Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

1. By the personal appearance of Him who is termed "the Angel of the
covenant," and "the Angel in whom was the name of Jehovah;" who was
afterward revealed as the Saviour of mankind.
2. By an audible voice, sometimes accompanied by emblematical
appearances.
3. By the ministry of angels, often working miracles.
4. By dreams and visions of the night, or in trances by day.
5. But the most common way was by direct inspiration by the powerful
agency of God on the mind, giving it a strong conception and
supernatural persuasion of the truth of the things which he revealed to the
understanding.
Why is it that God has observed so slow a climax in bringing the
necessary knowledge of his will and their interest to mankind? For
instance, giving a little under the patriarchal, an increase under the
Mosaic, and the fulness of the blessing under the gospel dispensation? It
is true, he could have given the whole in the beginning to Adam, to Noah,
to Abraham, or any other of the ante or post-diluvian fathers; but that this
would not have as effectually answered the divine purpose, may be safely
asserted.
God, like his instrument, nature, delights in progression; and although
the works of both, in semine, were finished from the beginning,
nevertheless they are not brought forward to actual and complete
existence, but by various accretions. And this appears to be done that the
blessings resulting from both may be properly valued, as, in their
approach, men have time to discover their necessities; and, when
relieved, after a thorough consciousness of their urgency, they see and
feel the propriety of being grateful to their kind Benefactor.