The Abiding Word Bible Study By EE Healy BIBLICAL REVELATION: God has revealed His will.
The word Revelation in the Greek (apocalupsis) is defined as “an uncovering” or literally “to draw back the veil”. Usage: Dan. 2:22 God knows, Deut. 29:29 secret things vs. things revealed to us. 1 Cor. 2:9 God revealed that which is in His mind. Matt. 10:26 revealing of the unknown Two Types of Revelation in Religion or Faith and Belief: Natural Religion is unrevealed religion. Man’s attempt in and of himself by his own rational processes to find God. The attempt of man through natural means, his own rational, brain, physical senses, to find God. The result is absolute silence or a presumed discovery which results in man to substitute creation for creator Rom. 1:25. Supernatural Religion is revealed religion. God is making Himself known to man. The result is the silence is broken. Heb 1:1-2 God speaks (revelation). Man can know because God makes Himself known to man, the silence is broken by God. The Bible claims to be a Supernatural Revelation of God from God to man. The Bible is God’s own and only Revelation to mankind. Read: Amos 3:7 the Lord reveals.. 1Pet. 1:10-12 it was revealed.. By a Supernatural Revelation God has made known Himself, His Will, His Purpose, His Truth. Rom. 16:26 - God’s Eternal Purpose was made known through the prophets. Eph. 3:1-9 – The mystery is revealed. Heb. 1:1-2 – God spoke through prophetic utterance but final word through His Son. Supernatural Revelation is Biblical Revelation – God Speaking to Mankind: 1 Peter 1:10-12 – God has a revelation which underwent a process of development; the prophets themselves wanted to look into it, as did the angels. 2 Peter 1:19-21 – the will of God (not man) being revealed by the Holy Spirit of God through the agent of man – plenary (complete), verbally inspired. 1 Cor. 2ff – no one can know the mind of God but the Spirit of God. John 4:23-24 – God, the eternal Spirit, has chosen to reveal his will to mankind. Biblical Revelation is concerned with that which: • is above the natural. • Is beyond the power of the natural to disclose. • Is beyond the power of mankind to discover. a. Biblical Revelation relates to God; declaring who and what God is. b. Biblical Revelation proceeds from God; declaring who and what man is. c. Biblical Revelation is concerned with God and Man; declaring that which God has purposed and provided for mankind. Biblical Revelation is possible. Mark 10:27 – all things possible with God according to Jesus Luke 1:37 – nothing is impossible with God Isaiah 55:8-11 – God’s ways and thoughts are higher Biblical Revelation is necessary. Without it we could not know: • sin and its consequence – death and separation. • of God’s character – His holiness, justice, mercy, love and truth. • of God’s great purpose and provision – man’s salvation in Christ Jesus. • of truth- God’s will and way for all humanity. Biblical Revelation is purposed. John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave. Acts 17:22-23 – God thru the preaching reveals that which was unknown. The Creator loves His creatures and longs to bring them into fellowship with Himself. Biblical Revelation is believable and reasonable. • The Bible, God’s Word, is the historical record of intelligent and reasonable messages from God to mankind. • It would be most unreasonable and very strange that the Author of our being, who has enabled us to communicate with one another, should never have communicated with us at all. Conclusion: 1. The certainty of this Revelation is seen in the Bible, God’s revealed Word. 2. The Bible claims to be the Revelation of God to the whole world. 3. The claims of the Bible are substantiated by its inspired prophecy and fulfillment, by the signs and miracles that confirmed the Word of God, and by the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Rom. 1:4 – revealed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Rom. 16:25-26 – according to the revelation of the mystery. 1Pet. 1:10-21 – concerning this salvation….by the living and abiding word of God. 4. Human opinion and human reason are not sufficient guides in matters of eternal life and Godly behavior. They are diverse and contradictory. Jer.10:23 – Not within man to direct his steps, needs a Guide. Gal. 6:6-8 – Result of man guiding himself is corruption. Heb.1:1-2 – God’s Son is the revelation of God’s guiding will for mankind. 5. Our world is hopelessly corrupt and is powerless to make itself better. It is the Bible alone, as the revelation from God, that delivers us from: • Ignorance, conceit and deception. • Hatred, cruelty and corruption. Rom. 1:18-32 – results in God’s wrath. 1Cor. 6:9-10 – the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God. 6. Humanity, in its longing for satisfaction and fulfillment, can only realize the who, what, when, and where from God’s supernatural revelation, the Bible. God has spoken to mankind in the Bible, His revealed word. Heb.1:1-2 - In these last days through His Son. John 12:48-50 - God the Father commands what to speak.