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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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