© John Stevenson, 2013 Revelation. GOD Creation InfiniteGulf.

© John Stevenson, 2013

RevelationRevelation

GODGOD CreationCreationInfiniteInfiniteGulfGulf

• Revelation is Rooted in HistoryRevelation is Rooted in History

HISTORYHISTORY


• Revelation has Occurred Progressively in Revelation has Occurred Progressively in HistoryHistory



• Revelation is PartialRevelation is Partial

The secret things belong to the Lord our The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us God, but the things revealed belong to us

and our sons forever, that we may and our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. observe all the words of this law.

(Deuteronomy 29:29).(Deuteronomy 29:29).




For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I face to face; now I know in part, but then I

will know fully just as I also have been will know fully just as I also have been fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).




• Revelation is related to God’s Acts of Revelation is related to God’s Acts of Creation and RedemptionCreation and Redemption

CreatorCreator RedeemerRedeemer

God revealed God revealed through that which through that which

He createdHe created

God reveals by His God reveals by His direct actions or that of direct actions or that of

His messengersHis messengers

Revelation through Revelation through nature and through nature and through what we think of as what we think of as “natural processes”“natural processes”

Revelation that is Revelation that is specific and through specific and through supernatural events supernatural events

and activitiesand activities

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. His hands. 22 Day to day pours forth speech, Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. And night to night reveals knowledge. 33 There is no speech, nor are there words; There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. (Psalm 19:1-3).Their voice is not heard. (Psalm 19:1-3).

For since the creation of the world For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20).excuse. (Romans 1:20).

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

Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory…(1 Corinthians 2:6-7).

…the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written, “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.” (1 Corinthians 2:8-9).

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10).

GODGOD CreationCreationInfiniteInfiniteGulfGulf

But a natural man does not accept the But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are things of the Spirit of God, for they are

foolishness to him; and he cannot foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are understand them, because they are

spiritually appraised.spiritually appraised.(1 Corinthians 2:14).(1 Corinthians 2:14).

Surely the Lord GOD does nothingSurely the Lord GOD does nothingUnless He reveals His secret counselUnless He reveals His secret counselTo His servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7).To His servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7).

So there was great distress in Israel, such So there was great distress in Israel, such as had not been since the time that prophets as had not been since the time that prophets

ceased to appear among them.ceased to appear among them.(1 Maccabees 9:27). (1 Maccabees 9:27).

It is true, our history has been It is true, our history has been written since Artaxerxes very written since Artaxerxes very particularly, but has not been particularly, but has not been esteemed of the like authority esteemed of the like authority

with the former by our with the former by our forefathers, because there has forefathers, because there has

not been an exact succession of not been an exact succession of prophets since that timeprophets since that time

(Against Apion 1:41).(Against Apion 1:41).

For the Law was given through For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were Moses; grace and truth were

realized through Jesus Christ. realized through Jesus Christ. 1818 No one has seen God at any No one has seen God at any

time; the only begotten God who time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He is in the bosom of the Father, He

has explained has explained HimHim..(John 1:17-18).(John 1:17-18).

© John Stevenson, 2013 Revelation. GOD Creation InfiniteGulf.

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Transcript of © John Stevenson, 2013 Revelation. GOD Creation InfiniteGulf.