VISION AND REVELATION

Acts 7:54-57 (ESV) Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.  But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 

We sometimes hear about people who have made a radical change in their lives due to God speaking to them.  The conclusion I have come to is that, rather than speaking out loud, God reveals Himself to people through a variety of means.  This could include the nature He created in the beginning, circumstances that might be dire ones in peoples’ lives, others through whom He is working to get through to a person, but especially His Holy Spirit, which can bear heavily on those whose eyes He has opened even though they may previously have been blind to understanding.  In some instances, even Christ-followers fall into the trap Satan sets for them and become myopic.  Even the disciples, after having spent several years with Jesus, had trouble seeing what was coming.  Luke 9:43-45 (NKJV) tells us about their inability to see, And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.  But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”  But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

Even if you are the most mature believer, don’t expect to see a vision such as the one experienced by Stephen.  Not saying it can’t happen because our God can do anything.  Just expect to encounter God outside of your comfort zone, also in moments of worship or when He is trying to get your attention.  Good news is, the vision will definitely come when we see Him face to face.