Man could not see God face to face. “If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. Philip saith unto Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” John 14:7-9. (Italics supplied.) Christ reveals the Father, and the Scriptures reveal Christ, for “they are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39.APAY 28.2

Man came to know evil as well as good. Unfortunately, no one can avoid being acquainted with some of the evil that exists around him. As long as we are in this world we cannot avoid some contact with evil and its results. But no mind needs to dwell on evil. Through the prophets enough of good has been made available that it is possible to feed the mind regularly with good. “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8.APAY 29.1

Man was afraid. All fear may be eliminated from the life. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.... He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18. “But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected.” 1 John 2:5.APAY 29.2

He was subject to death. Although subject to death, Christ gave man hope, for He said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63.APAY 29.3

Man began defending Himself. Through the straight testimony of the prophets the Lord has caused men to acknowledge their sins and to repent of them. David’s experience is only one of many examples. Nathan, the prophet, accused: “Thou art the man.” David confessed: “I have sinned.” 2 Samuel 12:7, 13. Like a sword, the word cuts deep into the mind, discerning its thoughts and intents. It convicts men of the truth that they cannot hide their actions or thoughts from God.APAY 29.4

Man’s mind was corrupted. The change of a corrupt mind calls for creative power. This, too, is provided through the word. “Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24.APAY 29.5

Man became blind, ignorant, and alienated from God. Greatest of all the prophets, Jesus quoted another prophet when He outlined His work on earth. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Luke 4:18. The assurance is given, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling.” Ephesians 1:17, 18.APAY 30.1

Man became carnally minded. Divine provision is made so that the mind need not be devoted to the things of the flesh. “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2. The manner of cleansing is specified: “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” Ephesians 5:26.APAY 30.2

The pattern for bringing about the transformation may be summarized in a few words:APAY 30.3

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27. This is the great objective.APAY 30.4

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” Ephesians 3:17. This is the way Christ dwells within man.APAY 30.5

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. This is the path by which Christ finds entrance into the human life.APAY 30.6

Christ and the Bible are so closely associated in the working out of the plan of salvation that each is called the “Word.” The grace of God, ministered through the agency of the Word, brings about the transformation and restores man’s mind to its original allegiance to God. The gift of prophecy has been the means of placing before men God’s plan of restoration.APAY 31.1

Why Prophets Were Used

SUMMARY