Examples of General Revelation in Creation Illustrating God's Attributes
General revelation refers to the knowledge of God that is accessible to all humanity through creation and conscience, as distinct from special revelation found in scripture [1]. The natural world serves as a primary example of this general revelation, illustrating God's attributes to all people [1].
One of the most prominent attributes revealed through creation is God's eternal power and divine nature. Romans 1:20 states that "since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse" [1]. The sheer act of creation, bringing all things into being "out of nothing," demonstrates God's omnipotent power [3]. The Psalmist declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork" [2]. This "magnificence of the visible heavens" illustrates God's creative power and glory [8].
The order and design evident in the universe also point to God's wisdom and sovereignty. The creation account in Genesis highlights God's deliberate formation of the world from chaos into a habitable environment through His powerful word [6]. God's commands, such as "Let there be light," enacted His will to create, demonstrating that He is not limited by creation but is its supreme ruler [6]. This orderly creation, including the blessing of animal life, human life, and the Sabbath day, reveals a Creator with a plan for humanity to have dominion and participate in His rest [5].
Furthermore, creation reveals God's distinct identity as the true God. The fact that Jehovah is the Creator distinguishes Him from other deities [3]. The creation narrative in Genesis was intended to teach Israel that the world was created and ordered by the one true God, not by the gods of surrounding nations [5]. The plural form of "God" (Elohim) used in Genesis 1:1, while signifying "Strong" and "Mighty," also "obscurely taught" the plurality of persons within the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—a doctrine more clearly revealed elsewhere in scripture [4]. The work of creation is attributed to the Godhead generally, to the Father, to the Son (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17), and to the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30) [3].
Even humanity itself, as part of creation, reflects God's attributes. Man is made in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27), a concept echoed in 1 Corinthians 11:7 [7]. This imago Dei suggests that certain qualities of God are reflected in human beings. The rainbow, a natural phenomenon, is also used in scripture to recall God's covenant and grace, as seen in Genesis 9:8-17 and referenced in Revelation 4:3 [9].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 1:20 (BSB) — For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.”
- Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Creation — "In the beginning" God created, i.e., called into being, all things out of nothing. This creative act on the part of God was absolutely free, and for infinitely wise reasons. The cause of all things exists only in the will of God. The work of creation is attributed (1) to the Godhead (Gen. 1:1, 26); (2) to the Father (1 Cor. 8:6); (3) to the Son (John 1:3; Col. 1:16, 17); (4) to the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30). The fact that he is the Creator distinguishes Jehovah as the true God (Isa. 37:16; 40:12, 13; 54:5; Ps. 96:5; Jer. 10:11, 12). Th”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 1 (introduction): Genesis 1:1 THE CREATION OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. (Gen 1:1-2) In the beginning--a period of remote and unknown antiquity, hid in the depths of eternal ages; and so the phrase is used in Pro 8:22-23. God--the name of the Supreme Being, signifying in Hebrew, "Strong," "Mighty." It is expressive of omnipotent power; and by its use here in the plural form, is obscurely taught at the opening of the Bible, a doctrine clearly revealed in other parts of it, namely, that though God is one, there is a plurality of persons in the Godhead--Father, So”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:1: 1:1–2:3 These verses introduce the Pentateuch (Genesis—Deuteronomy) and teach Israel that the world was created, ordered, and populated by the one true God and not by the gods of surrounding nations. • God blessed three specific things: animal life (1:22-25), human life (1:27), and the Sabbath day (2:3). This trilogy of blessings highlights the Creator’s plan: Humankind was made in God’s image to enjoy sovereign dominion over the creatures of the earth and to participate in God’s Sabbath rest. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth: This statem”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:3: 1:3-13 In the first three days, God formed the chaos into a habitable world. 1:3 Then God said: Nothing in ch 1 is created apart from God’s powerful word (cp. Ps 33:6, 9). • “Let there be . . .” and there was: God’s command enacted his will to create the world. God is not a part of creation or limited by it; he is the supreme ruler over everything (cp. Neh 9:6).”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:7: 11:7 man is made in God’s image: See Gen 1:26-27.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 8:3: The allusion to the magnificence of the visible heavens is introduced for the purpose of illustrating God's condescension, who, though the mighty Creator of these glorious worlds of light, makes man the object of regard and recipient of favor.”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 4:3: 4:3 Rather than painting a visual picture of God (Exod 20:4; Deut 4:15-19), John uses gemstones and the rainbow (Gen 9:8-17; Ezek 1:28) to suggest God’s qualities. The rainbow speaks of God’s grace as it recalls God’s covenant with Noah (Gen 9:13-17) that he would never again destroy the earth with water. In Revelation, however, we see the earth destroyed by fire (cp. Gen 19:24-29).”