July 29, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
HOW AND BY WHOM DID GOD SPEAK?
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers [early patriarchs] by the prophets.”
Heb. 1: 1, A.V.
“As the original reads, God spoke IN [rather than by] the prophets, which suggests that God did not use these prophets as mere mechanical instruments, as one does in blowing a horn [or trumpet], but that while the Lord spoke, human lips framed the words and clothed them in human language.” Andreaaen, The Book of Hebrews, p. 45.
Another apostle states the same truth in these words: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were MOVED by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Pet. 1: 21 (See verses 19,20).
“God spake in sundry times and in divers manners.’ There is no exact equivalent in English of the original expression, but the idea is clear that the revelations of old were fragmentary and of many different kinds:”
“In visions and dreams; in disasters and war; in suffering and famine; by earthquake and fire; by the still, small voice; by priest and prophet; by king and peasant; by dumb beast and apostate prophet [Balaam]; by signs in the heaven and calamities on earth—through these and other means God spoke.”
“Whatever way He chose to deliver Hjs message, it was God who spoke. This places the writings of the Old Testament on a very high level.” Ibid, BH 46.
Those who, either in ignorance or pride, or both combined for they are more often than not, “companions,” and dare declare certain portions inspired and others no longer, should ever remember these first and last warnings in the Bible:
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall ADD unto these things, God shall add to him the PLAGUES [seven last] written in this book. And if any man shall TAKE AWAY from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall TAKE AWAY HIS PART of the book of life, and OUT OF THE HOLY CITY (the Jerusalem city from above), and from the things which are written in this book [all the promised blessings with life eternal for the overcomers].” Rev. 22:20.
God is speaking loudly right now through the written and spoken word of His chosen instruments as well as in all the convulsions of nature and through this raging global pandemic. Are you listening? “He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” “Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts!” NMF