The Godhood of God # 6
1. The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Creation.
With whom did He take counsel in creation? Whom did He consult when He determined the various and manifold arrangements, adjustments, adaptations, relationships, equipments of His myriad creatures? Did He not do everything after the counsel of His own will? Did He not decide that birds should fly in the air, beasts roam the earth, and fish live in the sea?
Did He not decide that there should be vast differences among the creatures of His hand - instead of making everything equal and uniform? Did He not determine to make a revolving world on the one hand - and a floating atom on the other? Did He not determine to create the exalted seraphim to stand before His throne throughout endless ages - and also to make another creature which dies the same hour it is born?
Was He not undisputed Sovereign in all His creative acts? Yes, truly, for the Three Persons of the Godhead were all alone in their solitary majesty. Why should God take counsel? Could man add to His knowledge, or correct His errors? God sovereignly assigned His myriad creatures their various habitations, members, movements - just as it pleased Him. God never consulted man about a single member of His body, or about its size, color, or capacity, instead, "God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him" (1 Cor. 12:18). Man is as truly the product of Sovereign creation as any other of God's creatures - sovereign, we say, not arbitrary.
2. The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in the Administration of His World. God not only created everything, but everything which He created is subject to His immediate control! God rules over the works of His hands. God governs the creatures He has made. God reigns with universal dominion. When He pleased, the sun and moon stood still (Joshua 10:12, 13) - and at a word from Him, the sun went backward ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz (Isaiah 38:8). At His command the Red Sea ceased to flow - and at His command it resumed its normal course (Exodus 14).
In response to the prayer of Elisha, God made iron to float on the top of the water (2 Kings 6:5). Yes, when He pleases, He reverses, He reverses the order of nature, as when the fires of Nebuchadnezzar's furnace did not burn, the hungry lions touched not Daniel, the ravens, which are birds of prey, were made to minister of Elijah.
At a word from Him who made it... a fish carried a coin to Peter, a tree withers suddenly, and the raging tempest becomes calm!
So it is also with men - they, too, are ruled by God! They are ruled by the unseen Hand - often, unknown to themselves.
Little did they know it, yet nevertheless, the sons of Jacob were but performing the good pleasure of Jehovah when they sold Joseph into the hands of the Ishmaelites who carried him down into Egypt.
Little was she aware of it, but when Pharaoh's daughter went to the Nile to bathe, she was being directed by God - directed there to rescue from the waters the babe Moses.
Little did he know it, but in issuing the decree that all the world should be taxed (Luke 2:1) Caesar Augustus was but setting in motion a movement which caused the word and decree of God to be fulfilled.''
Yes, even "The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases!" (Prov. 21:1).
And so it was with satan himself! He, too, is the unwitting and unwilling servant of God. He could not touch Job without first gaining Divine permission. He could not sift the apostles until he gained consent from Christ. At a word from the Lord Jesus, satan "left" Him (Matt. 4:10, 11). Of him, also, God has said: Thus far shall you go and no further!"
Even death, the "king of terrors," that which no arts of man can defy, is absolutely subject to the biding of the Lord.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 7)
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Heavenly Worship # 1
Heavenly Worship # 1
Revelation 5
John describes his vision most vividly, "Then I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne - a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals." We may study this picture with great profit. The book is the scroll of the divine purposes - this much, at least, we know about it. As we look at it, we learn that God has purposes for His Church, and knows what the future will be, down through all the ages to the end. This ought to be a great comfort to us, especially when we are disposed to be anxious or discouraged concerning the progress of Christ's kingdom. God is never taken by surprise. He knew all from the beginning. The world is not run by chance. God's plans are never defeated. In all that to us seems confusion, His eye sees at all times perfect order. Even the wrath of man He makes to praise Him, and the remainder thereof He restrains.
The fact that this scroll was written on both sides, and was entirely filled, shows that no part of the future was left in uncertainty, or unplanned for; also that no other than God has to do with the direction of the world's affairs. When we remember that it is our Father whose purposes are being wrought out in the troubled history of this earth - we ought not to be afraid. His children are always safe in His hands!
"And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it!" This shows not only that no one can read the future - but also that no one can meddle with God's purposes and plans! They are hidden in His own hands - and are hidden from all eyes. This truth should also make us very modest in our efforts to interpret prophecies and predictions concerning future events. The book is sealed - and we cannot read its contents.
Nothing is hidden from us, however, that we need to know in order to salvation or in order to duty; but there are great events in the future clearly foretold as to the fact that they will occur - but not foretold as to the time and manner of their occurrence. Is it the part of wise and loving faith - to try to open that which lies in God's hands sealed?
There is also a very practical suggestion here. The scroll of each individual life lies in God's hands, written full to the end. God knows it all - right down to the last moment. Each change, each experience of joy or sorrow, each danger or duty - is written down! God knows all our biography from the beginning to the end. But the book is sealed to us. We cannot read its contents. We cannot know, therefore, what lies before us in the days that are to come. And surely it is better that we should go on, not knowing; since God knows, and since He is leading us step by step. To know of trials and hardships and perils and sorrows - would discourage us. To know of coming defeat and failure - would take the nerve out of our energy and paralyze our efforts. To know of coming joys and achievements, would make us vain and self-confident. It is a great deal better as it is, and we should leave the book sealed and in the hands of God - while we move quietly on in the little bit of path unsealed and unrolled to our eyes!
Then John had a vision of Jesus:
"Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed!
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne!" (Revelation 5:5-6). John was looking for a Lion - and he saw a Lamb - a little lamb, too. This strange double picture of Jesus as He appears in heaven - is very suggestive.
He was a Lion in His conflicts and victories, and as such overcame all His enemies and ours also. But He was a Lamb in the gentleness of His character and disposition. The lamb is an emblem of meekness and of unresisting obedience and submission.
As we think about Christ, we soon see how true both of these pictures are. Like a Lion, He has power and majesty, and is dreadful to His enemies! As a Lion He met and overcame satan, and triumphed over death and the grave. As a Lion He is able to defend us from all our enemies, and the feeblest believer is safe under His protection. He is the omnipotent God and has all power in heaven and on earth.
As the same time, the other picture is just as true. Christ is like a little lamb in His gentleness. The whole spirit of His life on earth shows this. Never was a mother so gentle to her children, as was Jesus to the weary, troubled and penitent ones who came to Him. He was lamb-like too, in the way He endured wrongs and sufferings. Other animals fight in their own defense - but the lamb does not resist. When Christ was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten in return. "Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers - He did not open His mouth."
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 2)
Revelation 5
John describes his vision most vividly, "Then I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne - a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals." We may study this picture with great profit. The book is the scroll of the divine purposes - this much, at least, we know about it. As we look at it, we learn that God has purposes for His Church, and knows what the future will be, down through all the ages to the end. This ought to be a great comfort to us, especially when we are disposed to be anxious or discouraged concerning the progress of Christ's kingdom. God is never taken by surprise. He knew all from the beginning. The world is not run by chance. God's plans are never defeated. In all that to us seems confusion, His eye sees at all times perfect order. Even the wrath of man He makes to praise Him, and the remainder thereof He restrains.
The fact that this scroll was written on both sides, and was entirely filled, shows that no part of the future was left in uncertainty, or unplanned for; also that no other than God has to do with the direction of the world's affairs. When we remember that it is our Father whose purposes are being wrought out in the troubled history of this earth - we ought not to be afraid. His children are always safe in His hands!
"And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it!" This shows not only that no one can read the future - but also that no one can meddle with God's purposes and plans! They are hidden in His own hands - and are hidden from all eyes. This truth should also make us very modest in our efforts to interpret prophecies and predictions concerning future events. The book is sealed - and we cannot read its contents.
Nothing is hidden from us, however, that we need to know in order to salvation or in order to duty; but there are great events in the future clearly foretold as to the fact that they will occur - but not foretold as to the time and manner of their occurrence. Is it the part of wise and loving faith - to try to open that which lies in God's hands sealed?
There is also a very practical suggestion here. The scroll of each individual life lies in God's hands, written full to the end. God knows it all - right down to the last moment. Each change, each experience of joy or sorrow, each danger or duty - is written down! God knows all our biography from the beginning to the end. But the book is sealed to us. We cannot read its contents. We cannot know, therefore, what lies before us in the days that are to come. And surely it is better that we should go on, not knowing; since God knows, and since He is leading us step by step. To know of trials and hardships and perils and sorrows - would discourage us. To know of coming defeat and failure - would take the nerve out of our energy and paralyze our efforts. To know of coming joys and achievements, would make us vain and self-confident. It is a great deal better as it is, and we should leave the book sealed and in the hands of God - while we move quietly on in the little bit of path unsealed and unrolled to our eyes!
Then John had a vision of Jesus:
"Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed!
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne!" (Revelation 5:5-6). John was looking for a Lion - and he saw a Lamb - a little lamb, too. This strange double picture of Jesus as He appears in heaven - is very suggestive.
He was a Lion in His conflicts and victories, and as such overcame all His enemies and ours also. But He was a Lamb in the gentleness of His character and disposition. The lamb is an emblem of meekness and of unresisting obedience and submission.
As we think about Christ, we soon see how true both of these pictures are. Like a Lion, He has power and majesty, and is dreadful to His enemies! As a Lion He met and overcame satan, and triumphed over death and the grave. As a Lion He is able to defend us from all our enemies, and the feeblest believer is safe under His protection. He is the omnipotent God and has all power in heaven and on earth.
As the same time, the other picture is just as true. Christ is like a little lamb in His gentleness. The whole spirit of His life on earth shows this. Never was a mother so gentle to her children, as was Jesus to the weary, troubled and penitent ones who came to Him. He was lamb-like too, in the way He endured wrongs and sufferings. Other animals fight in their own defense - but the lamb does not resist. When Christ was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten in return. "Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers - He did not open His mouth."
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, January 11, 2020
The Godhood of God # 5
The Godhood of God # 5
The God of Scripture has a will that is irresistible. Man talks and boasts of his will, but God also has a will!
Men had a will on the plains of Shinar and undertook to build a tower whose top should reach unto Heaven - but what came of it? God had a will, also, and their willful effort came to naught.
Pharaoh had a will when he hardened his heart and refused to allow Jehovah's people to go into the wilderness to worship Him, but what came of it? God had a will, too, and being Almighty, His will was performed.
Balak had a will when he hired Balaam to come and curse the Hebrews - but of what avail was it?
The Canaanites had a will when they determined to prevent Israel occupying the promised land - but how far did they succeed?
Saul had a will when he hurled his javelin at David, but instead of slaying the Lord's anointed, it entered the wall instead.
Jonah had a will when he refused to go and preach to the Ninevites - but what came of it?
Nebuchadnezzar had a will when he thought to destroy the three Hebrews - but God had a will too, and so the fire did not harm them.
Herod had a will when he purposed to slay the Child Jesus, and had there been no living and reigning God, his evil desires had been effected. But in daring to pit his puny will against the irresistible will of the Almighty, his efforts came to naught.
Yes, my reader, and you had a will when you formed your plans without first seeking counsel of the Lord, and therefore He overthrew them.
As well might a worm seek to resist the tread of an elephant; as well might a babe step between the railroad tracks and attempt to push back the on-rushing train; as well might a child seek to prevent the ocean from rolling - as for a creature to try to resist the outworking of the purpose of the Lord God!
The God of Scripture is absolute Sovereign. Such is His own claim: "This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:26, 27).
The Sovereignty of God is absolute and irresistible: "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing! He does as He pleases with the powers of Heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have you done?" (Daniel 4:35).
The Sovereignty of God is true not only hypothetically, but in fact. That is to say, God exercises His sovereignty, exercises it both in the natural realm, and in the spiritual.
One is born black - another white. One is born in wealth - another in poverty. One is born with a healthy body - another sickly and crippled. One is cut off in childhood - another lives to old age. One is endowed with five talents - another with but one. And in all these cases it is God the Creator who makes one to differ from another, and "none can stay His hand."
So also is the spiritual realm. One is born in a pious home and is brought up in the fear and abomination of the Lord - another is born of criminal parents and is reared in vice. One is the object of many prayers - the other is not prayed for at all. One hears the Gospel from early childhood - another never hears it at all. One sits under a Scriptural ministry - another hears nothing but error and heresy. Of those who do hear the Gospel, one has his heart opened by the Lord to receive the truth - while another is left to himself. One is "ordained to eternal life" (Acts 13:48) - while another is "ordained to condemnation" (Jude 4). To whom He will God shows mercy - and whom He wills He "hardens". (Romans 9:18).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 6)
The God of Scripture has a will that is irresistible. Man talks and boasts of his will, but God also has a will!
Men had a will on the plains of Shinar and undertook to build a tower whose top should reach unto Heaven - but what came of it? God had a will, also, and their willful effort came to naught.
Pharaoh had a will when he hardened his heart and refused to allow Jehovah's people to go into the wilderness to worship Him, but what came of it? God had a will, too, and being Almighty, His will was performed.
Balak had a will when he hired Balaam to come and curse the Hebrews - but of what avail was it?
The Canaanites had a will when they determined to prevent Israel occupying the promised land - but how far did they succeed?
Saul had a will when he hurled his javelin at David, but instead of slaying the Lord's anointed, it entered the wall instead.
Jonah had a will when he refused to go and preach to the Ninevites - but what came of it?
Nebuchadnezzar had a will when he thought to destroy the three Hebrews - but God had a will too, and so the fire did not harm them.
Herod had a will when he purposed to slay the Child Jesus, and had there been no living and reigning God, his evil desires had been effected. But in daring to pit his puny will against the irresistible will of the Almighty, his efforts came to naught.
Yes, my reader, and you had a will when you formed your plans without first seeking counsel of the Lord, and therefore He overthrew them.
As well might a worm seek to resist the tread of an elephant; as well might a babe step between the railroad tracks and attempt to push back the on-rushing train; as well might a child seek to prevent the ocean from rolling - as for a creature to try to resist the outworking of the purpose of the Lord God!
The God of Scripture is absolute Sovereign. Such is His own claim: "This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:26, 27).
The Sovereignty of God is absolute and irresistible: "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing! He does as He pleases with the powers of Heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have you done?" (Daniel 4:35).
The Sovereignty of God is true not only hypothetically, but in fact. That is to say, God exercises His sovereignty, exercises it both in the natural realm, and in the spiritual.
One is born black - another white. One is born in wealth - another in poverty. One is born with a healthy body - another sickly and crippled. One is cut off in childhood - another lives to old age. One is endowed with five talents - another with but one. And in all these cases it is God the Creator who makes one to differ from another, and "none can stay His hand."
So also is the spiritual realm. One is born in a pious home and is brought up in the fear and abomination of the Lord - another is born of criminal parents and is reared in vice. One is the object of many prayers - the other is not prayed for at all. One hears the Gospel from early childhood - another never hears it at all. One sits under a Scriptural ministry - another hears nothing but error and heresy. Of those who do hear the Gospel, one has his heart opened by the Lord to receive the truth - while another is left to himself. One is "ordained to eternal life" (Acts 13:48) - while another is "ordained to condemnation" (Jude 4). To whom He will God shows mercy - and whom He wills He "hardens". (Romans 9:18).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 6)
Saturday, January 4, 2020
The Godhood of God # 4
The Godhood of God # 4
He is One who "sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing!" (Isaiah 40:22, 23).
He is the One who declares, "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb. I am the Lord who makes all things; who stretched forth the heavens alone; who spreads abroad the earth by Myself. I am the One who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense!"
I am the Lord who says to the deep: Be dry, and I will dry up your rivers - who says of Cyrus (a heathen idolater) - he is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure! (Isaiah 44:24-28).
Such is the God of the Bible, the God who throws out the challenge, "To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness will you compare unto Him?" (Isaiah 40:18). And as though that were not enough, in the same chapter He asks again, "To whom then will you liken Me, or shall I be equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and behold who has created these things, who brings out their host by number. He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power, not one fails. Have you not known? Have you not heard - that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary?"
The God of Scripture is infinite in wisdom. No secret can be hidden from Him, no problem can baffle Him, nothing is too hard for Him.
God is omniscient, "Great is our Lord, and of great power - His understanding is infinite!" (Psalm 147:5). Therefore is it said, "There is no searching out of His understanding" (Isaiah 40:28). Hence it is, that in a revelation from Him, we expect to find the truths which transcend the reach of the creature's mind - and therefore the presumptuous folly and wickedness of those who are but "dust and ashes" undertaking to pronounce upon the reasonableness or unreasonableness of doctrines which are above their reason, and of speculating upon things that are a matter of pure revelation.
Instead of coming to the Scriptures to be taught thereof, men first fill their minds with objections, and then instead of interpreting the Divine Oracles according to their obvious meaning, they submit and twist them according to the dictates of their own finite reason.
Surely if we are unable to comprehend the mode of God's existence, because it is infinitely above us - then for the same reason we are unable to comprehend the counsels of infinite wisdom. Such is the explicit assertion of Holy Writ itself, "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The God of Scripture is infinite in Holiness. The "only true God" is He who hates sin with a perfect abhorrence, and whose nature eternally burns against it.
He is the One who beheld the wickedness of the antediluvians, and who opened the windows of Heaven and poured down the flood of His righteous indignation.
He is the One who rained fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah, and utterly destroyed these cities of the plain.
He is the One who sent the plagues upon Egypt, and destroyed her haughty monarch together with his hosts at the Red Sea.
He is the One who caused the earth to open its mouth and swallow alive Korah and his rebellious company.
Yes, He is the One who "spared not His own Son" when He was "made sin for us - that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."
So holy is God and such is the antagonism of His nature against evil, that for one sin He banished our first parents from Eden; He cursed the posterity of Ham; He turned Lot's wife into a pillar of salt; He sent out fire and devoured the sons of Aaron; Moses died in the wilderness; Achan and his family were all stoned to death; the servant of Elisha was smitten with leprosy!
Behold therefore, not only the goodness, but also "the severity of God" (Romans 11:22). And this is the God that every Christ-rejector has yet to meet in judgment!
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 5)
He is One who "sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing!" (Isaiah 40:22, 23).
He is the One who declares, "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb. I am the Lord who makes all things; who stretched forth the heavens alone; who spreads abroad the earth by Myself. I am the One who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense!"
I am the Lord who says to the deep: Be dry, and I will dry up your rivers - who says of Cyrus (a heathen idolater) - he is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure! (Isaiah 44:24-28).
Such is the God of the Bible, the God who throws out the challenge, "To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness will you compare unto Him?" (Isaiah 40:18). And as though that were not enough, in the same chapter He asks again, "To whom then will you liken Me, or shall I be equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and behold who has created these things, who brings out their host by number. He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power, not one fails. Have you not known? Have you not heard - that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary?"
The God of Scripture is infinite in wisdom. No secret can be hidden from Him, no problem can baffle Him, nothing is too hard for Him.
God is omniscient, "Great is our Lord, and of great power - His understanding is infinite!" (Psalm 147:5). Therefore is it said, "There is no searching out of His understanding" (Isaiah 40:28). Hence it is, that in a revelation from Him, we expect to find the truths which transcend the reach of the creature's mind - and therefore the presumptuous folly and wickedness of those who are but "dust and ashes" undertaking to pronounce upon the reasonableness or unreasonableness of doctrines which are above their reason, and of speculating upon things that are a matter of pure revelation.
Instead of coming to the Scriptures to be taught thereof, men first fill their minds with objections, and then instead of interpreting the Divine Oracles according to their obvious meaning, they submit and twist them according to the dictates of their own finite reason.
Surely if we are unable to comprehend the mode of God's existence, because it is infinitely above us - then for the same reason we are unable to comprehend the counsels of infinite wisdom. Such is the explicit assertion of Holy Writ itself, "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The God of Scripture is infinite in Holiness. The "only true God" is He who hates sin with a perfect abhorrence, and whose nature eternally burns against it.
He is the One who beheld the wickedness of the antediluvians, and who opened the windows of Heaven and poured down the flood of His righteous indignation.
He is the One who rained fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah, and utterly destroyed these cities of the plain.
He is the One who sent the plagues upon Egypt, and destroyed her haughty monarch together with his hosts at the Red Sea.
He is the One who caused the earth to open its mouth and swallow alive Korah and his rebellious company.
Yes, He is the One who "spared not His own Son" when He was "made sin for us - that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."
So holy is God and such is the antagonism of His nature against evil, that for one sin He banished our first parents from Eden; He cursed the posterity of Ham; He turned Lot's wife into a pillar of salt; He sent out fire and devoured the sons of Aaron; Moses died in the wilderness; Achan and his family were all stoned to death; the servant of Elisha was smitten with leprosy!
Behold therefore, not only the goodness, but also "the severity of God" (Romans 11:22). And this is the God that every Christ-rejector has yet to meet in judgment!
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 5)
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