God's Revelation - Part 2 - Allowing new conceptions of Christ

(Part 1 here)

Part 2: a recap of what I garnered in Session 1/2 of Beth Moore study, Here and Now...There and Then... A Lecture series on Revelation.

One of the most interesting observations that Beth made about John was that "he had a history of allowing his former conceptions of Christ to be altered". Some of these conceptions included:
1. Day-to-day encounters with Jesus as his disciple, talking, eating...etc...routine stuff.
-His humanity.
2. "Who-is-this" moments. (Like when he saw Him walking on the water, commanding the storm to subside and it obeyed! A glimpse of the supernatural.)
His authority.
3. A moment of transfiguration. John knew then Jesus was God!
-His Divinity.
4. Seeing His suffering up close. He was the only disciple to come back and join Mary at the foot of the Cross.
-His suffering.
5. The sight of glorification in his vision here in Rev.1. John fell at Christ's feet as if dead. ( The OT Israelites knew that you could not 'see' the Most Holy God and live.)
-His true image.

Beth concludes, "We also need to allow our former conceptions of Christ to be altered," adding that we need to become people that God reveals Himself to, each uniquely suited to His purposes. For example, Beth said that God reveals Himself in dreams and visions to many people especially in the East and Meditteranean. But if He did reveal Himself like that to her, she would close her Bible and just spend time talking about that 'dream'. Instead, He continually shows up in her study of His Word.

How does He show up to you?

I totally 'grasp' this, for it is something that at times is 'forced' upon you when the unthinkable happens in your life, something inconsistent with your former theology (knowledge of God). And the more it happens, the more you realize that God can never be 'grasped' in His infinity. He allows us new revelations of Himself as we love Him by obeying His commands, and they are always 'holy moments', like that of Rosalind Goforth in my last post, where she suddenly received a new vision of Jesus, the indwelling Christ, the secret of victorious living: "And God showed up..."the sun suddenly seemed to come from under a cloud and flood my soul with light...I saw as in a flash the secret of victory. It was just Jesus Christ Himself!"

One blogging friend constantly reveals God's revelation to her. Whenever I read her posts, the "truth" resonates with His Spirit in me. I invite you to pop by Lidj's blog and read her archives and her determination to crucify the flesh in her daily life. Or pop by Amrita's blog. Her daily living is one of continual sacrifice of the flesh from the time she wakes up to when she lies down. Yet this woman lives in victory. God has used their 'holy moments' to bless readers from around the world.


Sometimes the "who-is-this" moment comes in a time of unexpected devastation. I've had this. When the unthinkable happened, something deep within me trembled, and I looked to heaven, "God, for You to allow this to happen, You must want to teach me. Teach me, Lord." 

Then followed the period in my life that became the unshakeable foundation through all circumstances thereafter, marked by intimacy with my Heavenly Father like I have never had. A time when I fell completely in love with my Lord as I discovered that He was the Man, the Only Man, who could love me with a love that satisfies. Fully God and man. So when I met my husband later on, I did not demand of him what only God could give. Here is a conversation I wrote to Him at that time as a university student:

An Adventure Into You.

The journey begins….

As I come to meet You every day,

I want to sit and look straight into

Your eyes…

As I would ..

With someone that I wish to know

As I would ..

With someone I am attracted to,

As I would..

With someone from whom I can learn.

I want to travel into those fathomless depths

That your eyes mirror..

Like waters, deep and mysterious

Strong, calm, and peaceful with

Undercurrents so powerful, yet so controlled.

I have heard that in You

"are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge"

This I seek to unravel..to discover..to unlock..

For I have heard that You willingly share

With those who would only take the time to listen.

"This is what the Lord says.. call to Me and

I will answer you and tell you

Great and unsearchable things you do not know.."

You have drawn a clear treasure map..

But I see the enemy lurking like a lion,

Seeking whom he may devour.

Momentarily distracted, I focus on obstacles the enemy set.

Larger and larger they loom

As my heart sinks in despair.

In desperation I cry out Your Name,

"Help me to turn and

Keep my eyes on You,

So that "the things of this earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of Your glory and grace."

As our stares lock into each other,

I feel my mind and spirit

Becoming in tune with Yours..

What an enriching emotion!

I realize that my insight and understanding of

Your words to me are growing, deepening..

How it illumines a dull and dark mind!

How it refreshes a dry and thirsty soul!

Oh, what a marvelous relationship

This is turning out to be.

You are Friend and Teacher.

But…

There is something else….Your eyes!

They seem to be piercing right through me..

Right through my heart..my soul..

The deepest and darkest corners

Covered in cobwebs and "filthy rags".

I am being exposed.

Shame and horror fill me

As You root out and expose the true intent,

The unholy and stained heart.

I look away.

Is there any place that I can hide?

You are the Holy God, the Righteous Judge.

Suddenly, Your Presence overwhelms me.

Bowed in shame, I mutter..then cry out!

"Cleanse my heart, O God!"

"Hide your face from my sins and blot out my iniquity"

Time goes by so slowly

As the painful, humbling process of purification goes on..

My heart grows oh so tender

And my unworthiness before you grows.

Suddenly, the atmosphere changes,

I feel compelled to look up

As Your warmth envelops me.

I look up and straight into Your eyes,

Now brimming over with mercy,

Compassion, love and sweet forgiveness.

Oh, thank You!

My heart overflows with gratitude and praise..

You are my Saviour.

I do believe that I am falling in love.

Oh, to become worthy of Your love,

A fitting bride I want to be!

You are my Bridegroom!

What is that ?

"While you were yet a sinner,

I loved you…I died for you..

Nothing you do or say could add or subtract from

My perfect love for you."

Do you know what?

Tomorrow, I look forward to meeting You again.

There is so much to learn,

So much to be transformed

by the renewing of the mind.

How I long to gaze upon your Beauty,

Yet once again.

Thank you, Jesus.

The time has been precious.

Lovingly Yours,

Sita

*(All Scripture used is taken from The Holy Bible, NIV Version unless otherwise noted.)

So I go on, looking forward to new revelations from God.

Join me, will you?