Divine Revelations and the Mantle of Secrecy (05/03/'24) -Viewpoint

Divine Revelations and the Mantle of Secrecy Genesis and the Gospels share thematic similarities that allow them to be woven into a single narrative flow exploring themes of divine promise, identity, revelation, and secrecy. In Genesis 13:14-15, God's promise to Abram is a pivotal moment, marking a covenant that will affect countless generations. God instructs Abram to look in all directions—north, south, east, and west—and promises that all the land he sees will belong to his descendants forever. This is a profound revelation of a future that promises prosperity and significance, yet it is accompanied by an injunction to keep this promise a secret. This layer of secrecy might suggest the sacredness of the revelation, the importance of timing in the divine plan, or perhaps a test of Abram's faith and obedience. Similarly, in the Gospels, when Jesus is identified by His disciples as the Messiah, it marks a crucial acknowledgment of His divine identity and mission. Each Gospel recounts a slightly different confession of Jesus' identity, emphasizing His messianic role and divine nature. Yet, immediately after these declarations, Jesus instructs His disciples to tell no one about Him. This command could be seen as a way to control the spread of His fame, manage the public's expectations of a political messiah, or to ensure that His mission could reach its fulfillment at the appropriate time and manner, particularly concerning His crucifixion and resurrection. Integrating these narratives, we see a pattern in how divine revelation is handled in biblical texts: significant revelations are often accompanied by commands of secrecy, highlighting the sacred and select nature of the information. This pattern underscores a divine strategy where understanding and recognition of profound truths are controlled to fit a larger, often mysterious, divine plan. Both Abram and the disciples are trusted with crucial information, yet they are also burdened with the responsibility of concealing it until the appointed time. This not only tests their faith and obedience but also shapes the unfolding of the divine narrative in human history. Pastor Steven G. Lee (March 3, 2024)