Revelation in Scripture Revelation means something that has been hidden is to be made known. The word is of Latin derivation and means “unveiling.” It is the translation of the Greek apokalypsis. The last book of the Bible was named by its author The Apocalypse [Unveiling] of Jesus Christ, and the title (as also the same phrase in 1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:7,13) refers to the visible return of the Lord. But elsewhere the word almost always refers to the making known of truth in proportional or experimental form. In Christian theology the doctrine of revelation is the doctrine of God’s making Himself and His relevant truths known to men. We may consider a special and a general revelation from God. The special revelation is found in the person and works of Jesus Christ; and the Bible, the Word of God. Special Revelation. Christians hold through the epistles of the apostle Paul that “God was in Christ reconciling the world for Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19), not merely in the sense that Jesus was a man through whom God worked, but in the sense that “In him dwells all the fullness of deity (theotes) in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). He was “God manifest in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16), the second person of the Trinity, co-equal, co-eternal, and consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit. Every act of Jesus reveals the Father. He is the rational expression of God (John 1:1-18; Revelation 19:13). He is the visible presentation of the invisible (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3). The Bible has withstand man made assault on the book and its people and yet survived. God speaks for these men in history. Jesus quoted frequently from the Old Testament. He never once said He doubted the Scripture. The apostle Paul often quoted the Scripture. In fact Paul said, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16). General Revelation. It is outside the Bible and apart from Jesus Christ in the flesh, in nature and in the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. In Christ and in the Bible we find explicit propositional revelation. Nature does not give propositional truth. It reveals natural theistic evidences. Paul makes vehement statement which assumes the force of natural revelation: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). The promise of Christ that the Holy Spirit will convict the world of the sin of rejecting Him (John 16:8-11) does not indicate revelation of facts. The transformation of one who underwent the internal revolution, “born again” phenomenon whose life has changed has no revelation of facts. God has spoken and He still speaks to us today through the same Word which stands forever. Get to know the Word of God and you will draw closer to Him. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). The Holy Spirit will enable you. The Gospel Letter Ministry
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 22:52:55 +0000
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