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October 5, 2008

Rosetta Stone

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READ: Ephesians 3:1-7

The mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, . . . has now been revealed by the Spirit. —Ephesians 3:4-5

For centuries, the hieroglyphic word pictures painted on Egyptian ruins were a mystery. Then in 1799 a French archaeological expedition at the Egyptian harbor of Rosetta discovered an ancient stone. It weighed 1,676 pounds and reflected beautiful dark gray, blue, and pink hues. But that is not what made it valuable.

The stone was inscribed with an identical message in different ancient scripts. Among them were hieroglyphics and classical Greek. Using Greek to translate, scholars soon understood the meaning of the hieroglyphics. They were no longer a mystery.

The Bible has also contained an ancient mystery. For centuries, it seemed as if God’s purposes were limited to the Jews. Yet with the appearance of Jesus of Nazareth, the promise to Abraham to bless the whole world came to light (Gen. 12:1-3). Paul wrote: “The mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known . . . has now been revealed by the Spirit” (Eph. 3:4-5). God provides salvation to all people who repent and believe in His Son (Gal. 3:8-9,28).

The revelation of the New Testament describes a glorious future when people from every ethnic group, nation, and language will share in the inheritance of the children of God (Rev. 5:9).

O glorious mystery of love,
That I, a child of earth,
May dwell by faith with Christ above,
The Lamb of matchless worth! —Christiansen

The Christian’s inheritance is guaranteed forever!

Bible in One Year: Psalms 117–118

"For centuries, the hieroglyphic word pictures painted on Egyptian ruins were a mystery. Then in 1799 a French archaeological expedition at the Egyptian harbor of Rosetta discovered an ancient stone. It weighed 1,676 pounds and reflected beautiful dark gray, blue, and pink hues. But that is not what made it valuable."

Thanks, Mayor! (We all know how important mayors can be.)

I like to think of the Bible as a kind of Rosetta Stone as well. In addition to God's Word, it directs us to an understanding of the meanings written in stone everywhere on the Earth. God said, "Let there be light." and our scientists have deduced that all energy everywhere came into being at the same time.

And the "other" language that we are led to is an understanding of the relationships between things seen and unseen, that helps us to understand the miraculous existence we share.

For me, "Science" is not antithetical to religion. It is merely another language by which God expresses His Will.