Ruby Slippers
Yeah ... I know that this sounds a little nuts, but "ruby slippers" has been coming up (I really think that God is getting a little playful with us now. He sometimes does that - LOL). So, I've been meditating on this, and my attention has now been brought to Isaiah 54:12 which says, "I will make your battlements of rubies ..."
Now, beloved, "battlements" are defensive structures that are built for protection. This whole "ruby slipper" thing then seems to speak of protection from harm, even as Dorothy was protected from harm as long as she wore the ruby slippers.
Let me put it another way ...
I think that very soon some of us are going to have to endure some very tough trials and tribulation. Some of us will probably even be brought to the point of physical death in the days ahead, but those who remain strong in the faith and endure whatever comes their way (all the way unto the goal, or: into the final act - which could even include physical death), they will be "made whole," in that they will have part in the glory of the first resurrection (that's HOME, by the way!).
Yeah, this trip "Home" is going to require great perseverance and endurance, something that will be imparted to many of us (by His grace) as we seek His Face and walk this thing out in the footsteps of Dorothy (sorry, I mean Jesus!).
Beloved, Jesus prayed for His disciples to not be taken out of the world (raptured) but to be kept (Gk - tereo - watched over, guarded, and protected) from the wicked witch as they follow the yellow brick road (Oops!, I mean kept from "the evil one" as ...well, you know). This implies our protection from spiritual harm, beloved, not an escape from tribulation or physical harm, not even an escape from physical death. It means that if we will just walk this thing out in obedience and faith unto God, then we're gonna get "Home" to Papa.
There is no place like Home...
No place like Home...
No place like Home...
(LOL)