“ Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him …” (Luke 24:31, NKJV)
We are currently looking at Num. 22, in which the almost laughable story of Balaam is recounted.In verses 28-29 we read that the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, “and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?’ And Balaam said to the donkey, ‘Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!’” Not only does the donkey see the Angel of the Lord, but God also supernaturally wills the animal to speak, and the donkey says to Balaam: “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” Strangely enough Balaam actually answers the animal: “And he said, ‘No.’” Then we read in the next verse: “Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.” (verse 31).
What a remarkable event, and one that can teach us much about the spiritual realm. Clearly it is at times possible for God to open your spiritual eyes to see invisible things in that invisible realm. To a great extent the book of Revelation and parts of the books Daniel and Ezekiel are records of people who saw invisible elements of a prophetic nature.
Our spiritual book industry also has a good measure of books on people who have had certain experiences in the spiritual realm, for instance Rick Joyner and Frank Peretti, to name but two, even though the latter’s work is largely fictional. There is conflicting commentary from credible experts of the Bible on both sides of the spectrum. Perhaps we should emphasize the fact that there is a good reason why God mostly chooses not to open the spiritual eyes of most believers, as it would simply be too overwhelming. At some point I had to minister to a group of children for whom a well-known Charismatic church had prayed for their spiritual eyes to be opened, and what they had seen in the spirit created within many of them an absolute spirit of fear.
Along with this – our spiritual walk is largely concerned with faith, and faith is by definition “the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Don’t forget that! In verse 6 it is spelled out: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
It is and remains God’s prerogative to open your spiritual eyes, and He will most probably not do this just for the sake of you having the experience. Faith is what makes you see; believing is, after all, seeing. There are things that are “visible and invisible” (Col. 1:16) and this is how God created it. The reality of this is the most beautiful gesture – looking at the glorified body of Jesus, which is invisible to some, and visible to others (John 20:14; 1 Cor. 15:5; Matt. 28:17). Or, as in the case of the disciples from Emmaus that travelled with Him but did not recognize Him, because “their eyes were restrained,” until “their eyes were opened … and He vanished from their sight” (Luke 24:16 & 31).
- Selah: Have there been instances where your spiritual eyes were opened?
- Read: 34-36.
- Memorise: 34:14 (are these animals a reality? Wonderful material as illustration for this teaching.)
