Bibliology - Revelation

Revelation

A. Defining the concept of Revelation

1. “Revelation involves God (the Creator) conveying truth about himself to humanity”[1]

MacArthur Pg. 72

2. “Revelation is the sum total of the ways in which God makes himself known”[2]

Ramm, Bernard L. Special Revelation and the Word of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1971. Pg. 17

B. Divided into two categories:

1. General

a. General in two senses

1- To everyone

2- General concepts about God

2. Special

a. Or Specific

3. illustrates the concept of general and specific revelation very well, since both phenomena are described in a single Psalm

a. v. 1-6 = General Revelation

b. v. 7-11 = Specific revelation

C. Progressive Revelation

D. – “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”

1. “God…spoke”

a. Revelation is God speaking to us

1- Notice, it is God who initiates the conversation

i. “This initial affirmation …is basic to the Christian faith. Had God remained silent, enshrouded in thick darkness, the plight of mankind would have been desperate indeed; but now He has spoken His revealing, redeeming and life-giving word, and in His light we see light.”[3]

Bruce, F. F. The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Epistle to the Hebrews. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.

ii.

2- The medium is language!

i. Words have meaning

ii. Hermeneutics

2. “…in many portions and in many ways…”

a. “In many portions”

1- Progressive Revelation

2- This is not from less true to more true

b. “And in many ways”

1- God spoke to Moses in a burning bush and then thunder and lightnings, to Balaam through a donkey, to Elijah in a still small voice.

2- Prophets, priests, songs, laments, stories.

c. Anarthrous “Son”

[1] MacArthur Pg. 72

[2] Ramm, Bernard L. Special Revelation and the Word of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1971. Pg. 17

[3] Bruce, F. F. The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Epistle to the Hebrews. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.

a. “In many portions”

1- Progressive Revelation

i. “The knowledge of God and His works was revealed progressively throughout history. The most obvious proof is to compare incomplete Jewish theology with the fuller revelation of Christian theology in respect, for example, to such doctrines as the Trinity, Christology, the Holy Spirit, Resurrection, and eschatology.”

Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. Basic Theology: a Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999. Pg. 28

ii. This is not from less true to more true.

iii. “God unfolded His revelation according to a two-dimensioned, tandem manner: as He willed to give it and as humans were able to receive it.”

McCune, 108

b. “And in many ways”

1- God spoke to Moses in a burning bush and then thunder and lightnings, to Balaam through a donkey, to Elijah in a still small voice.

2- Prophets, priests, songs, laments, stories.