The key text for this year is Matthew 11:12.
Jesus says, and from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent takes it by force.Matthew presented the Messiah to Jews who were steeped in Old Testament prophecy. He repeatedly showed that Jesus fulfilled the covenantal and prophetic picture of the promised one. That he was indeed the Messiah.
Jesus used old testament prophecy from the book of Isaiah, which John would have recognised; and he would have understood this immediately.
Reading from verse 7, “as they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, ‘what did you go out into the Wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind. But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments. Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in King's houses but what did you go out to see? A prophet, yes, I say to you and more than a prophet for this is he of whom it is written, “behold I send my messenger before your face who will prepare your way before you. Assuredly I say to you among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist but he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he and from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent takes it by force.”
In Matthew, Jesus repeats the questions three times, What did you go out to see?
Vision is the first principle in these scriptures that we must take to heart. Jesus unlocks this when he asked, what did you go out to see? He referred to that which they see with their spiritual eyesight.
Jesus is addressing the issue of sight. Your sight determines your perception.
Nothing happens without Vision. The prophetic scriptures in the Old Testament were the vision for things to come. The Messiah was contained in the Prophecies of the Old Testament. The Old Testament is Christ concealed and the New Testament is Christ revealed. The vision of Christ came through the prophetic words spoken.
Without the vision, the breaking forth and the pressing in would not have taken place. We can't do anything without vision.
Many might ask, what is your vision? But that's not the right question. The question to ask is, what do you see? Do you have vision?
There's only one vision, and that is Matthew 28. Go into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptize them in his name, and teach them. This is the vision of our ministry, the reason we are called Matheteuo. It means making disciples.
According to the Strongs #2377 vision means chazon; which is
a dream, oracle, revelation that comes through sight. This noun occurs 35 times
and is from the root chazah: meaning to see, behold and perceive.
Chazon is used when the prophets received a vision from God.
Scripture to study is Isaiah 36—39 King Hezekiah’s life.
Each of us will approach this kind of sight from our own knowledge and skill set. Our sight will either be marred by humanistic thinking or be cleared to discern between the Kingdom and what is not. What is from God and what is from the world?
We are all born with a purpose, and each purpose is set into
motion when God intervenes.
· Like with Joseph, who received dreams, was sold by his brothers, and jailed for crimes he didn’t commit.
· Then there was Paul, previously known as Saul, a devote Pharisee who had the Damascus experience. Only then could he distinguish God’s kingdom from the religious mindset.
· Peter, a humble fisherman, once betrayed Jesus, but at the foot of the cross he received his sight with a clarity that drove him into the upper room. That vision was ignited when he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
· The nation of Israel cried out to God for a deliverer for 400 years before Moses was raised.
· Moses' sight only activated when he was confronted at the burning bush. I doubt even he knew he had one until the day he met God.
· David had a vision, but countless times had to be corrected until he came to the place of full maturity.
· John the Baptist received his vision while he was still in the womb of his mother. His purpose in cinematic clarity when he announced, “there is the Christ, follow Him.”
· Gideon had to be confronted in the thrashing floor of his father before he realized his purpose and God downloaded His vision to him.
· Joshua followed Moses and the Vision was passed from Moses to him and he became the leader who took Israel into the promised land.
· Esther aligned with her uncle’s sight. He made sure she was positioned correctly to save the nation.
· Ruth had to marry Naomi’s son to get into position to fulfil her destiny. Her obedience led her to her purpose.
Every Bible character I mentioned went through their own unique trials and tribulation to honour their vision.
Following your heart and God’s vision for your life comes at a price. How we apply that vision is up to us. We can run with it in the natural or we can tap into what God wants us to do with it in the Kingdom.
There are many people who have received a specific purpose and then became famous because of it. In the process, they squandered their lives while the world has placed them on pedestals. So, choose wisely.
Vision is only activated and lived when we make time with God. When we begin to apply the apostolic pillars, the vision becomes one objective. To make disciples.
In the Vatican there is a monument build by Bernini in 1656 called the Columnata de la Plaza, San Pedro de Vaticano. The colossal Doric colonnades, four columns deep, are designed in an elliptical mathematical way that, when you stand on one specific point, the four columns of one row becomes one line.
When doctrine, fellowship, communion, and prayer line up we see Christ. When that happens, we walk in perfect eyesight.
Vision comes through humility and repentance. Vision comes through correction.
When you choose to ignore the Word, your vision becomes a trap of self-indulgence and greed. King Uzziah is an excellent example of that.
Moses, Joseph, David, Peter, and Paul’s stories are good
examples of how they had to be corrected before they could walk fully into
their destiny.
· Lasarus had to die so that he could be sent to Cyprus.
· The man at the pool had to obey the Word of Jesus. He had to stand up, take his bed, and walk away from all he knew to become an accurate representation.
· Jesus himself received his vision while being a Spirit man. Prophetic utterances through the years before his actual physical birth made this clear. He knew exactly what road he would travel that would lead to the cross. He knew where he would be born, where he would live, who his parents would be, what occupation he would follow, and when and how he would die. He also knew past the crucifixion that he would be resurrected and raised and be seated at the right hand of God. He had all that knowledge before he was birthed.
Very few of us have that kind of prophetic insight into our lives. It is then that we look for motivational speakers who can help. Do all kinds of courses in the hopes of finding our purpose that would lead to our vision. We join certain cults or denominations and look for validations. But are foiled. You have to connect to the Source to tap into your vision.
Many people want a vision, but they don't want to put in the
time or like the idea of correction. We rebel, we fight, we do everything we
can to dull that calling. It is then that we are struck with blindness so that
we cannot see or understand the vision God has for us. Some of us end in the
pigsty, or on a sick bed where we receive understanding that we are in the
wrong place and must move into an accurate position. Others end up in jail to
be miraculously released and become a fervent witness that leads incarcerated
people to their purpose. Others are swallowed by whales; others are isolated
until they agree to get with the program.
Just like the nation of Israel we refuse to listen to God for a time until we too, go through our burning bush experience. Then we can no longer ignore it but to follow.
What is a vision?
Prov 29:18
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (KJV)
Vision = revelation = word (message) = proceeding Word from the Lord.
At one point in my life, I thought, what’s the use of dreaming since I didn’t see a future for myself. One day a Jewish man asked me when last I had a dream. I had to admit that it was too long ago to remember. He urged me to begin with a vision board. Envisioning myself owning property again, driving a car, finding the perfect job, or go on a holiday. At that stage I haven’t been on holiday for seventeen years, nor had a job and stayed with my parents. That vision board sparked a longing for more in my life.
It reminded me of what the Bible said in Hab2:2,
then the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision; make it plain on the tablets, so he may run who reads it.
The Lord wants us to develop a vision for generations to come. People will run to you because of the vision. You must have it before you day and night. Seeing yourself as you get on a plane to take the message of Christ to the nations. Maybe you must buy a plot of land so that the vision can manifest there. Or you might have the unction to continue your studies because God wants to use your skill as part of your vision.
Your vision will not only include you. It is not a personal vision; it is a corporate vision, and you must become violent in the pursuit about the things of God. Your vision will make you passionate about the things of God.
· Joseph’s vision was too safe his family and the world.
· Gideon’s vision was too safe the nation.
· Nehemiah’s vision was to rebuild the city.
· Paul’s vision was to take the Word to the world.
· John’s heart was to reveal Christ to us.
Begin to Cast Your Eyes Upon Him, look unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith.
Once God has your attention, you will recognise your set man. Yor vision and his vision will be remarkably the same.
Acts 16:9-10
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. (NKJ)
Timothy and Silas took ownership of Paul’s vision.
There must be a generation who will get up and say, “We have vision. We have seen things that God has not shown the generations in the past.”
Once your vision is established within you, God will add more responsibilities to you.
· Gideon had to destroy the altar in his father’s house. Then he had to obey God’s word exactly to gather his 300 men.
· The disciples had to wait in the upper room for 40 days and when they were baptised in the Holy Spirit and with fire, they were sent.
· Ruth had to follow her mother-in-law’s instructions to activate her future.
· Saul was without sight for three days and had to be taken to the street called Straight. When Ananias talked to him scales fell from his eyes and he received his sight. He rose, was baptized, and spend time with the disciples. After that he underwent a few tough lessons and was send to Tarsus to be taught before he became an apostle.
· Esther had to obey her uncle’s instructions to the letter before she was sent to the king.
· Moses received clear instruction about the ten commandments and the building of the Ark of the Covenant and tabernacle.
· Elisha had to remove his old garment and put on Elija’s garment before he was sent.
Once your vision becomes clear, the message becomes clear as well. And if you struggle or step out of line, the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth will correct you through visions like Peter. God's Manifest Presence in a vision to Peter enlightened him regarding his prejudiced Gentile views.
Acts 10:13-16
And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." 14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean." 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. (NKJ)
It is interesting to note that Peter had to be instructed three times each time he stepped out of line. Yet he was the one that had the passion to act quickly without thought, like when he chopped the ear from the man when they arrested Jesus. Or when Jesus called him to come, he got out of the boat first.
I think his prowess to act quickly and immediately saved him many times. If not for that God might have given up on this man on whom He has built His church.
He was a true apostle that endured the hardships of ministry to spread the Word across the known world. He laid the foundation of what kind of sight a true apostle must have.
His message centred around Christ as he preached through the Holy Spirit. And he revealed Christ through His sacrificial sufferings, urging them to keep the hope and anticipated Christ’s return. He reproached the people and advised them to bear fruit even in their suffering.
1 Peter 1: 3-5
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 2: 21:
For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:Apostolic sight looks deeper. It looks at the very heart of the matter as it breaks the Word open for greater clarification. Peter’s vision was sculpted by the experience he had in the upper room. A memory that stayed with him until his death. From that revelation, he could teach righteously. Because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that led him into all truth.
1 Peter 3: 15 -18
15but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
1 Peter 5:1
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;
He continues to warn us against false teachers that would lead to apostasy. Teachers who would lead us into heresy, who deny the Lord and exhibit a sensuous lifestyle and deny or ridicule the return of Christ. He taught us to counteract worldliness and humanistic philosophy.
He encourages us to be steadfast and grow in the knowledge
of Christ. Christian maturity, in fact, is his focus as he urges people to be
intellectually wise. It is our experience of Christ that results in moral
transformation. The basis of our knowledge should always be scriptural.
2 Peter 1:9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities, you will never fall. 11For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Having apostolic sight will bring us closer to our mandate. Apostolic sight is not for the fainthearted. Apostolic sight is for the corporate church and not for the local church.
Apostolic sight means you must be mature in all things. And
that can only come through devotion to the Word, a clear understanding of
Scriptures and a burning bush experience.
I conclude with the Apostle Peter’s words in 2 Peter 1 from verse 16.
16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For when he received honour and glory from God the Father, Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention has to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Questions to think about.
1. What is the difference between prophetic and apostolic sight?
Prophetic sight: is wisdom. We already see sons as sons the day we meet them.
Apostolic sight is to see how to apply the spiritual things as wisdom on the earth.
2. As a son, can you obtain both sights?
