THE LIGHT OF VISION (2)

“In the year that King Uzziah died I SAW also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple” – Isaiah 6:1

Isaiah’s life and prophetic ministry were elevated to a higher dimension by the LIGHT of VISION: “In the year that King Uzziah died I SAW also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple” (Isa.6:1). There can be no greater or more glorious vision that the Vision of Almighty God. All earthly visions vanish into insignificance in full view of His. All other visions bow before the Vision of His Majesty! The heavenly Light of Vision flooded the pavement of Isaiah’s spirit, and permanently, positively, and radically transformed his life. Isaiah saw the Lord in His Royalty and Sovereignty. He beheld the all-pervading, awe-inspiring, might and majesty of Jehovah.

The true vision of God will completely change our perception to life, as we see Him upon the throne of His vast Universe. God is independent, dependable, but indispensable. God can do without man, but no one can do without God. Isaiah’s vision contrasts the transience of human life and temporality of human authority typified by the dead mortal, king Uzziah, with the eternal permanence of the immortal God, whose glorious train fills the courts of heaven. It took the death of the prophet’s ‘hero’ or ‘idol’ for his eyes to be opened to the reality of God’s Glory! Isaiah saw the Lord who controls the majority – innumerable company of angels and uncountable multitudes in the Kingdom (Heb. 12:22).

God is the Omnipotent One at whose command heaven’s train stands at attention and the wheels of eternity roll into motion (Rev.7:9). As the prophet caught the Vision of the Holiness of God, who is “of purer eyes than to behold evil and canst not look on iniquity” (Hab.1:13), a powerful four-phased transformation began in his life and ministry: Conviction, Cleansing, Calling, and Commission.

Conviction: Isaiah’s conviction of his sinfulness led to confession and willingness to repent (v.5). Whoever claims to have encountered God without a deep remorse for his sins and the dire need for repentance, is self-deluded. Vision of holiness expects man’s repentance. Beholding God’s Holiness has humbled the toughest of souls: Abraham (Gen.17:1); Jacob (Gen. 32); Moses (Exo.3); Peter (Lk.5); Paul (1Cor. 15:9).

Cleansing: Divine Vision has a sanctifying and purifying effect in response to sincere repentance and faith (vv.6-7; 1 Jh.1:7,9).

Calling: Vision of Holiness commands divine Calling – “...Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I; send me” (v.8).

Commission: The Vision of God’s Holiness proclaims divine commissions (vv.:9-10)

Our first and foundational vision must be the Vision of God, the “Father of Lights” – Source of all true visions (Jam.1:17). His heavenly Light of Vision will never leave us unchanged! A true Vision from God draws us to God! It convicts, cleanses, calls, commissions, and draws us to closer communion and walk with Him.