Spirit World

Spirit World

Monday, May 12, 2008: 2 Kings 6:15 –17 (NKJV)

And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Background: The book of 1 & 2 Kings is about apostasy and idolatry of Kings of Israel and Judah.
Prophets, like Elisha, reveal God’s will to the Kings. (Circa 800 B. C.) Elisha warns the King of Israel about ambushes. After being thwarted more than twice, the King of Syria seeks a traitor. He is told that Elisha, a prophet, informs the King of Israel of the most secret plans. The King of Syria sends a fierce army to capture or kill the prophet.
Were the eyes of Elisha’s servant open? His physical eyes were open; his spiritual eyes were shut.
How were the servant’s spiritual eyes opened? What was the result? Elisha prayed and asked God to open them. We can guess that the servant was stunned beyond measure-no response is recorded!
Are your eyes open or shut?

Tuesday, May 13, 2008: 2 Kings 6:18 (NKJV)

So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
Does blindness mean the Syrian force could not see? God sent a disconnect between their sight and their understanding: they couldn’t see that Elisha was in front of them.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008: John 20:11-13

But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.
And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
Background: This is resurrection morning outside Jerusalem. Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, saw the stone rolled away, and ran to tell others. Mary now weeps outside the tomb after the disciples Peter and John leave.
Were the two angels present when Mary first came to the tomb? They were there, but her spiritual eyes were not yet opened. Even then they were partially opened: otherwise, she would have seen their wings covering the stone slab. I believe Mary was privileged to see Cherubim.

Thursday, May 15, 2008: John 20:11-13

Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
When Mary turned and saw the ‘gardener,’ were her eyes open? They were, but she still could not believe that the Lord had risen. Her mind of faith was shut. But the Lord opens her ears and she recognizes His voice!

Friday, May 16, 2008: Luke 24:22 –24, 30-31

Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”
Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
Background: It’s Resurrection Sunday on the road to Emmaus. Cleopas and another dejected disciple of Jesus Christ are walking back to their home. The Lord joins them but their mind of faith is shut.
What do their words reveal? They reveal their lack of faith in what the Lord had told them.
(After a scripture lesson, they reach home, understanding that Messiah had to suffer the cross.)
There at dinner, what happened to the eyes of their understanding? Their spiritual eyes are opened and the Lord vanishes, His purpose fulfilled.
Are your eyes and ears shut? Are you shutting them willfully? Will you allow them to be opened?