Write

Revelation 1:11 “Write what you see.”

            The authoritative Scriptures were written, as opposed to the traditions of the Jews who claimed that the Law given to Moses at Sinai was in two parts, one of which he wrote and the other of which he handed down orally.  The Pharisees believed that the “oral law” was of equal authority with the written law.  However, Jesus refuted the authority of the “oral law,” (Matt. 5:21-48).  Jesus repeatedly used the written Scriptures to refute the scribes and Pharisees, (John 10:34, etc.), and against the devil, (Matt. 4:4, 6, 7).

            The other New Testament writers also quoted the Scriptures as authoritative by saying: “It is written,” (Rom. 11:8; 1Cor. 1:31; 2Cor. 4:13, etc.).

            Indeed, it is recorded that God Himself also wrote, Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:19.  Many of the prophecies given to Old Testament prophets were first given orally to be proclaimed orally to the people.  They were first told to “speak”, (Jer. 1:17; 7:27; 13:12; Ezekiel 2:7; etc.)  Afterwards their words were written down.

            The apocalyptic genre of literature is identified by being written rather than spoken.