Divine Communication - general revelation

It is truly incredible that infinite God has chosen to communicate to finite men, and yet that is exactly what He's done. Because of this, although God is incomprehensible, He can be truly known, but not fully known. He hasn't told us everything (Deut 29:29), but He has told us everything we need to know. And one way God has chosen to communicate to all mankind is through general revelation.

He has done this through creation:

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world (Ps 19:1-4a).

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Rom 1:18-20)

From looking at creation, we can know that God is powerful, that He is above creation, and that He has a personality — He isn't just an abstract concept. And when Paul says this information is "evident," means that we are capable of knowing it. Therefore, ignorance is willful disregard of God.

Another way God has communicated through general revelation is through man's conscience:

For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them (Rom 2:14-15).

Conscience is the inward sense of right and wrong, and everyone has it to one degree or another. The ability to know right from wrong is part of the image of God in man, but it can be become seared, making it less sensitive. (Reminds me a bit of that line from Finding Nemo — "Are--Are you my conscience?""Y-yeah yeah yeah, I'm your conscience! We haven't spoken for a while! How are you?")

While we do have some knowledge of right and wrong, it is only through the Bible that we can learn about all of God's standards. So the statement "Let your conscience be your guide" is not exactly right. People often don't feel any guilt about their sins because conscience decides on the basis of the standard given it. And if the standard is not God's word, then the standard is wrong, and the behavior will be wrong. Therefore, conscience is an unreliable guide.

The purpose of general revelation is to reveal general truth about God; such as, 1) God exists; 2) God is the creator; and 3) God has established standards of right and wrong that must be obeyed. Therefore, it renders all men inexcusable before God.

General revelation by itself cannot save, however. It doesn't have enough content. It communicates enough truth about God to make a man responsible to seek God for salvation (Heb 11:6), but it does not communicate the gospel message (Rom 10:14).

The following question is frequently brought up: "But what about the native in some remote corner of the world who has never heard the gospel? If he follows the light that he has, acknowledges the God revealed in nature, and sincerely seeks to do what is right, won’t he be saved?" The answer is found in John and Acts:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (Jn 3:16).

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (Jn 14:6).

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

... Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved ... (Acts 16:31)

No one responds to general revelation by being saved. That’s why we need special revelation.

And regarding the so-called remote native: I don't see that the Bible specifically says what happens in such circumstances. But I do know that God always knows what is truly in a man's heart (Ps 44:21; Lk 16:15; Acts 15:8; Rom 8:27; 1 Jn 3:20), and that He is a God of justice AND of mercy.

What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy (Rom 9:14-16).

So I must leave this in His hands.

Spinach-Strawberry Salad

I got this wonderful recipe from some good friends of ours. And guess where they got it — an old church cookbook! :) This salad recipe is very light-tasting. And the dressing is fabulous — the perfect topping for this blend of ingredients.


1 10 oz pkg fresh spinach
1 pt fresh strawberries, destemmed and sliced
1 sm red onion
1/2 lb bacon, fried crisp

Mix all ingredients listed above. Just before serving, pour dressing on salad.

Dressing:

1/2 c oil
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c red wine vinegar
1 tbsp poppy seeds
2 tbsp sesame seeds
1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Mix all ingredients listed above and refrigerate until time to use.

Directions, please

I don't think it's entirely fair that my daughter called for directions before I was even officially lost this time. After all, I was in the general vicinity and basically knew where I was ... kind of. I just needed a few more minutes and I would have found my way just fine.

You see, I had to take my youngest daughter to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) this morning so that she could get the official ID card she needed to start working when she turns 16 next month. I had general directions on how to get there and, really, I only passed the place once — okay, twice. But as it turned out, my daughter could not describe where we were well enough to get directions anyway, and I did find my way just fine. So there!

That hasn't always been the case, however. The sad truth is, I'm directionally challenged. I need detailed, and I mean detailed, directions with maps and pictures and landmarks and anything else you can possibly think of to tell me to help me find my way. But whatever you do, don't give me east, west, north, or south — just right and left, please. And ummm, can you also please write out separate directions for how to get there AND how to get back home? Sometimes I get really confused reading your directions upside-down and backwards when I leave.

I'll never forget the time, about 20 years ago now I think, when I was supposed to drive my boss to the airport — no problem! Of course he was in the car giving directions. But finding my way back to work? Well, that's quite another story. I went 20 miles north instead of 10 miles west (or so I was told). So I called my husband to ask him how to get back to work. I remember him asking me, "Where are you?" and "How in the world did you get there?" (I seem to recall him laughing too — the bum.) Anyway, I told him I didn't know. And besides, if I did know, I could find my way back, right? Well ... maybe. But all ended well. With his help, I eventually made my way back.

Then there was last Christmas season. Our church always has two Christmas concerts on Saturdays during concert week, and since there's quite a lull between them, my husband and daughter(s) usually come out early and we go out for a quick bite before I sing and they attend the second concert. Well, there was about 1/2 hour before I expected them, so I decided to run out to the store and pick up a few Christmas stocking stuffers. And, you guessed it. I got lost. Now I really don't know how I did that one because I know that area very well. But after my husband called my cell phone asking where in the world I was this time and talking me back, we didn't have enough time to go out. Oh well, I wasn't hungry anyway, and my husband and daughter didn't complain ... too much.

I really don't know what it is. My husband assures me I'm not stupid. So it must be that I have a kink or short circuit somewhere when it comes to directions. I guess I can live with that. I have so far.

I'm just afraid that one of these days I'm going to get lost going from the living room to the kitchen.

Satan is alive and doing very well

There was a time when I was intimidated by Satan. I knew that he was evil, very powerful, and certainly more intelligent than I was. So I used to worry that he would cause physical calamities to happen to me like he did to Job in the Bible. Or if not that, I wondered if his demons could possess me. Or, if he could be so influential that it would be impossible for me to resist him? It sounds like I was a wreck, doesn't it? I guess I was.

The fact is, Satan's influence is very real. Ephesians 6:12 tells us: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. I don't know exactly how he operates. But, the important thing I now know is that while Satan can influence me; because I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit, he cannot control me. And Ephesians 6:10-18 goes on to tell me that God gives me everything I need to withstand his influence as well. I merely need to put it on:

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm (Eph 6:13).

I can also rest assured that He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

And the best news of all is — But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:37-39).

It's easy to slip into thinking that Satan is the opposite of God, with similar characteristics and abilities, only in an evil sense. But Satan isn't omnipresent, omniscient or omnipotent. He is a created being and has never ceased to be under the power and authority of God. In His wisdom, God is permitting Satan to have influence, but only because God allows it.

Sometimes I wonder if Satan gets credit for more than he deserves, though. People frequently say, "The devil made me do it." And though we can't always recognize Satan's attacks, I don't believe he is the direct cause of all our sins. The world itself is corrupted by sin and therefore naturally antagonistic to the things of God. And the bad things that happen to us can usually be explained as the result of the sinfulness of man and this corrupt world — or our own poor choices sometimes — and not the direct attacks of Satan. We get sick; we get hurt; we suffer loneliness and depression all because of sin's influence. The reality is, we are the source of most of our problems (Gen 6:5; Mark 7:18-23; James 1:13-16). As Christians, we still have our old natures ready to trip us up at a moment's notice, even without Satan's help. And apart from Christ, we are incapable of doing good.

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not (Rom 7:18).

In fact, I don't believe Satan's main goal is to promote sin in the world. He is not bent on being a fiend or an evil bully, but rather, on being "like the most High" (Isa 14:12-17; 2 Thes 2:3-4) and worshipped (Luke 4:5-7). Satan doesn't want to destroy, so much as he wants to construct, and to have authority over this world-system, meaning culture, morality, and religion (2 Cor 11:13-15). And when the Man of Sin enters the holy place and is worshipped as God (Dan 9:27; Matt 24:15; 2 Thes 2:3-4; Rev 13:4-8), for a brief moment, Satan's greatest desire will be realized under the permissive will of God.

In his unrelenting pursuit to be "like the most High", Satan works to prevent the unsaved from being delivered from the power of darkness — his dominion — (Eph 2:2; Col 1:13) by blinding their minds so that the light of the gospel does not reach them (2 Cor 4:3-4, 1 Jn 5:19). And through lies (John 8:44) and deception (Gen 3:1-5), he perverts the truth and leads many astray. We know that on at least one occasion, Satan quoted Scripture out of context (Luke 4:9-11). By omitting the phrase "in all your ways" from Ps 91:11-12, he attempted to apply the promise to something that was contrary to God's will.

Indeed, it seems that counterfeiting and perverting the things of God is one of Satan's main strategies for keeping unbelievers from knowing and understanding the truth:

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds (2 Cor 11:13-15).

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth (1 Tim 4:1-3).

It is apparent that Satan has been more overtly active in the affairs of this world during those periods when God was giving new revelation or obviously forwarding His plan (e.g., Book of Job; possibly Ex 7:11, 22; 8:7; the Gospels; Acts 16:16-18; 19:13-16; 2 Cor 12:7; 1 Thes 2:18). Of course, this was only because God allowed it. And by doing so, He clearly shows His power and authority over Satan (God's plan for the redemption of the world was accomplished and the Bible was completed). The same will be true in the future, after the church has been raptured. The Antichrist will come forth and, with the power of Satan, will do signs and false wonders (2 Thes 2:9-10; Book of Revelation). As for now, God's objective is to save out of this world an elect people for His glory. And because the great ministry of reconciliation has been given to us, we are objects of Satan's attacks. If he can cripple our service, by inciting fear, doubt, discouragement, pride, complacency, division, confusion, etc ..., Satan accomplishes much in resisting the present purpose of God.

And evidently, Satan's war is against God alone. He certainly isn't at war with the unsaved. And when he attacks us (Eph 6:16), he does so only because we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and His ambassadors, and through us he is able to strike a blow at God. In this same way, I believe Satan's attacks against us are not in the physical realm ("flesh and blood"), but in the realm of our heavenly association with Christ. It's a spiritual battle, for which He gives us spiritual, not physical, armor. So, while we may not be drawn away into sin, we may utterly fail; to remain in a constant attitude of prayer (Eph 6:18; 1 Thes 5:17); to study His Word (Eph 6:14-17; Col 1:9; 2 Tim 2:15); to rest in His strength (2 Cor 12:9-10; Eph 6:13; Phil 4:13); and, to reach out to the unsaved with the gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:18-21; Eph 6:19-20). And such failure is as much a defeat in God's eyes as being lead away into the kind of sin the world recognizes.

But, it is important to remember that although Satan still has power, he has already been judged (Jn 12:31; 16:11), and Jesus Christ has disarmed and triumphed over him (Col 2:15). Through Christ's death and resurrection, Satan has already been defeated. And because we are in Christ, the battle has already been won for us, too. Our old natures, however, are still easily influenced by Satan's schemes, so we must be constantly on our guard (1 Pet 5:6-9), putting on the whole armor of God. For it is only in His strength that we can be victorious.

A common misconception is circulating that Satan will someday rule over hell with sinners as his subjects. However, the Bible makes it very clear that Satan, and his demons, will all be punished for eternity, right along with every person who chooses not to trust Christ (Rev 20:10). And it is to these blinded and lost people that we must tell the glorious message of reconciliation — God through Jesus Christ is reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them (2 Cor 5:18-21; Eph 6:18-20) — before time runs out!

Do you want to go to heaven?

Pastor Upton walked into a pub and said to the first man he met, "I'm Pastor Upton. Do you want to go to heaven?"

The man replied, "I do Pastor."

The pastor said, "Then stand over there against the wall."

Then the pastor asked a second man, "Do you want to go to heaven?"

"Certainly, Pastor," was the man's reply.

The pastor said, "Then stand over there against the wall."

Then Pastor Upton walked up to Jones and said, "Do you want to go to heaven?"

Jones said, "No, I don't Pastor."

The pastor said, "I don't believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don't want to go to heaven?"

Jones said, "Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now."

Press On

When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary
When we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard
When we're battered and scarred
When we've spent our resources
When we've given our all

Chorus:
In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on

In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
To press on

(lyrics and music by Selah)

Divine Communication - casting lots

The casting of lots was frequently used in the ancient Near East, by Jew and Gentile alike. For example, the Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus' garments in Matt 27:35. The obvious reason for its use in this way was to get an impartial decision — rather like flipping a coin today.

But in Ezekiel 21:21-23, we also see that the king of Babylon cast lots as a means of divination:

For the king of Babylon will stop at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He will cast lots with arrows, he will consult his idols, he will examine the liver. Into his right hand will come the lot for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to give the command to slaughter, to sound the battle cry, to set battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp and to erect siege works. It will seem like a false omen to those who have sworn allegiance to him, but he will remind them of their guilt and take them captive.

He also "will examine the liver." Isn't that strange? But apparently people in the ancient Mesopotamian region would often examine the internal organs of animals, interpreting what they saw as implying such and such, because such and such had taken place when a similar observation had been made.* And as we see in Ezekiel, God could choose to use that.

Sometimes I find it hard to understand why God communicated the way He did with the Israelites, but it helps me to remember that they lived in a different society and thought differently than I do. And since God works with people where they are, this may explain why He chose to use the form(s) of communication He did. Additionally, God's will was very specific when He was forwarding His plan of redemption, so He had to give His people specific directions.

The practice of casting lots is actually mentioned 70 times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament. However, despite the many references to casting lots in the Bible, nothing is known about the actual lots themselves. They may have been sticks of various lengths or marked pebbles; but nobody really knows for sure.

Casting lots seems to have occurred most often in connection with the division of the land under Joshua (Josh ch 14-21). Instructions for this procedure can be found in the Book of Numbers (Num 26:55; 33:54; 34:13; 36:2). God also allowed the Israelites to cast lots in order to determine His will for different situations (Josh 18:6-10; 1 Chron 24:5,31; Prov 16:33). For settling disputes (Prov 18:18). And setting a date (Esth 3:7). Various offices and functions in the Temple were also determined by lot (1 Chron 24:5,31; 25:8-9; 26:13-14). And the sailors on Jonah's ship (Jonah 1:7) cast lots to determine who had brought God's wrath upon their ship. The last recorded case is in Acts 1:24-26, when the apostles cast lots to determine who would replace Judas.

While casting lots was commonly done in Old Testament days and during the early part of the New Testament, it is no longer the way we determine God's will. People during that period of time didn't have the Holy Spirit indwelling them or a completed Bible to guide them. But we do, so we don't need to cast lots.


* This analogic type of reasoning is characteristic of thought in ancient Mesopotamia; cf. G. Contenau, Everyday Life in Babylon and Assyria, London, 1954, pp. 158ff. Inductive, deductive, and syllogistic ways of reasoning were not typical of Mesopotamia (or of the ancient Near East in general)
(from the book, The Bible and the Ancient Near East by Cyrus H Gordon and Gary A Rendsburg)