VOICE OF DEITY AND PROPHETIC TEACHING

This study aid is focused on scriptures written in the voice of Jesus Christ. There is something very personal about hearing the Lord’s voice in scripture, especially as we consider that “What I say unto one I say unto all.”(1)(2) God the Father introduced His son and commanded us to “Hear Him.”(3) We can learn to recognize the Savior’s voice speaking to us, helping us grow in our capacity to be taught by and to follow Him, responding to His invitation and promise.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.(4) And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father.(5)

These same divine doctrines were taught by prophets in the scriptures.

Look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words.(6) Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life.(7)

These examples illustrate the alignment of words spoken by God and divine teaching through prophets. Jesus Christ himself revealed that the truth and efficacy of prophetic teachings and the words spoken by Deity is the same.(8)

The Savior often expounded or explained scripture. (9)(10)(11) Prophets continue to follow this example, revealing the mind and will of God for our time and circumstances with clarity and detail.(12) Today, these divine teachings are rarely communicated in the voice of God, but the words of Jesus Christ coupled with the divine teaching of prophets work together in beautiful harmony to instruct and encourage us as we seek to know and follow Him.

Challenges and The Bottom Line

In many scriptures, Christ refers to Himself in the third person.(13) Sometimes this is relatively clear. Other times it is more difficult to distinguish, but a careful reading can make His voice more apparent. Another challenge in identifying the Savior’s voice is that prophets such as Isaiah or Jeremiah often speak Messianically. And sometimes the words of God seem to be intermingled with prophetic commentary. A careful, prayerful effort was made to identify the words spoken by Jesus Christ in all of these situations, but some may be miscategorized. However, the truthfulness and power of the Savior’s words is encompassed by His statement, “whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”(14)

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