In Spring of 2007 the Lord showed me the following vision. I have been encouraged by several folks to post it here for the greater good of the body of Christ. I believe it is primarily for the believers in the New England region (that is where I was when I had the vision), but the application is far reaching wherever the need may be. I present the vision here, and a bit of follow-up discussion in hopes that you or those you know will be encouraged to believe what the Lord is saying and respond to it in faith.

I was sitting in church when the vision came during praise and worship. I saw lowering dark clouds pressing down upon the land. I felt the damp and cold, the oppression and the hopelessness of the presence of the clouds, and sensed they had been the weather pattern for a long time. Suddenly a large blue hole opened up in the clouds. Out of the intense deep blue light that shown through the clouds a huge angel appeared with a long single stem gold colored trumpet in his mouth. The angel was all dressed in brilliant white and dominated the heavens with his presence. As the angel came through the clouds he blew on the trumpet and loud and strong words proceeded out of the trumpet. The voice of the Lord said; "I am going to destroy the iron yoke of oppression whereby many of My people serve under hard bondage!" This was an emphatic proclamation of the intent of the Lord to intervene on behalf of His people. There was a powerful sense of intent, purpose and determination in the tone of His voice. He only said it once. That is all He needed to say it. Then the vision was gone.

Later I saw the nature of the iron yoke. It was black iron, heavy, cold and unforgiving in its presence. It was fashioned to sit upon the necks and shoulders of those who were oppressed by it, bending them down under the press of it. The yoke's cross section was like that of a beam, with square corners, each of the corners were cutting sharp, so that if someone tried to lift up their heads, they would feel immediately the cutting effect of the yoke, so as to keep them in their hopeless condition. Then I saw that the yoke had heavy iron chains fastened to it that went to manacles that were attached to the wrists and to the ankles. The effect of these devises limited the ability of the hands to have freedom of action, and if they were used, past those limitations, would pull once again upon the yoke, creating a renewed press of oppression. The feet were likewise shackled to limit the steps that could be taken, so that the walk became a shuffle, rather than a stride, thereby limiting the repercussions of the oppressive yoke.

All this served to keep the person under the oppressive dominion of the yoke. In many cases the oppression has become "normal or accepted". I believe that some have never known what it is like to be free from this yoke. That for some, it has been generationally past along, and that is life as they know it. It generates hopelessness, depression, mental anguish, emotional distress, and in severe cases, mental illness and emotional breakdowns. This yoke limits full expressions of faith, worship and praise is hindered, pursuing one's destiny in Christ is relegated to survival mentality , and this oppression misrepresents the future.

The good news is, God is prepared and ready to break this iron yoke of oppression off of the lives of those who have been exercised by it. It will be a new day, they will be able to walk in a new way, new faith will arise, new victories secured, and God will turn the mourning of oppressed souls into dancing , joy and gladness, they will arise and be bold and strong and advance the kingdom of God in the earth - All the things the adversary who established the system of oppressive yokes doesn't want to have happen. And if you have been set free, be careful not to accept this yoke as part of your life,. This is not your portion in Christ. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

God is sending deliverance into oppressed lives. If by reading this vision the Lord has revealed to you that you have been oppressed by this dark yoke, then confess what the LORD has declared concerning it and let Him break it and destroy it from out of your life. Let me remind you of what He declared: I AM GOING TO DESTROY THE IRON YOKE OF OPPRESSION WHEREBY MANY OF MY PEOPLE HAVE SERVED UNDER HARD BONDAGE! That means you!

Since this vision and revelation we have been ministering to churches and individuals in regards to the purpose of God in it. We have seen many set free, hope be restored, lives released from the grip of oppression. Many more need to be set free, and I am confident that God won't stop until all who trust in Him for this great work of grace are set free. The oppression is not able to stand and dominate anyone who allows he awesome power and strength of the LORD our God to set them free. The clouds of oppression are lifting, the yoke of oppression is being destroyed and God is breaking forth into the lives of those who are crying out for Him.

Father, in Jesus Name, You who have sent the war angel to proclaim, "I AM GOING TO DESTROY THE IRON YOKE OF OPPRESSION WHEREBY MANY OF MY PEOPLE HAVE SERVED UNDER HARD BONDAGE! move mightily by your Spirit and establish Your word. I come against the dominion of oppression in the lives of those who are reading this blog, and command that what you have declared be fulfilled in their lives according to what You see and what you know. Let faith arise and Your enemies be scattered. Be it unto your servants as you have spoken, and let your glory be revealed in Jesus Name!