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God's Timely and Eternal Revelation in Scripture

God's revelation in Scripture is understood as an uncovering or bringing to light of truths previously hidden or obscure [3]. This revelation is both timely, unfolding in specific historical moments, and eternal, reflecting God's unchanging nature and purposes [6]. The Bible presents God as having made a supernatural revelation of himself and his plans, which has been committed to writing under the guidance of his Spirit [3].

The concept of timely revelation is evident in passages that speak of God manifesting his word "in due times" or "in its own seasons" [16]. For instance, the promise of eternal life, hidden in God's eternal purpose, was manifested through the preaching of the Gospel by the apostles [16, 18]. This manifestation occurred in "these last days," where doctrines of grace were clearly revealed through Christ and his apostles [15]. The prophetic writings of the Old Testament hinted at these truths, which were later attested and confirmed as they were made manifest by Christ and his apostles [15]. The suffering and death of Christ, for example, were according to God's counsels and purposes [6]. Similarly, the redemption accomplished by Christ was not an afterthought but was eternally foreordained by God and completed "in these last times" [17].

The eternal aspect of God's revelation is rooted in his nature. God's counsels and purposes are described as eternal [6]. His wisdom is infinite, unsearchable, and underived [4], and his truth is enduring to all generations [5]. The Scriptures reveal eternal life, which is found in Christ and is given by God to those who believe [2]. This eternal life is to know God and Christ [2]. God is consistently portrayed as the "King of the ages," the "incorruptible, invisible, only wise God" [10], to whom glory belongs "forever and ever" [7, 8, 9].

The book of Revelation itself is titled "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon" [1]. This highlights both the timely nature of specific events ("must happen soon") and the ultimate source of the revelation (God through Christ). The consequences of rebellion against God, as depicted in Revelation, are eternal, with unending punishment for those who reject Christ's saving work [14]. This underscores the eternal implications of God's revealed will and judgment [14]. The concept of "eternal" is frequently cross-referenced in Revelation, appearing in contexts such as God's reign [12] and the judgment of deeds [11, 13].

The Scriptures are not merely a record of revelation but are the revelation itself in written form, designed for the accurate preservation and propagation of truth [3]. This written form ensures that God's timely and eternal truths are accessible across generations.

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Life, Eternal — Christ is -- 1Jo 1:2; 5:20. Revealed by Christ -- Joh 6:68; 2Ti 1:10. To know God and Christ is -- Joh 17:3. Given By God. -- Ps 133:3; Ro 6:23. By Christ. -- Joh 6:27; 10:28. In Christ. -- 1Jo 5:11. Through Christ. -- Ro 5:21; 6:23. To all given to Christ. -- Joh 17:2. To those who believe in God. -- Joh 5:24. To those who believe in Christ. -- Joh 3:15,16; 6:40,47. To those who hate life for Christ. -- Joh 12:25. In answer to prayer. -- Ps 21:4. Revealed in the Scriptures -- Joh 5:39. Results from Drinking the water of life. -- Joh 4:14. Eating the ”
  3. 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”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Truth of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- De 32:4; Isa 65:16. Always goes before his face -- Ps 89:14. He keeps, for ever -- Ps 146:6. Described as Great. -- Ps 57:10. Plenteous. -- Ps 86:15. Abundant. -- Ex 34:6. Inviolable. -- Nu 23:19; Tit 1:2. Reaching to the clouds. -- Ps 57:10. Enduring to all generations. -- Ps 100:5. United with mercy in redemption -- Ps 85:10. Exhibited in his Counsels of old. -- Isa 25:1. Ways. -- Re 15:3. Works. -- Ps 33:4; 11:7; Da 4:37. Judicial statutes. -- Ps 19:9. Administration of justice. -- Ps 96:13. Word. -- Ps 119:160; Joh ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Counsels and Purposes of God, The — Are great -- Jer 32:19. Are wonderful -- Isa 28:29. Are immutable -- Ps 33:11; Pr 19:21; Jer 4:28; Ro 9:11; Heb 6:17. Are sovereign -- Isa 40:13,14; Da 4:35. Are eternal -- Eph 3:11. Are faithfulness and truth -- Isa 25:1. None can disannul -- Isa 14:27. Shall be performed -- Isa 14:24; 46:11. The sufferings and death of Christ were according to -- Ac 2:23; 4:28. Saints called and save according to -- Ro 8:28; 2Ti 1:9. The union of all saints in Christ, is according to -- Eph 1:9,10. The works of God according to -- Eph 1:11. Shoul”
  7. Revelation of John “Revelation of John 7:12 (LEB) — saying, “Amen! Praise and glory, and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and power and strength be to our God ⌞forever and ever⌟. Amen!””
  8. Psalms “For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even to death. -- Psalms 48:14”
  9. Romans “Romans 16:27 (BBE) — To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory for ever. So be it.”
  10. I Timothy “I Timothy 1:17 (YLT) — and to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only wise God, <FI>is<Fi> honour and glory--to the ages of the ages! Amen.”
  11. 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”
  12. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 14:11 cross-references: Genesis 19:28, Exodus 15:18, Deuteronomy 28:65, Psalms 10:16, Psalms 145:1, Isaiah 33:14, Isaiah 34:10, Isaiah 57:20, Joel 2:30, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43, Luke 16:23, Hebrews 1:8, Revelation 4:8, Revelation 5:13, Revelation 7:12, Revelation 11:15, Revelation 13:12, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 18:18, Revelation 19:3, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 22:5”
  13. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 2:23 cross-references: Deuteronomy 13:11, Deuteronomy 17:13, Deuteronomy 19:20, Deuteronomy 21:21, 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Chronicles 17:18, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 1 Chronicles 29:17, 2 Chronicles 6:30, Job 24:23, Psalms 7:9, Psalms 26:2, Psalms 44:21, Psalms 62:12, Isaiah 3:10, Jeremiah 11:20, Jeremiah 17:10, Jeremiah 20:12, Zephaniah 1:11, Matthew 16:27, John 2:24, John 4:16, John 21:17, Acts 1:24, Romans 2:5, Romans 8:27, Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Galatians 6:5, Hebrews 4:13, 1 Peter 1:17, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 6:8, Revelation 20:12”
  14. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 20:10: 20:10 they will be tormented . . . forever: Rebellion against God has eternal consequences. While the concept of unending punishment repulses some, it is the message of Revelation and of Scripture generally that God will deal sternly with sin and rebellion by those who reject Christ’s saving work (see Matt 13:42; 25:41-46; John 3:18, 36; Rom 2:7). Perhaps more than any book in Scripture, Revelation illustrates that the unrepentant persist in their rebellion despite the consequences (Rev 9:20-21; 16:9-11; cp. Luke 16:31). Revelation also emphasizes that God is”
  15. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 16:24: But now is made manifest,.... In these last days, in which God has spoken by his Son, by whom the doctrines of grace are most clearly revealed, and fully dispensed; and by his apostles, who were blessed with a clear insight into them, and with extraordinary gifts to minister them; and by the Scriptures of the prophets; or prophetic writings, in which these truths are hinted, and by which, being made manifest by Christ and his apostles, they are attested and confirmed; according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience”
  16. Titus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Titus 1:3: in due times--Greek, "in its own seasons," the seasons appropriate to it, and fixed by God for it (Act 1:7). manifested--implying that the "promise," Tit 1:2, had lain hidden in His eternal purpose heretofore (compare Col 1:26; Ti2 1:9-10). his word--equivalent to "eternal life" (Tit 1:2; Joh 5:24; Joh 6:63; Joh 17:3, Joh 17:17). through preaching--Greek, "in preaching," of rather as ALFORD (see on Ti2 4:17), "in the (Gospel) proclamation (the thing preached, the Gospel) with which I was entrusted." according to--in pursuance of (compare Ti1 1:1)”
  17. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:20: God's eternal foreordination of Christ's redeeming sacrifice, and completion of it in these last times for us, are an additional obligation on us to our maintaining a holy walk, considering how great things have been thus done for us. Peter's language in the history corresponds with this here: an undesigned coincidence and mark of genuineness. Redemption was no afterthought, or remedy of an unforeseen evil, devised at the time of its arising. God's foreordaining of the Redeemer refutes the slander that, on the Christian theory, there is a period of fo”
  18. Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 1:3: But hath in due times manifested his word,.... Either Christ, his essential Word; or the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation; or rather his word of promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus: through preaching; through the ministry of the word by the apostles; in which Christ is revealed in the glory of his person, and the fulness of his grace, and in the efficacy of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; and in which the Gospel, that was ordained before the world was, and is the fellowship of the mystery which was hid in God, is published; and in which the promise ”
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