Monday, February 05, 2018

Revelation--God Unveiled

by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.


The revelation of God’s power and divinity surrounds us, for nature reveals these (Romans 1:20). We watch waves crashing upon the shore and tides flowing in and out, giving us glimpses of God’s power. We learn math that echoes God’s orderliness and beauty. We gaze upon a newborn infant, and our hearts leap at the reflection of God’s divinity in this tiny human form. The revelation of God is all around us, but this general revelation, given by nature, does not tell us everything God wants us to know. His power and divinity are crucial, but he also wants us to know who he is and what he desires for us. God gave us special revelation, namely, Scripture and the incarnation of Christ, to communicate this truth. Last year we studied the doctrine of Christ; this year we focus on Scripture.


   Scripture reveals God's nature. It shows us that God is self-existent, eternal, steadfast, all-knowing, unique and pure, correct, good, love, in charge, all-powerful, and always present.
   Scripture reveals God's will. From the laws and prophets of the Old Testament to the commands and instructions of the New, Scripture tells us what God expects and requires of his people.
   Scripture reveals the good news of salvation. In it we see God telling his people Israel that they will be his people and he will be their God. We see him declare himself as the God who delivered his people from slavery and oppression in Egypt. We see the Savior foreshadowed as the Prophet, Priest, and coming King. We see the life, teaching, and people of this Savior, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

So, what is our proper response to the revelation of God, both general and special? Let's return to Romans 1 for some insight. The foolish see nature’s revelation, but do not give God honor. But we shall. The foolish do not give thanks to the Creator. But we shall. The foolish become futile in their minds. But we shall become fruitful. The foolish trust their own minds and hearts. But we shall seek and trust the Spirit and his illumination of God's revelation. The foolish choose to worship nature. But we choose to worship God and God alone.

This is what Scripture reveals.

Sources
Revelation 1:5b-8
John 1:1-5
Hebrews 1:1-4
Romans 1:18-23
C. F. H. Henry. Revelation, Special.  Ed. Elwell, W. A. (2001). In Evangelical dictionary of theology: Second Edition (pp. 1021–1024). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.