HEAVEN’S MEANS OF COMMUNICATION Lesson 1 for January 3, 2009

HOW DOES GOD TALK TO HUMANITY? “…IN VARIOUS WAYS…” “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.” Hebrews 1: 1-2

Who can hear God’s voice directly and keep living? “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth, and strips the forests bare; and in His temple everyone says, ‘Glory!’” Psalm 29: 3-9

Abraham Genesis 18: 1-2 Jacob Genesis 32: 22-31 Moses Exodus 3: 2-6 Joshua Joshua 5: 13-15 Only Adam and Eve could speak to God directly. That was before sin entered the world. In other cases, God spoke through “the Angel of the Lord” who is Jesus Christ. Gideon Judges 13: 11-22

God has used different means of communication with his creatures throughout history and throughout the world. God chooses the best way to speak according to the abilities of the person, so we can know Him and accept Him. Nature and conscience is the universal language that God uses to speak to those that know nothing about Him.

“Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1: 19-20) “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19: 1)

God spoke to Israel through prophets God spoke to Israel through prophets. Some of them wrote their message down so it could testify to those living in the future. “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” (Amos 3: 7)

The Bible is the most effective tool we have to know God’s will today. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3: 16-17) The Bible is the most effective tool we have to know God’s will today.

The Bible was written in many different times and places The Bible was written in many different times and places. Thousands of years; from Midian to Babylon. It was written by very different kinds of people: Wise kings, uncultured shepherds, simple fishers, priests, noblemen. Even the testimony of pagan kings is written on it. Although authors, places and times were so different, the Bible possesses an amazing unity. No doubt its Author inspired all the writers and protected it through ages, so we could receive its message today.

"these are they which testify of Me." God chose to use different means to communicate with the fallen mankind: nature, the conscience, the prophets and the written Word. All those means point to the greatest revelation: JESUS. "these are they which testify of Me." John 5: 39

“He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14: 9) Jesus is the greatest revelation of God himself. “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” (John 1: 18) “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14: 9)

“Through creation and redemption, through nature and through Christ, the glories of the divine character are revealed. By the marvelous display of His love in giving “his only begotten Son,” ... the character of God is revealed to the intelligences of the universe.” E.G.W. (That I may know Him, January 12)