Ephesians 3:2-5 “if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:”
Knowledge is a commodity that is highly prized in this day and age. The insatiable desire for knowledge is fed by a constant stream of information through the internet. In many societies, the drive for higher education is an expectation for anyone who wants to progress with an advanced degree. The push for more education has caused a cultural hierarchy to form, promoting pride and self-reliance.
It can be very difficult to share the gospel with people who are well educated and make a significant amount of money. It takes a lot of work and self discipline to exceed in this world and for those who have done so, there seems to be an attitude of “I can do it all”, and thus the need for anything other than themselves is disregarded.
Revelation
On Sunday, our pastor, Karl Alsin preached from Daniel 2. I was impressed by how many times he mentioned God’s revealed knowledge, which lent itself to another theme in God’s Word….Revelation.
The term ‘reveal’ is from the greek word apokalýptō (from /apó, “away from” and kalýptō, “to cover”) – properly, uncover, revealing what is hidden (veiled, obstructed), especially its inner make-up; (figuratively) to make plain (manifest), particularly what is immaterial (invisible).
The idea that something is obstructed or veiled, means that Truth has always been there, it just hasn’t been easily distinguished. Truth is simply knowledge that is revealed.
Daniel 2:28 “but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:”
The Lord has always been in the business of revealing Truth. Through prophets and kings, godly or ungodly, the Lord finds a way to express Truth no matter what the obstacle. In Daniels case, the Lord used a godless king to bring about end times prophecy. The king didn’t contain the knowledge of truth, he was simply a vessel of dishonor by which God accomplished His sovereign will.
Godly knowledge is revealed only by God.
Those who wish to partake of God’s revelation must be able to receive it from God. King Nebuchadnezzar was only a vessel by which God revealed truth and yet God established His lordship in a kingdom that was polytheistic in practice. For someone to partake of God’s glorious revelation, it would require them to be a part of God’s glorious plan. The plan will either include you as a role player or as a partaker of God’s glory.
Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding”
How do we get to a point where we can not only receive the revelation of God but understand how to apply it?
Wisdom
Whenever you see the manifestation of the Spirit of God, you see attributes consistent with God. These attributes are a reflection of God’s character and it is by this standard God’s people strive to attain. If any given person desires the things of God, then God has provided a way to receive them.
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Why do you suppose it is so important to seek wisdom?
Sure, gaining wisdom sounds great but what to do with it if you acquire it is another matter. Have you ever noticed a trend when it comes to wisdom in the Bible?
Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding”
With wisdom comes knowledge and understanding. What good would it be to have wisdom and not know how to apply it? Therefore, we should not only ask God for His wisdom, but that He might give us the ability to apply that wisdom. This ‘ability’, requires strength of character, godly resolve, and at the front, a heart of love.
Colossians 2:2-3 “That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Guidance is revelation made practical.
It takes wisdom and understanding in how to decipher that which is of God and that which comes from our own selfish desires. It is far too easy to equate something we want with God’s plan. The idea that if we enjoy something it must be blessed by God is a false narrative. Even sin can be enjoyable for a time. The consequences of sin leaves death and destruction in its wake, but the excitement that comes with stroking our ego and catering to our sinful nature feeds the very nature we believers strive to forsake.
Proverbs 1:5 “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance”
Food is good, but too much of it leads to obesity, high blood pressure, and disease.
Sex is good within a marriage, but outside of marriage it defiles God’s name, it leads to broken relationships, disease, and masquerades as love.
Entertainment is a blessing but when it is founded in corrupt music, twisted comedy, or drunkenness and debauchery, it turns into an opportunity that leads people away from God, rather than toward Him.
Ecclesiastes 7:12 “For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.”
Wisdom affects more than just any one facet of life, it is meant to guide us through every aspect of being servants of God.
The Revealer
Daniel 2:29-30 “As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.”
When God reveals, He does so with a purpose. In Daniels case, the Lord was preserving His people who were living in exile and elevating some into positions of prominence. Why would God do this?
It took Nebuchadnezzar a while to figure it out, but in the end he realized that all his false god’s where nothing before the King of kings.
The Rock of Christ Jesus is the Rock in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. God was glorified through the wisdom and faithfulness of His people, and the people of Babylon were eye witness to God’s redeeming glory.
Today, God is still in the business of revelation.
Ephesians 1:17-19 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.”
Why does God bring about revelation?
- That we might not lose hope.
- That we might remember our future inheritance.
- That we might not forget God’s power over us.
God’s plan to strengthen His people leaves them to carry on the process of revelation to the world.
Luke 24:45-49 “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
We have the same opportunity as the disciples in understanding scripture. The Spirit of God imparts truth to His people, for all who seek after it.
We must not harbor the revelation of God in our hearts, it is meant to be revealed to others. We have opportunity to encourage other believers and we are commanded to share the revelation of the gospel to unbelievers.
Walk in close proximity to the Lord, stay in fellowship with His Spirit, be quiet and listen as He teaches and you too will be able to rejoice together with the saints, in whom is found all the riches of the knowledge of God.
U.T. 