Revelation
Gifts – Part 4
Memory Verse: “Surely the
Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the
prophets.” (Amos 3:7. NIV.)
We want to learn more about
the manifestations of the gift of the word of knowledge and its purpose.
The account we have in Gen.18:16-33 confirms
the reality of the gift of word of knowledge. There are certain things God
knows which we as men do not know, but can know them only if God chooses to
reveal them to us. Let us observe:
§
The word “hide” in Gen.18:17 shows there is something that is
secret to us but known to God.
§
From Gen.18:20-23 we see that by the word of knowledge – the word
spoken by God to Abraham revealing His plans concerning Sodom and Gomorrah –
Abraham understood God was about to visit those cities in judgment.
§
Gen.18:33 confirms
God communicated His plans to Abraham through the word of knowledge. God spoke His plans
to Abraham.
God still speaks today as He
communicates his plans, messages of assurance as well as warnings through the
gift of the word of knowledge imparted to His servants.
Lesson Outline 1:The Manifestation of the Word of Knowledge
q
The gift of the word of knowledge can manifest (as promised
by the Lord in Amos 3:7) through any of the following ways:
o
Through the audible voice, as was Abraham’s case, Gen.18:16-33.
o
Through visions and dreams, as was the case between Elisha
and Gehazi, 2 Kings 5:19-27.
o
Through revelations by the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor.
2:9-10.
q Is there
any difference between the “gift of knowledge” and the “gift of
the word of knowledge”?
o
The gift of knowledge comes as a result of learning and
experimentation.
o
The gift of the word of knowledge is the result of God’s
opening His mind to a servant of his regarding a situation or person that God’s
agent knows nothing about. It is a revelation from God Himself Who knows all
things, all minds, all situations
Lesson Outline 2: Some purpose of the Gift
q
It can be used of God to warn man of imminent judgment. For
instance:
o
Abraham heard the audible warning concerning the imminent
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Gen 18:17-21.
o
Young Samuel heard the audible warning about the evil deeds
of the sons of Eli and the impending judgment, 1 Sam.
3:11-14.
q It can
also be used to reveal the secret sins or even the sinful intentions of a
people to their spiritual leader. For instance:
o
The sinful pretence by Ananias and Saphira his wife were
revealed to Peter, Acts 5:1-10.
o
The secret sin of Gehazi was revealed through the “word of
knowledge” to Elijah. 2 Kings
5:19-27.
q There are
many instances down to today where God has addressed the needs, fears,
anxieties, doubts, longings, desires and sicknesses of His people through the
gift of the word of knowledge to His servant that may be ministering to those
gathered or even those watching on TV.
o
That is one of the reasons why many in The UK and abroad
rush to the 6-monthly Festival of
Life in London. If you have the opportunity do not miss to go there to
receive what God has for you as He speaks directly to your situation.
Summary:
Thank God nothing is hidden from
Him. He is the all-knowing God, able to address us in our situation.