Special Revelation
So far, we have covered the definition of theology and God’s General Revelation. Today, in part three, we will look into God’s Special Revelation.
By special revelation, we mean when God acts to make Himself and His truth known at select times to specific people in special ways. It is important to note that God’s special revelation may not be limited to that time and those people. However, a special revelation will never contradict Scripture.
God’s special revelation is like a treasure which, though given at select times to specific people in special ways, is to be shared with the whole world. An example of this is found in Luke 2:10 (ESV), And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Throughout the history of humankind, God continued to reveal more of Himself and His truth. The culmination of God’s progressive revelation was in Jesus when God’s very Word became flesh (John 1:1). It’s as if God invested in mankind for thousands of years to prepare humanity for the impact of God’s only begotten Son.
At Select Times to Specific People
in Special Ways
Examples of God’s special revelation are when:
– God called Abram (Genesis 12:1–9) which starts God’s work of redemption through the lineage of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob,
– God speaks to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-17) which starts the process of God forming the Israelites into a nation
– the Apostles witness Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) which implants in the Apostles the revelation that Jesus is greater than Creation
God’s Ways
God’s special revelation can come through several ways, such as miracles, prophecy, and personal experience. Regardless of what the special revelation is, that revelation has never and will never contradict Scripture.
God has revealed Himself in His Son, Jesus Christ. The general revelation of God did not lead the Gentile world to any clear understanding of the existence of God, the nature of God, or the will of God (Romans 1:20-23). Even philosophy did not give people an accurate understanding of God.
Jesus the Messiah
God’s general revelation was not insufficient. God’s special revelation was not lacking. But humanity in its fallen condition did not respond. A fuller revelation was needed. That fuller revelation is in the person and work of Jesus the Messiah (John 4:25-26).
In Christ Jesus, we have a threefold revelation of God: the revelation of God’s existence, the revelation of God’s nature, and the revelation of God’s will. Now mankind has a Savior, and mankind no longer has an excuse.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow we will look at the endowments of man.
Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash
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https://rockexcavationservice.org/2019/07/12/then-jesus-showed-up/