Characteristics Of Revelation

CHARACTERISTICS OF REVELATION
Revelation is Rooted in History. The progress of revelation is not merely God's mind relating to our mind in certain abstract thoughts. It is also God's acting in history. Christianity is much more than a philosophy or a way of living or even a set of ideas about God. It has its foundations upon the actions that God has taken both in creation and redemption. This is not to say that God is rooted in history. God is supra-historical. He is not limited to history, but supersedes it. He transcends history. But He has also condescended to enter time and space and history and communicate to man.

Revelation has Occurred Progressively in History. The way that God revealed Himself in the Garden of Eden to Adam and the woman does not seem to have been as detailed a revelation as that which is presented in the New Testament epistles. When Adam and Eve were given the first promise of salvation, how much revelation did they have? Only a single verse. Genesis 3:15 is very limited in scope as it speaks of how the seed of the woman would someday crush the serpent. It is only the small seed of what would be a host of future promises. God has gradually revealed greater and greater measures of His truth over a long period of time as He spoke “at many places and in many ways” (Hebrews 1:1).

Each aspect of revelation was based upon those which had been given prior. Thus, when Jesus stood in the Temple in Jerusalem and said, “Before Abraham was, I AM,” it was presupposed that those who were listening knew that God had once told Moses, “I AM THAT I AM.” The revelation that Jesus was God in the flesh was based upon a prior revelation of who God is. This does not mean that revelation has evolved. Evolution describes the act of changing from one thing into another. Revelation does not change into that which is different from that which began. Instead the progression of revelation is a further and continuing unveiling of what unchanging truth that was previously hidden.

Evolution|Revelation|
One thing changes into another|A further and more comprehensive unveiling of unchanging truth that was previously hidden.|

Revelation has been likened to the raising of a theatrical curtain. There was a time when the curtain was lowered and the truth that it covered was hidden. Then the curtain was raised several inches and a small portion of the previously hidden stage was revealed. Most of the stage was still hidden, but men could see more than had been previously visible. With each new revelation, the curtain is raised a bit more.

Revelation is Partial. The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29). For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12).

God has not chosen to reveal all truth to us. There are many puzzles which are not explained; many questions that are not answered. These are the secret things. They belong to the Lord. There is coming a day of complete revelation. There is coming a day when we shall know fully. The important point is that those things which have been revealed to us belong to us. They have been given to us. And they ought to be a prized possession.

Revelation is Related to God's Acts of Creation and Redemption.

Revelation does not take place in a vacuum. It is not a picture of God sitting up in heaven and sending a letter to man saying, “Hey down there! Let me explain to you the nature of the universe.”

God's revelation of Himself always takes place in the context of His works of creation and redemption. He is not a disinterested bystander. He continues to hold the universe together by the word of His power.

Creator|Redeemer|
God created the universe. It shows His power and His orderliness and His majesty.|God is calling out a people for Himself. This process started in the Garden of Eden with a promise of a Seed.| These two contexts also serve to point out the two types of Revelation: General versus Special Revelation.

Creator|Redeemer|
General Revelation|Special Revelation|
That revelation of God that is seen through the intermediate agency of that which God has created.|That revelation of God that has been given through the direct action of God or of His messengers.|
Revelation through nature and through what we think of as “natural processes.”|Revelation that is specific and through supernatural events and activities.|