Questions - Answers

And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.” Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.[Revelation 7.14]

Background: 

Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?” [Revelation 7.13]

I am intrigued by the questions asked in the Bible. It seems any time God, Jesus, or His angels ask a question it is like they are saying, "Listen, for I am about to tell you something you do not know!"

That is precisely what took place here. The elder asked John a question he was fully aware the answer of which John did not know. He did this to make clear that the fact he was about to reveal was significant.

When God asked Adam and Eve where they were...

Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” [Genesis 3.9]

It wasn't because God had misplaced man, or because man had wandered beyond God's knowledge that God asked, "Where are you?" It was because the answer to the question God asked was significant for Adam and Eve to understand.

When Jesus made asked God a question from the Cross...

At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” [Matthew 27.46]

It was not because Jesus did not know the answer to His question that He asked it. It was because in this "look-at-what-is-significant" code of speaking, Jesus was saying to God, "Look, I have done Your will in loving the world and making salvation free to all!"

Perhaps we should consider it like this: When God asks a question, He has already provided the answer - we know it, or, at least, should know it. God has revealed His will in His Word and His Son. God has provided His Spirit to furthermore confirm what His Word (written and living in Christ) already says.

How cool is that?

Father, I want to see the questions of the Bible as indicators of what is important for me to learn and understand. Thank You that You have already provided ALL the answers!