The Divine Perspective
By Dr. C.R. Oliver
Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”‘ Jeremiah 33:1-3
The prophet viewed everything through the eyes of the Lord God, not determining his reality by his surroundings or his circumstances or his times. Jeremiah was not blinded by the opinions of others, the ruling courts of his day or his rejection by the established clergy. He had been to God’s Holy Mountain and knew things are “not as they seem.” Not trusting his own reason or guiding his own pathway, he sought wisdom from only one source. Deep within him burned the fire of God and part of his being was the Word ingested. Self-evident was the truth of his declaration, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
My God, that is what we must have in these days!
Let us cease swapping the external for the eternal, thus making our determinations based on cultural, economic or social considerations. The Kingdom is larger than our play area. Buried deep in history are landmarks set there for our understanding, tracing how our limitless God is equipping a limitless people. If the mountain before us is not a holy one, He commands to move it.
Religious malfeasance is an odious substance in the effluence of modern thought. The world seeks to ignore, reject or slough expressions of Divine Perspective, as does the modern church. “Thus saith the Lord” has been replaced with homilies from passive pundits. Lost are the missiles of fire taken from coals off the altar in the Temple of the Most High. God’s perspective is what is important, and it demands a “coming up here,” rather than “staying down there” in order to have it.
Ephesians 2:5-7
(He)… made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
It is in this “seating together,” we learn to see as He sees, hear as He hears. Sitting with Him hones our compassion into the white heat of One who will ride the white horse. While handling “heavenly matters,” we comprehend the true issues of life. No, we do not abandon cultural, educational and social influences. No, we remain aware of status and economic stratification, but we see such through the eyes of Divine perspective.
Take Moses as an example of the change in perspective that comes from being with God.
Exodus 3:1-6
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, ‘I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.’4 So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’
And he said, ‘Here I am.’
5 Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’ 6 Moreover He said, ‘I am the God of your father – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
Moses did not stumble onto the mountain; it was appointed by God for that time. Perhaps this is why the Almighty continually draws His people to the mountain of God and speaks with them from that advantage. Perhaps when Moses climbed the rocky slope of Mt. Horeb as a fugitive and lowly herdsman, he had no idea that he would descend a savior and a “sent one.” He embraced the Divine Perspective. So must we!
Oh saint of the Most High, come to the mountain of God and get a fresh view! (However, one must be brought out of Egypt first.)
Exodus 3:12
‘When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.’
Moses camped on that mountain.
Separated from the influence of Egypt, alone with the Most High, he established a citadel of power within himself. God could there do things in Him and for Him that forever would stamp his name in history. (His meekness came from assurances found on the mountain.)
Exodus 18:5-6
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was encamped at the mountain of God. 6 Now he had said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”
We must camp on the mountain of God in order to re-establish our families. Oh church, there is no running between the world and the mountain of God.
Exodus 19:3-4
3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:’Exodus 19:16-20
16 Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. 20 Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.Exodus 24:18-25:1
So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Oh preachers, get up to the mountain of God now. Learn his “point of view.” Seek His Divine perspective and only then come down to your people. Then you will lift your people to a higher level of consideration. There is little challenge in valley thinking. Your congregation may tremble at your words, but that is better than fruitless tears and cowardly timidity. Thundering and Lightening are not the trappings of modern clergy, neither is a clear Word from the Lord.
God is calling us to the mountain of Holiness to garner a fresh perspective for the last days. Don’t fear the mountain!
Moses was eventually drawn to two different mountains to see two great revelations. He received his discharge papers on one mountain and was summoned to witness the power of Jesus on another one, called the mount of Transfiguration.
The mount of Transfiguration afforded the contrast between the world’s perspective and the high perspective of God. While the three chosen disciples were being introduced to a life transforming view, the balance of the disciples were struggling with the vicissitudes of the valley. (This was due to a child they could not cure. It took the God perspective to do the job.)
The transforming mountain forever changes the valley view.
Deuteronomy 32:48-52
Then the LORD spoke to Moses that very same day, saying: 49 “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, across from Jericho; view the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel as a possession; 50 and die on the mountain which you ascend, and be gathered to your people, just as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people; 51 because you trespassed against Me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin, because you did not hallow Me in the midst of the children of Israel. 52 Yet you shall see the land before you, though you shall not go there, into the land which I am giving to the children of Israel.
Don’t fear when God calls you to His mountain; beware when satan tries to direct you to his.
Satan sought to tempt the Son of God by bringing Him to a high mountain in order to acquaint Jesus with his perspective. Jesus rejected satan’s mountain and his premises. (Review the following passage and realize that every person on earth faces these same two mountains and their variant perspectives.)
Matthew 4:8-11
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'”
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
George Beverly Shea’s song, “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I’d rather have Jesus than riches untold, I’d rather have Jesus than anything, this world affords today,” cannot be sung in modern religious circles truthfully. It has been replaced by the siren songs of demons and the drum beat of devils.
God always has a mountain with His different perspective.
Often Jesus retired to that mountain to pray, to renew the God-Perspective within Himself and to “call unto Him (Jer. 33:3).” Mountains, however, are not required for such activity. Nevertheless, congregations today are bereft of the “God-perspective.” Surrounded by nagging continuums, the bombardment of media and the pressure of modern living, they often depend on Sunday messages and pulpit pulchritude to define FOR them that which can only can be obtained by personally showing up on the Mountain of Holiness.
Matthew 14:23
23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.
C.G. Bevington said it often took many days to silence the voices, so he could get God’s “point of view.” (Bevington, C.G., “Remarkable Miracles.”)
Flowing out of those “alone times with God,” Jesus delivered what has been deemed the greatest sermon ever preached, “The Sermon on the Mount.”
Matthew 5:1-3
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’
Oh! to hear a message flowing out of pulpits and broadcasts that was birthed in heaven and brought like fresh manna to the masses. He, who is the bread of life, longs to be the sustenance of souls. His provisions come from the heavenly store! (True prophecy from that store is the testimony of Jesus! True preaching relies on that store; effective praying comes from the strength gained from that store.)
Get to the mountain before there comes a cry for the rocks!
Hebrews 12:18-25
For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20(For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel….
25 Hear the Heavenly Voice
See that you do not refuse Him who speaks.
Though God retreated from the presence of Eli’s lying horde and when He abandoned the Temple in Jerusalem (according to Ezekiel), He did not distance Himself without being within reach. Though He traversed with His Presence to Mt. Hermon during the whoredoms of the Temple clergy, now He stands on Mt. T’Sion in the New Jerusalem and beckons us to His perspective.
NT:4622 Sion (see-own’); of Hebrew origin [OT:6726]; Sion (i.e. Tsijon), a hill of Jerusalem; figuratively, the Church (militant or triumphant):
Notice please the difference between Zion and T’Sion. Oh, there is a vast difference to be sure. One places the Temple mount at the center of interest, while the other places the heavenly prospect at the forefront. We are gathered to Mt. T’Sion. Those who worship the earthly Zion had best take notice. T’Sion is the greater place for gathering.
Notice the elements of this gathering:
- City of the living God-the heavenly Jerusalem
- Innumerable company of Angels (so many one can’t count them)
- The general assembly
- (Standing in the midst of all of the saints past and present)
- The Firstborn and registered
- To God, the Judge OF ALL
- To the spirits of just (righteous) men made perfect (completed)
- To Jesus, the Mediator of a better covenant and to His blood
The world cannot dismiss this scene as irrelevant. The most relevant perspective of our time and eternity is found here. (Away with the petty concerns of earth, I embrace the true reality.)
Recently, an evangelist assailed the clergy by saying, “Never in my lifetime have I encountered so many ‘proud’ preachers. Proud of their accomplishments, they regale in their numbers and the size of their congregations.” Alas, from the heavenly perspective of Hebrews they are the ones who are irrelevant! (That same preacher also said he never encountered as many “limp wristed sissy preachers” in his life.)
Revelation 14:1-5
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Let us view from a different vantage point. Let us hear from His voice. Let us gather a perspective so solidifying it becomes the foundation for our fellowship. May we spend time in the secret place of the Most High. May we view things as He does and call forth those things that reflect His will. May we never stop repeating, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” May we climb the Mountain of God and stay there until we hear, “You have dwelled long enough in this mountain.” Then let us burst onto this holocaust of hell (called modern society) while marching around their walled Jerichos and watch their walls fall. Let us meet the enemies of God with the Sword of Gideon and the recalcitrance of Joshua. Immutable, irrefutable truth coming from our lips, let us stand as those “who have been with Jesus.”###
[Source: Zadok Publications Monthly Newsletter, dated February 01, 2014]
Dr. C. R. Oliver, BA, MDiv, MA, PhD, is a retired college professor and an ordained minister. As Professor, he taught a range of college subjects. Although credentialed in Behavioral Science, he also utilized his theological degrees by teaching Biblical Studies and Philosophy. A prolific writer, he has many published numerous professional publications. He has lectured both in the U.S. and abroad and chaired several organizations of behavioral science. As Minister, he served twenty-eight years as pastor alongside teaching and other duties. Ministering in 53 countries, both in education and religion, his range of duties extended from establishing missions in third world countries to advising and assisting multiple missionary enterprises. His works reflect many of his experiences in these fields of service. As Author, he is credited with six books of his own, and has been involved in several editing and advising capacities with other religious writers. The popularity of his works has generated speaking tours both in the US and abroad. As Publisher, the publication of his books in English and Spanish for religious markets has extended to 23 foreign countries besides all of South America, the U.S. and Canada. His books have been featured in Pastors Conferences worldwide, and Zadok Publications materials are readily accessible through many ministries and bookstores or the website: ZadokPublications.com.
*********************
Thanks for reading this article! If you enjoy the spiritually enriching articles on Spirit Life Magazine, please sign up to receive new articles via email immediately when they are posted simply by entering your email address in the "Articles Via Email" widget located on this page toward the top of the right-sidebar. Just below that widget is another widget—"Newsletter Sign-up"—you can use to subscribe to our newsletter we send out periodically to inform you of all our new articles and occasionally other information as well. Please know that we do not bombard your inbox with emails, and we hate SPAM just as much as you do, thus we will never sell/share your contact info with anyone else—rest assured it's safe with us! We hope you will subscribe to both lists because it's by far the easiest, fastest, and surest way to notify you of new posts. Thank you!
Spirit Life Magazine does not necessarily agree with the totality of the opinions, beliefs or philosophies of the authors of articles posted on the website, nor does the posting of articles represent an endorsement of authors other than our own authors/editors. Spirit Life Magazine is a publication of Real Truth Publications.
If you enjoyed this or any of the articles on Spirit Life Magazine, please click on the PayPal® Donate Button below to make a donation to help us with the costs of maintaining this online magazine. A PayPal® account is not required to use the PayPal® gateway, you can pay with debit/credit card or an e-Check from your bank. It's fast and secure! Thank you!
