Proverbs 29:18a (KJV): Where there is no vision, the people perish ...
The word 'vision' here is pronounced 'khaw-zone' in Hebrew, which comes from the word 'khaw-zaw', meaning 'to gaze at, to perceive (mentally), to see, to behold, to have a vision of'.
In 2 Corinthians 12:1, Paul wrote, "It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast, (but) I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord." In Acts 2:17, Peter quoted Joel 2:28, saying "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams." Praise God, in our days (i.e. in the New Covenant), God's Spirit is being poured out on everyone who believes, and not just a selected few! It also means every believer can have dreams and see visions from the Lord! What you need is just to be open to such!
There are many ways God can communicate with you (e.g. through inner witness, still small voice, prophecy, dreams, visions, etc), and He still is in the 'business' of communicating with His beloved today. Of course, one very common way in these 'last days' is through 'seeing visions'. Like dreams, visions from the Lord are never pre-meditated beforehand, and definitely not as a result of watching too much television! Instead, it is a sovereign overtaking from the Lord. When one sees a vision from the Lord, it (be it a 'picture' or 'word/words') supersedes (i.e. take the place of) whatever one sees in the physical realm with his naked eye.
"What are the differences between 'dreams' and 'visions'?"
Basically, 'dreams' are given when one is sleeping, whereas 'visions' are given when one is not sleeping. Another difference is 'dreams' are like a 'drama show', whereas 'visions' are like a 'slide (or static) show'.
Unlike 'dreams', 'visions' generally concern one's calling, ministry, or plans of God. In other words, 'visions' normally concern God's kingdom, whereas 'dreams' may cover a much wider scope, including one's personal situation or circumstances.
'Visions' are also more likely a 'command' from the Lord, while 'dreams' are about a 'solution' from the Lord. However, both 'visions' and 'dreams' need one's spiritual understanding in interpreting it.
'Visions' serve to tell us more about 'what to do' (i.e. the knowledge on what to do), while 'dreams' seem to tell us more about 'how to do' (i.e. the wisdom on how to go about doing it).
This probably explains why the Bible says 'young men see visions', and 'old men dream dreams'. It is a known fact that younger men tend to seek God more on 'what to do' in life (or what they are called for in life, i.e their identity/purpose in life), but as they grow older, and as they grow in wisdom, they would then tend to seek God more on 'how to go about doing it'!
Note: Of course, it also doesn't mean young men can't dream 'dreams', and old men can't see 'visions'! Let's understand Joel 2:28 in the right context, i.e. according to its functions.
However, having written all the differences above, I would also conclude that 'visions' and 'dreams' may sometimes overlap each other in functions as well. One cannot distinctly separate these two like one separates night and day.
Types of vision found in the Bible:
1. Open visions (or 'visions in the heavenly realm'), e.g. Genesis 15:1, Ezekiel 1:1-3, Isaiah 6:1.
2. Trance visions (when one is in semi-conscious state), e.g. Acts 10:9-11.
3. Prophetic visions (can sometimes be symbolic pictures to be interpreted), e.g. Isaiah 2:1.
Purposes of vision found in the Bible:
1. Revealing God's plan, e.g. Isaiah 2:1-4.
2. Calling into ministry/vocation, e.g. Isaiah 6:1-8.
3. God making covenant with His people, e.g. Genesis 15:1-18.
4. Confirming a ministry calling, e.g. Acts 9:10-18.
5. Confirming an open door from the Lord, e.g. Acts 10:9-48, Acts 16:6-10.
How to handle visions?
1. Record it down, act on it, and make it known (if the Lord says so), e.g. Habakkuk 2:2-3.
2. Conceal it until the time is right to release/declare it, e.g. Matthew 17:1-9.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
The ministry of angels
Matthew 4:11 (NKJV): Then the devil left Him (Jesus), and behold, angels came and ministered to (KJV: unto) Him.
The word 'angels' here in Greek is 'aggelos', meaning 'messengers that bring tidings', from the word 'aggello', which is made up of two words, i.e. 'ago' meaning 'to bring, to carry, to open the way', and 'agele' meaning 'a herd, a group, a drove'. Notice the plurality of the word 'angels' in Matthew 4:11.
The word 'ministered' here in Greek is 'diakoneo', which means 'to attend to (one's needs), to wait on (like a waiter) as a host or friend, or to serve'. This word 'diakoneo' is from the word 'diakonos' in Greek, where the English word 'deacon' comes from. In other words, angels are spiritual 'deacons' who are here to attend to you, waiting on you as a host or friend, and serving you!
And just as they ministered to Jesus in Matthew 4:11, they are also here to minister to you too! Even now, while I'm writing this article, I believe angels are also here ministering together with me, and while you are currently reading this article, angels are around you too, attending to you! Your natural eyes may not see them, but that doesn't mean they do not exist, or are never at work for you. Of course, there are also times God can open one's eyes to even see angels as they are!
In actual fact, you might even have seen an angel before, without even knowing or realizing it! This happened to a friend of mine who is a minister of God today. Many years ago, early one morning, he had a dream, and in the dream, he saw a bright light shining on him. He then heard a voice telling him that a 'boy' would come knocking at the door and hand him a 'book'. He was to read and believe in that 'book'. The voice also said "all the words written in it are true!" True enough, he woke up from the dream to hear a knock on the door at the entrance of his home. When he opened the door, he saw a 'boy' with a 'book' (just as the voice had said) who then handed him the 'book' before briskly walking away. As he began to read the 'book' (which he later found out to be the Holy Bible), he was so convicted by the Holy Spirit he gave his life to Jesus as his Lord and Savior on that very day! Not bad for someone who used to oppose Christianity for many years! Not long after that, he also answered the call to serve the Lord full-time. Now, the amazing thing was he told me he knew everybody in his village at that time, but yet he had never seen that particular 'boy' before, nor had he seen that 'boy' ever since that 'encounter'! Could that 'boy' be an angel? I believe so.
Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV) says, 'Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?' Who are those 'who will inherit salvation'? You and me! Also, know that angels are here not just to minister to you, they are also here to minister for you!
Psalm 91:10-12 (NKJV) says, 'No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their (angels') hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone'.
The word 'angels' here in Hebrew is 'malak', which literally means 'to despatch as a deputy'. As you seek the Lord (i.e. 'connect' with Him) and look to Him (Psalm 34:4-10), He is the One activating and releasing His angels to serve you!
Interestingly, the word 'charge' here (Psalm 91:11) in Hebrew means 'appoint, enjoin, put/set things in order'. You know what? Angels are appointed by God not just for you (or to serve you), but they are also appointed by God to 'join with you' in whatever you are facing in life right now!
Not only that, they are also appointed by God to 'help you put/set things in order' in any area of your life! Hallelujah! God is good, and He alone deserves all our praise and worship. Amen!
The word 'angels' here in Greek is 'aggelos', meaning 'messengers that bring tidings', from the word 'aggello', which is made up of two words, i.e. 'ago' meaning 'to bring, to carry, to open the way', and 'agele' meaning 'a herd, a group, a drove'. Notice the plurality of the word 'angels' in Matthew 4:11.
The word 'ministered' here in Greek is 'diakoneo', which means 'to attend to (one's needs), to wait on (like a waiter) as a host or friend, or to serve'. This word 'diakoneo' is from the word 'diakonos' in Greek, where the English word 'deacon' comes from. In other words, angels are spiritual 'deacons' who are here to attend to you, waiting on you as a host or friend, and serving you!
And just as they ministered to Jesus in Matthew 4:11, they are also here to minister to you too! Even now, while I'm writing this article, I believe angels are also here ministering together with me, and while you are currently reading this article, angels are around you too, attending to you! Your natural eyes may not see them, but that doesn't mean they do not exist, or are never at work for you. Of course, there are also times God can open one's eyes to even see angels as they are!
In actual fact, you might even have seen an angel before, without even knowing or realizing it! This happened to a friend of mine who is a minister of God today. Many years ago, early one morning, he had a dream, and in the dream, he saw a bright light shining on him. He then heard a voice telling him that a 'boy' would come knocking at the door and hand him a 'book'. He was to read and believe in that 'book'. The voice also said "all the words written in it are true!" True enough, he woke up from the dream to hear a knock on the door at the entrance of his home. When he opened the door, he saw a 'boy' with a 'book' (just as the voice had said) who then handed him the 'book' before briskly walking away. As he began to read the 'book' (which he later found out to be the Holy Bible), he was so convicted by the Holy Spirit he gave his life to Jesus as his Lord and Savior on that very day! Not bad for someone who used to oppose Christianity for many years! Not long after that, he also answered the call to serve the Lord full-time. Now, the amazing thing was he told me he knew everybody in his village at that time, but yet he had never seen that particular 'boy' before, nor had he seen that 'boy' ever since that 'encounter'! Could that 'boy' be an angel? I believe so.
Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV) says, 'Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?' Who are those 'who will inherit salvation'? You and me! Also, know that angels are here not just to minister to you, they are also here to minister for you!
Psalm 91:10-12 (NKJV) says, 'No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their (angels') hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone'.
The word 'angels' here in Hebrew is 'malak', which literally means 'to despatch as a deputy'. As you seek the Lord (i.e. 'connect' with Him) and look to Him (Psalm 34:4-10), He is the One activating and releasing His angels to serve you!
Interestingly, the word 'charge' here (Psalm 91:11) in Hebrew means 'appoint, enjoin, put/set things in order'. You know what? Angels are appointed by God not just for you (or to serve you), but they are also appointed by God to 'join with you' in whatever you are facing in life right now!
Not only that, they are also appointed by God to 'help you put/set things in order' in any area of your life! Hallelujah! God is good, and He alone deserves all our praise and worship. Amen!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Blessings are upon the head of the righteous!
Proverbs 10:6a (NKJV): Blessings are on (KJV: upon) the head of the righteous, ...
The word 'blessings' here is 'berakah' in Hebrew, which means 'prosperity, pool/well/reservoir (of water), freedom'. So, I can now paraphrase Proverbs 10:6a this way: 'Prosperity, pool/well/reservoir (of water), and freedom' are upon the head of the righteous'!
The word 'head' here is 'rosh' in Hebrew, meaning 'the principal thing, forefront, beginning, chief, first, top'. It is from the 'head' that blessings flow down to one's body, just as the anointing oil being poured on the head of Aaron the priest, flowing down to his beard, and then to his garments (Psalm 133:2). As a believer, you too are a priest today, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Not only that, you are also counted righteous through your faith in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:21-24). Therefore, blessings are yours to receive today! Why? Because Galatians 3:13-14 says Jesus has become a curse for you so that you have your blessing!
Proverbs 10:22 then says, 'The blessing ('berakah') of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it'. You know what it means? It means when the Lord bless you, He really bless you good! No sorrow attached! No 'shortchange' attached! No 'suffering' attached! And mind you, He makes you rich not just in finance, but also in every other way, in wisdom, favor, anointing, revelation, open doors, relationships, and even divine health. Amen! It means if you are blessed say, financially, your blessing need not come at the expense of compromising say, your family relationships or your health! Believing it, you'll have it!
The word 'berakah' (from the word 'barak', meaning 'bless, kneel') in Proverbs 10:6a also illustrates a pool (of water) or well (of water) in the desert at which camels kneel to drink, and as a resting place (i.e. a place of 'rest and refresh') in a journey. 'Camels' here speaks of you and me, and our walk with God. In fact, the alphabet 'Gimel' in Hebrew is a 'picture' of 'camel', which also speaks of your 'walk' on this earth. 'Desert' here speaks of us living in this 'fallen' world, because of Adam's sin. To 'kneel' is a sign of 'surrender' (& to humble) before Him, likened to the camel kneeling in order to drink at the well (of water).
The word 'berakah' can also mean 'blessing, praise'. In King Jehoshaphat's time, 'The Valley of Berakah' (or The Valley of Blessing) was also the place where he (and his people) assembled together to bless YHWH after the defeat of the Moabites, Ammonites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir (2 Chronicles 20:1-30). The enemy was so confused (as God's people were instructed to sing praises to the Lord) that they began to utterly destroy one another! (2 Chronicles 20:23) Jehoshaphat and his people then took three days just to carry the abundance of valuables and precious jewelry of the enemy, because there was so much (2 Chronicles 20:25), and therefore, the name of that place was called 'The Valley of Berakah' (2 Chronicles 20:26). Today, God is still the same to His people (Hebrews 13:8). The battle is still His, and not yours (2 Chronicles 20:15-17). In Him also, you have an abundance of every good thing (2 Chronicles 20:25). Amen!
Let Scripture interpret Scripture now. John 19:2 says, 'And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on Jesus' head, ...' Notice the word 'head' here? Again, Proverbs 10:6a says, 'Blessings are upon the head of the righteous'! You know what? Jesus wore the crown of thorns for you, so that you don't have to 'wear' it! In other words, He carried your curse on His head, so that you have your 'blessing'!
Note: 'Thorns' here speaks of 'curse because of man's sin'. Genesis 3:18 says, 'Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you (Adam)'.
In another cross-reference, Genesis 22:13 says, 'Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horn. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son (Isaac)'.
This is also a 'shadow' of Jesus Christ (represented by the 'ram') wearing the 'crown of thorns' (instead of you wearing it) before He went up to the cross as a 'burnt offering'.
Note: A 'horn' to a ram is like a 'crown' to a man. It is a sign of power and authority. Adam, the first man, lost his authority to satan, but Jesus regained this lost authority for you and me again.
Just as Jesus wore the 'crown of thorns' on His head, the ram also had his horn caught in the thicket (i.e. thick bushes or branches entwined). 'To be entwined' means 'to be twisted together or around'! This ram's horn 'caught in a thicket' therefore speaks of the crown of thorns twisted and put on Jesus' head! See Jesus in the Old Testament now? He is indeed in the Old Testament concealed, and in the New Testament revealed.
Therefore, beloved of God, know who you are in Christ today. Let not the devil 'entwine' you further, but instead let's take God at His Word! Eat of it! Drink from it! Like the camel 'kneeling' down and drinking from the well of water (i.e. blessings)! The Word of God says you are indeed a 'blessing magnet', because wherever you are and wherever you go, blessings are upon your head (Proverbs 10:6a), and therefore following you. Believing this, you'll receive. In Jesus' name. Amen!
The word 'blessings' here is 'berakah' in Hebrew, which means 'prosperity, pool/well/reservoir (of water), freedom'. So, I can now paraphrase Proverbs 10:6a this way: 'Prosperity, pool/well/reservoir (of water), and freedom' are upon the head of the righteous'!
The word 'head' here is 'rosh' in Hebrew, meaning 'the principal thing, forefront, beginning, chief, first, top'. It is from the 'head' that blessings flow down to one's body, just as the anointing oil being poured on the head of Aaron the priest, flowing down to his beard, and then to his garments (Psalm 133:2). As a believer, you too are a priest today, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Not only that, you are also counted righteous through your faith in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:21-24). Therefore, blessings are yours to receive today! Why? Because Galatians 3:13-14 says Jesus has become a curse for you so that you have your blessing!
Proverbs 10:22 then says, 'The blessing ('berakah') of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it'. You know what it means? It means when the Lord bless you, He really bless you good! No sorrow attached! No 'shortchange' attached! No 'suffering' attached! And mind you, He makes you rich not just in finance, but also in every other way, in wisdom, favor, anointing, revelation, open doors, relationships, and even divine health. Amen! It means if you are blessed say, financially, your blessing need not come at the expense of compromising say, your family relationships or your health! Believing it, you'll have it!
The word 'berakah' (from the word 'barak', meaning 'bless, kneel') in Proverbs 10:6a also illustrates a pool (of water) or well (of water) in the desert at which camels kneel to drink, and as a resting place (i.e. a place of 'rest and refresh') in a journey. 'Camels' here speaks of you and me, and our walk with God. In fact, the alphabet 'Gimel' in Hebrew is a 'picture' of 'camel', which also speaks of your 'walk' on this earth. 'Desert' here speaks of us living in this 'fallen' world, because of Adam's sin. To 'kneel' is a sign of 'surrender' (& to humble) before Him, likened to the camel kneeling in order to drink at the well (of water).
The word 'berakah' can also mean 'blessing, praise'. In King Jehoshaphat's time, 'The Valley of Berakah' (or The Valley of Blessing) was also the place where he (and his people) assembled together to bless YHWH after the defeat of the Moabites, Ammonites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir (2 Chronicles 20:1-30). The enemy was so confused (as God's people were instructed to sing praises to the Lord) that they began to utterly destroy one another! (2 Chronicles 20:23) Jehoshaphat and his people then took three days just to carry the abundance of valuables and precious jewelry of the enemy, because there was so much (2 Chronicles 20:25), and therefore, the name of that place was called 'The Valley of Berakah' (2 Chronicles 20:26). Today, God is still the same to His people (Hebrews 13:8). The battle is still His, and not yours (2 Chronicles 20:15-17). In Him also, you have an abundance of every good thing (2 Chronicles 20:25). Amen!
Let Scripture interpret Scripture now. John 19:2 says, 'And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on Jesus' head, ...' Notice the word 'head' here? Again, Proverbs 10:6a says, 'Blessings are upon the head of the righteous'! You know what? Jesus wore the crown of thorns for you, so that you don't have to 'wear' it! In other words, He carried your curse on His head, so that you have your 'blessing'!
Note: 'Thorns' here speaks of 'curse because of man's sin'. Genesis 3:18 says, 'Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you (Adam)'.
In another cross-reference, Genesis 22:13 says, 'Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horn. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son (Isaac)'.
This is also a 'shadow' of Jesus Christ (represented by the 'ram') wearing the 'crown of thorns' (instead of you wearing it) before He went up to the cross as a 'burnt offering'.
Note: A 'horn' to a ram is like a 'crown' to a man. It is a sign of power and authority. Adam, the first man, lost his authority to satan, but Jesus regained this lost authority for you and me again.
Just as Jesus wore the 'crown of thorns' on His head, the ram also had his horn caught in the thicket (i.e. thick bushes or branches entwined). 'To be entwined' means 'to be twisted together or around'! This ram's horn 'caught in a thicket' therefore speaks of the crown of thorns twisted and put on Jesus' head! See Jesus in the Old Testament now? He is indeed in the Old Testament concealed, and in the New Testament revealed.
Therefore, beloved of God, know who you are in Christ today. Let not the devil 'entwine' you further, but instead let's take God at His Word! Eat of it! Drink from it! Like the camel 'kneeling' down and drinking from the well of water (i.e. blessings)! The Word of God says you are indeed a 'blessing magnet', because wherever you are and wherever you go, blessings are upon your head (Proverbs 10:6a), and therefore following you. Believing this, you'll receive. In Jesus' name. Amen!
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