Text- Revelation 4:6, 8- “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes; eyes to look ahead, eyes to look behind… They were full of eyes, seeing around and within.”
Today, our focus is still on the living creatures around the throne of God, which John described as “Full of Eyes”. According to the text, these eyes have four functions:
1. Eyes to look ahead 2. Eyes to look behind 3. Eyes seeing around 4. Eyes seeing within
Having talked about eyes to look ahead, today we will be talking about EYE TO LOOK BEHIND
This is what we call hindsight and retrospection. These are the component eye with which you look back on and review past situations or events in order to evaluate and gain understanding from them.
That’s why, when you observe how these living creatures worship God, they say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come”… They called God the one who because they had eyes to look behind.
Notice that the creatures first called God “The one who was” before they went on to honor His present sate and His future reality. That is the same with you and I; we cannot properly appreciate the present and the future except we first properly evaluate our past
There are at least four things in your past that you must evaluate and thoroughly understand if you will make the best of your present, and qualify for a glorious tomorrow.
1. Your Background – Your background is more of historical facts about where you are coming from (Your family, things that predated your birth etc.). This will open your eyes to the things you need to build upon, and the things you need to destroy.
2. Your History – Your history talks about your own life as a person, and all the experiences and exposures that you have had. This will guide you in future endeavors, and equip you with practical wisdom.
3. Your Heritage – Your heritage talks about your inheritances; both physical and spiritual. This tells you the things you can stand on and draw upon as you make your way towards destiny.
4. Bequeathed Legacies – Bequeathed Legacies are those things that you must guard jealously and ensure their continuity. They are the standards that you must perpetuate, and in fact pass on to the next generation.
If you cannot thoroughly look back in retrospect, your prospect is not guaranteed
PRAYER
1. Lord, please give me the eyes that look behind. Eyes for thorough hindsight and retrospection.
2. Moving from my past, Lord help me to make the best of my present, and qualify for a glorious tomorrow.
3. Lord, help me to correctly evaluate and understand my background, history, heritage and bequeathed legacies.