What does "write what you have seen" imply about recording spiritual experiences? Setting the Scene Revelation 1:19 records Jesus’ instruction to John: “Therefore write down the things you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that will happen after this.” John has just encountered the risen Christ in blazing glory. Instead of enjoying the moment privately, he is ordered to put it into words so the churches—and we—might benefit. The Command to Write • Jesus makes writing a divine mandate, not a suggestion. • The phrase “the things you have seen” covers John’s immediate, vivid experience of Christ’s presence. • “The things that are” and “the things that will happen after this” widen the scope to current realities and future prophecy. • The instruction shows that spiritual encounters are meant to be preserved accurately for the wider body. Implications for Recording Spiritual Experiences • Permanence: Written words outlast memory and testimony, giving future believers solid reference points. • Precision: Writing forces clarity. Vague impressions become concrete sentences, reducing distortion (Luke 1:3-4). • Accountability: A written record can be tested against Scripture and shared for mutual discernment (1 John 4:1). • Transmission: Written revelation spreads beyond geographic and generational limits (Romans 15:4). • Obedience: Recording what God shows is an act of stewardship; silence would be disobedience to the heavenly directive. Models Throughout Scripture • Moses: “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Write down these words…’ ” (Exodus 34:27). • Habakkuk: “Write down the vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets” (Habakkuk 2:2). • Jeremiah: “Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you” (Jeremiah 30:2). • Luke: Investigated and wrote an orderly account so that Theophilus would “know the certainty” (Luke 1:4). • Peter: “We ourselves heard this voice from heaven” and then he penned it, adding, “We have the prophetic word as something sure” (2 Peter 1:18-19). A Pattern for Us Today • When God speaks through Scripture, prayer, or circumstances, recording helps keep the experience anchored in truth. • Journaling spiritual insights preserves them for reflection when feelings fade. • Sharing written testimonies edifies others and magnifies God’s work (Psalm 102:18). • Writing guards against embellishment; you capture events while they’re fresh. Safeguards and Attitudes • Submit every recorded experience to canonical Scripture; God never contradicts Himself (Isaiah 8:20). • Stay humble—writing is service, not self-promotion (John 3:30). • Protect privacy where wisdom dictates, but don’t bury what the Lord intends for public blessing (Matthew 5:15). • Keep Christ central; He is the focus of Revelation and of every authentic spiritual experience (Colossians 1:18). Practical Takeaways • Keep a dedicated notebook or digital file for Scripture insights and answered prayers. • Date each entry; patterns of God’s faithfulness emerge over time. • Review past writings regularly; they fuel gratitude and strengthen faith. • Encourage fellow believers by sharing portions that exalt Christ and align with the Word. |
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