Our 21st century can rightfully be called the age of information and amazing discoveries in an area previously unknown, and we could not imagine all the possibilities that information transmission through the air over long distances brings. But knowledge varies, and everything my mind receives becomes building material for my worldview.
There is a particular feature in human consciousness. The mind is formed based on what it is most focused on. And if I am a free person who can set the direction of my steps on life's path, my will shall indicate the direction in which my mind and heart will go.
Remembering that I live in a world where a universal battle between good and evil is fought for possession of my mind, I must always be on guard of my mind to prevent unnecessary things from entering it.
The Bible contains a warning about the last time. We read in Luke 21:26: "People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken." Is this referring to all of humanity, including believers, or does this prophecy describe a specific group of people whose minds were focused on this world and everything happening in it?
Place a sponge in juice and let it absorb this liquid. Then when pressed, it will release what it has been saturated with. Our mind is arranged the same way. It gives others what it is fed with and influences the course of my thoughts precisely in the sphere to which it pays the most attention.
If I am expecting not disasters coming upon the Universe but Christ's coming, and focus my gaze on this event, I will likely be overflowing not with fears and terror, but with thanksgiving and joy about the upcoming meeting. I will study all the details of this event, wait for signs, prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit's Power and pray about it, turn my gaze to Heaven and beg for love that endures everything. I simply will not have time for anything that might distract my gaze from Christ.
Although this world is visible, and I still live in it, I can look with eyes of faith at the invisible and contemplate what the Lord will reveal to me in His love and according to His plan for me.
I do not recommend looking closely at war rumors. If you begin studying all ongoing conflicts and try to understand them, you might become a specialist in this field, but you will never know the whole truth and the true reason for what is happening as God knows and sees it. And He will not reveal the essence of things to you now. Your knowledge of military events will make you an armchair expert but will not influence the course of history. But the most sad and terrible thing that will happen is that the lawlessness of this world will cool love in your heart and fill it with completely different content. Christ will not share His throne with those who stare intently at the world, studying the science of sin and thinking about how to improve their life among this evil.
Jesus promised that victors will sit with Him on His throne—those who strictly followed God's plan, studied the Heavenly strategy, looked to the Heavenly Commander-in-Chief, and heard the voice of His commands and revelations. Although sometimes it is very difficult to concentrate on good things, and one must see what is happening in the world, diving headlong into one or another sphere of events is my personal decision that only I make.
For example, I take a phone in my hand. It does not force me to look at something that will destroy my mind and make me unfit for Eternity. The smartphone also does not ask me to listen to useful sermons or study the science of salvation. It calmly lies in my palm and waits for my finger's command to open information that I, not it, am interested in. Developers' analytical programs can recognize what I like most and try to offer me material on my favorite topic, but they cannot force my finger to go their way. I decide what is more important to me. Here my will and mind come into play. It is easier for them to offer me what they are already filled with.
But the greatest influence on my will is exerted by its lawful husband. For any person, there can only be two. Christ and His mind, or the carnal person and their principles.
If my will is married to Christ, it will strive to please its Husband in everything and not be distracted by other husbands. And by looking at Christ, it will become like Him in thoughts and feelings, and all its desires will be about Him and for Him.
The carnal nature is closer to my heart by the fact of sinful heredity, and it is always easier for it to take possession of my will if it is not occupied by Christ. And the desires of the flesh are familiar to my mind and constantly draw it to themselves. The carnal person does not mind their presence even in spiritual matters and would gladly sit on God's throne, but love will never allow this to happen. It will either drive out carnal thoughts or leave the human heart forever but will not unite with lawlessness and permeate sinful things.
The lust of the flesh does not mind wearing the name of love and presenting its desires to the world under this name. But it will never become love from this. Just as the South Pole will never become the North Pole, love will never be lawlessness. By looking at this world, I absorb its values and then share them with others. By looking at Christ and God's principles, I permeate my mind with Heavenly content and will definitely share it with everyone.
By offering us to buy His goods from Revelation 3:18, the Faithful Witness desires to teach us constancy in these trading relationships. It is a kind of looking at God's glory and immersion in the science of victory over the world. Symbolically buying the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I acquire with Them their power to victory over sin. My mind puts this trade as the priority of everything, and my will clings to the Heavenly Husband, who comes every evening for dinner to communicate with me and draw me closer to Himself.
My will and mind, my heart and desires—this is me as I am, and it is precisely this my "I" that the Lord desires to possess eternally, giving all of Himself in exchange forever, on a permanent basis. Do you want to have such trade with the Savior? If yes, then you need to settle forever in the Laodicean store from Revelation 3:18 and constantly look at what is offered there, taking for yourself as much as one needs to have every day throughout Eternity.
The Bible promises to grant God's protection during the time of trouble, special blessings at all times, and amazing revelations for personal growth to all those who will look intently at Christ, seek His face, and show obedience to His commandments.
While the entire world will be dying from fear, those expecting Christ will anticipate the joy of the upcoming meeting and the prospect of eternal liberation from the influence of evil. And with what heart I will enter this time of trouble, I choose myself right now. And blessed am I if my thoughts and feelings are saturated with the desire to know the Truth and taste It. The Lord will respond to such thirst and give more than asked.
Reflection Questions for this Chapter
1. Please read 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalms 15:8; 16:15; 39:9; 100:2-6; 118:15; Luke 13:20-21,24; Matthew 6:11,19-20; Isaiah 5:11-12; 26:10; 31:1; Micah 7:7; Hebrews 12:1-2 in light of this chapter.
2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?
3. What did you understand from this chapter?
4. Do you believe that the things you look at form your consciousness and worldview?
5. How do you understand the expression "to look"? What does this look like in life?
6. Can my worldview influence what I want to look at and what I do not want to look at?
7. If I look at the sun briefly and then turn my gaze to other landscapes, will there be a trace of the sun present in my vision even with closed eyes? How is this example similar to other situations?
8. Can I not look at anything?
9. If I look only at good things, does this mean the enemy can never tempt me?
10. Can I become like Christ by briefly glancing at Him?
11. Do you see an offer for prolonged relationships in Jesus' counsel from Revelation 3:18?
12. Will I learn more about what or whom I watch closely and devote much time to?
13. Did you notice the phenomenon where famous actors can quickly impose their values on the world even after a brief film viewing? What conclusion can be drawn from this?
14. Has anything changed in your life after you began looking at Jesus?
15. If you were not familiar with the law of influence and transformation by looking at something, does this mean you have not been transformed into anything?