(2) Divine Revelation

(Numbers 12:6–8, NIV) he said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. 7 But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

(Amos 3:7–8, NIV) Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. 8 The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Sovereign Lord has spoken— who can but prophesy?

I. Prophets In The Bible

A. While Most Prophets Mentioned In The Bible Were Male, There Are Several Female Prophets In The Bible

(Judges 4:4, ESV) Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.

(Luke 2:36, ESV) And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. ...

B. 1 Chronicles 29:29 Uses Three Words In Reference To Prophets:

1. (1 Chronicles 29:29, NIV) As for the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, they are written in the records of Samuel the seer [ro˒eh], the records of Nathan the prophet [nabi˒]and the records of Gad the seer [chozeh],

ro˒eh “seer” emphasizes the means by which the LORD communicates with a prophet but it doesn’t identify a seer as different from a prophet.

nabi˒ “prophet” was used throughout the OT in reference to prophets, both true and false.

chozeh “seer” literally means “one who sees” and referred to a prophet who received visual messages from God.

2. These titles reveal that some prophets primarily receive messages from the LORD via visions (seers) while others don’t.

C. Throughout The Bible Prophets Are Considered To Be Spokesmen For God

1. While all Christians are encouraged to seek after the gift of prophesy, the role of a prophet is a sovereign calling.

(1 Corinthians 14:39, NIV) Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, ...

(Jeremiah 1:5, NIV) “... before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

2. Prophets are chosen, set apart, and appointed by Jesus and planted in His Church (to help His Body grow into His fullness)

(Ephesians 2:20, NIV) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

(Ephesians 4:12–13, NIV) to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

3. Primarily a prophet is a spokesman for Jesus who reveals the LORD’s plan (both present and future).

(Amos 3:7, NIV) Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

4. But the LORD also gives prophets spiritual insight into the hearts and minds of people.

(Mark 2:8, NIV) Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, ...

We want blessings, but a true prophet reveals the heart and mind of God as well as the hearts and minds of people!

People in the Bible feared to be in the presence of a true prophet!

II. The Foundation Of All Revelation

A. The Word Of God Is The Foundation For All Revelation Received And Delivered By A Prophet

1. The Prophet Samuel

(1 Samuel 3:7, NIV) Now Samuel did not yet knowthe Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

Revealed (galah): to uncover

(1 Samuel 3:21, NIV) The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed [galah] himself to Samuel through his word.

2. Although Samuel began having visitations at an early age, the Word was the foundation of His experience with God.

3. If you want your prophetic revelations to be pure and stay in sync with Jesus, His Word must be your foundation!

III. Divine Revelation Given

(Num 12:6–8) he said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. 7 But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

A. At The Heart Of Every True Revelation Is A Revelation Of The LORD Himself!

1. (Numbers 12:6, NIV) “When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, ...

Those who fail to receive the revelation of the LORD Himself miss the main point!

All revelations are given to reveal the LORD: His ways, His plan, His desire to draw us closer to Himself!

2. ILL. (Luke 24:27, NIV) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

B. Jesus Speaks To His Prophets In Various Ways

1. Face to Face / (Exodus 33:11, NIV) The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.

a. Moses is the only man the LORD said He spoke to “face to face”; others said they had seen Him “face to face”

In the NT we know that there were others who had such a relationship: Apostle Paul & Apostle John

The closer you relationship the clearer the revelation.

b. Numbers 12:6-8 implies that “face to face” encounters aren’t the norm; normally through visions and dreams.

“When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.”

2. Visions & Dreams

a. Visions and dreams are both a visual experience; the LORD says that they are both like “riddles” (i.e. puzzles).

(Daniel 8:27, NIV) ... I was appalled (astounded, confused) by the vision; it was beyond understanding.

Visions and dreams are symbolic in nature; many aren’t fully understood until after they have been fulfilled.

3. Divine revelations are communicated to us from God’s Spirit to our spirit.

(1 Corinthians 2:14, NIV) The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

4. There are many books on interpreting dreams and visions. Beware! The LORD speaks to you as an individual.

You’ll glean guidelines from other people’s experiences, but you need to learn how Jesus speaks to you!

ILL. I love buildings (architecture) so the LORD often uses buildings to speak to me about ministry.

C. For The Most Part Revelations From The LORD Are Cloudy & Cryptic

1. Why? So that we must seek Him for clarity and understanding! (It’s all about relationship!)

2. Look to Jesus to interpret the visions and dreams He gives you!

(Jeremiah 1:13–14, NIV) ... “What do you see?” “I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.” 14 The Lord said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land.

Notice, Jeremiah didn’t understand the meaning of his vision until the LORD told him.

3. Don’t be proud or act like you know it all!

(Ezekiel 37:3, NIV) He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

4. The LORD often waits to give you understanding of a vision or dream after you set your heart to really seek Him!

D. Understanding Divine Revelations Require:

1. The Word

(Psalm 119:130, NIV) The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

2. The Spirit

(1 Corinthians 2:11, NIV) ... no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

3. Relationship (The LORD’s goal is that we come to know Jesus better; not just gain understanding of a revelation.)

(Ephesians 1:17, NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

(Psalm 27:8, NIV) My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.