The Bible (2) - Given by Revelation

God spoke His Word to and through men by the work of the Holy Spirit.

We have and trust the Bible because God wrote it through a process of revelation, i.e., a supernatural process of making Himself and His will known to man.

Last week, we discussed the nature of the Bible. The Bible is a breathed-out book written by God. It is His inspired Word that is authoritative, necessary, and sufficient for the people of God. The Bible, or Scripture, is God’s authoritative voice over us to lead and guide us. It is necessary to bring sinners to a knowledge of salvation and a true knowledge of God. It suffices to give us all the information we need to know, worship, and serve God properly. Today we look at the doctrine of revelation, the way God delivered His Word in history. Revelation means the act of revealing something previously unseen or unknown. The Bible exists only because God revealed it piece by piece throughout history. That process is one of supernatural revelation. 
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We are considering God’s act of revealing Himself in history (hence, revelation), not the book of Revelation. Whereas inspired, authoritative, necessary, and sufficient to describe the nature of the Bible, supernatural revelation describes the process God used to give us the Bible. Here are a series of proofs from the Word itself, our highest and reliable authority.

1. The prophecies of Scripture came not from their human authors, but from God by the work of the Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20–21, “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. [21] For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” The picture of supernatural revelation is clear. Men were carried along by the Spirit as God spoke through them. 
2. This can also be called “God speaking,” which is a simpler phrase. Hebrews 1:1–2, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (see Luke 1:70; Acts 3:18). 
3. The word “revelation” is given as a singular word that describes how God does this. Romans 16:25–26, “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages [26] but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith.” Also Galatians 1:12, “For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” And finally, Revelation 1:1, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.”
4. As God spoke through men by the Spirit, this also is the Spirit of the pre-incarnate Christ speaking in them. 1 Peter 1:11, “inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.”
5. Numerous verses remind us that God brings His Word through men who speak and write based on God’s revelation. Here are a few examples. Moses: Exodus 4:12, “Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” Exodus 24:4, “And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD.” David: 2 Samuel 23:2, “The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.” Acts 1:16, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.” Jeremiah: Jeremiah 1:9, “Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, ‘Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.’”

We preach, teach, and love the Bible because it is God’s inspired, authoritative, and all-sufficient Word. And it is His inspired, authoritative, and all-sufficient word because it came to us by a process or supernatural revelation. God spoke and wrote through men through the work of the Spirit. The Bible results from a series of miracles throughout history. God has spoken at numerous times and ways to and through numerous prophets. All of those times and ways have culminated in what we have today: the complete Bible. Do you want to hear God speak? Do not delay, go to the Bible.