“And Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven’ “ (Matthew 16:17)

“Flesh and blood” can only see what is evidenced by visual sight or mental descriptions given by someone else.  Those who only see Jesus as a man, whom history records that He lived and died, do not really know Him.  The Holy Spirit is the “revealer” of who Jesus really is—the Son of God and our Savior.  Until that revelation is given to us as the Spirit draws us to the Father, Jesus will not be to us what He came to earth to be.

Once that revelation has touched our spirit, we have to make a definitive decision.  We can’t just shrug it off and make it go away. 

Rejection of the revelation of Jesus Christ breeds rebellion.  The contemporaries of Jesus who rejected Him sought to discredit Him.  When they couldn’t do that, they sought to kill him.  Jesus said of the cities that would not accept Him “…it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you” (Matthew 11:22).  No one can be indifferent toward Jesus.  They must accept Him or reject Him.

Saul of Tarsus tried to eliminate “The Way” through persecution of the followers of Jesus, even causing them to be murdered.  He wasn’t big enough for that task!  He was fighting God!  When he had his own personal revelation of Jesus on the Damascus Road, the fight went out of him; and he turned all that energy and enthusiasm toward spreading the gospel of Jesus for the rest of his life.  At that encounter, he lost his sight for three days, but he saw Jesus in His glory.  Revelation of Jesus is a life changing experience.

Acceptance or rejection is totally our decision with eternal consequences.  As a matter of fact, it is a now (in this life) or never (after this life) situation.  There will be no second chances after we leave here.  Don’t be misled to think you can alter your decision when you leave this world.  It is settled now, in this life; and the decision is final.

What awaits those who accept the revelation of Jesus is just vaguely understood now.  But what we know about it is too glorious to risk missing.  The day will come when we will see clearly and have perfect understanding and with our glorified bodies be able to receive what God has in store for us.

“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).  “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:4).

Peter knew that there would be trying times for those who believed in Christ, but he also knew the rewards would be far superior to any trials they might have to face.

“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13).

Stephen knew what it was to suffer for the Jesus-cause; it cost him his life.  As the stones fell on his body, beating out his life, he saw Jesus, proof that Jesus' promise of "I'll never leave you" was true and reliable.

"But he being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55)

It is a mistake to think that we will escape trials when we live for Jesus, but not living for Him won’t make them disappear.  We all face problems and troubles.  The difference is that Christians have the indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost to carry them through the bad times with the joy of the Lord intact; the unbelievers have to go through the trials without that help, feeling depressed, discouraged, hopeless.

The initial revelation of who Jesus is, is only the first lap in the race.  Full revelation will always be just out of reach in our race on this earth, but we continually stretch ourselves to learn more about Him.  Our knowledge of Him is always increasing, inspired by the Holy Ghost.  The more we learn of our Lord, the greater is our capacity to learn of Him.  We will never discover all there is to know, but every revelation we receive widens the capacity for learning more.

There is an insatiable hunger in the heart of the committed child of God to know more and more about this Savior who gave His life for us and is preparing a place for us in His kingdom.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

We long to “see Him as He is” as we enter into closer fellowship with Him, and the time will come when the revelation will be complete.

We “are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5).

No man hath seen God at any time.  If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us"  (1 John 4:12).

Yes, that day will come when “We shall see Him as He is” and the revelation of who Jesus is will be complete, perfected.

What a revelation that will be!

~~Delores~~

This is a “companion” article to “I SEE” published January 2012 at Rev. James Lewis’ website, Hand in Hand Ministry.

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