A Case for (My) Soteriology: Part 3: Revelation by Character

The last time I talked about my view of soteriology, I talked about the authority structure in the church based on revelation. Here, I would like to talk about the qualification for this authority and, by extension, the revelation given to those given this revelation.

Now, I do not want to act like this hierarchy is based on a difference in the quality of the soul. However, I would say the way these gifts manifest is based on some characteristics I would like to talk about. This may not be a total or complete list. Nor does it mean that a person receiving such revelation must embody all of these. This has been an ongoing unveiling to me, so do not think that I came up with all this all in one sitting. I think, most clearly, then, the case can be seen in the Beatitudes, as it is written,

Matthew 5:3–12

A) "“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

B) Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

C) Blessed are the humble,

for they will inherit the earth.

D) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

E) Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

F) Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

G) Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God.

H) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

I) “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

These are the qualifications that a person has to which and why revelation is given to a person. In an article that I wrote titled "A Slice of the Beatitudes: Part 1" I said, "IMO, Jesus is saying the prophets possessed the beatitudes. And so Christ is saying if people persecute you based on you possessing the beatitudes, our heavenly Father will reward you." I still hold this position and it is clear why at this time: because the acceptance of the revelation is based on possessing the characteristics of the Beatitudes. What is my basis for this? One reason can be found in this article titled, "Abraham, The Bridge to God: Part 3" I said some things that shed light on this. I said these things (chronologically),

1) Gen. 12:4 "[D]o what God told him," (F)

2) Gen. 12:7 [G]ives praise to God, (A)"

3) Gen. 12:12 [D]emonstrates his wisdom, (H)"

"Abraham demonstrates two things:...

4) Gen. 13:8 1. "[W]ants to reduce conflict (G),"

5) Gen. 13:9 2. "[W]ants to be generous to others, (I)"

6) Gen. 14:14 [W]ants justice to be done, (D)"

7) Gen. 14:16 [D]oes not like seeing the innocent in peril (E)"

8) Gen. 14:20 [S]hows proper homage to others, (C)"

The only one not present in this article is mourning since it only covers chapters 12-15. But it does say it here,

9) Genesis 23:2 "Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn (B) for Sarah and to weep for her."

Now, is Abraham's response much different than from Moses and the burning bush? Or Isaiah's from his visions? And on and on. God reveals himself most often to people who have these characteristics. He knows how they will respond. So, what about anomalies? I can think of one example especially, in the story of Balaam, where revelation was given to a person but the message was rejected. You can read about Balaam's story in Numbers 22-24. But notice what it says in the Bible about him,

2 Peter 2:15–22

"They have gone astray by abandoning the straight path (1) and have followed the path of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of wickedness (7) but received a rebuke for his lawlessness: A speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

These people are springs without water, mists driven by a storm (3). The gloom of darkness has been reserved for them (9). For by uttering boastful, empty words (8), they seduce, with fleshly desires and debauchery (4), people who have barely escaped from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption (6), since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them. For if, having escaped the world’s impurity through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state is worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness (5) than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command (2) delivered to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to its own vomit, and, “A washed sow returns to wallowing in the mud.”"

So the rejection of revelation is all these things Peter speaks of which is the opposite of the Beatitudes.

That's it for this one!

God bless you! Until Next time!