Once upon a time, there was a man lost in the forest. For hours he had walked in the direction that seemed right to him, but in vain. Finally, he sat down, helpless; he did not know what to do. Then suddenly a thought came to him to climb the tallest tree. At the top of the tree he could see a village in the distance; now he knew he had to change his direction, and this saved his life.

We, also, in our Christian life need a broader view to see if our direction is correct. There are millions of Christians trying to reach heaven; but, their direction is not correct, and they will be lost in the end. In these last days, our great need is eyesalve to anoint our eyes, that we may see clearly whether our direction is correct.

“I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:18

When the Israelite people left Egypt all they could see was the sand desert, the hot sun, and the hostile nations that surrounded them; they also saw the lack of water and food. They could not see the beautiful providences of God, nor the miracles and wonders of God; therefore, they murmured and complained constantly.

How often did Jesus direct the minds of His disciples to the future glory, to eternal life, and to His second coming, but all they could see were the present trials and difficulties. Judas could see thirty pieces of silver, but he could not see the eternal life which he was giving up. He could not see that in a few hours he would hang himself in a tree and die. If he would have gone a little higher and contemplate his future and had seen all of this, he would have changed the direction of his life and saved himself.

Peter was watching Jesus in the judgment hall. He loved Jesus. He had been in His company for three and a half years. Then suddenly someone comes and tells him, “you are also one of His disciples.” What did Peter see in that moment? He saw only danger, that he might be condemned to death with Jesus, and, in a panic, he denied that he even knew Jesus. Afterwards he saw his action from a different viewpoint—he felt ashamed and went out and wept bitterly.

Later, the same Peter looked upon these trials from a different viewpoint. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12–13. This is a completely different viewpoint than Peter had before.

Science and religion have often had completely different viewpoints. Science states that survival is the most important thing. To save your life you may have to deny your faith and work on Sabbath. However, the Bible says, “Be faithful unto death.” Science states that a person is heavier than water, you cannot walk on it. But Jesus said to Peter, “walk on the water,” and he did. Who, then, was right?

The Psalmist looked into the lives of people with a human point of view. “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” Psalm 73:2–3, 12, 16–17

He saw the wicked sinners prospering, and it hurt him, until he saw their end. Then he did not envy them anymore. Verse 22 of the same Psalm says, “So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee.”

We need a broader view; we must look beyond the present. Lack of good eyesight brings many sorrows upon us.

There once was a king, rich who was powerful, living in a palace, with many servants. Would you be happy to live in such a condition? Yet, this king was not happy. “And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.” 1 Kings 21:4

He was unhappy because of covetousness; he wanted something that was not his, nor was given to him. Finally, through lies, he received Naboth’s land. Was he happy now? No, because he received the vineyard through deception. Naboth was stoned to death because false witnesses claimed he blasphemed God. The prophet Elijah came to Ahab with a message. “And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.” 1 Kings 21:17–19

Very few people see the danger of sin. Sin is so common that many people put themselves in danger by committing sins, thinking that they are safe. This is all because of a lack of eyesight. From a human standpoint they did well, but looking from above, it shows their foolishness. The trials that seem painful are really precious; they remove sin, selfishness, pride, and worldliness from us. Our sicknesses and misfortunes that are grievous are really a blessing to us. God uses them to purify us for life in heaven.

In the Royal Ontario Museum there are precious stones which look like regular stones in the ordinary light, but when you press a button to turn on an ultraviolet light, suddenly the stones start shining and they become brilliant. This is the same way in our lives; all our troubles and trials will appear precious to us in the light of heaven.

Let us not stay in the valley where we see so little; let us climb up to the mountain top to see far into the future. It was on the mountain where Peter, John, and James saw the glory of heaven. “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.” Matthew 17:1–2

On the mountain, Moses beheld the Promised Land, and looked into the future of God’s people. On the mountain, Jesus saw the future of the Jewish nation and wept for them.

Let us also go onto the mountain and look upon everything around us in the light of eternity. Let us have a broader look, and cast away selfishness, narrow ideas, petty grievances, and worldliness. Let us become more tolerant, more understanding, more trusting in God, and more faithful. We need vision; let the present day trials and disappointments disappear from our sight, and let us look to the time when we stand before God, purified, holy, and perfect in righteousness.

In the morning, have a vision as to what this day can be. Will it be a Christ-filled life, in words, thoughts, and actions? Take it as a challenge, and finally do everything in the light of the cross, beholding Jesus.

As you behold the cross, humanity will be raised into the divine atmosphere, and all will look different. Now we are willing to forgive, now we do not mind suffering and trials, now we are willing to help others, and do missionary work; the anxious and worried look will disappear from our countenances, and the peace of heaven will fill our hearts. Now the way to heaven becomes clear as the way became clear to the man who climbed the tree.

May the Lord help us all to have this broader look and meet each other in heaven. Amen.

Timo Martin