Revelation 1:1-3

1. The season of Lent, spanning 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, is now underway. During this time, Christians worldwide contemplate the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ and ponder the significance of Salvation. Commencing with Ash Wednesday, which fell on February 14th this year—also Valentine's Day—Lent serves as a period of spiritual reflection and preparation. While leading a Wednesday prayer meeting, I found myself reflecting on the concept of Valentine's Day and who my true Valentine is. Undoubtedly, my wife holds that place in my heart. However, in that moment, I was drawn to consider the profound love of God for me. It is through His Son, Jesus Christ, that God has demonstrated His love, enabling me to believe in Him and reciprocate that love. Thus, I realized that God is, indeed, my ultimate Valentine. Throughout these 40 days leading to Easter, often referred to as Resurrection Sunday, we are encouraged to delve into the depths of God's love and contemplate His incredible work of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is a time for profound reflection and spiritual growth.

2. Today, we celebrated a significant milestone in the faith journey of Chrissy through her Baptism and welcomed Wendy into membership within our church community. These acts symbolize a profound commitment to Jesus Christ and a declaration of faith. Baptism signifies a belief in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, affirming our identity as His children and followers within the church. By undergoing Baptism, we publicly acknowledge our allegiance to Jesus and commit to following His guidance throughout our lives. Similarly, joining the church as a member signifies our dedication to walking alongside fellow believers in our shared journey of faith. This declaration is not merely a formality but a heartfelt pledge of love and obedience, both to God and to the community of believers. Through Baptism and membership, we affirm our commitment to live in accordance with the teachings of Jesus and to seek His direction in all aspects of our lives. As followers of Christ, it is imperative that we continually seek to deepen our understanding of God and His ways. Let us read Revelation 1:1-3.

Revelation 1:1–3 NKJV

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

3. Recently, I delved into a book titled "Crucial Conversations," which delves into the art of fostering meaningful and productive dialogues, particularly in leadership roles, whether as a leader, boss, or follower. The essence of initiating a meaningful conversation lies in understanding the roles of both the speaker and the listener. During a recent Workers' retreat I attended, we were graced with a guest speaker, whose introduction by the District Superintendent lasted approximately ten minutes. This seemingly prolonged introduction served a critical purpose: enhancing our comprehension of the speaker's message. Just as understanding the background and context of the speaker aided us in grasping the essence of their speech, so too does obtaining prior knowledge about someone facilitate the initiation of a new relationship or conversation. In essence, whether in leadership roles or interpersonal interactions, having a clear understanding of both parties involved sets the stage for effective communication and meaningful exchanges.

4. Establishing a relationship with God follows a similar principle. God, as our creator, inherently knows us, and in turn, He reveals Himself to us, enabling us to understand who He is and what He has done for us. In the context of beginning theological studies, such as in a Bible college where we delve into subjects like Systematic Theology, the initial focus typically centers around the Revelation of God. This emphasis is pivotal because the revelation of God serves as the foundational step toward knowing Him. While Systematic Theology may adopt the structure of philosophy, without God's revelation of His ways and knowledge, our comprehension of Him would remain elusive, and our knowledge of Him would be incomplete. In essence, it is through God's self-revelation that we embark on the journey of truly knowing and understanding Him.

1 Corinthians 2:10–12 NLT

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

4. Understanding and deepening our knowledge of God hinges on His self-revelation. As my professor of Systematic Theology in South Korea emphasized, our ability to truly know God is contingent upon His initiative to reveal Himself to us. This assertion holds profound truth, as our human methodology for approaching God remains inherently limited. Reflecting on my own experience, despite living with my wife for 17 years, I continue to find that I cannot fully grasp the depths of her being. Each day brings new dimensions to her character, rendering her constantly intriguing and enigmatic to me. Similarly, given the vastness and complexity of God, who transcends our finite understanding, we inevitably fall short in comprehending Him unless He chooses to unveil Himself to us. In essence, just as the richness of my relationship with my wife unfolds over time, so too does our understanding of God deepen as He reveals more of Himself to us.

2 Corinthians 4:1–2 NASB 2020

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 NASB 2020

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 Corinthians 4:5–6 NASB 2020

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants on account of Jesus. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

5. If we seek to deepen our understanding of God through His revelation, we should consider how we can receive this divine guidance. Firstly, we observe that God often initiates contact with us. As exemplified in the Bible, God frequently reaches out to His people before they actively seek Him.

Exodus 3:4 (NKJV)

So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Isaiah 6:8 ESV

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

6. Once we receive God's revelation, it's imperative to examine it closely, recognizing that our own intellectual frameworks may not fully grasp its depth. Nonetheless, God's revelation illuminates His mercy towards us. Given our inherent limitations in comprehending the divine, God communicates His message through accessible languages, such as Hebrew and Greek. For instance, the New Testament writers penned their letters in Koine Greek, the common language of the Roman world. This choice underscores God's intention to facilitate our understanding of His word.

7. Indeed, in the first century, people shared a common cultural and linguistic context, making it easier for them to comprehend the letters in the New Testament. However, in our contemporary world, characterized by different societal norms and historical circumstances, grasping the intended meaning and nuances of the New Testament can pose challenges. This underscores the importance of seeking guidance and assistance from the church community, which serves as a resource for interpreting and understanding scripture in its appropriate context.

8. My area of interest for my PhD studies lies in the 16th-century Reformations. This era holds immense significance for Protestant Christians, as it marks the inception of the Protestant Christian movement worldwide. The Reformation was ignited by a desire to revisit the original scriptures with a fresh, humanistic perspective. Within the Reformed and Anabaptist traditions, there was a concerted focus on delving into the original languages of scripture. Through this linguistic exploration, they unearthed the true essence of salvation, realizing that it is centered on Christ rather than human efforts. Consequently, it underscores the pivotal role of churches in allocating ample time for the study of God's word, recognizing it as divine revelation. To grasp the essence of God's word, it is imperative for churches to impart accurate interpretations and meanings. Thus, Bible studies and prayer emerge as two crucial pillars of the church. Through diligent Bible studies, individuals can uncover the depths of scripture's meaning, while prayer serves as a conduit for experiencing the living Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 MSG

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

9. Reading and studying the word of God holds paramount importance to me, as it serves as the sole avenue to comprehend God's revelation. Without immersing ourselves in the Word of God, we risk relying solely on our personal experiences when encountering divine revelation. However, our experiences are inherently subjective and prone to relativity, potentially hindering our deeper understanding of God.

10. Upon my conversion, I immersed myself in the Bible, reading it cover to cover three times within six months, spurred by a profound encounter with God during a three-day prayer meeting. Motivated by a deep desire to understand God more fully, I delved into scripture, where I came to recognize Jesus as my Savior, acknowledging His salvation through sacrifice and resurrection. Inspired by this newfound faith, I made the decision to enroll in Bible college, eager to deepen my knowledge of God. Subsequently, I experienced a significant dream where God communicated with me, his message taking on the form reminiscent of the prophetic books and the Book of Revelation authored by John. In the dream, I humbly listened as God revealed His message, instructing me to follow Him faithfully. Upon awakening, the vividness of the dream lingered, and I felt compelled to search the Scriptures for the purported "Revelation chapter 23," only to find that the Book of Revelation concluded with chapter 22. This revelation served as a poignant reminder that relying solely on personal experiences and perceptions could lead to deception and steer me away from God's intended path.

Luke 4:9–11 (NLT)

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ”

11. To deepen our understanding of God, we must refrain from relying solely on our natural senses or personal experiences. Instead, we should emulate Jesus and place our trust in God and His word. By engaging with the Word of God and through prayer, we open ourselves to divine instruction. Through these spiritual disciplines, God will undoubtedly reveal His ways and thoughts to us. As we immerse ourselves in the Word of God and commit to prayer, we gain insight into the character and intentions of God. This enables us to align our lives with His will and participate in His work with clarity and purpose.

Deuteronomy 6:6–9 NKJV

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.