“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart…” Isa 14:12-13

I would like to follow up with some more concerning the topic of unsanctified and false vision. I need to remind you that it is not enough that we are people of vision; the vision must be from God. A vision that does not come from God is still powerful indeed. Lives have been changed, nations changed, and history forever channeled by men and women of vision. But not all “vision” comes from God and is sanctified by God’s presence. A vision that is not sanctified by God can be a very dangerous thing. When coupled with other factors, the result can be devastating.

I want to introduce you to a real person of vision. He is in fact the true source of all unsanctified vision. He has placed his stamp of influence upon every person who would be king and master of his own realm. He is the original “man of vision” in the Bible. His story is older than the origin of the human race. We have much to learn about unbridled ambition from this individual.

In the midst of a prophecy against the prideful king of Babylon, the prophet Isaiah pauses to address an angelic being named Lucifer, or “the day star.” Why would Isaiah be inspired by God to do this? No one can argue that the kings of Babylon were men of vision - particularly Nebuchadnezzar. Yet, what was the source of this vision? Nebuchadnezzar received his prideful, self-worshiping attitude from the original man of vision - Lucifer. Indeed the narcissistic disorder did not originate from a character in Greek mythology.

And so the prophecy of Isaiah chapter 14 moves from the prideful ambitious king of Babylon to the author of ambitious unsanctified vision - Satan.

How Art Thou Fallen

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”  Isa 14:12

This is not a probing or a rhetorical question. It is an exclamation, a statement of surprise and shock. How breathtaking was Lucifer’s descent to become Satan, that old dragon and adversary of man’s soul! From heaven’s portals to the pit of hell! From the throne room of heaven and the presence of God to the sides of the pit where doomed souls spend eternity.

How breathtaking a descent! What could possibly precipitate such a decline? We only need to read on to discover the answer - but before we do, please notice this…

Notice that Lucifer already had a place prepared by God. It was the desire for more that caused him to “fall.” This fall was more than a fall from God’s favor, for a fall from God’s favor always has other consequences. When Lucifer fell from God’s favor while trying to attain another position than what God had granted, he lost his former position of blessing. This is the first lesson for us to take in concerning unsanctified vision - pursuing our own vision requires us to vacate the position provided by God. It will never be otherwise. That’s right, the first casualty of ambitious vision is the position of blessing God has prepared for you. The first person to suffer as a result of unsanctified vision is the one that possesses it.

And not only Lucifer eventually fell as a result of carnal vision, but one third of the angels of heaven followed him. They cast aside their position of blessing granted by God to follow after a carnal vision.

“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 6

Herein is another unchanging truth concerning unsanctified vision - many are displaced from God’s position of blessing because of one who embraces and works toward the vision conceived in his own heart. Not only will the originator forsake his god-given position, but those who follow him and embrace his ambition must also forsake the position God has given.

We must learn to live within God’s blessing for our lives, His position of favor, or we must forfeit that place of blessing to chase our own carnal ambitions. The story of Lucifer teaches us this. It is enough to be what God wants you to be; it is enough to have what God wants you to have; it is enough to achieve what God wants you to achieve. Never settle for less! But you certainly need not aspire to more. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer? The same way that many of God’s mighty have fallen over the span of time - by rejecting God’s best in order to pursue what is imagined to be better.

For Thou Hast Said

“For thou hast said in thine heart…” Isa 14:13

The reason for this meteoric descent is found in the five “I wills” of Lucifer. This is clearly the reason for his banishment from heaven’s glory. “For thou has said…”

Learn the next lesson that the original man of impure vision teaches us. Ambitious vision originates in one’s own heart. The heart is where the schemes are made and the plans laid. But even before the planning stage in this process, the corruption that exists in the carnal heart conceives this grand delusion. Those afflicted with the delusion become pretenders acting out their own fantasies and trying to turn them into reality.

Those that follow carnal vision are pretenders because they pretend that they are destined to receive what has been conceived in the most dubious of places - man’s heart!

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jer 17:9

These delusions of grandeur, conceived in the heart of self, come to be regarded as a sort of divine destiny. Meanwhile, the pretender will stop at almost nothing to make these carnal goals become reality. Perhaps you have witnessed otherwise “good” people lay aside all moral restraint in order to see the visions of their own carnal heart come to pass. Jeremiah wrote about a vision that was birthed in man’s own heart - “…they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.” Jer 23:16

Unsanctified vision originates in the heart of self. No matter how the pretenders protest that their vision is from God, consider these things as you evaluate the true source. The goals of the vision - what will be the result if the vision is realized? The methods used to achieve the vision - is the pretender willing to violate Scripture in word or principle to further the vision?

I Will Ascend Into Heaven

“I will ascend into heaven…” Isa 14:13

The first “I will” of Lucifer expresses a pretense that is shocking when considered. Heaven is no longer considered a privilege - it is a right. No longer is the approach to God marked by humility and contriteness - it is deemed to be an earned right.

Certainly the origin of this thinking is not God. It proceeds from the carnal and prideful heart. I understand that in our time of need we are instructed to come boldly before the throne of grace (Heb 4:16). But let us never forget that God’s throne is just that, it is a throne of grace. We do not earn the right to burst into God’s presence and casually blurt out our demands! We are granted the privilege to come with humble boldness to the place God has instructed us to bring our needs. It is the throne of grace; the place of holy enablement. Here the humble will find grace to help in their hour of need. This is no place to make our demands and issue our proclamations!

Lucifer was not interested in humbly coming into the presence of God; he wanted to own heaven itself. Beware of an attitude that forgets what heaven really means.

I Will Exalt My Throne

“I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…” Isa 14:13

The theme of unsanctified vision is always self-exaltation. After ascending to heaven as if it were some sort of divine right, Lucifer next imagined himself exalting his own throne above the other “stars,” or angelic beings.

We must pause here to consider a very important concept: There is only One that grants thrones in heaven. While it is true that Jesus told the disciples they would sit upon 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel, I understand these thrones to be other than heavenly thrones. In fact, I understand that there is only one throne in heaven, that being the throne of God. It is certain that if there are other thrones in heaven, Jesus Christ is the only One that grants them! Since when does an angel rate to even be given a throne?

The daystar, Lucifer, not only wanted his own throne, but he also wanted that position of authority exalted above the other “stars.” Here is the meat of this “I will” statement. It is the same goal that many involved in carnal ambition promote yet today - it is self-promotion. Again, it is not enough even to have a throne. The throne must be exalted above others. This is the essence of the pride of life. Not only must the carnal vision have a permanent position, but also that position must eclipse all others. If someone else is blessed with a barn, I must have a bigger barn. If someone else has a nice car, I must have a nicer car. If someone else gets a blessing, I must receive a better blessing. You just must understand that I am destined to be better than everybody! The rules that apply to everyone else are not binding upon me. I am bigger than rules. I will exalt my throne above all the rest of God’s people, because I am destined to be better than all of them.

A vision from God does not minister to the pride of life. Godly vision exalts the Lord Jesus, not self. Godly vision is not concerned with being better than others. Godly vision is not interested in having a perpetual position other than the position of blessing that God alone provides.

I Will Sit

“I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north…” Isa 14:13

The third I will statement of Lucifer concerned a permanent position of favor. Sitting while others stood. How many times do you read of an angel sitting? That is not in their makeup - they are designed by the Creator God to be ministers.

“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Heb 1:13-14

What is significant about sitting? We find that the Old Testament priesthood had no place to sit in the tabernacle economy. They never sat because their work was never completed. Jesus’ ministry was of a different sort, for His work of redemption was completed after Calvary as He entered the holy place made without hands in heaven.

“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” Heb 1:3

God is the only One seated in heaven. But Lucifer had a vision of himself also sitting.

“I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:” Isa 14:13

He wanted to forget this ministering business and instead let others minister to him. This is the attitude of an unsanctified vision - the world is supposed to minister to me. I am supposed to be at the top of the pyramid and all the activity of the “little people” is supposed to be for the purpose of benefiting me.

My friend, it is not all about you - it is about Him! If you are expecting everyone you encounter to bow down and minister to you, you need to get a real vision from God. He has called us to become servants and to minister to one another and to the lost!

I Will Ascend Above the Heights

“I will ascend above the heights of the clouds…” Isa 14:14

Lucifer imagined himself going to heights that no other angel had ever gone. He would accomplish things that others only dreamed of accomplishing. There would never be another angel like him - he would outstrip all other angels.

We are sometimes encouraged to reach for things that others have never achieved. But fools take up this vision and forget that to achieve much without serving others is no real accomplishment at all. So much of what passes for vision only ministers to the flesh and comes from a source far removed from the God of glory we must serve.

When the goal of achievement has nothing to do with serving others you can be sure that it will also not glorify God! A carnal vision seeks to promote self and elevate self at every turn. For those possessed of carnal vision, seldom is anything done for others without selfish motives thinly veiled and just beneath the surface. Apostolic ministry is of a different sort:

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” Phil 3:7-8

I Will Be Like the Most High

“I will be like the most High.” Isa 14:14

This is the final extreme that false vision leads men to. They become, in effect, a god unto themselves. In their own mind they are so much like God that what they desire is naturally what God desires. The things that benefit self are, of course, what God desires. So when they speak, the Lord Himself has spoken.

Is there any question that when one arrives at this final stage of corruption that the judgment of God is near? Can God allow anyone so corrupted by carnal ambition, so polluted by delusions of pride, to endure long before judgment?

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” Isa 14:12

“How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!” 2 Sam 1:27

Picture this:

“Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;” Isa 14:15-16

It is not enough that we are people of vision; the vision must be from God. To follow after vision conceived in one’s own heart requires one to leave God’s place of blessing. Even for those that don’t serve God this is true to a certain extent. In other words, one can never pursue God’s vision and the vision of self at the same time. Many others are often displaced from blessing due to the unsanctified vision of one individual.

Unsanctified vision is all about self - the exaltation of self at the expense of any that dares be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The delusion of carnal vision causes men to ignore God’s Law and make up their own rules as they go.

All unsanctified vision will carry one to the pit of hell. Unfortunately, few go there alone. The force of another’s “vision” leads many astray.

© 2009 Nevin Bass. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced for the purpose of resale without written permission.

“And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” 2 Sam 15:6

Without a vision the people perish (Prov 29:18). But unless God cleanses the vision, the people are misled. It is one thing to desire to be used by God to promote His kingdom, it is quite another to used God to promote our own kingdom.

There is a thin line between faith and personal ambition. We must always look at the heart of an issue, for God looks much deeper than the outward gaze. What is the motivation behind our vision? Is it the glory of God, or the admiration of men? Does our vision advance God’s kingdom first, or does it promote our position? Are we motivated by a desire to prove something to the world?

Where our heart is will determine the type of vision we accept. The desire for revenge is a powerful force that motivates many. A wounded heart is a dangerous thing to have beating within your chest. A feeling that you have been wronged can quickly develop into bitterness. And bitterness drives many to seize any opportunity to promote self. A wounded heart and a determined mind is a very lethal combination and can lead many out of God’s will and to their own destruction. Read the rest of this entry »

“…they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD…For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?” Jer 23:16-18

Vision is very important and men who possess leadership character are men of vision. The subject of vision seems to be quite popular today. “Casting vision” has become an expression used to convey the act of inspiring others to receive and buy into the idea being presented. But our understanding of vision must be more discerning than simply recognizing its existence or buying into the vision presented due to the charisma of the presenter. We must learn to discern the type of vision being presented, or more specifically its source.

At issue is the fact that there is a vision that does not originate from God. Sanctified vision must come from God and not from man’s own heart. To illustrate my point I refer to Proverbs 29:19.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Prov 29:18

We often quote the first half of this two-part verse. The poetic form this verse takes is called a couplet. A couplet combines either contrasting or complimenting thoughts. In the case of Proverbs 29:18 the form is that of a complimenting couplet. The thoughts are similar. The first thought concerns the necessity of vision - “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” The second thought concerns the origin of godly vision - “…but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” In order to be beneficial to the work of the Kingdom, the vision must come from God. Without a vision the people perish, however if the vision is not from God the people are misled. Read the rest of this entry »

“And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” Gen 25:22-23

This article is about a promise from God. A promise is when God speaks to you about specific things that He wants to accomplish in your life. Perhaps the Lord has let you have a glimpse in the Spirit of the ultimate position of blessing He has placed before you. Some refer to this as a promise; others call it vision.

If you want to refer to this as vision, that is fine. Just understand that the vision does not originate in the heart of man. It comes from God and is communicated in whatever avenue you are accustomed to hearing God’s voice. We are not speaking about ambition, which I consider a carnal attempt to elevate self. God is not pleased nor His will served when men determine in their own hearts what they should accomplish or how high their own determination will lift them. A promise or a vision originates in the mind of God and is communicated by God to man. Read the rest of this entry »

“And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.” Gen 25:5-6

A promise is that which is spoken by God to man. It is conditional in nature. The basis of the condition is man’s consecration. Consecration is separation from and unto - from the wickedness of the world and unto God. In the covenant God made with Abraham, the father of the faithful, we see the conditional nature of God’s covenants.

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Gen 12:1-3

Verses 2 and 3 begin with “and.” As Abram performed his part of the covenant, God would perform His. That this covenant is conditional is seen by the fact that God didn’t speak to Abram again until he obeyed and began the work of consecration. This was after Abraham finally departed Haran and traveled to Canaan (Gen 12:7). Read the rest of this entry »

“And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.” Gen 12:7-8

Your promise from God is tied to your altar. In fact, everything about your position in God is related to worship. God’s appearance in our life should motivate altar-building consecration.

One of the reasons that your promise is forever joined to your altar has to do with your worship. The ultimate act of worship is to offer your dream on the altar of sacrifice. Until this happens, the promise cannot take on a life of its own. Your dream will not become a reality that outlives you until you offer it up to the Lord and trust Him to give it life. Read the rest of this entry »

“Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;” 2 Cor 7:6

I am not writing about comfortable shoes. Although I am sure the world would be a much better place if people’s feet were more comfortable, I am not writing about wearing comfortable sandals. I am writing about when comfort wears sandals.

I believe the Lord wants to use His saints to encourage one another. Being used in this way will move us beyond our own problems and issues. Being used in this way will move us beyond our comfort zone. Comforting others requires coming along side them and going beyond your own comfort. Allowing God to use us in this way requires reaching out. Comforting others means touching and being touched.

Paul’s Predicament

“For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.” 2 Cor 7:5

Paul had some serious problems. He was one of those dudes that seemed to live under a gray cloud. You didn’t want to casually ask Brother Paul how things were going unless you were prepared to pull up a seat and stay for a while. If you were having a bad day before you talked with Paul, you would be willing to thank God for your blessings after you heard what the apostle had on his plate. Read the rest of this entry »

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Ps 122:1

Beginning immediately after the chapter that is at the center of the Bible are the songs of degrees. Psalm 119 is the heart of the Bible and expresses a heart for God’s Word. This chapter is a song of alliteration with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet having eight verses beginning with that letter. Each and every verse of Psalm 119 refers to the Word of God in some form or another - the word, the testimonies, the precepts, etc.

There are fifteen psalms called songs of “degrees” immediately following Psalm 119. Most copies of God’s Word label these psalms right under the chapter number. The label is not part of the Word of God, but has been handed down to us from hundreds of years of usage. Some of the labels of the psalms convey to us the circumstances the hymn was written and given to us. For example: Read the rest of this entry »

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth” Ps 121:1-2.

The songs of “degrees” are songs that were composed to be sung as worshipers ascended toward the Temple in Jerusalem. Some versions have the heading “a song of ascents.” Psalms 120-134 have this distinction. The songs of degrees have always had a powerful impact on the people of faith because they address the Christian journey. The city of Jerusalem has several typical applications -

• Jerusalem speaks about our relationship with the Lord and hence our salvation.
• Jerusalem speaks about finding the perfect will of God for our lives - Mount Zion, the city set on a hill.
• Jerusalem speaks about the eternal destination of the blessed, heaven. Read the rest of this entry »
  
  
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“For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:28

This parable is only found in Mark. It is also the only parable that is unique to Mark’s gospel. It is the second kingdom parable in the second gospel. There are three parables in quick succession in Mark chapter 4. They are the parable of the seed and sower, the parable of the growing seed, and the parable of the mustard seed. Mark is the only gospel account that gives us this marvelous little parable of spiritual growth.

We might look at this as a continuation of the first kingdom parable in this chapter - the parable of different soils. The parable of the growing seed addresses the growth that takes place in the good soil.

In these three parables of growth we see:

• How the Word divides men depending upon how they receive it - the soils.
• How the Word works in men who receive it - the growing seed.
• How the Word creates an environment that is out of proportion to its start and nature - the mustard seed.

The growth of God’s kingdom that is precipitated by the Word is:

• A growth that distinguishes between men’s hearts - soils.
• A growth that transforms life in those who receive it - the growing seed.
• A growth that can become a monstrosity when viewed from a natural viewpoint - mustard seed. Read the rest of this entry »
  
  
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