“We
fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is
temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).
Growing
up in the modern world, we are taught that the physical world is all that
exists. If something cannot be scientifically observed, it is not real.
However, is that the case? Consider, for example, what did scientists know for
centuries about diseases?
For
thousands of years, scientists and doctors did not even realize that diseases
existed. This was particularly the case at the Vienna General Hospital. There
18% of the pregnant women who came to the hospital for labor died. This problem
was solved once the hospital staff realized the necessity of washing hands
between patients. Even still, some refused to believe it since they couldn’t
see it. However, the bottom line is this, just because one might struggle to
observe something, does not mean it fails to exist.
The
Bible speaks of things which for many of us seem incomprehensible. Talk of
angels, demons, and the whole supernatural realm might seem more like a fairy
tale to some of us than reality. Which is exactly how many viewed the idea of
diseases at the Vienna General Hospital. Therefore, many people still ended up
dying as a result of someone refusing to believe even after the evidence was
presented to them.
Over
the next several months we are going to examine the existence of angels,
demons, Satan, and the spiritual reality in general. It is my prayer that this
section opens your eyes to the truth while answering some of the questions
which you might have about the spiritual world we live in. Our journey begins
with something commonly called “The Matrix.”
The
idea of “The Matrix” was popularized by a movie entitled by that name. In it,
the main character “Neil” realizes that something is wrong with the world as he
knows it, but he can’t quite put his finger on it. Ultimately, Neil believes
that there is more to life than what he can see. Eventually, Neil meets a man
who knows the truth and offers Neil the possibility of finding out what the
real world actually is. However, this creates a dilemma. Neil must choose
between going back to life as he knows it, or come to terms with reality. If he
chooses to find out the truth his life will never be the same again.
What would you do if you were in Neil’s
shoes? Would you go back to being blinded by the status quo which you have
always known, what is familiar to you? Or would you choose to know the truth
and turn your world upside down?
Before
answering, there is something which you must realize. The choice is not some
Hollywood drama but, is the reality of the world which you and I live in. And
it is a choice you HAVE to make before you leave this world. You do not have
the option to walk away from this decision. You must choose…Red (the existence
of a spiritual realm) or blue (blindness, aka life as you know it)… which is it
going to be?
Congratulations!
You have made your choice. Life as you know it will change as you study along
with me the truth of the spiritual reality of our universe. Scripture tells us
that Satan has blinded the minds of those who CHOOSE not to believe/follow the
truth; thus proving the reality of a real-life matrix.
Scripture
encourages us to focus not on what is seen (temporal), but on what is unseen
(eternal) (2 Cor. 4:18). So how do we do that? How is it possible for us to see
into a realm in which we have never been able to observe?
There
are two steps necessary to observe the spiritual realm, the first step is to
actively seek the Lord with a sincere heart (Jer. 29:13). We do not understand
all of how it works. But we simply ask the Lord to reveal Himself and the
spiritual reality to us. When we sincerely do this, God has a way of revealing
truth to us—through His Word/the Bible, through nature, other Christians,
circumstances, and the Holy Spirit’s leading.
The
second step is to open our eyes to the spiritual reality starts by placing our
faith in Jesus. When we do this He enables us to see (John 9:25-41). Prior to
this, Scripture plainly teaches that it is impossible for us to see the
spiritual realm clearly (1 Cor. 2:14), since Satan has blinded our minds without
us even knowing it (2 Cor. 4:4). For those of us who are already following
Jesus yet struggle to see the spiritual reality, we simply must pray, Lord I
believe, help me in my unbelief (Mark 9:24).
Therefore,
I want to encourage you to join me as we examine with an open mind the truth of
the Matrix.
Because
of God’s love,
Matt
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