“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18
Dear Ones:
It is very interesting to note that in Joel’s prophecy concerning the out-pouring of the Spirit in “the last days,” and which was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, the Lord specifically said: “…your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28) Why is there this mention of seeing “visions” as a result of the out-pouring of the Spirit? In part it is because God puts within our hearts both a knowledge and anticipation of what He is going to do. We might say that the “vision” is that declared anticipatory perception of the work of God, accompanied by the faith to believe it. Why does He do this? Most certainly it is to persuade men that, first of all, He is God. The second thing is that He would have men to see, understand, and grasp the importance of His revealed will, and His commitment to fulfill it. To the believer, the person of Jesus Christ, as revealed by the word of God, becomes the very solitary, and entire bedrock of all faith, hope, and love.
We might make the assertion at this point: “Most certainly this prophesy applies to the believers of Pentecost, the disciples of old, and not to us.” We might add, “If these truths apply to us, how then are we to pray, and for what are we to believe God?” First of all, nowhere in the Bible is it declared to us that the blessing of Pentecost, the out-pouring of the Spirit, has ceased, or been limited. Secondly, it is very clearly declared, “I will pour out My Spirit upon ALL flesh.” Though all men are potential beneficiaries of the blessing of the Spirit, it will be the believer and his or her children, the “servants and handmaids,” who will benefit most., as they RECEIVE the blessing by faith.
After the resurrection of Christ, He came and revealed Himself to the disciples for about 40 days. Before He ascended into heaven, He gave them a commission. We call it the “Great” commission, for in it He reveals His vision for the world, a world without God, but one that can be saved by the preaching and teaching of His Word. It would be at this time that He would instruct the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the accomplishment of the Father’s promise concerning the coming of the Spirit (the out-pouring). When the day of Pentecost came, and the Spirit was poured out, ALL of the disciples, men and women, were filled with the Spirit, and they began declaring the wondrous works of God. From that point on, as the Spirit of God leads, provides, reveals the truth of God in Scripture, a “vision” is put within the heart of every believer. It is first and foremost the vision of the glorified and exalted Christ, the singular object of faith. Secondly, it is the vision of what His will and purpose is, and what we are to trust Him for. Would the eternal God, who gave His Son for us, and sent His Spirit to fill us, be RESTRAINED in giving us the vision that we need, and grace to trust Him for it? Certainly not. He has PROVEN His commitment to give, IF we are willing to believe Him, and receive the blessing. He is able, and willing, to work in us today the willing and the doing of His good pleasure, for His eternal glory, and the eternal blessing of men and women, boys and girls.
Dear Father, we thank Thee for the Spirit of God whom Thou hast given to lead us, giving us a vision of what Your purposes are, and that for which You would have us trust Thee. Open our eyes, minds, and hearts to understand clearly and concisely what the will of God is, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, strengthening us to follow Thee by faith. For this we give Thee thanks, and praise your blessed Name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad