The Revelation of Christ | 1888 Essential Reading

E. J. Waggoner 

“When it pleased God. . . . to reveal His Son in me” (Gal. 1:15, 16). Note the exact words. The apostle does not say that it pleased God to reveal His Son to him but in him. Moreover, he does not say that it pleased God to put His Son into him, but to reveal His Son in him. There is a great truth in this, which stands out very plainly in connection with some other texts.

Read the whole of Deuteronomy 30. There we see that two things were placed before the people for them to choose between, namely, life and good, and death and evil. This, together with the fact that they were exhorted to keep the commandments of God, shows that they had not yet attained to righteousness. Then in verses 11-14 we read that the commandment is not far off so as to make it necessary for some one to bring it to them, in order that they might do it; “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it” (v. 14).

We see, therefore, that the Word is in the hearts of men before they do it, and that it is there in order that they may do it. But what is the Word?—Read John 1:1-14, where we learn that the Word is God. “And the Word was made flesh.” That this is what is meant in the passage just quoted in Deuteronomy, is seen from Rom. 10:6-9, where it is quoted, and the Word is plainly declared to be Christ. Christ, then, dwells in the heart, in the flesh, of every man, and has come thus near to all men in order that they may be made the righteousness of God. Most men are ignorant of this divine presence, and live as though God were not, and that they were their own creators and preservers. But when the Spirit of truth brings a man to the knowledge of the truth, then Christ dwells in his heart, not as hitherto unappreciated and unrecognized, but “by faith” (Eph. 3:17). Then is Christ revealed in him, and he fulfills the Divine purpose of showing forth the excellencies of Him that called him “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Only by such a revelation of Christ in a man can he preach Him among the heathen; with that revelation, his whole life is a Gospel sermon, even though he does not utter discourses. So we see that the work of the human preacher is exactly the same as that of the heavens; to declare the glory of God (Ps. 19:1-8), and it is to be done in the same manner.

The Present Truth 14, 4 (January 27, 1898), pp. 51-53.

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The incarnation of Jesus Christ, the divine son of God, “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” is the great theme of the gospel. “In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him.” Colossians 1:27; 2:9, 10. 

(Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, p. 241). 

The Revelation of Christ