God's Self-Disclosure

Grace to You.org ^ | 1993 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

"God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son" (Heb. 1:1-2).

Scripture is the storehouse of divine revelation.

For decades liberal theologians have misrepresented the Bible as merely a collection of man's religious thoughts and aspirations. But Scripture is much more than that. It is in fact divine revelation—God's self disclosure through His Spirit to the human authors. Man could never know God's identity, attributes, perspectives, or commands if God hadn't revealed them to him. Nor could man know his own origin, purpose, or destiny.

Paul said, "'Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.' For to us God revealed them through the Spirit" (1 Cor. 2:9-10). In 2 Timothy 3:16 he adds, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." God inspired every word of Scripture and speaks on every page.

Hebrews 1 speaks of two general means by which God revealed Himself: Old Testament revelation ("long ago," v. 1) and New Testament revelation ("in His Son," v. 2). First He spoke to the Jewish fathers through the Old Testament prophets "in many portions." That refers to all the books of the Old Testament. "In many ways" speaks of the specific means by which He communicated: visions, prophecies, parables, types, symbols, ceremonies, theophanies, and audible voice.

From the close of the Old Testament to the arrival of John the Baptist, there were approximately 400 years during which God was silent. But that silence was shattered when John announced the coming of Christ. From that time on, God spoke through His Son. The gospels record His life and teachings, the book of Acts shows the propagation of His teachings through the apostles and early church, the epistles apply His teachings to everyday life, and Revelation tells of His triumphant return and the consummation of divine revelation.

Isn't it wonderful to know God's perspective on life and history?

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank God that His Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Ps. 119:105).

For Further Study

According to Deuteronomy 29:29, what is the purpose of divine revelation?

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[CptnObvious]

The Holy Scriptures are Authoritative, Complete, and Inerrant. It is a miracle of God that we have them. For the Enemy certainly does not want them around and has tried to destroy and misrepresent them as much as possible.

Our church believes the Holy Scriptures, the 66 books of the Bible, are Inerrant in the Autographa. That is, in there original writings. And we believe that we have enough preserved that we know we can believe the Holy Scriptures and the God who preserved them fully.

[MHGinTN]

Deuteronomy 29:29 AND 30:1 !

[Ezekiel]

From the close of the Old Testament to the arrival of John the Baptist, there were approximately 400 years during which God was silent.

"Silent", as He was in Persia. There is no direct mention of God in the book of Esther, but it is obvious that He is all over it and in it and behind it.

Prophets are around. People interact with messengers ("angels") without being aware. So if a person knows he's encountered one, how many more are out and about, unrecognized?

[avenir]

Truth.