The Great Enlightenment

The Great Enlightenment: 

Introduction

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6 KJV) This devotional explores the concept of spiritual enlightenment, drawing from the scriptures and reflecting on the journey of faith.

Dominion and the Image of God

In the beginning, God created man in His own image, granting him dominion over all the earth. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle,² and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth³ upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28 KJV) This dominion, however, was subjected to vanity, a reminder of the potential for loss and the need for redemption. God’s plan, from the very beginning, foreshadows the ultimate restoration of man to His image and dominion.

The Kingdom of God: A Present Reality and Future Hope

The Kingdom of God is not merely a future hope but a present reality for believers. “He hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” (Colossians 1:13 KJV) We are a kingdom within a kingdom, citizens of God’s realm even amidst the world. This kingdom is within us now, destined to flourish until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.

The Day of Enlightenment

We live in a day of great enlightenment, where God is opening the eyes of His people to see the unseen and do the undoable. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance⁴ to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19 KJV) This echoes the prophecy of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;” (Isaiah 61:1-2 KJV) Jesus, in quoting Isaiah, added “recovering of sight to the blind,” signifying the dawning of this new era of spiritual vision.

The Prayer for Enlightenment

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians encapsulates the heart of this enlightenment: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,” (Ephesians 1:17-20 KJV) This enlightenment brings knowledge of our hope, our inheritance, and the immeasurable power available to us.

The Power of the Resurrection

The power available to believers is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This power transcends any circumstance we may face. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.“ (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 KJV) By focusing on the unseen, eternal realities, we access this divine power.

The Transforming Mind

Spiritual enlightenment brings a transformation of the mind, an increase in knowledge and understanding. Like Daniel, who was found “ten times better” than the magicians and astrologers (Daniel 1:20 KJV), our minds are expanded through obedience and dedication to God.

Faithfulness and Stewardship

As we receive more from God, more is required of us. Faithfulness is paramount. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV) This faithfulness extends to all areas of life, both material and spiritual.

Conclusion

God is working all things for our good, even amidst affliction. By keeping our eyes fixed on the unseen and eternal, we access the power of the resurrection and are transformed into His image. We are called to be faithful stewards of the gifts and blessings we receive, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Call to Action:

• Seek Enlightenment: Pray for the spirit of wisdom and revelation, that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened.
• Embrace Your Inheritance: Meditate on the riches of God’s glory and your inheritance as a saint.
• Tap into Divine Power: Believe in the exceeding greatness of God’s power available to you, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
• Focus on the Unseen: Look beyond your present circumstances to the eternal realities, trusting in God’s perfect plan.
• Be a Faithful Steward: Use the gifts and blessings God has given you to serve Him and others faithfully.