“…notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (John the Baptist).” Matthew 11:11
Dear Ones:
It is very difficult for us to grasp the “eternal,” and the full manifestation of the kingdom of heaven. We get some idea of the contrast when the Apostle Paul writes, “How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful to utter.” (2 Cor. 12:4) In his first letter to the Corinthians, he quotes Isaiah, writing: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for them that love Him.” ( 1 Cor. 2:9) Why does the Spirit of God speak of that which is before us, and give us such a contrast with what we know on this earth? Let us go a little further in this matter, by asking another question: “Why did the Lord Jesus say of John the Baptist: “Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist?” (Matt. 11:11) Then he would offer the contrasting truth: “…notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he.” Why does He say such a thing? The answer begins with “visions and revelations of the Lord,” (2 Cor. 12:1) that unveiling of the eternal realities of which we are a part. The kingdoms of this world, as opposed to the kingdom of heaven, have no comparison in “greatness.” Even John the Baptist, filled with the Spirit of God from his mother’s womb, declared to be the greatest human being at that time, other than Christ, doesn’t even compare with the “least” in the kingdom of God. Why? It is because of the revelation, the manifestation, of the glory of God, the nature and person of Christ. When Paul writes to the Corinthian Christians concerning being “…changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord,” (2 Cor. 3:18) he speaks of that blessed process of being “transformed into the same image.” True greatness is in Christ, indeed, it IS Christ. It is in the measure that HE is formed in us, revealed in and through us by the Spirit, that His glory is revealed. On this side of heaven, that glory is manifested in the church in a limited manner, this also applying to the individual believer. But one day, “in heaven,” that glory shall be fully revealed, and manifested, in and through the believer. Faith will not only become sight, but “Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:4) The “completeness” that is declared to us in the gospel, whereby we are complete in Christ, He being made all things to us, will be fully realized in us “in heaven.” Why is it so important that we should have a vision of this reality? The answer resides in the issue of “present faith.”
How does God deal with us, to bring us to an increased faith, and appropriation of Christ, that He should be formed in us on this earth? It is first by the revelation of Himself, according to the truth of Scripture, so that our vision is one where we perceive the greatness of God, the greatness and power of the work of Christ, and the greatness of the provision of the Spirit of God, to meet us in every way. All through Scripture we find this to be God’s order, He reveals Himself, then calls us to believe Him, taking Him at His word. We are then brought to the point of acting upon it, of obedience. From Abraham, to Moses, to Joshua, to the disciples of Pentecost…all were confronted by the vision of this One, that “even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:41) The vision of Christ as God on this earth was essential to faith. Our vision of the eternal, though we cannot grasp or explain it, is necessary to understand that God is greater than the things of this earth, and yet, He desires and wills to reveal His glory, doing that which is “…exceeding abundantly above ALL that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Eph. 3:20)
Dear Father, give us grace to look beyond the “confines” of earth, to the fullness of Your blessing in heaven. You have declared that we are to pray, “…as it is in heaven.” Give us the vision of the Lord Jesus that we need, in order to believe You for the full outworking of Your purposes and will on this earth. We praise and thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad