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Relationship Between Reason and Revelation in Scripture

The relationship between reason and revelation in Scripture is understood through the concept of revelation itself, which signifies "an uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen" [1]. God has chosen to reveal himself and his purposes through various means and at different times, as noted in Hebrews 1:1 [1, 16]. This divine self-disclosure, guided by the Holy Spirit, has been committed to writing in the Scriptures, which are considered not merely a record of revelation but revelation itself in written form, ensuring its accurate preservation and propagation [1].

Revelation, particularly in the New Testament, is often associated with the book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, meaning "unveiling" [8, 11]. This final book of the New Testament is presented as "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place" (Revelation 1:1 NASB) [9]. The author, identified as John the apostle, asserts his authorship multiple times within the book [8, 10]. This specific revelation is described as a "manifesto of the kingdom of Christ" and a "travelling manual of the Church" [11].

The concept of revelation extends beyond the specific book of Revelation to encompass all of Scripture. The entire Bible is considered a revelation of Jesus Christ, as all revelation flows through and centers on him [12]. God has spoken through his Son, making known "the things that shall be hereafter" [12]. This understanding highlights Christ as the central agent through whom God's purposes are revealed and accomplished [13].

The nature of revelation involves God making known truths that would otherwise remain hidden. For instance, the "secrets of revelation" are not secret because those who know them refuse to reveal them, but because they are divine truths unveiled to humanity [17]. This unveiling is often contrasted with human reason or understanding alone. Isaiah 29:11 speaks of "the whole vision" or "revelation" being "sealed," implying that without divine intervention, even the learned cannot discern it due to a lack of "believing docility" [15]. Prophecy, for example, remained a "sealed volume" until Jesus "opened the seals" (Revelation 5:1-5, 9; 6:1) [15].

The role of the Holy Spirit is crucial in this process. The inspiration of thoughts, particularly those essential for salvation, is attributed to the Spirit, making a person a Christian (1 Corinthians 3:16; 12:3; John 16:13; 1 John 2:20, 27) [17]. The inspiration of words, which characterizes a prophet, is also "by the word of the Lord" (1 Kings 13:1, 5; 2 Peter 1:21) [17]. Thus, the Spirit reveals divine truths, and prophets then enunciate these revelations to people [14].

The relationship between reason and revelation can be seen in how revelation provides the content that reason can then apprehend and interpret, albeit with divine assistance. While revelation is a supernatural unveiling [1], human reason, guided by the Spirit, is involved in understanding and applying these revealed truths. For example, in 1 Corinthians 14:6, the apostle Paul emphasizes that "there is no edification without interpretation," suggesting that revelation (the supernatural unveiling of divine truths) needs to be accompanied by prophesying (the enunciation of such revelations) and doctrine (the teaching of knowledge) for it to be beneficial [14]. This implies a process where revealed truth is then processed and communicated in an understandable way, engaging human faculties.

The completeness of God's revelation is emphasized in passages like Revelation 5:1, where a scroll "written on the inside and the outside" signifies that "God’s plans for history are full and complete" [13]. These purposes are "sealed with seven seals," indicating that God has placed his plans in an "impermeable safe" that will only be completed when the seals are opened [13]. This suggests that while God's plan is comprehensive, its full understanding and unfolding are subject to his timing and method of revelation.

The concept of revelation also highlights God's gracious authority and power, represented by the "right hand" in Revelation 5:1 [13]. This divine authority underpins the truthfulness and reliability of the revealed word. The various cross-references associated with passages in Revelation, such as those for Revelation 7:9, 7:10, 20:12, 11:10, 4:5, and 2:26, demonstrate the interconnectedness of biblical revelation across different books and eras [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. These cross-references link prophetic visions and divine declarations from the Old Testament to their fulfillment and elaboration in the New Testament, illustrating a consistent and unfolding divine plan.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
  2. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 7:9 cross-references: Genesis 13:16, Genesis 49:10, Leviticus 23:40, Psalms 2:8, Psalms 22:27, Psalms 72:7, Psalms 76:4, Psalms 77:2, Psalms 98:3, Psalms 110:2, Psalms 117:1, Isaiah 2:2, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 60:1, Jeremiah 3:17, Jeremiah 16:19, Ezekiel 47:5, Daniel 4:1, Daniel 6:25, Hosea 1:10, Zechariah 2:11, Zechariah 8:20, Luke 12:1, Luke 21:36, John 12:13, Romans 11:25, Romans 15:9, Ephesians 6:13, Hebrews 11:12, Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 3:4, Revelation 3:18, Revelation 4:4, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:11, Revelation 6:11, Revelation 7:13, Revelation 11:15”
  3. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 7:10 cross-references: Psalms 3:8, Psalms 37:39, Psalms 68:19, Psalms 115:1, Isaiah 43:11, Isaiah 45:15, Isaiah 45:21, Jeremiah 3:23, Hosea 13:4, Jonah 2:9, Zechariah 4:7, Zechariah 9:9, Luke 3:6, John 1:29, John 1:36, John 4:22, Ephesians 2:8, Revelation 4:2, Revelation 4:6, Revelation 4:9, Revelation 5:7, Revelation 5:13, Revelation 12:10, Revelation 19:1, Revelation 21:5, Revelation 22:3”
  4. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 20:12 cross-references: Psalms 28:4, Psalms 62:12, Psalms 69:28, Proverbs 24:12, Proverbs 24:29, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Jeremiah 17:10, Jeremiah 32:19, Daniel 7:10, Daniel 12:1, Matthew 16:27, Luke 10:20, John 5:28, John 11:25, Acts 24:15, Romans 2:6, Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 15:21, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Philippians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:15, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 11:18, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 17:8, Revelation 19:5, Revelation 20:11, Revelation 20:13, Revelation 21:27, Revelation 22:12”
  5. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 11:10 cross-references: Judges 16:23, 1 Kings 18:17, 1 Kings 21:20, 1 Kings 22:8, 1 Kings 22:18, Nehemiah 8:10, Esther 9:19, Psalms 13:4, Psalms 35:19, Psalms 35:24, Psalms 89:42, Proverbs 24:17, Jeremiah 38:4, Jeremiah 50:11, Obadiah 1:12, Micah 7:8, Matthew 10:22, John 7:7, John 16:20, Acts 5:33, Acts 7:54, Acts 17:5, 1 Corinthians 13:6, Revelation 3:10, Revelation 11:5, Revelation 12:13, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 13:14, Revelation 16:10”
  6. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 4:5 cross-references: Genesis 15:7, Exodus 19:16, Exodus 20:18, Exodus 37:23, 2 Chronicles 4:20, Psalms 18:13, Psalms 68:35, Ezekiel 1:13, Joel 3:16, Zechariah 4:2, Zechariah 4:11, Matthew 3:11, Acts 2:3, 1 Corinthians 12:4, Hebrews 12:18, Revelation 1:4, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 8:5, Revelation 11:19, Revelation 16:17”
  7. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 2:26 cross-references: Psalms 2:8, Psalms 49:14, Daniel 7:18, Daniel 7:22, Daniel 7:27, Matthew 19:28, Matthew 24:13, Luke 8:13, Luke 22:29, John 6:29, John 8:31, Romans 2:7, Romans 8:37, 1 Corinthians 6:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 10:38, James 2:20, 1 John 2:19, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 5:5, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:12, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 21:7, Revelation 22:5”
  8. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Revelation Of St. John — the last book of the New Testament. It is often called the Apocalypse, which is its title in Greek, signifying "Revelation," + Canonical authority and authorship.--The inquiry as to the canonical authority of the Revelation resolves itself into a question of authorship. Was St. John the apostle and evangelist the writer of the Revelation? The evidence adduced in support of his being the author consists of (1) the assertions of the author and (2) historical tradition. (1) The author's description of himself in the 1st and 22d chapters is certai”
  9. Revelation “Revelation 1:1 (NASB) — The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,”
  10. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation, Book of — =The Apocalypse, the closing book and the only prophetical book of the New Testament canon. The author of this book was undoubtedly John the apostle. His name occurs four times in the book itself (1:1, 4, 9; 22:8), and there is every reason to conclude that the "John" here mentioned was the apostle. In a manuscript of about the twelfth century he is called "John the divine," but no reason can be assigned for this appellation. The date of the writing of this book has generally been fixed at A.D. 96, in the reign of Domitian. There are some, howev”
  11. Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 1 (introduction): 1TITLE: SOURCE AND OBJECT OF THIS REVELATION: BLESSING ON THE READER AND KEEPER OF IT, AS THE TIME IS NEAR: INSCRIPTION TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES: APOSTOLIC GREETING: KEYNOTE, "BEHOLD HE COMETH" (Compare at the close, Rev 22:20, "Surely I come quickly"): INTRODUCTORY VISION OF THE SON OF MAN IN GLORY, AMIDST THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS, WITH SEVEN STARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND. (Rev. 1:1-20) Revelation--an apocalypse or unveiling of those things which had been veiled. A manifesto of the kingdom of Christ. The travelling manual of the Church for the G”
  12. Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 1:1: Here we have, I. What we may call the pedigree of this book. 1. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ. The whole Bible is so; for all revelation comes through Christ and all centres in him; and especially in these last days God has spoken to us by his Son, and concerning his Son. Christ, as the king of his church, has been pleased thus far to let his church know by what rules and methods he will proceed in his government; and, as the prophet of the church, he has made known to us the things that shall be hereafter. 2. It is a revelation which God gave unto Chris”
  13. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 5:1: 5:1-14 John introduces the Lamb, Jesus Christ, the central figure of Revelation and God’s chosen agent for accomplishing his purposes. 5:1 The scroll, like a dramatic script, details God’s plan for the world (Ps 139:16). • The right hand represents God’s gracious authority and power (see Rev 1:17, 20). • The writing on the inside and the outside means that God’s plans for history are full and complete. • sealed with seven seals: God has put his purposes for history in an impermeable safe (Isa 29:11-12; Dan 8:26). His purposes will be completed only when the sea”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:6: Translate, "But now"; seeing there is no edification without interpretation. revelation . . . prophesying--corresponding one to the other; "revelation" being the supernatural unveiling of divine truths to man, "prophesying" the enunciation to men of such revelations. So "knowledge" corresponds to "doctrine," which is the gift of teaching to others our knowledge. As the former pair refers to specially revealed mysteries, so the latter pair refers to the general obvious truths of salvation, brought from the common storehouse of believers.”
  15. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 29:11: of all--rather, "the whole vision." "Vision" is the same here as "revelation," or "law"; in Isa 28:15, the same Hebrew word is translated, "covenant" [MAURER]. sealed-- (Isa 8:16), God seals up the truth so that even the learned, because they lack believing docility, cannot discern it (Mat 13:10-17; Mat 11:25). Prophecy remained comparatively a sealed volume (Dan 12:4, Dan 12:9), until Jesus, who "alone is worthy," "opened the seals" (Rev 5:1-5, Rev 5:9; Rev 6:1).”
  16. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 1 (introduction): THE HIGHEST OF ALL REVELATIONS IS GIVEN US NOW IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO IS GREATER THAN THE ANGELS, AND WHO, HAVING COMPLETED REDEMPTION, SITS ENTHRONED AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND. (Heb 1:1-14) at sundry times--Greek, "in many portions." All was not revealed to each one prophet; but one received one portion of revelation, and another another. To Noah the quarter of the world to which Messiah should belong was revealed; to Abraham, the nation; to Jacob, the tribe; to David and Isaiah, the family; to Micah, the town of nativity; to Daniel, the exact”
  17. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:10: revealed . . . by . . . Spirit--The inspiration of thoughts (so far as truth essential to salvation is concerned) makes the Christian (Co1 3:16; Co1 12:3; Mat 16:17; Joh 16:13; Jo1 2:20, Jo1 2:27); that of words, the PROPHET (Sa2 23:1-2; Kg1 13:1, Kg1 13:5), "by the word of the Lord" (Co1 2:13; Joh 20:30-31; Pe2 1:21). The secrets of revelation are secret to some, not because those who know them will not reveal them (for indeed, the very notion of revelation implies an unveiling of what had been veiled), but because those to whom they are announ”
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