What is the biblical definition of revelation?

The concept of revelation is central to Christian theology, serving as the foundation upon which our understanding of God, His will, and His plan for humanity is built. In the Bible, revelation refers to the act by which God discloses Himself, His nature, His purposes, and His will to humanity. This divine self-disclosure is multifaceted, encompassing both general and special revelation, and it is through these means that we come to know God and comprehend His redemptive plan.

General Revelation

General revelation refers to the knowledge of God that is available to all people at all times through nature, history, and the inner workings of the human conscience. The Apostle Paul speaks of this in Romans 1:19-20, where he writes, "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." This passage highlights that the created world bears witness to its Creator, making His existence and attributes evident to all.

The Psalmist also echoes this sentiment in Psalm 19:1-4, stating, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." Here, the natural world is portrayed as a constant and universal testimony to God's glory, accessible to everyone regardless of their cultural or religious background.

Special Revelation

While general revelation provides a broad awareness of God's existence and power, it is through special revelation that God reveals specific truths about Himself, His will, and His plan for salvation. Special revelation is most fully and clearly expressed in the Bible, which Christians believe to be the inspired Word of God. The writer of Hebrews underscores the significance of special revelation in Hebrews 1:1-2: "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."

This passage highlights two key aspects of special revelation: prophetic revelation and the revelation through Jesus Christ. Prophetic revelation refers to the messages delivered by God's chosen messengers, the prophets, who conveyed God's words and will to His people. These messages often included calls to repentance, warnings of judgment, and promises of future hope and redemption. Examples of prophetic revelation can be found throughout the Old Testament, such as in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.

The ultimate and most complete form of special revelation is found in Jesus Christ, who is described in John 1:14 as "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." In Jesus, God has revealed Himself in a personal and tangible way, providing the clearest picture of His character, love, and redemptive plan. Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection are the culmination of God's revelation, offering humanity the means to be reconciled with God and to understand His purposes.

The Role of Scripture

The Bible, as the written record of God's special revelation, plays a crucial role in conveying divine truth. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, stating, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." This passage affirms that the Bible is divinely inspired and serves as the authoritative source of truth for guiding believers in their faith and practice.

The process by which the Bible was written, known as inspiration, involved the Holy Spirit guiding human authors to write God's message without error. This divine-human partnership ensured that the Scriptures accurately convey God's revelation while reflecting the unique perspectives and styles of the individual authors. The result is a collection of writings that, despite being composed over many centuries and by various authors, presents a unified and coherent revelation of God's nature, will, and redemptive plan.

The Purpose of Revelation

The primary purpose of revelation is to bring humanity into a relationship with God. Through revelation, God makes Himself known, inviting us to respond in faith, obedience, and worship. Revelation is not merely about imparting information; it is about transforming lives and fostering a deep, personal connection with the Creator.

In John 17:3, Jesus prays, "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." This verse encapsulates the goal of revelation: to know God intimately and to experience the fullness of life that comes from being in a right relationship with Him. Revelation calls us to respond to God's love and grace, to trust in His promises, and to live in accordance with His will.

The Progressive Nature of Revelation

Revelation is also progressive, meaning that God's self-disclosure unfolded gradually over time, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This progressive nature is evident in the way God's revelation builds upon itself throughout the biblical narrative. For example, the promises made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 are further developed and expanded upon in the covenants with Israel and David, ultimately finding their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

The writer of Hebrews highlights this progression in Hebrews 1:1-2, noting that God spoke "at many times and in many ways" through the prophets before revealing Himself fully in His Son. This progressive revelation allows us to see the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and to understand how the various parts of the biblical story fit together to reveal His purposes.

The Response to Revelation

Revelation demands a response. When God reveals Himself, He calls us to respond in faith, repentance, and obedience. The proper response to revelation is exemplified in the life of Abraham, who "believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). Abraham's faith and trust in God's promises serve as a model for how we are to respond to God's revelation.

In the New Testament, the call to respond to revelation is seen in the message of the Gospel. Jesus invites us to repent and believe in the Good News (Mark 1:15), and the Apostle Paul urges us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, as an act of worship (Romans 12:1). Our response to revelation involves not only intellectual assent but also a wholehearted commitment to follow Jesus and live according to His teachings.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the process of revelation, both in inspiring the Scriptures and in illuminating their meaning for believers. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide His followers into all truth (John 16:13) and would teach them all things (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit helps us to understand and apply God's revelation, convicting us of sin, comforting us in times of need, and empowering us to live faithfully.

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the Spirit's role in revelation in 1 Corinthians 2:10-12: "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God." The Holy Spirit enables us to grasp the depths of God's revelation and to respond to it in faith and obedience.

Conclusion

In summary, the biblical definition of revelation encompasses the ways in which God makes Himself known to humanity. This includes general revelation through nature, history, and conscience, as well as special revelation through the Scriptures and the person of Jesus Christ. Revelation serves the purpose of inviting us into a relationship with God, guiding us in our faith, and transforming our lives. As we respond to God's revelation with faith, repentance, and obedience, we come to know Him more deeply and experience the fullness of life that He offers.