LIFE CHANGING VISION

              

                                         A birds eye on a beautiful landscape

One afternoon a group of friends took a trip to New Yolk.  They got into a cab and headed for the empire state building. To them the ride on the ground seemed chaotic and dangerous. But when they got to the observation deck of the skyscraper and looked down on the city streets, to their amazement they saw order and design. What a difference a change in perspective made!

In chapter 1 of the book of Habakkuk, the prophet challenges God’s way of dealing with the wicked. But in chapter 3 he sings joyful praises to God revealing a radical change in his heart. Something very dramatic happens to him in chapter 2. What happened to him? He saw things from Gods perspective and everything made sense to him. Habakkuk discovered that God knew exactly what was going on earth. The last words of chapter 2 served as a powerful conclusion to God’s proclamation to him “The LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him” (Hab. 2:20).

Habakkuk learned that the life that looks chaotic to God’s children has order and design. When he looked at life from his earthly vantage point it seemed that God was indifferent to the evil permeating the society. But God gave him a divine perspective and showed him that life is more than what it seems. We can’t sort out the whole picture from where we are in life, only God can. We need to continue to live by faith not by sight. From his perspective all things are working together for the believers good and for his honor.

It is amazing how a grasp of the sovereign God of eternity, seated on the throne can change our perspective. The psalmist wrote that creator of the world reigns and his world is established, firm and secure. His throne was established long ago and he is from everlasting (Ps. 93:1-2). His throne will last forever and ever (Ps. 45:6) from generation to generation (Lam.5:19). Earthly thrones are temporary, kings come and go but the throne of God is eternal and unchangeable.

In the Bible we read of men who had the privilege of seeing God’s throne and each one of them saw an occupied throne.  One of them was Prophet Micaiah. When King Ahab got Naboth killed so that he could take away his vineyard, God told him that his blood would be licked by dogs just the way they licked Naboth ’s blood (1 Kings 21:17-19). When time was ripe for this judgment (1 Kings 22), prophet Micaiah saw a council in heaven in a vision

 In verses 19-23, Micaiah describes what went on in heaven before King Ahab got him killed. In the vision God was seated on his throne with all the multitude of heaven surrounding him. God instigated (v.20) and authorized the deception of Ahab (v.  22). Micaiah explained to Ahab that he was the target of God's plan; he would be lured into battle to die there (v.20). Even when faced with the truth, Ahab charged into battle, for the lying spirit working through the prophetic majority had convinced him he would be victorious.

 Ahab disguised himself (v. 30) however his plan to thwart God's will failed. He could not fool he who sat on the heavenly throne (v.19). One arrow providentially guided was all God needed (v. 34).  Ahab died in his chariot that evening (v. 35). His body was taken to Samaria for burial (v. 37). As his chariot was washed at a pool, the dogs licked up his blood just as the Lord had declared (v.38, 1 Kings 21.19).  Micaiah had a glimpse of how God directs even individual circumstances from his throne in heaven.

 In the year King Uzziah died Prophet Isaiah saw the Lord seated on his throne (Isaiah 6:1). Uzziah was one of the best kings Judah ever had; his death ushered in a time of change and uncertainty. Would the people return to idolatry?  Assyria the enemy was pushing nearer, things looked hopeless. Where was God in all this? Was he aware of what was happening on earth to his chosen people? In that fateful moment, Isaiah saw the living God sitting on his throne.

Isaiah had focused his attention on King Uzziah, but now that he was dead his attention was redirected to God.  Seeing God in his sovereignty had a profound impact on the prophet’s  life. This happened early in his ministry and later when life seemed to fall apart, he would remember the God who was seated on the throne, in control of it all! A great earthly king had left the throne but the Eternal King was still seated on his throne. Great kings and great personalities may die but the God lives on.

When Isaiah saw God’s majestic splendor and the angels saying “holy is the Lord Almighty!” (vv.2-3), he cried out “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips”.  Until then, Isaiah didn’t look so bad; he was cleaner by far than his contemporaries. Compared to them, he looked clean; compared to God, he looked filthy.  This is what happens to anyone who catches a glimpse of God’s holiness and glory.

In Daniel 4 we read that King Nebuchadnezzar was walking around on top of the wall of his royal palace in Babylon one day. He looked at the great city and proudly said “is this not the great Babylon I have built ...by my mighty power  and the glory of my majesty ” (vv.29,30).  Immediately a voice from heaven said “You will live with the wild animals... before you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms” (v.32). Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society.

When his exile time was over Nebuchadnezzar said “I looked up toward heaven, and my sanity returned to me. I blessed the Most High and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever, for his rule is an everlasting rule and his kingdom extends from one generation to the next. He does as he wishes with the army of heaven and with those who inhabit the earth. No one can hold back his hand and says to him, ‘What have you done?’ Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.” (vv34-37).

When Apostle John was in the island of Patmos, God made an opening in the sky to show him what heaven looks like. In Revelation chapter 4 John describes what he saw. He saw the God seated on his throne.  John was not allowed to see the face, size or shape of God, he does not describe him, instead his emphasis is on the settings around the throne which depict sovereignty, power and glory.  God dwells in unapproachable light no human has ever seen or is able to see (1 Tim 6:16 Ex. 33:20). When Moses asked to see God he was only shone his backside (Exodus 33:15-23).

When Stephen was dying, he had a vision of God’s throne (Acts 7:55-56).  Although he suffered a violent and painful death, he died with a supernatural peace; he simply “fell asleep” (7:60).  While his audience was raving mad with anger, Stephen’s departing moment was peaceful. He never flinched; he was as calm as the opened heaven above him.  Bible verses describe Jesus as at God's right hand, where Stephen saw him that day.  Many of those verses among them, Luke 22:69, Rom. 8:34, Col. 3:1, Heb. 1:3, 8:1; 10:12, describe Jesus as seated. But in Acts 7:56, Stephen saw Jesus standing. He stood to welcome Stephen home.

Watching Stephen die that day was Saul, he was then a "young man"(Acts 7:58; 22:20). Stephen’s death had a profound and lasting effect on him. He never forgot Stephen’s dying words (Acts 7:56), his radiant face (Acts 6:15) and courage at the moment of death. Saul (Paul) became a courageous preacher later, one who couldn’t be threatened even with death (Philippians 1:20-26). He knew Jesus was in heaven waiting for him, he had heard Stephen say so; he had personally seen his blinding light and heard his voice from up there (Acts 9:3-8). When his time to die came, Paul faced death without a flinch (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

In 1 Kings 18:26-29, Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal saying that possibly Baal was relieving himself or was on a journey or was asleep; that is why he could not hear them.  Elijah only made a simple prayer and his God responded immediately (vv36- 39). Psalm 121:4 tells us that he who watches over Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers. He never leaves his throne. Have you ever asked the question: where is God in all this? No matter what may happen on earth, God is on His throne and is in complete control. There is no attribute more comforting to God’s children than His sovereignty.

 

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