Behind Darkened Glass

With face flatly pressed against darkened glass, images move in obscurity. Many long to see more clearly into this other world – the world Paul said he could see, but dimly. But what would we see? As I put fingertips to keys, I must say at the outset that what is to follow has not been born of a vision nor a dream; I have not peaked behind the veil that divides our natural world with that of the spirit. I do, however, have a burden for a world spiritually blind, unfeeling, senseless, instinct-driven and oblivious to a reality so much more real than this fading, temporal facade we call reality. Things are not as they seem.

Many only believe in what they can see and touch and place their faith in the vagaries of science. But physicists, on the cutting edge of understanding what we think we know about such elemental and existential aspects of our reality, time and space, are now realizing there is much more to our universe than what was previously believed. Scientists are beginning to see that our perceived reality is merely an illusion or a hologram of a much greater reality. I won’t go as far as to say that the spirit realm is what scientists are now beginning to see as the greater reality, only that things are not as they seem.

I was once told by a church pastor that all that we see and do is but a mere reflection of what happens in the spirit realm. Now, how did he come to that conclusion? Furthermore, I remember him saying, in reference to Psalm 8:3,4, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;  What is man that You take thought of him?” that the answer to this question is that man is essentially a spirit being, clothed in flesh, like wearing an overcoat. It will wear out, but our essential self will continue into eternity. Life and death are both eternal. But real life is only found in God Himself. The spirit without the presence of the Life of Christ will still exist eternally, but in what Jesus referred to as, “outer darkness“.

Moreover, those who have been made alive in Christ and have God’s Holy Spirit indwelling them often live in and out of this other world. They live their lives “walking and talking” with the Lord of the ages experiencing that which can only come from God, like “a peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:6,7).  Additionally, in 1 Peter 1:8, we read:

 “and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory”.

Redeemed humanity feel God’s love in such a way that, again, is inexpressible; and have learned to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Those who have come to know God have a firm assurance that when they pass from this world, they will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and reign eternally with Christ. This new life is not something easily explained, nor scientifically proven, but still they trust, with faith – not blind faith, but a faith that is grounded in their relationship with God. I know – it’s a mystery, but a reality nonetheless.

This life with God has not been hidden, but has been for millennia presented in scripture; and when we read from Genesis to Revelation, what is revealed is God’s eternal plan for a companion for His Son; now known as the Body of Christ, redeemed humanity, and soon to become the Bride of Christ, eternally existing in God’s presence. Yes, I know, it all sounds fantastical. Indeed it is a mystery; and when it comes to pass, the Church will also be very surprised – joyously surprised – in His presence.

My burden, however, is not for those who have been born anew with God’s Spirit, but with the torrent of humanity that has resisted God’s gift of grace or have been deceived by the “wolves in sheep’s clothing”. In Matthew chapter 7:13,14 Jesus tells us to, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Many true believers are becoming deeply alarmed in the realization that the wide path is much wider than most have thought. And the narrow path is much narrower. When Christ says, “there are few who find it”, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the masses of humanity who claim to be Christians, are being deceived. For it’s not those who quickly and readily say, “Lord, Lord…” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but those who truly do the will of the Father.

When I see videos of popular preachers and television teachers, I’m saddened to see how countless millions are being duped into believing they are numbered among the redeemed. But it is not the way of the cross to live like those of the world; identified as a believer only by the bobbing plastic Jesus stuck on their car’s dashboard, or by the miniature metallic cross dangling from the chain around their neck. Our example for living is found in the life of Jesus and the apostles. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus tells us to,

Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruit.

In the Bible we are shown how at the end of this age there will be a great culling. Jesus gave his disciples numerous parables and many were analogous of the separating of the redeemed from the lost: as in Matthew 25:31-46:

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me,you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

I am cut to my core to hear of the horrors faced by so many in our world; and equally by the masses who mistakenly claim to be followers of Christ. I’m also horrified by what lies ahead. I don’t believe it’s difficult to see that the end is near. Even disbelieving scientists attest to the imminence of the end. And it has all been foretold by the prophets in scripture.

Yes, the end is near; signs are all around us. All of the prophecies have been fulfilled, but this last one. Christians all over the world are waiting with unabated anticipation for the day of Christ’s return. But, thank God there is still time. Won’t you now come? He stands at your door knocking (Revelation 3:20), won’t you open the door of your heart and allow Him to fill you with His Spirit. All heaven will be rejoicing (Luke 15:10).

 If you are now sensing God calling you, follow me in this simple prayer:

Father, I have been resisting and rebelling against You my entire life. I now, humbly come before You. Forgive me Lord for my rebellion. Wash me of my sin. Come Holy Spirit and fill me with real life, a new life. I accept you now as my King and Lord and will, from now through eternity, live my life through You. Thank you Jesus for your awesome gift of grace. Amen. 

If this is real for you, you are a new creation. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” I would encourage you to find a bible believing church and begin reading a bible – it’s your new Life manual – God’s Word for you. Perhaps begin with the Gospel of John, then read through the rest of the New Testament. Additionally, I would love to hear from you. God bless you in your new walk with Christ.