General, Full and Special Revelation

Revelation 1:16 "In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength."

Bible teachers for centuries have used three categories to describe how God communicates His will and existence to human beings: general revelation, Fullness of revelation and special revelation.  The above passage demonstrates all three categories: it uses the sun, which is part of God's general revelation.  Second, the sun is used to illustrate the more profound and Supreme Fullness of Revelation - Jesus Christ.  Then thirdly, the verse itself is part of God's special revelation - the Bible.  In today's post we will aim to briefly define each of these terms and discover how God has ordained all three of them to work and function together in the revelation of His work of salvation and wonder of glory.

1. General Revelation: Information about God, made available to everyone in general
In the above picture you are seeing the picture of the sun as it appeared yesterday to scientists operating the "Solar Dynamics Observatory" that is in current orbit around the sun.  The sun itself is quite a fascinating object in our solar system.  For one thing, the volume of the sun is big enough to hold 1100 earths.  The sun itself is a million miles in diameter, compared to our planet earth which is roughly 7500 miles in diameter.  The energy output of the sun in one second could light a city like New York for 500,000 years.  At a distance of 93 million miles, the energy we receive from the sun is billions of times smaller than the energy emitted from its surface.  The sun is a huge thermo-nuclear ball that is constantly converting Hydrogen into Helium.  

Now why is any of this information pertinent? Because the sun is part of what we call God's general revelation about Himself.  Psalm 19:4b-6 states about our universe - "...In them He has placed a tent for the sun, (5) Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. (6) Its rising is from end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat." Romans 1:20 states - "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."  The sun is but one star in an ocean of an estimated 200 billion stars populating our Milky Way Galaxy, which in turn is but one galaxy in an ocean of over an estimated 100 billion galaxies strung across the visible universe.  Unless we conclude that the universe was created to display the glory of God, there is no other explanation for its size, complexity and displays of power.  

Revelation 1:16 uses the lesser glory, lesser general revelation of the shining of the sun to illustrate the Fullness of revelation - Jesus Christ.  

2. Fullness of Revelation - Jesus Christ, The Incarnation of God revealed as Savior and Lord
John's whole point in the book of Revelation is to reveal, unveil the Person and glory of Jesus Christ.  We see Jesus Christ and His Church (1-3); Jesus Christ and His throne (4-5); Jesus Christ and History (6-18); Jesus Christ and His Coming Reign (19-20) and Jesus Christ in Eternity (21-22).  The Holy Spirit states in Hebrews 1:1-2 "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, (2) in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world."  1 Timothy 3:16 in the KJV reads -  "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."  

To say that Jesus Christ is the full revelation of God as God in human flesh (incarnation meaning of course "in the flesh") leads to two other exclusive truth claims of Christianity: that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation and that the Bible alone has specifically revealed Him. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 summarizes the doctrinal truth of Jesus Christ as the fulness of Divine Revelation: Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.

Jesus Christ is the apex of Divine revelation since He is the Source and Object of it.  All of creation points to Him, since all of creation is upheld and held together by His power. (Colossians 1:16-17).  As theologian Abraham Kuyper once stated - "there is not one square inch of creation that Christ does not proclaim "mine"! 

So with general revelation being information about God in creation and Jesus Christ being the Incarnation of God in human flesh, where do we go to find out specific information about Jesus Christ, creation and salvation? This leads us to our third category: The special revelation of the Bible.

3. Special Revelation - Specific information from God in words, specifically revealing Jesus Christ, salvation and creation's purpose
General revelation is "general" in the sense that all people have access to it and can discern information about God.  However, general revelation is "non-saving", meaning that it by itself cannot lead to salvation.  In order for salvation to occur, there must be the presence of God's Special revelation - the Bible, which reveals the fullness of revelation - Jesus Christ.  Psalm 19:7 tells us - "The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." 1 Peter 1:23 communicates - "for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God."  

How General, Special and Fullness of Revelation work together while still being distinguished
The Bible is "special revelation" because of the fact it is the "specific" source the Holy Spirit uses to communicate God's will and saving purposes.  Romans 10:17 reminds us that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."  In terms of how general revelation and special revelation work together, if a person will but agree with what general revelation is telling them about God, then the Spirit will send a missionary or believer to communicate the scriptures and the Spirit through the scriptures can in turn bring them to saving faith in Lord. (Acts 17:22-34; Romans 10:8-10; James 1:18).  However if a person rejects the "lesser light" of general revelation, then they have demonstrated their persistence in unbelief and thus will not be receptive to special revelation of the fullness of revelation Jesus Christ - hence leaving them without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)  

Think of an illustration of a darkened room.  In darkness, my eyes are completely adjusted.  However if you suddenly were to turn on the lights, the light would sting and cause pain. I may conclude I do not want you to turn on the lights.  However let's say you brought in the dim light of a night-light.  After seeing the benefits of the night-light, I would then be open to further light.  You then come and turn on the overhead lights, prompting me in turn to come to you and trust you, since a lighted room is far better than a darkened one.   

Only in the specific confines of the Bible do we come to know the fullness of Revelation - Jesus Christ.  The Books of Mormonism and the Koran do not contain any information whatsoever about the fullness of revelation Jesus Christ - since they are nothing but religious reflections and opinions of unbelieving, unconverted men.  The Jesus of Mormonism and the Koran is not the same as the Jesus of revealed scripture. This is yet another reason we term the Bible "special revelation", since it alone reveals who Christ is, God's saving purposes in Him and His glory to be revealed at Christ's return. 

May God be glorified as we enjoy the information we receive about Him from general revelation, explore the Truth of His will in the Inspired special revelation of His Word and embrace the fullness of revelation of the Incarnate God, Jesus Christ, that we derive from the Bible's pages.  

The Divine drive-train in Revelation

Revelation 1:1-3 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,2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

The Drive-train of Divine communication
Every car on the road is able to move forward because of a combination of working parts that we call "a drive-train".   In a drive-train you have the motor that is the source of power, the transmission that receives and channels the power, a drive shaft that communicates the channeled power to the wheels and axles, with the wheels and axles moving the car in a given direction.  Whenever you read the introduction to the Book of Revelation (1:1-3), you are seeing God's drive-train of divine communication.  

1. Revelation from God,  the Power source in the Divine drive-train.  
As we said earlier, in a car's drive-train you begin with the power plant, the engine.  It is the part that normally is unseen, and yet without it, nothing else would happen. God makes known, uncovers, unveils what would had been veiled, covered and unknown to man. (1 Corinthians 2:9-13)  John writes in Revelation 1:1 "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants".  Jesus Christ then is both the subject Divine Revelation and the chief Object or Focus of Revelation. The Holy Spirit is the One who is doing the revealing or unveiling, as other scriptures testify. (John 16:12-15; 2 Peter 1:21)  God the Father is unseen, communicating His thoughts with the Holy Spirit whose aim is to point to Jesus Christ who shares in the same Divine nature as the Father and the Spirit.

2. Inspiration is the transmission that channeled God's thoughts into written words.  
Just as a transmission in a car functions to take the raw power of the motor and channel it into purposeful and communicated energy, the scriptures are the Spirit's way of taking Divine thoughts and turning them into words.  The secondary author of Revelation is the Apostle John, with the Holy Spirit being the Primary author.  Throughout scripture there are roughly 40 other such "secondary authors", with the Holy Spirit being the Chief One.  The Holy Spirit testified in Amos 3:7 that God in the Old Testament did not make His will known save through the prophets.  

John of course would by divine inspiration write the book of Revelation.  This unique act of grace is where God the Holy Spirit enabled men who do err to produce writings that are without error (inerrant) and of which cannot err (infallible).  The Apostle John was to write by Divine inspiration a perfect account of the things which he saw, which are and which are to come. (Revelation 1:19)  The 27 books of the New Testament and the 39 Books of the Old Testament are not mere witnesses to Divine Revelation, nor do they merely contain the words of God - rather the 66 books are the very words of God in written form.  Divine inspiration assumes inerrancy and infallibility in the original manuscripts, being that such documents were divinely inspired by God who cannot err nor lead astray. (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2)  Furthermore, this inerrant and infallible authority carries on down through the copies and translations that have faithfully communicated the doctrines, truth and meaning of the words inspired by the Holy Ghost through the Apostles and Prophets. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)  Quite literally, the English Bible sitting here on my lap is the very Word of God, His Divine library, His mind in written form, needing to be preached, heard and heeded. 

3. Public Reading/Preaching of the Scriptures is the drive-shaft that communicates God's inspired, revealed word to God's people
In a car, the drive-shaft serves to communicate the channeled power of the transmission to the wheels and axles.  We could say that the drive-shaft is the "means" through which the powerful combination of the motor and transmission is communicated meaningfully to the wheels.  When The Lord says to John "blessed is he who reads", the phrase in the original is not merely referring to private reading of the book from beginning to end - rather the Greek word translated "reading" speaks of the public reading and proclamation of the inspired and inerrant scriptures.  Paul uses this same word in two texts that speak of the duty of preachers and the church to promote the preaching of God's word. (2 Corinthians 3:14-18; 1 Timothy 4:13-16).  Though some people may think preaching is unnecessary and even undesired in God's design of the church, nevertheless God has ordained through the foolishness of preaching to bring sinners to salvation and to show the saints the glory of Christ. (Romans 10:8-10, 14-15; 1 Corinthians 1:21)  

4. The hearers of God-centered preaching are to be the axles and wheels that carry forth in obedience and worship
We have witnessed the power source - God's revelation.  We have seen the only way in which revelation was to be channeled into words - the inspired scriptures (The Bible).  We have even witnessed God's divinely ordained means of transferring the scriptures to His saints and to sinners - preaching. Now we see John writes these words in Revelation 1:3 "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near."  As the Book of Revelation, along with the other 65 books were revealed and inspired, they were meant to be explained and exhorted to hearers by way of preaching.  However these same scriptures must in turn be heard and heeded.  

Just as a car is designed to move forward or backwards, depending upon what directions are given by the transmission and clearly communicated by the drive-shaft, so it is with obedience and worship stemming from the hearing of the preached word. Only when the tires and axle assembly are "hearing and heeding" so-to-speak can there then be forward movement.  John is saying that in order for us to experience more of God's power and presence in our lives ("blessing"), we need to be a people who are not only "hearing the word" but "heeding the word".  

The Same One who revealed and inspired the scriptures is the Same Holy Spirit who is needed to enable the preaching of them.  Furthermore, the Spirit's work is still required in order for sinners to believe and repent and for the saints to hear and heed what is being preached. (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Ephesians 5:18) Would you and I today be a people who take to heart John's message in the Book of Revelation.  If we will but hear and heed its words (as well as by extension the whole Bible), we will be a more blessed and effective people for His glory. (Joshua 1:8; Romans 12:1-2)  

P4 Key Golden Verse to the Book of Revelation

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself 
approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.  

In today's post we will conclude our series of presenting key verses to each of the New Testament Books.  Years ago Bible teachers used to refer to "The Golden Verse" as a means of finding one key verse that summarizes a given Bible book.  This approach can prove helpful when attempting to grab hold of the overall message of each Bible book or the Bible as a whole.  Yesterday's post featured "golden key verses" to the General letters of the New Testament: Hebrews - Jude.   In today's post we will consider the Golden verse to the final book of the New Testament and the Bible: Revelation.  In this post we will also mention some general features of the book to aid the reader in a deeper appreciation of the book.  My hope is that this study has been edifying to you in your faith-walk.  To God be the glory!

Suggested Key Golden verse to the Book of Revelation

Revelation 1:19 "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things."

This verse has been cited for years as a golden key verse due to the three-fold way in which Revelation can be outlined around it's statements:

1. "things which you have seen" Revelation 1

2. "things which are" Revelation1-3 (including 4-5)

3. "things which will take place" (also including 4-5, 6-18)

Revelation 4-5 is included in both "the things which are" and the "things which are to come" due to the fact that the throne room is the very throne room of God the Father and the Son. Being that God sees from His point of view all things as they are and all things being already complete, then past, present and future are going on simultaneously. (compare Psalm 90, 102, 139, Romans 11:33-36, Hebrews 1)  This observation is why I see overlap in Revelation 4-5.

As we look at the book of Revelation from Revelation 1:19, we can say that the book generally progresses from past, present to future.  Though this be the case, the way in which the events of the future (Revelation 6-22) unfold are more in the manner of re-telling a sequence of events in a repeated, "winding staircase fashion".  Simply put, the Apostle John is presenting a sequence of future events in a repeated fashion to give the reader greater and greater detail and to unfold major themes that will culminate at Christ's return (Revelation 19); Christ's Reign (Revelation 20) and Christ's Renewal of all things (Revelation 21-22).  

Truly and significantly the entire Book of Revelation is about showing the Priority and Preeminence of Jesus Christ in the fullness of His being and glory, as well as revealing details of His soon return that give hope in the present and prepares his church for the future.  

P3 Golden Key Verses to the New Testament General Letters

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself 
approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.  

In today's post we continue our study of presenting key verses to each of the New Testament Books.  Years ago Bible teachers used to refer to "The Golden Verse" as a means of finding one key verse that summarizes a given Bible book.  This approach can prove helpful when attempting to grab hold of the overall message of each Bible book or the Bible as a whole.  Yesterday's post featured "golden key verses" to the letters or Epistles of Paul in the New Testament.  In today's post we will consider the Golden verses to what is often termed "The General Epistles" or "General Letters".  May this list prove edifying to you in your faith-walk.  To God be the glory!

Suggested Key Golden verses to the General Letters

Hebrews 8:1 "Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens."

James 2:26 "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."

1 John 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."

2 John 6 "And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it."

3 John 11 "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God."

Jude 3 "Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints." 

These seven letters are called "General" due to the fact they are written not so much to specific churches as they are written to Christians in regions where churches or groups of Christians live.1  Among these eight letters we find common themes such as suffering, the need for perseverance, the relationship between the Old and New Testaments and the need to defend the faith.  In tomorrow's post we will consider the Golden key verse and some general features of the last book of the Bible: The Book of Revelation.

Endnotes_________________

1. These letters in times past have been called "The Catholic Epistles" (from a Greek word "katholikos" meaning "general").  

Golden Key Verses to Paul's letters

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself 
approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.  

In today's post I want to present
key verses to each of the New Testament Book that I have found helpful in unlocking their meaning and aim.  Years ago Bible teachers used to refer to "The Golden Verse" as a means of finding one key verse that summarizes a given Bible book.  This approach can prove helpful when attempting to grab hold of the overall message of each Bible book or the Bible as a whole.  Yesterday's post featured "golden key verses" to the Gospels and the Book of Acts.  In today's post we will consider the Golden verses to Paul's Epistles or letters.  May this list prove edifying to you in your faith-walk.  To God be the glory!

Suggested Key Golden verses to Paul's Letters

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Galatians 3:11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”

Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Colossians 3:1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is,seated at the right hand of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him

1 Timothy 3:15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness

Titus 3:8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

Philemon 15-16 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

These verses are suggested key verses for all of Paul's letters.  Depending upon one's viewpoint, the Book of Hebrews could be included in this post, since some tend to believe Paul as the author of that letter.  For the purpose of this series, we will let that issue be for another time and include Hebrews in tomorrow's post, when we consider Golden Key Verses to the General Letters.

P1 - Golden Verses to the Gospels & Acts

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.  

In today's post I want to present key verses to each of the New Testament Book that I have found helpful in unlocking their meaning and aim.  Years ago Bible teachers used to refer to "The Golden Verse" as a means of finding one key verse that summarizes a given Bible book.  This approach can prove helpful when attempting to grab hold of the overall message of each Bible book or the Bible as a whole.  In today's post we will propose Golden verses to the Four Gospels and the Book of Acts.  May this list prove edifying to you in your faith-walk.  To God be the glory!

Suggested Key "Golden Verses" to the Gospels & Acts

Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."  Jesus is our Majestic King

Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Jesus' mission as our Suffering Servant

Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Jesus is our Mediating Perfect Representative

John 20:31 "but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." Jesus is our Magnificent, Divine Savior.

Acts 1:8 "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."  This verse gives you the outline of the Book of Acts:

Power of the Holy Spirit: Acts 1-2

Witnesses in Jerusalem: Acts 2-8

Judea and Samaria: Acts 9-12

Remotest part of the earth: Acts 13-28

More tomorrow....

A Minister's Bible - Anonymous Prayer

2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."

The book "Valley of Vision" is a collection of prayers and reflections on scripture that I have found to be of great blessing to my soul over the years.  In today's post I want to share with you a prayer entitled "A Minister's Bible".  Many of the prayers in "Valley of Vision" were anonymous, reflecting the humility and deep spiritual relationship the authors had with Jesus.  May this piece be of blessing to you this Lord's day.

A Minister's Bible - Anonymous prayer

From the Book: "The Valley of Vision"

O God of a Truth

I thank thee for the holy Scriptures

their precepts, promises, directions, light

In them may I learn more of Christ,

be enabled to retain His truth

and have the grace to follow it.

Help me to lift up the gates of my soul that He may come in

and show me Himself when I search the Scriptures

For I have no lines to fathom its depths,

no wings to soar to its heights.

By His aid may I be enabled to explore all its truths,

love them with all my heart,

embrace them with all my power,

engraft them into my life.

Bless to my soul as grains of truth garnered from thy Word;

may they take deep root,

be refreshed by heavenly dew,

be ripened by heavenly rays

be harvested to my joy and thy praise.

Help me to gain profit by what I read,

as treasure beyond all treasure,

a fountain which can replenish my dry heart,

its waters flowing through me as a perennial river

on-drawn by the Holy Spirit.

Enable me to distill from its pages faithful prayer

that grasps the arm of thy omnipotence,

achieves wonders, obtains blessings,

and draws down streams of mercy.

From it show me how my words have often been unfaithful to thee,

injurious to my fellow-men, empty of grace, full of folly

dishonoring to my calling.

Then write thy own words upon my heart and inscribe them on my lips;

So shall all glory be to thee in my reading of thy Word!