As a priest, I have been graced with the task of helping others understand the concept of God’s revelations – both General revelation and special revelation. These two paradigms are the sacred path God has employed to unveil Himself to humanity. Let’s delve into these profound ways which offer us a glimpse into God’s divine interaction with his creation.
General revelation pertains to the universal truths about God that we can discern through nature itself. The Scripture paints a vivid picture of this in Psalm 19:1-4, proclaiming, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands…Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” This passage implies that upon observing the unending universe, God’s existence and power become distinct. The detailed precision and awe-inspiring aspects of creation authenticate the presence of a formidable and grand Creator.
Furthermore, Paul teaches about general revelation in Romans 1:20 by stating that God’s eternal power and divine nature are “clearly seen” from His creation. Thus, there is no excuse for questioning these truths. Bearing these Scriptures in mind, general revelation can be described as “the revelation of God to all people, in all times, and places that authenticate God exists and that He is intelligent, powerful, and transcendent.”
On the other hand, special revelation illustrates how God has chosen to manifest Himself through miraculous means. It includes instances such as God appearing in physical forms (Genesis 3:8, 18:1; Exodus 3:1-4, 34:5-7), dreams, visions, the written Word of God, and, most significantly—Jesus Christ. Scriptural records showcase God interacting with people through dreams (Genesis 28:12, 37:5; 1 Kings 3:5; Daniel 2) and visions (Genesis 15:1; Ezekiel 8:3-4; Daniel 7; 2 Corinthians 12:1-7).
The Holy Bible also serves as a critical medium of special revelation. God guided the authors to record his messages to humanity, incorporating their unique styles and personalities. Scriptures underscore that the Word of God possesses life and activity (Hebrews 4:12). It is inspirational, beneficial, and adequate (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Almighty chose to transcribe everything we need to know about Him in the Bible, including His expectations and deeds.
The highest form of special revelation can be found in the Person of Jesus Christ. God graced the human form through Christ (John 1:1, 14). Hebrews 1:1-3 encapsulates this best, stating: “…in these last days God has spoken to us by his Son … The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” God embodied human form in Jesus Christ in order to connect with us, offer guidance, reveal His divine persona and, paramountly, pave the way for our salvation. Jesus Christ is, without a doubt, the ultimate “special revelation” from God.
Getting to grips with these concepts of general and special revelation can offer a deeper understanding of God’s divine interplay with his creation, facilitating a stronger, more profound connection with our Creator. That is the glorious beauty and mystery of our faith.
Leave a Reply