Scripture:
Special Revelation
Special revelation is initiated
by God and is about God. It is very specific, as opposed to general
revelation. Truths about God are disclosed, as are humanities sinful
condition, and God's desire to call a people to himself. The Bible
is the word of God- the source of God's special revelation. The
Bible identifies God, his will, his mighty works, his plan of
redemption, and everything a Christian needs for faith and life.
Unlike creation, the Bible is very understandable and particular.
Special revelation is available
to specific people at specific times and in specific places. Not
everyone had the word of God revealed or available to them. God
revealed himself to certain people and had these encounters preserved
in Scripture.
God chose to reveal himself in
a more specific manner than he did previously through creation,
providence, and conscience. General revelation unveils truths about
God through what can be observed with the senses. Special revelation
uses words to communicate more accurately the truths of God. It is a
more accurate and faithful mode of informing man what God wants them
to know.
Special revelation was
progressive. God did not reveal himself all at once, but through
stages. He made his will and truth known slowly over a period of
time. The words of God were recorded, preserved, and handed down.
They can now be read, studied, taught, proclaimed, and treasured.
The primary focus of special
revelation is God and his redemption. God chose to reveal himself in
a direct way to fallen humanity. The truth is, God did not have to
make himself known. He is under no obligation. Not to mention,
sinful man is undeserving. God does not owe his creation anything.
And he especially doesn't owe anything to sinners, except of course
his judgment and wrath. But, praise God, he has revealed himself and
his amazing salvation. That is grace!
God spoke and acted in space
and time. At certain times and to specific individuals, God revealed
himself, taught his ways, thundered his laws, and proclaimed his
salvation. The special revelation of God culminated in the sending
of the Son, the Word (Jn. 1:1, 14). The special redemptive word of
God is that Christ, the Son, took on flesh, came and bore the curse
of sin and the wrath of the Father on the cross for all those who
would repent of their sin and trust in him alone for salvation. This
is the gospel. This is the most special of all God's revelation.
The incarnation of the Son is
the pinnacle of God's special revelation. It is the most complete
mode of God's revelation to mankind. God spoke, and still speaks,
through the life, actions, miracles, teachings, death, and
resurrection of Christ (Heb. 1:1-3). Christ fully reveals God (Col.
1:15-20, 2:9). This was the message of the Old Testament (veiled in
prophesies, types, and shadows) and the New Testament (unveiled
precisely).
God's special revelation
centers around the person and work of Christ. Thankfully, the Lord
saw fit to preserve his message in written form- the Bible. Now, his
word, his saving truth, can be known, understood, and trusted. The
glorious God of the universe has made himself known.
In revealing himself in all his
glory and grace, God has also revealed the truth about humanity. We
are fallen. Broken, corrupted, and dead in sin. We are not like
God; the serpent, the devil, lied in the garden (Gen. 3). God is
holy, we are unholy. God is truth, we love lies. God is righteous,
we are unrighteous. But, thanks be to God, his word contains the
message of our salvation. Christ is the Savior. Man is now
commanded to repent and believe on Christ for deliverance from the
just punishment due their sin (Acts 17:30-31, 20:21). This is the
message of the Bible. This is God's special revelation.
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