New Testament passage for Sun., Dec. 9, 2012: Revelation 1:1-20
Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. Revelation 1:19 (ESV)
What would you do if you could see things exactly as God sees them? It would probably blow your mind. Isaiah 55:8-9 says:
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God sees from a far higher perspective than we do. I Corinthians 13:10 says that now "we know in part and we prophecy in part." But, someday we will be able to see things clearly, just as God sees them.
That's why we need God to open our eyes. While the full revelation may await the day we stand before Jesus, He now will begin to give you needed insight. We need to see ourselves and our world from a "God's eye" view. That's really what the Book of Revelation is all about. It is not just the sequence of how the world will end. It is "the revelation of Jesus Christ" -- the revealing of who He is and how He is working in history. Revelation takes place when somehow God pulls back the curtains and shows us what He is doing. We can live under an open heavens.
On a pesonal level, we each need that which is described in vs. 19. John is given a divine revelation of three things:
1. What has been
2. What is now
3. What is to come
When the Spirit of revelation comes on us, we are able to see things we couldn't see before. It is amazing how our perspective can change. As we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, He will give us insight -- spiritual insight into three areas.
WHAT HAS BEEN
We need to see God's redemptive works in our past. He has already been working to get you to where you are today. His redemptive actions have been there even though you can't see them. We need God to open our eyes to see how He was working -- redeeming -- preparing -- helping us even in the worst moments.
I know many people who labor under a tremendous weight of past pain, disappointment, and regret. Perhaps it was their own failings or missed opportunities. We can live in blindness to how GOD WAS WORKING ALL ALONG in your life. We need God to open our eyes to what has been.
WHAT IS NOW
John was told to write about the "things that are." We need God to show us not only where we've been, but where we are right now. We need to be able to see our situation from God's perspective. Most of us have a strong tendency to live in denial. We don't want to face the problems that are staring us in the face every day. We think that if we ignore them, they'll just somehow get better on their own.
A good self-examination is good for us every so often. We need to take stock of who we are and what we are doing. BUT WE NEED GOD'S PERSPECTIVE. I am not so interesting in man's opinion -- even my own. We need God to open our eyes about our present situation.
WHAT IS TO COME
I believe God knows what lies ahead for you and me. He knows the end from the beginning (Is. 46:10). He not only knows what the future holds, He can begin preparing you for it today. He may not give you all the details, but He will give you insight into how you need to adjust your course -- how you need to prepare.
In moments of worship or prayer, God has shown me things that lie ahead. He can give us glimpses of the wonderful future He has prepared. Each of us needs to live with a sense of divine destiny. That's not reserved for just a few spiritual elites. It is the birthright of all sons and daughters of God. We need God to open our eyes to the things that lie ahead.
There is something special about all God's people. We are in a place of great testing and great pressure. But we are blessed by a God who wants to speak to us and guide us. He WANTS to open the heavens to us just as He did to John the Revelator. He wants to show us that which has been, that which is, and that which is to come. It is part of your birthright.
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