First, God has revealed himself and His power to everyone through the creation (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:19-20). No one doubts that the Statue of Liberty or the Mona Lisa had to be fashioned and brought about by an intelligent and creative person, and neither should we doubt that God is the omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipotent (all-powerful) creator of this universe.
Second, God is a morally perfect (always truthful and doing what is right) Being, and He makes his moral will known to us as well. We as people are created in God’s image, and though we have fallen, God has placed the sense of right and wrong in our very being. Universal laws have become universal because all of humanity has a general sense of justice. Murder is wrong. Theft is wrong. Adultery is wrong. When these principles are violated, human beings typically feel guilty (Romans 2:14-15). Even so, we as people suppress the knowledge of God in us, and go on to worship other gods within the creation or the creation itself instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25). Human beings on a grand scale have rejected God and worshiped the creature - we need to be saved from our own affections. Also, nowhere in general revelation (the evidence of the Creator in creation or our conscience) is the Gospel clearly explained, yet the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation!
Third, God revealed his purpose of redeeming (buying back or rescuing) mankind through a plan involving a man named Abraham, a people called Israel, mighty works, prophets, and eventually His own Son, Jesus Christ (Exodus 12, Hebrews 1:1). God had promised a Victor over consequence of Satan's deception since the Garden ,and Jesus was the Son of Eve (Genesis 3:15). God promised that Abraham’s descendant would be a blessing to all nations, and Jesus is just that (Gen 22:18). Also, God promised that David’s kingdom would be established forever, and through Jesus it has begun to be and will be established (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Just as the animal sacrifices foreshadowed the coming Lamb of God, Jesus would shed his own blood to pay the penalty for sin, revealing the love and mercy of the Creator God.
Fourth, Jesus didn’t just reveal himself by dying. He revealed God’s perfect nature in His life (Colossians 1:15). He offers us his very life in order that we may inherit eternal life in God’s kingdom (John 14:4).
Lastly, Jesus revealed to mankind personally the reality of the resurrection. He did so in his earthly ministry by raising Lazarus from the dead four days after he died (Luke 11). But even more amazing than this was the fact that Jesus himself rose from the dead (Matthew 28). In his absence Jesus established a body of all who believe, Jews and Gentiles alike, called the church (Ephesians 2:11-22).
Notice something. There are two general categories of revelation.
1. General - available to all persons in all places
2. Specific - message must be delivered personally
Which of these examples are General/Specific?
Which type is needed to trust in the mercy of God through the Gospel?
Are you willing to deliver the message?
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