The 'Chain of Revelation' in Revelation 1:1-3 and Calvin's Distinction Between The Father, Son, and Spirit
In Book 1, Chapter 13 of the Institutes [which may be read HERE], Calvin discusses the Trinity and distinguishes the biblical doctrine of the Trinity from a number of heresies. In considering what the Bible has to say concerning the distinction between the Persons of the Trinity, Calvin writes:
This distinction is, that to the Father is attributed the beginning of action, the fountain and source of all things; to the Son, wisdom, counsel, and arrangement in action, while the energy and efficacy of action is assigned to the Spirit. Moreover, though the eternity of the Father is also the eternity of the Son and Spirit, since God never could be without his own wisdom and energy; and though in eternity there can be no room for first or last, still the distinction of order is not unmeaning or superfluous, the Father being considered first, next the Son from him, and then the Spirit from both.
I believe that the above quote is relevant to the 'chain of revelation' I have been exploring from Revelation 1:1-3. The Father is "the fountain and source" of the revelation, and the revelation comes through the Son, with whom there is "arrangement in action" [the Spirit is mentioned in subsequent verses as the "sevenfold Spirit," etc., but His presence is here assumed in the blessing that comes to the one reading and those hearing]. And so we have God, who is ever One in nature, eternity, and will, but who is also revealed to His people in three distinct Persons with distinct roles.
Labels: Bible study
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