Christ’s Prophetic Ministry in Afflictions (2)

It is in these ways that He also makes us more acquainted with God’s secrets. They are unfolded precisely there and then, when we are utterly emptied and when all that is earthly increasingly disappoints and falls away, so that in the wilderness (Psa. 63) we shall understand: God’s lovingkindness is better than life. Both passive and active sanctification will issue forth thereby; that is, we are sanctified and attain to the practice of holiness.

In short, tribulation in and of itself is not of a sanctifying nature; it becomes a means unto sanctification when it is sanctified by means of spiritual instruction. This is specifically the work of Christ as Prophet. Sanctification in this context signifies the following: Whatever of myself is outside of God and opposes God must die, and whatever within me is of God must be magnified, while growing and increasing more and more.

That Christ’s ministry in His office as Prophet is an absolute necessity in these ways of affliction is proven by the fact that, when left to ourselves, we will default to murmuring, rebellion, and enmity. Only when Christ makes us willing by breaking this resistance shall we advance to the proper exercises in this respect. But, this pertains more to the kingly work of Christ. If, however, we are to attain to such willingness, as well as to being exercised in these matters, we first need to receive insight into the fact that these things are indeed so. Having such insight is an act of the intellect, that is, of a sanctified intellect. To that end Christ must engage Himself relative to our intellect and knowledge — a function which proceeds from Christ as Prophet. Heavenly instruction concerning these matters will engender the spiritual exercise of this willingness to be godly.

Indeed, when considering the entire scope of our experiential life, with or without affliction, these wonderful words are valid: “Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace.”

How sacred, what an essential element of life, and what spiritual experience this is to acquaint ourselves with God! Indeed, it is one of the most settled elements of godliness — the warp and woof of godliness. To become thus acquainted with God; to have fellowship with God; to discover the “secret” of spiritual life so that in essence nothing any longer seems strange, mysterious, disappointing, unanticipated, etc; to breathe in that mystery (to say it briefly and to the point) — behold, that is something that belongs to the quintessence of godliness. Only then will spiritual life unfold and function in a quiet and stable manner; and that in turn begets peace. We shall then not be terrified, shocked, perplexed, discouraged, etc. In short, nothing will, to say it in colloquial terms, catch us off guard any longer. Indeed, we shall then live in a higher and spiritual world where all that transpires differs from our patterns of thinking. Oh, how this engenders blessed quietness, resignation, harmony, closeness, and exercise! It is a sweet drinking of the divine wine. The soul is then in the inner chambers of the King. How good it is to be near to God — good to be near the heart of God! Such acquaintance is only possible if Christ causes us to be thus acquainted; that is, when He teaches us that this is the realm of the Christian: to be oriented toward the kingdom of God. We must honestly confess that we cannot accustom ourselves to this when we adhere to our own opinion and are oriented toward our corrupt self-consciousness. It is here that Christ enters as Prophet, however, changing our entire disposition, mentality, and the functioning of our soul by influencing us by way of spiritual instruction. In short, He gives us insight, and, related to this, also a compliant will. It is then, and then alone, that things change. Then all that is of ourselves becomes strange territory. The mystery of living in, out of, and for God becomes the norm, our “home base”— our dwelling in God, our finding pasture, and our breathing of celestial air.

Oh, what sweet peace emanates from such instruction! Then I will be purged of my own blindness and foolishness, in order that I may understand with an enlightened and purified soul: God’s mysteries are for me the festive spheres where I may enjoy peace and joy in God. God knows and does things better than I do. That gives peace.

The Tonic for Sin-Sick Souls

Come poor sinners, come away;
In meditation sweet,
Let us go to Golgotha,
And us kiss our Saviour’s feet.
Let us in His wounded side
Wash till we every whit are clean;
That’s the fountain opened wide
For filthiness and sin.

Jesus, our Redeemer, shed
For us His vital blood,
We, through our victorious Head
Can now come near to God.
Sin and sorrow may distress;
But neither shall us quite control;
Christ has perfect holiness
For every sin-sick soul.

— J. Hart

Professor Gerard Wisse (1873-1957) served as theological teacher at Apeldoorn, pastored several congregations in the Netherlands, and is well-known as an experiential author.

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