When Adam and Eve were first placed in the garden, they could not see evil. After they sinned against God, the Bible says that their eyes were opened. The first thing they noticed was their nakedness and were ashamed. Adam and Eve had never experienced lust before. Adam and Eve had died spiritually in the garden becoming subject to the ruler of this world who is Satan. Adam and Eve no longer had eyes of love; rather, they had eyes full of lust. When mankind was able to see evil, they no longer were able to see what was truly good.
In Acts 13 a Jew, named Bar-Jesus, wanted to hear the gospel and called for Paul and Barnabas. A sorcerer by the name of Elymas provided council to Bar-Jesus. The sorcerer sought to turn Bar-Jesus and the rest of his council against Paul. Elymas was blind to what was truly good. He loved darkness rather than the light.
Paul recognized that he was dealing with an agent for Satan and said,
“O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”
After Paul finished speaking, darkness fell upon Elymas and he could no longer see. He had to be led around by the hand. Elymas who loved darkness could only see the darkness of his own mind.
As a result of our spiritual blindness, God has to reveal Himself to us by means of His prophets and His people.
Paul brings this out in Acts 13:33-35 claiming that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy. God had revealed his plan to us in advance so that we can see the glorious gospel. The promise that God had made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was been fulfilled for their children. Paul then quickly points the prophecy out quoting the Old Testament.
It is also written in the second Psalm:
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’
Today I have begotten You.’
34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus:
‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’
35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm:
‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
When they all returned the next day, the Jews in the city had rejected the message of the gospel being determined to cause problems for Paul and Barnabas. Paul recognized that prophecy was once again being fulfilled
46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
The light being the glorious gospel is now shinning in the world for all to see. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, eternal life, and that Christ sits at the right hand of the throne of God as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
His Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are the children of God allowing us to see into the future. Have your eyes been opened or are you still walking in darkness like the Sorcerer?
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