By Shirley M. Frisbee, Guest Columnist
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The Gospel Tent, owned by Voice of Hope Ministries and located at the foot of Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel, was ripped apart Friday as tornadic-like winds whipped through Cherokee County. It was to be the last night of a two-week spiritual awakening hosted by evangelist D.R. Harrison. In the meantime, the awakening is continues at 7 p.m. nightly through Friday in the sanctuary of Murphy First Baptist Church.
As storms from tornadoes hit portions of the Southeast on Friday, the wind whipped through Cherokee County and ripped apart the Gospel Tent, owned by Voice of Hope Ministries, which was located at the foot of Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy.
It was to be the last night of a two-week spiritual awakening hosted by evangelist D.R. Harrison. The tent went down around
5 p.m. When I heard about it, the Holy Spirit told me that the last half of that house [tent] would be greater than the first, and that God would receive more glory because of the incident than He would have initially.
As I arrived, people from different churches were still helping to dismantle what was left of the tent. I told Harrison what the Lord had told me, and he said he heard the same thing.
Like the second spiritual awakening in the U.S. happened in Cherokee County, the next one is on its way.
Lazarus’ death came to mind. Jesus didn’t get in a hurry when he heard of it, and he didn’t get distraught. Martha told Jesus that if he would have come earlier, Lazarus would still be alive.
However, time and circumstances don’t affect what God does. Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus from the grave and God would be glorified.
God is going to raise up that tent again and get the glory, In the meantime, Rev. Jimmy Tanner has graciously invited the awakening to continue at First Baptist Church of Murphy, which started at 7 p.m. Monday.
This is a demonstration of the unity pastors began as they ministered and worshiped together under the former Worship Tent for months, and made a declaration on New Year’s Eve to come together for the sake of unity in the body of Christ and the common good.
Some think that will take time. However, Isaiah 66:7-9 asks who has heard such a thing, can a nation be born in one day? Yes, all things are possible with God. Jesus already prayed the unity into existence 2,000 years ago, and the body of Christ needs to catch up.
The Holy Spirit reminded me when the veil of the temple, the curtain between the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place, was torn from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.
The veil was rent about the time of the evening sacrifice and demonstrated that the real atonement, of which the yearly atonement was only a type, had been offered and that the true High Priest had entered the Holy of Holies.
Jesus finished His work, but our work to bring in the harvest has just begun, so it’s not over.
The writer is founder and president of the Native Heart Community Development Association. For details, visit nativeheartcda.org.