The Bible, God’s Revelation

MEMORY VERSE: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” —John 20:31

HEBREWS 1:1-4; I JOHN 1:1-4; JOHN 20:30,31

HOW true indeed are the words of the apostle that “God … at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets!” (Heb. 1:1) Here a little and there a little, the prophets, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, were moved to record facts concerning the plan of God, and much of their testimony pointed forward to a Great One whom the Creator would send into the world to bring redemption and deliverance from sin and death.

Finally this promised One came, and through him the Creator continued to speak. He has not yet spoken to mankind in general, but to “us” who are made partakers of the “great salvation.” (Heb. 2:3) The general salvation provided through the redemptive work of Jesus is the restoration of humanity to perfection of human life on the earth. The “great salvation,” provided for Christ’s followers, exaltation to glory, honor, and immortality, and the privilege of living and reigning with Christ a thousand years.

Of Jesus it is said that he “brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.” (II Tim. 1:10) The prophets who recorded the Old Testament Scriptures did not clearly understand the meaning of much which they wrote. It remained for Jesus to bring that meaning to light “through the Gospel.” The Gospel was first preached to Abraham in that wonderful promise made to him that through his “seed” all families of the earth would be blessed. (Gen. 12:3) That “Seed” is the Messiah, and associated with him are his faithful followers; thus making up the messianic company, or “the Christ.”—Gal. 3:8,16,27-29

Jesus and his redeeming sacrifice is the foundation upon which the entire plan of human redemption is built. He is referred to in John 1:1 as the “Word”—Greek, Logos. We might think of Jesus as the living Word of God who gave meaning to the written Word, and thus brought perfection of human life to light for the world, and immortality for his church.

John’s testimony is eloquent, and to the point: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”—I John 1:1-3

John adds, “These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (vs. 4) And what a joy it truly is to know that John and other faithful witnesses have testified that Jesus is indeed the great Deliverer promised by God throughout the Old Testament, and that we have the opportunity to be associated with both the Father and the Son in the outworking of the divine plan of salvation which is centered in him! The Greek word in this text which is translated “fellowship” means partnership; and how marvelous it is to realize that we have been made partners with the great Creator of the universe, and with the Logos, his beloved Son.

John 20:30 reminds us that all the “signs” or evidences he gave to prove that he had been raised from the dead are not recorded. Luke, in Acts 1:3, says that Jesus showed himself by “many infallible proofs.” So the living Word of God has been with his people in spirit throughout the age, and we are now in the days of his actual second presence, rejoicing that the Heavenly Father continues to speak to us through him.

This heartening knowledge is given to us, John explains, that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing we “might have life through his name” This, indeed, is the purpose of the Word of God.

QUESTIONS

Did the Old Testament prophets understand fully what they wrote?

What Great One did these prophets foretell?

What relationship does Jesus bear to the plan of God and its revelation?

What are the two salvations?

What is the object of divine revelation?

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