People of vision

(Pro 29:18 KJV) 18 Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.

Here in Proverbs, it tells us that where there is no vision, the people perish. The word “vision” here speaks of prophetic vision or revelation. This “vision” is a source of divine communication between God and man. It is by this type of vision that God gives His children a direction in which to press towards.

The writer also tells us, that where there is no vision, the people perish. When men have no revelation and no prophetic vision, they begin to do what is right in their own mind. They become vain in their imagination, and wicked in their actions. This is more than just a theory but a biblical principle that is laid out for us to see.

The Book of Judges

In the book of 1 Samuel 3:1 it says: (1Sa 3:1 KJV) 1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; [there was] no open vision.

Open Vision – to break open or break forth

We can examine the book of Judges to see what happens to the people when there is no vision that has broken forth.

Judges 17 – Micah’s idolatry

In Judges chapter 17, we read of Micah and his idolatry, who goes on to hire a Levite as his personal priest. We learn of the widespread of idolatry among the nation of Israel.

In verse 6, it says they had no king and did what was right in their own eyes. The people had become wicked and their priest had become corrupt with the ways of the pagans around them. Because of a lack of vision.

Chapter 18 – Dan steals idols

In Chapter 18, we see where the tribe of Dan sends out spies who steals the idols that Micah had created and convinced his Levite priest to join them instead saying “is it not better to be a priest over a tribe rather than a single man” which captivated the mans pride.

Chapter 19 – Levite and the concubine

In Chapter 19, we learn of the Levite and his concubine as they traveled in to Gibeah where they are taken in by an elder man of the city. But during their stay, the wicked men of the city desired to come in and have their way with the Levite priest.

But instead of sending out the priest, he sends out the concubine. Which if you continue reading chapter 19:25-30, the woman is abused until she laid dead and clinging to the threshold of the door. Her body was then divided and sent throughout all Israel.

Chapter 20-21 Civil war, Kidnapping, tribe of Benjamin

Finally, we read in chapters 20-21 about the civil war among the nation, the kidnapping of women from a festival in Shiloh, and the tribe of Benjamin being slaughtered almost to the point of extinction.

Where there is no vision

I want to tell you today, where there is no vision, the people will perish. There are so many things placed before our eyes, so many false narratives that we are told to believe. There are so many who claim to be of God, when, in reality, they have no vision, no revelation.

During all of these events we just read in the book of Judges, the children of Israel continued to pronounce the name of God over their actions. But their words were empty, they had heaped up for themselves preachers, prophets, and priest who would tickles their ears in order to justify their life without the word of God.

The Danger of no Vision

Oh, the danger of justifying ourselves by the standards of men, who do what is right in their own mind. Oh the dangers to a generation with no vision. It is terrifying To drift through life with no sense of direction. Oh the danger of making impulsive decisions based out of the heart, rather than waiting on the prophetic vision.

The World Today

It’s not hard today, to see that America is in a state of having no vision. I speak of America and not the world around us, because this is where you and I have been placed. It does not take much digging to find out about the wickedness in our own city.

But we do not serve a God who will forsake the righteous. He will not forsake those who have the vision, those who have the revelation for the Lord.

God turned them around

In the middle of all the wickedness of Israel, God brought judgment upon Israel. During this time there was a prophet named Samuel who God used to begin to turn the hearts of men back to God.

And in today’s time, God has placed you and I here for such a time as this. We are not here by mistake, and we have a vision to share, a revelation to those who are blind.

Purpose of the “Vision”

(Hab 2:2-3 KJV) 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

The fact that we have a bible is a miracle in itself. But even more amazing is that the word of God is made alive to us by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Our Bible cast visions

Our Bible cast many visions but all with the same purpose, to glorify God.

When we read in Philippians 2: “Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” That is a vision from the word of God.

When we read Psalms 37: “yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” That is a vision.

Written that you may run

These things were written according to Habakkuk that you and I may be able to run. We are the people of vision. And if the even of those who have no vision is that they shall parish… the end of those who have vision will endure.

So, what is the vision that God has broken forth for our generation, for our day?

Today’s vision of the wicked

God has given to use both sides of the vision. He has given us the vision for those who endure and those who perish.

We read in 2 Timothy 3:1 of perilous times that will come. We are told that men in the last days will be blasphemers, unholy, traitors, lovers of pleasure. The bible all so speaks of a falling away in the book of 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

2 Peter 3:3 tells us of scoffers and men who would walk after their own lust. We read of those who would mock us saying “Where is the promise of his coming?”

We already know and see most of these things in our day because we are not left in the darkness, but we have the light, we have the vision. But if this is the only vision we see, we would be lacking the full revelation of God visions towards us today.

While all of these verses include the phrase “in the last days” we can see that we are in the last days. We can see with our own eyes all of the bad, all the turmoil, and the sin that is surrounding us. But don’t lose out on the fullness of the vision, don’t let your natural vision deceive your spiritual eyes.

It is written

For it is also written: (Act 2:16-18 KJV) 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

“I will pour out” compared to the drops that had fallen in the past

“upon all flesh” compared to what once was only to Israel

sons … daughters … young men … old men … servants … handmaidens—without distinction of sex, age, or rank.

If you wish to trust in your own understanding, if you want to hand on to one vision and let the other go, I can’t stop you.

But today I am going to lean on the one whose ways are above mine, I’m going to lean on the one who’s thoughts are not my thought.

Today we ought to choose to believe the report of the Lord that says, “In the last days I WILL”. We must stand among this wicked generation and declare the vision that has broken forth to us.

There is Hope – There is peace – there is freedom – there is deliverance – there is salvation – there is a promise that God will “pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh”.

Holy Ghost was first poured out during a wicked generation

*Do not let the times discourage you!

Don’t forget that the Holy Ghost was poured out during a generation that not only killed the savior of the world but they crucified him and lifted him up to be mocked by all spectators. But it was all for the sake of the vision for Jesus said, “if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me!”

(Rev 19:10 KJV) 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.