God’s “Secrets” – Do We Need To Know?

People are fascinated by secrets; we want to know something that others don’t. But what about God’s “secrets”? Do we need to know?

Scripture:       

Ezekiel, chapters 25-28; Revelation, chapter 10

Revelation 10:1-4 (CEB):

Then I saw another powerful angel coming down from heaven. He was robed with a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet were like fiery pillars. He held an open scroll in his hand. He put his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. He called out with a loud voice like a lion roaring, and when he called out, the seven thunders raised their voices. When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and don’t write it down.”

Observations: God’s “Secrets”

The Revelation continues to fascinate people, nearly 2,000 years after John wrote it down. Many people study it to try to discern the signs of Jesus’ return. What do the different symbols mean? How much of this has already happened, and how much is still to come? Both popular writers and scholars have written – extensively – about the Revelation, with probably as many theories and explanations as there are books. Why? Because while there is much to be studied in the Revelation, there is also much that isn’t there.

“Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and don’t write it down.” Why would God tell John not to write down this part of the Revelation he received? We don’t know. But the fact is that there is a lot about God that we don’t know, right? After all, He’s God! He is the all-powerful, all-knowing, eternal Sovereign of the universe. How could we even think that we could understand all that there is to know about Him?

Clearly, God wants us to focus on certain things, and not worry about others. When His disciples asked about the coming of His kingdom, Jesus said, “But nobody knows when that day or hour will come, not the heavenly angels and not the Son. Only the Father knows” (Matthew 24:36). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told us not to worry about earthly things, but to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Just as clearly, Satan loves to distract us with things that are not “mission critical.” God sent Jesus to reveal Himself to us (John 1:18). In “these final days,” God spoke to us through his Son (Hebrews 1:2). Don’t worry about what the seven thunders have said; focus on what Jesus said!

Application: God’s “Secrets” – Do We Need to Know?

Curiosity is part of our humanity. We want to know things – but often, what we want to know is not what we need to know! Why is that? I imagine it goes back to the Garden, and the temptation to “be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Perhaps we want to know because we think that somehow we can “do something” – either to avoid problems or to maximize opportunities. We need to remember, though, that faith involves trusting God when we don’t understand. As the psalmist frequently reminds us, God’s faithful love endures forever! (For example, see Psalm 136.)

Pride leads us to “want to know.” Humility respects God’s knowledge, certain that God will tell us whatever we need to know. Humility also trusts God’s goodness, confident that our Heavenly Father loves us. Throughout history, God has revealed Himself to humanity. He’s not hiding from us! We need to recognizing what He is saying, and trust that we don’t need to know the rest.

“Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and don’t write it down.” We’re on a “need-to-know” basis. If we need to know, God will tell us! Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of truth – would “guide you in all truth” (John 16:13). We can trust that promise, because we can trust God!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for reminding us that there are certain things that we don’t need to think about. You have revealed Yourself to us, and Your Holy Spirit leads us into all the truth that we need. Help us to seek to know You more, and to trust You in everything. If You decide something should be “sealed up,” guard us against the temptation to try to open the box!

You know what we need before we even ask. That means that You know what we need to know, when we need to know it. As we come to You each day, reveal Your will and Your way through Your Word. As You speak to us, help us to hear; help us to understand; help us to obey. Amen.