Could you imagine an angel? We know about angels, because God has revealed them. They are first mentioned attending to Hagar (Genesis 16:7). There may have been other interactions with man prior to the above occasion, but this is the first recorded. As ministering servants of God, angels are always referred to in the masculine gender, and could be stunning in appearance (Acts 10:3-4). Some refer to angelic wings but no reference is given for such. Why these considerations? Because the things we can know of the spirit world like angelic beings have been given to us from God’s revelation (I Cor. 15:1-2).
This should remind us of the power and influence of God’s Word. Many use words, characters, and principles of God’s Word while never knowing God. An objective standard of right and wrong must come from God for there is no other source. Right and wrong as determined by man can be clearly seen throughout the ages in prejudice and injustice. An interesting irony in the atheist’s denial of God is that an appeal is often made by the atheist to all that is wrong in the world. If the atheist is right, then might makes right and there is no real objective moral standard.
Consider this: eternal truth accepted even by those denying God was in place long ago before creation. God’s influence has been passed down through time by many who never knew or accepted Him.
There are skeptics and heretics who would destroy faith if possible. Media of all platforms today often defend the immoral. Some receive such baseless defense as though the media sources are God. Some even in the Lord’s church treat social media as God, but it certainly is not! (Prov. 16:25). On social media divine inspiration is often denied with unchallenged claims (Prov. 25:9). Claims can be made without critical review, and many accept it as truth. Another common ploy used on social media is offering explanations for Bible history. Some have claimed that the flood (Gen. 6-8) is a product of Egyptian myth. They claim that the writings of Egypt predate the Bible. This is put forward by and through a prejudice of unbelief.
Are there older works than the Bible? Yes. Remember the book of Genesis covers approximately 2,000 years. We know that it was written after the fact by the inspired writer Moses. Could it be that Egyptian records came by eyewitness accounts, passed by family down through time (Deut. 29:29)? The age of the writing alone does not determine truth. God was at work long before the world existed. His works have been seen throughout the ages. His influence on His creation is far greater than anyone could ever know, not just by words written, but also by His actions clearly seen (Rom. 1:20).
Be careful not to get caught in the snare of unbelief. It can happen when one leaves the principles of reasoning and trades facts for digital fiction. Solomon said, “buy the truth, and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23). The Truth comes from the source of all truth, the Creator and Sustainer of all things—God.
David Hill, President of Tennessee Bible College
