The Issue of "Tongues"— Part 10

THE MURKY MIRROR

“For now we see through a glass, darkly (I Corinthians 13:12a)”

In this clause, Paul gives further evidence of the truth that the revelatory gifts would pass away when Scripture was complete. He gives the picture of an individual looking into a polished glass or even metal mirror and seeing but a murky reflection himself. The mirrors of the time were very crude and distorted by today’s standards. There was very seldom a mirror that gave a very clear reflection. Even if it did, the reflection was incomplete. The individual looking into the mirror saw things that were real and true, but in a murky, distorted, incomplete way. This was the position of the believer who received truth “in part” through the various revelatory gifts.

James uses the same image of a mirror to speak of the revelation of God. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:22-25)” It is obvious that James is referring to at least a part of the written Word of God, and he seems to suggest that it gives an accurate reflection.

FACE TO FACE

“but then face to face (I Corinthians 13:12b)”

Some say that the reference of seeing face to face has reference to seeing Christ one day in Heaven. Some charismatics suggest that this is when the revelatory gifts, such as tongues, will cease. However, this view fails to take into account the full analogy of the mirror.

When one looks into a mirror, whose face does he see? Is it someone else’s? Absolutely not! The face he sees is his own! Is it not one of the key purposes of Scripture to show us as we really are? Is it not to strip away the pretenses to display and judge our very thoughts that we may deal with them?[1]

There is yet another proof from this section of the verse that indicates that the completion of Scripture is in view. It also deals with the term “face to face”. In the first editions of the Authorized Version there was a cross-reference given at this phrase. The Old Testament passage given was Numbers 12:6-8- “And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

The Lord speaks here of the revelation that he would give to the various prophets in the time of Moses. He contrasts this with the revelation that he will give to Moses. He will speak to Moses “mouth to mouth”. This phrase is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek phrase “face to face” used in I Corinthians 14:12. In fact, many Hebrew scholars translate the Numbers passage as “face to face”. What is the point of contrast between the regular prophets’ revelation in this passage and the revelation given to Moses? Is it that one was infallible and the other wasn’t? No the point of comparison was in terms of clarity! Moses’ revelation was far clearer than that of the other prophets, though their revelation was true and inspired. It had to be! If their revelation was found to be false, they were to be put to death![2]

Thus the phrase “face to face” does not mean a future heavenly experience (though we then will certainly see the Lord face to face); it refers to clarity of revelation.

KNOWING IN PART/ KNOWING AS I AM KNOWN

“now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (I Corinthians 13:12c).”

Once again, a partial knowledge due to immature revelation is mentioned. I know in part now, but one day I will know as I am known. Does this refer to knowledge that can only be obtained in Heaven? No, this knowledge is not absolute knowledge, but complete and adequate knowledge brought about by the fullness of revelation.[3]

The fact that there is a full disclosure of God’s truth places us in a position in which we are enabled to see fully and completely. Partial revelation does not afford us this privilege.

[1] Hebrews 4:12&13- “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
[2] Deuteronomy 18:20-22- “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
[3] Victor Budgen, Charismatics and the Word of God, Evangelical Press, 1989, p.83