DIVINE HARMONY The kingdom of God is made known to men by revelation. We cannot, in fact, properly conceive of His kingdom apart from that revelation. By comparison, an element of mystery pervades all heathen religions. This is of necessity the case, because they center in those "which by nature are no gods" (Gal. 4:8). The absence of revelation in these religions is one of the reasons for the dominance of fear in them. But it is not so with "true religion" (James 1:27). -- Tomorrow:
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" (Deut 6:4). "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17)
Devotion 26 of 53
A DEFINITION OF REVELATION
The principle element of revelation is that of opening or uncovering what is hidden. In the case of God's kingdom, revelation is characterized by Divine intention. It is never accidental, or even incidental. Unlike the kingdoms of this world, there is never a "leak" of Divine information. God makes known what He wants to make known.
Revelation presumes intelligence on the part of the recipient as well as that of the revealer. The things of God, for instance, cannot be revealed to the brute creation – they have no reason. Nor, indeed, can they be opened up to infants or those incapable of thought and consideration.
In the kingdom, certain wonderful concepts are integral to revelation. The revealer must be perceived as having a purpose, as well as possessing a desire to communicate it. On the other hand, the ones to whom the revelation is addressed are seen as possessing abilities capable of receiving the revelation, as well as a need for it.
Revelation, in its loftiest sense, involves the communication of thought. In this capacity, it is addressed to the mind, not the physical senses. The senses are capable of being impressed with a rudimentary revelation; such was the case with Moses and Israel at Sinai (Exod. 19:16-25; Heb. 12:21), Elijah in a cave in Horeb (I Kgs. 19:8-12), Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-8), and Daniel the prophet (Dan. 10:8). These revelations were consistently introductory in nature. They were never an end of themselves. The communication of thought – the Divine objective – followed these occurrences. It is in this sense that I am using the word "revelation."
EXAMPLES CONFIRM ITS ASSOCIATION WITH THOUGHT
"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God," proclaimed Moses, "but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever . . ." (Deut. 29:29). Experiences and things perceived by the physical sense cannot be passed to our children – only the thoughts concerning them. The heritage to which Moses refers was the law – an intelligent compilation of Divine thoughts and concepts.
When Peter made an intelligent and accurate confession of Christ as the Son of God, Jesus said; "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 16:16-17), declaring it to be the communication of thought – the chief component in perception.
The apostle Paul, in the presentation of His understanding of God's objective in Christ, wrote, "Whereby, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel" (Eph. 3:4-6). The revelation resulted in Paul's discernment of God's objective – something that can only be accomplished by thought, and with the mind.
The religion of Christ has erroneously been identified with mysticism, intrigue, and sensualism. One of our objectives is to expose this abuse and perversion of truth. Such traits belong more to heathenism, and betoken ignorance of God. They have no place in the kingdom of our God!
WHAT IS A CONSISTENT REVELATION?
A consistent revelation is a harmonious one – one that contains no logical contradictions. It does not defy reason, but rather appeals to it. The consistency of revealed truth does not dignify mystery, but magnifies comprehension.
Properly understood, a consistent revelation will constrain men to embrace it. Its harmony, and that its parts perfectly blend together to make sense, is its beauty. It is this condition that prompted early believers to "gladly receive the word" (Acts. 2:41). It is what enabled the Thessalonians to receive the word of God "in much assurance" and "with joy of the Holy Ghost" (I Thess. 1:5-6).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the refreshment that Your truth brings to the soul.