Dear Ones:
What is a vision but a perception of things that are, or will be. In our consideration of them, we put them into two categories, those that are from heaven, and those which come from the hearts and minds of men. We shall deal with the heavenly type, as those are the ones which have eternal consequences and blessings.
The Apostle Paul had several visions that were given to him by Christ. We shall mention but two. The first, and so very important, is that vision of which he speaks in Galatians 1:15-16: “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, TO REVEAL HIS SON IN ME, that I might preach Him among the heathen…” God, by the Holy Spirit…by that “Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Christ),” unveiled to Paul the remarkable truth of his calling, but more so, of his union with Christ, that Christ by the Spirit did indeed dwell in His heart. The more Paul reflected, meditated upon, and prayed over this truth, the more he discovered the life-changing effects of it. Having ALL in Christ, there is NO difficulty without or within that Christ cannot meet, and respond to. Paul, in a way, became invincible in the will of God by the provision of God, until that moment when he would be called home to be with Christ forever. This was the great truth that was associated to his calling, a calling that stretched back into time, to the moment of his birth. The effectiveness of the calling becomes possible by the knowledge of this vision of this truth.
The second vision is found in Acts 26:16, where Paul is sharing his experience of meeting Christ on the road to Damascus, with Agrippa the King. He recounts that Jesus told him: “…Rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee FOR THIS PURPOSE, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee.” We know the story, how that Paul is plunged into darkness, as he loses his eyesight in the brightness of the Lord’s glory. He eats, nor drinks for three days, until a disciple named Ananias comes and puts his hands upon him. He then receives his sight, and eats. The vision has left an indelible impression on Paul’s heart, mind, his entire soul. He will never be the same. This vision will put Paul on the course of his life’s work, and the realization of his purpose. It was a divine purpose from heaven, with eternal ramifications…and though Paul grasped a little of the significance, he had no idea of the effects through the ages and in eternity, that his writings and ministry, by the Holy Spirit would have upon humanity.
The application to our own lives with regard to “visions” is this…, God has given to us the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” It is the same Spirit that filled the Apostle Paul. The Lord desires to bring us ALL into conformity with His perfect will, His eternal purposes for His glory, and the blessing of others. And this He will do, if we trust Him for it. He is a God of clarity, and peace, who confirms to our hearts that which is of Him…if we will but trust him. There are no two callings which are alike, for God does not use a mold to shape us. There are no photocopies in the kingdom of God, only masterpieces. So, let us trust Him to lead us all individually, in His way, for His purposes, for His glory.
“Speak, Thy servant heareth, Be not silent, Lord; Waits my soul upon Thee for the quickening word. Fill me (us) with the knowledge of Thy glorious will; All Thine own good pleasure in Thy child fulfill.”
Love, Dad