HE IS NOT SILENT
For the Lord God does nothing without giving to his servants the prophets knowledge of his plans. Amos 3:7, N.E.B.
In ancient Greece there developed an interesting form of religion known generally as mystery religions, which centered upon secret rites and esoteric sayings. Only the initiated were given access to the central core of worship and supposed benefit. Strict safeguards were imposed to prevent the privileged few from passing on the hidden doctrines to the general masses. Perhaps much of the appeal for its devotees was the sought-after thrill of finally being counted as part of the privileged inner circle.
Even to this day many people belong to secret orders, lodges, and fraternal organizations based on a similar mystique. But the religion of Jesus Christ has none of it! By contrast to the supposed deities of the mystery religions, our God is intensely eager to get all the accurate information He possibly can into the minds of His people. Indeed, it is the lack of truth, the scarcity of clear understanding about His character and kingdom, that has caused all the trouble in the first place. He is not stingy in passing on that precious truth.
Rather than communicating to us in a haphazard fashion, God had often followed the pattern of working through devout and teachable persons who are willing to carry His messages. The Bible refers to them as prophets, a word that means one who speaks on the behalf of God. Once their credentials have been established and the community of believers know that they are reliable channels of truth. God can work through them in increasingly effective ways to unfold His plans.
Throughout salvation history every critical turning point in God's dealings with His people has been marked by the ministry of a prophet. Moses led in the Exodus. Noah warned of, then survived, the great Flood. Isaiah comforted and guided during the great captivity by Babylon. And John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of Christ. Isn't that just like our God not to leave His people in the dark at such critical times?
How grateful we should be that, as Paul affirmed in Ephesians 4:11-13, the prophetic gift is still active, revealing the magnificent truths of God's character. God did not cut off all further communications at the time of John the revelator, but has given His last-day people a rich channel of reliable truth. In these dark hours, let's grasp all the light we can find!
For the Lord God does nothing without giving to his servants the prophets knowledge of his plans. Amos 3:7, N.E.B.
In ancient Greece there developed an interesting form of religion known generally as mystery religions, which centered upon secret rites and esoteric sayings. Only the initiated were given access to the central core of worship and supposed benefit. Strict safeguards were imposed to prevent the privileged few from passing on the hidden doctrines to the general masses. Perhaps much of the appeal for its devotees was the sought-after thrill of finally being counted as part of the privileged inner circle.
Even to this day many people belong to secret orders, lodges, and fraternal organizations based on a similar mystique. But the religion of Jesus Christ has none of it! By contrast to the supposed deities of the mystery religions, our God is intensely eager to get all the accurate information He possibly can into the minds of His people. Indeed, it is the lack of truth, the scarcity of clear understanding about His character and kingdom, that has caused all the trouble in the first place. He is not stingy in passing on that precious truth.
Rather than communicating to us in a haphazard fashion, God had often followed the pattern of working through devout and teachable persons who are willing to carry His messages. The Bible refers to them as prophets, a word that means one who speaks on the behalf of God. Once their credentials have been established and the community of believers know that they are reliable channels of truth. God can work through them in increasingly effective ways to unfold His plans.
Throughout salvation history every critical turning point in God's dealings with His people has been marked by the ministry of a prophet. Moses led in the Exodus. Noah warned of, then survived, the great Flood. Isaiah comforted and guided during the great captivity by Babylon. And John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of Christ. Isn't that just like our God not to leave His people in the dark at such critical times?
How grateful we should be that, as Paul affirmed in Ephesians 4:11-13, the prophetic gift is still active, revealing the magnificent truths of God's character. God did not cut off all further communications at the time of John the revelator, but has given His last-day people a rich channel of reliable truth. In these dark hours, let's grasp all the light we can find!
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