Divine Revelation: How God Has Made Himself Known

Divine Revelation: How God Has Made Himself Known

I. Introduction: What Does It Mean That God “Reveals” Himself?

The word “revelation” is often misunderstood. For some, it refers only to the last book of the Bible. For others, it’s a vague sense of intuition or mystical experience. But biblically, revelation refers to the way the eternal, invisible, all-powerful God has chosen to make Himself known to His creation.

Without God’s self-disclosure, we would know nothing about Him. We are finite; He is infinite. We are fallen; He is holy. Revelation bridges that divide — not because we discovered Him, but because He uncovered Himself to us.

The Greek word often translated “revelation” is ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis, Strong’s G602), meaning “uncovering” or “laying bare.” It is not speculation or discovery, but divine disclosure.

“This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed [ἀποκαλύπτω / apokalyptō] to God’s people.” (Colossians 1:26, NLT)

II. Types of Revelation

A. General Revelation

This refers to the ways God reveals Himself to all people through creation and conscience. It is accessible to everyone — and therefore, leaves no one with an excuse.

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1, LEB)

“They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them… Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities.” (Romans 1:19–20, NLT)

Even those who have never opened a Bible are accountable to this general knowledge. The stars above and the conscience within both testify to a Creator. But this knowledge is insufficient for salvation. General revelation condemns; only special revelation saves.

B. Special Revelation

This includes God’s direct communication through:

• The written Word (Scripture)

• The Living Word (Jesus Christ)

• Prophets and Apostles in redemptive history

  
  

“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.” (Hebrews 1:1–2, NLT)

Jesus Christ is the fullness of God’s revelation. The written Scriptures point to Him, and He is the ultimate revelation of God’s nature, truth, and redemptive plan.

III. The Word Made Flesh: Revelation in Christ

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.” (John 1:14, NLT)

The Greek for “Word” is λόγος (logos, Strong’s G3056), signifying not just speech but reason, purpose, and divine logic. Jesus is not merely a messenger — He is the message. He reveals God not just in word but in person, perfectly embodying the Father’s nature (John 14:9).

“No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God… has revealed [ἐξηγήσατο / exēgēsato] God to us.” (John 1:18, NLT)

Greek: ἐξηγέομαι (exēgeomai, Strong’s G1834) – “to lead out, explain, reveal.” This is where we get the word exegesis. Jesus is the perfect exegesis of the Father.

IV. The Canon Is Closed: No New Revelation

A. Ephesians 3:4–5

“God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.” (NLT)

The foundational revelation — the mystery of Christ — has been given. The apostles and prophets were the foundation (Ephesians 2:20), and Christ is the cornerstone. The foundation is laid; the house is being built — not redesigned.

B. Jude 3

“I find it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” (LEB)

The Greek phrase ἅπαξ παραδοθεῖσῃ (hapax paradotheisē) means “once for all delivered.” There is no ongoing revelation equal in authority to Scripture. What has been revealed is final and sufficient.

C. Revelation 22:18–19

The closing of the canon comes with a warning not to add or subtract from God’s revealed Word. Though often misapplied to just the book of Revelation, it reflects the tone of finality consistent with God’s covenant structure (cf. Deuteronomy 4:2).

V. Dangers of False “Revelations”

Many claim to have heard directly from God — visions, dreams, “a word for the church.” But Scripture warns repeatedly against self-proclaimed revelations that contradict or bypass God’s Word.

A. Colossians 2:18

“Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things.” (NLT)

Greek: εἶδεν (eiden, G1492) – “they saw” – Paul calls these visions fleshly and deceptive.

B. 2 Corinthians 11:14

“Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (LEB)False light can feel convincing.

That’s why we must test the spirits (1 John 4:1) and be Bereans (Acts 17:11), measuring every claim by the Word.

VI. Application: Discernment in the Church Today

Many churches elevate experience over Scripture — claiming fresh revelation through feelings, impressions, or “prophetic” utterances. But this is dangerous.

• If God’s Word is sufficient, we do not need to supplement it.

• If Scripture is complete, we must not seek new foundations.

• If Jesus is the full revelation, we must reject anything that distracts from Him.

Pastors who say, “God told me…” without Scriptural basis are placing their words above God’s.

VII. Conclusion: The Word Is Enough

God has spoken — through creation, through conscience, through the prophets, through the apostles, and finally through His Son. That Word has been faithfully recorded in the Scriptures, and no further revelation is needed. To claim otherwise is to undermine the very authority of the Bible.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT)

Jesus Christ is the Word of God revealed, and the Bible is the Word of God recorded. Those who claim to love God must love His revelation — and not go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6).