Spiritual Perception, C. R. Oliver [any book recommendations .txt] 📗

was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

 

His desire for the body of Christ to grow in Spiritual Perception was expressed throughout all his epistles. On this issue, he was similar to John in his writings. (If one would search the word “know” throughout the writings of John, one would be overwhelmed by his desire that “we would know.”) Alas, the church does not “know” what these early saints knew. Having been spooned a soft mix of showmanship and watered down doctrine, the congregants exit with a sugar high, but no sustaining spiritual protein. No pastor, evangelist or speaker should address the congregation of the Lord without visibly being filled with the Spirit and displaying Spiritual Perception.

 

Paul’s epistle to the Philippians stands solidly in contrast to what is encouraged among today’s

weak sheep (Sheeples).

 

Philippians 1:9-11

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God.

 

In speaking to young Timothy, Paul wrote:

 

2 Timothy 2:7

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

 

John’s Revelation is filled with spiritual insight. Jesus’ insight into the seven churches went beyond the surface of their being to the depth of their issues. My God knows this is what must take place today if the pulpits of the world are to be credible. Spiritual Perception must be unleashed if the church is to know its true condition.

 

Many times in John’s writings, he invoked Spiritual Perception. As an example, consider the following passage.

 

Revelation 13:18

This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666 (Next month’s Newsletter will continue this study and include “insight” and “know” as synonyms.)

 

Remember also the rebuke made by Jesus to those practicing religion during His earth days.

 

 

 

Luke 12:56

Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

 

Conclusion:

In Spiritual Perception, there is the sense of knowing, foreseeing, prophetic understanding, envisioning and consciousness of things unseen. The words “awareness” and “knowing” are implied in it. Possessing Spiritual Perception enables one to apprehend the intangible, the invisible, the undetected, and the unnoticed. Being able to see into the realms of the mysterious, yet not being mystical, is part of their personae.

 

Spiritual Perception does not come from the pursuit of education, but is imparted by the Spirit. One need notice only the appraisal of the Sanhedrin concerning the apostles in Acts, as they called them “unlearned,” while marveling at their words.

 

Being apprenticed to the Spirit increases these qualities, hones one’s own spirit and gives light concerning those with whom one comes in contact. Paul was bathed in the Spirit, and his writings are filled with spiritual perception. Most of the New Testament was written by him, yet he called himself “the least.”

 

Spiritual Perception helps us know “who we are” in the currents of history and “where we stand” facing the issues of the day. Spiritual Perception is not an ingredient to be added into a worldly mix, but is part and parcel of a holy one’s spiritual being. It is inseparable from a person once enjoined. It flavors every decision and is a part of every equation. Its resources are a constant factor in every venue.

 

Spiritual Perception haunts the auditory; it is phantom to one’s vision. It makes the people of God the peculiar ones He calls forth. God speaks through Spiritual Perception and offers His help by it. Glory to God for it, nothing is like it.

 

(Because of the season of the year, allow me to say that Anna and Simeon exemplified it!)

 

 

 

 

Imprint

Publication Date: 10-07-2013

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
Thanks to Zadok Publication Newsletter Division and to C. R. Oliver for allowing us to use his newsletter for this study.