Search and See

May/Discipline

21 May 2010

When they came to land, each of them kissed the other, and the elder wept greatly for his exceeding joy. "Search and see," said he, "the borders and regions of Paradise, where will be found health without sickness, pleasure without contention, union without quarrel, dominion without interruption, attendance of angels, feasting without diminution, meadows sweet in scent as fair blessed flowers."

- Anonymous, Vita Brendani (Irish, 12th century, from an earlier ms.)

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven...

- 2 Corinthians 12.2

It's surprising how many places in Scripture give us a glimpse into the unseen realm where Christ rules at the right hand of God. The psalms, of course (2, 9, 35, 45, 47, 110, etc.) and many places in the prophets pull back the veil that separates time from eternity, giving us a look at the realities that are really there.

Revelation also provides many glorious insights - chapters 1, 4, 5, 14 especially, but throughout as well. In these many glimpses into the unseen realm we see Christ on His throne beside the brilliance of His Father. We see what He's wearing and smell the fragrance of His robes. We hear the sweet music He enjoys and observe angels and the "seven-fold" Spirit of God attending to His every command. The departed saints, still awaiting their bodies at the resurrection, are also there, and they are filled with joy as they sing praises to the Lord and bear our prayers before Him on our behalf.

Is this what the unseen realm is really like? It is the way God wants us to think about it, and with so many places in Scripture revealing a portion of the landscape of unseen things, and the promise that there, in the presence of the Lord, is fullness of joy and pleasure forevermore, I can only wonder why more of the followers of Christ don't betake themselves there more often.

Paul said that looking attentively on unseen things, gazing with the eye of the heart into realms we know of only by the Word of God, is the way to find stability and strength in this woeful world, and the place to go to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Brendan and his companions found their way there, and the story means for us to understand that the experience remained with them always.

Do you believe these things are real? And that you, by discipline, can find your way into the presence of unspeakable glory? You can. You should. Search and see.

Today in ReVision: Whose Kids? Government can't educate our children, and we shouldn't let it.

This Week's Download: A Personal Rule - If you are not a disciplined person, here's a very good, and very free, place to start.

In our bookstore you can purchase The Legacy of Patrick and learn about the impact of this man's life for centuries after his death.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.