The desire of God to reveal Himself to humanity takes many forms. One is His creation. "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20) Another is the person of Jesus- God made flesh. (1 John 1: 1-4). God also works through dreams and visions and prophecy. "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophecy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." (Acts 2:17 NIV)
But I submit to my readers that the supreme revelation of God in this age is His Word, the Bible. Note that the supporting evidence that was given for each of the assertions in the first paragraph came from the Scripture. I know that God created the world because of Genesis 1:1. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." I know that Jesus is God because His Word attests to this. (John 1:1, 14,18/ Romans 9:5, John 10:30, John 5:18, 2 Peter 1:1 et. al). My understanding of visions, dreams and prophecy come from the Scriptural witness. (1 Corinthians 12, 14 etc.)
Jesus says that the entire creation (heaven and earth) will pass away but His words will never pass away. (Mark 13:31) Peter, referring to seeing Jesus transfigured on the mountain (Matthew 17:1-13 cf. Mark 9:2-13) says that he has a more sure word of prophecy than what he saw with his own eyes. (2 Peter 1:16-21) And the prophecy he refers to is the Scripture. Hebrews 4:12 refers to the word of God as able to divide between soul and spirit, and to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart. Ordinary words and books cannot do this. The Bible is uniquely inspired ( breathed out) by God. ( 2 Timothy 3:16) And this is not theoretical.
We must reflect and ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal the Word to us. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach us all things (John 14:26), and lead us into all truth. ( John 16:13) Now many believe that they follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Yes, Amen. Let us consider that the Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself. He does not say one thing in the Bible that He divinely inspired, and something completely different to you or me. Others maintain that the Lord told them to do this or that. Let us note again the incredibly close identification between Jesus and the Word of God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1 cf. vv. 14, 18) Jesus does not contradict Himself either. He does not say one thing in His Word, and something different to you or me.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
we are reminded, the supreme revelation of God since the advent of Christ, is Christ and still. This has not changed; death could not hold Him. He remains our Source, Head and Authority in all things. (although you seem to be saying much the same, still to write by way of reminder.)
ReplyDelete