Seeing Clearly
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7
If your mind works anything like mine, you probably take things literally when you read them. That’s why, for years, I imagined Revelation’s description of the beast as some kind of sea monster—something straight out of a sci-fi movie, rising out of the water with multiple heads, horns, crowns, and maybe even some intimidating tattoos. But when you take a closer look, that’s not exactly the picture we’re given.
One of the reasons the Book of Revelation is so challenging is because it’s filled with signs and symbols. John, the writer, wasn’t just giving us a play-by-play of literal events; he was painting a picture, using imagery to describe spiritual realities. And if you don’t take the time to understand what those symbols mean, you can end up missing the entire point.
Take the mention of the sea in this passage. At first glance, you might think John is describing an actual body of water. But Revelation 17:15 gives us a key to understanding: “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.” So, in this case, the sea isn’t really the sea; it represents a mass of humanity. And what does John say rises up from that sea? A beast, otherwise known as the Antichrist.
What does that mean for you? It means that when you read Scripture, especially a book like Revelation, you have to be willing to look deeper. You can’t just skim the surface and take everything at face value. God’s Word often requires study, prayer, and a desire to see beyond what’s obvious.
Too often, we approach faith the same way we approach the news or social media, glancing at quick headlines and assuming we know the whole story. But following Jesus isn’t about surface-level understanding. It’s about learning to see with spiritual eyes. It’s about asking God to give you wisdom as you read, so you don’t just see words on a page but the truth He wants you to grasp.
So as you open your Bible, don’t just read; seek to understand. Let God show you what’s beneath the surface. Because when you learn to see through His eyes, you won’t just be informed, you’ll be transformed.
If your mind works anything like mine, you probably take things literally when you read them. That’s why, for years, I imagined Revelation’s description of the beast as some kind of sea monster—something straight out of a sci-fi movie, rising out of the water with multiple heads, horns, crowns, and maybe even some intimidating tattoos. But when you take a closer look, that’s not exactly the picture we’re given.
One of the reasons the Book of Revelation is so challenging is because it’s filled with signs and symbols. John, the writer, wasn’t just giving us a play-by-play of literal events; he was painting a picture, using imagery to describe spiritual realities. And if you don’t take the time to understand what those symbols mean, you can end up missing the entire point.
Take the mention of the sea in this passage. At first glance, you might think John is describing an actual body of water. But Revelation 17:15 gives us a key to understanding: “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.” So, in this case, the sea isn’t really the sea; it represents a mass of humanity. And what does John say rises up from that sea? A beast, otherwise known as the Antichrist.
What does that mean for you? It means that when you read Scripture, especially a book like Revelation, you have to be willing to look deeper. You can’t just skim the surface and take everything at face value. God’s Word often requires study, prayer, and a desire to see beyond what’s obvious.
Too often, we approach faith the same way we approach the news or social media, glancing at quick headlines and assuming we know the whole story. But following Jesus isn’t about surface-level understanding. It’s about learning to see with spiritual eyes. It’s about asking God to give you wisdom as you read, so you don’t just see words on a page but the truth He wants you to grasp.
So as you open your Bible, don’t just read; seek to understand. Let God show you what’s beneath the surface. Because when you learn to see through His eyes, you won’t just be informed, you’ll be transformed.
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1 Comment
God bless you ?❤️??