Thursday, May 11, 2017

Scripture: Special Revelation

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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