Forerunner School of Ministry- mike bickle STUDIES IN THE BE A UTY OF GOD Session 01 Introduction to the Beauty of God I. THE SEVEN LONGINGS OF THE HUMAN HEART A. God created the human spirit with seven longings that draw us to Him and reflect His glory in us. These longings are common in each human heart. They are the longing for the assurance that we are enjoyed by God, the longing to be fascinated , the longing to be beautiful, the longing to be great, the longing for intimacy without shame, the longing to be wholehearted and passionate, and the longing to make a deep and lasting impact. B. These cravings leave us empty until they are satisfied in the grace of God. We have a God shaped vacuum (gnawing emptiness) until we are touched by God. To encounter God in these areas describes being fully alive. II. THE BEAUTY OF JESUS ANSWERS OUR LONGING TO BE FASCINATED 17 Your eyes will see the King in His beauty . . . (Isa. 33:17) A. There is a craving in every human spirit to be fascinated and to marvel. We long to be awestruck and filled with endless wonder. The secular entertainment industry has identified this human longing and has targeted it commercially. They have exploited this foundational craving to their own profit and to our ruin. Because of our Divine design, we need a sense of wonderment in the core of our beings. Many search through secular entertainment and recreation to fulfill this God- given craving to be fascinated. We cannot repent away the longing for entertainment, we can only answer it the right way. Without having a sense of awe, we live aimless and spiritually bored. This makes us vulnerable to Satan's tactics. A spiritually bored Church is weak. A fascinated believer is strong and thus equipped to face temptation. B. The fascinating God created us with a need to be fascinated. God's answer is the unveiling of Christ Jesus to fascinate the human spirit. Jesus will use Divine entertainment to satisfy our longings. When God reveals God to the human spirit, there is a superior pleasure to any other pleasure in life. In the romance of the gospel Jesus not only heals and forgives, but He fascinates our heart with splendor and beauty. We have a beautiful God who beckons His people to fill their lives with His Word and prayer. C. When marvel is restored and we live awestruck, we are spiritually strong. A fascinated man does not need pornography. A spiritually stagnant believer is vulnerable to the vices of darkness. D. Jesus is called the Branch of the Lord six times in the OT (Isa. 4:2; 11:1; 60:21; Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Zech. 3:8; 6:12). The word promises that the Branch of the Lord, which is a term for the Messiah in His humanity, the second person of the Trinity, will be seen in His beauty across the earth. God will strategically use the beauty of Jesus in the End-Times. In that day the Branch of the LORD (Jesus) shall be beautiful and glorious... (Isaiah 4:2) IHOP-KC Mission Base STUDIES IN THE BE A UTY OF GOD - MlKE BlCKLE Session 01 Introduction to the Beauty of God PAGE 2 E. The Father will unlock the divine treasure chest. The Holy Spirit will take the things that belong to Jesus and give them to us. This is divine entertainment at its highest as the human spirit is awestruck by the beauty of God. In the vast ocean of the beauty of God, a billion years from now we will have new discoveries of the beauty of Jesus. 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (1 Cor. 2:10) F. We are invited on a Holy Spirit treasure hunt to search for the deep treasures of His splendor that is purposefully hidden in the heart of God. This is the most intense treasure hunt imaginable. It will continue forever. There is nothing more exhilarating than when God reveals God to the human spirit. We focus on climbing this "mountain of mystery" or entering this "vast ocean of endless beauty." Even small tokens of the knowledge of God will capture and exhilarate the human heart in time and eternity (Is. 6:3; Rev. 4:7). G. God's beauty is a powerful force that empowers and conquers our heart. The reason we seek God's beauty is because God delights in hiding it. When he progressively unveils His beauty, it subdues us and changes our emotional chemistry and makes us wholehearted lovers of God. God's eternal beauty is unveiled as time unfolds forever. He has hidden it and unfolds it progressively to the redeemed. He only unveils His beauty to the hungriest of hearts. The process of unveiling it creates ownership and transformation of our emotional chemistry. H. I highly recommend Thomas Dubay's book "Evidential Power of Beauty." III. DAVID A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek : that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. (Ps. 27:4) A. This gives us a unique insight into the heart of the person that God declared to be a man after His own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). We are to imitate David's faith, life focus and experience. B. David declared that the primary preoccupation of his heart was to seek God's beauty. The highest goal in David's life was to know God and to be in God's house with 4,000 musicians and 288 singers worshipping God (1 Chr. 23:5; 25:7). C. The phrase, "all the days of my life," is significant as it includes David's teenage years when he sang love songs to God without any audience. David sought the knowledge of God in his youth. He sought God's beauty during his 20's, as jealous King Saul chased him throughout all of Judah to kill him, in his 30' s when he was king at Hebron, and in his later years from his 40 's until he died at age 70 as king over all Israel. Whether in a season of victory or testing, whether in a time of exhilaration or depression, the primary thing David set his heart on was God's beauty. David described it as, "the one thing he desired and sought." It was the goal and focus of his life. He exerted energy and invested time in this. David was on a life long treasure hunt to discover the beauty of God. IHOP-KC Mission Base STUDIES IN THE BE A UTY OF GOD - MlKE BlCKLE Session 01 Introduction to the Beauty of God PAGE 3 IV. GOD'S BEAUTY: 12 EXPRESSIONS 10 My Beloved (Jesus) is white (radiant) and ruddy, chief among ten thousand... 16 Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my friend... (Song 5:10, 16) A. Expression #1 : God's beauty is seen in His light, color and the very atmosphere around Him. 2 You... cover Yourself with light as with a garment . . . (Ps. 104:2) 2 Behold, a Throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 He who sat there was like a jasper (diamond like) and a sardius stone (deep red) in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the Throne, in appearance like an emerald (green). (Rev. 4:2-3) 1 . Light with many colors and splendor emanates from God's person and Throne. The beauty of God's personhood is reflected in the light and color that emanates out of God as well as the weight of glory in the very atmosphere of the Eternal City. 2. Ezek. 1 describes seven layers of light around the Throne of Jesus. I refer to them as seven garments of light that God wears. (How thick is each layer? Miles or inches?) 3. Jesus' light illuminates the eternal city. We refer to feeling the weight of God's Presence. We cannot comprehend weight of God's Presence nearest to His Throne. 23 The City (New Jerusalem) had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. (Rev. 21:23) 4. God surrounds His beauty with garments of light that hide the undiluted beauty of God from His creation. The angels see even more of His beauty, as the protective covering is lifted—they are overwhelmed as they collapse in the very weight of His Presence. The very light that protects us from His Presence is in itself beautiful but God is even more beautiful than that which protects Him. 16 Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. (1 Tim. 6:16) 5. At strategic moments, the light that covers God's person is temporarily lifted and the angels collapse. Even the seraphim and cherubim who have the greatest capacity to receive God's beauty collapse. When Jesus stands up in the eternal city and just moves the weight of His Presence, we will feel it a thousand miles away. 6. Five times in Revelation, the host of heaven around God's Throne collapses. 7. There is a tenderizing effect in the weight of His Presence that emanates out of Him. All of the hosts of Heaven and all the redeemed tremble with tenderness in their spirit; the atmosphere is charged with the beauty of God. IHOP-KC Mission Base STUDIES IN THE BE A UTY OF GOD - MlKE BlCKLE Session 01 Introduction to the Beauty of God PAGE 4 B. Expression #2: God's beauty is seen in His fragrances. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ. (2 Cor. 2:15) 1. Jesus possesses a real fragrance. The fragrance of Jesus is manifold with many dimensions to it. How many scents emanate from God? I assume that there are different fragrances for different occasions in the Eternal City. 2. The Throne of God is described as the mountain of spices. 14 Make haste. . .and be like a gazelle on the mountains of spices. (Song 8:14) C. Expression #3: God's beauty is seen in the music, sounds, and noises around His Throne. 5 From the Throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. (Rev. 4:5) 15 His voice as the sound of many waters... (Rev. 1:15) 1. Jesus is a musician and a singer and song writer. Music flows out of God's being. Many diverse types of music are seen on earth in the different cultures and tribes. Jesus' Throne is surrounded by angelic choirs. The voice of God is awesome in power and impact. 2. Three times in Revelation, John describes noises coming from God's throne. There are awesome, majestic sounds, including thunder, that shake everything. We will tremble at God's majesty as His sounds of thunder touch us. The entire city will be impacted under the majesty of God's multiple sounds and melodies. D. Expression #4: God's beauty is seen Jesus' physical beauty in His resurrected body. Jesus' body is the best that God could create in the terms of a human body. 20 We eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body . . . (Phil. 3:20-21) E. Expression #5: God's beauty is seen in Jesus' face. 4 The light of the gospel of the glory of Christ . . .should shine... 6 For God... has shone... to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus. (2 Cor. 4:4-6) 16 His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (Rev. 1:16) 2 You (Jesus) are fairer (more beautiful) than the sons of men ... (Ps 45:2) 1. Jesus' beauty is expressed in His smile, His eyes, and the shining brightness of His countenance. Jesus is a Man with a warm smile filled with God's glory. His face is holy, powerful and awesome, yet warm and inviting. 2. The smile on His face will conquer our heart in love. We will be overwhelmed as His eyes of fire impart God's love and holiness to us. His eyes are filled with beauty. IHOP-KC Mission Base STUDIES IN THE BE A UTY OF GOD - MlKE BlCKLE Session 01 Introduction to the Beauty of God PAGE 5 F. Expression #6: God's beauty is seen in His royal court where His Throne is set up. 6 Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. (Ps. 96:6) 2 1 saw. . .a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory. . .standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. (Rev. 15:2) 3 There was a rainbow around the Throne, appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the Throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting... 5 from the Throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the Throne... 6 Before the Throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. (Rev. 4:3-6) 1 . The host of angels surround His Throne. 2. His Throne is adorned with seven lamps of fire, an emerald rainbow and the sea of glass like crystal that is filled with flaming fire. G. Expression #7: God's beauty is seen in His design of the Eternal City (Rev. 21-22). 1 . The familiar saying that a woman's home is an extension of her heart, can be applied to God's beauty in how He created the Eternal City. 2. In designing ones dream home, some work with the architects from the beginning. They pick the land next to a lake then design the landscape with trees and a flowing brook. They position the house so the sun comes up at just the right place and in the right angle, so that the light is reflected with just the right contrasts. The decor and furniture, etc. is all carefully chosen to express the personality of those who will live in it. God designed His city with the landscape, and the light with colors, as an extension of His beauty. H. Expression #8: God's beauty is seen in the partner He chose. The glory of man is His wife. He chose you as His partner. He imparted His beauty to you. Your beauty is higher than all the rest of created order. We will magnify God's beauty (1 Cor. 1 1:7). 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband... (Prov. 12:4) I. Expression #9: God's beauty is seen in His leadership or the plans He established. The script that God is operating from as He leads history and accomplished redemption reveals His beauty. When we hear a great poem or see an excellent movie, we observe that the poem or movie is beautiful. This reflects its author. The story line of natural and eternal history is a stunning revelation of God's beauty. God has devised His blueprint for history from before creation. We will be awed by His great mind as we are intoxicated and enthralled with each dimension of the script in which God orchestrates all of history. 9 To make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God... 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers... (Eph. 3:9-10) IHOP-KC Mission Base STUDIES IN THE BE A UTY OF GOD - MlKE BlCKLE Session 01 Introduction to the Beauty of God PAGE 6 J. Expression #10: God's beauty is seen in His manifestations of power. When God heals, delivers, and provides for us in surprising ways, we see His beauty. His power shows forth His beauty in the earth and heavens; His power manifestations have such beauty in them. There are a million stories behind the manifestations of power in creation and history. K. Expression #11: God's beauty is most seen in His personality, which includes His character, and His emotional makeup expressed in His gladness, happiness and delight, the holiness, the kindness, the passion and pleasure of God. He has desire when He looks at you. There is gladness in His heart when He looks at His weak people. The saints Rev. 15 stand before Him at the time of the Rapture. The first thing the saints say is, "Great and marvelous." In other words they are filled with marvel, awe and wonder. 2 / saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory... standing on the sea of glass... 3 They sing the song of Moses. ..and the song of the Lamb, saying: " Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! (Rev. 15:2-3) L. Expression #12: God's beauty is seen in His written Word. David wrote a number of psalms revealing what he observed about God's beauty in creation. When David looked at the stars, he beheld God's beauty. 2 You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips... (Ps. 45:2) 7 The law of the LORD is perfect... 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure ... 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Ps. 19:7-10) V. CONCLUSION 16 His mouth is most sweet, Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved... (Song 5:16) A. All this is true of God's beauty right now. B. We can marvel and be awestruck now. David knew God's beauty would cause him to be a different man. IHOP-KC Mission Base