Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Based Upon Revelation 1:11, 19
“I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;”
Throughout history, the Lord has chosen how to reveal Himself to the world, and on what level. After sin, He revealed Himself to Adam and Eve as the promised seed that would crush the serpent’s head. To Abraham, He revealed Himself as the promised seed that would make faithful people heirs of the salvific promise. To Noah He revealed Himself as the ark of safety into which all who would live must flee. To the children of Israel, He revealed Himself as the heavenly sanctuary to which all of their ceremonies pointed. To Jeremiah, He revealed Himself as the ultimate covenant keeper. To John the Baptist He revealed Himself as Messiah and the light unto the Gentiles. To Martin Luther, He revealed Himself as Author and Finisher of our faith–the only way to salvation. To those living in the last days, He reveals Himself as the only true God, worthy of worship. He is the One who is jealous over His law, and reveals how a powerful God can separate for Himself, a people that will be faithful amidst the persecution of religio-political powers that work against God. He is the One who will soon burst the clouds to take His people to heaven. His progressive revelation can be considered as present truth. In every era, what He revealed of Himself was then a present understanding of God.
When Daniel the prophet was receiving greater light concerning God, there came a point when God restricted his permission to transmit what he had seen. It may be that He even limited his understanding of things to come on some level. “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end,” Daniel 12:8, 9. Only during the end times would God reveal the messages especially tailored for those living in that era.
There is a contrast of times. What God sealed up in Daniel’s time has been reserved for us. We are living in the last days. Thus, it is imperative for us to receive the truth that is present for our day. Truth, though never new, is progressive. As time progresses, so does God’s revelation of Himself. Daniel sealed up the vision, but John the revelator was commanded to write down what he was given by God and deliver it to His people (Revelation 1:11, 19).
It is a blessing to trust that God knows exactly how much and what particular light to give us. As we grow in Him, let us always be willing to understand and do what He reveals.
