The Four Eleven Foundation: 1 Thessalonians

A LEADING QUESTION

1.5. Is Jacob an example of one who experienced revelation of the all- presence of God?

A KEY SCRIPTURE

Genesis 28:16,17 "And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. ¹⁷ And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

ARRIVING AT AN ANSWER

JACOB the weary, lonely runaway, learns God is everywhere present.

JACOB left his parents at Beer- Sheba; because of his deception he did not want to face Esau's anger, but could not get away from God.

JACOB went to sleep with a stone for a pillow, probably softened by his garment and headdress, so sleeping out of doors was no hardship for him as a shepherd. He may have been discomforted by the sense of his own loneliness.

JACOB discovered in the dream in which a revelation of the all-presence of God was given, that he was never alone.

JACOB learned in the dream that he was not only observed by God, but there was a ladder of access to God. Notice the allusion made to the ladder or stairway by the Lord Jesus Christ in John 1:51. Jesus is the way by which human beings have access to the Father (John 14:6; Ephesians 2:18 ). In Jesus we enjoy the riches of intimacy with the omnipresent God.

JACOB had the dream give way to vision in which the Lord God declared Himself as a God of the covenant with Abraham and Isaac, and now renewed with Jacob himself (Genesis 28:13 ).

JACOB received abundant promises with the guarantee of the Almighty omnipresent God (Genesis 28:13-15 ). Promises that included:- possession of the land - progeny to be countless - prospects of being a great blessing - partakers would include all earth's families - protection where he was going - participation of God in his return - persistent action by God till all be fulfilled. As believers we have the word of the omnipresent God that He will not withhold the sense of His presence from us, nor fail to meet us at the point of our need (Hebrews 13:5-6 ).

JACOB set up the stone, anointing it and dedicating it to God. He changed the name of the place to Bethel (Genesis 28:18-20 ). What was called Luz, the name of a Canaanite city, now became Bethel, the house of God. It does not seem as though Jacob entered the city of Luz, rather, he slept outside. But the whole place was dedicated as the house of God because the all-present God had manifested Himself in grace to Jacob there. We need to present our bodies to God, for we are recipients of His mercies (Romans 12:1 ). Do you know that your body, as a believer, is the house of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19 ), and that Christ dwells in your heart by faith? (Ephesians 3:17 ). You are no longer a centre of godless activity, you have become a kingdom centre of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17 ).

JACOB bases his vow on what God had promised to do for him in bringing him back to his father's house. He would renew his dedication of the place and give himself completely to God. (Genesis 28:20-22 ). You can embrace God's promises and presence, and experience His faithfulness.

A LEADING QUESTION

1.6. Can a vision be a revelation of God's all-presence?

A KEY SCRIPTURE

Daniel 8:2 "And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. "

ARRIVING AT AN ANSWER

God is present at the palace giving a revelation through a vision, to Daniel.

Whether we accept the rendering "palace" (KJV), "citadel" (NKJV), or "capital" (REB), it was a royal city and Daniel a high ranking royal official to whom was granted revelation of Israel's history during the times of the Gentiles (Daniel Chapters 8-12 ). Remarkable disclosure of God's all-knowledge and all-presence. If Daniel was in Shushan in vision only, and the place a structure yet future, a Persian palace, it is a remarkable incident of vision in the omniscient, omnipresent Spirit of God, comparable to that of John's vision of the coming city (Revelation 21:2 ).

There is no place representative of human power that can shut God out, nor stop God working His plans. History relates many incredible instances that demonstrate the all-present God in control (Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalm 66:7; Daniel 2:20-21; Proverbs 19:21 ).

A LEADING QUESTION

1.7. Does the scene of the transfiguration show God's all- presence?

A KEY SCRIPTURE

Matthew 17:5 "While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'"

ARRIVING AT AN ANSWER

Climb the mountain of prayer and you will see God present. Peter, James and John climb the mountain with Jesus the Son of God. There He was transfigured before them.

The manifestation of omnipresence was the occasion when Peter was so awed by the appearance of Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:3 ) that he put them on equality with Christ.

Matthew 17:4 "Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'"

The intervention and instruction "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him." positioned Jesus as the incomparable one. God the Father would have no one rival His Son. Neither should we. Are you taken up with the good news of the Person, Word, and work of Jesus Christ the Son of God?

Had there been no demonstration of the all-presence of God up on the high mountain it would not alter the fact of His presence there. He is everywhere present. The unique display of Jesus' glory should have kept Peter quiet.

Wherever you are you can expect greater revelations of His presence and power.

	JACOB the weary, lonely runaway, learns God is everywhere present.
	JACOB left his parents at Beer- Sheba; because of his deception he did not want to face Esau's anger, but could not get away from God.
	JACOB went to sleep with a stone for a pillow, probably softened by his garment and headdress, so sleeping out of doors was no hardship for him as a shepherd. He may have been discomforted by the sense of his own loneliness.
	JACOB discovered in the dream in which a revelation of the all-presence of God was given, that he was never alone.
	JACOB learned in the dream that he was not only observed by God, but there was a ladder of access to God. Notice the allusion made to the ladder or stairway by the Lord Jesus Christ in John 1:51. Jesus is the way by which human beings have access to the Father (John 14:6; Ephesians 2:18 ). In Jesus we enjoy the riches of intimacy with the omnipresent God.
	JACOB had the dream give way to vision in which the Lord God declared Himself as a God of the covenant with Abraham and Isaac, and now renewed with Jacob himself (Genesis 28:13 ).
	JACOB received abundant promises with the guarantee of the Almighty omnipresent God (Genesis 28:13-15 ). Promises that included:- possession of the land - progeny to be countless - prospects of being a great blessing - partakers would include all earth's families - protection where he was going - participation of God in his return - persistent action by God till all be fulfilled. As believers we have the word of the omnipresent God that He will not withhold the sense of His presence from us, nor fail to meet us at the point of our need (Hebrews 13:5-6 ).
	JACOB set up the stone, anointing it and dedicating it to God. He changed the name of the place to Bethel (Genesis 28:18-20 ). What was called Luz, the name of a Canaanite city, now became Bethel, the house of God. It does not seem as though Jacob entered the city of Luz, rather, he slept outside. But the whole place was dedicated as the house of God because the all-present God had manifested Himself in grace to Jacob there. We need to present our bodies to God, for we are recipients of His mercies (Romans 12:1 ). Do you know that your body, as a believer, is the house of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19 ), and that Christ dwells in your heart by faith? (Ephesians 3:17 ). You are no longer a centre of godless activity, you have become a kingdom centre of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17 ).
	JACOB bases his vow on what God had promised to do for him in bringing him back to his father's house. He would renew his dedication of the place and give himself completely to God. (Genesis 28:20-22 ). You can embrace God's promises and presence, and experience His faithfulness.