For finite, fragile, and limited human beings, fully comprehending an omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent God is utterly impossible. Yet, despite our limitations, God desires to reveal Himself to His creation. Since the beginning of time, He has been unveiling His nature and character through various means. Through both general and special revelation, God ensures that those who seek Him can know Him.
The General Revelation of God
God’s general revelation is His way of making Himself known universally through nature, human conscience, and history. This is to ensure that all people can recognise His existence and divine attributes.
God reveals Himself through Creation (Nature)
Paul writes in Romans 1:20 that since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen through what has been made. The Psalmist also declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1-2).
Creation itself testifies of a Creator. The intricate details of the universe, the order of the cosmos, the complexity of life—all point to an intelligent Designer. These natural revelations make it evident that God exists, leaving humanity without excuse.
Through Human Conscience (Moral Law Within)
Romans 2:14-15 speaks of the moral law written on human hearts, stating that even Gentiles who do not have the law instinctively do what it requires. The human conscience testifies to an innate understanding of right and wrong, revealing that humanity is more than just a product of chance. Through both creation and the moral law within, Paul concludes that people are “without excuse” (Romans 1:20). God has provided sufficient evidence of His existence.
However, while nature and conscience reveal that there is a Creator, they do not provide specifics about how to know Him personally. This is humanity’s great dilemma—they know there is a God but do not know how to reach Him or understand who He truly is.
The Special Revelation of God
Since general revelation is not sufficient to bring people into a relationship with God, He has also revealed Himself supernaturally through special revelation. This includes divine illumination, visions, angelic visitations, and, most importantly, His written Word—ultimately culminating in Jesus Christ. Because God is beyond human comprehension, He must take the initiative for us to gain a true understanding of who He is.
Divine Revelation as the Foundation of Faith
In Matthew 16:16-17, when Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, Jesus responded, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” True knowledge of God comes not through human intellect alone but through divine revelation.
Those who genuinely seek God with the right heart posture will receive His revelation. Jesus said that doing God's will is necessary to truly understand His Word (Joh 7:17). While the Bible contains knowledge of God, its deeper revelation is hidden beneath the text—like a treasure waiting to be discovered by those who sincerely seek Him (Matt 13:44).
Through His Word
Many have claimed to have revelations of God, yet not all are true. The Bible warns that even Satan can masquerade as an angel of light. To distinguish truth from deception, God has given us His Word as a measuring rod.
Paul reminds us that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). While the Bible does not contain all there is to know about God, it gives us the essential knowledge needed for salvation and discernment. Every genuine revelation from God must therefore align with Scripture.
The Names of God: A Progressive Revelation
Throughout Scripture, God progressively reveals Himself, often through different names, each signifying an aspect of His character. These names not only reveal who He is but also teach us what we can expect in our relationship with Him.
Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) – "God" (Genesis 1:1) – A plural form emphasizing majesty and power.
YHWH (יהוה) / Yahweh – "The LORD" (Exodus 3:14) – God's covenant name, meaning "I AM."
Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) – "Lord" or "Master" (Psalm 16:2) – A title of authority and sovereignty.
El Shaddai (אֵל שַׁדַּי) – "God Almighty" (Genesis 17:1) – The all-sufficient One.
El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) – "God Most High" (Genesis 14:18) – Supreme ruler over all.
El Roi (אֵל רֳאִי) – "The God Who Sees" (Genesis 16:13) – Hagar’s name for God in the wilderness.
El Olam (אֵל עוֹלָם) – "The Everlasting God" (Isaiah 40:28) – The eternal, unchanging One.
Jehovah Jireh (יְהוָה יִרְאֶה) – "The LORD Will Provide" (Genesis 22:14) – God's provision for Abraham.
Jehovah Rapha (יְהוָה רֹפְאֶךָ) – "The LORD Who Heals" (Exodus 15:26).
Jehovah Nissi (יְהוָה נִסִּי) – "The LORD is My Banner" (Exodus 17:15) – Symbolizing victory.
Jehovah Shalom (יְהוָה שָׁלוֹם) – "The LORD is Peace" (Judges 6:24).
Jehovah Tsidkenu (יְהוָה צִדְקֵנוּ) – "The LORD Our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6).
Jehovah Sabaoth (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת) – "The LORD of Hosts" (1 Samuel 1:3) – Leader of heavenly armies.
Jehovah Shammah (יְהוָה שָׁמָּה) – "The LORD is There" (Ezekiel 48:35) – His presence is among His people.
Each name provides deeper insight into God's nature and how He interacts with His people.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Revelation
Some Christians believe that reading the Bible is all that is needed to know God. However, without the illumination of the Holy Spirit, Scripture remains mere knowledge. While this knowledge is valuable, truly knowing God requires more than just information about Him—it requires a personal relationship with Him.
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, saying, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). Despite their vast knowledge of the Scriptures, they failed to recognize the Messiah standing before them. Jesus also stated, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing” (John 6:63).
The knowledge given in the Bible is essential, as it serves as the foundation upon which revelation is built. However, truly knowing someone requires more than just knowledge—it requires a personal encounter. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in, transforming intellectual understanding into divine revelation, making God’s Word alive and transformative.
The Ultimate Revelation: Jesus Christ
While creation, conscience, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit all play roles in revealing God, the most complete and personal revelation of God is found in Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 1:1-3 declares that while God spoke through prophets in the past, in these last days He has spoken through His Son, who is the exact representation of His being. Jesus Himself affirmed this truth: “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). In Colossians Paul states that He is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15).
Jesus did not come to abolish the Old Testament revelation of God or replace it with a new image of Him. Rather, He came to clarify and fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-18). As theologians often say, "The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed." From Genesis to Revelation, God progressively unfolds the knowledge we need to know Him and live in fellowship with Him.
Conclusion
God, in His great love, has made Himself known to humanity. Through creation and conscience, He has provided general revelation, leaving no one without a witness of His existence. Through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and ultimately through Jesus Christ, He has provided special revelation so that we may know Him personally.
In a world filled with countless philosophies and religious ideas, God’s Word remains our compass. And beyond the written Word, He has given us His Spirit to illuminate our minds, turning knowledge into revelation. When that happens, the truth of God becomes more than an idea—it becomes a reality that transforms our lives.
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