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Inspiration/Revelation: What It Is and How It Works - Contents
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    Chapter 2—An Operational Gift

    The Divine Initiative

    It all started with God. He made the first move.IRWHW 46.9

    The very first words of the English Bible are these: “In the beginning God ...” (Genesis 1:1). Three times in the last book of the Bible Jesus identifies Himself as “Alpha and Omega.” 22Revelation 1:11; 21:6; 22:13. Those are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet—the language in which John wrote the book of Revelation. What did that cryptic expression mean? Among other things, Jesus perhaps was saying, “I was here when everything began; and I will be here when all is fulfilled.”IRWHW 46.10

    Paul highlights the uniqueness of the Christian religion by showing that while we were still in the state and act of sin Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). All of the non-Christian religions of the world are alike in one respect: They all show man in search of God. In Christianity alone do we find God in search of man. The central message of Christianity was embodied in the three parables of the “losts” of Luke 15: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost boy. In each of these parables we are shown a God who cared deeply, and who acted on the basis of this concern.IRWHW 46.11

    God’s concern for man prompted Him to bring into existence the office of prophet. While the liturgical priesthood spoke to God on behalf of man, the prophet spoke to man on behalf of God. God had a message to communicate, and He chose special human messengers to be His agency.IRWHW 46.12

    While every Christian is the recipient of at least one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (“spiritual gifts”), 231 Corinthians 12:7. it is still God the Holy Spirit who decides which man or woman receives which gift. 241 Corinthians 12:11, 18; cf. also John 15:16. And the gift of prophecy was given to “some,” 25Ephesians 4:11. but not to “all.” 261 Corinthians 12:29, 30. Prophecy is the preeminent gift; 271 Corinthians 1:5-7; 12:28; 14:1. and the most a human being may scripturally do is to “covet earnestly the best gifts.” 281 Corinthians 12:31. God alone chooses who will be His prophets.IRWHW 46.13

    And, having made that choice, God speaks! Twice in the stately, measured cadences of Hebrews 1:1, 2, we are told that God had already spoken, first through the prophets and then more recently through His Son. Revelation 1:1 suggests what might well be called “God’s chain of command” (to borrow a phrase from Bill Gothard).IRWHW 46.14

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