Go Back

Where are your accusers?

On July 8, 1996 I had a vision that was very moving.     (Ref. John 8)

I saw a woman that I knew was a harlot. She was bent over in a position of helplessness with people all around her with stones ready to kill her. I saw Jesus and he was standing near her. I realized that I was one of those ready to kill her.

Everyone with stones had legitimate reasons for their anger. There was anger in my own heart until Jesus looked up and said “You who are without sin cast the first stone.” I repented for my self-righteous attitude, my pride, my bitterness and I laid down the stone in my hand. All the accusers put down their stones and from the oldest to the youngest they went out. Jesus asked the woman, “Where are your accusers?” He was kneeling down next to her much of this time and He said, “Neither do I condemn you.” Jesus spoke tenderly to her. I don’t know what He said but He spoke so tenderly to her. He was now standing and I saw her slowly get up, walk over to Him and slip her arm over His very strong arm. They began to walk together, but I noticed her head was still down in shame. As they walked, however, she began to feel secure, protected and loved. Soon her head had been lifted because He was the glory and lifter of it. He was her confidence. He was “Ishi”, her husband. She was no longer “unpitied” but “pitied,” she was no longer “unmarried” but “married,” she was no longer rejected, but now she was loved. In the streets where they walked together the voice of the bride and the bridegroom could once again be heard. Soon the woman was confident enough to go to the ones He sent her to - to raise up the lowly; to heal the broken; to reach out to the poor - “A City of Refuge” with arms open wide like the meaning of the Statue of Liberty - “Give me your tired, your poor, etc.” The streets began filling with people making ready the way for the Lord - for the King of Glory to come in!! The vision ended.

I believe the harlot represented my city, Charleston. (This would include the church here.) My anger toward this place was manifold - circumstance, weather, religious spirits, financial problems, and various unpleasant memories. The accusers (like me) were being “lawful” in judging and religiously zealous to remove the stain from their midst. Perhaps the one who is wounded today, becomes the one who wounds someone else tomorrow. Jesus intervened in this cycle of abuse/abuser. He didn’t come to “correct” us but to “forgive” us. The stones of anger represent the “stoney” hearts that only love can soften. We don’t need “Law and Order” we need His “Love and Order.” The Lord showed me through this vision and the understanding of it, that His heart is ready to speak tenderly to and forgive (this City), but we have given the strongman permission to enslave others through our unforgiveness. Jesus made a great deposit of love on our behalf. Only His love qualifies us to walk in true authority – true discernment. (Phil. 1:9-11). His perfect love removes ALL fear.

Today is July 31, 2000 – I was re-reading this report I typed up just over four years ago and wanted to add some additional insights.

Just like the woman caught in adultery – Charleston is guilty. But the Lord Jesus is speaking tenderly to us – Isaiah 40. (Comfort my people and tell them that the time of their warfare has ended….) In the past few days, Prophetic Teacher Al Houghton was in Charleston speaking. His message for us was on the “Sure Mercies of David.” He spoke of the everlasting covenant (Is.55:4-5) and what the “mercies of David” were. Unlike Saul, who lost his kingship (office), his call (to be Israel’s king) and his anointing to fulfill his destiny because of partial obedience – the Lord granted mercy to David because he acknowledged his sin, (Psalm 51) he anointed himself (after the death of the infant that he fathered with Bathsheba), and he worshipped. If we will respond to God from an obedient heart acknowledging our sin but calling on God for His Covenant of Mercy – (on behalf of ourselves, our families, our city, our nation, the nations) the way that David did – the Lord will be merciful and bring us (or our city/nation) back to the office, call and anointing that has been in God’s heart. The sure mercies of God’s Covenant are greater than our failures. As Al Houghton put it this weekend, our failures are used to build a platform for launching our ministry. We must FIRST receive God’s mercy before we are able to give it away to others. Mercy is the door that leads to the revelation of righteousness – cleansed from all of our sins.

When we see visions or have dreams that show God’s judgment – our part is to go before the Throne of Grace in this time of need and stand in the gap. Just as Jesus ministered mercy to the woman caught in adultery when He said, “Woman where are your accusers?” we want to receive and extend the sure mercies of God to our families, the Body of Christ, our City and our Nation. (For more information about Al Houghton’s teaching on “sure mercies” go to his website: www.wordatwork.org)

Tonight I watched a PBS program “Sophisticated Ladies: Charleston & Savannah”. One gentleman from Charleston said that ever since the Revolutionary War and Civil War, this city has had a “siege” mentality. Shutting out the rest of the world. As a prophetic intercessor my spirit took “note” of that. I see Charleston (and our nation) as that “guilty harlot” worthy of stoning. Yet something in my heart wants to say, “Son of David, have mercy on us.” This same “guilty harlot” washed in the blood of Jesus is His Bride. Just like Hosea took a prostitute for a wife, the Lord has chosen the most unlikely one to marry His Only Begotten Son. Rahab hung the scarlet rope from the Jericho wall and found safety for herself and her family. He has chosen us. He is speaking tenderly. We say, “Yes, Lord.” We put down our stones and pick up our cross and follow You…

JoAnn Parrott – July 31, 2000 – Charleston SC

Go Back