We Walk By Faith
What proof have you of Heaven?
The question was asked with some belligerence, and the querist seemed poised for his counter-strike at any reply I might make. He seemed a bit puzzled when I answered, None! absolutely none!
None?? Then why would you believe in Heaven?
I assured my visitor that I had excellent reasons for believing there was a Heaven; and that my faith was based upon testimony that had a proven source. This led us to a discussion of miracles, and their place.
Gods plan for divine revelation is really simple and to the point. He is declared unto man by the Son, who was a manifestation of deity — a demonstration of God in a way accessible to mans grasp. (Jn. 1:18; 14:7-11; 1 Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 2:9) Jesus gave proof of His origin by miracles and wonders and signs which God did by Him before a critical audience — people that were touched despite deep prejudices. (Jn. 7:45-46 10:19-f; etc) These are written, that ye might believe — (Jn. 20: 30-31).
Jesus chose messengers, who were given power to work miracles — prove the source of their message — as they went about preaching Christ. They began by speaking with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. The Lord worked with them, confirming the word with signs following. God bore them witness with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will. (Acts 2:4 Mk. 16:20 Heb. 2:4) In all of this, it seems evident that Jesus did not attempt to prove WHAT HE SAID — satisfy hearers on a purely logical or demonstrable basis, that WHAT He said was true. Instead, He gave them ample proof of WHO HE WAS AND IS. The source was established, and then He taught them as one having authority. and not as the scribes. (Matt. 7:29)
The Apostles, likewise, were given power to confirm the word — to establish it as having divine origin, as being indeed the product of the Holy Spirit, That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Cor. 2: 4-5)
The written word of God, by its internal evidences, by its very work in the hearts of men, stands today as living proof of its divine source. It records the life of Jesus the Christ, and of the many infallible proofs that accompanied Him. The signs of the Apostles established their message, and sustain it to this day.
We need no further confirmation of the word, any more than we need further miracles to prove that Jesus was and is the Christ, the Son of the living God. To ask for miracles today. is to count as nought those now written that ye may believe. Brethren who expect the Holy Spirit to find them a parking space, may consider themselves the spiritual ones but I see them as lacking in faith. Gods confirmed word is sufficient to produce faith in the revealed Heaven.