What Other Eyes Cannot See

   I recently read again the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, EYE HATH NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NEITHER HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN, THE THINGS WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM,” and compared it with Isaiah 64:4. Paul undoubtedly was quoting from the words of the prophet in this verse when he said, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth on him.” Whenever 1 Corinthians 2:9 is read it is usually put in the context of the future life and is set forth as a description of the state that will be enjoyed in heaven. Careful reading of this scripture indicates that to make such an application is not improper but even now “God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” The apostle is not merely describing the future happiness of Christians, buth their views of the wisdom God in the plan of salvation. Verses 6-7 of this chapter says “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect (mature): yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom (truth) of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” Paul is saying the child of God has views of that which the eyes of other people have not seen; a view of a beauty that cannot be found in any other place. Before Calvary every follower of God looked to the promise of the coming of the Messiah. Their offerings were enacted over and over again because the blood of slain animals could not wash away sin and destroy the bondage of sin. They knew the day would come when Jesus would come and destroy the works of the devil. It is said in the book of Hebrews that what the blood of animals could not do, when the better sacrifice (Jesus) came He would give power over sin and there would never be another sacrifice for sin.

   What the “eye had never seen” meant was no one ever fully perceived and understood the beauty of those things which God had prepared for His people. We learn the quality of objects by our external senses and they are used to denote an acquisition of knowledge. But the “ear hath not heard” is to say that this way (salvation) was not known. But thank God, the things God held in reserve for so long has been revealed to us by the coming of the Son of God. The blessings which are ours by the Gospel surpasses the full comprehension of people and goes infinitely beyond anything that man could know or experience without the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just think, if the Gospel has conferred such blessings on us while on earth, how much purer and richer will be the joys, which He will bestow on children in heaven!