The Glory Of God

 by Rev Tan Eng Boo

“The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork”

(Psalm 19:1)

“They announce, proclaim, and make known his glory. The word heavens here refers to the material heavens as they appear to the eye - the region of the sun, moon, and stars” – Albert Barnes.

Some weeks ago, I saw the bright moon from my house and decided to photograph it.  After editing the photograph, lo and behold, the clarity of the moon was so apparent. I could see the many craters due to impacts from asteroids, meteorites, and comets. The moon has large, dark, and relatively flat areas on its surface, which is called Maria (Latin for “seas”). What is most notable to me about the moon is that it reminds me of what the Psalmist said in Psalm 19:1.

From his website, Ministry-To-Children.com, Tony Kummer also commented on Psalm 19:1,

This [verse paints] such a wonderful picture of God’s hand as seen in creation. The sky proclaims His handiwork. Where do we see God in the world around us? Everywhere! His power is evidenced by His work in all the universe. When we gaze upon the miracle of a night sky, how can we not recognize an intelligent master of things?

The moon in the heavens teaches me two theological lessons.

When you observe an object like the moon, you will see:

1. General Revelation 

   Also known as Natural Revelation, it refers to God’s self-disclosure through nature and the universe. The Psalmist said that God’s existence and power can be clearly seen through observing the universe. The order, intricacy, and wonder of creation speaks of the existence of a powerful and glorious Creator. This revelation (unveiling) is for everyone to see that God exists. It is only the fool who says, there is no God (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). The fool is an impious person who has no perception of ethical or religious truth.

2. 
   

Why is it called general revelation?

a)     The audience is general. God gives knowledge of Himself universally, so that every human has this revelation, which is built into nature.

b)     It gives us a knowledge of God in general. It reveals His power, deity, and holiness.

Paul in Romans 1 explains that through creation we know enough about God and about ourselves to stand condemned before God. Therefore, this revelation includes the wrath of God against us, because of our sin. Man’s response to the revelation of God is not one of gratitude, but of rebellion and suppression.

Rom 1:20, 21 “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” 

God has revealed Himself in general revelation. No one can say that he or she does not believe in the existence of God.

That wonderful picture of the moon tells me there is a Designer who created the moon. The Bible says that God created it:

Gen 1:16-18 “And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.”

God exists and He is real! May you be blessed by this wonderful truth.

General revelation alone, however, does not disclose who this God is. We need:

2. Special Revelation –

   It is only through special revelation that we will know who this God is. Where can we find such revelation? It is found only in the Holy Scriptures. Special revelation is God’s specific and supernatural communication of truth found in the Bible. That is how important the Bible is. Without it, we will not know who the Creator is.

This is a major problem with humanity. And because the people do not know the God of the Bible, they can only guess who the Creator of such objects in the heavens is. Hence, the worship of images whom they claim to be the “Creator.” It is worse if the creatures end up worshipping these created objects.

When I was in India, I witnessed a “holy man” bowing in worship to the Sun. The Sun  had become his “god.” Whereas we know the Sun is an object created by God.

We see also in special revelation how Paul told the Galatians that it was Jesus who created all things:

Col 1:16 “For by him (Jesus) all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him (Jesus) and for him (Jesus).”

The Bible has the answer. Now, we know specifically who the Designer or Creator of the moon is.

The next time when you look up into the heavens, think of general and special revelation. Tell your non-Christian loved ones and friends of the existence of God and who this God is.

When the apostle Paul was on Mars Hill (Acts 17:22-34), he spoke using both general and special revelation with the Athenians. He told the Athenians about God, who made the heavens and the earth, and who this God is.

Here is evangelism in its making.

“God’s revelation in creation is equally as infallible as His revelation in Scripture because in both cases, it is God who is doing the revealing, and God is always infallible. God cannot err in His work of revealing Himself”

(Dr. R.C. Sproul)