General and special revelation are the two ways God has chosen to reveal Himself to humanity. This is clearly seen in the 19th psalm. The first six verses of the psalm speak of general revelation; God revealing Himself through natural means (nature).
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world” (Psalm 19:1-4, NLT).
Through the creation itself God reveals Himself to the whole world. Because this revelation is so unmistakably clear Paul concluded, “They are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). No one can stand before God on the Day of Judgment and claim ignorance. The revelation is obvious to all and therefore understood by all.
The next five verses in the 19th psalm (vv7-11) speak of special revelation. While general revelation happens through natural means, special revelation occurs through supernatural means. The most common form of special revelation is the Bible. Did you know that the Bible is a miraculous book? God miraculously guided some 40 authors over a period of about 1,600 years to record His message to all mankind, and to do it without contradiction or error. That’s amazing!
Furthermore, the Bible is alive. As the inspired Word of God it speaks directly into our lives with amazing authority and accuracy. The Bible is also the standard by which other forms of special revelation (i.e, dreams, visions, prophecies, interpretations, etc.) are judged. Speaking of the written revelation of God to mankind, Jesus made this statement to the unbelieving Jews of His day, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). God is revealed in His Word.
Of course, Jesus Himself is the ultimate form of special revelation. He is the Word made flesh. As He told His disciples, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Like the wind that blows where it will that cannot be stopped, such is the revelation of God to the world. He will make Himself known. And we have a role to play in this through the carrying out of the Great Commission – all the church taking all the gospel to all the world!
To respond correctly to general and special revelation is to be innocent of the great transgression (Psalm 19:13). The greatest sin of all is that of unbelief. To turn a blind eye to the Creator of the universe and ignore the Author of the Bible is the greatest transgression possible.
God’s purpose in revealing Himself to all humanity is to bring us to a point of belief which results in salvation, for whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life! This is the reason for it all. It’s what God is after.
Pastor Todd Weston
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world” (Psalm 19:1-4, NLT).
Through the creation itself God reveals Himself to the whole world. Because this revelation is so unmistakably clear Paul concluded, “They are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). No one can stand before God on the Day of Judgment and claim ignorance. The revelation is obvious to all and therefore understood by all.
The next five verses in the 19th psalm (vv7-11) speak of special revelation. While general revelation happens through natural means, special revelation occurs through supernatural means. The most common form of special revelation is the Bible. Did you know that the Bible is a miraculous book? God miraculously guided some 40 authors over a period of about 1,600 years to record His message to all mankind, and to do it without contradiction or error. That’s amazing!
Furthermore, the Bible is alive. As the inspired Word of God it speaks directly into our lives with amazing authority and accuracy. The Bible is also the standard by which other forms of special revelation (i.e, dreams, visions, prophecies, interpretations, etc.) are judged. Speaking of the written revelation of God to mankind, Jesus made this statement to the unbelieving Jews of His day, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). God is revealed in His Word.
Of course, Jesus Himself is the ultimate form of special revelation. He is the Word made flesh. As He told His disciples, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Like the wind that blows where it will that cannot be stopped, such is the revelation of God to the world. He will make Himself known. And we have a role to play in this through the carrying out of the Great Commission – all the church taking all the gospel to all the world!
To respond correctly to general and special revelation is to be innocent of the great transgression (Psalm 19:13). The greatest sin of all is that of unbelief. To turn a blind eye to the Creator of the universe and ignore the Author of the Bible is the greatest transgression possible.
God’s purpose in revealing Himself to all humanity is to bring us to a point of belief which results in salvation, for whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life! This is the reason for it all. It’s what God is after.
Pastor Todd Weston