But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
Caution: Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear. If you have looked at the sideview mirror on the passenger side of your car, you recognize this warning to look more closely when a vehicle appears in that mirror. The apparent distance is greater than the actual distance between the two vehicles because of the shape of the glass on that side. This is a very simplistic analogy that illustrates the theme of this article.
This is especially true when we compare the temporal, material realities with the eternal, spiritual reality behind it all. The danger we all face is buying into the appearance of how things are in the world and being blinded to the spiritual reality that transcends these things. On the surface, it often appears that evil is winning. Such may even lead one to cease serving God and striving to do right. This is why we need revelation from God to show us true reality. The New Testament term for revelation, apokolupsis, indicates this reality. It literally means to unveil something. In essence, God pulled back the curtain, allowing us to see the truth of the matter.
Consider some examples of this in Scripture. Two come to mind immediately in the book of Daniel. In chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar had the dream about the great tree that grew to such proportions that birds nested in and beasts sheltered under its branches. Then one day it was ordered to be cut down by “a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven,” but its stump was left to sprout again later. Daniel interpreted the dream and told the king that the tree represented him and his reign which was going to be revoked (4:20-22). Nonetheless, the stump meant his dominion would be restored to him after he realized that “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses” (vs. 25). Nebuchadnezzar bought the temporal narrative that his kingdom was of his own might and for his own glory (vv. 28-30).
In the next chapter, king Belshazzar was likewise humbled by God’s revelation of the true reality. The king was having a wild drinking party with his cohorts and decided to have the vessels of God’s temple brought that they may drink of them. By this gesture, Belshazzar flouted his self-perceived might in God’s face. This was when he saw the writing on the wall that taught him what his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar learned those many years before; the Most High still rules in the kingdoms of men. That night, Belshazzar was killed, and the Medo-Persian empire took control.
Psalm 73 records the time Asaph nearly slipped because of his perception of the ease in which the wicked lived while he struggled despite serving God. He came to think his service to God was for nothing (vv. 13-14). The temporal reality looked that way. Then he saw the true reality when he went into the sanctuary of God and saw their end (vv. 15-17).
Many more examples could be cited, but these demonstrate that things are not always as they appear. In our place and time it appears that evil is going to win as it is gaining momentum right now. However, God will ultimately put those powers down as He has the rest who have turned to wickedness throughout history (1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Philippians 2:9-11). We cannot control the physical realities of the world around us. What we can control is our eternal destiny despite these physical realities. The Most High still rules in the kingdoms of men, so we must let Him rule in our lives each day.