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See Article on Religion What is meant by Revelation?When we use the expression "Revelation" we are usually referring to the way in which God reveals something of himself, or of his plans, to us. It may be argued that there are two kinds of Revelation - General RevelationGod has revealed something of his own person in nature, in the forces and laws of nature, in the beauty of creation and the awesomeness of nature. He has planted some of his own nature in humans because "he made them in his own image" However, nature and other forms of general revelation are not enough. It might be possible for us to deduce the existence of God from general revelation but we could not find in it our need for a saviour, nor our way to reconciliation with God. General revelation, depending as it does upon the creation, is at best obscure because of the fall of man. Creation itself has been corrupted and man, in particular, is corrupt through his inherited sinful nature. General revelation certainly would not be a sufficient basis for any religion . Indeed those religions which have attempted to find God through this general revelation in nature are always totally inadequate and usually result in man's attempt at manipulating the creation or the Creator for their own purposes which is witchcraft whether it is called Wicca or New Ageism. This is not to suggest that there is no value in general revelation at all. For many people it is a starting point in finding God or a reminder to the believer of the greatness of God. One might quote the popular hymn, Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Probably most people have had that experience of looking at glorious scenery, a beautiful sunset, the pounding waves or some similar aspect of nature and knowing that this could be no accident but the work of a Being so awesome that the appropriate reaction is simply to say, "My God!" Special RevelationHebrews 1:1 - 2 says In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Because of the corruption of man through sin it became necessary for God to reveal himself in special ways that are unmistakable. The revelation of himself in creation was obscured by the fall so God chose to reveal himself through certain people and certain acts throughout history. In particular he revealed himself through his constant intervention in the history of one people - the Jews. Perhaps for the Jews the most significant of all those acts is to be found in the Exodus - his leading forth of his people from slavery in Egypt to a new and promised land. Within this act he also gave to them the Law - often called the Law of Moses but in reality the Law of God. He spoke to selected men and women called prophets but finally he revealed himself by his incarnation as Jesus Christ - the Only Begotten Son. The Bible is our recorded version of these revelations of himself. Christians believe that the Bible contains sufficient record of God's revelation of himself and of his will to enable us to know the way of salvation and to find his general will for us. Some Christians also believe that God still speaks through prophecy and vision so that his Special Revelation has not come to an end. However, it is important to remember that no true revelation or vision will ever contradict the revelation of Scripture so all that claims to be from God can and must be subjected to the light of Scripture. Also, these present day revelations are given in specific situations for specific reasons. They are not generally valid outside of those situations and do not have the authority of Scripture. They are for guidance, not for law. |