As Isaiah was able to report about the coming of the Messiah, he also reported about the coming of John the Baptist - the forerunner of Christ. John was to be one who would announce the coming of the Lord and His kingdom. He would prepare the way by preparing people - calling for repentance. See Isaiah 40:3-4, 6-8; Malachi 3:1 cp. John 1:6-8, 19-34; Mark 1:1-11.
Isaiah's report of Messiah, in Isaiah 40:5, says that "The Glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." John comments that Christ was "… The true light, which gives light to every man coming into the world." (John 1:9) Yet John also says, "… The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John 1:5) The Greek word for "comprehend" has an interesting array of meaning. It means "to comprehend, understand, grasp, apprehend, control, overcome." The force of this meaning is to say that people of the world would not naturally understand the Christ. This would bring fear, anxiety, anger, and, because they did not have the ability to control Him, they would try to overpower and destroy Him. The NLT says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." See also John 1:10-11.
Back to Isaiah chapter forty - Isaiah further states, "… Behold your God! Behold, the LORD GOD will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for him… He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." (Isaiah 40:9-11 cp. John 10:1-30, 31-39) John chapter ten shows us the Shepherd revealed and rejected. Notice, again, the reference to "The arm of the Lord" in Isaiah 40:10. This shows God working with power, but His power is specifically operating through the Messiah, God's Son, who will be rejected. This brings us back to Isaiah chapter fifty-three and the question, "Who has believed our report / testimony and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" (Isaiah 53:1) The diamonds of the glory of the Messiah are displayed on the black velvet of man's unbelief.
We are now going to let Paul tell us how God revealed His Son, not simply to him, but in him.
Consider Paul's comments on the personal revelation that he received from God in Galatians 1:15-16
"But when it pleased God , who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me…"
In this passage, Paul created a parallel between his first birth (physical) and his second birth (spiritual). It was God who physically brought him into this world. Paul had no say in it or control of it. Likewise, Paul was not seeking the Lord when he was spiritually born again (John 3:3; Ephesians 2:1-10). Paul was actually opposing the gospel and fighting to stop its propagation (Acts 22:3-10; 26:9-16; I Timothy 1:12-15). God interrupted Paul's life, invaded his heart and mind. God transformed him into a follower and a servant of Christ.
The gospel had been preached to Paul (Acts 6:9 - 8:1). Paul did not at first receive the message, but it was planted in his mind. The Spirit of God entered Paul in an unusual appearance of Christ, that came to him as he travelled to Damascus to do more harm (Acts 9:1-6). Paul asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord answered and identified Himself as "Jesus" (Acts 9:5). Paul then addressed Jesus as "Lord" (Acts 9:6). According to I Corinthians 12:3 and Ephesians 1:13, we can know that Paul received the Holy Spirit at this time. Note that the others who were with Paul did not share / understand this experience that Paul had (Acts 9:7-8).
Paul said, in Galatians 1:16, that God revealed His Son "in me" - not "to me" as some translations say. It is not enough that the knowledge of Jesus Christ enters our minds and that we agree doctrinally. We must experience the truth in our heart that Jesus is alive, that He is real and that He is now living in us - that He is present within us. The new birth is a transformation. It is an invasion (John 14:15-23; 17:20-23; II Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:25-27; I John 2:19-27 [vs. 20, 27 - "you have an unction / anointing…abiding in you… teaches you…" - See I John 5:20].
Have you received God's revelation of His Son?
You do not have to see a special vision of Christ as Paul did (II Corinthians 5:16; I Peter 1:8). Normally, God's Spirit works invisibly through the word of God / the gospel, as already stated previously in Ephesians 1:13 (cp. John 6:63). Have you believed and received God's testimony? Is Christ real to you and living within you?
See Matthew 11:25-30 (cp Luke 10:17-24); John 5:25; Ephesians 4:21 ("Heard Him" not "Heard about Him" cp KJV, NKJV, NASB + others - "Taught by Him / in Him" Many translations choose the word "in." This still gives the idea of personal intimacy, as Christ reveals Himself, when we are born again); I John 5:9-13, 20.
If you doubt that you are born again, just talk to God and ask Him about it, "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13 cp. Romans 10:8-17; Isaiah 55:6-11) |
