The New Bus is a monthly look at what’s going on in the world from a heavenly, hopeful perspective. This month we return to something from the beginning of 2020 and add some further insight, revelation, and clarification…

The Unveiling of God’s Face

Here at the start of 2021, I want to once again return to the headlining image and story from the first issue in 2020, which was about dancing in the midst of war. This is when we declared, “something good this way comes” as we surveyed a photo that was making the rounds on the internet. It is the image of a solar eclipse rising above the Persian Gulf in the Middle East. Many who saw it claimed it was a bad omen as the blocked-out sun resembled devilish horns rising from the sea.

To many people, this ominous image seemed to communicate something dark was rising from the waters of humanity. It is reminiscent of the horned satanic beast rising from the sea in Revelation 13 (a vision given to John not far from the Persian Gulf, where this photo was taken).

On the week this image came out, I was teaching in The School of Awakening (resuming this month in January 2021!) on how the face of God has been turned satanic over the millennia through (sometimes well-intentioned) theology and philosophy. I talked about how Christ is called the perfect “radiance” of God, like the sunlight beaming off of the sun, revealing its glory. Jesus is the true face of the Father, which was otherwise hidden by the law and other elements that veil His beauty and smile.

This, I felt, was the proper way to interpret a “sign” like this. That is, that behind any darkness we face is the full and bright countenance of God, which is beaming with everlasting mercy. He is the One with plans of hope and a future for all His children. And He is the One who has defeated the beast and the dragon at Calvary.

Though many dark and difficult days did indeed unfold throughout 2020–and seem to be continuing into 2021–this is the larger context and the greater truth at hand. God is going to shine through the darkness and reveal His goodness in utterly astounding ways. 2021, for those with eyes to see, is going to be filled with an awakening Spirit that releases joy and miracles like we’ve never seen before.

Be encouraged! God is not angry with the world. Though His face gets hidden through the influences of fear and religion, Jesus Christ unveiled the eternal truth of God’s character once and for all. With this unveiling, Jesus shed His blood for all humanity and is thus in a posture of grace toward the entire world. Even when we seem lost in famine and wild-living, like the Prodigal Son, the Father is ever-waiting for our return. He has great hope and great plans through the storms that we are in.

Amen!