According to Jonathan Swift, “Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.” In this respect, vision is related to faith. In his wonderful description of faith, the inspired author of the book of Hebrews says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 1:1). Because they are unseen (Rm. 8:24), things hoped for require faith. Thus, in a manner of speaking, faith becomes our eyes into the future as well as the past.
As to the past, it is by faith that “we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible” (Heb. 11:3). God provides an extensive account of Creation in the first two chapters of Genesis. Other passages confirm that God “spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (Ps. 33:9). Our vision into the past is inseparably connected to our faith in the inspired record. For this reason, Paul says that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rm. 10:17).
The salient features of the gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ – along with every bit of information chosen by the Holy Spirit to be included in the inspired historical record, provide the basis of the faith upon which our hope rests. Such vision into the past leads to confident faith in the future. By faith, we see how God keeps His promises (2 Cor. 1:20; Heb. 11). Faith gives rise to hope and His hope does not disappoint us (Rm. 5:5). So far as God has spoken in His word, we have vision into the future. We know the final outcome. God wins! Those who are with Him are “the called and chosen and faithful” (Rev. 17:14). Many of the details concerning the future are yet unknown and will likely remain unknown. But, we have what we need to trust in Him and obey His word (2 Cor. 5:7). In the meantime, our vision is set on that “city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10).
— Glen Elliott —