Messengers Series Part 6

From the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, we read: “People typically envision prophecy in terms of God communicating through a prophet to others some important information that could not have been known to the prophet in any ordinary way. Prophecy is interesting from a philosophical point of view for many reasons, including the fact that it raises compelling questions about divine knowledge and communication, human language, the nature of time, and human freedom.” With a definition like this for the inspired word, delivered by God’s chosen prophets, the people of the world begin many discussions on biblical questions without going to the Bible for answers.

God tells us that there are many things we can learn about Him from observation. God said through Paul that people once knew Him. “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-20). The existence of the creation proves the existence of the creator. Through microscopes and telescopes, we observe what the unaided eye cannot see. Collectively, the evidence is abundant that the cause of all matter in the universe is a creative mind and workmanship. The messengers from God identify that creator as God, ĕlôhı̂ym.

But observation cannot perceive the thoughts and desires of others. We can see a quilt someone made but not the  answer to “Why did they make it?” When we see a brother or sister sad, we cannot know the reason or depth of the emotion unless they tell us. Likewise, we cannot understand their happiness without their words to transfer understanding. This also applies to God. We cannot understand the mind of God, what makes Him sad and what makes Him happy unless He tells us. And He has told us. He has given us the message of the prophets so that we can understand His love, care, providence, and will for us. That message is in the collection of revelations He has made men write. We call it the Bible.

The Bible, when combined with our observation of His creation, is the complete knowledge of what God wants us to know about Him. Psalm 19, 23, 104, and others tell of the majestic work, care, and wonders provided by God. But each statement in those Psalms about God is not fully understood without the commands, statutes, and judgments He issued; the stories of His faithful servants, and the descriptions of His wrath released against sin. Often, a phrase is included by a prophet that we pass over, looking for profound truth. But the statements like, “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth … Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in” (Isaiah 40:22) define the endless magnitude of God. It is hard for the mind to accept, and never could the mind of man dream, that God made all of creation so that mankind could live, learn to love and serve God, and in death, pass into a prepared paradise for eternity. But that is God’s message to us.

God further revealed Himself in His Son and the witness given by those who walked and talked with Jesus. The Hebrew writer says that Jesus, the Son of God, “is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature” (Hebrews 1:3). Peter’s words tell what he and the others learned during the time they spent with Jesus. “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased’— and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:16-19). Even the “lamp shining in a dark place” has more meaning when viewed from another prophetic word in Psalms 119:105. “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” The word of God is the “lamp,” and Jesus is the “Lamp and Morning Star.”

Of supreme comfort to a Christian should be one of Jesus’ last revelations. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3). Jesus said these words to the eleven who stayed with Him in the Upper Room, and they are directed to all who believe, love, and obey Him. 

Have you learned about God through his messages to us in the Bible? Are you waiting and watching for His return?