We’ll see that there are more than enough revelations of God’s remedy for fallen man, which leave man without excuse.
“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Unregenerate man cannot comprehend God’s righteousness; however, God has revealed such truth to those who love Him through His Spirit. Such truths God had ‘prepared’ which means ‘appointed’ or ‘predisposed’ from eternity past.
Paul expounds on such wonderful truths in his letter to the church at Ephesus.
“…how by revelation He made known to me the mystery…which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit…” Ephesians 3:3, 5
A ‘mystery’ is something that had been hidden but now ‘revealed.’ A mystery can be further defined as something that existed in ages past and has since been unveiled at the predetermined time.
God doesn’t reveal all His thinking, but a sufficient amount so that man can comprehend His counsel, or plan. God keeps to Himself details and timing.
“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
And when Jesus was about to ascend to His Father and His disciples inquired as to when He would restore His kingdom, He replied:
“…It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” Acts 1:7
And remember Moses’ proclamation:
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever…”
Deuteronomy 29:20
One of the beautiful aspects of the Bible is the revelation of future things.
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place…” Revelation 1:1
God the Father revealed to His Son the future of the world, and the Son was instructed to share such revelations with us by His angel through the apostle John.
The word ‘show’ in the above verse is very similar to reveal. Synonyms include ‘disclose,’ ‘declare,’ ‘proclaim,’ and ‘announce.’
Up to this point in the Bible, Jesus has been portrayed as the Passover Lamb; however, in the final book in the Bible Jesus is revealed as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. The world will experience the Jesus they never imagined.
Note also that the things that will shortly take place are a ‘must’ meaning of necessity.
The same point is made immediately after the church age is addressed, i.e.:
“…Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Revelation 4:1
Let’s now address the point that man has no excuse to claim not to know God; His goodness or His wrath.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” Romans 1:18-19
Paul went on to say that there is no excuse for anyone to reject God after they have witnessed creation.
“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 1:20
In addition men are born with a conscience whereby they can innately differentiate between good and evil.
However, the final revelation of God is Jesus.
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past…by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…”
Hebrews 1:1-3
God’s presence and word are more than sufficient to speak to man’s heart so that he humbles himself before his Creator.