The Proper Seeing


Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
(Jer 1:11)


The key qualification of a prophet is to the ability to see from God’s perspective not man’s viewpoint and the prophet was commended ‘Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.’ (Jer 1:12). If we are able to behold in accordance to His divine wisdom we will not be stumped by unfurling world events. There are many ‘prophetic’ voices today, but how many have actually seen things the way that God wants us to behold. If we hear from prophets who are truly seers than we will not be caught unawares (Amos 3:7).


….. I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
(Rev 19:10)


Jesus is being preached and testified today by many but is there another 'Jesus' that is being preached or we have received another spirit or another gospel (2 Corr 11:4)? There is only One Way that leads to eternal life and it is entered through a straight gate and trod on a narrow way which few find it (Matt 7:14). We have somehow gotten the picture that the way to eternal life is a crowded one. It is not that salvation is exclusive but in the heart of hearts is His willingness that none perish but all should come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9). Interestingly Peter did not say ‘all should come to salvation’. Salvation is not merely a prayer uttered to ‘accept Jesus into my heart’ but to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). Jesus is returning for His bride, not to some form of unfamiliarity to His likeness. Adam was created in God’s image (Gen 1:26) but sin has cost man that divine image, thus Jesus had to come as the Last Adam (1 Cor 15:45) so that through Him we can return to the place of originality. He is called the ‘Last Adam’, because it’s His finished work and no more Adams (another Jesus or another gospel) need come .


The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
(Psa 19:7-9)


Antinomians and preachers of cheap grace want to do away with the law which in their opinion is bad. Today the fear of the LORD seems to be an unnatural response and that God’s holiness drive people away from the ‘gospel’. But truth is beyond fact, because the latter can change but truth is eternal. How do we know we are truly saved and conversion has begun to take place? This Psalm tells us if salvation has indeed come to us and the conforming into His image has begun.


That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
(Mar 4:12)


We may have eyes but seeing doesn’t take place in the absence of light. However there is another ‘seeing’ that comes in a different light (2 Cor 11:14) and that with an angelic nature (don't be deceived!). Seeing in the true light of the Lord Jesus Christ will inevitably bring us to the place of conversion. Strangely the word ‘conversion’ is hardly used in Christian circles today. It is because the ‘other gospel’ preaches that we can be saved ‘in’ sin and not ‘from’ sin. This ‘other Jesus’ permits a living in the unconverted lifestyle and yet still have a valid ticket to heaven. If this is true then where is the conforming to the image of His Son? Where is the forming to the likeness of originality as with God’s initial intent in the Garden of Eden?