FROM BLINDNESS TO A CONQUERING VISION

The weapons of a “man of God” are not carnal, but spiritual. Elisha was able through his wonderful spiritual insight to save the king of Israel, “not once nor twice” from the trap set for him by the king of Syria (vv. 9, 10). They go to spy the prophet out, and come back, saying, “Behold he is in Dothan.” Therefore a great host is sent by night to compass the city and capture the man of vision. This praying man is a mightier obstacle to the king of Syria than the army of Israel. Oh, what power lies within the reach of that one who is in favourable contact with God! Elisha was a man whose eyes God had opened to see invisible things, but he had a servant who was spiritually blind. A “young man” (v. 17) who had just lately come into office after the deceitful Gehazi had gone out a leper. There are some lessons of vital importance here. We may learn that—

I. THERE ARE UNSEEN REALITIES

1 John 4:4 “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

We walk past life without looking at the details. Many a times we make mistakes in our lives unknowingly, but the signs were always in front of us. For some of us seeing is believing. This raises questions in our minds. The most fundamental questions also of life create doubt. ex: Did God create human beings or was it evolution? A lot of Christians turn to atheism because they do not see for themselves physically what is written in the Bible. But do not be fooled because there is a reality that is unseen. The unseen reality is very real. There are unseen forces working for and against.

The king of Syria (ben-hadad), was planning on attacking Israel, this was a scheme, a plan, in the unseen. But with the help of Prophet Elisha, king Jehoram was able to see the secret purpose of the enemy and was able to anticipate and defeat the attacks of Syria. The frequency of his disappointments having led the Syrian king to suspect some of his servants of carrying on a treacherous correspondence with the enemy, he was informed about Elisha, whose apprehension he forthwith determined to effect. This resolution was, of course, grounded on the belief that however great the knowledge of Elisha might be, if seized and kept a prisoner, he could no longer give information to the king of Israel. Imagine the level of frustration for the enemy as every attempt is thwarted. Imagine how satan would be dissappointed with his plans and schemes.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 234.

Elisha said, “They that be with us are more than they that be with them” (v. 16). This man of God lived by faith and endured, like Moses, as seeing the forces that are invisible. We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen and eternal. To have this vision that discerns spiritual things is to be saved from the fear of man, and to be always confident of victory in the Name of God. “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” ). These spiritual things are not created by faith, but revealed to faith, as light does any earthly object. Did not our Lord believe that there were more than twelve legions of angels ready at His bidding to defend Him? (Matthew 26:53“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?”

II. SOME ARE BLIND TO THESE REALITIES

1 Corinthians 2:14“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

When we are blind to the unseen realities, we become hopeless because, we can only see whats in front of us. We see a mountain, we see a divorce, we see failure, we see furstration, we see misunderstandings, we see addiction, we see defeat, we see depression, we see heartbreak. There are so many issues we are facing today but are blind to the unseen realm that is working against us. We must not forget that that there are unseen forces of divine nature who are holding the line for us as well. Our eyes are not annointed. Thats about it. Just like Elisha’s servant. (Matthew 26:53“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” ) Just because we are blind let us not think that God’s army isnt standing protecting us.

2 Kings 19:35 “And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.”

When Elisha’s servant saw that host of Syrians compassing the city he said, “Alas, master! how shall we do?” (v. 15). Like the unbelieving spies, this young man could only see with those carnal unanointed eyes which can never see God’s way of deliverance. The heavenly host was also there, but the servant had no eyes to see it. To him their condition was hopeless. (1 Corinthians 2:14“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” ) Spiritual blindness, if it does not lead to fear and despair, will certainly lead to pride and self-confidence. “How shall we do?” Shall we surrender to these forces of evil that are round about us, or shall we make a desperate effort to escape? Shall we allow ourselves to become captive to the power of this world, or shall we fight them in our own strength? Uttered or unuttered, this is all the salvation that the unenlightened know. WE NEED A CONQUERING VISION TODAY. WE CANNOT REMAIN IN HAVING A BLIND VISION OF DEFEAT.

III. THE LORD ALONE CAN GIVE THIS CONQUERING VISION

“Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes that he may see” v.17

“Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes that he may see” (v. 17). Elisha did not argue with his servant; he knew that spiritual things could only be seen through spiritual eyes. “Things which eye saw not … God hath revealed unto us through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:10“these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”) Secret things belong to God Those hidden treasures of spiritual strength—mountain full of horses and chariots of fire—can only be seen and trusted by those who have received the holy eye-salve of Him who has all power in Heaven and on earth (Revelation 3:18 “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” No amount of learning or scholarship will ever be able to do the work of this eye-salve, which is the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that quickeneth.

“Elisha prayed, and said: Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes.” How confidently that man can pray who lives and moves with opened eyes, as in the presence of God, and among the realities of eternity. It is easy for the man of God to pray the prayer of faith (James 5:17 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.” Blessed is that servant who has such a Master. Is it not your heavenly Master’s will that your eyes should be so opened that you might see clearly those unfailing forces that are for you, that you might be more than conquerors? To pray a servant’s eyes open, that he may see that cloud of witnesses, with which he also is compassed about, is to bring him into newness of life. If this is “the second blessing” it is a great one.

In Kentucky there is a great deep cave which stretches away for several miles under ground, and is inhabited by blind fishes. In loving the darkness rather than the light these poor fishes have lost the power of sight. Eyes they have, but they see not. Man’s love for the darkness of sin deprives him of all spiritual vision. He is in darkness until now. In loving the darkness the power of sight is lost. It would not be enough that light should shine into that cavern of darkness; those benighted fishes must have their power of vision born again if the light is to be enjoyed. The light of the Gospel has come, but without the eye-opening power of the Holy Spirit that is not sufficient to save from the darkness of death. “It is the Spirit that quickeneth” (John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” )

IV. OPEN OUR EYES TO THE CONQUERING VISION

BEHOLD! GOD’S ARMY

“The Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” Before he could only see the enemy round about the city. The host of God was there, not to preserve the city, but the man of faith. Ye are the salt of the earth. What a revelation this was to that young man trembling with fear, and what a cure it would be for all his doubts and alarms! He could now truly say, “God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid” (Isa. 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”) This great saving vision now centres round the Cross of Christ. It is there on Mount Calvary, the opened eyes can see the hell-conquering chariots of God’s mercy, grace, and power. This is the vision that delivers from the fear of death and the fear of man, that brings peace and rest to the soul, that inspires to praise and service, and with the hope of eternal victory. “Believe, and thou shalt see!”

“The Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” Before he could only see the enemy round about the city. The host of God was there, not to preserve the city, but the man of faith. Ye are the salt of the earth. What a revelation this was to that young man trembling with fear, and what a cure it would be for all his doubts and alarms! He could now truly say, “God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”) This great saving vision now centres round the Cross of Christ. It is there on Mount Calvary, the opened eyes can see the hell-conquering chariots of God’s mercy, grace, and power. This is the vision that delivers from the fear of death and the fear of man, that brings peace and rest to the soul, that inspires to praise and service, and with the hope of eternal victory. “Believe, and thou shalt see!”