Learning to See
May 27th, 2008 | Michael Q. Pink
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall see them again no more forever.” Ex 14:13
As I have laid out previously, one must escape the paralysis of fear and learn to be still so you can see the salvation or deliverance God has. Nothing calms fears quite like being in right relationship with God. When we sin, it is not God who turns away from us, but rather it is we who turn away from Him. We feel shame, unworthiness, etc. because our heart condemns us (and so do many of our brothers and sisters), but John says, “If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our hearts. If our heart does not condemn us, then we have confidence towards God.” When you sin, run toward God. That in itself is an act of repentance, and He will not condemn you. Rather, He will restore you. When you are “still” in His presence, it is the same as “waiting on the Lord,” and it is in that process, you experience the restorative process and find strength again. (Psalm 27:14)
Now to my point. Seeing. Do you believe there is a spiritual dimension, a heavenly realm that is a higher dimension than our earthly existence? I do. When I say “higher,” I am not referring to altitude. I am speaking of higher “authority,” greater excellency, superior strength, the eternal vs. temporal. Remember how Elisha answered his servant who was terrified by the armies surrounding the city? 2 Kings 6:16 records his response, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” How did he know that? Is it possible he had trained his eye to see? Is it possible that his walk with God had attuned him to see in that realm? And more to the point, is it possible that we might also learn to see like that?
Elisha prayed for his servant who had never seen in that dimension, “LORD, I pray you, open his eyes, that he may see.” And the Lord opened his eyes and the servant saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire. If God would answer that prayer for Elisha, do you think God might open our eyes to see? I am going to suggest that we can learn to see in ways we may never have seen before, whether with the eyes of our understanding (Eph 1:18), our spiritual senses (Heb 5:14) or through spiritual giftings (1 Cor 12). And I am going to suggest that seeing in that realm is as much of an advantage as natural eyesight is an advantage in life over those who cannot see. Even though we see through a glass darkly, “in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.”
In many ways we are sight deprived and we don’t care because everyone we know is also similarly afflicted. But when a man or woman with spiritual vision comes along, we discover there is a higher way of life. In the next several weeks, we are going to explore what it means to see in that realm and I will be calling upon you to share your experiences of receiving sight and seeing the salvation of the Lord!
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May 27th, 2008 at 11:29 am
FATHER, As I fail, pick me up. Place YOUR balm of Gilead upon my eyes so I may see what YOU have for me. Today I start anew, with a “white funeral” giving up my flesh to YOU. I want to see it is no longer I that live (in my flesh), but YOU that lives within me! (Galatians 2:20) Thanks Michael, I needed this. Bless you!
May 27th, 2008 at 11:42 am
But when a man or woman with spiritual vision comes along.
Warning, be sure not to take that vision blindly and always be like the Boreans and check everything they say against God’s Word. Many have been led astray by believing and following them blindly. Remember, there are no new revelations, as we have it all in the bible.
I am not saying all or false prophets but many are. Just be careful.
May 27th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I recently attended a spiritual renewal conference in Atlanta, where I live. Speakers were Dallas Willard and Richard Foster, probably my two favorite authors. In the context of spiritual renewal, he talked on 2 Cor 4:16-18.
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen in eternal.”
This is apostolic teaching from the premier apostle (much lower than Jesus, of course) himself.
CS Lewis once said that the unseen realm is much more real and solid than the seen realm. I take all of this to mean that what I can take in with my physical senses is much less than what is really out there.
Personally, and I hesitate to share this because some might consider it controversial, I subscribe to a website (Christian) that gives you exercises to develop your spiritual sight and prophetic gifting. In doing this (not as often I might or probably need), I’ve seen things that have stretched my faith greatly and I’m only at the beginning. As I have done it, though, my spiritual dreams at night have become clearer and I’m becoming more attuned to God’s voice.
All of this is of course in subordination to the written word of God. There is no new revelation or revelation that is different from the Word; if that comes, it gets discarded. However, there is new revelation in the sense of it being new to me, and something I’ve not seen before, which is in the Word. For instance, in Luke 16:16, Jesus says that until the time of John the Baptist, the law and the prophets were preached, but now the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached. I never saw that before, but it is the Word.
Blessings,
Dennis
May 27th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Dennis, I agree wih you. God is doing many “new to me” things in our world today. Remember Jesus also talked about the people who have eyes but cannot see and ears but cannot hear. Lord, please open my eyes and unstop my ears that I might truely see your salvation. There cerinally is an “unseen” world that those who “see into” can gain great advantage from.
Dennis, could you give us the website you subscribe to so I can check it out?? Thanks
May 27th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Ditto Dennis! I’d like to check out this website, too!
May 27th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Thanks for your insight. I have followed your teaching for some time. When we come to understand the power and authority we have and believe, we willl change the world we live in. We have heard “seeing is believing.” The reality is “Believing is seeing.” “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.”
May 27th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Site administrator (I would not refer to you as the “geek” with such a low request :D),
is it okay to post the website I reference in my post?
Thanks,
Dennis
May 27th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Dennis,
Thanks for being so polite and asking. At this point, I think you’d better post that link or we’re both going to get in trouble!
Send it on through. If you need any help linking it to the site, I’ll edit your comment once it gets posted so that it links properly.
Thanks,
The “Geek”
P.S. “Geek” is — when used by most people in this context — actually a compliment. No need to be bashful. (Site administrator just sounds so… sterile.
)
May 27th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
The Geek,
Since my request was so non-technical, I did not want to use your formal title :D.
The website is www.stirthewater.com.
The guy that heads up this ministry is Jim Driscoll. I do not know Jim personally (yet), however he has been mentored/discipled by John Paul Jackson. I’ve known John Paul’s ministry for at least 15 years and have been privileged to be at a good number of meetings he’s been at. I also have friends I’ve known for years who attend one of the churches that network together under John Paul’s and others’ leadership.
Blessings!
Dennis
May 27th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Good day Mr Pink, just signed in on your site and having just read my first post i must say i am blessed and look forward to an impactful teaching in the days ahead.Am a marketer by profession and knowthat to make an impact in the market place, i need to break every limitation-fear,and the answer i know lies in seeing the invisible..
May 27th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
i throughly believe that the our heart cry sholud be that we may see for it seems dwelling so long on this terra ferma has dulled our spiritual sight.
Thanks
May 27th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Thank you Michael. I really am looking forward to your teaching about seeing in the spiritual realm. Do you mean communication with angels? I have never seen one as far as I know. I would love to. I am hearing much controversy regarding this outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Florida and mention of angels. William Branham was in communication with angels and some Christians have questioned his ministry, do we need to be careful about these types of ministry? Scripture says that even the very elect would be deceived if that were possible. I am thinking maybe there is a mixture in the outpourings which happen. The enemy sows tares in the same field that the Lord is operating in I believe, what do you think?
Helen
May 27th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Love this discussion, we have the same issues going on in our church to a small extent, where some are experiencing angelic visitations (that is they can see them!) but others don’t like the outward manifestations like the laughter and shaking that this kind of experience often espouses. But I believe that the fruit must be evident - a close love-walk with and implicit obedience to the Lord Jesus and love for all fellow believers. All very well saying it must be in the Word, that is true but I have heard different interpretations of the word which can be ‘explained away’ by well meaning people who have not had the supernatural experience. I for one am open to supernatural visitations, as long as they serve to edify the church and convict unbelievers, not for our entertainment and pride! That is precisely why we need our spiritual eyes opened, with His true discernment.
Love in Jesus to y’all,
Chrissie from Pahiatua NZ - Hallelujah revival is in our hearts already!
May 27th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Florida Healing Outpouring. The lame walk. the deaf hear. the blind see (even thru a glass eye), the demons leave and cancers depart with them. All manner of diseases and infirmities healed and ALL THE GLORY goes to Jesus and God the Father and the Holy Spirit. The bible is chalk full of the “supernatural” but not for entertainment purposes but for furthering the Kingdom. Jesus sent the disciples out to do the works that He did ( and greater) and we are witnessing it all over America and the world. If it doesnt fit in your theological box its either not theo-”logical” or your box needs to get bigger!! God is moving and tomorrow msNBC is carrying an article on the internet. this won’t be contained cause God won’t. 13 documented resurrections from the dead. Wow!!
Father, tenderize our hearts and open our eyes to see what you see and hear what you hear. We need you more than ever. Holy Spirit come in power all over this wonderful site and bless all with your love and glory. In Jesus’name
May 28th, 2008 at 4:13 am
I agree with all what you have written to me about seeing.Elisha prayed for his servant and God opened his eyes to see in the realm.Paul said he knew somebody who visited the 3rd heavens….2Cor.12:1 - 4.
Let me tell you my secret.God gave me grace to pray for some brethren so that they are able to see exactly what prophet Elisha prayed and happened.
Also to pray for some brethren to happen exactly like what Paul spoke.
In Christ,
Pastor Elias Marete.Kenya Africa
May 28th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Hello All;
So glad you could join the discussion. I have much to share in the days ahead and it will be difficult to parcel it out in the lenght of articles I normally post. As always, I will value your meaningful contributions to the discussion.
A special welcome to our first time guest Oluseum! And to all our international guests, it is always a treat to hear from you as well. Welcome back!
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:35 am
Hello…to you Michael and to others..
Have joined in late…may I propose that our world desperately needs an increasing number of men and women belonging to Christ’s Body that will intentionally live out what the Bible says in 1 Chron 12:32 about the” men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do-…” ?
In the workplace setting, this can be a powerful leverage for a good and faithful servant to expand God’s Great Commission and His Kingdom….gaining insight in what’s happening locally and globally, acquiring foreight, and leading many intentionally into the right direction for an abundant harvest !
with HISTeam that works in His marketplace,
Benjie B. Caballero / Manila, Phils.
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:06 am
Hi Benjie
I totally agree with you. The time is right now for us all to share our testimonies with those He leads us to. We have spent many years sitting in churches being filled up, now is the time to go out and spread the good news of the Kingdom.
The Word of God sets us free!
Please pray for me that my testimony books will be printed and distributed soon
Shalom
Helen, England
June 4th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Hello, Helen…
Yes, we’ll remember you in prayers as well as for the impact of your testimony books…it will be an encouragement too for us if given the chance to share yours some thru this blog…
Yours because we’re His,
Benjie B. Caballero/Mla, Phils.