Have you ever experienced the awe-inspiring view from a mountain summit or the top of a skyscraper? The physical realm is transformed when you elevate yourself above the ground level. Everything looks different. At the pinnacle, you see the world in a new light, with clarity and wonder that are unattainable from below. This shift in perception is not just a physical phenomenon but a metaphor for our spiritual journey.
SPIRITUAL ASCENSION: DISCOVERING DIVINE PURPOSE
Just as elevation shifts our physical perception, ascending into spiritual realms transforms our vision. When we seek and access higher spiritual realms, we uncover our eternal purpose and divine assignments. However, it is one thing to discover your divine purpose and quite another to walk in it faithfully.
BURJ KHALIFA: A TESTAMENT OF HUMAN INGENUITY
Consider the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world, standing at an astonishing 828 meters with over 160 stories. The view from the 148th-floor observation deck, which costs a thousand dollars to access, is unparalleled. From this vantage point, you can marvel at the incredible transformation of Dubai from a desert into a cutting-edge technological city. The man-made Palm Jumeirah Island, visible from this height, adds to the splendor. Indeed, elevation shifts your perception, transforming your understanding of Dubai as a luxury destination.
BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE: Numbers 13:30-33 and Matthew 4:8-10
In Numbers 13:30-33, we see Caleb’s faith contrasted with the fear of other Israelites. Caleb, viewing the Promised Land from a higher spiritual perspective, declares, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Yet, others see themselves as grasshoppers compared to the giants in the land. This passage reminds us that spiritual elevation allows us to see through the eyes of faith, not fear.
Similarly, in Matthew 4:8-10, Satan shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world from an exceedingly high mountain and offers them in exchange for worship. Jesus, grounded in His divine mission, rebukes Satan, affirming the supremacy of worshiping God alone. Elevation, both physical and spiritual, can shift our perception, highlighting the importance of maintaining a heavenly perspective.
THE REVOLUTION OF THE COMPUTER CHIP
The evolution of the computer chip illustrates how technological advancements can dramatically shift perceptions. Initially, computers used massive vacuum tubes, weighing over 30 tonnes. Today, the same functions are performed by microchips, tiny enough to fit on a human fingernail, yet containing billions of components. This transformation has revolutionized how we interact with technology, enabling the internet, mobile banking, and countless other innovations that make life more convenient and interconnected.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: EMBRACING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS
Reflecting on my school days, I recall the last-minute rush to pay fees. Queuing for hours at the bank to deposit money and receive a school tuition cheque was a termly ritual. Today, mobile banking allows parents to transfer funds directly from their living rooms, simplifying life immensely. Such technological elevation mirrors the spiritual elevation we should strive for — seeking greater divine connection with God through the Holy Spirit.
ASCENSION SHIFTS VISION: SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
Man’s capacity is limited without the Holy Spirit. Like comparing a one-dimensional flat paper to a three-dimensional box or cube, our understanding and vision are profoundly expanded when we ascend spiritually. Before the fall, Adam walked in full fellowship with God, led by the Spirit in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8). We must restore this spiritual authority in the unseen realm, striving to return to God’s presence through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
JOHN 4:24: WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24 NKJV). This foundational scripture underscores the necessity of spiritual elevation to perceive divine truths. As we ascend, we access deeper revelations, as promised in John 16:12-15, where Jesus speaks of the Spirit of truth guiding us into all truth.
EMBRACING SPIRITUAL MYSTERIES
God desires to reveal spiritual mysteries to us. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard… the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9-14 NKJV). Through the Holy Spirit, we gain insight into God’s plans, transcending natural understanding with spiritual discernment.
STEPS TO ASCEND INTO THE UNSEEN REALM
Accept the Lord’s Invitation: Embrace His truths and draw near to God (James 4:8 NKJV). Call upon Him, and He will reveal great and mighty things (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV). Transform your mind to discern His perfect will (Romans 12:2 NKJV).
- Pursue Purity, Holiness, and Righteousness: Approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing Jesus, our High Priest, sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV).
- Spend Ample Time in His Presence: Seek God’s will through persistent prayer and meditation (Matthew 7:7-11 NKJV).
- Document and Research: Keep a journal of spiritual revelations and visions (Habakkuk 2:2-3 NKJV).
- Walk in Obedience: Yield completely to the Holy Spirit (Matthew 6:33 NKJV) and seek His guidance in all things (Psalms 51:17 NKJV).
- Stay Alert to Angelic Ministry: Recognize and declare God’s promises, knowing angels minister to us (Hebrews 1:14 NKJV, Psalms 103:20-21 NKJV).
THE HOLY OF HOLIES: DEEPENING INTIMACY WITH GOD
The Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelt in the Old Testament dispensation, represented the ultimate spiritual elevation. This sacred space, where the Ark of the Covenant resided, symbolized the fullness of divine fellowship and revelation. I Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV declares, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” In the New Testament dispensation, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God empowers us to ascend spiritually, moving from superficial engagements to deeper, more profound experiences with God.
BARRIERS TO INTIMACY: PRIDE, WILLFUL SIN & IMPATIENCE
Pride, willful sin, and impatience can hinder our spiritual ascent. James 4:6 warns that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Romans 1:20-25 cautions against exchanging the truth of God for lies. Psalms 37:7-9 encourages us to wait patiently for the Lord, trusting in His timing.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ASCEND?
As we ascend spiritually, we establish a deeper personal relationship with the Lord, hunger and thirst for His word, and engage in spiritual conversations with the Holy Spirit. Our encounters with God intensify, transforming us into intentional intercessors who zealously follow His instructions and abhor sin.
CONCLUSION: REVERENCE FOR GOD’S PRESENCE
God’s standards of holiness remain unchanged. When we encounter God’s glory, our flesh must yield. We must approach His presence with reverence and humility, conscious of His omnipresence. Even in the absence of visible manifestations, God’s presence is real and profound. Let us continually seek to elevate our spiritual perception, drawing closer to God and embracing the mysteries He desires to reveal. As we do, our lives will be transformed, and we will walk in the fullness of our divine purpose, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Remember, elevation shifts perception — both in the physical and spiritual realms.