God's Word: Past, Present.Future

Flip Wilson was a very funny comedian of the '60-70's who often portrayed the money-grubbing, low-living Reverend Leroy on his TV show. His permanent alibi for his sinful life was, "The Devil made me do it!" This saying swept the country and made us all smile.

I'm thinking today,however, of his oft stated "vision" for his "church". He would describe his church this way, "We don't care what happened in the PAST, or what's gonna happen in the FUTURE! We're the church of WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW!"

Unfortunately, such a description fits many of our churches well. Let us determine to not settle for such a truncated vision of the church. Let us embrace Christ's promise to the Apostles on the eve of His departure:

 "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”John 16:13

How much truth is made available to the church/Christian according to the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ? What part of "all" don't we understand?

Let us make it our personal goal to know all truth revealed by the SPIRIT thru the WORD via the APOSTLES and those other evangelists, preachers, and teachers provided by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the church. Let us learn how God wrought in the Past thru individuals and Israel.

 Let us learn how Christ birthed the Church from His wounded side to be his Bride forever and how all of the pieces of the "mystery" fit well together and are in absolute harmony in the now completed revelation of the written will of God.

The most important factor in us learning the complete will of God is our DESIRE to do so! Consider this promise of God to any willing soul:"Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;I WILL MAKE MY WORDS KNOWN TO YOU." Proverbs 1:23

And let us consider the wonderful example of Daniel who heard the Lord's Angel say,"Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words." Daniel 10:12

Way back there, Daniel wanted to know the future, all of it, and God honored his worthy desire. Shouldn't we have that same desire as we see the world system crumbling before from the "birth pains" of a new creation beginning in our time?

 God will honor our careful study of His Word and open His secrets to all who will truly seek them. Let the scoffers scoff but let us value God's wonderful revelation to us who seek His truth and glory!