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"And when He was near, He beheld the city and wept over it, saying, If you had known, even you, at least in this your day, the things which belong unto your peace! but now they are hid from your eyes. -
Because you knew not the time of your visitation."
(Luke 19:41-42, 44).Visitation-- the Greek word here is "episkope" meaning: inspection, looking over, and it is from the same root that we have the word "Bishop," meaning: an overseer. Peter uses the word in reference to our Lord. "For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (1 Peter 2:25). HE looks into and searches out all the ways, deeds, character, of--men,--in order to correct and upbuild, to bless and enrich, until He has brought us into full union with Himself. Thus the word visitations can speak of a time of essential judgment and correction, or a time of healing and blessing-- whether joyous or sad depends upon the state of the one being inspected, yet obviously all visitations ultimately are planned with our good in view, for such is the abundance of His grace.
As the Guardian of our soul, He watches out for our welfare, and there are specific times of DIVINE VISITATION, both corporately, and individually, so that we would do well to KNOW (Greek, ginosko, to know by experience) these times, and be swift to yield to His inworkings, that we might grow thereby.The Psalmist asks the question, "What is man, that You are mindful of him? and the son of man, that You visit him?" (Psalm 8:4). The Hebrew word for "mindful" used here literally means "TO REMEMBER", and holds within it the thought of "IMPRINT." We are so imprinted in His thoughts, He cannot forget us. So much is He cognizant of WHO WE ARE, and WHERE WE ARE, that He is ever mindful of us. "Behold, I have engraven you upon the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me." (Isaiah 49:16).
By a sovereign act of His will "the creature was made subject to vanity..." (Rom. 8:20). Yet this SUBJECTION, this restriction, this limitation, known as "OUR WALLS," is continually before Him. We are so hemmed in our circumstances and situations, that we think our walls are continually before us. But He says that our walls are "continually BEFORE ME." He has us ENGRAVED upon the palms of His hand, i.e. all the works of His hand have us in view. Whatever He is doing, CREATION IS RIGHT THERE BEFORE HIM. We are not forgotten, but He has appointed specific times of VISITATION-- INSPECTION, to bring us into account, and make sure that our progress is according to His purpose. "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:10).
So continuously is the Creator involved with His creation-- so mindful is He of our needs, and our progress, yes, so committed is He to our welfare "That You should visit him every morning, and try (test, prove) him every moment." (Job 7:18). How marvelous! Every morning He visits us afresh, and marks out our course for the day. No wonder Jesus taught the necessity for us to "Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness," (Matt. 3:66), so that we might be ready for this DAILY INSPECTION. Ready to respond to His voice, ready for the gentle nudges that would keep us going the right direction. And then He added (verse 34), "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." With divine wisdom and design He gives that particular amount of evil needed for our processing for that day. To produce OVERCOMERS requires that we have the obstacles to overcome-- yet He is very careful not to place too much upon us-- so that Paul could write that "There has no temptation (trying, testing, proving) taken you but such is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Cor. 10:13). Praise God!
True, there are times things seem to us to be overwhelming, yet "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:22-23). How we need these morning-fresh mercies; for of a truth "judgment must begin at the house of God," (1 Peter 4:17), and BEGINNING FIRST AT US, then in due time it will cover all of His creation. Nevertheless, THERE IS THIS DAILY VISITATION, which, if we recognize it, yield to it, etc. we find that He steadily leads us along, pruning, enriching, blessing-- so that there is a steady growth. But, if we KNOW NOT our times of visitation, and go our own way, to do our own thing, then suddenly He will come to our temple with strong measures, to shake everything within us that can be shaken. He will reconcile all things unto Himself, EVEN IN US, but the process will be hard to bear, because we have not been participating in the daily processing.
Jesus looked over the city and WEPT, because they knew not the day of their visitation, nor the things which would have been towards their peace. Full well He knew the calamities that were coming-- judgments to correct-- times of sorrow and woe. And while, as "Son of man" He wept, yet obviously He had no will nor desire in opposition to the will of His heavenly Father, and He did not try to prevent the severity of the measures He knew were on the horizon. COMMITMENT TO THE DIVINE WILL is to be found in every child of God, a WILL THAT REQUIRES HOLINESS as the foundation for future blessing. Thus when we read of "the fall of Babylon," (Rev. 18-19), we find that the elders, the mystic living creatures, and the whole company of the redeemed, all cry out, "Amen; Alleluia-- Praise our God-- for the Lord God omnipotent reigns." (Rev. 19:4-6). There is no desire to prevent these corrective judgments of God, because, knowing they are WROUGHT BY HIS LOVE, they will result in a restoration of peace and victory-- in the fulness of His life.
Difficult as it is betimes in our relationships with others, family, friend and acquaintance, to see the HAND OF JUDGMENT, and so we also "weep with those that weep," yet we would not stay His hand, because we know that this also is destined for HIS PEACE. It is a TIME OF VISITATION also, though it be more severe than the daily inspections which we learn to welcome, that we might be changed from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Another thought stands out before us. Much of Christendom is frightened by the so-called "mark of the beast," as it has been interpreted by men, and every imagined sign of its fulfillment sends them into a fearful flutter and shudder of doom. A false theology based upon a false interpretation is difficult to erase, and only the inflow of LIGHT can dispel such darkness. It is a fact that every man and woman already bears the mark of the bestial system of man-- as a part of the present world order. It is this DAILY INSPECTION of our Divine Bishop that is bringing about a gradual removal of this bestial mark upon us, that we might bear THE MARK OF GOD-- be fully conformed to His image, partaking of His divine nature. And to guarantee that we shall BEAR HIS MARK, He has us engraved upon His hand. Thus, we are far more interested IN THE MARK IN HIS HAND, than being concerned with some mark of the beast in man's hand. PRAISE GOD! He has US imprinted in the palm of His hand, He knows where we are at, He knows the processings appointed us, for HE controls the interplay of good and evil that we face, that we might be brought into HIS LIKENESS. He has marked out the way of our escape from the corruption of the world through lust, that we might come into His incorruption-- into a life that cannot sin. Bless His name!
Not only are there day by day inspections of God, as individually He cares for each of us, but there are also corporate TIMES OF VISITATION, and TIMES OF REFRESHING that "come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19) There are national visitations, area-wide visitations, family visitations, and as already noted, individual visitations, all according as He wills. Some are negative, and some are positive, but they are all ordained by our Lord.
God once spoke to Moses of how He would go with him, leading the children of Israel unto the land which He promised them. However, while He was not exercising immediate judgment because of their stiff-necked, rebellious and stubborn ways, "Nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them." (Exodus 32:34). Their accountability was still to be reckoned with, and they would be VISITED-- required to give an account, "IN THE DAY when I visit them."
The wise man, pondering all this, stated, "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." (Eccl. 8:11). If a man thinks his "judgment day" is postponed for a while, he is so prone to continue in his own self-willed way. But, I assure you, THE CROSS OF CHRIST will stand in his path, sooner or later, as we all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Yes, grace superabounds! Yes, His mercy and love are unmeasurable. Yes, He will be with us as we walk through our DEATH-TO-SELF process that we might come forth in His life. But grace does not negate our dying to self, IT ENABLES US to surrender our self-life, that we might be filled with His life. Our Lord has passed sentence-- "condemned sin in the flesh," that we might now rise to walk in His righteousness. And He has appointed a day when we will be visited in this regard, till HIS CROSS has fully worked in us a death to the old self nature, that we might receive His fulness of life.
God has been very merciful with our nation-- but methinks He has appointed a DAY OF VISITATION when we will be held accountable for our lawlessness, our multiplied abortions, our child-abuse, our immorality, homosexuality, and all the other sins which reek of the depravity of man. Individually God is visiting one here, and one there, and their hour of accountability is faced-- and, thank God, grace forgives and transforms. But nationally we are heading into a day of reckoning-- and all we can do is praise God that righteousness shall be revealed, and a cleansing take place.
There are also the positive aspects to be considered, for Peter writes of our "Having your conversation (manner of behavior, in word and deed) honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:12). Wonderful! Here is a life lived among men, though presently railed against, still, because of its HONESTY, its Christlikeness, it will cause even the world to "GLORIFY GOD in the day of visitation." Ultimately men will confess to rightness, when they are faced with Him Who is the Truth. And may our life be such that it brings forth this acknowledgment, that we are examples of the standard of His holiness. So in this regard the day of visitation becomes, for the child of God, a day of rejoicing and blessing-- a vindication of that which is holy and true.
Now, there are some specific things which belong unto (Greek, are toward) your peace. If we know these things, they do much to direct our feet into the way of peace, and an inner tranquility of spirit.
The very first time the phraseology of "Peace be to you, fear not," is used in the Scripture is in Genesis 43:23. Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brethren, and taken to Egypt. In due time God raised him up to a high position, governor over the land, and in particular to have charge of the food supplies. During a severe famine his brethren came down into Egypt to buy corn. Since they knew not that Joseph was in control of these affairs they were greatly perplexed when they found the money they had paid out for the corn was placed back into their sacks. Finally it was time for a face to face meeting with Joseph, and they were to have a noon meal with him, though they still did not know who he really was. They were so disturbed that they poured out their story to the steward of Joseph's house, while they were yet at the door. And he said to them, "PEACE be to you, FEAR NOT: your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money."
How precious! The answer is given, and the first word is "PEACE," and then, "FEAR NOT," because, "YOUR GOD, AND THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER," is in control!
You think your life is all mixed up, everything out of order, and you have no idea of what to expect next. Your past actions rise up to accuse you, and all you can do is imagine the worst. The inward pressure builds until you just have to tell somebody, and God causes the steward to say, "PEACE. Don't be afraid! YOUR GOD is vitally involved in all that is happening."
We need to know, not just mentally, but deep inside our being, that God is in control of all that befalls us. Don't jump to rash conclusions. Don't let fear grip you and bring its torment. And in regards to these brethren, it could be said, "Don't measure everybody else by the standard of your own evil nature." If they had been selling the corn, they wouldn't have refunded the money to anyone. With their own guilty conscience as the standard, they just knew something sinister and suspicious was taking place, and it opened the door for fear-- fear of retribution for all their past deeds.
Jesus gave a parable of a goodman of the house, and his generous dealings with his servants, and when some of them complained, the goodman asked them, "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is your eye evil, because I am good?" (Matt. 20:15). How often is GOODNESS thought evil of, because men judge it by their own evil heart. How difficult it is for Christendom to embrace the truth of God's UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, that He freely loves because it is His very LOVE-NATURE to do so. But we have been programmed to think-- "God will get you for that!" Yet His first word is a promise to us, "PEACE," and then toward that goal, He says, "FEAR NOT." We need a visitation of God in a REVELATION OF HIS TRUE NATURE, to dispel all the errors of tradition, until the very mention of His name fills us with a sense of joy and peace-- knowing that GOD IS FOR US, not against us.
Joseph also had to remind his brothers that GOD WAS IN CONTROL-- therefore ALL IS WELL. It was a theme to be uttered again and again, for we are slow of heart to believe the truth. "So now it was not you that sent me hither, BUT GOD..." (Gen. 45:8). "As for you, you thought evil against me, BUT GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD." (Gen. 50:20). Let the glorious light of truth dispel the darkness, and know that GOD is working "all things after the counsel of His own will." (Eph. 1:11). Furthermore, HE is not willing that any should perish, "but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). SALVATION, not damnation, is His plan for every man. Praise God for this truth!
An angel of the Lord appeared unto Gideon, and after a time of conversation with him, Gideon prepared a meat offering for the angel. When it was all spread out upon the rock, and the angel touched it, and fire came out of the rock and consumed the offering, and the angel departed from his sight, "When Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face. And the Lord said unto him, PEACE be unto you; FEAR NOT: you shall not die." (Judges 6:22-23).
The removal of his fear brought him peace, but it also required a change from the negative to the positive in his understanding of God. You don't die just because God visits you! But Gideon thought so. A VISITATION FROM GOD MEANS LIFE! "In hope of eternal life (Greek, age-abiding life), which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." (Titus 1:2). Before ever death made its entrance upon the scene, GOD PROMISED LIFE. No wonder Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10). Truly this is the fulfillment of GOD'S PROMISE. Whatever else is involved in HIS VISITATIONS, the end result is FOR LIFE!
Religious Babylon has cultivated such a wrong fear of God, a slavish fear, as if God were a Tyrant just waiting to catch you in some form of wrong-doing. They have portrayed such a caricature of His nature, and then they utilize this fear to bring others into submission to their rule. They control by fear, while GOD CONTROLS BY LOVE! Truly, His perfect love casts out all fear!
How precious is that home where PEACE ABIDES, and people feel different as they come into your presence. There is no terrorizing, slavish fear of God, but an outflow of HIS LOVE that speaks peace to the troubled heart, brings joy to the weary soul, and lets them know that IN CHRIST there is a life worth living. Truly, "He brought life and incorruption to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:10). These are the things which are directed TOWARD PEACE-- to come into His life, and incorruption. Some translations give the word "immortality," but the Greek text reads "incorruption." We would come into HIS HOLINESS, into HIS SINLESSNESS, and, "Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for His seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." (1 John 3:9). Phillips reads: "For God's nature is in him, for good, and such a heredity is incapable of sin."
This was the desire and hope of the Psalmist. "As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Your likeness." (Psalm 17:15). For when "He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness," (Isa. 61:10) then I shall be able to fellowship with Him FACE TO FACE, unashamed. It is HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, His nature, His heredity, and there will be NO FEAR, but perfect peace, knowing that all is well-- all is acceptable before Him.
Beloved friend, this is not a message of death, hell, eternal doom. He came to destroy death, not to bring death. HE has the keys of death and hell-- and while there is a WAY OF THE CROSS, with its death to self, yet that is only a means to an end-- for it is followed by our sharing THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION. Thus, "In Christ shall ALL be made alive. But every man in his own order." (1 Cor. 15:22-23). Praise His holy name!
Another beautiful working of peace is found in Daniel 10:16-17, 19, "O my lord, by the vision (of future days) my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength... neither is there breath left in me... Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, FEAR NOT: PEACE be unto you, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened."
What does the vision of the future days do to you? Sorrows are turned upon me, I have lost my strength-- I am devastated. Desperate need of a divine visitation. And one appeared, which said, "FEAR NOT: PEACE ... be strong." Not only was there the dispelling of the fear, and the impartation of peace but there was also something else given-- STRENGTH! Strength to be able to face whatever lies ahead. For sure, it will have to be "not my might, nor by power, but BY MY SPIRIT, says the Lord of hosts." (Zech. 4:6).
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God." (2 Cor. 3:5). It is THROUGH HIM ALONE that we are able to say, "I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner Strength into me, that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency." (Phil. 4:13, Amp.) Truly, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew (Heb. CHANGE) their strength." (Isa. 40:31). Change from the limitations of human strength, into the all-sufficiency of HIS STRENGTH. There is no need to say "peace," if there is no strength to go on. But a vital part of HIS VISITATION is the impartation of strength-to know this, to experience it, is toward our peace, our completeness.
Luke 24:36-38, 45. "Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them, PEACE be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And He said unto them, Why are you troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? - Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures."
Until He opened their understanding, they could not have peace. Thoughts arose within, questions, surmisings, imaginations, conjectures, speculation that troubled them. They needed DIVINE REVELATION. Yet how often men fear revelation, when it is the very thing that would remove their fears. "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:26) Eyes on the invisible, rather than "seeing Him who is invisible." A mind set on natural happenings, rather than fixed on the truth of the Scripture. Overwhelmed with the death-throes of the old order, rather than seeing the birthing of the new. Troubled minds that have not yet found their peace.
Jude writes about "Keeping yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (verse 21). Yet many of us lack a real revelation of His love and mercy-- which, IF WE TRULY HAD A REVELATION OF HIS GRACE, MERCY, LOVE, we would be looking for the outward establishment of His kingdom, rather than the destruction of man's kingdom. Let us SEE that "where sin abounded, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND." (Rom. 5:20)
A revelation of "the joy set before" us, will enable us to "endure the cross, despising the shame," (Heb. 12:2), until He has brought us into the full manifestation of His victory. The unknown becomes a fertile ground for fear to take root. But He imparts knowledge that removes the fear, and with understanding we can face the future. There is a JOY SET BEFORE US, and to know this helps us to endure the cross of present time.
Thank God for those who are able to say, "I KNOW Whom I have believed," as He opens their understanding to the Scripture, and they find that to KNOW THE TRUTH sets them free-- KNOW that God is in control; KNOW that in Him is life, not death; KNOW the impartation of His strength; KNOW the things that belong to their peace. Praise God for every visitation which furthers the inworkings of His grace, until we come into the fulness of our UNION WITH CHRIST. Truly HE IS OUR PEACE, in His completeness we shall be satisfied.
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