Reference Scripture:
2 Corinthians 4:18. while we do not look at the things which
are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen
[are] temporary, but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.
Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Romans 8:24. For we were saved in this hope, but hope
that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
25. But if we hope for what we do not see, we
eagerly wait for [it] with perseverance.
Examples of People who has seen the unseen
1. Noah
Hebrews 11:7. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of
things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of
his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the
righteousness which is according to faith.
2. Abraham
Hebrews 11:8. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was
called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he
went out, not knowing where he was going.
3. Moses
Hebrews 11:23. By faith Moses, when he was born, was
hidden three months by his parents, because they saw [he was] a beautiful
child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.
They saw that Moses was no ordinary child. How did they see this?
Not with their eyes, but by faith! It’s not just that baby Moses was cuter than
other babies. Moses’ parents didn’t just see chubby cheeks or dimples or bright
eyes. These visionary parents saw the unseen potential of their baby. They saw
that their baby was not just a piece of trash to be thrown away so that they
could stay out of trouble with the law. They lived by faith, not fear. They saw
that he was no ordinary child and did everything possible to protect him and
his future. By faith they saw their child in light of God’s plan for him, not
in light of Pharaoh’s plan.
Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he became of age,
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with
the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater
riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By
faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
He saw that disgrace in the company of the coming Christ was far
better than honor in the company of the cruel Pharaoh. Do you see with a heart
of faith? Are you looking ahead to your reward? Do you see him who is
invisible? Do you choose to be mistreated with God’s people rather than enjoy
sin’s pleasures for a short time? Do you, like Moses, regard disgrace for the
sake of Christ as of greater value than worldly treasures?
4. Elisha
2 Kings 6:8. Now the king of Syria was making war
against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, "My camp [will
be] in such and such a place." 9. And the man of God sent to the king of
Israel, saying, "Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians
are coming down there." 10. Then the king of Israel sent [someone] to
the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was
watchful there, not just once or twice. 11. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria
was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to
them, "Will you not show me which of us [is] for the king of Israel?"
12. And one of his servants said, "None,
my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who [is] in Israel, tells the king of
Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom." 13. So he said, "Go and see where he
[is,] that I may send and get him." And it was told him, saying,
"Surely [he is] in Dothan." 14. Therefore he sent horses and chariots and
a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15. And when the servant of the man of God
arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses
and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we
do?" 16. So he answered, "Do not fear, for
those who [are] with us [are] more than those who [are] with them." 17. And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD,
I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of
the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain [was] full of horses and
chariots of fire all around Elisha.
5. Lord Jesus
Hebrews 12:2. looking unto Jesus, the author and
finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus left the throne room of heaven. He endured the torture of
crucifixion and God’s wrath against all the sin of the whole world. But Jesus
saw the unseen. He saw his Father’s plan to save his people and glorify Jesus
in their salvation. Jesus saw a future triumph: He saw that he would rescue
people of all nations from sin and hell and bring them to eternal joy in
heaven. Jesus saw this unseen future, and it gave him such joy that he accepted
the cross, enduring the suffering and scorning the shame. And sure enough,
after the cross came his resurrection and ascension to heaven. Jesus returned
to his rightful place with God, with the added joy of bringing countless people
with him into God’s joy.
Beholding the unseen is
faith
1 John 5:4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the
world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith.
1 Corinthians 2:9. But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into
the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
10. But God has revealed [them] to us through
His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
11. For what man knows the things of a man
except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
12. Now we have received, not the spirit of
the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that
have been freely given to us by God.
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