Bob Morris
Shalom Dear Friends,
Last month we talked about the fact that there is no place to hide from God. Eventually, we all have to stand before Him. This month I would like to deal with the fact that no human being can ever offer the excuse “I never heard about salvation.” The question inevitably arises from critics, “What about the Eskimos (or whoever) in Alaska (or wherever) in 1492 (or whenever)?” “They never heard about Jesus.” “Are they condemned to Hell?” “How unfair of God.” What does the Bible say about this?
First of all, we have to be very clear regarding the fact that Jesus is not the source of condemnation. Jesus is the source of salvation. Sin is the source of condemnation. The “Good News” is that trust in Jesus delivers us from God’s wrath against sin.
Romans 5:9 —
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
Second, we have to face the fact that all mankind are sinners. The Bible states this over and over. One example is found in Solomon’s prayer at the Temple dedication. In the middle of his prayer Solomon states in 1 Kings 8:46:
When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) …
With these facts on the table, that all mankind are sinners, sin brings condemnation and God’s wrath, and that Jesus is the source of salvation, we can turn to Romans 1.
Third, sufficient evidence has been given to all men, worldwide, and in all times through creation (Rom. 1:18-20) to lead them to a knowledge of God. We call this “General Revelation” or “Natural Revelation.” No atheist will get away with the excuse, “I never saw evidence of God’s existence.” God has presented evidence for His existence. It is all around us. We see it every day. All mankind, from time immemorial, has received this revelation from God, although it is not specific and very dim. Natural Revelation is sufficient to make one responsible, but it is not sufficient to bring someone to salvation. However, if an individual will respond properly to Natural Revelation, by giving thanks and honoring Him (Rom. 1:21), God will provide some means for that person to receive sufficient light for that person to be saved. Examples are given in Acts 8:26-39, 10:1-47, and 17:27. Today we call those people missionaries. This is where “Specific Revelation” enters the picture.
Fourth, a more specific and “brighter” revelation has also been given to mankind from the beginning. We call it “Specific Revelation” or “Special Revelation.” Specific Revelation consists of the biblical material. Specific Revelation was given to complement Natural Revelation. In addition, the biblical revelation is progressive. More detailed information is provided over time. The very first Messianic prophecy is Genesis 3:15. Right from the beginning it is revealed that the Messianic Person would defeat the tempter, Satan. That is the limit of Specific Revelation at the beginning of human history. However, by placing their faith in the “Seed of the Woman,” salvation would be accomplished. Specific Revelation is sufficient for salvation.
The amount of Specific Revelation would be expanded over the ages until it reaches its fullest extent in the New Testament. Today, all mankind has much revelation and bears much responsibility, but trusting God in light of the message of Genesis 3:15 would accomplish salvation. That message, at the least, was supposed to be carried and communicated to each generation from Adam and Eve onward. We see in the Scripture that the message became ignored, rejected and distorted (Rom. 1:21-32). However, sufficient Specific Revelation has been available to all men from the beginning and continued to steadily expand up to the completion of the New Testament. There is no excuse.
The next logical question to follow is, “What about those people who are incapable of understanding specific revelation?” Here we have to factor in God’s love and justice. He loves the entire world and desires that all men be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). Because He has not given us the details, we have to leave those who don’t have the ability to hear of Jesus, such as the small child and the mentally infirmed, in the hands of a loving God. I think we can trust Him to deal with everyone in a righteous manner that is consistent with His love and justice.
This is why we have to send out missionaries. No one gets a free pass. Believers of all ages, from Genesis 3:15 on, are responsible to bring the Specific Revelation that God will accomplish His saving work through the Messianic person to a sinful world. Men must be told that they must place their faith in the Messianic Person. There is no excuse.
Romans 1:16 —
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Thanks for your partnership with us!
The Feast of Weeks
“Shavuot”
In Hebrew, Shavuot means “weeks.” The Greek name for the feast is “Pentecost,” meaning “50th” since it is celebrated seven weeks or 50 days after Passover. The holiday celebrates the harvest and God’s provision for His people. In 2013, the first day of Shavuot is Tuesday, May 14, 2013, and ends at nightfall Thursday, May 16, 2013
Shavuot shares common features with two other significant Jewish feasts, Pesach (Passover) and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). The three holidays are mandated by the Torah, involve a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the first fruit offerings at the Temple.
In ancient times, the grain harvest lasted seven weeks; it began with the harvesting of barley during Passover and ended with the harvest of wheat during Shavuot. Thus, Shavuot marks the conclusion of the grain harvest.
According to Jewish tradition, Moses received the Law at Mount Sinai during Shavuot.
Some Jewish customs during Shavuot include the reading of the Ten Commandments to remember the giving of the Law to Moses, decorating the house and synagogues with flowers and greens and the eating of milk products (according to the rabbis, when the Jewish people received the Law, they were like newborn babies). Consistent with the theme of harvest, the book of Ruth is often read as well.