October 30. 1678. Oh Lebanon
Jane Lead's sermon emphasizes the transformation from desolation to glory through faith in Jesus and the promise of a flourishing future for the mystical body of believers.
Jane Lead preaches about a vision where she sees a desolate place resembling a desert-forest overrun by inhuman creatures and wild plants, causing great sorrow. In her distress, she fervently prays to Jesus for comfort, who assures her of a marvelous alteration to come. A new vision then unfolds, depicting a transformation into a flourishing landscape with white and red plants and birds, symbolizing a future change in the mystical body of believers from a wild nature to a glorious state, reflecting the Lord's presence and fruitfulness.
Text
I Heard a Word Crying, Oh LEBANON, where art thou to be found? Who knows thy Situation? Then suddenly the Aspect of a desert-Forrest-like Place did present it self, where only inhuman Creatures did run up and down, answerable to the wild Plants that grew there. Whereupon I did look on it in great Sorrow and Trouble, mourning to see our selves, as cast upon this desolate Place. I being as in a transical Sleep, Prayed very vehemently to my Jesus, who was the Object I was directed unto. And from him Comfort did spring: For this Word did proceed from him, Do not fear, ye shall be ever left here: For a marvelous alteration will here come.
Then a prospect did appear, that was all of an other Kind, Plants, and Birds that were White and blushing Red, that buddeth forth, I knew not how.
This put out the sight of the ruinous State which was so grievous. Then this Word came to me, As verily as thou dost see this change, so shall it be in the Mystical Body, that will be turned from out of the wild Nature into the Sharon's flourishing Glory. For so it will well become the Habitation of the Lord's residence, to see about him such Fruitfulness.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the cry of Lebanon - Description of the desolate state - Personal reflection and prayer
- II points: - The comfort received from Jesus - Promise of transformation - Vision of a flourishing future
- III points: - The significance of the mystical body - Transition from wild nature to glory - The Lord's habitation and fruitfulness
Key Quotes
“Do not fear, ye shall be ever left here: For a marvelous alteration will here come.” — Jane Lead
“As verily as thou dost see this change, so shall it be in the Mystical Body.” — Jane Lead
“It will well become the Habitation of the Lord's residence, to see about him such Fruitfulness.” — Jane Lead
Application Points
- Recognize areas of desolation in your life and bring them to God in prayer.
- Trust in the promise of transformation and hope for a flourishing future.
- Embrace the collective journey of the mystical body towards spiritual fruitfulness.