The Two Voices
W. A. Gray. Revelation 14:12-13 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.… "The voice said, Write," — that is, the voice of God as it sounded from above; and the Spirit said, "Yea," — that is, the spirit of inspiration and obedience, as it answered from within, ever keen to discern the heavenly revelations, and prompt to perform the heavenly will. That is the picture presented us here — a something that discloses and a something that assents — the announcement of an objective truth and the presence and the sympathy of a subjective response. It is God's truth and the Spirit's affirmative, God's communication and the Spirit's consent. I. Take the principle, then, as it affects THE PRODUCTION OF DIVINE SCRIPTURE. For not only in regard to the announcement made here, but the doctrine and the narratives of Scripture throughout, it holds true that the voice said, "Write," and the Spirit of God in the penman said, "Yea." He said, "Yea," as the Spirit of inspiration. And apart from the testimony of the Bible to itself, there is a proof of its origin in its own inner character. Take, among other evidences, this one: the persistency with which the facts and the truths transcribed run counter to the natural prepossessions and prejudice of those who transcribe them. II. Note the same fact with regard to THE ACCEPTANCE OF DIVINE TRUTH. In regard, then, to the belief of the Scripture as well as its delivery, the Spirit returns His deep inward "Yea"; He returns it as the Spirit of conviction. And this, mark, in two cases. The response arises in the case of those whom the Spirit has entered to sanctify, and it arises in the ease of those with whom He is present to persuade. Deep in their heart of hearts there is a something that throbs back to them saying, "These things are real; I must believe them accordingly." III. Take the principle as it refers to THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DIVINE COMMANDS. For the voice that bids us write and believe bids us also do and endure, and when it does so the Spirit again answers, "Yea." He answers "Yea," as the Spirit of submission and obedience. IV. Take the thought of the text in regard to THE ENJOYMENT OF DIVINE PRIVILEGES. For the same voice from heaven has a message as to these, and while the message of assurance and of comfort is revealed from above, the Spirit responds from within with His "Yea": He does so as the Spirit of adoption. And surely, of all the Divine intimations, the sweetest and the fullest is this: "But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not, for I have redeemed thee. I have called thee by thy name: thou art Mine." There will be often a "Nay" to assurances such as these. There is the "Nay" of Satanic impeachment. Scripture clearly prepares us to meet and to deal with that. Y. Observe the principle of the text as it bears on THE WELCOME OF DIVINE HOPES. And of these hopes take one — the hope of the Lord's Second Advent. We close by considering His response as the Spirit of longing and of love. Try, again, there are voices that are raised in dissent. "Nay," say the unholy, to whom the thought of Christ's Advent is a terror; "Nay," say the profane, to whom the prophecy is a scoff, asking, "Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." But from a multitude whom no man can number, even the Church upon earth which a Saviour has chosen, to be saved through atoning blood, preserved by sanctifying grace, and made meet for eternal glory, there rises a mighty and manifold "Yea." And well may the Spirit in the Bride's heart say "Yea," and speak of the prospect disclosed as that " blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (W. A. Gray.) Parallel Verses KJV: Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. WEB: Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."