PERSPECTIVES IN REVELATION

When we speak of REVELATION, we are speaking of the REVEALED, WRITTEN WORD OF GOD: THE BIBLE.

It is very difficult for an individual who knows the Scripture ever to get away from it. It haunts him like an old song. It follows him like the memory of his mother. It remains with him like the word of a reverenced teacher. It forms part of the warp and woof of his life. -- President Woodrow Wilson

I. HOW IMPORTANT IS THE BIBLE?

Provides a history of God's interaction with man.

Reveals the mind of God toward all men, no matter when or where they lived.

Discusses the future purposes and ultimate plan of God's involvement with men.

Provides nourishment for the spiritual development and growth of men.

It is the only written, error-free source of information about God.

Provides a therapeutic resource for the spiritual and psychological trauma of men.

It is the only source or original information about Jesus of Nazareth.

Is the Bible Important? Draw your own conclusion.

II. UNIQUENESS OF SCRIPTURE

The Bible was written over a period os some 1600 years, covering sixty generations by forty different authors. It was written in three different languages at different places in different countries at different times . . .

and YET:

It speaks with beautiful harmony on hundreds of controversial subjects. Its sixty-six books develop a UNIFORM theme of God's redemptive love toward humankind.

The Bible has been circulated among the peoples of every country in the world in hundreds of different languages. It has survived scores of "Bible burnings" and purges.

There is more manuscript evidence for the Bible than for any other ten pieces of classical literature combined!

It has amassed by an unimaginable amount more sales than any other book in human history.

III. It's Prophetic Harmony

This is a partial, skeletal presentation of Messianic Prophecy found in the Hebrew Scriptures:

I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman (Eve), and between your descendants (plural) and her decendant (singular). He shall destroy your head, but you shall injure his heel. (Genesis 3:15)

Now the Lord said to Abram, . . . in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-3)

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and you shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

For unto uis a child is born. Unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be uupon his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the MIGHTY GOD, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, small amoung the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth unto me he that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2)

Look! Your King comes to you. He is just, having salvation, lowly, and riding on an ass, even on the colt of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9)

My God, my God, why have your forsaken me? All that see me, laugh me to scorn. They shoot out the lip, they shake their head saying, "He trusted in the Lord that he would deliver him. Then let the Lord rescue him . . ."

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are are out of joint. They pierced my hands and my feet. I may count all my bones. They look and stare upon me. They parted my garments among them and upon my vesture they cast lots. (Psalm 22)

These Scriptures were written more than 1,000 years before they actually took place!

IV. CANONICITY

The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures [The Old Testament] -- some 285 years B.C.) appears to be the translation from which Jesus, himself, quoted.

The New Testament are those books recognized and certified as written by the apostles, or those among the apostles -- by the early church. The 27 books of the New Testament were canonized in the council of Hippo in year 393 A.D.

CRITERIA FOR CANONIZATION

Eyewitnesses

Apostleship

Prophetic harmony

Thematic harmony

INTEGRITY OF SCRIPTURE: Is it the Word of God?

INSPIRATION: Does NOT mean that God DICTATED the Bible. What it does mean is that the Bible was "God Breathed." that is God supervised the content, guided the personaliity, vocabulary, and intelligence of its writers, and made sure that it included exactly what he wished to have included. the DOCTRINE OF INSPIRATION guarantees the ACCURACY OF REVELATION. (2 Timothy 3:16).

REVELATION: Means that part of scripture which REVEALS the nature and quality of the Character of God. It does not include genealogies, lies, human opinion, etc.

AUTHORITY: Means that where the Bible speaks on matters concerning relationship with God and the practice of faith, it is ABSOLUTELY authoritative.

V. INTERPRETING THE BIBLE

Be your own interpreter. (I Corinthians 2:14)

DO NOT ACCEPT INTERPRETIVE IDEAS SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY YOU HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED.

DARE TO CHALLENGE THE AXIOMATIC!

So you have faith? Then have it to yourself before God. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own heart

Good helps for the beginning student:

Halley's Bible Handbook
Cruden's Bible Concordance
Strong's Bible Concordance
Young's Bible Concordance
A good Bible Dictionary
Whole Bible Commentaries
Individual Book Commentaries
International Bible Encyclopedia
Nave's Topical Bible
Interlinear Greek New Testament

Many of these helps are available online

You should familiarize yourself with Zondervan's Bible Gateway (online)

• Examine all interpretation (including your own) in the light of its context.

  Does it make reasonable and intelligeble sense?
  Where and how does it fit into history?

• Assemble ALL of the evidence.

  Harmonize all similar and relatable passages
  Notice differences and determine the cause
  Determine the influence of the context.

• Be able to separate human opinion and behavior from Divine Truth.

VIEW THE FOLLOWING WITH SUSPICION:

Anything that conflicts with revealed, written Truth.
Anything that is not generally practical or workable.
Is it ridiculous, absurd, bizarre, of foolisth?
Does it emphasize the holiness of God over his love?
Always apply the 'love relationship' standard:

LOVE IS MORE TO BE CONSIDERED THAN ALL OF THE IDEAS, CONCEPTS AND DOCTRINES COMBINED!