THE REVELATION OF THE FATHER
[p. 259] THE REVELATION OF THE FATHER
The change of dispensation comes in verse 11 of this chapter, where the least in the kingdom of heaven is said to be greater than John. The revelation of the Father depends upon the Son. There was no such revelation in Old Testament times. It needed the Son to come here to reveal the Father, and He did it perfectly. The change began with the testimony of John, and more fully by Christ Himself in mighty works. This all caused attention, but there was no repentance in the people. Outward things did not bring the light of God into their souls. In place of the two last was the revelation of the Father or kingdom of heaven. The least in this was greater than John. It was to make known to man the heart of God, so that they might come under the yoke of Christ. What prophet could unfold the heart of the Father? The Son alone could do this. “No man knoweth the Father but the Son”. The kingdom of heaven depends upon the exaltation of Christ. In it we are brought under the moral sway of the Lord. No one rules in heaven but the Lord, and it is only in His light that we get guidance for our path here. The natural sun gives light in guiding people on the earth, without which they are without discernment. The christian’s sun is in the heavens! “In thy light we shall see the light”. The Father is a name by which God can be known by man down here. He can be on the ground of this name and in the light of the love of God. But for this a man ‘must be born again’, and when a christian, there is no advance in light unless he is quickened together with Christ. There is no progress step by step in light unless there is an antecedent work of God in the soul. It calls for this. The testimony of John the baptist and of the Lord was the closing testimony down here, but it brought to light the fact [p. 260] that it is only by the work of God in us that there can be any advance in light. We may hinder the work of God in us by the allowance of will. The way to advance in light is to have no will, earnestness alone will not do. If we are without will we are ready for the yoke, and under it we learn from the meek and lowly One finding rest of heart. “The path of the just is as the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day”.
1897.