One of the major intentions of preaching the gospel is to reveal to humanity the existing concepts of the divine. The gospel gives man the ability to understand and communicate about his life and world and grasp their true meaning. “He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” Dan. 2:22.
Take light out of the world and man would be reduced to groping in the darkness—likewise, remove the gospel from the world and man loses all comprehension of the divine! No wonder then that 1 Peter 2:9 declares, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” The light does not create it only reveals what is already there!
Without the gospel we are like the servant of Elisha who saw only the encampment of the enemy round about them but with the gospel we become as that servant when “Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” —allowing him to see the angelic host who were already in existence. This new concept, brought about by the opening of his eyes, changed not only his outlook but also his life—this is exactly what the gospel does for its recipients.
The Golden, seven-branched, candlestick in the tabernacle shed its light via its seven oil lamps onto the confines of what would have been an otherwise dark holy place. This light fell onto the golden walls; the fabric ceiling covering; the golden altar of incense (a type of prayer and praise); and the table of shewbread ( a type of the Word of God). Without the light of the lamps one would dwell in darkness never aware of the divine surroundings. “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” Col 1:25-26
The vitalness of preaching is emphasized in Psalms 119:130, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” and also in 1 Corinthians 1:21, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” It is through preaching and its reception that we are made able to comprehend the nature of God—to truly know Him. Preaching not only shows us initially the way of salvation but it also continues to enlighten our path as we journey on with God. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105.
Comprehension of the Mighty God in Christ is possible only through the Word.
The Christian life will always remain an enigma to the world simply because the world lacks the Truth. Holiness of life and devotion of the saints of the Most High is something which the unregenerate fail to grasp. Why? Simply because understanding comes only by seeing Him Who is invisible.
Preaching and teaching of the Word of life, to a saint of God, is not only to be enjoyed but is considered their survival and continuing hope! Preaching enables God’s children to truly know what is in the darkness!
—jlg—