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The Bible Says
“. . . I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 12:1). When ever in Bible times, God chose to use a life in some spectacular way, a plan for that life was revealed to them in advance. That was true of Abraham; it was true of Joseph; it was true of Daniel and his three friends; and it was true of the Apostle Paul. These visions were at times supernatural revelations in the spiritual realm, but not always so. Daniel’s friends demonstrated as much faith as Daniel did, without a personal dream or trance. God talked to Moses “face to face”: and both Paul and John were caught up to heaven and saw some things they were not permitted to share with us today. God has some amazing surprises awaiting His believing children! Commenting on his vision, Paul was able to say: “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19).
I personally, have been in Gospel ministry slightly more than 81 years. During those years, I did make a number of decisions that, at the time, I thought was the way to go. Those decisions included, at times, accepting a call to pastor a certain church and then after a few years submitting my resignation. Had I had the proper vision of my life’s work; and had I have allowed the proper time for thought and prayer, would I have been a little more hesitant about turning in my resignation? For the past 35 years I have been engaged as President of GOD’S ANSWER, INC. This is even more critical because it has become a world-wide ministry. Why am I engaged in this class of full-time missionary effort? Like Paul, I too, have been given a divine vision and I am determined not to be disobedient. I have never been in a trance; and God has never spoken to me, face to face, as He did to Moses. I have had a few dreams, but I am not substituting them for Holy Spirit guidance. As we progress, we hope to enlarge our home base in order to lend a helping hand to those presently in need of help and encouragement. This will require even more caution and divine guidance. God says: “I will guide you with my eye” (Psalm 32:8). From the day he, as a young boy, was anointed King over Israel; David’s heart was set on becoming Israel’s King. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him (David) in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. . .” (I Samuel 16:13). It, possibly, was not too long after that date when David killed Goliath (I Samuel 17:50). The fact that he would one day be crowned King must have encouraged him in all his exploits. Did it help him slay that lion and bear and eventually that giant? I believe it did. All the forces of hell were against David! Even the King, himself, tried to kill him! But rather than becoming discouraged, he wrote more than half of the 150 Psalms. These were actually songs and hymns of praise, sung by anointed singers in the holy Sanctuary and later in the beautiful Temple. Almost all of these Psalms were written after an especially difficult day, or following a day of glorious victory! David didn’t achieve grace and strength from reading the Psalms -- he wrote the Psalms! How then was he encouraged? By daring to believe that he was headed for kingship, living close to God, and by preparing for a glorious future, when he would be King of Israel! After Saul disowned David and tried to kill him, David adopted a plan. He and his men would conquer a city, kill all those opposed to him and then leave the city with leaders friendly to David. He would then go to the next city and carry out the same plan. So, after Saul’s death, he did not have to declare himself King. His friends declared him King!
“He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David” (Luke 1:32).
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. “And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses . . . And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16).
Trying to follow our Savior and King; Shaping our lives by His blessed example, Happy, How happy, the songs that we bring.
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