. I look at the floor, and the floor is transparent. Besides the Guide angel, all I see is the couch I am sitting on.

The transparent house now lifts up off the ground and rises into the air. From where I sit I now look down and all around. I notice many more small houses like the one I am in; except they are not transparent. In the distance I see more modern buildings and cars. I can clearly see in the distance many cars driving on the different highways. Much further I see a city with many highways and bridges. To the far right I see a large airport with many large airplanes parked.

The Guide angel tells me to not be afraid as all that happens is only what the Father allows. And what He says to happen is what happens. I now see the island shakes and the many tall buildings collapse. The cars run off the road as the roads crumble. Suddenly the whole land is sucked down into the ocean. It was as if the ocean took the whole island and swallowed it in the blink of an eye.

The Guide angel tells me that many of His will simply sleep, but all will be woken from their sleep with the calling of Jesus. Many will meet Jesus in the air. The rest will find they stand on soil of a different place. Each will await until the time of final judgement is pronounced.

The Guide angel says that this is one of the many judgments that is about to be called to happen when the scroll is placed in the hands of the one who follows instructions written upon the scroll. The Guide angel points at one of the glass walls, and I am instantly in the classroom. My couch is now my school desk. He tells me that it is important that each who is able to worship after the things that occur will be few in numbers. They will no longer meet in public in a church or a large building.

But what is important is the manner in which they meet. We will review what was written in the dream “Reverence My Sanctuary.” The few in numbers will need simple instructions of how to meet, even if only two are able to meet together.

We will review a small portion of the dream “Reverence My Sanctuary.” In that dream, the one I call “The Herald” was telling me about what was written and that we need to remember what God showed His prophet, Ellen White, to record for these end times. There is much clarity that is needed as to how to reverence the sanctuary. The Guide angel tells me that Ellen White was to record these words. It is from “The Faith I Live By,” page 41. I look at the whiteboard and I see the following displayed.

We are never in any manner to treat lightly the titles or appellations of the Deity…. The angels veil their faces in His presence. The cherubim and the bright and holy seraphim approach His throne with solemn reverence. How much more should we finite, sinful beings, come in a reverent manner before the Lord, our Maker!

I saw that God’s holy name should be used with reverence and awe.

Some think it a mark of humility to pray to God in a common manner…. They profane His name by needlessly and irreverently mingling with their prayers the words, “God Almighty”—awful, sacred words, which should never pass the lips except in subdued tones and with a feeling of awe.

Those who realize the greatness and majesty of God, will take His name on their lips with holy awe. He dwelleth in light unapproachable; no man can see Him and live.

The Guide angel says that with even just two, it should be understood of the proper way to hold a reverent worship service. When the time of the sacred service begins, simple instructions are to be followed. Now I see words appear on the whiteboard.

The whispering and laughing and talking which might be without sin in a common business place should find no sanction in the house where God is worshiped. …

True reverence for God is inspired by a sense of His infinite greatness and a realization of His presence. With this sense of the Unseen, every heart should be deeply impressed. The hour and place of prayer are sacred, because God is there; and as reverence is manifested in attitude and demeanor, the feeling that inspires it will be deepened. “Holy and reverend is His name,” the psalmist declares. Psalm 111:9. “Counsels for the Church,” p. 250.

When the meeting is opened by prayer, every knee should bow in the presence of the Holy One, and every heart should ascend to God in silent devotion. “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 5, p. 493.

Until the benediction, all should still be quiet and respectful. God and angels have been dishonored by the careless talk. Worship service at home should be sacred and reverent. Each needs to know that this is a sanctuary and a place where He and His people meet to worship. The songs that are sung, and the anointed words from the one who leads out are to bring each individual to the throne of God’s mercy and grace. The worship service is a very sacred time and place.

The Guide angel mentions how it is wrong that there are many different forms of worship services held by many races that are not in line with God’s instructions. The Guide angel addresses the grave errors which are performed in the charismatic black churches. These churches believe that their methods can be excused because of their race and culture.

The Guide angel says, that those who seek truth, those who seek the Father’s leading, those who seek to be taught of the Holy Spirit, understand that it is far better to worship at a home or with a small group under a tree.