The Doctrine of Revelation: General and Special

The Doctrine of Revelation: General and Special

The very foundation of Christian theology rests upon the premise that God has spoken. Without God’s active communication of Himself to humanity, there could be no true knowledge of Him, no understanding of His will, and no path to salvation. This divine self-disclosure is known as revelation. The Bible, God's inspired Word, clearly teaches that God has not left Himself without witness, but has graciously chosen to make Himself known to mankind in various ways. These modes of revelation are broadly categorized into two distinct, yet complementary, forms: General Revelation and Special Revelation.

General Revelation

General revelation refers to God's self-disclosure through the created order, human conscience, and historical events. It is "general" in the sense that it is available to all people at all times, providing a universal witness to God's existence, power, and divine nature. It does not reveal the specific plan of salvation, but it does leave humanity without excuse for not acknowledging a Creator.

One of the most profound testimonies to God's existence and attributes is the universe itself. The vastness, complexity, and intricate design of creation powerfully declare the glory and handiwork of an intelligent and powerful Creator. The Psalmist eloquently articulates this truth:

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Psalms 19:1-3

The apostle Paul further elaborates on this in his letter to the Romans, emphasizing that creation reveals enough about God to render humanity accountable:

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Romans 1:20

This means that no individual can claim ignorance of God's existence, for the very fabric of the cosmos testifies to His being. The order, beauty, and sustenance of life all point to a divine architect.

Beyond the external witness of creation, God has also implanted an internal witness within every human being: the conscience. This innate moral sense, which distinguishes between right and wrong, bears witness to God's moral law. Even those who have never heard the written law of God possess a sense of justice and accountability, demonstrating that God's law is "written in their hearts." Paul explains this internal testimony:

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Romans 2:14-15

This internal moral compass, though marred by sin, still points to a divine standard of righteousness, confirming God's existence as a moral governor of the universe.

God also reveals aspects of Himself through His superintendence of human history. The rise and fall of nations, the preservation of Israel, and the unfolding of divine purposes throughout time demonstrate God's sovereignty, justice, and faithfulness. While not as explicit as creation or conscience, historical events, when viewed through a biblical lens, reveal God's active involvement in the affairs of mankind. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself spoke of signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and distress of nations, as indicators of His impending return, showing God's control over history (Luke 21:25).

While general revelation is sufficient to render humanity accountable for acknowledging God, it is insufficient for salvation. It reveals God's power and deity, but it does not reveal His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. It tells us that God exists and is powerful, but it does not tell us how to be reconciled to Him. For this crucial knowledge, humanity requires Special Revelation.

Special Revelation

Special revelation refers to God's specific, personal, and redemptive communication of Himself to particular individuals at particular times, culminating in Jesus Christ and the Holy Scriptures. It is "special" because it is not universally accessible without divine intervention and is primarily concerned with God's saving purposes.

Throughout history, God has chosen various means to reveal His specific will and saving truth:

• Theophanies and Angelophanies: Direct appearances of God (e.g., God speaking to Moses from the burning bush, Exodus 3:2) or appearances of angels as divine messengers (e.g., to Abraham, Genesis 18:1).
• Dreams and Visions: God communicated His will through dreams (e.g., Joseph's dreams, Genesis 37:5; Daniel's visions, Daniel 7:1) and visions (e.g., Peter's vision, Acts 10:9-16).
• Prophetic Utterances: God spoke directly through His chosen prophets, who faithfully delivered His messages to His people (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel). The prophets often began their messages with "Thus saith the LORD."
• Miracles: Divine interventions that defy natural law, serving to authenticate God's messengers and His message (e.g., the plagues in Egypt, Exodus 7:3; Christ's miracles, John 20:30-31).

The ultimate and most complete form of special revelation is the person of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God. He is God in human flesh, perfectly revealing the Father. The book of Hebrews powerfully states this truth:

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:1-2

Jesus Himself declared, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9). In Christ, God's character, purposes, and redemptive plan are fully and perfectly displayed. He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person (Hebrews 1:3). All of God's saving truth is embodied in Him.

Following the incarnation of Christ, the final and authoritative form of special revelation is the Holy Scripture, the Bible. The New Testament records the life and teachings of Jesus, the apostolic interpretation of His work, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The Bible is God-breathed and serves as the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient written Word of God. The apostle Paul affirms the divine origin and purpose of Scripture:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible is not merely human words about God; it is God's very words to humanity, preserved for all generations. It is the infallible rule of faith and practice, providing everything necessary for salvation and for living a life pleasing to God. As Peter states, "we have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place" (2 Peter 1:19). This "more sure word" refers to the written Scriptures, validated by the prophetic word and eyewitness accounts of Christ's glory.

The Relationship Between General and Special Revelation

General and special revelation are not in conflict; rather, they are distinct yet harmonious. General revelation establishes the existence of a powerful and divine Creator, leaving humanity without excuse for their ungodliness. It creates a foundational awareness of God, preparing the way for the specific truths of special revelation.

However, general revelation cannot provide the path to salvation or a full understanding of God's character. It reveals God's power and glory, but not His grace and mercy in Christ. Special revelation, particularly the Bible, interprets general revelation, explaining the purpose of creation, the origin of sin, and God's redemptive plan. It reveals the personal God who desires a relationship with His creation, offering forgiveness and eternal life through His Son. Without special revelation, humanity would be left in darkness, unable to truly know God or His saving will.

Therefore, while general revelation points to a God who exists, special revelation reveals the God who saves. Both are from the same divine source, but special revelation is absolutely necessary for a saving knowledge of God and for guiding believers in truth and righteousness.

Conclusion

The doctrine of revelation is fundamental to Christian faith. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, has not remained silent but has graciously revealed Himself to humanity. Through general revelation, manifested in the glory of creation, the witness of conscience, and the unfolding of history, all people are given sufficient evidence of God's existence and power, rendering them accountable. Yet, this universal witness is insufficient for salvation.

For the specific knowledge of God's redemptive plan, humanity depends entirely on special revelation. This culminated supremely in the person of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied and declared the Father, and is preserved authoritatively in the Holy Scriptures, the KJV Bible. The Bible is God's infallible Word, providing the complete and sufficient truth for salvation and for Christian living. It is through the inspired Word of God that we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and are equipped for every good work. Therefore, let us ever diligently study and obey the Scriptures, for in them we find the very words of eternal life, revealed by the living God.