Throughout the Bible we see people losing sight of the things of this world, as they fixate their gaze upon the Glory of our Lord! From time to time, it is necessary that we close our eyes to the physical world, so that our senses can be awakened to the eternal reality of the spiritual realm. Once we habitually continue to behold FIRST His glory (2 Cor 4:18), His Kingdom (Mat 6:33), we begin to see this world from a heavenly perspective.
AS WE CONTINUE to practice doing just as He tells us to do in His Word, life completely changes for us. We will have a completely different perspective and will come to have an entirely new attitude toward life, things and people!
KINGDOM OF GOD – ROM 14:17: its characteristics are described as righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. The eternal chaos in the world due to the “tares” has not prevented the growth of the wheat. (The world was created by the Word of God out of chaos ).
OUR PRIVILEGE: to reign with Christ. Enter in by faith. We have been made to “sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. We are to be more than conquerors. Sin shall not have dominion over us. Sin, sickness and Satan are banished from the glorious realm in which God’s children are called to live. Jesus is our KING, we are His Kingdom. HIS WILL is our highest desire and the extension of His Kingdom is our sole occupation. All else will be added unto us. Our occupation is rulership, not defeat!
Like a child our sense of wonder is restored. We see miracles in the smallest things. We live with an intentional expectation for signs, wonders, and miracles. Nothing is impossible for our God! We are sincerely grateful for what we have already received in Christ Jesus. Our hearts are at peace, we are content, and we have a joyful expectation that if God is for us, nothing can be against us. (Rom 8:31)
As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! (Heb 12:1-2) Passion Translation
872. ἀφοράω aphoráō; contracted aphorṓ, fut. apópsomai, from apó (G0575) an intens., and horáō (G3708), to look. To look away steadfastly or intently toward a distant object. Metaphorically, to behold in the mind, to fix the mind upon (Phil. 2:23; Heb. 12:2).
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (Joh 3:13)
The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (Joh 4:25-26)
Peter Saw Him as the Messiah. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Mat 16:15–17).
And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” (Acts 9:5).
Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luk 23:40–43)
The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
“Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
“You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.” (Rev 4:8-10)
