We need to understand the impact of the unseen upon the things that we see. n The Bible tells us that the greater reality is found in the unseen. (Heb

We need to understand the impact of the We need to understand the impact of the unseen upon the things that we see.unseen upon the things that we see.

The Bible tells us that the greater reality is The Bible tells us that the greater reality is found in the unseen. found in the unseen. (Heb 11:1-3)(Heb 11:1-3)


Hebrews 11:1-3Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good good testimony. 3 By faith we understand testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.not made of things which are visible.


Years ago a Christian professor met an Years ago a Christian professor met an expert in the origins of the universe and expert in the origins of the universe and heard him lecture.heard him lecture.


Years ago a Christian professor met an Years ago a Christian professor met an expert in the origins of the universe and expert in the origins of the universe and heard him lecture.heard him lecture.

Without a doubt this man in his brilliance Without a doubt this man in his brilliance gave several possibilities as to the origins of gave several possibilities as to the origins of the universe.the universe.


As the Christian heard the lecture he As the Christian heard the lecture he thought “this man really doesn’t know and I thought “this man really doesn’t know and I do!” Why? We have heard from one who do!” Why? We have heard from one who was there!was there!


The Bible has much to say about things that The Bible has much to say about things that happened before the universe even existed!happened before the universe even existed!



These things have great impact over These things have great impact over everyday life for us.everyday life for us.



These things have great impact over These things have great impact over everyday life for us.everyday life for us.

More importantly we can understand the More importantly we can understand the temporary purpose of this universe and the temporary purpose of this universe and the eternal existence each of us will experience.eternal existence each of us will experience.



These things have great impact over everyday life These things have great impact over everyday life for us.for us.

More importantly we can understand the More importantly we can understand the temporary purpose of this universe and the temporary purpose of this universe and the eternal existence each of us will experience.eternal existence each of us will experience.

We will learn much about the character of the We will learn much about the character of the God we serve in this study.God we serve in this study.

Before the creation a triune God Before the creation a triune God planned to act on our behalfplanned to act on our behalf

There was a plan from a triune God that There was a plan from a triune God that involved each person of the Godhead.involved each person of the Godhead.


There was a plan from a triune God that There was a plan from a triune God that involved each person of the Godhead.involved each person of the Godhead.

God the Father was author of the plan. God the Father was author of the plan. (Eph 1:3-4)(Eph 1:3-4)


Ephesians 1:3-4Ephesians 1:3-4 - Blessed - Blessed be be the God and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly the heavenly places places in Christ, 4 just as He in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,without blame before Him in love,


Jesus was to be slain according to the plan.Jesus was to be slain according to the plan.


Jesus was to be slain according to the plan.Jesus was to be slain according to the plan. The Holy Spirit was to reveal the plan once The Holy Spirit was to reveal the plan once

for all. for all. (Jn 14:23-26)(Jn 14:23-26)


John 14:23-26John 14:23-26 - Jesus answered and said to - Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 "He who does not love Me does him. 24 "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. sent Me.


25 " These things I have spoken to you 25 " These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 "But the while being present with you. 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.things that I said to you.


The shows the incredible wisdom of God in The shows the incredible wisdom of God in a perfect plan.a perfect plan.


The shows the incredible wisdom of God in The shows the incredible wisdom of God in a perfect plan.a perfect plan.

Satan and his forces had no chance. Satan and his forces had no chance. (1 Cor 2:7-8)(1 Cor 2:7-8)


1 Corinthians 2:7-81 Corinthians 2:7-8 - But we speak the - But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom wisdom which God ordained before the which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.glory.


This gives us great assurance that we have This gives us great assurance that we have committed ourselves to a God who will committed ourselves to a God who will never fail us. never fail us. (Heb 12:28)(Heb 12:28)


Hebrews 12:28Hebrews 12:28 - Therefore, since we are - Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.godly fear.


We actually hold a central place in the plan We actually hold a central place in the plan of God! (of God! (Psa 8:3-4; 144:2-3)Psa 8:3-4; 144:2-3)


Psalm 8:3-4Psalm 8:3-4 - When I consider Your - When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man that You are ordained, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?You visit him?


Psalm 144:2-3Psalm 144:2-3 - My lovingkindness and - My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and deliverer, My shield and the One the One in whom I in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. 3 LORD, what me. 3 LORD, what is is man, that You take man, that You take knowledge of him? knowledge of him? Or Or the son of man, that the son of man, that You are mindful of him?You are mindful of him?


This is a plan we cannot in our right minds This is a plan we cannot in our right minds refuse. There will be no other way to be refuse. There will be no other way to be saved! saved! (Jn 14:6)(Jn 14:6)


John 14:6John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, "I am the - Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.to the Father except through Me.


We should be both humbled and awed that We should be both humbled and awed that God has acted and spoken.God has acted and spoken.


We should be both humbled and awed that We should be both humbled and awed that God has acted and spoken.God has acted and spoken.

If you think Christians are too “radical” If you think Christians are too “radical” then look at who has spoken to them! then look at who has spoken to them! (Heb 1:1-3)(Heb 1:1-3)


Hebrews 1:1-3Hebrews 1:1-3 - God, who at various - God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by these last days spoken to us by His His Son, Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; through whom also He made the worlds;


3 who being the brightness of 3 who being the brightness of His His glory and glory and the express image of His person, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,Majesty on high,


Do you realize that we have been given “the Do you realize that we have been given “the mind of Christ?” mind of Christ?” (1 Cor 2:16)(1 Cor 2:16)


1 Corinthians 2:161 Corinthians 2:16 - For "who has known - For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

The triune God was personally involved in The triune God was personally involved in the execution of this planthe execution of this plan

God planned to become man! God planned to become man! (Jn 1:1, 14)(Jn 1:1, 14)


John 1:1-4John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.was the light of men.


This concept is mind boggling! How can This concept is mind boggling! How can this be?this be?


Jesus, the Son of God, willingly limited His Jesus, the Son of God, willingly limited His powers and experienced His life as a man. powers and experienced His life as a man. Words cannot describe the sacrifice Words cannot describe the sacrifice involved in this. involved in this. (Phil 2:5-8)(Phil 2:5-8)


Philippians 2:5-8Philippians 2:5-8 - Let this mind be in you - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to Himself and became obedient to the point of the point of death, even the death of the cross.death, even the death of the cross.


How could one endure such a change? We How could one endure such a change? We can understand why prayer was so dear to can understand why prayer was so dear to our Lord.our Lord.



He was exposed to prideful, sinful men and He was exposed to prideful, sinful men and never once acted in self-interest and pride. never once acted in self-interest and pride.



He was exposed to prideful, sinful men and He was exposed to prideful, sinful men and never once acted in self-interest and pride. never once acted in self-interest and pride.

We would have wanted to jump up and We would have wanted to jump up and down saying “Do you know who you are down saying “Do you know who you are talking to!”talking to!”


Imagine the infinite powers of God and then Imagine the infinite powers of God and then seeing men coming to Jesus and laughing at seeing men coming to Jesus and laughing at him and rejecting Him. him and rejecting Him. (Jn 1:10-11)(Jn 1:10-11)


John 1:10-11John 1:10-11 - He was in the world, and - He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.His own, and His own did not receive Him.


God became man to be known as a God became man to be known as a suffering servant. suffering servant. (Isa 53:3-5)(Isa 53:3-5)


Isaiah 53:3-5Isaiah 53:3-5 - He is despised and rejected - He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, with grief. And we hid, as it were, our our faces faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. and afflicted.


5 But He 5 But He was was wounded for our wounded for our transgressions, transgressions, He was He was bruised for our bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was was upon Him, And by His stripes we are upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.healed.


He did this for his ear and his heart was He did this for his ear and his heart was dedicated to fulfilling a plan to save us. dedicated to fulfilling a plan to save us. (Isa 50:5-7; Lk 9:51; Jn 11:16)(Isa 50:5-7; Lk 9:51; Jn 11:16)


Isaiah 50:5-7Isaiah 50:5-7 5 The Lord GOD has opened 5 The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. 6 I gave My back to those who turn away. 6 I gave My back to those who struck struck Me, Me, And My cheeks to those who And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. 7 " For the Lord from shame and spitting. 7 " For the Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.


Luke 9:51Luke 9:51 - Now it came to pass, when the - Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,Jerusalem,


John 11:16John 11:16 - Then Thomas, who is called - Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him.“us also go, that we may die with Him.“


Our Lord felt the full force of temptation Our Lord felt the full force of temptation and suffering. and suffering. (Heb 5:7-9)(Heb 5:7-9)


Hebrews 5:7-9Hebrews 5:7-9 - who, in the days of His flesh, - who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, He was a Son, yet yet He learned obedience by the He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,salvation to all who obey Him,


Why suffer like this? He wanted to show us Why suffer like this? He wanted to show us the way.the way.


Why suffer like this? He wanted to show us Why suffer like this? He wanted to show us the way.the way.

Salvation is free but very costly. The costs Salvation is free but very costly. The costs were known from the foundation of the were known from the foundation of the world. world. (1 Pt 1:20)(1 Pt 1:20)


1 Peter 1:201 Peter 1:20 - He indeed was foreordained - He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for youmanifest in these last times for you


A living faith is not an aimless wander or A living faith is not an aimless wander or accommodating the religions of men.accommodating the religions of men.


A living faith is not an aimless wander or A living faith is not an aimless wander or accommodating the religions of men.accommodating the religions of men.

We cannot stop short of a complete We cannot stop short of a complete commitment to this plan that puts us at odds commitment to this plan that puts us at odds with the world! with the world! (Heb 12:2-4)(Heb 12:2-4)


Hebrews 12:2-4Hebrews 12:2-4 - looking unto Jesus, the author - looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of and finisher of our our faith, who for the joy that faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Jesus revealed a glory that awaits us by faithJesus revealed a glory that awaits us by faith

Ultimately we must learn that the unseen Ultimately we must learn that the unseen world is permanent and this world will not world is permanent and this world will not last. last. (1 Jn 2:17)(1 Jn 2:17)


1 John 2:171 John 2:17 - And the world is passing - And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.will of God abides forever.


Jesus wanted us to see Him reject the Jesus wanted us to see Him reject the advantages of this world for a future, advantages of this world for a future, greater glory. greater glory. (Jn 16:31-33)(Jn 16:31-33)


John 16:31-33John 16:31-33 - Jesus answered them, "Do - Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32 "Indeed the hour is you now believe? 32 "Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 "These things I have Father is with Me. 33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.“of good cheer, I have overcome the world.“


He wanted them to know that God the He wanted them to know that God the Father had prepared a place for them. Father had prepared a place for them. (Jn 14:1-4)(Jn 14:1-4)


John 14:1-4John 14:1-4 "Let not your heart be troubled; "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if My Father's house are many mansions; if it it were were not not so, so, I would have told you. I go to I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, receive you to Myself; that where I am, there there you may be also. 4 "And where I go you you may be also. 4 "And where I go you know, and the way you know.“know, and the way you know.“


Jesus personally used this knowledge to Jesus personally used this knowledge to complete His race on earth. complete His race on earth. (Jn 17:4-5)(Jn 17:4-5)


John 17:4-5John 17:4-5 - "I have glorified You on the - "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 "And now, O have given Me to do. 5 "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before with the glory which I had with You before the world was.the world was.


The knowledge of that glory gave Jesus The knowledge of that glory gave Jesus great motivation to complete the terrible great motivation to complete the terrible

finish! This was “the joy that was finish! This was “the joy that was set before Him.” set before Him.” (Heb 12:2)(Heb 12:2)


Hebrews 12:2Hebrews 12:2 - looking unto Jesus, the - looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of author and finisher of our our faith, who for the faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.down at the right hand of the throne of God.


That joy was much more than being a self-That joy was much more than being a self-centered joy.centered joy.



What do you do when you see something of What do you do when you see something of great glory? You want to share that with great glory? You want to share that with those you love.those you love.



What do you do when you see something of What do you do when you see something of great glory? You want to share that with great glory? You want to share that with those you love.those you love.

The God of the universe one day wants to The God of the universe one day wants to show us something! THINK! show us something! THINK! (Jn 17:24)(Jn 17:24)


John 17:24John 17:24 - "Father, I desire that they also - "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.before the foundation of the world.

What do we learn from the actions of a What do we learn from the actions of a triune God?triune God?

Subjection is the path of faith.Subjection is the path of faith.


Subjection is the path of faith.Subjection is the path of faith. We put ourselves completely under the We put ourselves completely under the

direction of Christ. direction of Christ. (Mt 28:18-20)(Mt 28:18-20)


Matthew 28:18-20Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and - And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even even to the end of the age." Amen.to the end of the age." Amen.


We put ourselves under others. We put ourselves under others. (1 Cor 11:3; Heb 13:17)(1 Cor 11:3; Heb 13:17)


1 Corinthians 11:31 Corinthians 11:3 - But I want you to - But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman the head of woman is is man, and the head of man, and the head of Christ Christ is is God.God.


Hebrews 13:17Hebrews 13:17 - Obey those who rule - Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.for you.


Our culture hates these concepts, but the Our culture hates these concepts, but the Lord’s way was hated when He walked Lord’s way was hated when He walked the earth.the earth.


Our culture hates these concepts, but the Our culture hates these concepts, but the Lord’s way was hated when He walked Lord’s way was hated when He walked the earth.the earth.

Our God understands and is patient and Our God understands and is patient and longsuffering. longsuffering. (James 5:10-11)(James 5:10-11)


James 5:10-11James 5:10-11 - My brethren, take the - My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by intended by the Lord -- that the Lord is very the Lord -- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.compassionate and merciful.


Our God will let us be tested and suffer.Our God will let us be tested and suffer.


Here is where He molds us and draws us Here is where He molds us and draws us closer to Him. closer to Him. (James 1:2-5)(James 1:2-5)


James 1:2-5James 1:2-5 - My brethren, count it all joy - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have patience. 4 But let patience have its its perfect perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.given to him.


Let us stir up our minds to see the unseen! Let us stir up our minds to see the unseen! (1 Pt 1:13-14)(1 Pt 1:13-14)


1 Peter 1:13-141 Peter 1:13-14 - Therefore gird up the - Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your your hope fully upon the grace that is to be hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as as in your ignorance;in your ignorance;


Have you noticed 2 things that often go Have you noticed 2 things that often go together? One who has a strong confidence together? One who has a strong confidence in the glory of God lives a life that often in the glory of God lives a life that often experiences suffering!experiences suffering!


Have you noticed 2 things that often go Have you noticed 2 things that often go together? One who has a strong confidence together? One who has a strong confidence in the glory of God lives a life that often in the glory of God lives a life that often experiences suffering!experiences suffering!

““If the eye would have no tears then the If the eye would have no tears then the soul would have no rainbow.”soul would have no rainbow.”


What can we do to better see the unseen?What can we do to better see the unseen?

Documents

We need to understand the impact of the unseen upon the things that we see. n The Bible tells us that the greater reality is found in the unseen. (Heb