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Nature of Divine Revelation in Christian Theology

Divine revelation refers to the uncovering or bringing to light of that which was previously hidden or only obscurely perceived [1]. This concept is foundational to understanding how God communicates with humanity, making known his nature, purposes, and plans [1]. The Bible itself is considered a primary form of this revelation, not merely a record of it, but the revelation itself in written form, preserved for accuracy and propagation of truth [1].

God has chosen various ways and times to reveal himself, as noted in Hebrews 1:1 [1]. One significant aspect of this revelation is through Jesus Christ. The book of Revelation, for instance, is described as "the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon" [2, 3]. Matthew Henry notes that the entire Bible is a revelation of Jesus Christ, as all revelation comes through him and centers on him [7]. Christ, as the King and Prophet of the church, makes known the rules of his government and future events [7].

The nature of divine revelation also involves the Holy Spirit. The inspiration of thoughts, particularly those essential for salvation, is attributed to the Spirit, making a Christian [8]. The inspiration of words, however, is what makes a prophet [8]. The Spirit reveals the "deep things of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10), which are not accessible through human wisdom alone [8]. This spiritual revelation unveils what was previously veiled, not because those who know the truths withhold them, but because those to whom they are announced may not perceive them without divine aid [8].

Revelation is distinct from divination, which is the practice of foretelling future events or discovering secrets through means other than divine will, often involving false systems or superior beings [4]. Scripture condemns various forms of divination, such as consulting teraphim, examining entrails, or using arrows [4, 6]. These practices are associated with false prophets and pagan cultures, contrasting sharply with genuine divine revelation [6].

The concept of revelation also extends to the second advent of Christ, often referred to as the "revelation of Christ" [5]. The Greek word apokalupsis is used in passages like 1 Corinthians 1:7 and 2 Thessalonians 1:7 to describe this future event [5]. This expectation of Christ's speedy return was widespread among early Christians [5].

The renewal of humanity in knowledge is another aspect connected to revelation. Adam Clarke, commenting on Colossians 3:10, states that while heathenism offered a limited knowledge of nature, Christianity reveals God himself, the author of nature [12]. This knowledge, imparted through the Christian system, teaches humanity the true understanding of God and themselves [12].

The prophetic activity, where God's Spirit supplies words to a prophet for the congregation, is distinguished from apocalyptic revelation, where the seer is "in the Spirit" in their whole person [11]. The book of Revelation itself is described as an apocalypse or an unveiling of veiled things, serving as a "manifesto of the kingdom of Christ" and a "travelling manual of the Church" [9]. The contents of this book, and indeed the entire Bible, are solemnly ratified by the faithful and true nature of God, who gave these discoveries through holy angels to holy men [10].

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. Revelation “This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John, -- Revelation 1:1”
  3. Revelation of John “Revelation of John 1:1 (KJV) — The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:”
  4. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Divination — is a "foretelling future events, or discovering things secret by the aid of superior beings, or other than human means." It is used in Scripture of false systems of ascertaining the divine will. It has been universal in all ages, and all nations alike civilized and savage. Numerous forms of divination are mentioned, such as divination by rods, (Hosea 4:12) divination by arrows, (Ezekiel 21:21) divination by cups, (Genesis 44:5) consultation of teraphim, (1 Samuel 15:23; Ezekiel 21:21; Zechariah 10:2) [[442]Teraphim]; divination by the liver, (Ezekiel 21:2”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation of Christ — The second advent of Christ. Three different Greek words are used by the apostles to express this, (1) apokalupsis (1 Cor. 1;7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7, 13); (2) parousia (Matt. 24:3, 27; 1 Thess. 2:19; James 5:7, 8); (3) epiphaneia (1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1-8; Titus 2:13). There existed among Christians a wide expectation, founded on Matt. 24:29, 30, 34, of the speedy return of Christ. (See [533]MILLENNIUM.)”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Divination — Of false prophets (Deut. 18:10, 14; Micah 3:6, 7, 11), of necromancers (1 Sam. 28:8), of the Philistine priests and diviners (1 Sam. 6:2), of Balaam (Josh. 13:22). Three kinds of divination are mentioned in Ezek. 21:21, by arrows, consulting with images (the teraphim), and by examining the entrails of animals sacrificed. The practice of this art seems to have been encouraged in ancient Egypt. Diviners also abounded among the aborigines of Canaan and the Philistines (Isa. 2:6; 1 Sam. 28). At a later period multitudes of magicians poured from Chaldea and A”
  7. 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”
  8. 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”
  9. 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”
  10. Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 22:6: We have here a solemn ratification of the contents of this book, and particularly of this last vision (though some think it may not only refer to the whole book, but to the whole New Testament, yea, to the whole Bible, completing and confirming the canon of scripture); and here, 1. This is confirmed by the name and nature of that God who gave out these discoveries: he is the Lord God, faithful and true, and so are all his sayings. 2. By the messengers he chose, to reveal these things to the world; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God; and God would n”
  11. Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 2:22: revealeth-- (Job 12:22). So spiritually (Eph 1:17-18). knoweth what is in . . . darkness-- (Psa 139:11-12; Heb 4:13). light . . . him-- (Jam 1:17; Jo1 1:4). Apocalypse (or "revelation") signifies a divine, prophecy a human, activity. Compare Co1 14:6, where the two are distinguished. The prophet is connected with the outer world, addressing to the congregation the words with which the Spirit of God supplies him; he speaks in the Spirit, but the apocalyptic seer is in the Spirit in his whole person (Rev 1:10; Rev 4:2). The form of the apocalyptic re”
  12. Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 3:10: And have put on the new man - See on Rom 12:1-2 (note). Is renewed in knowledge - Ignorance was the grand characteristic of the heathen state; Knowledge, of the Christian. The utmost to which heathenism could pretend was a certain knowledge of nature. How far this went, and how much it fell short of the truth, may be seen in the writings of Aristotle and Pliny. Christianity reveals God himself, the author of nature; or, rather, God has revealed himself, in the Christian system with which he has blessed mankind. Christianity teaches a man the true knowledge both ”
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